Tenno NCAS MODS & REGULAMADO
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham, of Terthewey
Lodge, Junction Road, Holloway, Gas Regulator Manufacturer, for the
Invention of & Tenno NCAS MODS & REGULAMADO"
Sealed the 12th April 1861, and dated the 17th October 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Alexander Frederick
Duckham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th October 1860.
I, HENRY ALEXANDER FREDERICK DUCKHAM, of Terthewey Lodge, Junction.
Road, Holloway, Gas Regulator Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS & REGULATORS,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in the peculiar combination of a gas regulator
and a wet gas meter, in which the regulator is disposed so as to embrace and
enclose the upper part of the measuring wheel, being both within the same
case; the regulator is in principle the same as ordinary water regulators,
therefore need not be further described. On the upper part of the meter I
further dispose a reservoir of water for the supply of the meter, which supply
is self-acting and always maintains the level in the meter at a proper height.
To effect this I place a tube leading from the bottom of reservoir, and termi-
nating a little below the water level, whereby the water descends from the
higher level into the meter whenever the level of water in the meter falls below
the bottom of the tube by reason of gas passing up the tube to the reservoir
chamber, which being air-tight as a consequence allows the water to descend

page_text: when air or gas is admitted, but suspends it so soon as the flow of gas or air
is stopped. I dispose a valve at the upper part of this tube, which I close by
a screw, rod, or other contrivance passing through a suitable packing in cover
of the reservoir to keep it air-tight. I close this valve when filling the
reservoir, and open it after charging, by this means an almost constant level
of the water is maintained in the meter.
The second part refers to a dry gas meter which I make in the form of a
drum in which are disposed four, five, or more expanding measuring chambers
radiating from the axis of the drum, that is to say, the plates forming the
fixed and movable sides of the chamber are so disposed, and which they at all
times maintain whether collapsed or expanded. The axis has suitable
passages for the admission and escape of the gas to the chambers, the
expansion of which drives the chamber drum or wheel round on its axis
by contact with suitable stops; from the motion of the axis the gas passed
may be registered. The rotation of the chamber wheel also opens and
closes the passages for the admission and escape of gas. I further improve
dry gas meters by combining in the same case with the measuring apparatus a
dry gas regulator.
The third part refers to an improvement in Curley's gas regulator, and
consists, 1st, in the application of an inner lining or case rising from the
bottom to a little above the fluid level, so as to form an annular chamber
between such inner case, and the outer one to contain the liquid, and into
which the rising and falling gas holder of the regulator dips; 2ndly, by the
application of a floating ball or other valve in the filling tube or syphon of the
regulator at the proper level of the water, and carrying that tube to a height
much above that level. This float valve regulates the height of water in the
regulator, although the water in the filling tube may be much higher. Instead
of this valve I sometimes employ the reservoir as applied to meters before
described, which reservoir is applicable to wet regulators generally; 3rdly, the
application of the safety valve to open inwards instead of outwards, as at
present, and also the use of clack or lever valves instead of lift valves as at
present.
The fourth part refers to enclosing mercurial regulators. with double action
safety valves, so that they shall not be brought into. action until a sufficient
supply of quicksilver is in the regulator, also in case of tilting, the valve closes
so as to effectually shut off the gas; also the application of floating valves,
whereby I am enabled to regulate these regulators to such a pressure as will
be suitable for argand burners.
The fifth part refers to the application of metal surfaces to the flexible

