IMPROVEMENTS IN LIQUID-METERS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, OSWALD BROWN, of 27, Great George Street, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LIQUID-METERS to be as follows:-
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"
My improvements are applicable to liquid-meters, whether constructed on the
positive or "inferential" principle; and consist of improved and simplified
means for mounting and driving the counting apparatus whereby the operation of
the meter is recorded, means whereby the meter may be shut off from the supply-
main for the purpose of inspection, repair or cleansing, means whereby the solid
impurities contained in the liquid are more effectually intercepted and prevented
from gaining access to the working parts of the meter, means whereby the meter
may be flushed out and the accumulated impurities discharged, as also supple-
mentary means for removing from the liquid certain classes of impurities which
have not been eliminated by the means before alluded to.
My improvements in mounting the counting apparatus consist, firstly, in
arranging the whole of this portion of the mechanism on one base-plate, so that
the same may, if necessary, be removed complete and another set substituted; and
secondly, in mounting the spindle, actuating the counter, in line axially with that
carrying the meter-wheel or its equivalent, thereby permitting the counter to be
arranged in any position convenient for reading the index. For communicating
motion to the counting apparatus, I secure upon the main spindle rotated by the
action of the meter, a toothed pinion with which a spur-wheel gears. The spindle
of the latter passes through a stuffing-box and carries at its opposite extremity a
worm gearing with a worm-wheel; the motion being communicated thence direct
to the series of discs carrying numbers on their peripheries, or to any other suitable
type of recording apparatus.
.
For shutting off the meter from the supply or inlet-main and for other purposes,
I employ a cock or valve of special construction. The body of the cock is, by
preference, formed in one with the casing of the meter and is provided with
passages, which, in conjunction with passages through the plug, enable communi-
cation to be established in any one of the following modes: from the inlet-main
to the meter, the delivery from the latter being open; from the main to the meter
and thence to an outlet for flushing purposes; from the meter to the flush outlet ;
the inlet-main being closed; or both the main-inlet and the flush outlet may be
closed and the delivery from the meter alone open.

page_text: This cock or valve is provided with means whereby it may be secured and sealed
in any desired position, so as to prevent its being manipulated by the consumer or
any person other than the proper officer.
It will be obvious that two cocks may if preferred be employed for performing
the functions of the special device here described.
The flush outlet alone may be furnished with a cock and that on the main inlet
dispensed with.
Where the provision hereinafter described for flushing is not employed, the cock
on the main inlet may be of ordinary construction; except that I prefer to form
its body in one with the casing of the meter or dirt-box.
In instances where the meter is intended for use with water or other liquid con-
taining solid impurities, I employ a cylindrical vortex-chamber through which the
liquid passes before entering the meter. The inlet to this chamber is tangential,
the liquid being caused to partake of a rapid rotative motion during its passage
through the said chamber. Or the inlet may be radially or otherwise disposed and
a similar effect produced by the use of suitably curved guide plates fitted within
the chamber. The bottom of the chamber is provided centrally with a flush outlet
for periodically discharging the solid matters, which, owing to the rotative motion
of the water, collect at that point. The said chamber may also be furnished with
a grating to prevent solid impurities reaching the delivery outlet.
As further means for intercepting foreign substances, particularly vegetable
filaments, I employ apparatus of the following kind. In an annular space or
chamber, preferably surrounding the working part of the meter, I arrange a baffle-
plate through which are openings at the opposite side of the meter to that at
which the liquid enters the annular space. In the same chamber and within the
baffle-plate is a circular strainer of wire gauze, 'perforated plate or other similar
material. The liquid on entering the annular space is deflected by the baffle-plate;
and, flowing right and left, passes to the opposite side of the apparatus and through
the openings in the said plate. Again branching in both lateral directions, the
liquid flows around and through the circular strainer and ultimately finds its way
to the measuring compartment of the apparatus. By the means described, an
unusually large straining area is provided, whilst compactness of construction is
maintained.
To clean the strainer by flushing, the cock controlling the flush outlet is turned
so as to permit discharge from same, the inlet to the meter also remaining open.
A.rapid flow of liquid through the meter thereupon ensues, and this, being directed
by the baffle-plate, produces a scouring action upon the entire surface of the
strainer; removing and discharging any impurities which may be adhering to the
the latter, as also those which may have subsided in the annular space. Facilities
are also afforded for readily opening the chamber, in which the strainer is located,
to permit of inspection, cleansing, renewal, &c.
Liquid-meters constructed according to my invention may be provided with
both the means described for intercepting impurities; namely, the vortex-chamber
with central blow-off outlet, or the annular. dirt-box with baffle-plate and circular
strainer. Or either means may be employed alone, according to the character of
the liquid to be measured.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
.
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with Liquid-meters.
