IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING OR ASCERTAINING THE FLOW OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOTIVE POWER ENGINES, FOR SCREW DRIVING, MORTISING, DRILLING, SLOTTING, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Henry Robinson, of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS OR APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING OR ASCERTAINING THE FLOW OF WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOTIVE POWER ENGINES,
FOR SCREW DRIVING, MORTISING, DRILLING, SLOTTING, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Henry Robinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th November 1879.
ARTHUR HENRY ROBINSON, of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METERS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING OR ASCERTAINING THE FLOW OF WATER
OR OTHER FLUIDS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOTIVE
POWER ENGINES FOR SCREW DRIVING, MORTISING, DRILLING, SLOTTING, AND
OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to meters or apparatus for measuring or ascertaining the
flow of water or other fluids, and has for its object obtaining simplicity in con-
struction, effectiveness in action, and a reduction of friction, thus realizing a high
per centage of power, whilst at the same time enabling the class of apparatus
referred to to be produced at a low cost.
In carrying out my Invention I propose to employ two chambers or boxes of any
suitable capacity, one end of each chamber or box being open and provided with a
stuffing box or gland, whilst the opposite ends are provided with movable caps or
backs for the convenience of adjusting the valves hereinafter referred to.
I attach the said chambers or boxes to a bed plate or frame, placing them apart
according to pleasure, with the open or gland ends facing each other, and in the
said chambers or boxes I employ an elongated plunger, hereinafter described, which,
when in action, passes through the stuffing boxes or glands for a certain length
forward and backward from one to the other.
The plunger has within it two through chambers, hereinafter termed com-
partments, one of which is provided with inlet valves (by preference of the class
referred to in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to me dated 21 April
1874, No. 717, but with improvements hereinafter described), whilst the other
compartment is provided with outlet valves, also hereinafter more particularly
Price 6d 1

page_text: referred to. The plunger is provided midway with an inlet and an outlet passage
which communicate with their respective compartments. It has also a stuffing box
(situate midway and communicating with the inlet compartment), through which
stuffing box passes a rocking shaft or spindle which carries internally a lever arm
or wiper for actuating the inlet valves.
The plunger has valve seats fixed in the ends of the inlet and outlet coin-
partments, the former facing inwards and the latter outwards; the latter are either
recessed in the plunger or provided with projecting rims surrounding the valves of
required depth.
The two inlet valves are carried upon one and the same spindle, and the two
outlet valves are together carried upon another spindle, the inlet valves opening
and closing alternately the inlet ports; whilst the outlet valves open and close
alternately the outlet ports; the valve stems or rods are screwed or otherwise con-
nected together for convenience. The outlet valves may be made in the shape of
a hollow piston, with passages for the water or other fluid on its periphery, the
piston closely fitting the recesses or rims before referred to.
The inlet valve stem is provided with two shoulders or flanges placed a suitable
distance apart, and between the backs of the valves; this portion of the stem or
rod is slotted in the centre and carries a sliding ferrule or sleeve which is also
slotted, but not to the same extent as the valve stem or rod, or in lieu of slots I
may operate the sliding ferrule or sleeve by means of a forked rod engaging with
projections therein; between each shoulder or flange and the sliding ferrule or
sleeve is placed a helical spring for the purpose of aiding the valve in its passage
from one seat to the other.
The apparatus operates in the following manner:
The water or other fluid being admitted through a flexible tube, for example into
the inlet compartment in the plunger, passes through the open inlet valve to the
chamber or box at that end of the plunger; the water or other fluid pressure closes
the outlet valve at the same end and forces the plunger for a certain length out of
the said chamber or box into the opposite one proportionately, thereby expelling
from the latter chamber or box through the outlet valve, which was opened by the
closing of the former outlet valve, a certain quantity of water or other fluid
equivalent to the cubical bulk of that portion of the plunger driven in, which may
be of any given capacity. The plunger in its passage from one chamber or box to
the other actuates the inlet valves by means of a lever carried on the rocking
shaft or spindle operated by an external stationary tappet, which rocking shaft or
spindle in its turn actuates the sliding ferrule or sleeve, driving it towards the
valve which is off its seat, and thereby compressing the spring at that end until
contact is broken at the opposite end; the action of the water or other fluid
pressure and the spring combined at that moment reverses the position of the
valves, clear space or freedom being allowed so that the other spring shall not have
any counteracting effect upon the action of the valve.
Any ordinary indicating or counting apparatus may be attached for registering
the movements of the plunger and the consequent number of discharges of the
water or other fluids from the chambers or boxes.
If desirable the outlet valves may be furnished with springs placed on the back
of each of the. valves, or fixed in a suitable position in the chamber or box, or they
be constructed in a similar manner to the inlet valves before described; in the
latter case a second stuffing box should be provided in the side of the plunger
similar to the one before described for the inlet valves.
It will be perceived that the only rubbing surface is the stuffing box or gland
closing the mouths of the chambers, and through which the plunger passes; the
friction and the consequent wear and tear of the plunger are thus reduced to a
minimum, and no increase can take place in the measuring capacity of the meter
from grit or otherwise such as frequently occurs in cylinders of ordinary piston
construction.
My Invention is also applicable to motive power engines driven by water,

page_text: steam, or other fluid. When used as a hydraulic engine, for example, a piston rod
from the plunger may be passed through a stuffing box in either ends of the
chambers or boxes, or a forked rod may be applied to the plunger, in which case
the inlet and outlet may form the lugs or pivots for the same. The engines thus
constructed are applicable for screw-driving, drilling, mortising, slotting, and other
purposes. When used as a screw driver or drill, for example, a rod connected to
the plunger may be caused to actuated a nut which is carried on an arm connected
with the plunger and works upon a screw in a similar manner to an archimedian
drill with double or single action.
A mortising chisel may also be operated through the intervention of any
convenient devices.
By substituting india rubber or leather diaphragms for the stuffing boxes or
glands the apparatus may be used as a gas meter, the plunger being modified
accordingly.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Henry Robinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
May 1880.
ARTHUR HENRY ROBINSON, of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METERS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING OR ASCERTAINING THE FLOW OF WATER
OR OTHER FLUIDS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MOTIVE
POWER ENGINES FOR SCREW DRIVING, MORTISING, DRILLING, SLOTTING, AND
OTHER PURPOSES."
My said Invention relates to meters or apparatus for measuring or ascertaining
the flow of water or other fluids, and has for its object obtaining simplicity in
construction, effectiveness in action, and a reduction of friction, thus realizing a
high percentage of power, whilst at the same time enabling the class of apparatus
referred to to be produced at a low cost. The Invention is also applicable to
motive power engines for screw driving, drilling, mortising, slotting, and other
purposes.
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 Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
The several Figures on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings illustrate a water
meter, which may also be used as a hydraulic engine, constructed and arranged
according to one mode of carrying out my said Invention. The several Figures on
Sheet 2 of the Drawings illustrate another modification.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation of
the apparatus constructed according to one modification; Figure 2 is a plan, and
Figure 3 an end elevation of the same.
Figure 3º is an elevation of a portion of the apparatus, the view being taken at
the opposite side to Figure 1.

page_text: Figure 4 is a section of the plunger, hereinafter referred to.
Figure 5 is an end view of the same, and Figure 6 is a cross section of the plunger
taken along the line 1, 2 (Figure 4).
Figure 1 (Sheet 2) represents a side elevation of the apparatus constructed
according to another modification, and Figure 2 is a plan of the same; Figure 3 is
a longitudinal section of the plunger and one of the chambers or boxes, hereinafter
referred to, and Figure 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same.
