CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS, AND IN THE APPARATUS POR GENERATING GAS FOR ILLUMINATION
Year: 1835

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MALAM, of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of York, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
:
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Second day of June, in the fifth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Malam, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said John Malam, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Malam, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
METERS, AND IN THE APPARATUS POR GENERATING GAS FOR ILLUMINATION;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said John. Malam,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
annear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Malam, do hereby declare that my Improvements in Gas Meters, and in
the Apparatus for Generating Gas for Illumination, consist,-
In the first instance, in a new and simple arrangement of the parts con-
stituting the meter, and in the mode of suspending it, whereby the friction or
resistance of the water employed in the common meters is considerably overcome
and the working parts of the machine are much less exposed to injury from
the chemical action of the impregnated water, there being but a small portion
of the cylinder by which the gas is measured immersed in the water. It will
be perceived that, as the friction is diminished by my improved arrangement,
the rotary velocity of the meter is increased; consequently a much smaller
machine will be required for the passage of a given quantity of gas than those
of the ordinary construction.
Secondly, the improvements of the apparatus for generating gas for illumi-
nation consist in an addition to the retort commonly in use, for the purpose of
effecting a more perfect decomposition of the vapour arising from the coal in
the process of distillation, and rendering that part which would otherwise be
condensible into tar and ammonia into a permanent elastic gas, thereby greatly
encreasing its quantity and rendering the gas of a more pure and better
quality. Retorts of the ordinary construction, with my improvements, may be
worked at a much lower temperature than usual, as that portion of the
vapour which passes off from the first process of distillation is perfected by
the second, and thus the durability of the retort is considerably increased,
which advantages are obtained from the ordinary quantity of coal, and at no
additional labour or expence in the mode of heating or working. For the better
illustration of my improvements, I have attached two Sheets of Drawings,
marked with several figures and letters of reference, for the purpose of pointing
out the several parts more particularly.
Sheet 1 exhibits several views of the improved meters, adapted to two
different varieties of situation, the one being a small meter made on the plan
which I should recommend for registering the consumption of a small number
of lights, and the other shewing the construction which I prefer to employ
where the passage of a large quantity of gas is required to be measured.
Sheet 2 exhibits my proposed additions to the retorts now commonly in use,
which I call a "regenerator." In this apparatus the gaseous vapour is
submitted to a second process of distillation, and thereby improved in its
quality as well as increased in quantity.
Sheet 1: Figure I represents an elevation of my improved meter on
the construction I propose to be employed to register the consumption
of gas for a small number of lights up to eight or ten, Figure 2 being

page_text: a sectional elevation taken through the middle of the machine; Figure 3
is a plan or horizontal view as seen from above, the top or cover being
removed, the better to shew the interior; and Figure 4. represents another
plan of the same, the drum or cylinder of the meter being shewn in a vertical
position, that the passages for the gas may be more distinctly seen. Figure 1:
a, a, a, represents the outer casing of the meter; b, the pipe for the ingress
of the gas connected with the chamber and upright central pipe c, o. There
is a tube d, d, surrounding the upright pipe c, which is supported by the
annular float e, e, e; and the pipe d, d, is so constructed that it will support
the footstep or bearing of the axis of the meter, which is seen within the
upright pipe c. It will be seen that the shaft or axis of the machine is
supported at the top by the arms or frame g, g, in connection also with
the annular float e, e; hence it will be evident that as the float is always
horizontal, the angle of the inclination of the axis of the meter will be
invariable. The drum or. cylinder of the meter is shewn at h, h, h, and is
mounted at the proper angle of inclination, which is shewn in the Drawing at
about one fourth of its diameter, and of course may be varied at pleasure.
It will be seen in the sectional elevation, Figure 2, that the height of the
water, which is represented at i, i, must meet the lowest point of the inner
circumference of the top of the cylinder h, h, and the lowest point of the
bottom edge opposite will dip into the water sufficiently to seal the gas and
prevent its escape, except through the proper passages from one division of the
cylinder to the other. The different compartments of the cylinder with their
passages will be more clearly seen by reference to Figures 2, 4, and. 5. The
gas proceeding through the fixed pipe c into the central chamberk of the cylin
der, from whence it passes in radial directions to the circumference through the
four passages 1, 1, 1, 1, on the top of the cylinder into the segmental passages
m, m, m, m, next the outer circumference of the cylinder, which are so divided
that the gass passes into the four inner compartments n, n, n, n, see Figure 5,
which is shewn inverted ascending on the one side, and is discharged as it descends
on the opposite side. The passages for the ingress and egress of the gas, and the
four compartments through which it passes to be measured, are marked with
corresponding Figures, that is to say:-That as the gas proceeds from the
central chamber k through 1, on the top of the cylinder, it thence passes
through the circular-divided passage m 1, to the compartment n 1, in the
cylinder, and so on, and is discharged at the opposite point to which it
is received, and which is further shewn by the direction of the arrows. In
case the water should decrease by evaporation or otherwise, it will be seen the
float and meter will descend with the surface of the water, until its progress is

