Improvements in connection with Hydrometric Instruments.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1891
Complete Specification Left. 14th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Hydrometric Instruments.
THOMAS WATLING SHORT WILLIAM JAMES MASON trading as Short &
Mason 40 Hatton Garden E.C. Scientific Instrument Makers do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The invention relates particularly to that class of hydrometers used to ascertain
the density of water in marine boilers-and known as the salinometer but is also
applicable to all kinds of hydrometers used in ascertaining the specific gravity of
light or heavy fluids.
The first improvement relates to the construction of the flotation bulb & consists
in the formation of a neck or collar at the top & bottom of the bulb forming a deep
& secure fitting for the graduated stem at the top, and the lower stem for counter-
poise at the bottom.
The second improvement consists in substituting a continuous flat tubular stem
passing through the entire diameter of the bulb & fitting perfectly tight into the
necks or collars above described-in place of the ordinary soldered mounts and
screwed attachments.
Dated this 22nd dow of Iul., 1901
THOMAS WATLING SHORT.
WILLIAM JAMES MASON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Hydrometric Instruments.
THOMAS WATLING SHORT and WILLIAM JAMES MASON trading as Short and
Mason of 40 Hatton Garden in the County of Middlesex Scientific Instrument
Makers, 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:―
The invention relates particularly to the class of hydrometers used to ascertain
the density of water in marine boilers and known as the "salinometer" but is also
applicable to all kinds of hydrometers used in ascertaining the specific gravity of
light or heavy fluids.
The first improvement relates to the construction of the flotation bulb and
consists in the formation of a neck or collar at the top and bottom of the bulb
forming a deep and secure fitting for the graduated stem at the top and the lower
stem for counterpoise at the bottom.
The improvement secondly consists in substituting a continuous flat tubular stem
passing through the entire diameter of the bulb and filling perfectly tight into the
necks or collars above described in place of the ordinary soldered mounts and
screwed attachments.
Heretofore hydrometers were made by having a metal mount soldered into the
top of the flotation bulb into which was screwed the tubular scale stem-a similar
mount being soldered into the bottom of the flotation bulb to receive in like manner
the bottom wire stem and counterpoise.
In carrying out our invention we form the flotation bulb by stamping two hemi-
spheres represented in Fig. I of the annexed drawing by the letters A A having
ears at top and bottom B B B B pressed from the solid metal. The drawing also
gives a side section in which the respective parts are indicated by the letters above

page_text: mentioned. These two hemispheres being brazed or soldered together the cars
form necks or collars at top and bottom as shown in Fig. II.
The flattened tubular stem D is then passed through the upper neck or collar
passing right through the bulb and protruding through the lower neck or collar as
shown in Fig. III. being held in position and made water tight by the introduction
of solder at each collar. By this arrangement leakage is entirely obviated greater
strength and rigidity attained, and by reason of the broad flattened stem less
tendency to rotary motion when in the fluid.
We do not confine ourselves to spheres as flotation bulbs, as bulbs of oval,
conc, double cone, or any other figure may be used. The tubular stems also as
occasion may require may be flat, square or triangular.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
I. A hydrometer in which the flotation bulb is provided with solid ears forming
necks or collars for the reception of the tube stem substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
II. A hydrometer in which the tube stem is continuous through the complete
diameter of the flotation bulb and fitting into the necks or collars substantially as
aud for the purpose specified.
Dated this Fourteenth day of September 1891.
THOMAS WATLING SHORT.
WILLIAM JAMES MASON.