IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Howe Gould, of Battersea Park Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID
METERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
SIMILAR PURPOSES."
Sealed the 2nd December 1879, and dated the 17th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Howe Gould at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th June 1879.
ROBERT HOWE GOULD, of Battersea Park Road, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention relates chiefly to meters or apparatus for measuring or ascertaining
the quantity of water or other fluid passing through a conduit, and it has reference
to that portion of such apparatus by means of which the quantity of fluid so passing
is indicated or recorded, but parts of the improvements are also applicable to other
similar purposes.
My Invention as applied to meters consists in the employment of a spring tube
for communicating motion from the moving portion of the meter to the counting
apparatus. According to one modification I construct the spring tube by preference
of metal, of an elongated section, and with flanges at one end for attachment to the
casing of the meter. The tube is closed at its free end by a lever which passes
through the tube, and is brazed and rivetted or otherwise attached to such free end
so as to form a hermetic joint, and extends into the interior of the ineter, being
mounted on a centre or fulcrum therein so as to admit of the reciprocating motion
of such lever. The lever thus receives motion at intervals upon its inner end from the
moving part of the meter, and transmits such motion by its outer end to the counting
apparatus at the exterior, the tube being made of such dimensions and so connected
to the lever as to admit of its free spring action, and thus of the unimpeded motion
of the lever when impelled by the movements of the meter. I am thus enabled to

page_text: transmit motion from the interior of the meter to the exterior without the use of
stuffing boxes or similar devices ordinarily employed for maintaining a tight joint.
This modification of my Invention is also applicable for indicating electrically or
otherwise at the exterior the level of fluids in the interior of closed vessels of any
description, such for example as boilers, tanks, and the like, the same being either
combined or not with any suitable alarum, such for instance as a whistle or an
electric bell, as will be well understood. It is further applicable for effecting other
mechanical movements in connection with the said closed vessels, either from the
interior to the exterior, or vice versa.
In cases where the counter or recording instrument is situate at a distance from the
measuring portion of the meter the following modification in the construction and
arrangement of the spring tube may be employed.
I make the tube of a curved or coiled shape, open at one end, at which it may
communicate with the cylinder or that portion of the meter through which the fluid
to be measured passes, and closed at its opposite end where it is connected to devices
forming part of the counting apparatus. When the tube is arranged in connection
with the fluid passage of the meter as before mentioned the periodical shocks or
impulses which are produced in the fluid by the opening, closing, or reversal of a
valve or valves are through the medium of the fluid contained in the spring tube
and its connections transmitted to such tube, causing the same to diverge, and thus
act upon the counting apparatus.
In order to admit of the escape of any air which may be present in the tube when
the fluid is forced into the same on commencing to work the apparatus, a small
open tube is provided extending throughout the length of the spring tube within
the same, and also continued beyond it at the exterior, and terminating at a point
above the level of the highest point of the spring tube, the outer end of the
said tube being covered or closed with a screw cap as soon as the air has been
expelled.
In order to prevent any irregularity of action a sliding or other valve may be
interposed between the cylinder and the spring tube, such valve being normally
closed so as to cut off the communication between the cylinder and the tube, but
opened periodically in order to admit of the shock or impulse of the fluid being
transmitted to the tube. The opening uncovered by the valve may be in the form
of a narrow slit, or a tumbler valve may be employed, which will be opened and
then close instantaneously, or both arrangements may be used in combination if
desired.