page_text: diaphragms of dry gas meters and regulators covering as much of the flexible-
material as possible, at same time without interfering with the action of the
meter or regulator, and whereby to prevent percolation of the gas through
these diaphragms as much as possible. Instead of metal plates I sometimes
coat these flexible diaphragms with a composition composed of saccharine
matters, gelatine, and alum.
The sixth part refers to the enclosing of dry gas meters entirely within an
outer case when placed in houses, and ventilating such case by a channel or
channels of ammunication loading outride the billi
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 17th April 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
ALEXANDER FREDERICK DUCKHAM, of Terthewey Lodge, Junction Road,
Holloway, Gas Regulator Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham, Her special licence that I, the said
Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS
AND REGULATORS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry
Alexander Frederick Duckham, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say) :-
My improvements consist, first, in the peculiar combination of a gas
regulator and a wet gas meter, in which the regulator is disposed so as to
embrace and enclose the upper part of the measuring wheel, being both
within the same case; the regulator is in principle the same as ordinary
water regulators, and therefore need not be described. On the upper part
of the meter I further dispose a reservoir of water for the supply of the
meter, which supply is self-acting and always maintains the level in the
meter at a proper height. To effect this I place a tube leading from the
bottom of reservoir, and terminating a little below the water level, whereby
the water descends from the higher level into the meter, whenever the level of
water in the meter falls below the bottom of the tube by reason of gas passing
up the tube to the reservoir chamber, which being air-tight as a consequence
allows the water to descend when air or gas is admitted, but suspends it so.
soon as the flow of air or gas is stopped, I dispose a valve at the upper part of
this tube, which I close by a screw, rod, or other contrivance passing through
a suitable packing in cover of the reservoir to keep it air-tight. I close this
valve when filling the reservoir and open it after charging; by this means
an almost constant level of the water is maintained in the meter.
The second part refers to a dry gas meter, which I make in the form of a
drum in which are disposed four, five, or more expanding measuring chambers
disposed radiating from the axis of the drum, that is to say, the plates forming
the fixed and moveable sides of the chambers are so disposed, & which they at
all times maintain whether collapsed or expanded. The axis has suitable
passages for the admission and escape of the gas to the chambers, the expansion
of which drives the chamber, drum, or wheel round on its axis by contact with
suitable stops; from the motion of the axis the quantity of gas passing is
registered. The rotation of the chamber wheel also opens & closes the
passages for the admission & escape of gas. I further improve dry gas
meters by combining in the same case with the measuring apparatus a dry
gas regulator.
The third part refers to an improvement in Curley's gas regulator, & consists,
1st, in the application of an inner lining or case rising from the bottom to a
little above the fluid level, so as to form an annular chamber between such
inner case & the outer one to contain the liquid, & into which the rising and
falling gas holder of the regulator dips; 2ndly, by the application of a floating,

page_text: ball or other valve in the filling tube or syphon of the regulator at the proper
level of the water, and carrying that tube much above that level. This float
valve regulates the height of water in the regulator, although the water in
the filling tube may overflow or be at a much higher level. Instead of this
valve I sometimes employ the reservoir as applied to the meter before described,
which reservoir is applicable to wet regulators generally; 3rdly, the application
of the safety valve to open inwards instead of outwards as at present, and also
the use of clack or lever valves instead of lift valves as at present.
The fourth part refers to enclosing of mercurial regulators with double
action safety valves, so that they shall not be brought into action until a suffi-
cient supply of quicksilver is in the regulator, also in case of tilting the valve
close so as to effectually shut off the gas; also the application of floating
valves or diaphragms, whereby I am enabled to regulate these regulators to
such a pressure as will be suitable for argand burners.
The fifth part refers to the application of metal surfaces to the flexible
diaphragms of dry gas meters and regulators covering as much of the flexible
material as possible, at same time without interfering with the action of the
meter or regulator, & whereby to prevent percolation of the gas through these
diaphragms as much as possible. Instead of metal plates I sometimes coat
these flexible diaphragms with a composition composed of sacharine matters,
gelatine, and alum.
The sixth part refers to the enclosing of dry gas meters entirely within an
outer case when placed in houses, and ventilating such case by a channel or
channels of communication leading outside the building.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 of the annexed Sheet of Drawings represents a vertical section
of a wet gas meter on the line of the axis of the measuring drum, which
drum is not, however, in section, such meter having a gas regulator in com-
bination therewith, as also a self-acting reservoir of water maintaining the
level of the water in the meter in a self-acting manner, all according to the
first part of my Invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 1,
through the line 1, 2; Fig. 3 is a parallel section to Fig. 2, through the
line 3, 4. Fig. 1, while Fig. 4 is a sectional plan showing the periphery of the
measuring drum, but with the regulator diaphragm in section.
a, a, is the case of the meter; and 6, the measuring drum, the action of
which is well understood in measuring the quantity of gas passed & registering
t by the apparatus c; the motion being transmitted from the axis d by bevil
wheels e to axis f, all as usual; 9 is the regulator diaphragm for regulating

