Motors or as Pumps.
Year: 1885

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 15th day of April 1889, Amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
Motors or as Pumps.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & C° Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS WHICH WILL ALSO SERVE
AS MOTORS OR AS PUMPS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention relates to fluid meters which are also applicable for use as motors
and pumps.
It is well known that a fluid meter, to be commercially successful, must be
capable of perfectly measuring or indicating the quantity of fluid which passes
through it, regardless of the size of the stream, its speed, head or any other
condition; that it must not easily get out of repair, and that its construction must
be simple, and its manufacture inexpensive.
Various meters have been made which fulfil some of these conditions; but, there
is at present no meter which combines all of these features with certain necessary
wearing properties, to such an extent that it may be said to be a really commercially
successful or practical_meter.
The object of this Invention is to combine all the requisites of an efficient cheap
and desirable meter, and to this end it comprises the improvements hereinafter
described.
The principle upon which the improved meter is constructed is so simple that
very few parts or pieces are necessary, and very little machine work is required in
fitting them, and these parts can be placed in such very small compass that the
weight of metal necessary for the casing is very small.
The Invention comprises, broadly speaking, a chamber having inlet and exhaust
ports, and a piston for opening and closing the ports. The meter can hardly be
called a rotary meter, because the piston does not rotate, and yet it is quite unlike
in appearance any of the ordinary reciprocating piston meters. But it combines, it
may be said, portions of both systems in substantially the following manner. The
chamber of the meter is divided or separated upon its outer edge into spaces or

page_text: recesses, all of which open into the central portion of the chamber, but which may
or may not be of uniform size and shape. Each of these spaces has its individual
inlet and exhaust ports. The part which I call the piston has a radially extending
portion or lobe which enters each space or recess and does not at any time leave it,
and has a movement therein that causes it to be brought in contact with one side
of each recess, and to advance along the side continuously until it reaches the other
side of the recess, when it returns across the mouth of the recess or space to its
original position. This movement of each lobe in each space or recess alternately
exposes and closes the exhaust ports.
The sides of the chamber and the sides of the piston should be parallel when the
piston is centrally located in the chamber.
To understand the working of the apparatus it must be borne in mind that the
liquid has free access to the chamber, that is, its inlet ports are never entirely
closed; that because of the shape of the walls of the chainber of the piston, the
piston is kept in contact with the wall of the chamber; and that because of the
peculiar shape which the wall and the piston have, there is always a number of
contact points, or lines, between the lobes and the wall of the chamber which forin
in the chamber, discharge spaces or recesses.
The number of the lines of contact
depend upon the number of spaces or recesses.
This separation or division of the chamber is necessary because a full head of
liquid is maintained in the larger part of the chamber; and it is necessary to
divide the spaces or recesses which are successively emptied from those which are
being successively filled by liquid under pressure. This division is accomplished
by contact of the lobes with the wall of the chamber. The lobes in connection
with the portions of the wall which constitute or form the spaces or recesses also
act to separate the exhaust ports from the inlet ports, so that each space or recess
that is discharged is separated from the portion of the space that is filling by two
contact lines, one between the outer surface of the lobe and the wall of the recess,
and the other between the surface of the inward projection of the wall and the
surface of the piston between the lobes. These lines of contact continually advance
until the fluid has been expelled from each discharge space or recess. While,
however, this discharge from each space or recess is going on by the movement of
the lobe, the space or recess is filling behind the lobe.
The number of spaces or recesses which is discharged simultaneously depends
upon the entire number of spaces or recesses which the chamber contains, and there
may be several recesses or spaces discharging and receiving at the same time. This
advance movement of each lobe in cach space or recess does not continue beyond
its individual space, but upon reaching the end of that space or recess it is returned
across the mouth or entrance of its recess or space to its original position, while the
piston as a whole, without revolving, moves on a circular path.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a meter constructed according to this
Invention.
Figure 2 is an underside view of the meter above the line xx Figure 3 shewing
the piston and upper series of exhaust ports.
Figure 3 is a view, partly in vertical central section, shewing particularly the
mechanism for connecting the piston with the registering train, and the distributing
chamber, its inlet, and the outlet passage.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section upon the line a
Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a view principally in vertical section upon the dotted line y y
of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the lower port plate.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the base section.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the piston.
Figure 9 is a vertical section shewing a modification wherein the piston chamber
is provided with removable linings.

page_text: Figures 16, 17 and 18 are diagrams shewing that changes in the form and size
of the chambers, spaces and pistons do not vary the principle of the Invention.