In lieu of attaching the closed end of the spring tube directly to the counting
apparatus, an air cataract may be interposed, the same consisting of two cylinders
each open at one end and closed at their opposite ends, and closely fitted the one
within the other so as to form a chamber the capacity of which will be varied by
the relative motion of the two cylinders, a small aperture being provided in either
cylinders for the admission and escape of air. The closed end of the spring tube and
the pawl or other actuating device of the counting apparatus are respectively attached
to the outer ends of the further cylinders in such a manner that when a shock or
sudden motion or impulse due to the normal action of the meter is imparted to the
spring tube the air within the cataract will be unable to escape with appreciable
speed therefrom, and the cataract bodily will transmit the motion to the pawl or
other actuating device, whilst in the event of any gradual variation of pressure
within the meter taking place due to varying pressure within the main, and thus
acting upon the spring tube, air will be gradually admitted into or expelled from
the cataract, and the cylinder to which the spring tube is connected will be drawn
in or moved outwards without affecting the pawl or other actuating device so as
to remove it from its normal position, and will thus prevent a registration in excess
of that due to the ineasuring action of the meter.
In lieu of imparting periodic movements to the spring tube by the action of the
fluid contained within the meter I may employ a constant quantity of liquid within

page_text: the tube, and interpose between such liquid and the fluid contained in the meter a
solid body which is acted upon periodically by the moving part of the ineter, and
thus actuates the counting apparatus. This intermediate body may consist of a
diaphragm or piston. When a piston is employed I may perforate the same so as
to place the liquid within the tube normally in communication with a constant
supply contained in a suitable chamber. On, however, an impulse being transmitted
to the counting apparatus motion is imparted to a valve or plug which acts upon
the piston so as to close its perforation, and at the same time propel the piston
thereby exerting pressure upon the liquid within the spring tube and causing the
divergence of the same in the manner hereinbefore described.
When this modification is adopted I dispense with the use of the air cataract,
the latter being intended to neutralize very gradual action which might otherwise
unduly influence the counting apparatus, whilst according to this modification &
gradual action is admissable without affecting the accuracy of the records of such
counting apparatus.
The arrangement of spring tubes hereinbefore described as adapted for meters
where the counting apparatus is situate at a distance from the measuring portion is
also applicable to motive power engines and pumps for ascertaining and recording
the amount of work performed by the same.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Howe Gould in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
December 1879.
ROBERT HOWE GOULD, of Battersea Park Road, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS E
ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My said Invention relates chiefly to meters or apparatus for measuring or
ascertaining the quantity of water or other fluid passing through a conduit, and it
has reference to that portion of such apparatus by means of which the quantity of
fluid so passing is indicated or recorded, but parts of the improvements are also 1
applicable to other similar purposes.
My Invention as applied to meters consists in the employment of a spring tube
for communicating motion from the moving portion of the meter to the counting
apparatus.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a longitudinal section of a portion of a water
meter having applied thereto the improvements which form the subject of my said
Invention according to one modification of the same.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the spring tube.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate another modification of my said Invention, Figure 3
being a front view, and Figure 4 a vertical section at right angles thereto of the
portion of the meter comprising the counting apparatus; and Figures 5 and 6
details hereinafter referred to.
Figure 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating a further modification.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A is the spring tube, which I construct by preference
of metal, of an elongated section, and with a flange a for attachment to the casing
B of the meter.
This tube is closed at its free end b by a lever C which passes through the tube
and is brazed and rivetted or otherwise attached to such free end so as to form a
hermetic joint, and extends into the interior of the casing B of the meter, being
mounted on a centre or fulcrum at c therein so as to admit of the reciprocating
motion of such lever. The lever C thus receives motion at intervals upon its inner
end d from the moving part of the meter (as for example from a rod D carried by
a piston or diaphragm) and transmits such motion by its outer end d to the counting
apparatus at the exterior, the tube being made of such dimensions and so connected
to the lever as to admit of its free spring action, and thus of the unimpeded motion
of the lever when impelled by the movements of the meter. The outer end d¹ of
the lover may be provided with a pawl e for acting upon a ratchet wheelf which
is mounted upon a shaft or axis g connected with the train of gearing of the
counting apparatus E, or the motion of the lever may be transmitted to the counting
apparatus in any other convenient manner. By the use of this arrangement of
spring tube and lever I am enabled to transmit motion from the interior of the meter
to the exterior without the use of stuffing boxes or similar devices ordinarily
employed for maintaining a tight joint.