page_text: the pressure of the gas. This diaphragm or dome is adapted to the form of
the upper part of the drum b, so as to embrace and pass over it and dip into
the water contained in the meter; the case a is made of suitable dimensions
to accommodate it together with the drum 6, and to admit of the proper
action of both. This regulator acts on the same principle as ordinary water
or mercurial regulators, the pressure of gas being admitted underneath, the
diaphragm which rises or falls according to the pressure and so opens or closes
the inlet valve or valves; h is the stem of the diaphragm g, which carries the
regulating inlet valves i, i; it is fixed in the crown of g, and moves in a guide
hole in the top of case a, on which is mounted the weight chamber, the cap k
of which may be removed for the purpose of regulating or adjusting the weight
on the stem h, as well understood; 1 is the inlet gas pipe, which is carried up
over the drum 6 to the valve box m, supported by a bridge n raised from the
bearings of the drum axis. The valve box has two escape openings between
which the tube enters. The pressure of the gas being under dome g acts
precisely as in other wet regulators, and therefore need not be described; the
gas so admitted within the regulating dome or diaphragm g enters the
measuring drum b, which it is free to do on the left hand side Fig. 1, and
escapes by the tube p to the dry well q, and into the front chamber r, from
whence it escapes by valves (the object of which valve will be herein-after
explained) to the outlet t. The line u represents the level of the water in the
meter, which I maintain constant so long as the supply in the reservoir con-
tinues, and when that fails the action of the meter stops; v, v, is the reservoir
chamber, which is filled with water; in the bottom of this chamber is a small
tube w, which descends to the water level of the meter, the chamber u being
otherwise air-tight allows water to escape at w only, when the level falls below
the bottom of that tube and allows air to enter, and therefore maintains the level
so long as there is water sufficient in the reservoir. In order to stop the
action of the meter and regulator, when the water in the reservoir falls short
I place a float y therein, which is guided on a tube 2, rising above the top of
chamber v, & descending into the water in the meter case; a rod a¹ passes
up the tube connected at top by a cross head and side rods to floaty,
and below by a cross head and connecting rod to a valve s, so long as there
is sufficient water in the chamber v, float y holds up the valve s, and therefore
keeps it open and maintains a free exit of the gas, but when the supply of
water in the reservoir is nearly exhausted, the float y falls, and thus closes
the outlet of the gas from the meter. In order to fill chamber v, I mount
a valve cover the tube w; the lever on which this valve is mounted is of
sufficient weight to close it when pressure is removed from the tail end by

page_text: the rod d², or it may close by a spring. When the plug e¹ is removed the
valve c¹ closes, water may be then introduced and the chamber v filled; when
so replenished the plug e¹ is again screwed in and made air-tight by a washer
or otherwise, the pressure of the plug at same time operates on rod d³, and
therefore opens the valve c¹, and again establishes the action of the meter.
and regulator; n is a float placed in the back chamber of the meter and
within the regulating diaphragm g; it is connected with an air inlet and outlet
valve m by a rod p passing up a tube q* fixed in the diaphragm g, &
dipping in the water of the meter. If the level of the water falls too low
in the meter, the valve m will be closed and the action of the regulator
impeded.
Fig. 5 represents a lateral, & Fig. 6 a transverse vertical section of a dry
gas meter according to the second part of my Invention, which has also a gas
regulator in combination therewith; f¹ is the external casing to which are
fixed to cup discs g', g², the one having the inlet and the other the outlet
passages of the gas to the measuring chambers; one of these cup discs is
represented separately at Fig. 8; they receive & embrace the ends of a hollow
central piece h¹, also containing the inlet and outlet passages to the measuring
chambers; the centre piece h¹ rotates in the cups 9', g³, as on an axis; on this
piece h¹ are mounted the measuring chambers 1, 2, 3, 1, consisting of three
plates or diaphragms, the centre one 1 being fixed to h¹, while the other two.
are jointed thereto, and the whole enclosed with leather or other material,
forming expanding and collapsing chambers like a pair of bellows, as indi-
cated. In order that the expansion of the one chamber shall operate the
collapse of another, I connect opposite pairs on either sides by bridles k¹, k³,
connected by jointed rods to the extreme plates of the chambers, which produce
the effect desired. Each chamber has an inlet and outlet passage, as
indicated by the arrows; consequently there are four ports or openings in each
end of the centre piece h¹, while there are only three similar openings through
the disc g; consequently the chambers open alternately to admit the gas,
the three openings of the one disc g¹ being set at variance with the three
openings of the other to the extent of the sixth part of the circle, the one port
of any one chamber is open for the admission or escape of gas, while the
passage at the opposite end is closed, which in each chamber is the case of
three different points of the revolution of the chambers, consequently each one
is filled and emptied three times during one revolution. In the positions of
the chambers shown in Fig. 5, the lower one has just been emptied of its
gas, the one on the right is discharging gas, that on the left is being filled
and about half full, while the upper one is filled, the inlet ports of the gas

