ROTARY WATER OR OTHER FLUID METER APPLICABLE ALSO FOR USE AS A MOTOR
Year: 1884

page_text: I FREDERICK CHAMBERS of 28 Belle Ville Road Wandsworth Common in the
County of Surrey Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
ROTARY WATER OR OTHER FLUID METER APPLICABLE ALSO FOR USE AS A MOTOR"
to be as follows :—
This Invention relates to a Meter or Measure for the measuring and registering
of the quantity of water or other liquid passing through it, and consists of.
improvements in and of the adaption and application of its several working parts
as hereinafter described, viz :-
A cylinder made of metal of suitable size, the interior shape or figure of which is
that whilst smooth and regular on its internal surface, the diameter is greater in
one direction than in another.
This cylinder has on the outside edge at the ends a flange round it to which the
end pieces are affixed. Within this cylinder is a perfectly circular barrel of an equal
length with the cylinder and of about two thirds its smallest internal diameter.
This barrel is to within a short distance of its extreme ends pierced entirely
through at right angles, with two parallel openings or slots. Within these
rectangular slots are placed four flat closely fitting pistons or sliding pieces. Each
of these pistons have a square piece cut out from the upper corner of equal size.
The ends thus formed when placed in a crosswise position within the slots of the
barrel come into close contact, with each other. The length of the two pistons
when so placed, and are in close contact, corresponds with the diameters of the
cylinder, and the width and breadth of the pistons with size of the slots in the
barrel.
The broad ends of the pistons always project through the slots a certain distance
from the outer circumference of the barrel, and these ends always fit closely against
the inner surface of the cylinder by sliding backwards and forwards through and
within the slots in the barrel. Rims are formed on each end of the barrel from the
slots or openings not being made of its entire length. These rims when the barrel
is placed within the cylinder, fit closely into circular cavities, cut into the end
pieces of the cylinder. These hollows or circular cavities are of exactly the same

page_text: J
depth as are the widths of the rims at the ends of the barrel, and are cut out of the
upper part or side of the end pieces, which end pieces are flanged, that is, cut
away, so that a portion, of the same shape, as the diameter of the cylinder, fits
within it, and the width of this cut portion is equal to the depths of the cut out
cavities.
The flanges of the end pieces are screwed on to the flanges of the cylinder water-
tight. The pistons being put end to end crosswise within the slots of the barrel,
and the board then placed into the cylinder with the rims in the circular cut
cavities at the ends, all the pistons are in close contact, at their side ends within
the barrel, and at the broad projecting ends with inner surface of the cylinder in
whatsoever direction they move or position they occupy. When there is pressure of
water or other fluid on one side of the most projecting piston or pistons they move
in a direction away from it, this movement causes the barrel to revolve within the
circumference of the circular cut, cavities, and in doing so a continuous change of
position take place of the sliding pistons with respect to the central points of the
barrel and of the cylinder so that at certain points two of the pistons always and
one of them particularly project from the slots to a greater extent than the others.
It is against these most projecting pistons, by their exposing the largest superficial
surface, that the pressure of water or other liquids exerts itself and imparts to the
pistons and the barrel their joint motion.
The pressure of the fluid is always in that part, or on that side of the cylinder
which corresponds with its largest unoccupied cubic capacity.
As the barrel revolves, the projecting pistons slide through and into the slots by.
degrees and pressed out at the other so that they all in turn take up exactly
the same positions in the barrel and within the cylinder. Those parts of the
barrel which lie between the slots are partly cut out leaving an angular shaped
cavity.
1
To obviate friction as much as possible the barrel is counter sunk at each end
to within a short distance of the extreme edge of its circumference, the resulting
ridge therefore only works within the cavity at either end of the cylinder. The
pistons are also partly grooved on the sides and the broad projecting ends
rounded off grooved or fitted with round or square fillets of wood, leather or
rubber, or of some suitable substance not affecting or affected by the fluid passing
through the machine.
:
All the working surfaces are smooth, fit into each other exactly and water tight,
Between the ends of the pistons within the barrels are pads or cushions of elastic
rubber or similar substance or a well tempered spring..
To regulate its motion and to insure the barrel revolving in one direction only,
at one end of the barrel is a ratchet wheel and on the end piece of the cylinder the
spring for catch of same.
On the opposite end of the barrel is a spindle which passes through the end piece
into a water-tight box having a glass end or face. This box is fixed water tight on
to the outside of the cylinder. Within this box are arranged the wheels which are
turned by the spindle as the barrel revolves. At every revolution of the barrel a
certain measurable quantity of water or fluid moves between the flat projecting
pistons, from the point of intake to that of outflow. By measuring or calculating
the cubic capacity lying between or being within the space between the projecting
pistons and the surrounding parts, at that point where this cubic capacity is at its
largest, the number of gallons or cubic feet of liquid passing through the machine
can be ascertained. This quantity is registered by means of the Index or dials
which can be seen through the glass face. The only openings in the cylinder are
those of the inflow and the outflow, these are situated on either side exactly
opposite to each other, they consist of two openings on both sides of the cylinder
one larger than the other, the larger one is placed just below the smaller they are
placed at that point of the cylinder where when the barrel is in its proper position
and the pistons end to end within the slots of the barrel, any two pistons shall be

