An Improved Mechanism for Automatically Indicating Depth and Velocity of and Delivering Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: 'Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Mechanism for Automatically Indicating Depth and
Velocity of and Delivering Liquids.
I, HENRI GALOPIN, of Chancery Lane Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria,
Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists of a simple arrangement of a vessel and tubes for the
purpose of delivering, displacing or expelling from such vessel a definite and
measurable quantity of liquid contained therein; the mechanism being actuated
automatically either by the rise and fall of liquid in a cistern or by the impulse of
liquid having motion relative to the mechanism.
The mechanism consists of the following essential parts; firstly a vessel or
chamber which may be of metal, glass, rubber, earthenware, porcelain, or any
similar substance, and baving any required shape which forms a reservoir containing
air or partly air and partly some other liquid substance such as water, oil, mercury,
glycerine, or other chemical. The air contained in such reservoir chamber will
collect in the upper portion of the chamber, the liquid remaining in the lower
portion.
The second essential part of my mechanism consists of a tube or pipe of metal,
glass, rubber, earthenware, porcelain or any similar substance, and of any required
diameter, and length, which tube commences within the reservoir chamber above
described at a point above the level of the liquid contained therein, and from this
point passes downwards through an opening in the vessel and continuing downwards
is at its lower extremity bent either back into a vertical or inclined position so as
to form a trap, or into an approximately horizontal position so as to present its
orifice to the impulse of moving liquid into which it may be placed, or to the
impulse of liquid at rest through which it may be moved.
The third essential part of my mechanism consists of a second tube commencing
within the reservoir chamber at or near the bottom and passing out either through
the same opening as the first tube or through another opening, and passing
downwards or bent back upwards.
When the first tube is placed into a cistern or other receptacle containing liquid,
or in which liquid rises, or when this tube is placed into a current of flowing liquid,
or when this tube is moved in a liquid at rest, in each case a certain portion of such
liquid will rise within the tube and will thereby compress the air contained in the
tube and in the upper portion of the reservoir chamber. The pressure thus created
will be exerted upon the liquid contained in the reservoir chamber of my mechanism,
and will expel a portion of such liquid out of such chamber into the second tube
above referred to; and if the latter tube passes downwards, the portion of liquid so
expelled will be entirely discharged downwards to mingle with the outer fluid, and
if such tube be bent upwards, the portion of liquid so expelled will be forced
upwards within it for a certain definite and measurable distance, and remain there
as long as the pressure or impulse continues.'
When the first tube is removed from the action of the pressure or impulse of
external liquid as above described, the compression of the air within the reservoir-
chamber ceases, and the portion of liquid above described will (if .entirely
discharged) be replaced by an equivalent quantity of air entering from without
through the second tube, or (if merely forced to rise in such second tube) will fall
again and re-enter the reservoir chamber.

page_text: The exact quantity of liquid expelled in the manner above described will depend
upon the dimensions, capacity and form of the vessel and the various tubes, and
also upon the pressure or impulse of the external liquid which is used to operate
the mechanism.
It is obvious therefore that by properly proportioning the dimensions, capacity
and form of the reservoir vessel and its tubes, the pressure (and hence the depth)
or the impulse (and hence the velocity) of the external liquid may be accurately
measured by the extent of the rise of liquid in the second tube, or by the quantity
of liquid discharged from such tube; and conversely the quantity so discharged
may be made to beara definite relation to the quantity or pressure of external liquid
causing such discharge.
My mechanism may therefore be applied to several purposes, the relative
proportions and form of the vessel and tubes being different, but the principle
of its action being precisely the same in each case.
Thus when the first tube is bent upwards to form a trap and the second tube is
not bent upwards, my mechanism may be used for the purpose of automatically
discharging, into a cistern in which liquid alternately rises and falls (such as a
suitable flush tank) a definite quantity of liquid (such as a chemical disinfectant)
after each flushing.
When the first tube is arranged as before, but the second tube is bent upwards,
my mechanism may be used to measure the depth of water or liquid in a tank,
reservoir, ships holid, cellar, well or other receptacle.
When the first tube is arranged to be bent at. its lower extremity into an
approximately horizontal position so as to present its orifice to the impulse of
liquid, while the second tube is bent upwards, my mechanism may be used, when
placed in a current of flowing liquid, to measure the velocity of such flow, and
when placed in and moved through liquid at rest to measure the velocity of such
motion, my mechanism being in this form either a current meter, or a velocity
meter, according to the manner in which it is used.
In every case where I am able to measure depth, pressure, impulse or velocity
in any of the ways above described, I may attach to my mechanism other parts by
means of which I may automatically take permanent records of such measurements,
which records will be useful in shewing the daily or hourly change of level in a
reservoir or ships hold, or the change of velocity in a water supply ohannel, or the
change of velocity of a ship in water or for any similar purpose.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings which form part of this
Specification and in which the same letters of reference are used to indicate the
same parts in all the figures ;-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the mechanism arranged to act as a
distributor of chemical liquids.
Figure 2-is a side elevation of the mechanism arranged for the purpose of
measuring the varying depth of water or other liquid in a tank, reservoir, ships
hold, well or other receptacle.
Figures 3 and 4 are side elevations of some of the different forms of tube
orifices required for different purposes.
Figure 5 illustrates one of the methods by which I may cause the measurements
taken by my mechanism to be graphically recorded.
In Figure 1 M is a tank or cistern to which my mechanism may be fitted, A is
the reservoir chamber, having a dome shaped or raised portion a which contains
air only; B is the first tube which passes downwards and ends in a trap b; is
the second tube which is illustrated in the figure as being fitted with a cut off
arrangement actuated by a float. m is a plug.or stopper, which may be unscrewed
in order to charge A with liquid. The action of the mechanism when arranged in
this manner is as follows.-
A having been charged with liquid, such as chemical disinfectant and the
mechanism having been placed into the tank of any ordinary form of a sanitary
flush apparatus, such as M, when the flush water enters and rises in M, it will also
i