page_text: are shown dotted in Fig. 5, chambers ¹ and are in communication with the
eduction ports of g², while
& i, are in communication with the induction
passages in g¹, as seen in that Figure. Motion is communicated to the
measuring chambers on the axis h¹ by their filling action by means of six or
more spring catches p', which permit the boards of the chamber to pass freely
in the one direction, but prevent a retrograde action; a chamber is the
driver in the position shown in Fig. 5, which continues to move the axis h
until that chamber is fully expanded, by that time chamber will have passed
the stop p¹ immediately below it, at same time it will open to the admission of
gas and begin to expand, and so also carry round the axis, and when fully
expanded will occupy the position shown dotted, chamber 2 will be the next to
propel the axis, and will abut against a stop catch p¹, and so continue the
motion of axis h¹; the same operation will then take place by the action of
chambers & in succession, and so on in regular order, as before; each
chamber driving the axis round one-sixth part of a revolution. This extent of
revolution of each chamber may be varied & the number of catches increased,
but the number of inlet or outlet passages of the gas in g', g², must be
arranged accordingly. Instead of the joints of the two outer boards or plates of
the centre h¹ of the measuring chambers being disposed at distances apart, they
may be approached much nearer, and even be in line with each other if the
joints are disposed at the sides only, & so that the flexible material enclosing
the chambers may be free to effect communication with & embrace the inlet
and outlet passages in the axis, and instead of the chambers being formed of three
boards, as described, they may consist of three (more or less) frames with
outside plates, which collapse one within the other, and are connected together
by flexible material disposed midway of their breadths so as to form an
enclosed chamber, and expand and collapse, as represented in Figs. A, B, and
C; A is a side view of chamber expanded; B is a like view collapsed; while
C represents the breadth of the chamber; a is the joint connecting the
chamber to centre piece h¹. As before mentioned I combine a regulator with
this meter; q is the chamber of the regulator; r¹, a flexible diaphragn; s¹, the
cover chamber of the weight t, all of which act in the ordinary manner,
the diaphragm rising with the increase of pressure of the inlet u¹ and falling
when it lowers, but in this case I transmit the action of the diaphragm to a
slide valve v¹, which acts so as to open & close the inlet aperture, as required.
The slide valve v is fitted on a rod w, or is fitted & moves otherwise on
suitable guides; I connect this valve or its rod with a bell crank a¹ moving on
a fixed fulcrum at y', which crank is also connected with the rod 2¹ of the
flexible diaphragm, whereby its motions continually effect & regulate its

page_text: position and opening of the slide valve as required to regulate the passage of
the gas, from the chamber q¹ the gas passes by passage to the measuring
chambers as before explained.
Fig. 7 represents another arrangement of the slide valve v', which is directly
connected with the diaphragm r', & operates the closing and opening of the
valve, and regulates the passage of the gas, as will be readily understood.
The arrows indicate the inlet and outlet passages of the gas. This meter
registers by the motion transmitted through a small axis r fixed in h³, &
communicating with the registering apparatus by bevil wheels and axis, as
seen.
The third part of my Invention, which relates to improvements in Curley's
gas regulator, is illustrated in Fig. 9 of the Sheet of Drawings annexed, which
represents a vertical section of that regulator. The improvements consist, 1st,
of the annular chamber a¹ to contain the fluid formed by the inner division b¹ ;
the part 6 is an extension of this partition 6', forming a well to receive the
float c, which closes the air valve d; a second improvement consists in
placing a floating valve ball f² in the filling aperture of the regulator, and
carrying the tube up some distance above the seat of such valve, or it may be
a reservoir of water. When the level of the water rises above the seat of the
valve fit would close the valve, and therefore prevent too much water
entering the regulator, and allowing of its admission when it falls below the
proper level; the third improvement in this regulator is the opening of the
valve inwards instead of outwards, as usual, which consists simply in
mounting the valves on a lever, which moves on a fixed fulcrum at e³, and is
connected at the opposite end to the rod of the float c³, which when it falls
closes the valve d³, and interrupts the action of the regulator.
The fourth part of my Invention, which refers to mercurial regulators, is
illustrated in Fig. 10, which represents a vertical section of a mercurial
regulator; is the inlet, & m² the outlet of the gas; o, the regulating valve
connected by its stem p* with the moveable metal diaphragm q³, which has a
submerged rim q³, or displacing body of other form to displace the mercury &
float or counterbalance more or less the weight of the diaphragm g³. The
mercury is received in an annular chamber r³, which has an extension or well.
to receive the floats, which operates the double-action safety valve, as will be
herein-after explained. u³ is the regulating weight chamber, enclosing the
weight mounted on the valve stem p³, which with the regulating diaphragm
act in the usual manner; t is a gutter or channel carried all round the
interior of the annular mercury chamber, so that if the regulator is tilted and