page_text: arrested by the valve o suspended from the footstep of the shaft f in the pipe
c, falling upon its seat p, which will entirely exclude the admission of the gas
until a further supply of water is given. At the bottom of the chamber c, in
the opposite direction to the entrance of the gas at b, I connect a pipe q for
the purpose of drawing off the condensation or other liquid which may acci-
dentally be deposited in the central chamber c, c. After the gas has been
measured, as above explained, it rises from the water into the case a, a, from
whence it passes off through the branch pipe r to the burners. The mode I
propose to register the gas, as it proceeds through the meter, is as follows:-To
the axis of the cylinder I affix a worm s, which actuates a wheel t affixed
upon the arms or frame g, g, of the float; to the shaft of the wheel t is affixed a
rod u, having an universal joint at each end, which accomodates the wheel t to
the ascent or descent of the meter. To the other extremity of the rod u is a
small axis passing through a stuffing box, and carrying the pinion v, which
actuates the two count wheels w, w, the back wheel being mounted upon a fixed
centre, and the front wheel being fixed upon the boss of the hinder wheel,
which carries the index or hand, and thus registers the consumption of the gas,
which will be marked upon the front wheel carrying the dial. Supposing the
worm to have a single thread taking into the worm wheel t of fifty teeth
affixed to the shaft u, carrying the pinion v, which has five teeth, working into
the two wheels w, w, the one having two hundred and forty-six teeth and the
other two hundred and forty-seven teeth, it is evident that six hundred and
ten thousand revolutions of the meter cylinder, being accomplished before two
wheels w, w, have effected an entire change, will thus register ten thousand
cubic feet of gas. Figure 6 is a side view of the cylinder of the meter.
shewing the exit passages of the gas from the compartments n 1 and n 4.
Figure 7 is a segmental section taken through the middle of the gas passages
m at their exit. Figure 8 is a front elevation of a gas meter, on the con-
struction I propose to be used for meters of a large capacity, and where
a great quantity of gas is intended to be passed. As the diameter of the
cylinder of the meter is increased, supposing it to be revolving upon a fixed
centre, as above described, the friction occasioned by its action through
the water would retard its motion. This difficulty I, propose to obviato
by the following arrangement, the cylinder and its passages being upou
the same construction as the one above described. In this instance, however,
the cylinder does not revolve upon its axis, but has an oblique shaft fixed at
the upper end to a rotary crank arm, the lower end of the shaft forming a
pivot bearing upon a step on which it travels with a conical rotary movement,
giving to the cylinder a circular undulating motion. It may here be observed,