page_text: rise in B, compressing the air in B and A and so exerting a pressure on the liquid
contained in A and so expelling from A through C a certain portion of such liquid
which falls into and mingles with the flush water. Whenever M is emptied, the
water which has risen within B again descends, creating a partial vacuum in A,.
and causing a small quantity of air to enter through Cinto A and so re-establish
the hydrostatic balance. The mechanism is then again ready for use, and the.
action will continue automatically after each flushing until the whole of the liquid,
in A has been discharged. A must then be re-charged. In order to prevent-
leakage from A which may occur when the Aush tank M is allowed to stand for
any length of time either full or empty I provide, when required, the cut off
arrangement shewn in Figure 1; F is a float; f is a rod passing from F up into C
which is narrowed as at d forming at the junction of C and d a shoulder or seat ;.
at the top off is a nut or knob g. When water enters the flush tank, F is raised,.
until its top comes in contact with the lower end of and so closes the orifice ;::
when water leaves the flush tank F falls carrying with it f and g until 9 rests upon..
the shoulder. The rod may have such cross section as will permit liquid to pass.
down between fand d, while at the same time is kept in its proper line by d.
In Figure 2, A is the reservoir chamber, B is the first tube which passes.
downwards for any required distance and may at its lower end be bent as at bor
as. shewn in Figure 3 or Figuro 4 according to the purpose for which the.
mechanism is employed. C is the second tube passing downwards from A and.
bent back upwards. C may, after being bent upwards, continue upwards to any-
required height without change of diameter, or it may pass into a tube such as Gr
of a different diameter.
C or G may be provided with a graduated scale attached to or marked upon it.
in a suitable position. C may form part of a standard or frame K which has also
two sockets L into which A. and G are fixed. The mechanism or any part of it
may be encased in any convenient box or frame, for protection and ease of
transport.
The action of the mechanism when arranged in this manner is as follows, A' is-
charged with a suitable liquid such as mercury, glycerine, alcohol, oil or water..
C and G are charged with similar liquid up to the zero mark of the scale on G,
and b is trapped with liquid (usually water) so that the air in B and A is confined..
When so charged the mechanism is ready for use. The lower extremity of B is
then placed in a well, ships hold, reservoir or other receptacle the depth of water
in which it is desired to measure or into a stream of running liquid the velocity of
which it is desired to measure, or into water at the side or bow of a ship whose
speed it is desired to measure.
When placed in any of the ways above described the weight or impulse of the
liquid as the case may be, in which b, is placed will cause a portion of such liquid
to rise within B and so compress the air in B and A, and so exert a pressure upon.
the liquid in A, and cause a portion of such liquid to be expelled from A into C;.
this causes the liquid in C and G to rise above the zero point to a height which.
depends upon the weight or impulse of the liquid actuating the mechanism and
thus by suitably adjusting the scale on G the depth or the relative velocity of such
liquid may be measured.
When it is required to have a permanent record of the varying depths or
velocities so measured hourly daily or at other intervals, for this purpose 1 employ
a chronographic apparatus which may be in the form illustrated in Figure 5;
where T is a lever carrying a pencil or ink-fed pointer at one end, pivoted at the
other end t to a standard e and pivoted also at s to a rod S connected with a float or
piston R which is in contact with the liquid in G. The pencil or pen is placed in..
contact with a sheet of paper rolled upon a revolving drum H, which is actuated
by clockwork to any required speed. The action of this attachment is as follows..
As the liquid in G rises or falls as above described, its motion is communicated
by Rand S to T, and the pen or pencil carried by T marks upon the revolving.

page_text: paper a line whose form exactly corresponds to the motion of the liquid in G and
hence to the depths or velocities which are measured by the mechanism.
Instead of the piston or float R and rod S above described I may prefer to
employ a rubber ball placed upon G, and in contact with T, so that when the
liquid in G rises such rubber ball will expand and so actuate T..
I may for certain purposes arrange together two or more of the different forms
of the mechanism above described, so as to act in combination.
Thus I may cause to be recorded upon one and the same revolving sheet both
the pressure due to depth and the impulse due to velocity of a ourrent of flowing
liquid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the pature of my said inven-
tion and in what manuer the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is ;-
First. A mechanism having a vessel A containing liquid combined with a tube B
bent at its lower extremity, and with a tube C passing downwards and fitted with
a float adapted to be actuated by the rise and fall of liquid in a cistern for the
purpose of automatically discharging definite quantities of liquid, substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and explained and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Second. A mechanism having a vessel A containing liquid combined with a tube B
bent at its lower extremity, and with a tube C bent upwards and fitted with a
graduated scale adapted to be employed for the purpose of measuring the weight
or impulse of liquids substantially as and for the purposes herein before described
and explained and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Third. A mechanism having a vessel A containing liquid a tube B bent at its
lower extremity and a tube C bent upwards combined with a chronographic
apparatus for recording the variations in the weight or impulse of liquids
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and explained and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of January 1896.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicant.