Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1887.
Complete Left, 8th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 12th July, 1887.
this invention to be as foHOWS
This Invention has for its object the measuring of water, air, steam, or other fluids,
by a machine as hereafter described, and set forth, and the obtaining of power by the
passage of such fluids thro the said machine.
My Invention consists in an annular cylinder, in which three or more pistons are
free to work. Each piston is connected by an arm to a central shaft of which the
interior one may
be solid and the outer shafts hollow, so that they can work on a
common center independantly round each other. Each shaft whether hollow or solid
has secured on it an eliptical spur wheel. Each spur wheel geares into another
duplicate wheel working on a center perallel to the former. There are therefore
three or more eliptical spur wheels each connected to its own piston and shaft-gearing
into three duplicate wheels. The three last mentioned wheels are secured so that they
revolve together on a common center. The result of this combination of wheels and
pistons is that while the second set of wheels move at a uniform speed. The first set
and the pistons move at a varying speed, each piston as it passes round the
annular cylinder attaining its maximum and minimum velocity at opposite points of
its revolution.
At a point in the cylinder near the place of slowest motion of the pistons and
where they are accelerating in speed, I make the inlet orifice, and at a similar point
on the opposite side of the point of slowest motion where the pistons are decreasing in
speed, I place the outlet orifice, so arranging the positions of inlet and outlet that
there is always at least one piston between the inlet and outlet on the slow side and
one piston between them on the fast side.
Each piston in its motion from the inlet to the outlet through the fast part of its
revolution measures off a quantity of fluid, and the number of revolutions are
recorded in the usual manner by a train of wheel work or other device.
If it be desired to reduce the friction in the above described machine to a minimum,
I. If used for measuring water or similar fluid, I make the pistons hollow and balanced

page_text: in such a way, that their displacement supports their weight and that of the gearing
shafts and arms. II. If used for measuring air, I arrange the pistons to work in a
horizontal plane and support their weight by continuing the central shaft downwards
into a pot of mercury.
To enable the weight of an expansive fluid such as air which may be passed into the
meter at varying pressures to be measured, I combine the motion which drives the
counter with that of a piston-working in a cylinder against a spring; one side of the
piston being open to the air the other to the fluid to be measured; In such a manner
that the position of the piston shall depend on the difference in pressure of the
atmosphere and the fluid, and, on the position of the piston, shall depend the amount
of advance of the train of wheel work or other counting gear per revolution of the
meter pistons, as shall be fully described in the complete specification.
The machine as discribed can be used as a motor by taking the power by gearing
or otherwise from the second set of eliptical wheels which revolve at a uniform
speed.
The machine as discribed can be used as a pump by conveying the power through
the second set of eliptical wheels.

page_text: I ALEXANDER BASIL WILSON of Holywood Belfast Ireland, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED FLUID METER, OR MOTOR, OR
PUMP, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention has for its object an improved form of apparatus or machine: for
measuring fluids, obtaining power from the passage of such fluids. through it, and for
forcing or pumping fluids; as hereinafter set forth.and discribed.
This Invention is especially intended to be used for. measuring the volume of
compressed air. It may also be used for other fluids: Whereas in the supply to the
public of air at a pressure of 50 lbs. or thereabouts above the atmosphere by a public
company under Act of Parliament such as the Birmingham Compressed Air Power
Company, for the purposes for which Steam and Gas are used and for ventilation,
It is necessary to measure the quantity of air delivered to each customer to enable
them to charge accordingly, a meter therefore of special construction is required
able to deal with the volume required at the determined pressure.
And whereas, the quantity of air required per horse power per hour for the supply
of power will be about 300 cubic feet per hour. The size of meter necessary to
measure the supply of a ten horse power engine if made of any of the usual types,
would be as large and its cost as great as. perhaps to equal that of the engine it. had
to supply.
:
And whereas, the supply of air will be taken from the mains as a rule in jerks: as
the valves of the Steam Engine driven by it open and close. The types. of Recipro-
cating or Turbine Meters are unsuitable.
And whereas in the case of compressed air the fluid. to be measured is practically
dry; the rubbing surfaces. which form part of the arrangement. of all positive meters
hitherto made would require constant oil and attention to: preserve them from undue
friction.
Therefore for the aforesaid purposes, I make a meter as discribed and shewn in the
drawings herewith from which one form of. my invention can be correctly. carried out
in practice.
Fig. 1. Is a meter shewn in plan partly in section.
Fig. 2. Is the same shewn in sectional elevation.
Fig. 3. Is an alternative sectional elevation of part of Fig. 2.
The apparatus consists in an Annular Cylinder having three pistons working, therein
so connected to eliptical gearing as shewn, that at one period of their revolution; each
piston in turn moves at a more rapid rate than the others, or in other words, each
piston as it comes opposite X in Fig. 1. is at its slowest, while when opposite Ý. it is

