Improvements in Instruments for Ascertaining the Hourly Consumption of Gas by Gas Burners.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1850
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments for Ascertaining the Hourly
Consumption of Gas by Gas Burners.
I WILLIAM FREDERICK FLETCHER of the firm of G. J. Parkinson & Co., of Penn
Street, Curzon Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Gas Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention consists of improvements in instruments for ascertaining the hourly
consumption of gas by gas burners. This Invention consists, firstly of an outer case
of metal or other material having a portion cut away so as to enable a view of an
enclosed parallel tube of glass, round or other sectional form may be used, at the top
and bottom of which are placed caps of metal or any other suitable material, in which
are pierced holes for the passage of the gas through the interior of the glass tube in
which is fitted, a solid cone, or pyramid, or an hollow tube of any shape with
holes or slot for the passage of the gas into same, may be used. The cone
or pyramid may be made of metal or any other suitable material, the base of
which is fitted into the cap either at the top or lower portion of the tube, around this
cone or pyramid is fitted a float disc, or discs, of metal, or other material, to the disc are
fitted guides to keep it in an horizontal position, for such purpose either two or more wires
may be used, or such wires may be attached to a disc either above or below the indicating
one, or instead of wires, a short piece of tube of suitable material may be used. The
indicating disc is made to act in the following way, the gas being admitted at the
bottom of the glass tube causes the disc to rise until a sufficient quantity of gas passes
through the hole in the centre of the disc, or float, to supply the burner required to be
tested, such quantity may then be ascertained by reading off the figures on the index
opposite to the float or disc, such index being marked to show the hourly rate of
consumption of gas in cubic feet. To the top and bottom of the outer case are fitted
caps suitably screwed for the purpose of attaching to various kinds of gas fittings, and
also to allow of burners for testing being fitted thereto.
The objects of this invention are to simplify and reduce both size, and cost in
manufacture of the said instruments.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, drawings are attached
hereto, of which Fig. 2 is a front sectional elevation of the instrument, it consists of
an outer case, or tube of metal, A having an opening in the front of the case to admit
of viewing the action of the indicating float or disc, such indications being read off on
the index on the outside case, as shown in Fig. 1, inside of which case is placed a glass
tube B, to the top, and bottom of which are fitted caps C, C, which are perforated so
as to allow a free passage of gas through the tube, to these caps are fitted a cone D,
around which the float or disc E works, to which are attached guides F1, F2, and for
the purpose of fitting together and attaching, caps G1, G2, are screwed to the outer
tube or case A.
The apparatus admits of being varied in size to suit the quantity intended to be
passed through it. In each end of the apparatus a wire gauze disc is inserted, being
at the inlet and outlet of the parallel glass tube, and in all cases where a gas tight
joint is necessary a suitable washer is inserted for the purpose.
I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise
details or arrangements that have been described and referred to, as variations may
be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this
invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The use of a cone or pyramid fitted in the centre of glass tube contained in
instrument particularly as heretofore described, and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing.
2nd. The mode of indicating the hourly consumption of gas by gas burners, by
passing the gas through the opening in the centre of the float which is fitted around
the cone or pyramid substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described.
Dated this 29th day of May 1890.
WILLIAM FREDERICK FLETCHER.