page_text: in a straight line across the cylinder with the projecting ends equal and in close
contact therewith then one hole shall be just above the end of pistons the other one
just below.
On the outside of the cylinder covering over the two holes or openings of
each side are hollow boxes or reservoirs, into these boxes are fitted the inflow
pipe, on one side, and the outflow on the other, having suitable junctions and
connections.
This, Machine is for use under any amount of pressure flow or gravitation and
particularly for measuring and registering the quantity of water or fluid used,
delivered, passed through or discharged into tanks vats cisterns reservoirs water
courses and sewers.
It can also be used for pumping or raising water, or as a rotary machine propelled
by steam, gas, water, compressed air, or a created vacuum.

page_text: "
I FREDERICK CHAMBERS of 28 Belle Ville Road Wandsworth Common in the
County of Surrey Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for ROTARY WATER OR OTHER FLUID METER, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR USE AS A MOTOR,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
The object of this invention is to construct fluid meters for measuring and
registering quantities of water or other fluid, and which meters are also capable of
being driven by fluid pressure for the purpose of producing motive power.
My invention consists of a cylinder of an irregular form, in which four pistons,
rotate upon an axis or centre which is excentric to that of the cylinder, and the
cylinder is so formed that the pistons rotate on such eccentric centre without
requiring any radial motion.
The upper half of the cylinder approximates to a portion of a circle, and the
lower portion approximates to a portion of an ellipse.
The cylinder is fitted with flanges at the ends to which the covers are affixed.
Within the cylinder is a cylindrical barrel of a length equal to that of the inside
of the cylinder and of about two thirds its smallest internal diameter.
This barrel is to within a short distance of its extreme ends cut entirely through
at right angles with two longitudinal slots within which slots are placed four flat
closely fitting rectangular pistons. These pistons are so formed that when placed
at right angles to each other within the slots of the barrel, they slide to and fro in
close contact with each other. The lengths of each of the pistons when so placed
and packed and kept in close contact corresponds with the diameters of the
cylinder, and the width and breadth of the pistons with the size of the slots in the
barrel.
The ends.of the pistons project through the slots a certain distance from the
outer circumference of the barrel, and these ends always impinge against the inner
surface of the cylinder as they slide backwards and forwards through and within
the slots in the barrel-Suitable packing pieces are formed on each end of the
barrel on account of the slots or openings not being made to extend to its entire
length. When there is pressure of water or other fluid on one side of the barrel
the pistons are driven in an opposite direction to that of the pressure whereby the
barrel is caused to revolve upon its own centre, and in so doing a continuous
change of position of the sliding pistons with respect to the central points of the
barrel takes place; the pressure of the fluid against the projecting pistons causes
such pistons and the barrel in connection therewith to rotate.
As the barrel revolves the projecting pistons slide through and into the slots by
degrees on one side, and are also pressed out at the other so that they alternately
take up similar positions in the barrel and within the cylinder.
To obviate friction as much as possible the barrel is counter sunk at each end to
within a short distance of the extreme edge of its circumference the resulting
flanges therefore work within the cavities in the covers at each end of the cylinder.
The pistons are also partly grooved at the sides and the broad projecting ends
rounded off, grooved or fitted with round or square fillets of wood, leather, or
rubber or of some suitable substance not affecting or affected by the fluid passing
through the machine.
All the working surfaces are smooth and fit into each other water tight.

