Improvements in Electric Meters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM GOLBY of 36 Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention as
communicated to me by Jules Adrien Dejardin of 77 Boulevard Richard Lenoir,
Paris, France, Watchmaker, to be as follows:-
The electric meter which forms the subject of this invention is based upon the
principle of "Joule's electro-dynamometer" wherein the movements of a bobbin
are conveyed to a scale beam, carrying on one side of its fulcrum a weight or mass,
and on the other side a scale pan, the rod of the moveable bobbin being connected
to the beam between the scale pan and the fulcrum. The weight of the mass is
such as to counterbalance the scale pan & the bobbin and its connections, so that
the scale beam is in equilibrium. If a small weight is placed in the pan it would
be necessary to raise the bobbin in order to maintain the equilibrium of the beam
and the moment of the force lifting the bobbin will be equal to that of the weight.
In this case, the force which lifts the bobbin (represented by Ex I) is such, that
if the force is not overcome by a heavier weight in the pan of the balance, the
beam will keep its horizontal position. To understand the term as used and to
satisfy the expression E x I x T (where T equals the period of time through
which the force acts) it will be sufficient in charging the scale pan that the weights
be very light, and that the same be added in equal intervals of time, as then the
pan will descend more as the strength of the current diminishes, or less as the
strength of the current increases; that is to say, that the moment of the descent
will be determined by the degree of intensity of the current. If now, each weighing
is made equal to some interval of time and that they are registered on a dial plate,
the apparatus will be a "Watt-hour-meter" to continued periodical integrations.
The apparatus which forms the subject of this invention comprises 4 parts:-
(1) The electric dynamometer, (2) the weighing mechanism, (3) the clockwork
movement, & (4) the registering apparatus.
-
The electric dynamometer comprises three bobbins, two of which are fixed, while
the other is moveable, and is connected by a suspension rod to a pivot on the scale
beam. Only one fixed bobbin may be used if desired, and shunts may be
employed for passing into the bobbin determined fractions of the current to be
measured.
Instead of using a scale pan and weights, I prefer to use a flexible metallic chain
which is attached to one end of the beam and is unwound from a drum rotated by
the clockwork mechanism against the action of a coiled or helical spring; I may
however use an elastic band, a clockwork spring or other means for balancing the
effort exercised by the moveable bobbin.
The scale beam carries a pinion which gears with the counting mechanism only
when the beam is in its horizontal position.
Dated this 16th day of October 1892.
F. W. GOLBI,
36, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM GOLBY of 36 Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention as
communicated to me by Jules Adrien Dejardin of 77 Boulevard Richard Lenoir,
Paris, France, Mechanic, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The electric meter which forms the subject of this invention is based upon the
principle of "Joules electro dynamometer" wherein the movements of a bobbin
are conveyed to a scale beam, carrying on one side of its fulcrum a weight or mass
and on the other side a scale pan, the rod of the moveable bobbin being connected
to the beam between the scale pan and the fulcrum. The weight of the mass is
such as to counterbalance the scale pan, the bobbin and its connections so that the
scale beam is in equilibrium. If a small weight is placed in the pan it would be
necessary to raise the bobbin in order to maintain the equilibrium of the beam and
the moment of the force lifting the bobbin will be equal, to that of the weight. In
this case the force which lifts the bobbin (represented by Ex I, where E = the
electro motive force and I = the intensity) is such, that if this force is not over-
come by a heavier weight in the pan of the balance, the beam will keep its
horizontal position. To understand the term as used and to satisfy the
expression Ex I x T (where T = the period of time through which the force
acts) it will be sufficient in charging the scale pan that the weights be very light
and that the same be added at equal intervals of time as then the pan will descend
more, as the strength of the current diminishes, or less, as the strength of the
current increases, that is to say the moment of the descent will be determined by
the degree of intensity of the current. If now each weighing is made equal to
some interval of time and that the operations are registered on a dial plate, the
apparatus will be a Watt-hour-meter to continued periodical integrations.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the principle of the balance;
Figs. 2 and are respectively an elevation and a plan of the electric meter which
forms the subject of this invention;
Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line c, d, e, f of Fig. 5; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of the upper part of the meter drawn on an enlarged
scale.
