Year: 1886

page_text: I, WILLIAM GEORGE STUART, of 1 Laurel Villa, Newlands, Peckham Rye, in
the County of Surrey Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates more especially to improvements in that kind of liquid
meter in which a piston, fan, or plate, oscillates backwards and forwards in a
cylinder round a centre which coincides with the axis of the cylinder, the said
cylinder containing a fixed web, or partition, which forms an abutment against
which the liquid re-acts in giving motion to the oscillating piston, and contains a
plug or valve (usually called the distributing valve) and suitable passages for the
admission and release of the liquid to and from the two sides of the working
piston, but parts of my invention are also applicable to meters of other kinds.
In some arrangements of meters of this class, it has been the practice to construct
the outlet passage, or port, for liquid issuing from the measuring cylinder, so as to
deliver such liquid into the chamber containing the mechanism for operating the
distributing plug or valve, by which the liquid is admitted to, and released from,
the cylinder, the liquid outlet pipe being connected to some part of such chamber,
so that all liquid passing through the meter has to pass through the said chamber;
this arrangement is objectionable, and according to my present invention, I con-
struct the outlet passage or port in the body of the cover, and connect the outlet
pipe direct to the end thereof, whereby the liquid is conducted from the measuring
cylinder without passing through the aforesaid chamber.
In meters of this kind, the distributing valve is generally operated by a tumbling
weight, which is raised by the action of the measuring piston, and allowed to fall
at the proper moment, so as to act upon an arm, or other instrument, connected
with the valve, whereby the position of the latter is reversed suddenly, as the
measuring piston approaches the end of its stroke. In some cases, the tumbling
weight is raised by the measuring piston through the intervention of toothed
wheel-work, and is released, or allowed to fall, by the teeth of such wheel-work
becoming disengaged. This arrangement is liable to derangement, and sometimes
fails to work satisfactorily by reason of the teeth of the wheelwork failing to
re-engage properly when the weight is to be raised again. In order to improve this

page_text: mechanism, I employ the following arrangements :-I mount the tumbling weight,
or weights, on a spindle, or shaft, on which I fix a toothed wheel which gears
with another wheel working loosely on the spindle or axis of the measuring
piston. Secured to, or formed with, the wheel on the spindle of the measuring
piston, and turning along with such wheel, is a sector piece, or two projecting arms
standing out on opposite sides of the said spindle. Fixed on the spindle of the
measuring piston is an arm, or finger, so shaped and placed that, as the said spindle
makes its partial rotation in one direction, in obedience to the motion of the piston,
the said arm or finger comes against one side of the sector piece, or against one of
the arms on the wheel, and turns the latter partly round; this wheel, being geared
with the wheel on the tumbling weight shaft, causes the latter to rotate partly
also, thereby turning and raising the tumbling weight until it passes just beyond
the vertical plane, passing through the centre of the tumbler shaft, when the
weight falls over by gravity and moves the distributing valve in the usual way.
The tumbling weight is free to fall as soon as it passes the vertical plane of its
shaft centre, because the sector, or arm, on the loose wheel by which it has been
raised to that position, is free to move away from the arm or finger on the spindle
of the measuring piston. When the piston oscillates back in the reverse direction,
the arm or finger on its spindle comes against the opposite side of the sector, or
against the other other arm on the loose wheel, the tumbler shaft is turned in the
opposite direction, the weight is raised as before and falls over to the other side of
the shaft, moving the distributing valve back again, and so on continuously so long
as liquid is passed through the meter. The sector, or the arms on the loose wheel,
may be furnished with adjusting screws at the points where the arm or finger, on
the measuring piston spindle, comes in contact with them, whereby the exact
moment at which the tumbling weight shall fall over, and the distributing valve
be reversed, can be regulated with accuracy.
An
I sometimes dispense altogether with toothed wheelwork for raising the weight
which operates the distributing valve, and employ instead thereof the following
arrangement: On the spindle of the measuring piston, I fix an arm, or finger,
similar to that described in the last paragraph, and on the said spindle I place a
cam which is free to turn loosely thereon, except when constrained to turn there-
with by the aforesaid arm or finger on the spindle of the measuring piston.
arm, or lever, is hinged to the upper end of the distributing plug, or valve, in such
manner, that it is free to oscillate in a plane parallel to, or passing through, the
axis of the distributing plug or valve. The outer end of this arm or, lever, carries
a weight which tends to press it constantly downwards or towards the acting
surface of the above mentioned cam. This cam is so formed that, when it is partly
rotated, towards the end of each oscillation of the measuring piston, by the arm
or finger on the spindle thereof, it raises the weighted arm, or lever, on the
distributing valve, and then allows the same to descend, by the action of gravity,
an inclined plane which imparts a radial motion to the said weighted arm or
lever, whereby the distributing valve is rotated to the required extent.
Instead of the weighted arm, or lever, being hinged to the distributing plug or
valve, it may be hinged by a ball and socket, or other universal joint, to a fixed
part of the meter, and be arranged to play vertically in the fork of an arm fixed to
the upper end of the distributing valve, while its passage, down the inclined planes
of the cam, imparts to it a radial motion which effects the partial rotation of the
distributing valve by means of its forked arm.
In order to avoid the jar or shock, caused by the striking together of the
metallic parts by which the movement of the distributing valve is effected,
I employ what call hydraulic buffers at such parts. These hydraulic buffers
consist of a recess in one piece, and a corresponding projection, or pin, on the other
piece, such projection or pin on the one piece being adapted to fit, with more or
less accuracy, into its corresponding recess on the other piece. The chamber,
containing the mechanism in question, is filled as usual with oil, or other liquid,