page_text: It is sometimes necessary to insure the barrel revolving in one direction only
and for this purpose I provide at one end of the barrel a ratchet wheel and on the
cover of the cylinder a pawl and spring for the same.
On the opposite end of the barrel is a spindle which passes through the end
piece into a water tight box having a glass end or face. This box is fitted water
tight to the outside of the cylinder cover. Within this. box are arranged an
ordinary arrangement of pinions and wheels which are actuated by the spindle of
the barrel. At each revolution of the barrel a certain measureable quantity of
water or fluid passes through the cylinder, the water or fluid entering on one side
and passing out at the other.
By measuring or calculating the cubical capacity of the available space the
number of gallons or cubic feet of liquid passing through the machine can be
ascertained-This quantity is registered by means of the index or dials which can
be seen through the glass face. The induction and eduction ports are formed alike
in order that the course of the fluid may be reversed.
My invention is applicable for measuring and registering the quantity of water
or fluid used, delivered, passed through or discharged into tanks, vats cisterns,
reservoirs watercourses and sewers.
It can also be used as a rotary engine or water wheel for obtaining motive power
or for pumping or raising water or as a rotary steam, gas, water or compressed air
engine or for obtaining a vacuum.
And in order that my said invention may be more clearly understood reference
is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my invention with the back cover removed. Fig. 2 is
a section of the same on the line a b of Fig. 7—Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the
barrel and pistons in position in the barrel.-Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the
pistons removed from the barrel-Fig. 5 is an inside view of the back cylinder
cover. Fig. 6 is a section of the same. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on the
line c d of Fig. 2 and Fig. 8 is a front elevation shewing the dial faces.
The shape of the cylinder is irregular being so formed that as the pistons
revolve in and with the barrel the diameters are constant in every position, and
the pistons therefore fit the cylinder as they revolve. ee are the pistons, the forin
of which is clearly shewn in perspective in Fig. 4 and they are also shewn in
Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 7-portions of the pistons are cut away at e¹ to allow those at
right angles to operate as shewn. f is the barrel, which has passages or slots at
right angles to each other in which the pistons slide. gg are slips of lignum
vitæ or other suitable packing for keeping the cisterns watertight. A small slip of
elastic packing is placed between the pistous at p to allow for slight wear and
inequalities. h h are the ports either set of which may be be used as induction
ports and those on the opposite side become the eduction ports.
When fluid pressure is applied to my invention the pressure upon the projecting
portions of the pistons causes the same to rotate with the barrel, or, if the invention
is used as a pump or exhauster the fluid is similarly admitted from one set of ports
and ejected from the opposite sct of ports the exact cubical contents being
ascertained my invention may be used as a meter and the register of the same may
be ascertained in the usual manner by means of geared wheels placed in the space i
Fig 7 and dial faces Fig. 8.
.
in using my invention as a meter, I avoid the use of stuffing boxes, as shewn in
Fig. 7 by making the barrel work in recesses in the covers. The shaded portions
of the barrel at f₁ Fig. 7 represent the ends of the barrel, in section, which work
in recesses in the cylinder covers f². k is a glass cover, fitted fluid tight through
which the dials may be seen.
The ratchet wheels Figs. 1. 3 and 7 and pawl t Fig. 5, are sometimes necessary
to prevent the barrel being fraudulently turned in the wrong direction, when the
invention is used as a meter,

page_text: When the invention is used as a motor the barrel f is fitted with the usual.
axles to impart motion to outside gearing:.
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
-
1 In rotary meters and engines, the combination of an external cylinder with an
internal cylinder, their axes being placed eccentrically to each other, with sliding
pistons e, packing pieces g and guide flanges f' working in recesses in the covers
substantially as herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
2 The combination and arrangement of the several and respective parts together
forming my improved rotary water or other fluid meter, applicable also for use as a
motor, substantially as herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
Dated 7th Octobon 1001