page_text: that these two modes of suspending the meter may be slightly varied, as I do
not intend to confine myself to them in particular, as it may be suspended in a
similar manner to a ship's compass, which is so well known that I do not think it
necessary more particularly to describe. The peculiar action of the shaft a of
the cylinder of the meter is determined by the crank b, which is mounted upon
a separate axis, placed exactly vertical with the foot of the shaft a, which bears
in the step c.
It will be seen, that as the gas rises into the cylinder of the
meter through the inlet pipe d, it proceeds into the central chamber of the
cylinder, and through the passages into the four compartments in succession
above described; and of course the compartments of the cylinder which are in
immediate connexion with the inlet pipe (by the pressure of the gas), will
rise and communicate a rotary motion to the crank b, so that each compartment
will be filled in succession, and also discharges the gass from the opposite
compartments by their descent in succession into the outer casing e, e, of the
meter, and from thence through the outlets to the burners by the peculiar
arrangement of the passages at the bottom of the case of the meter through
which the gas passes, shewn in Figures 9 and 10. It is evident that the
meters must be fixed perfectly level, or the gas will not be able to enter at
the inlet pipe. g. 9, 9, is the convolute passage for the entrance of the gas.
This passage, being partly filled with water, will immediately become closed;
provided the meter case is not fixed level, and thus the gas will be prevented
from entering. The casing of this meter is also provided with a reservoir or
fountain of water at the upper part h, h, for the purpose of supplying the meter
to the proper level in the event of the water therein becoming evaporated or
otherwise deficient. This fountain or reservoir is charged by removing the
plug i, when the ball valve k falls into its seat and closes the supply pipe to
the meter, when the water may be introduced to the fountain and the plug
replaced, which will act upon the lever of the ball valve and open the supply
pipe. The lower end of this pipe must be nearly at the level of the water in
the meter case, and by any diminution of the water the open end of the
supply pipe will become exposed to the action of the gas which will rise within
it, and destroy the vacuum above the water in the fountain, and will effect a
supply to the meter. And for the further regulation of the meter, provided
the supply of water is not maintained by the fountain, or through the opening m,
which is made for this purpose, I have affixed a float valve n within a case
attached to the meter (to which the branch of pipes for the ingress and egress
of the gas are affixed); and it will be seen, that as the water falls in the
meter, the valve n will descend and close the passage of the gas. There is
also an opening o at the bottom of this case for drawing off any condensation

page_text: which may occur.
The count wheels for registering the consumption of the
gas are exactly upon the same principle as those for the meter before described,
and are seen more clearly in the horizontal or top view of the meter, Figure 11.
Sheet 2: Figure 12 represents a front elevation of three retorts, with their
regenerators" and conducting pipes; Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of the
furnace, retorts, and regenerators, with their flues; and Figure 14 is a longitu-
dinal section of the same, a, a, a, being the mouth of the retorts through
which they are charged with coal; b, 6, 6, the connecting pipes through which
the gas and vapour produced by the distillation ascends to the regenerators;
c, c, c, are the mouthpieces of the regenerators; and d, d, d, are the ascending
pipes from which the gas passes to the hydraulic main e, and from thence it is
conveyed to the condensor, purifyers, and gasometer in the ordinary manner.
It will be seen that the regenerators are fixed above the retorts, supported by
an arch with openings f, f, left for the purpose of transmitting the heat to
them more readily, but not intended for the passage or draft of flame). The
heat passes from the furnace g, g, circulating under the two lower retorts, and
through the openings h, h, h, to the upper retort, above which it operates upon
the regenerators through the openings f.f.f, above described, after which,
the current of flame passes through the flues at the extremity of the furnace, as
seen at i, i, i, better shewn in the horizontal section, Figure 15, and vertical
section 16, and from thence over the regenerators to the main flue or chimney k,
as will be seen by the progress of the arrows. It will be seen, by reference to
the longitudinal section Figure 14, that the coal under distillation in the retort
in discharging its gas and vapour through the connecting pipe 6 to the
regenerator, which is furnished with an interual partable cylinder I, 1, left
somewhat shorter than the regenerator, that the gas may pass out at its
extremity into the body of the regenerator, and is thus submitted to the
action of the heat therein. It will be seen that the internal cylinder has a
mouthpiece m, separate from that of the regenerator, for the purposes of
adjusting it over the opening of the connecting pipe b, and cleaning it from
any deposit; and the cylinder may be removed altogether at pleasure, and a
fresh one substituted, without disturbing the regenerators, that it may be more
readily and effectually cleansed. After the gas has been submitted to the
action of the regenerators, it passes off in a more perfect and pure state through
the ascending pipes d, d, d, to the hydraulic main c, as will be clearly seen in
the Figures. For the better illustration of the regenerator, with its internal
cylinder and connecting pipes, I have shewn, at Figures 17 and 18, the front
or mouth end upon a larger scale; and the same letters of reference point out
the corresponding parts to those shewn in the above named Figures. Figures 19

page_text: and 20 shew two different forms of regenerators, and an alteration of the mode
of setting them. I wish it to be particularly observed, that by my improved
process each retort is provided with a separate regenerator, which is heated by
the same furnace as the retort, and this may be effected in various ways, the
one shewn in the Drawing being merely for the purpose of illustration.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Malam, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Thirtieth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.