page_text: which of course fills also the above named recesses so that, when the two parts are
brought together, the entrance of the projection into the recess is resisted gradually
by the oil or other liquid in it, and the shock of metal striking upon metal is
avoided. It is obvious that the projections may be placed on the driving parts,
and the recesses on the driven parts, or vice versa.
Instead of the hydraulic buffers above described, I sometimes employ buffers of
india rubber, or other suitable elastic material, but in that case, I in some cases
protect such buffers with metallic parts, such parts however, being small, and
detached from the larger.metallic parts, do not cause any material shock, jar, or
sound.
In order to make liquid-tight joints between the frictional parts, such as between
the piston, fan, or plate, and the periphery, top and bottom of the cylinder, and
between the spindle of such piston, fan, or plate, and the fixed abutinent, or
partition, I employ packings of lignum vitæ, arranged in grooves, or in any other
suitable way, according to circumstances; and to facilitate construction of the
meter, I sometimes make the part of the fixed abutment, or partition, against
which the spindle of the piston, fan, or plate, works, moveable in, or on, the main
body of the abutment, or partition, so that it may be adjusted to bear evenly and
regularly against the circumference of the said spindle.

page_text: Improvements in Liquid Meters.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE STUART, of 1 Laurel Villa, Newlands, Peckham Rye, in the
County of Surrey, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying three sheets of drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon:-
My invention relates more especially to improvements in that kind of liquid
meter in which a piston, fan, or plate oscillates backwards and forwards in a
cylinder round a centre; which coincides with the axis of the cylinder, the said
cylinder containing a fixed web or partition, which forms an abuticent against
which the liquid reacts in giving motion to the oscillating piston, and which web,
partition, or abutment contains a plug or valve (usually called the distributing
valve) and suitable passages for the admission and release of the liquid to and
from the two sides of the working piston; but parts of my invention are also
applicable to meters of other kinds.
In some arrangements of meters of this class it has been the practice to construct
the outlet passage or port for liquid issuing from the measuring cylinder so as to
deliver such liquid into the chamber containing the mechanism for operating the
distributing plug or valve by which the liquid is admitted to, and released from
the cylinder, the liquid outlet pipe being connected to some part of such chamber
so that all liquid passing through the meter has to enter and pass through the said
chamber; this arrangement is objectionable, and according to my present invention
I construct (as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the Drawings) the outlet passage
or port A after it leaves the abutment X in the body of the cover B of, the
measuring cylinder D and connect the outlet pipe C direct to the end thereof,
whereby the liquid is conducted from the measuring cylinder D without passing
through the aforesaid chamber, which is marked E in the said figures.
In meters of this kind the distributing valve is generally operated by a tumbling
weight, which is raised by the action of the measuring piston, and allowed to fall
at the proper moment, so as to act upon an arm, or other instrument connected
with the valve, whereby the position of the latter is reversed suddenly as the
measuring piston approaches the end of its stroke. In some cases the tumbling
weight is raised by the measuring piston through the intervention of toothed wheel
work, and is released, or allowed to fall by the teeth of such wheel work becoming
disengaged. This arrangement is liable to derangement, and sometimes fails to
work satisfactorily by reason of the teeth of the wheelwork failing to re-engage
properly when the weight is to be raised again. In order to improve this mechanism
I employ the arrangements shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings in which
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation, on line 1-1 of Figure 2, of a meter of
this kind with this part of my improvements applied thereto, and Figure 2 a
sectional plan of same taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