I, OSWALD BROWN, of 27 Great George Street, in the City of Westminster,
Civil 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 :-
My improvements are applicable to liquid-meters whether constructed on the
"positive" or "inferential principle; and consist, first, of self-contained means
for shutting off the meter from the supply main in case of inspection repair or
cleansing being needed; secondly of various means adapted for the interception of
the different descriptions of solid impurities commonly contained in liquids, such
as town-supply water, and their exclusion from the working parts of the meter;
and thirdly, of means whereby the meter may be flushed out and the accumulated
impurities discharged.
And in order that the manner in which my invention may be carried into effect
may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying series of drawings, whereof Figures 1 and 2 are vertical and
horizontal sections respectively of a meter provided with self-contained means for
shutting off communication from the inlet main and embodying other features of
my Invention. a is a casing provided with a removeable cover a¹ serving to secure
the body of the meter b in place and to carry the recording apparatus c.
Various
types of mechanism may be used both for measuring the liquid and for recording
the passage thereof through the apparatus; but as my present invention does not
relate to these parts, they are not shewn in detail. The casing a is formed with
an inlet a which communicates with a straining chamber a³ surrounding the
centrally located measuring apparatus, except where intercepted by the inwardly
projecting portion of the casing as shewn at a'. In the annular straining chamber a³
is arranged a directing or baffle plate d the opening through which is at d; that
is to say towards the side opposite to the inlet. Within the directing plate dis
mounted a straining plate e. Liquid flowing from the inlet a³ is deflected by the
plate d and passing round the exterior thereof gains access by the openings d¹ to
the internal compartment of the annular chamber a³.. After passing through the
strainer & the liquid escapes by the ports ff from the straining chamber, and by
the port f¹ enters the measuring chamber, finally passing therefrom by way of the
port and passage f' to the outlet a. By disposing the straining chamber annularly
and as above described, an unusually large straining area is provided, and the
interception of foreign substance, particularly vegetable filaments, is more perfectly
accomplished. Compactness of construction and accessibility for cleansing are at
the same time secured; it being only necessary to remove the cover a¹ to enable
the strainer e, as also the plate d, to be withdrawn. If the main inlet and flush
outlet be located on opposite sides of the meter, the baffle plate d employed in the
present design to direct the liquid to the opposite side of the strainer, may be
dispensed with.

page_text: t
For shutting off communication with the inlet main preliminarily to opening the
meter casing, and for other purposes, I employ a cock or valve of special construction.
The body of the cock is by preference formed in one with the casing a of the meter
and is provided with passages a² a a7 which in conjunction with passages g¹ g³ g³.
through the plug g enable communication to be established in any one of the
following modes:-From the inlet main by way of the passages g¹ a³ to the meter,
the delivery from the latter being open; from the main to the meter and thence
by way of the passages a g² and g³ to an outlet a' for flushing purposes; from the
meter to the flush outlet, the inlet main being closed; or both the main inlet and
the flush outlet may be closed and the delivery from the meter alone open. Thus
by properly manipulating the cock g, and by opening or closing the delivery as
may be requisite the action may be changed from that prevailing under ordinary
conditions of use so as either to flush the water from the inlet main, or by a return
flow from the delivery main, or for the purpose of intercepting the supply with a
view to inspection or for other reasons. Such a cock when employed with water
meters would usually be provided with means whereby it might be secured and
sealed in any desired position, official control over its use being thus maintained.
It will be obvious that two cocks might be employed for performing the functions
of the special device above referred to; or the flush outlet alone might be furnished
with a cock, that on the main inlet being dispensed with.
In instances where it is preferred to construct the straining apparatus separately
from the meter I employ an arrangement such as represented in Figures 3, 4 and 5;
Figure 3 being a vertical section, Figure 4 a part plan beneath the cover and part
horizontal section on the line y 3 (Figure 3), and Figure 5 a horizontal section on
the line (Figure 3). In these Figures a is a chamber or dirt-box fitted with
a cover a¹ and provided with inlet. and outlet orifices as a. The inlet orifice is
adapted for the reception of a duplex cock g of the kind hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 1 and 2, a' being the flush outlet for use in conjunction
with such cock. The interior of the chamber a is furnished with a strainer e by
preference of cylindrical form and having a perforated bottom and an unperforated
portion immediately opposite the inlet passage. The straining vessel e is mounted
on a ledge as clear of the bottom of the chamber a and is retained in a central
position clear of the sides of the chamber by means of the steady-ring c¹. The
straining vessel e is held down in place by means of projections extending from
the lower side of the cover a¹ and reaching the ring e¹. The action of this apparatus
is as follows:-Liquid having entered the chamber a by the inlet a surrounds the
straining vessel e and finds its way through the sides of the latter, the solid
impurities being however arrested and subsiding to the lower part of the chamber a
The purified liquid escapes from the open top of the straining vessel,e and finds its
way by a passage to the delivery nozzle as. When it is desired to remove the
impurities which may have accumulated in the lower portion of the chamber a,
the delivery nozzle a³ or pipe connected therewith is closed and the cock g turned
to such a position that communication is opened between the inlet main a¹ and the
dirt-box a and between the latter and the flush outlet a7. The liquid enters the
chamber a, passes round the straining vessel e scouring the external surface of the
latter in its course and sweeping out the solid matters deposited in the annular
space a through the opening a past the lower side of the straining vessel e and
by way of the passage as to the Bush outlet a'. Another mode of flushing out
such a dirt-box is accomplished by turning the cock.g to the position in which the
communication with the inlet main is closed and that between the dirt-box and
the flush outlet is opened. In this case the liquid flows back from the delivery
main and passes in an outward direction through the sides and bottom of the
straining vessel e to the flush outlet.