Figure 19 is a diagram shewing by calculations the variations in pressure which
cause the action of the meter.
Figures 20, 21 and 22 are views of details.
Figures 23, 24 25 and 26 refer to a modified construction hereinafter described.
The frame of the meter preferably comprises three principal parts or sections,
first, the base section A, second, the body or main section B, and third, the casing C,
forming the chamber c containing the registering mechanism.
The base section is made somewhat larger in circumference than the main
section, and the two parts are fastened together by bolts a which pass through the
flange 6 of the main section. The base section has the inlet passage a¹ which
opens into the distributing chamber a² and the outlet passage a³. The distributing
chamber a occupies almost the entire upper portion of the base, and its object is
to provide means for the ready distribution of fluid simultaneously through the
various inlet ports to the main chamber D. Between the sections A B is a packing
ring B which is provided with holes for holt holes, inlet ports, and outlet passages.
Above the packing ring B' is a metal plate B which may be called the port
plate. This plate rests upon the packing ring B' and is held or fastened in place
upon it and upon the upper surface of the section A (surrounding the chamber. a²
and the central projection a¹) by the bolts a, the plate being within the main
section B, and its edge projecting into a recess formed in the under edge thereof.
This port plate has holes E which form the inlet ports to the chamber D and
connect the distributing chamber a therewith. These ports E are arranged
preferably, to open into each measuring space or recess d of the chamber D, at one
side thereof. The port plate also has a central hole, which forms a portion of the
outlet a³, and the escape or exhaust ports E', which are recesses formed in the upper
surface of the plate and arranged to extend from one side of each measuring recess
or space d, inward, upon converging lines. The projections or portions of the wall
of the chamber which form the partitions between the measuring chamber I have
lettered d The piston F is preferably made of hard vulcanized india-rubber,
gutta-percha or other equivalent material, and has the wings or lobes f, which
extend radially therefrom, and the central hole f¹.
For the best working of the apparatus it is necessary that the surface of the
piston, when the same is centrally located in the chamber D, shall be parallel with
the surface of the chamber so that the surface of the chamber is made up of
alternating recesses or projections and the surface of the piston of alternating lobes
and recesses.
The central hole f¹ of the piston forms a part of the exhaust or outlet passage,
and is large enough to always permit the escape of fluid therefrom into the
outlet a. In addition to the lower set of exhaust ports E', I have formed in the
under surface of the upper plate 2, which forms the top of the main section B,
another set of exhaust ports E³, shown in Figure 2. They are of the same shape,
and connect the same parts of the spaces or recesses with the opening f¹ as the
lower exhaust ports E¹.
There is also arranged in the hole fl a perforated disc G (see Figures 2 and 3),
by which motion is communicated to the shaft which operates the train of gearing
of the registering mechanism. This disc carries at its centre a stud 9, which
projects downward from the drum g' pivoted at g² to the screw-sleeve which
latter passes through a hole in the plate and is locked thereto by the nut g*
screwing upon the thread g. The movement of the piston causes the drum to be
revolved upon the sleeve; that is the drum is a crank, and the stud substantially
a crank pin.
It is necessary, however, as the chamber is of small capacity, and as the motion
of the piston is rapid, to reduce the motion of the piston very considerably, and
it is desirable to do so in as simple a manner and with as few parts as possible, in
order that the construction may be cheap, and as little weight of metal used as

page_text: possible. I may employ for this purpose a train of four gear wheels one of
which g is stationary, being rigidly secured to the end of the sleeve g³. The gear
wheels, are attached to the drum by a shaft, to which they are keyed, and
the gear wheel 9' meshes with the gear wheel 9. The gear wheel 78 is arranged
to mesh with the fourth gear wheel which is keyed or fastened to the spindle q
communicating motion to the registering train. As the drum revolves about the
sleeve it is obvious that if the gear wheel g' has more or less teeth than the gear
wheel it will be caused to move each revolution of the drum a certain portion
of a revolution, depending upon the difference in the number of teeth between the
two gear wheels. It is also obvious that if the gear wheels 98 have the same
number of teeth as the gear wheel g', that a movement of rotation will be com-
municated to the shafts or spindle go. If it is desired to still further reduce or
change the rate of rotation of the shaft go then the gear wheel may have more
or less teeth than the gear wheel g², as the case may be, as also may the gear
wheel g³.
In Figures 23 and 24 I have represented the distributing chamber as arranged
to occupy the central portion of the meter; the chamber having the measuring
spaces or recesses and the piston, being arranged or located below it, and the
chamber containing the register above it. There is no material or essential differ-
ence in the principle of construction, however.