page_text: I mount the tumbling weight F on a spindle or shaft G, on which I fix a toothed
wheel H, which gears with another toothed wheel I, working loosely on the spindle
or axis J of the measuring piston K. Secured to, or formed with the wheel I on
the axis J of the measuring piston, and turning along with such wheel, is a sector
piece L (see Figure 2a) or two projecting arms standing out from the said axis in
positions corresponding to the radial parts L¹ of the sector piece L. Fixed on the
axis J of the measuring piston is an arm or finger M, so shaped and placed that as
the said axis J makes its partial rotation in one direction in obedience to the
motion of the piston K, the said arm or finger M comes against one of the radial
sides L' of the sector piece L on the wheel I, and turns the latter partly round;
this wheel I being geared with the wheel H on the tumbling weight shaft G
causes the latter to rotate partly also, thereby turning and raising the tumbling
weight F until it passes just beyond the vertical plane passing through the centre
of the tumbler shaft G. (see Figure 1") when the weight F falls over by gravity,
and moves the distributing valve N by striking against the arm O thereof in the
usual way.
The tumbling weight F is free to fall as soon as it passes the vertical
plane of its shaft centre, because the sector L or its equivalent arm on the loose
wheel I, by which it has been raised to that position, is free to move away from
the arm or finger M on the axis J. of the measuring piston K. When the piston K
oscillates back in the reverse direction the arm or finger M on its axis comes
against the opposite radial side L' of the sector L on the loose wheel I, the tumbler
shaft G is turned in the opposite direction, the weight F is raised as before, and
falls over to the other side of the shaft G, moving the distributing valve N back
again by its arm O, and so on continuously so long as liquid is passed through the
meter. It will be understood that the weight F after falling over to either side of
the shaft G and having moved the valve N by means of its arm O continues to
press against the said arm, and thereby holds the valve N in position until the
piston K returns and again raises the weight to effect the next reversal of the.
valve. The sector L or the equivalent arms on the loose wheel I may be furnished
with adjusting screws P at the points where the arm or finger M. on the measuring
piston axis J comes to act upon it or them, whereby the exact moment at which
the tumbling weight F shall fall over, and the distributing valve be reversed, can
be regulated with accuracy. The tumbler shaft G may be provided with a second
tumbling weight F¹ to assist the action of the weight F if required. F' is an
elastic buffer stop to limit the motion of the weights F F. The toothed wheel H¹
gearing with the wheel H is for the purpose of giving motion by any suitable
known mechanical appliances to the counting mechanism contained in the space E¹.
I sometimes dispense altogether with toothed wheelwork for raising the weight
which operates the distributing valve, and employ instead thereof the arrangements
shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, in which Figure is a vertical sectional
élevation on line 3--3 of Figure 4 of a meter of this kind with this part of my
improvements applied thereto, and Figure 4 a sectional plan of same taken on
line 4-4 of Figure 3.
:
On the axis J of the measuring piston K I fix an arm or finger M, similar to
that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, and on the said axis I place a
cam Q, which is free to turn loosely thereon except when constrained .to turn
therewith by the aforesaid arm or finger M on the axis of the measuring piston
coming against lugs or projections Q₁ thereon. An arm or lever R is hinged by a
ball and socket or other suitable universal joint S to a fixed part T of the meter,
and is arranged to play vertically in the forked end U of the arm O fixed to the
upper end of the distributing valve N. The outer end of the arm or lever R
carries a weight F which tends to press the arm or lever R constantly downwards
or towards the acting surface of the cam Q. This cam is formed with a double
inclined plane and when it is partly rotated by the arm or finger M as the
measuring piston K approaches the end of its oscillation in either direction one of
its inclined planes raises the weighted arm of lever R to the crest Q of the said

page_text: double inclined plane and the said weighted arm or lever R then descends the
opposite inclined plane by the action of gravity, whereby a radial motion is
imparted to the said arm or lever R round the centre of its ball and socket joint S,
This radial motion of the arm or lever R gives a partial rotary motion to the dis-
tributing valve through the medium of the arm O in the forked end of which it
takes as shown. 01 and 0s are stops for limiting the motion of the arm O and
thereby of the distributing valve N.
In order to avoid or mitigate the jar or shock and sound caused by the striking
together of the metallic parts by which the movement of the distributing valve is
effected, I employ buffers of india-rubber or other suitable elastic material, as
shown in Figures 5 and 6 which illustrate, to a larger scale, the upper end of the
distributing valve N and its arm O shown in Figures 1 and 2. VV are the buffers
of indiarubber or other elastic material, which may be secured in recesses by.
cement or otherwise, but preferably by a bolt or pin W passing through them, the
head W₁ and nut W' of which form metallic protecting parts to preserve the india-
rubber from wear and tear. These protecting parts being comparatively small and
detached from the larger metallic parts cause less shock, jar or sound than when
the larger and more solid parts strike against one another. This part of my
invention is also applicable to liquid meters of other construction besides such as
are hereinbefore referred to.
In order to make liquid tight joints between the frictional parts such as between
the piston, fan or plate and the periphery, top and bottom of the cylinder and
between the axis of such piston, fan or plate and the fixed abutment or partition X,
I employ packings of lignum vitae, arranged in grooves or in any other suitable way
according to circumstances. This part of my invention is also applicable to liquid
meters of other construction besides such as are hereinbefore referred to.
Figures 7 and 8 are horizontal sections through the working cylinder, piston and
abutment.
To facilitate the construction of the meter I sometimes make the part of the
fixed abutment or partition X, against which the axis J of the piston, fan or
plate K works, moveable and adjustable in or on the main body of the abutment
or partition as illustrated at Z in Figure 8, so that it may be adjusted to bear
evenly and regularly against the surface of the said axis before being fixed in place
by solder, screws, or otherwise.
Similar letters of reference relate to like parts in all the Figures of the
drawings.
Having now particularly described 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
First The construction of the outlet passage or port A, in the body of the
cover B, of the measuring cylinder D, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in
Figures 1 and 3 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second-For the purpose of reversing the position of the distributing valve N,
at or near the end of the stroke of the measuring piston, fan, or plate K, the
mechanism consisting of the arm or finger M, fixed on the axis J of the measuring
piston, the sector L or equivalent arms secured to, or formed with the toothed
wheel I, turning loosely on the said axis J, the tumbler shaft G carrying the
toothed wheel H, gearing into the wheel I,.and the tumbling weight F, combined,
arranged and operating as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 1, 1ª,
2 and 2 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Third For the purpose of reversing the position of the distributing valve N, at
or near the end of the stroke of the measuring piston, fan, or plate K, mechanism
consisting of the arm or finger M, fixed on the axis J, of the measuring piston, the
cam Q loose on the said axis, the weighted arm or lever R, hinged by a ball and
socket, or other suitable universal joint to a fixed part of the meter, and taking

page_text: into a fork U on the arm O of the distributing valve, combined, arranged, and
operating, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth-In liquid meters the employment of india-rubber or other elastic
buffers protected by comparatively small metallic parts detached from the larger
and more solid metallic parts, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in
Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings hereto annexed, and for the purposes specified.
Fifth In liquid meters the use of lignum vitæ packing for the purpose of
making liquid tight joints between the frictional parts, as hereinbefore described.
Sixth-Constructing the part of the fixed abutment or partition X, against
which the axis J of the piston, fan, or plate K works, moveable and adjustable in
or on the main body of the abutment or partition, as herein before described, and
illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings hereto annexed.