Referring to the several Figures on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, I
employ two chambers or boxes A, A, Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet 1), of any suitable
capacity, one end a of each chamber or box being open and provided with a stuffing
box or gland, whilst the opposite ends are provided with moveable caps or backs b
for the convenience of adjusting the valves, hereinafter referred to.
I attach the said chambers or boxes to a bed plate or frame A', as shewn in the
Drawing, placing them apart according to pleasure, with the open or gland ends a
facing each other, and in the same chambers or boxes A, A, I employ an elongated
plunger B (shewn in detail in Figures 4, 5, and 6, Sheet 1), which plunger when
in action passes through the stuffing boxes or glands at a, a, for a certain length
forwards and backwards from one to the other.
The plunger has within it two through chambers termed compartments, c being
the inlet or high pressure compartment and d the outlet compartment. The inlet
compartment c is provided with valves L, L, by preference of the class referred to
in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to me, dated the Twenty fifth February
One thousand eight hundred and seventy four, No. 717, but with improvements
hereinafter described. The outlet compartment d is provided with outlet valves N, N,
also hereinafter more particularly referred to. The plunger B is provided midway with
an inlet C and an outlet passage D which communicate with their respective com-
partments cand d, also a stuffing box c¹, Figure 6, situate midway and communicating
with the inlet compartment c, through which stuffing box passes a rocking shaft or
spindle E which carries internally a lever arm or wiper F for actuating the inlet
valves.
The plunger B has valve seats M, M, and M', M³, fixed in the ends of the inlet
and outlet compartments, the former facing inwards and the latter outwards.
The two inlet valves L, L, are carried upon one and the same spindle G, G, shewn
partly in section in Figure 4, and the two outlet valves N, N, are together carried
on another spindle P, also shewn in Figure 4, the inlet valves opening and closing
alternately the inlet ports, whilst the outlet valves open and close alternately the
outlet ports. The valve stems or rods may be made in lengths screwed or other-
wise connected together for convenience. The outlet valves, according to the
arrangement represented in the Drawing, Sheet 1, are made in the shape of a
hollow piston, as shewn at N, with passages e for the water or other fluid on its
periphery, each piston closely fitting the recess or rim f surrounding it.
The inlet valve stem G provided with two shoulders or flanges g placed a
suitable distance apart, as shewn on the Drawing; this portion of the stem or
rod G, G, is slotted in the centre at h, and carries a sliding ferrule or sleeve H
which is also slotted, as shewn on the Drawing; between each shoulder or flange g
and the sliding ferrule or sleeve H is placed a helical spring i for the purpose of
aiding the valve in its passage from one seat to the other.
The apparatus operates in the following manner :-The water or other fluid being
admitted through a flexible tube at C into the inlet or high pressure compartment c
in the plunger B, passes out through the open inlet valve L (the right hand one in
the position indicated in Figure 4) into the chamber or box A at that end of the
plunger; the water or other fluid pressure closes the outlet valve N at the same end,
and forces the plunger for a certain length out of the said chamber or box into the
opposite one proportionately, thereby expelling from the latter chambers or box
through the left hand outlet valve H, which was opened by the closing of the former
outlet valve, a certain quantity of water or other fluid equivalent to the cubical

page_text: bulk of that portion of the plunger driven in, which may be of any given capacity.
The plunger in its passage from one chamber or box to the other actuates the crank
shaft I by means of the slide rods K, and actuates the inlet valves L, L, by means
of a lever F¹ carried on the rocking shaft or spindle E, the latter being operated by
external stationary tappets K³, K₁, which are adjustable along the bar I. The
rocking shaft or spindle E in its turn actuates the sliding ferrule or sleeve H, driving
it towards the valve M, which is off its seat, and thereby compressing the spring i
at that end until contact is broken at the opposite end; the action of the water or
other fluid pressure and the spring combined at that moment reverses the position
of the valves, clear space or freedom being allowed, so that the other spring i shall
not have any counteracting effect upon the action of the valve.
The apparatus as thus described may be used either as a fluid meter or as a
hydraulic engine. In the former case any ordinary indicating or counting apparatus
may be attached for registering the movements of the plunger and the consequent
number of discharges of the water or other fluid from the chambers or boxes.
When it is required to use the apparatus as a meter solely the side rods K, crank
shaft, and the portion of the bed plate under the pedestal and crank shaft, may be
dispensed with.
If desirable a second plunger may be used in a similar manner, each actuating the
valves of the other, and the apparatus thus becomes a double engine or meter.
The several Figures on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawing represent an
apparatus similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to Sheet 1, with
the exception that the mode or means of actuating the valves and the arrangement
of the plungers is slightly different in the two. In the modification shewn in
Sheet 2 the inlet valves L are operated through a gland or stuffing box, provided
in the right hand chamber or box A, instead of through the gland or stuffing box
in the plunger B, the said chamber or box being constructed slightly longer to admit
of the rocking shaft or spindle E being placed therein. Motion is imparted to the
spindle E for operating the inlet valves L, L, by means of the moveable tappet I¹,
which is operated by a rod R from an eccentric R¹ on the crank shaft I, instead
of being actuated by a stationary tappet, as described with reference to the arrange-
ment illustrated in Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
It will be observed in the sectional view of the plunger B, Figure 3, that the
inlet valves L, L, are carried on one plain spindle G, and that they are actuated
from one end by means of a connecting piece S which is fitted on a rod T. This
rod is operated by the wiper F carried on the shaft E, and in its turn actuates the
inlet valves L, L.
Stops U are placed on the rod T which cause the connecting piece S, also provided
with a stop U', to be moved at the proper time. The rod T is fluted and is allowed
sufficient play for this purpose, and is not interfered with by the plunger B, as it is
allowed a passage therein, the plunger B moving up and down on it.
The outlet valves N, N, in the example illustrated in Sheet 2, aro flap valves
connected together by means of a link P which is provided with a slot in the
centre. These valves are actuated by means of a wiper shaft V, which is operated
by means of a stationary tappet bar W screwed to the chambers A, A; Y
represents a guide bar to prevent the plunger B from oscillating.
The inlet part is shewn at C on the off side of Figure 1, Sheet 2, the outlet at
the bottom D, in Figure 1, Sheet 2, the bed plate being slotted in the centre to
admit of this portion of the plunger passing to and fro.
It will be perceived that in my improved meter or engine the only rubbing
surface is the stuffing box or gland closing the mouths of the chambers, and
through which the plunger passes. The friction and the consequent wear and tear of
the plunger are thus reduced to a minimum, and in the case of meters no increase
can take place in the measuring capacity of the meter from grit or otherwise such
as frequently occurs in cylinders of ordinary piston construction.
My Invention is also applicable to motive power engines driven by steam or
other fluid than water.

page_text: The engines thus constructed, and when driven by any suitable fluid, are
applicable for screw driving, drilling, mortising, slotting, and other purposes.
When used as a screw driver or drill, for example, a rod connected to the plunger
may be caused to actuate a nut which is carried on an arm connected with the
the plunger, and works upon a screw in a similar manner to an archimedean drill
with double or single action.
A mortising chisel may also be actuated through the intervention of any
convenient devices.
By substituting india rubber or leather diaphragms for the stuffing boxes or
glands, the apparatus may be used as a gas meter, the plunger being modified
accordingly.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, 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. An elongated plunger with inlet and outlet passages, and with high
pressure chambers and inlet valves within the plunger, substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The measurement of fluids by the use of an elongated plunger with
internal and external valves, in the working of which the fluid to be measured
passes from a chamber within the said plunger and actuates the same, substantially
in the manner herein before described.
Thirdly. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting apparatus,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated on
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting
apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illus-
trated on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Henry Robinson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Fifth day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
ARTHUR HENRY ROBINSON. (L.S.)