The movement of the piston is communicated in this last named construction
through a post or spindle p to an arm P extending outward from the shaft pl and
this shaft operates the reducing mechanism contained in the chamber forming a
part of the outlet discharge passage, and by means of the shaft p' the motion is
communicated to the registering mechanism in the chamber p². When it is desired
to register the passage of liquid under very slight pressure it will be desirable to
form the arm P substantially as represented in plan in Figure 20 so that its
edge shall act to throw outward the piston rod, and therewith the piston as it
moves. This causes the piston to maintain a constant contact when the pressure
of the liquid upon the piston is exceedingly light. It also acts to maintain the
piston in proper position for immediate service when there is no pressure or while
inoperative.
In operation the fluid passes into the distributing chamber a², and through the
inlet ports E into the chamber D, moving the piston towards one side of the
chamber and causing the formation of discharge spaces by the contact of various
portions of the piston with the chamber wall. This position of the piston is well
shown in Figure 4 where there have been formed six divisions of the three spaces
or recesses d by the contact of the piston at the points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. And
of these three recesses or spaces two, namely, the small space marked M and the
space M, are connected by the discharge ports E1, E2, with the escape passage,
while the space M² is about to be. But the fluid upon being admitted to the
chamber under pressure not only immediately moves the piston to the position
shown in Figure 4, which is one of any number of positions which it might cause
it to assume but from such position it causes it to advance or move so that the
lobes which are in contact with the wall of the chamber are caused to continue
that contact uniil they have expelled all the liquid in the discharge space or recess
before them, when each lobe in succession leaves the surface and returns upon an
are of a circle to a position where it again comes in contact with the surface of the
wall of the chamber on the opposite side from that which it left, and again
advances and expels the water from its recess or space.
It will be seen that each recess or space becomes in succession a discharge space
or recess, and that as soon as the piston has moved sufficiently to uncover the inner
end of its escape ports that it begins to discharge through such ports into the
escape passage a³, a, and that while each space or recess is discharging, it is also
receiving the liquid under pressure through the ports E.
To illustrate the reason why with the arrangement of inlet and exhaust ports
described the piston is compelled to make the motion that it does, I have shown in

page_text: Figure 19, by diagrams, the difference in pressure upon both sides of the piston,
and the extent of the surface which is subjected to the direct pressure of the
liquid.
It is obvious that the chamber D. excepting the spaces which are discharging, is
filled with fluid under pressure, and that the pressure for moving the piston is that
entering each space or recess which is being discharged, and behind the respective
discharging lobe. For instance referring to Figure 4, the piston is receiving
motion from the fluid which enters, through, the ports E, the spaces marked "N,
N¹. N.
It is not necessary that the main chamber and piston be shaped as represented
in Figure 4, for I have ascertained that the piston may have any number of lobes
and recesses from three upwards, and that they may be of any size, and of
different sizes for the same piston, as the essential principle of the construction is
simply this, that the wall of the chamber and the surface of the piston when
centrally located in the chainber must be parallel.
In Figure 16 1 have illustrated a piston having three lobes in a chamber having
three spaces or recesses. In Figure 17 I have shown a piston with two large lobes
and two small ones, and a chamber with corresponding recesses or spaces. In
Figure 18 I have represented the piston as having square lobes, and the chamber
with spaces which substantially follow the shape of the lobes, the only variation
being that they are rounded at the corners.
It will be obvious from what I have stated that the meter is very simple in
construction and that it has but very few parts, which require but little machine
work, and are easily fitted and put together.
It is also apparent that a substantially perfect registration of the liquid which
passes through the meter is obtained, as it is all obliged to pass into the measuring
spaces which are successively emptied. It will be seen further that this measuring
of the liquid takes place very rapidly and with comparatively little friction upon
the wearing parts, and that the construction of the piston and chamber is such that
sediment cannot interfere with the proper working of the invention, and that wear,
up to a certain extent, improves the efficiency of the meter, in that it causes the
contact surfaces of the piston and chamber to fit themselves as they wear.
To still further cheapen the manufacture I show in Figure 9 a construction
which enables me to use, instead of the comparatively expensive casing of com-
position, an iron casing. This I accomplish by making the base section entirely of
iron, or other metal, and employing two composition port plates O, O', the plate O
being like that already described, and the plate O₁ having simply the exhaust
passages E'.
The piston is made of india rubber, gutta percha or other like non-corrosive
material, and the wall of the chamber D is formed of a ring or sleeve of gutta
percha, hard rubber, or even of composition, which is fitted into the iron shell or
casing of the main section. This anti-corrosive removable wall of the chamber is
fastened to the casing by means of a key o, which enters a groove in the ring and
a corresponding one in the inner surface of the outer shell, or in any other
desirable way.