This part of my said Invention is also applicable for effecting similar mechanical
movements in connection with the same or other close vessels, either from the
interior to the exterior, or vice versa. For example, I may indicate at the exterior
the level of liquids in boilers, tanks, and the like, either by mechanical means alone
or by mechanical means combined with electrical agency applied upon the principle
of the dial telegraph in a manner which will be perfectly understood without

page_text: description; I may also cause the apparatus to sound an alarum, such for example
as a steam whistle or bell, when the liquid has descended to a minimum level, the
whistle or bell being operated either by mechanical means alone or by mechanical
means in conjunction with electricity, in which latter case the mechanical action is
I may
caused to make or break an electric circuit in the well known manner.
further effect any necessary adjustments of certain of the internal working parts of
meters and other close vessels without opening the same, by the employment of a
spring tube and lever operated from the exterior. It is obvious that the cases
hereinbefore referred to are merely given as examples of the purposes to which the
Invention may be applied, as many other applications will readily suggest them-
selves to those skilled in the arts, who will be able to adapt the Invention to the
various cases constantly occurring in practice from the particulars herein before given.
In cases where the counter or recording instrument is situate at a distance from
the measuring portion of the meter, and in other cases where desirable, the
modification in the construction and arrangement of the spring tube illustrated in
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be employed. In this case the tube A is made of a
curved or coiled shape open at one end b at which it may communicate with the
cylinder or that portion of the ineter through which the fluid to be measured passes,
and closed at its opposite end 6 where it is connected to the lever C carrying the
actuating pawle of the counting apparatus E, or to equivalent devices forming part
of the counting apparatus. When the tube is arranged in connection with the fluid
passage of the meter as before mentioned, the periodical shocks or impulses which
are produced in the fluid by the opening, closing, or reversal of a valve or valves A
are through the medium of the fluid contained in the spring tube and its con-
nections transmitted to such tube causing the same to diverge and thus act upon
the counting apparatus, the tube returning to its normal position by reason of its
spring properties as soon as the effect of the shock or impulse has subsided. In order
to admit of the escape of any air which may be present in the tube A when the
fluid is forced into the same on cominencing to work the apparatus, a small open
tube h is provided extending throughout the length of the spring tube A within
the same, and also continued beyond it at the exterior, and terminating at a point
h³ above the level of the highest point of the spring tube, the outer end of the
said tube being covered or closed with a screw cap i as soon as the air has been
expelled.
For the purpose of preventing any irregularity of action a sliding or other valve F
(sec detail, Figure 5) may be interposed between the cylinder and the spring tube
A, such valve being normally closed so as to cut off the communication between the
cylinder and the tube, but opened periodically in order to admit of the shock or
impulse of the fluid being transmitted to the tube. The opening uncovered by the
valve may be in the form of a narrow slit or port, as shewn at k, and the valve may
be operated from the moving part of the meter by means of a lever and connections
not shewn in the Drawing.
In lieu of attaching the closed end 6 of the spring tube directly to the actuating
devices of the counting apparatus an air cataract may be interposed, the same con-
sisting of two cylinders G, H, see Figures 3 and 4, and detail section, Figure 6,
open respectively at their inner ends m, n, and closed at their opposite ends m', n¹,
and closely fitted the one within the other so as to form a chamber the capacity of
which will be varied by the relative motion of the two cylinders, a small aperture
m² being provided in either cylinder for the admission and escape of air. The
closed end b of the spring tube is attached by a strap or frame o to the outer end m¹
of the further cylinder G, and the lever C of the counting apparatus is attached by
a strap or frame o' to the outer end n¹ of the cylinder H in such a manner that
when a shock or sudden motion or impulse due to the normal action of the meter is
iimparted to the spring tube the air within the cataract will be unable to escape
with appreciable speed therefrom, and the cataract bodily will transmit the motion
to the lever C, whilst in the event of any gradual variation of pressure within the

page_text: meter taking place due to varying pressure within the main, and thus acting upon
the spring tube, air will be gradually admitted into or expelled from the cataract,
and the cylinder G to which the spring tube is connected will be drawn in or
moved outwards without affecting the lever C of the counting apparatus so as to
remove it from its normal position, and will thus prevent a registration in excess of
that due to the measuring action of the meter.