page_text: the mercury overflows to any extent, it is conducted into and fills a well v³; in
this well is disposed a float w³, attached to the stem of the double-action
safety valve y; is a tube, which descends from the diaphragm q, and dips
into mercury carried by float s³, and so permitting of the passage of valve
rod x³ & the tube stem of valve s² to be in suitable connection therewith. The
action of this improved regulator is as follows:-So long as the mercury
remains at a proper level, or is not tilted and spilled into the channel t2, the
action of the regulator proceeds as usual, when the mercury becomes reduced.
by evaporation or otherwise, so as to be too low for the proper action of the
regulator, the float s² falls, and closes the valves y³ by the upper disc resting
in it's seat; on the other hand, if the annular chamber is filled or the
regulator tilted, so as to cause the overflow of the mercury, it runs into the
well, and lifts the float w², which lifts the float s² & its rod so as to close
the valve y² by the lower disc rising against its seat. The collecting gutter t³
and well has a further beneficial effect, inasmuch as that it intercepts the
mercury, and prevents it running into the meter & spoiling it, which is often
the case in mercurial regulators as at present applied.
The fifth part of my Invention relates to covering the flexible diaphragms
of gas regulators and meters with metal, tale, or composition to prevent as
much as possible the percolation of the gas. The metal plates I apply to the
flexible diaphragms so as not to interfere with their action, & on either one or
both sides of such flexible diaphragm, or it may be between two thicknesses of
flexible material; in case of using one thickness of flexible material only, I stitch
as well as cement the metal plates thereto, but when two thicknesses of flexible
material are employed the stitching may be dispensed with. I employ a cement
or composition according to my Invention to render flexible diaphragms or parts
thereof that are uncovered with metal or talc, impervious to gas, which flexible
material may be leather, linen, silk, or other suitable material. To form this
composition I mix about equal parts of double size or other suitable gelatinous
matter & treacle, or other saccharine matters that are not capable of crystalli-
zation, and then add thereto a small proportion of alum, say, about two or
three ounces to a hundred pounds of the composition, which I then boil in the
same manner as glue is boiled, and continue stirring it from time to time, till
it is reduced to the proper consistency for application to the flexible material
with a brush, or the diaphragms may be saturated by immersion in the com-
position, squeezed out, and coated again with a brush, if desired, when the
diaphragms are so coated I oil them with almond or other suitable oil to keep
them supple and remove any stickiness from the surface.

page_text: Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by thie
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First, the combination of a wet gas meter & gas regulator, as herein-
before described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4 of the Drawings annexed,
also the application of the valve to the outlet of the supply reservoir of wet
meters to close such outlet when the reservoir is opened above, for the purpose
of filling it, or otherwise.
Secondly, the arrangement & construction of the dry gas meter, described
& represented in the Drawings annexed, in which the measuring chambers
rotate on an axis, to which they give motion, and whereby they regulate the
admission & escape of the gas, & also measure & register the quantity of
gas passed, all as herein-before described; I also claim the combination of
a dry gas meter and regulator in one and the same machine, as herein-
before described and represented in Figs. 5 & 6 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Thirdly, the formation of an annular chamber in the gas regulators known
as Curley's gas regulator, for the reception of the fluid, in which the diaphragm
or gas holder dips; also the application of a floating valve in the filling tube
or chamber; also the opening of the safety air valve inwards instead of out-
wards, as usual, and generally the application of clack or lever safety valves
thereto, instead of lift valves heretofore adopted, all as and for the purposes
herein-before described.
Fourthly, the application and arrangement of safety air valves to mercurial
gas regulators herein-before described, which operate so as to close the air
passage when there is insufficient mercury in the regulator, as also when the
regulator is tilted and the mercury escapes from its proper receptacle; I also
claim the application of a rim or other submerged body to the diaphragm or
valve 2, Fig. 10, in order to displace the mercury, and thereby float or
counterbalance more or less the weight of such diaphragm, whereby to
equalize the action throughout the extent of their rise and fall, and fit them
for working at at much less pressure, and suitable for argand burners, as
herein-before described.
Fifthly, the application of metal surfaces to the flexible diaphragms of dry
gas meters or regulators, as also the application of the composition to such
surfaces, all as and for the purposes herein-before described.
Sixthly, I claim enclosing dry gas meters situated in dwelling houses
within an air-tight chamber, which has internal communication with the

page_text: atmosphere, so as to prevent any smell or escape. of gas therefrom in the
building.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Alexander Frederick Duckham,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of April,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & sixty-one.
Witness,
W. CLARK, Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
HEN. A. F. DUCKHAM. (L.S.)