page_text: at its fastest speed. The pistons are so arranged that during the time the space
between each, is growing larger that space is open to the supply, and during the time
it is growing smaller to the discharge orifice. As each piston therefore passes
round the cylinder it measures off a volume equal to that of the greatest space
between any two pistons, less, the volume of the smallest space between any two
pistons.
A in fig. 1. is the inlet opening. B in Figs. 1 and 2 the outlet opening.
Three pistons are shewn of three different types, C, C, and C. In a meter, motor
or pump, intended to work with water, all the pistons would be of C, type in which
the arm Dis made hollow to support the weight of the piston and shaft by its displacement.
When the apparatus was used as a motor or pump for gas air or steam in
which the clearance space between each piston forms an objection to the economical
working of the machine, the hollow arm may also be adopted.
In a meter where absolute tightness is not necessary or where it is desirable on
account of high speed of running to keep the parts as light as possible C, type of
piston is most suitable, while in cases where extreme accuracy is required type C, may
be adopted. In all cases the pistons are secured to the arms by nuts C, so that they
can turn round and adjust themselves for wear; and in the types C, and C, are made
tight by packing rings c. c. c.
each
The arins D, D, D, form_part_of, or are secured to, discs d, d, d, and are thereby
connected by the hollow shafts E, E, E, to the eliptical spur wheels F, F, F,
piston being connected to, and able to work independantly with, its own spur wheel,
G. G. G. are three similar eliptical wheels which gear into F, F, F, and are secured
together, their foci being spaced at equal angular distances apart, so that they revolve
together on shaft g..
The whole of the Geering in the case of meters motors or pumps dealing with air
steam or gas is inclosed in a cistern of oil as shewn marked S.
Where it is desirable that the weight of the moving parts of the meter should be
more completely supported, I either fill the abovenamed cistern with mercury or I
extend the shaft f. in Fig. 2 as shewn in Fig. 3. the pocket N. being extended and the
space o, filled with mercury.
In the case of compressed air meters where it is necessary not only to measure the
volume of air which passes thro the meter but to measure the weight of air, adopt
the device as shown in Fig. 2; in which H is a cylinder having a piston h. supported
by a spiral spring the lower side of which is open to the atmosphere by passage h, the
upper side being subject to the incomming pressure of the fluid, which finds its way
by passage from inlet A into space Q₁. Piston h bears against a disc K which is
connected to d, by hinged pillar K, disc K therefore revolves with d, at a more or less
angle as the piston h is up or down, and as the pressure in space Q₁ exceeds the
atmospheric pressure so does the piston h descend against the support of the spring
and the disc K revolve at a greater angle.
The space Q₁ is maintained at the pressure of the incomming fluid and not at the
average pressure in the anular cylinder of the apparatus, and the disc d, is kept tight
in the case by the spring ring k.
On the surface of disc K run two pullies ₁ and I, connected to rams L, and L, on
which are fitted detents or pawls engaging into ratchet wheels M, and M,, which wheels
actuate two Hardings Patent or other counters one of which is behind the other and
therefore not seen in the drawing.
The Ram L, derives its motion from a knob on K over the hinge, marked k, and it
is prevented by a stop from decending lower than the surface of K when it is at its
highest or level position. L, on the other hand is so much nearer the center of K as
to be clear of the knob k, as it revolves, and its motion up and down is determined by
the angle at which K is being greatest when the pressure in Q₁ presses the piston h
down and increases the angularity of K.
I have therefore two counters M, which advances at a rate determined by the speed
of revolutions of the pistons of the meter combined with the pressure of the fluid
measured, and therefore an indicator of the weight of steam, gas, or air, passed through