It will be seen that by this construction not only can an iron shell be employed,
but that the principal wearing parts, namely the port plates, the piston and the
wall of the chamber, may be easily removed and others substituted therefor. The
port plates are held in place by suitable keys, or in any other desirable way.
It is obvious that the improved apparatus can be utilized as a pump or as a
motor, if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is
First. In a fluid meter, pump, or motor, a chamber having spaces or recesses,
each of which has an inlet and exhaust port, in combination with a piston having

page_text: "
lobes or projections which enter-said-recesses-or-spaces and are caused to have a
continuous movement therein; all substantial!; as-deseribed.
Second. In a Huid meter, pump, or motor, the chamber having the recesses-or
spaces opening therefrom; and a piston-herin; lobes or projections which enter said
spaces, and which by a continuous movement of each lobe or projection in its-own
path divides the chamber by successive-contact with its walls into discharging and
receiving spaces, substantially as-described.
Third First. In a fluid meter: pump, or motor, the chamber having spaces or
recesses forming a part thereof, the inlet ports, the exhaust ports, and a piston having
lobes or extensions which describe separate paths and control separate exhaust
passages, substantially as described.
Fourth Second.-In a fluid meter, motor, or pump, the chamber having recesses or
spaces, each of which has one or more exhaust ports, and a passage connecting said
ports successively with the outlet. substantially as described.
Fifth Third. In a fluid meter, motor, or pump, a chamber having spaces or
recesses forming a part thereof, and a piston having projections or lobes which
continuously move in said spaces or recesses, in combination with a register, and a
connecting device actuated by the motion of the piston, all substantially as, and for
the purposes, described.
Sixth. In a Quid meter, motor, or pump; a distributing chamber connected with
the measuring elmember by uncontrolled inlet ports; the measuring chamber having
recesses or spaces; and a piston having projections or lobes which enter the spaces
or recesses, and have a continuous motion therein, substantially us, and for-the
purposes, described.
Seventh. Fourth.-In a fluid meter, inotor or pump, the combination of the inlet a¹,
the distributing chamber a², the measuring chamber Dhaving recesses or spaces d,
the inlet ports E, the piston F, and the escape ports and outlets a³, all substantially
as, and for the purposes, described.
Eighth Fifth. A fluid meter, motor or pump, having the section containing the
inlet and outlet passages and the distributing chamber a, and the section containing
the measuring chamber D and piston F, fastened together by bolts, all substantially
as described.
Ninth Siath. The combination of the section having the distributing chamber a²,
and the removable port plate B2, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Tenth Seventh. In a fluid meter, motor or pump, the combination of the section
having the distributing chamber a², the section containing the measuring chamber, the
port plate B2, and the packing ring B₁, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Eleventh Eighth. In a fluid meter, means for communicating the motion of the
piston to the registering mechanism described, comprising the stationary gear wheel gº,
the revolving gear wheel g7, 9 adapted to be revolved around the stationary gear
wheel by the piston, and the gear wheel g" upon the connecting spindle, substan-
tially as, and for the
purposes, described.
Twelfth Ninth. The combination in a fluid meter, of the measuring chamber, the
piston, and a device for reducing the motion of the piston contained within the
measuring chamber, substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Thirteenth. Tenth.-The combination of the piston F, the disc G, the drum or
frame pivoted as described and adapted to be revolved, and the differential gear
wheels enclosed within said drum or case, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Fourteenth. A fluid meter, motor or pump, having a removable measuring
chamber wall, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described;
Fifteenth. A fluid, meter, motor or pump, having the removable port plates, all
substantially us, and for the purposes described.
Sixteenth Eleventh-The combination of the casing, the removable measuring
chamber wall, and a locking device for securing the wall to the casing, all substantially
as, and for the purposes, described.

page_text: Seventeenth. In a Anid meter, motor or pump, a piston-chamber-having
mensuring spaces or recesses, and a loosely fitted-piston having lobes or projections
extending into caid spaces or recesses to form by contact with the walls thereof
suseessive discharge sprees, the said-walls-being-shaped to provide-the-surface-of
the piston within the contact lines of the discharge spaces with less area than the
remainder of the piston subjected to this direct nation of the pressure-from--behind,
whereby the piston or valve my - be loosely fitted in the piston chamber, and by
the-excess of pressure, caused by the difference in area; brought in contact with the
walls of the mensuring spaces or recesses, maintained in contact therewith and
operated, all substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: Motors or as Pumps.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS WHICH WILL ALSO SERVE
AS MOTORS OR AS PUMPS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
33
This Invention relates to fluid meters which are also applicable for use as motors
and pumps.
