Improvements in Gas Meters.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1889-Accepted, 13th July, 1889
UUMI LEIM SEMIFICATION,
Improvements in Gas Meters.
I JOHN HEARNE of 908 East 149th Street in the City of New York, United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates particularly to the valves employed in gas meters, and
especially to that class of valves known as slide valves. Heretofore slide-valves of gas
meters have been liable to injury, owing to the lack of protection therefor, and it is
the object of my improvement to avoid this.
In order to accomplish this result, I combine with a sliding valve, a guard for
preventing the disarrangement of the valve, which guard is arranged near to, but
normally out of contact with the valve.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan
my improvement in a two-diaphragm gas meter.
taken on the plane of the line x x Fig. 1.
same, taken on the plane of the line y y, Fig.
same,
the arrow.
view, showing slide-valves embodying
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the
1, and looking in the direction of
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In illustrating ny improvement, I have omitted the diaphragm mechanism, for the
same does not constitute broadly a part of my invention.
.The valves comprise slides A, adapted to alternately open and close gas passages a.
The slides A are adapted to be reciprocated above the gas passages a, in such manner
as to alternately open and close said gas passages. Of course it is understood that they
fit snugly on their seats.
I have shown a crank A', with which are combined crank arms B, in a well known
manner, which crank arms are connected to the slides A. When the crank is rotated,
it will be quite apparent that the slides A will be reciprocated to and fro in opposite
directions alternately.
I have shown guide rods 6 for the slides A, which guide rods are adapted to be
reciprocated to and fro through suitably formed apertures in standards c, secured
upon the bottom plate of the valve chamber. These valve rods may be constructed of
soft metal, and it will be readily seen that any violent jarring of the meter, and many
other causes, will operate to throw the slides A, from their seats, and, as a consequence,
there is an escape of gas about the valves. To overcome this, I place a shield or guard S
about the slides A. The guards, as shown, consist of perforated strips of sheet, metal,
extending over and about the valves. The guards are not in contact with the valves
when the latter are in normal position on their seats; but lie sufficiently near thereto
to prevent any permanent displacement of the valves when, from any cause, the valve
is unseated. It is not wholly essential, however, that the guards should be per-
forated, and when perforated, they need only be perforated above the valves.
The form of guards S here illustrated are secured, near one end, to a vertically
extending piece of metal comprised in the wall of the valve box, and are bent down-
wardly at the sides of the valves, and are secured at their lower ends to the bottom
plate of the valve box (see Fig. 3).
I have shown the end of the guards adjacent to the crank arms B, as notched so
as to admit of the reciprocation of the crank rods for a short distance within said
guards.
The construction
such, that it is not wholly essential to employ the guide rods b,
as I have shown means whereby an accurate reciprocation of the slides A may be
secured independently of such guide rods.
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page_text: The object of providing the example of the guard shown with openings above the
valve, is to enable an instrument to be inserted for the purpose of tapping the valve to
see that it is firmly seated.
It will be seen that by my improvement I provide a means whereby the accidental
or intentional displacement of the valve slide from its seat is prevented, and whereby
the leakage of gas, owing to such displacement, is avoided.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a meter, the combination with a slide valve, of a guard for preventing the
permanent displacement of the valve, the said guard being near to, but normally out
of contact with the said valve, substantially as specified.
2. In a meter, the combination with a slide valve and a soft metal guide therefor,
of a guard to prevent the permanent displacement of the valve, the said guard being
near to, and normally out of contact with the valve, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of June 1889.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.