An Improved Meter for Estimating the Volume and Density of Liquids.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Meter for Estimating the Volume and Density
of Liquids.
I AIMÉ VICTOr Louis Bedour of 45 Rue Saint Sebastién, Paris, France,
Distiller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a densi-volumetric meter the object of which is to give
the volumes and the average densities of alcoholic liquids as they issue from an
alembic or still.
The exactitude of the data or indications of this meter is the more certain in
that it weighs the liquid by the liquid and suppresses, owing to the reduced volume
of its receivers, the causes of errors which might result from the temperature and
the very variable density of alcohols. Fitted to the feed pipe of the still, this
meter gives the sum of the volumes and the average density of the phlegms to be
distilled. A second meter placed at the outlet of the worm, permits the operator,
by the aid of a simple subtraction bearing upon the liquid reduced to pure alcohol,
to know exactly the loss resulting from the distillation.
Finally, its greatest utility certainly results in its compulsory application by the
State to all alembics or stills portative and fixed. Officers of excise will find in
it a sure aid for the effectual suppression of fraud by boilers, proprietors or manu-
facturers. A more rigid inspection without increase of staff, at the same time as
the impossibility of fraud would be its principal advantages. Further, the State
would thus have the means of imposing the payment of duties upon the manufacturer
and ensuring free circulation.
The meter is composed of three main parts.
1º A distributing reservoir of about 50 litres into which a leaded orifice or
worm pours the alcohol.
2° A "Robertsval" or "Béranger" balance or beam above the plates of which
are two dished-plates or vessels with their accessories.
3. A basin or tank perfectly isolated to avoid shocks which might modify its
content carefully determined by the aid of fixed scales, and which I term the
" Totaliser."
A distributing reservoir with bottom inclined towards an outlet pipe is placed in
communication with the worm by an inlet tube provided with bolted fastenings or
flanges which may be sealed with lead exteriorily to prevent introduction of foreign
substances to the products of the distillation. At its lower part, this outlet pipe
suitably arranged sends the liquid into one of the dished-plates, that which acts as
weight and pours its liquid into the other which pivots, this pipe carries at a rigidly.
fixed point, a cock with a rack the working of which is ensured by the play of the
plates.
The balance receives the liquid in this first dished-plate carefully gauged (con-
taining for example 10 litres). The two dished-plates of this balance with their
accessories equipoise each other with the utmost exactitude.
The cock being open, one of the dished-plates fills and directly the liquid reaches
the orifice of a horizontal pipe arranged at its upper part, the excess of this liquid
runs into the second vessel or dished-plate. When the same quantity of alcohol
has passed into this second dished-plate or vessel it lowers. Directly the equi-
librium is broken in favor of the second vessel, the cock closes and instantly the
sharp and simultaneous stroke of an angle-piece or block on the left part of the
beam of the balance precipitates a hammer on to another angle-piece situated on
the right. Carried away by this supplementary weight the second dished-plate

page_text: meeting an inclined plane immediately pours its contents into a funnel receiver
which leads it into a barrel by the aid of a suitably placed pipe.
Under the weight of the liquid (10 litres for example) remaining in this first
dished-plate, the second dished-plate rises again carrying with it and lifting at its
dead point, independently of the beam, the hammer by means of one of the angle-
pieces.
The second dished-plate resumes its highest position, returns to the horizontal
by the aid of a roller striking on a fixed point and of its counterweight and again
receives liquid, the inlet tube having been opened by the cock in the descending
journey of the first dished-plate.
The hammer movable on its centre fixed to the support of the balance, meets,
each time that it lowers, a small rod which actuates a clockwork motion intended
to register the number of times that the second dished-plate empties itself, that is
to say the number of weighings of, for example 10 litres.
The second dished-plate is upheld by a forked rod forming part of the right arm
of the balance. The two arms of this fork are united by an axle surrounded by
a connection or coupling belonging to the second dished-plate and participating in
its upsetting movement to an angle of 45 degrees.
"
In this axle is reserved at a certain point a receiver accurately gauged, termed
the "guaging chamber
This chamber is:
containing for example a centilitre.
put in communication with the liquid of the second dished-plate by an opening,
made in the coupling or connection; it is filled at the moment when this dished-
plate or vessel tips. In turning to 45 degrees in relation to the horizon, the
second dished-plate, one with the coupling or connection closes thereby its com-
munication with the guaging chamber which on the other hand, communicates
with an outlet opening one with the movable coupling or connection. Air holes
made in the coupling or connection facing the guaging chamber, permit the
liquid contained therein to pass into a funnel from whence it runs by a pipe
towards the totaliser. The centilitre of liquid, taken as guage, has the temperature,
the density and the average degree of the 10 various litres poured simultaneously
by the second dished-plate of which it formed an integral part.
The totaliser is a reservoir guaged previously by the aid of a fixed scale which
facilitates the reading through a glass plate placed in the face of the meter beneath
a clockwork movement.
This reservoir, containing say 20 litres for example, contain and alcoholometer
and a thermometor; its outer orifice is closed by a cover or fastening bolted and
sealed with a leaden or a wax seal or even secured by means of a padlock.
The alcoholometer and the thermometer combined give the degree of the whole
of the twenty litres which have been borrowed by constant quantities of one centi-
litre from all the fractions of 10 litres. This degree will be the same as that of the
20,000 litres weighed. If we suppose the degree to be 68, the alembic will have
distilled 20,000 × 68 = 13,600 litres of pure alcohol.
The clockwork movement which registers by 10 litres the passage of the liquid,
should also indicate 20,00 litres. It may therefore be said that this meter controls
itself and preserves a faithful witness of its operations. I shall overcome the
objection of the contraction arising from mixtures in quantity of alcoholic liquids.
Here the quantities are mixed in very small doses and their combination could not,
under this volume give rise to this phenomena. Were it otherwise, than in isolating
by the aid of samples taken from the totaliser, it would be possible, 24 hours after-
wards, that is to say when the phenomena of contraction has ended, to determine
mathematically the average degree without possibility of question from any side.
I would observe that the working of this meter is not limited to the quantities
taken as example, and that the capacity of the dished-plates or vessels is essentially
variable. This capacity may be increased or lessened at will; the same applies to
the gauge chamber. It suffices, to arrive at true calculations, to know the relation
between the capacity of the gauge chamber and that of the first dished-plate or
vessel.

page_text: Finally, the apparatus in its entirety may take any form and dimensions. It is,
in every case, completed by a double casing of metal warding off shocks which
might impair the contents or the proper working. All danger of explosion from
alcoholic gases coming from the worm is avoided by metal gratings suitably placed
to prevent any introduction of foreign substances into the still. Inspection openings
are provided in the casing to follow the operation and sealed doors give access to
the working parts in case of necessity.
At their lowest striking point the dished-plates are received by elastic buffers to
prevent shocks. While travelling these dish-plates are kept in position of equi-
librium by cross pieces entered into suitable holes to prevent the balance being
broken.
Finally, in order that the apparatus may be placed in the horizontal position
necessary to its proper working, two water levels are placed crosswise on the outer
casing and form part of it.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Meter for Estimating the Volume and Density
of Liquids.
1 AIMÉ VICTOR LOUIS BEDOUT of 45 Rue Saint Sebastién, Paris, France,
Distiller, 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 relates to an alcoholic meter the object of which is to give the
volumes and the average densities of alcoholic liquids as they issue from an alembic
or still.
The exactitude of the data or indications of this meter is the more certain in that
it weighs the liquid by the liquid and suppresses, owing to the reduced volume of
its receivers, the causes of errors which might result from the temperature and the
very variable density of alcohols. Fitted to the feed pipe of the still, this meter
gives the sum of the volumes and the average density of the phlegms to be distilled.
A second meter placed at the outlet of the worm, permits the operator, by the aid
of a simple subtraction bearing upon the liquid reduced to pure alcohol, to know
exactly the loss resulting from the distillation.
Finally, its greatest utility certainly results in its compulsory application by the
State to all alembics or stills portative and fixed. Officers of excise will find in it a
sure aid for the effectual suppression of fraud by boilers, proprietors or manu-
facturers. A more rigid inspection without increase of staff, at the same time as
the impossibility of fraud would be its principal advantages. Further, the State
would thus have the means of imposing the payment of duties upon the manu-
facturer and ensuring free circulation.
In order that the arrangement and the working of this apparatus may be
thoroughly understood I have represented, by way of example, a specimen upon
the accompanying drawing to which the following description refers.
DESCRIPTION.

page_text: Figure 4 represents a longitudinal section of a meter in which the measuring vat.
is replaced by a weight.
The meter thus represented is composed of three main parts.
1º A distributing reservoir A of about 50 litres, into which the leaded orifice or
worm S pours the alcohol.
66
2° A Robertsval" or "Béranger" balance or beam above the plates or scales
of which are two dished-plates or vessels band b' with their accessories.
3. A basin or tank E perfectly isolated to avoid shocks which might modify its
contents carefully determined by the aid of fixed scales, and which I term the
"Totaliser."
The distributing reservoir A with bottom inclined towards the outlet pipe a is
placed in communication with the worm S by an inlet-tube provided with bolted
fastenings or flanges which may be sealed with lead exteriorly to prevent
introduction of foreign substances to the products of the distillation. At its lower
part, the pipe a suitably arranged sends the liquid, passing through a filter, into
the vessel or dished plate b; this pipe a carries at a rigidly fixed point, a valve r
the working of which is ensured by the play of the plates.
The balance B receives the liquid in the dished-plate carefully gauged (con-
taining for example 5 litres). The two dished-plates b, b' of this balance with their
accessories equipoise each other with the utmost exactitude.
The valve is pierced with holes insuring even after its closure a slight flow of alcohol.
A lever arm / pivoting round an axle uplifts the valve when the dished-plate draws
เ
upon the other end of the lever by means of the slide m.
When the dished-plate
rises again the slide abandons the lever which drawn by the spiral spring rises
and permits the valve to fall upon its seat. The vessel b in filling destroys the
equilibrium and opens the valve wide, when the liquid reaches the horizontal tube t
it runs into the pivotted vessel b¹ until the weight of the liquid accumulated in this
vessel equilibrates the weight of the liquid contained in the vessel 6 less the force
exerted by the spiral spring on the vessel b, this vessel rises again and consequently
the valve closes and the lever I strikes against a screw arranged for this purpose.
At this moment the action of the spring no longer making itself felt on the plate
the equilibrium is broken and the balance stops; the excess of liquid in the vessel b
runs into the pivotted vessel and the holes in the valve permit the liquid to again
establish the equilibrium upon a constant delivery. The balance again begins to
rise and by means of the tappet or driver q sends the hammer on to the tappet ¹
situated on the right. The beam of the balance is therefore at this moment more
heavily laden on the side of the pivotting vessel which lowers and comes against a
stop which uplifts it thereby slightly displacing the centre of gravity of the
pivotting vessel; this latter thus moved turns over pouring its liquid into one of
the funnels K arranged for this purpose this movement being moderated by a
winged brake. The pivotting vessel having discharged itself and the dished-plate
being always filled the equilibrium is broken to the profit of this latter which
re-descends and in its movement lifts the hammer P opens the valve and stretches
the spiral spring. The liquid begins again to flow by the overflow conduit into the
second receiver of the pivotting vessel and when the equilibrium is re-established
the balance acts again as aforesaid. The funnels K pour the liquid into a common
receiver C which conducts it into the cask by the aid of a pipe d.
Upon one of the sides of the pivotting vessel is arranged a small special
chamber el termed the gauge chamber provided with a pipe and in communication
with the liquid of the pivotting vessel by a small hole pierced in the side of this
latter. This chamber is so calculated that at the moment the pivotting vessel is in
equilibrium the liquid which has entered it has a known volume, 10 cubic
centimeters for example. When the pivotting vessel has operated the position of
this chamber having changed in consequence of the rotation, the liquid contained
in it runs off by the pipe into the funnel g and thence into the totaliser E.
The hammer P movable on its centre fixed to the support of the balance,
actuates, each time that it lowers, a small rod c which actuates a clockwork

page_text: motion G intended to register the number of times that the dished-plate b
empties itself, that is to say the number of weighings of, for example, 5 litres
each.
The totaliser is a reservoir E gauged previously by the aid of a fixed scale k
which facilitates the reading through a glass plate placed in the face of the ineter
beneath the clockwork movement G. This reservoir, containing say 50 litres
for example, contains an alcoholometer and a thermometer; its outer orifice is
closed by a cock sealed with a leaden or a wax seal or even secured by means of
a padlock.
The alcoholometer and the thermometer combined give the degree of the whole
of the fifty litres which have been borrowed by constant quantities of 1 centilitre
to a fraction of 2 to 5 litres. This degree will be the same as that of the
20,000 litres weighed. If we suppose the degree to be 68, the alembic will have
distilled 20,000 x 68: 13,600 litres of pure alcohol.
=
:
The clockwork movement G which registers by 5 litres the passage of the
liquid, should also indicate 20,000 litres. It may therefore be said that this meter
controls itself and preserves a faithful witness of its operations. I shall overcome
the objection of the contraction arising from mixtures in quantity of alcoholic
liquids. Here the quantities are mixed in very small doses and their combination
could not, under this volume give rise to this phenomena. Were it otherwise, than
in isolating by the aid of samples taken from the totaliser, it would be possible,
24 hours afterwards, that is to say when the phenomena of contraction has ended, .
to determine mathematically the average degree without possibility of question
from any side.
I would observe that the working of this meter is not limited to the quantities
taken as example, and that the capacity of the dished-plates or vessels and is
essentially variable. This capacity may be increased or lessened at will; the same
applies to the gauge chamber e'. It suffices, to arrive at true calculations, to know
the relation between the capacity of the gauge chamber e¹ and that of the dished-
plate or vessel b.
Finally, the apparatus in its entirety may take any form and dimensions. It is,,
in every case, completed by a double casing of metal F¹ warding off shocks which
might impair the contents or the proper working. All danger of explosion from
alcoholic gases coming from the worm S is avoided by metal gratings suitably
placed to prevent any introduction of foreign substances into the still. Inspection
openings are provided in the casing to follow the operation and sealed doors give
access to the working parts in case of necessity. At their lowest striking point the
dished-plates and are received by elastic buffers to prevent shocks. While
travelling these dished-plates are kept in position of equilibrium by cross pieces
entered into suitable holes to prevent the balance being broken.
Finally, in order that the apparatus may be placed in the horizontal position
necessary to its proper working, two water levels n and n¹ are placed crosswise on
the outer casing and form part of it.
Figure 4 represents the same meter in which the dished-plate is replaced by a
fixed weight, the working remaining the same excepting that the liquid runs
directly into the pivotting vessel. Instead of giving volumes the meter totalises
weighty of alcohol: cognizant of the mean density of the liquid by the gauge
chamber it is easy to determine its volume.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus or meters intended for the densi-volumetric measurement of
alcohols. the application of a balance B the plates or scales of which are formed of
vessels b and 6 of same capacity; the one serving as weight and pouring its liquid
into the other which is arranged to pivot, to effect the overturning or upsetting of
the liquid directly the weight is given, and the beam of which acts by tappets upon

page_text: an independent hammer P the function of which is to set at work the meter
properly so called G, which indicates the number of weighings effected, as above
specified with reference to the accompanying drawing.
2. In apparatus or meters intended for the densi-volumetric measurement of
alcohols, the special arrangement of a balance B with vesscl-scales or dished-plates b
and band with independent hammer P acting on the meter properly so called G of
the weighings, in combination with a valve situated on the distributing pipe a
-and actuated directly by the plate or scale b, so as to bring about its automatic
opening and closing, in such a manner that the operation is effected without any
extraneous aid, as above specified with reference to the accompanying drawing.
3. In apparatus or meters intended for the densi-volumetric measurement of
alcohols, the application of a balance B one of the plates or scales of which carries
a fixed weight and the other a pivotting-vessel.
4. In apparatus or meters intended for the densi-volumetric measurement of
alcohols, the special arrangement of a balance B with dished-plates or scales 6, b',
and with independent hammer P acting upon the meter properly so called G of the
automatic weighings, in combination with a gauge chamber el appertaining to the
support of one of the dished-plates; the said chamber el intended to levy at each
weighing a certain determined and invariable quantity of liquid and to pour it into
a totaliser E, in such a way that, while operating upon large quantities, the
phenomena of contraction which accompany mixtures as well as the density and
the temperature have no influence upon the result of the operation and that the
alcohometrical gauging is in direct function with the volume and the density as
above explained with reference to the accompanying drawing.
5. A densi-volumetric meter comprising in its combination a distributing
reservoir A, a distributing cock working automatically, a balance B the plates or
scales of which would be vessels b and b¹ of equal capacity, an independent
hammer P, acting upon a meter of weighings G, a gauge chamber e¹ levying at
each weighing a certain quantity of liquid and pouring it automatically into a
totaliser E, and a totaliser with graduated plate ki the whole inclosed in a double
casing F combined or not with the still producing the alcohol to be measured, and
working in the manner and with the object described with reference to the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this Fifteenth day of February 1893.