It is well known that a fluid meter, to be commercially successful, must be
capable of perfectly measuring or indicating the quantity of fluid which passes
through it, regardless of the size of the stream, its speed, head or any other.
condition; that it must not easily get out of repair, and that its construction must
be simple, and its manufacture inexpensive.
Various meters have been made which fulfil some of these conditions; but, there
is at present no meter which combines all of these features with certain necessary
wearing properties, to such an extent that it may be said to be a really commercially
successful or practical meter.
The object of this Invention is to combine all the requisites of an efficient cheap
and desirable meter, and to this end it comprises the improvements hereinafter
described.
The principle upon which the improved meter is constructed is so simple that
very few parts or pieces are necessary, and very little machine work is required in.
fitting them, and these parts can be placed in such very small 'compass that the.
weight of metal necessary for the casing is very small.
The Invention comprises, broadly speaking, a chamber having inlet and exhaust
ports, and a piston for opening and closing the ports. The ineter can hardly be...
called a rotary meter, because the piston does not rotate, and yet it is quite unlike
in appearance any of the ordinary reciprocating piston meters. But it combines, it
may be said, portions of both systems in substantially the following manner. The
chamber of the meter is divided or separated upon its outer edge into spaces or

page_text: recesses, all of which open into the central portion of the chamber, but which may
or may not be of uniform size and shape. Each of these spaces has its individual
inlet and exhaust ports. The part which I call the piston has a radially extending
portion or lobe which enters each space or recess and does not at any time leave it,
and has a movement therein that causes it to be brought in contact with one side
of each recess, and to advance along the side continuously until it reaches the other
side of the recess, when it returns across the mouth of the recess or space to its
original position. This movement of each lobe in each space or recess alternately
exposes and closes the exhaust ports.
The sides of the chamber and the sides of the piston should be parallel when the
piston is centrally located in the chamber.
To understand the working of the apparatus it must be borne in mind that the
liquid has free access to the chamber, that is, its inlet ports are never entirely
closed;
that because of the shape of the walls of the chamber of the piston, the
piston is kept in contact with the wall of the chamber; and that because of the
peculiar shape which the wall and the piston have, there is always a number of
contact points, or lines, between the lobes and the wall of the chamber which form
in the chamber, discharge spaces or recesses. The number of the lines of contact;
depend upon the number of spaces or recesses.
This separation or division of the chamber is necessary because a full head of
liquid is maintained in the larger part of the chamber; and it is necessary to
divide the spaces or recesses which are successively emptied from those which are
being successively filled by liquid under pressure. This division is accomplished
by contact of the lobes with the wall of the chamber. The lobes in connection
with the portions of the wall which constitute or form the spaces or recesses also
act to separate the exhaust ports from the inlet ports, so that each space or recess
that is discharged is separated from the portion of the space that is filling by two
contact lines, one between the outer surface of the lobe and the wall of the recess,
and the other between the surface of the inward projection of the wall and the
surface of the piston between the lobes. These lines of contact continually advance
until the fluid has been expelled from each discharge, space or recess.
While,
however, this discharge from each space or recess is going on by the movement of-
the lobe, the space or recess is filling behind the lobe.
The number of spaces or recesses which is discharged simultaneously depends
upon the entire number of spaces or recesses which the chamber contains, and there
may be several recesses or spaces discharging and receiving at the same time. This
advance movement of each lobe in each space or recess does not continue beyond
its individual space, but upon reaching the end of that space or recess it is returned
across the mouth or entrance of its recess or space to its original position, while the.
piston as a whole, without revolving, moves on a circular path.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a meter constructed according to this
Invention.
Figure 2 is an underside view of the meter above the line x x Figure, 3. shewing
the piston and upper series of exhaust ports.
Figure 3 is a view, partly in vertical central section, shewing particularly the
mechanism for connecting the piston with the registering train, and the distributing
chamber, its inlet, and the outlet passage.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section upon the line xx Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a view principally in vertical section upon the dotted line y y
of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the lower port plate.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the base section.
Figure S is a perspective view of the piston.
Figure 9 is a vertical section shewing a modification wherein the piston chamber
is provided with removable linings.
Ficiner 10 1.

page_text: Figures 16, 17 and 18 are diagrams shewing that changes in the form and size
of the chambers, spaces and pistons do not vary the principle of the Invention.