page_text: it, and a counter M, which indicates the volume passed through the meter without
consideration of its pressure, and the combination of the amounts shewn by
each counter will give average pressure of the fluid supplied and passed thro the
apparatus. The figures of the counters being read off thro the glass-plate P.
.
As an alternative arrangement I admit the fluid under pressure to be measured into
Cylinder H at intervals say of each 1000 Revolutions of the meter by suitable valve
gear, and connect piston direct with ram L₁ and by it to the counter M₁
and I drive the counter M, by worm or other gearing direct from d₁ d, or d..
The position of discs d, d, and d, may be either above or below the center line V.W.
or they may be entirely below the anular cylinder in which case the arms D. D. D.
would project upwards, and the discs, gearing and the surfaces where the discs d₁ d,d,
meet the case would run in a pool of oil, and their weight supported either by a
mercury pot as shewn in fig. 3. or by a spring occupying the space of the mercury and
supporting shaft ƒ.
Having now particularly discribed and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is.
1. An apparatus as discribed and shewn in which in an anular cylinder, three pistons
revolve at the varying speeds and distances apart, which are due to their being
connected by eliptical spur gearing to three eliptical wheels which are connected
together, and in which by the passage of the aforesaid pistons over the inlet and outlet
openings, the incomming fluid is admitted to the spaces between the pistons during the
whole or part of the time that such spaces are increasing in volume, and discharged
thro the outlet opening during the whole or part of the time that such spaces are
decreasing in volume.
2. In an apparatus as aforesaid the use of an anular cylinder the section of which is
circular.
3. In an apparatus as aforesaid the form of combined piston and arm as shewn in C₁
in which the arm is made hollow.
4. In an apparatus as aforesaid the form of piston as shewn in C, in which it is
formed out of thin sheet metal.
5. In an apparatus as aforesaid the form of piston as shewn in C, in which there
are two or more packing rings.
6. In an apparatus as aforesaid the shape of pistons as shewn in C, and C, in which
the center line of its or their friction in the cylinder is in advance of the point of
attachment to the arms.
7. In an apparatus as aforesaid the form of disc as shewn in d₁ d, d.. in which the
outer edge of the disc, where there is no arm, is made to the curve of the interior of
the annular cylinder, so that a circular piston may work tight against it; and the flat
surfaces of the discs lie on the top of each other so that the fluid cannot pass between
them.
8. In an apparatus as aforesaid, a spring ring to keep the top disc tight with the
case, as shewn at k.
9. In an apparatus as aforesaid, the placeing the inlet and outlet openings
on the top caseing, so that where used for air gas or steam the oil used for
lubrication will remain at the bottom and not be carried away by the fluid, and
where used for water that no air can lodge in the cylinder of the apparatus.
10. In an apparatus as shewn, the placing of the gearing in a pool of oil.
11. In an apparatus as aforesaid the supporting of the weight of the gearing pistons
and shafts by the use of a spring or a mercury pot.
12. In an apparatus as aforesaid to be used for measuring compressed air, in which
the length of stroke of a ram by which the counter is advanced is determined by the
position of a spring supported piston exposed on one side to the pressure of the fluid
and on the other to the atmosphere, the number of strokes of said ram being
determined by the number of revolutions of the ineter pistons; the use of an angular.
disc the amount of angle of which is caused by the difference in pressure of the fluid

page_text: and the atmosphere and causes the variation in length of the stroke of the aforesaid
ram.
13. In an apparatus as aforesaid, the alternate exposure of one side or surface of
a spring supported piston as described in claim 12 to the fluid and atmospheric
pressure, such alternations being periodic with the revolutions of the meter pistons,
the other side of said piston being continuously exposed to atmospheric pressure,
and the motion of piston thus obtained the extent of which will vary in proportion
to the product of the revolutions and the pressure, connected direct to the counter by
gearing or otherwise.
14. In meters for measuring compressed air generally and other than as
discribed above, I claim the use of my invention as discribed in claims 9. 10. 11. 12.
and 13.
15. I claim the use of apparatus as discribed as a motor or numn