The apparatus which forms the subject of this invention comprises four parts;
(1) the electro dynamometer w; (2) the weighing mechanism (c); (3) the clock-
work movement (y); and (4) the registering apparatus (z).
The electro dynamometer is composed of a cage w formed of two plates a a¹
parallel and horizontal held together by four brass columns b. The lower plate a
is mounted on a wooden base c on which it is fixed; this wooden base on which is
mounted the whole apparatus, carries the uprights d d'. Between the plates a a¹
are mounted the bobbins one above another, two of them e and el being fixed the
other being moveable and wound with fine wire, and situated midway between
the two others. The vertical axis of these three bobbins is common.
The two bobbins e e¹ are wound with stout wire, in an inverse manner and
are traversed by all the current to be measured. The bobbin with fine wire, f is
in communication with the uprights d' its rod of suspension g being connected to
the beam h. This bobbin can be displaced vertically between the two others and
its course is limited.
This course, determined by the passage of the current, transmits therefore the
effect of the fixed bobbins on the moveable bobbin to the beam h and is equal
to Ex I. A single fixed bobbin may be used if desired instead of the two
bobbins e and e¹ shewn in the drawings. In apparatus destined to measure currents

page_text: of great intensity, the wires of the larger bobbins are replaced by some thicker
wire enrolled one on the other. Shunts may also be employed for passing into
the bobbins e and e¹ determined fractions of the current to be measured.
On the cage w containing the electro-dynamometer is mounted the weighing
mechanism x, the clock work movement y and the registering and totalizing
apparatus 2.
The balance mechanism for measuring by equal periods satisfying the
expression E. I. T of electric measurers, is composed of a beam oscillating on an
axis near to this axis, is freely suspended by its rod of suspension g the moveable
bobbin and further away towards the extremity of the same beam is also freely
suspended by one of its ends a chain k composed of wire enrolled in spirals or coils
engaging the one with the other.
This chain, which is very flexible and is known in France under the name of
"châine régence," is already employed in balance of precision. The suspension
piece to which the chain k is attached can be moved along in the groove of the
beam and can be adjusted at a point determined once for all by the force that
will bear down the chain. The other end of the chain is fixed on a drum m
(see Fig. 5) on which the chain operates by a clock movement as will be hereafter
explained. On this arm of the beam is mounted an axle carrying a pinion
use of which will also be explained.
n the
On the other arm of the beam, i.e. on the other side of the axis of oscillation, is
a weight o regulated on the threaded extremity h'. This weight being regulated
balances exactly the weights of the bobbin f and its suspender, the pinion n and its
axis and the chain k unwound from the drum.
It will be
It is this chain which in unwinding from the drum increases in proportion the
weight which tends to make that extremity of the beam descend.
understood that this unrolling of the chain increases the weight of the part unrolled
in a continuous and progressive manner with great regularity; this would not be
obtained by means of weights, however slight they might be placed successively
at equal intervals in the pan of the balance shewn in the diagram Fig. 1 which is
employed to make clear the explanation of the system.
The clock work movement y is arranged to go for a definite period. With the
wheel p of the last spring barrel but one gears the equal wheel q' mounted on the
axle g.
On the axle are mounted 1st the apparatus for the catch 2nd the drum m
3rd the wheel s. mands are mounted on the same sleeve situated on the axle q.
The catch apparatus is composed of a piece fixed on the axle q; on this
piece is placed longitudinally and held by two screws the spring carrying the
catch r.
This catch moves on the piece in a groove and comes in contact with
the other side of the pin m' of the drum m which it involves in its movement of
rotation, the spring prolonged beyond the catch presents at each turn the
extreme part twisted in a spiral to the action of a fixed pin t which forces the
catch to abandon the pin m' of the drum in rendering this last free.