Figure 19 is a diagram shewing by calculations the variations in pressure which
cause the action of the meter.
Figures 20, 21 and 22 are views of details.
Figures. 23, 24 25 and 26 refer to a modified construction hereinafter described.
The frame of the meter preferably comprises three principal parts or sections,
first, the base section A, second, the body or main section B, and third, the casing C,
forming the chamber c containing the registering mechanism.
The base section is made somewhat larger in circumference than the main
section, and the two parts are fastened together by bolts a which pass through the
flange b of the main section. The base section has the inlet passage a¹ which
opens into the distributing chamber a' and the outlet passage as. The distributing
chamber a occupies almost the entire upper portion of the base, and its object, is
to provide means for the ready distribution of fluid simultaneously through the
various inlet ports to the main chamber D. Between the sections A B is a packing
ring B which is provided with holes for bolt holes, inlet ports, and outlet passages.
Above the packing ring B¹ is a metal plate B2 which may be called the port
plate. This plate rests upon the packing ring B1 and is held or fastened in place
upon it and upon the upper surface of the section A (surrounding the chamber aª
and the central projection a³) by the bolts a, the plate being within the main
section B, and its edge projecting into a recess formed in the under edge thereof.
This port plate has holes E which form the inlet_ports to the chamber D and
connect the distributing chamber a² therewith. These ports E are arranged
preferably, to open into each measuring space or recess d of the chamber D, at one
side thereof. The port plate also has a central hole, which forms a portion of the
outlet a³, and the escape or exhaust ports E', which are recesses formed in the upper
surface of the plate and arranged to extend from one side of each measuring recess
or space d, inward, upon converging lines. The projections or portions of the wall
of the chamber which form the partitions between the measuring chamber I have
lettered d¹ The piston F is preferably made of hard vulcanized indin-rubber,
gutta-percha or other equivalent material, and has the wings or lobes f, which
extend radially therefrom, and the central hole f¹.
For the best working of the apparatus it is necessary that the surface of the
piston, when the same is centrally located in the chamber D, shall be parallel with
the surface of the chamber so that the surface of the chamber is made up of
alternating recesses or projections and the surface of the piston of alternating lobes
and recesses.
The central hole f' of the piston forms a part of the exhaust or outlet passage,
and is large enough to always permit the escape of fluid therefrom into the
outlet a. In addition to the lower set of exhaust ports E¹, I have formed in the
under surface of the upper plate 6', which forms the top of the main section B,
another set of exhaust ports E2, shown in Figure 2. They are of the same shape,
and connect the same parts of the spaces or recesses with the opening f' as the
lower exhaust ports E¹.
There is also arranged in the hole f¹ a perforated disc G (see Figures 2 and 3),
by which motion is communicated to the shaft which operates the train of gearing
of the registering mechanism. This disc carries at its centre a stud g, which
projects downward from the druin gl pivoted at g² to the screw-sleeve which
latter passes through a hole in the plate 6 and is locked thereto by the nut g
screwing upon the thread g³. The movement of the piston causes the drum to be
revolved upon the sleeve; that is the drum is a crank, and the stud substantially
a crank pin.
It is necessary, however, as the chamber is of small capacity, and as the motion
of the piston is rapid, to reduce the motion of the piston very considerably, and
it is desirable to do so in as simple a manner and with as few parts as possible, in
order that the construction may be cheap, and as little weight of metal used as

page_text: 4
.
possible. I may employ for this purpose a train of four gear wheels one of.
which g is stationary, being rigidly secured to the end of the sleeve 9³. The gear
wheels g, g are attached to the drum by a shaft, to which they are koyed, and
the gear wheel g7 meshes with the gear wheel gº. The gear wheel g³ is arranged
to mesh with the fourth gear wheel go which is keyed or fastened to the spindle g¹º
communicating motion to the registering train. As the drum revolves about the
sleeve g² it is obvious that if the gear wheel g' has more or less teeth than the gear
wheel it will be caused to move each revolution of the drum a certain portion
of a revolution, depending upon the difference in the number of teeth between the
two gear wheels. It is also obvious that if the gear wheels g g' have the same
number of teeth as the gear wheel g', that a movement of rotation will be com-
municated to the shafts or spindle g1º. If it is desired to still further reduce or
change the rate of rotation of the shaft g10 then the gear wheel g³ may have more
or less teeth than the gear wheel g', as the case may be, as also may the gear
wheel gº.
In Figures 23 and 24 I have represented the distributing chamber as arranged
to occupy the central portion of the meter; the chamber having the measuring
spaces or recesses and the piston, being arranged or located below it, and the
chamber containing the register above it. There is no material or essential differ-
ence in the principle of construction, however.
The movement of the piston is communicated in this last named construction
through a post or spindle p to an arm P extending outward from the shaft p' and
this shaft operates the reducing mechanism contained in the chamber forming a
part of the outlet discharge passage, and by means of the shaft p¹ the motion is
communicated to the registering mechanism in the chamber p³. When it is desired
to register the passage of liquid under very slight pressure it will be desirable to
form the arm P substantially as represented in plan in Figure 26 so that its
edge.p³ shall act to throw outward the piston rod, and therewith the piston as it
moves. This causes the piston to maintain a constant contact when the pressure
of the liquid upon the piston is exceedingly light. It also acts to maintain the
piston in proper position for immediate service when there is no pressure or while
inoperative.
In operation the fluid passes into the distributing chamber a², and through the
inlet ports E into the chamber D, moving the piston towards one side of the
chamber and causing the formation of discharge spaces by the contact of various
portions of the piston with the chamber wall. This position of the piston is well
shown in Figure 4 where there have been formed six divisions of the three spaces
or recesses d by the contact of the piston at the points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. And
of these three recesses or spaces two, namely, the small space marked M and the
space M¹, are connected by the discharge ports E¹, E', with the escape passage,
while the space M² is about to be. But the fluid upon being admitted to the
chamber under pressure not only immediately moves the piston to the position
shown in Figure 4, which is one of any number of positions which it might cause
it to assume but from such position it causes it to advance or move so that the
lobes which are in contact with the wall of the chamber are caused to continue
that contact until they have expelled all the liquid in the discharge space or recess
before them, when each lobe in succession leaves the surface and returns upon an
arc of a circle to a position where it again comes in contact with the surface of the
wall of the chamber on the opposite side from that which it left, and again
advances and expels the water from its recess or space.
It will be seen that each recess or space becomes in succession a discharge space
or recess, and that as soon as the piston has moved sufficiently to uncover the inner
end of its escape ports that it begins to discharge through such ports into the
escape passage a³, a, and that while each space or recess is discharging, it is also
receiving the liquid under pressure through the ports E..
To illustrate the reason why with the arrangement of inlet and exhaust ports
described the piston is compelled to make the motion that it does, I have shown in

page_text: Figure 19, by diagrams, the difference in pressure upon both sides of the piston,
and the extent of the surface which is subjected to the direct pressure of the
liquid.
It is obvious that the chamber D, excepting the spaces which are discharging, is
filled with fluid under pressure, and that the pressure for moving the piston is that
entering each space or recess which is being discharged, and behind the respective
discharging lobe. For instance referring to Figure 4, the piston is receiving
motion from the fluid which enters, through the ports E, the spaces marked N,
N¹, N'
It is not necessary that the main chamber and piston be shaped as represented
in Figure 4, for I have ascertained that the piston may have any number of lobes
and recesses from three upwards, and that they may be of any size, and of
different sizes for the same piston, as the essential principle of the construction is
simply this, that the wall of the chamber and the surface of the piston when
centrally located in the chamber must be parallel.
In
In Figure 16 I have illustrated a piston having three lobes in a chamber having
three spaces or recesses. In Figure 17 I have shown a piston with two large lobes
and two small ones, and a chamber with corresponding recesses or spaces.
Figure 18 I have represented the piston as having square lobes, and the chamber
with spaces which substantially follow the shape of the lobes, the only variation
being that they are rounded at the corners.
.
It will be obvious from what I have stated that the meter is very simple in
construction and that it has but very few parts, which require but little machine
work, and are easily fitted and put together.
It is also apparent that a substantially perfect registration of the liquid which
passes through the meter is obtained, as it is all obliged to pass into the measuring
spaces which are successively emptied. It will be seen further that this measuring
of the liquid takes place very rapidly and with, comparatively little friction upon
the wearing parts, and that the construction of the piston and chamber is such that
sediment cannot interfere with the proper working of the invention, and that wear,
up to a certain extent, improves the efficiency of the meter, in that it causes the
contact surfaces of the piston and chamber to fit themselves as they wear.
To still further cheapen the manufacture I show in Figure 9 a construction
which enables me to use, instead of the comparatively expensive casing of com-
position, an iron casing. This I accomplish by making the base section entirely of
iron, or other metal, and employing two composition port plates 0,01, the plate O
being like that already described, and the plate O₁ having simply the exhaust
passages E
The piston is made of india rubber, gutta percha or other like non-corrosive
material, and the wall of the chamber D is formed of a ring or sleeve of gutta
percha, hard rubber, or even of composition, which is fitted into the iron shell or
casing of the main section. This anti-corrosive removable wall of the chamber is
fastened to the casing by means of a key o, which enters a groove in the ring and
a corresponding one in the inner surface of the outer shell, or in any other
desirable way.