In lieu of imparting periodic movements to the spring tube by the action of the
fluid contained within the meter I may employ a constant quantity of liquid within
the tube and interpose between such liquid and the fluid contained in the meter a
solid body which is acted upon periodically by the moving part of the meter, and
thus actuates the counting apparatus. This modification is illustrated in Figure 7
of my Drawings; b is the passage leading to the spring tube; I is a piston which is
fitted so as to be capable of sliding through a guide at p. This piston may be solid,
but it is preferred to perforate it as shewn at q, so as to place the liquid (when such
is employed) within the tube normally in communication with a constant supply
contained in a chamber K.
Below the piston is a valve or plug L which on an impulse being transmitted to
the counting apparatus is caused by a moving inclined bar to act upon the piston
I so as to close its perforation q and at the same time propel the piston, thereby
exerting pressure upon the liquid within the spring tube, and occasioning the
divergence of the latter in the manner hereinbefore described. In lieu of using a
piston a diaphragm may be employed in a like manner so as to accomplish the same
result.
When the modification illustrated in Figure 7 is adopted I dispense with the use
of the air cataract, the latter being intended to neutralize very gradual action
which might otherwise unduly influence the counting apparatus, whilst according
to this modification a gradual action is admissible without affecting the accuracy
of the indications of such counting apparatus.
The arrangement of spring tubes hereinbefore described as adapted for meters
where the counting apparatus is situate at a distance from the measuring portion is
also applicable to motive power engines and pumps for ascertaining and indicating
the amount of work performed by the same.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. In fluid meters the employment of a spring tube for communicating motion
from the moving portion of the meter to the counting apparatus, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Secondly. In combination with the casing of a fluid meter a spring tube covering
an opening in the said casing and having a flat or elongated section in combination
with a lever passing through the said tube and closing it at its free end, the said
lever being so arranged as to receive motion at one end from the moving part of
the meter within the casing, and to transmit such motion by its other end to the
counting apparatus at the exterior of the casing without the employment of a
stuffing box, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Thirdly. Transmitting motion from the interior to the exterior, or from the
exterior to the interior, of close vessels by the employment of a spring tube in com-
bination with a lever passing through the said tube and closing it at its free end,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of my
Drawings.
Fourthly. In fluid meters the employment of a curved or coiled tube com-
municating at one end with a portion of the meter through which the fluid to be
measured passes, and connected at its opposite end which is closed with the counting
apparatus in such a manner that the periodical shocks or impulses produced in the

page_text: fluid by the opening, closing, or reversal of a valve or valves are transmitted to the
said tube, causing the same to diverge and act upon the counting apparatus, sub-
stantially as herein before described.
Fifthly. The combination with the curved or coiled tube arranged as set forth in
the fourth claiming clause of a valve for controlling the communication between the
tube and the portion of the meter through which the fluid to be measured passes,
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
Sixthly. The combination with the curved or coiled tube arranged as set forth in
the fourth claiming clause of an air cataract interposed between the closed end of
the tube and the counting apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Seventhly. In fluid meters the employment of a curved or coiled tube containing
fluid in combination with a solid body acted upon periodically by the moving part
of the meter, and transmitting corresponding shocks or impulses to the liquid
contained in the said tube, thereby causing the latter to diverge and act upon the
counting apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Eighthly. In combination with motive power engines and pumps the employment
of curved or coiled tubes containing liquid to which periodical shocks or impulses
are imparted by the opening and closing or reversal of a valve or valves, or the
movement of a piston or solid body operated by a moving part of the engine or
pump, for the purpose of transmitting to a distance indications of the number of
strokes or amount of work performed by such engine or pump, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Howe Gould, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.