Patent GB-275186-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to fluid handling apparatus such as gas meters
IPC: G01F3/10
Filed: 1927-06-28
Abstract: 275,186. Roots Co., P. H. & F. M., (Assignees of Owens, R. H.). July 31, 1926, [Convention date]. Movable-abutment type; bearings, arrangement of; starting.-In a, gas meter or other fluid handling apparatus comprising rotary lobed impellers, the impellers are provided at both ends with axially arranged passages 25 within which are mounted either a single shaft or stub shafts 26 having enlarged outer ends projecting through the end plate 20 of the impeller casing 10. The enlarged ends 27 carry the timing gears 50, and are formed with bores 28 for receiving the ball bearings 40 by which the stub shafts are mounted on shaft members 35 which are, supported by pillow blocks 31 detachably secured to a projecting porfion 30 of the impeller casing. The end plates 20 are formed with flanges 105 to which cover plates 106 are attached so as to form chambers enclosing the gears. The gear wheels dip into lubricating oil maintained at a suitable level in the gear chambers. The gears 50 are secured against flanges 51 on the stub shaft by means of cap screws inserted through passages 52 which are sufficiently large to allow of angular adjustment. The gears are locked in position when adjusted by means of tapered pins 56 inserted in aligned passages 54, 55 in the gears and flanges. Preferably gears are provided at both ends of the impeller shafts, and the gears are set against each other to compensate for backlash. Each set of ball bearings 40 is secured in position by a cover plate 58 clamped against the end of the stub shaft 35, and pressing against a ring 59 contacting with the outer race of the bearing. The shaft members 35 are preferably provided with a rib 60 co-operating with inturned flanges 62 on the ring 59 to impede the escape of grease which is forced into the bore 28 through a passage 61 in the stub shaft. The grease prevents impurities present in the gas from entering the bearings. After removing the shaft members 35 the ball bearings may be withdrawn by means of a puller bar inserted in a threaded opening 43 in a, plate 42 arranged between the outer race of the ball bearing and the bottom on the bore 28. Grease is also forced through passages 66 to the grooved apertures 21 in the end plafe surrounding the stub shafts 26. One of the stub shafts carries a gear 57, which drives a. gear 70 mounted on a shaft 71 carried in ball bearings by a standard 73 fixed to the pillow block 31. The shaft 71 operates through worm, helical, or bevel gearing a vertical shaft 77, which is also mounted in ball bearings, and operates register or counter mechanism 90. A pressure gauge 95 indicates the differential pressure across the impellers to enable the slippage of the fluid being metered to be allowed for. The shaft 71 extends through the cover plate 106. and is provided with a slotted end 100 to receive a crank for turning the impellers to start the meter when metering low pressure gases. A sleeve 108 formed with packing recesses 111, 116 is secured to the cover plate 106 over the shaft 71, and a cap 120 is screwed on the sleeve when the starting crank is not in use. A passage 125 is provided in the sleeve 108 for the supply of grease to the bearings supporting the shaft 71.