It will be seen that by this construction not only can an iron shell be employed,
but that the principal wearing parts, namely the port plates, the piston and the
wall of the chamber, may be easily removed and others substituted therefor. The
port plates are held in place by suitable keys, or in any other desirable way.
It is obvious that the improved apparatus can be utilized as a pump or as a
motor, if desired..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and, in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is
First. In a fluid meter, pump, or motor, a chamber having spaces or recesses,
each of which has an inlet and exhaust port, in combination with a piston having

page_text: lobes or projections which enter said recesses or spaces and are caused to have a
'continuous movement therein, all substantially as described.
Second. In a fluid meter, pump, or motor, the chamber having the recesses or
spaces opening therefrom, and a piston having lobes or projections which enter said
spaces, and which by a continuous movement of each lobe or projection in its own
path divides the chamber by successive contact with its walls into discharging and
receiving spaces, substantially as described.
Third. In a fluid meter, pump, or motor, the chamber having spaces or recesses
forming a part thereof, the inlet ports, the exhaust ports, and a piston having lobes
.or extensions which describe separate paths and control separate exhaust passages,
substantially as described.
Fourth. In a fluid meter, motor, or pump, the chamber having recesses or spaces,
each of which has one or more exhaust ports, and a passage connecting said ports
successively with the outlet, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a fluid meter, motor, or pump, a chamber having spaces or recesses
forining a part thereof, and a piston having projections or lobes which continuously
move in said spaces or recesses, in combination with a register, and a connecting
device actuated by the motion of the piston, all substantially as, and for the
purposes, described.
Sixth. In a fluid meter, motor, or pump, a distributing chamber connected with
the measuring chamber by uncontrolled inlet ports, the measuring chamber having
recesses or spaces; and a piston having projections or lobes which enter the spaces
or recesses, and have a continuous motion therein, substantially as, and for the
purposes, described.
Seventh. In a fluid meter, motor or pump, the combination of the inlet a¹, the
distributing chamber a³, the measuring chamber D having recesses or spaces d,
the inlet ports E, the piston F, and the escape ports and outlets a³, all substantially
as, and for the purposes, described.
Eighth. A fluid meter, motor or pump, having the section containing the inlet
and outlet passages and the distributing chamber a², and the section containing
the measuring chamber D and piston F, fastened together by bolts, all substantially
as described.
Ninth. The combination of the section having the distributing chamber a², and
the removable port plate B³, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Tenth. In a fluid meter, motor or pump, the combination of the section having
the distributing chamber a², the section containing the measuring chamber, the
port plate B³, and the packing ring B¹, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Eleventh. In a fluid. meter, means for communicating the motion of the piston
to the registering mechanism described, comprising the stationary gear wheel 96,
the revolving gear wheel g², g³ adapted to be revolved around the stationary gear
wheel by the piston, and the gear wheel g³ upon the connecting spindle, substan-
tially as, and for the purposes, described.
Twelfth. The combination in a fluid meter, of the measuring chamber, the
piston, and a device for reducing the motion of the piston contained within the
measuring chamber, substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Thirteenth. The combination of the piston F, the disc G, the drum or frame g¹
pivoted as described and adapted to be revolved, and the differential gear wheels
enclosed within said drum or case, all substantially as, and for the purposes,
described.
Fourteenth. A fluid meter, motor or pump, having a removable measuring
chamber wall, all substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Fifteenth A fluid meter, motor or pump, having the removable port plates, all
substantially as, and for the purposes described. .
Sixteenth. The combination of the casing, the removable measuring chamber
wall, and a locking device for securing the wall to the casing, all substantially as,
and for the purposes; described,

page_text: Seventeenth. In a fluid meter, motor or pump, a piston chamber having
measuring spaces or recesses, and a loosely fitted piston having lobes or projections
extending into said spaces or recesses to form by contact with the walls thereof
successive discharge spaces, the said walls being shaped to provide the surface of
the piston within the contact lines of the discharge spaces with less area than the
remainder of the piston subjected to this direct action of the pressure from behind,
whereby the piston or valve may be loosely fitted in the piston chamber, and by
the excess of pressure, caused by the difference in arca, brought in contact with the
walls of the measuring spaces or recesses, maintained in contact therewith and
operated, all substantially as described.