IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-METERS.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-METERS.' A communication from abroad by
William B. Mounteney, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-METERS."
A com-
munication from abroad by William B. Mounteney, of Chicago, Illinois, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to improvements in water-meters, which improvements
comprise, first, an elastic packing of novel construction for the journals of the
levers operating the registering mechanism; and secondly, providing the outside
one of each pair of slotted diaphragms with a strip or rib to form a water-channel
to clear it from mud or other deposits.
In the accompanying Drawing,―
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the said improved water-meter.
Figure 2 is a plan, and
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the same.
Figure 4 is a plan of the said-meter with the top plate removed and shewing
parts of the meter in section.
Figure 5 is a view of the valve of the same drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section of the said meter with part of the
casing removed.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
In so far as the ingress of the water is concerned, the valve-operations and the
measurement by means of the vibration of the diaphragms are substantially the
same as in apparatus formerly constructed by me.
In each compartment of the meter-casing there are two thin cast-metal concave
diaphragms A having radiating slots a, a, and a straight flange b conforming in
shape to the casing. The shape of the diaphragms next to the sides of the casing
conforms generally in curvature to the same, while the diaphragms adjacent to the
central partition are more abrupt in curvature.

page_text: The elastic diaphragms B are cast or moulded in such a shape as to have their
lines coincident with the outer metal diaphragms when in their normal condition.
The flange on the india-rubber diaphragıns is extended sufficiently to pass in
between the vertical joints of the casing, and act as a packing when the sides are
clamped together. Each of the outer metal diaphragms is provided on its side next
to the casing with a strip or rib d, extending from above the water-opening and
curving downward to about the centre, thereby creating a trough or tube to form a
water-channel designed to prevent deposits of mud or other sediment.
The said india-rubber diaphragms are attached to the arms and rock-shafts D by
means of levers D', and these rock-shafts pass through the horizontal partition E
near the top of the casing. At the points where they pass through the partition
I pack the shafts by means of a peculiarly constructed india-rubber thimble e.
This thimble has on its upper edge a flange 1 which is clamped to the partition by
means of a plate 2, and it rests inside a cup-shaped depression cast in the partition
plate, and has its lower end turned inwardly up to one half of its length, as scen
at 3. The diameter of the turned up portion is precisely the same as that of the
rock-shaft D.
In the upper compartment of the meter and over the mouth of the ingress-pipe
there is a diagonal, perforated plate 4 provided with lugs 5 resting in sockets 6 in
the upper sides or cap of the casings; its upper edge lies against spurs 7, so that
when the said cap is laid on the lower casing, the perforated plate is so secured as
to prevent any extraneous matter entoring the meter from the water-supply pipe.
In the operation of the said meter the slotted cast diaphragms cause such a
churning or agitation of the water as to prevent the deposit of sediment, and when
the meter is working under low pressure the slots permit the easy separation of the
india rubber diaphragm from the metal diaphragm.
The construction of the india-rubber packing around the rock-shafts allows the
latter to operate without turning in the said packing, but gives the packing a
tortional strain, thereby allowing the shaft to remain always in close contact with
the packing.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The double clastic packing-thimble, constructed and arranged as and for
the purpose above set forth.
Second. The strip or rib d in combination with the diaphragm A and the casing
of a water-meter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
XX7M DODT TATOTA L