This drum, which, is connected to the clock work by the catch apparatus r when
released is rewound by the effect of the spiral spring u attached to a silk thread u¹
which passes over a pulley u" and is connected to a small pulley m". This small
pulley carries the sleeve on which the drum m and the wheels are mounted.
Consequently the pulley m" involves the drum and vice versa. It will be seen that
the clock work movement in unwinding the chain elongates the spiral spring by
means of the silk thread wound on the pulley and that the clock work has then to
overcome the resultant effort of the difference between the progressive weight of
the chain and the progressive tension of the spring to return.
26
It will also be seen that when the drum m actuated by the return of the spring
turns to rewind the chain, the pin m³ comes in contact with the piece and that,
consequently, it does not make a complete turn, the distance which remains to
travel over, being more than sufficient to leave to the spring u the time necessary
to do its work. The clock work movement is regulated to perform one revolution

page_text: in five minutes but the times T of unwinding and winding the chain may if desired
be set to two, three or four minutes. Instead of a chain an elastic band might be
employed which will be brought forward at its end by the clock work movement in
an uniform manner its weight growing progressively in unison with the time until
it balances the effort exercised on the moveable bobbin. Or a spiral spring might
be used (like those on the barrels of watches), this spring will be actuated by the
clock work movement in an uniform manner, its power growing progressively until
it balances the effort exercised by the moveable bobbin.
These different means of replacing the chain, or any other progressive or growing
weight or force may be applied to the extremity of the beam instead of the chain
if preferred.
The registering apparatus z will be now described. On the beam h is mounted
an axle carrying a pinion n. This pinion follows the movement of the beam and
engages and disengages with the wheel mounted on the sleeve of the drum,
according as this beam takes the horizontal position or abandons it in rising and
descending. This pinion n extends beyond the plate which separates the weighing
mechanism from the registering mechanism, and in its rising movement engages
with the wheel ' at the same time as with the wheels thus transmitting the movement
of the drum through these conjoint wheels to the registering mechanism. This
wheel z', mounted on the first arbor of the registering apparatus, registers also on
the dial plate of Watts the outlay of electricity in a given time. This measuring
or registering and totalizing apparatus is constructed like all measuring devices of
the same kind.
The clock work movement being wound up the apparatus for weighing will be
operated, that is to say, that the chain winds and unwinds itself automatically every five
minutes, but registers nothing if there is no outlay (of electricity) but will turn to zero.
The apparatus, when in order, is dependent on the electric current, nothing else.
Things being in this state if the circuit is established, the moveable bobbin,
actuated by the fixed bobbins with a force equal to the intensity of the electric
current, will hold the beam in the horizontal position, beyond which it cannot pass
on account of the regulating screw Y. The pinion a fixed to the beam then engages
with the two wheels s, and renders them conjointed and the needle turns round on
the Watts dial-plate but directly the weight of the chain in unrolling overcomes
the force of the attraction of the fixed bobbins the beam descends again and the
pinion n abandoning the wheels s, and the motion of the needle is stopped. It
will be seen that the apparatus is regulated by the manner in which the weight of
the chain unwinding, corresponds to the maximum of the force produced by
the passage of the current necessary for the outlay for which the apparatus is
designed.
It will then be seen that the device is for continued periodical integration, except
during the short time for rewinding the chain. It is applicable to continuous
currents and also to alternating currents, by arranging the moveable bobbin with
self induction.
It can be arranged for the distribution of electricity by three, four and five
wires and does not use any electricity for rewinding, since the clock work movement
is wound by hand when required. It can however be furnished with an electric
automatic winder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
An electric meter having the following distinctive characteristics :-The measuring
of the electric outlay during periods of equal times, whatever may be this outlay,
its maximum being settled in advance by the maximum of weights of the organ
which weighs it, this organ being as herein described a chain winding and
unwinding automatically on a drum, in a determined lapse of time and adding
progressively the weights in unwinding in order to be in equilibrium to the different

page_text: outlays of electricity and to register or stop at each period, the integration of these
different outlays on the dial plates of a registering and totalising mechanism,
the whole having for a motor a clockwork movement substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1893.
F. W. GOLBY,
36, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.