Amongst the advantages appertaining to this method of construction it will be
perceived that a large area of straining surface is provided the same being so
disposed in relation to the passages that during the operation of flushing the
stream of liquid is compelled to sweep and scour the surface of the strainer.

page_text: It will also be observed that the appliance instead of being used as an adjunct
to a liquid meter may be readily combined therewith, the measuring apparatus
being located above or enclosed within the straining cylinder or vessel.
According to an alternative mode of carrying out that part of my invention
which relates to the separation and removal of solid impurities from the water or
other liquid about to enter the meter, I employ a cylindrical vortex chamber as
represented in the vertical section Figure 6 and part plan and part horizontal
section Figure 7; Figure 8 being a part horizontal section on the line z = (Figure 6)
a is the meter chamber provided with an outlet a¹ and surmounted by a cover b
and recording apparatus c. Beneath is a vortex chamber d to which the inlet d
is tangential or rendered equivalent thereto by the addition of a suitably disposed
deflector d. The liquid on entering the chamber d is caused to partake of a
rapid rotative motion during its passages through the said chamber and before
passing upwards through the strainer e to the meter. The bottom of the vortex
chamber d is provided centrally with an orifice d leading to the passage a® and
flush outlet a. Owing to the rotative motion of the liquid, the solid impurities
collect at d³ and may be periodically discharged, the means for controlling the flush
outlet as also the main inlet consisting by preference of a duplex cock g of the
kind hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The vortex
chamber d may be furnished with a lining d' which together with the strainer e
may be removed for cleaning purposes.
Liquid meters constructed according to my invention may be provided with both
the means described for intercepting impurities; namely, the vortex chamber with
central blow off outlet, and the annular dirt-box with baffle plate and circular
strainer. Or either of these means may be employed alone, according to the
character of the liquid to be ineasured.
In instances where it is desired to effect the elimination of solid impurities by
means of a vortex-chamber as hereinbefore described but constructed separately
from the meter, I employ a dirt-box such as represented in Figures 9 and 10 whereof
the former is a vertical and the latter a horizontal section. a is a chamber formed
with a tangential inlet a¹ provided with a cover b and furnished with a conical
strainer c supported on lugs a³ against which the strainer is held by projections b¹
depending from the underside of the cover b. The upper side of the strainer c is
open to the outlet a³. The liquid entering by, the tangential inlet a' whirls round
the chamber a and gradually rises to the strainer c.
Meantime the solid impurities
tend to collect about the centre of the vortex and thereupon to subside to the
receptacle a formed in the bottom of the vortex chamber. When it is required to
cleanse the dirt-box the cover and strainer are removed and the sediment with-
drawn no special provision for flushing out being included in this illustration. It
will however be obvious that means of the kind hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8 are capable of adaptation to a dirt-box of the class
represented in Figures 9 and 10.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
First. Mounting in the body of a liquid-meter casing, or in that of a dirt-box
connected therewith, a cock whereby communication with the inlet main may be
shut off, substantially as herein described.
Secondly. Providing a liquid-meter, or a dirt-box connected there with, with
a flush-outlet controlled by a cock mounted in the body of the meter or dirt-box
casing, substantially as herein described.
Thirdly. The application to a liquid-meter, or to a dirt-box connected there with,
of a duplex valve or cock, adapted to control the main-inlet and the flush-outlet,
substantially as herein described, and whether such cock be mounted in the body
of either apparatus or attached thereto.
Fourthly. The use, for preventing access of solid impurities to liquid-meters,
of an annular dirt-box with strainer so arranged in relation to the main-inlet and
;

page_text: flush-outlet as to compel the stream employed for flushing to sweep the working
surface of the strainer, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1*
and 2.
Fifthly. The use, for the purpose referred to in the last preceding claim, of a
strainer, constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to
Figures 3, 4 and 5, in conjunction with passages and a flush-outlet so arranged
that the stream employed for flushing is caused' to sweep the working surface of
the strainer.
Sixthly.—The use, for separating solid impurities such as sand from liquid about
to enter a meter, of a vortex-chamber with tangential inlet or equivalent means
for imparting a rotative motion to the liquid; operating substantially as herein
described and whether provided with strainer and flush-outlet or otherwise.
Dated the 8th day of March 1886
: