IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, ALSO ADAPTED TO SERVE AS MOTORS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, AIMÉ BONNA, of Paris in the Republic of France, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, ALSO
ADAPTED TO SERVE AS MOTORS' to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to meters for water, gas, and other fluids, which meters
may also be employed as motors.
The improved meters present, as compared with meters heretofore employed,
numerous advantages amongst which I shall mention the following that is to say:-
The improved meter operates with considerable speed and has sufficient capacity to
measure a large supply whilst at the same time its extreme sensitiveness enables it
to measure also the smallest supply; moreover the simplicity of its parts permits to
be easily kept in repair and reduces the liability of its getting out of order, which
has been so often the case with apparatus heretofore constructed; its moderate price.
renders it applicable to all situations even to that of private apartments; lastly the
said meter is provided with a dial or index arranged so as to facilitate the reading
of the amount of fluid or gas supplied.
This apparatus, which is hereinafter described, is based upon the following
principles that is to say firstly; Partial utilization upon a first receiver composed
of one or several helicoidal wheels, of the speed with which, liquids, fluids, gases,
vapours or the like, the supply of which requires to be measured, enter the
apparatus; secondly, utilization of the excess of the up-stream pressure over the
down-steam pressure by means of a second receiver composed of one or several
cylinders and pistons connected together and with one and the same shaft which is
also connected directly or indirectly with the first receiver; thirdly the employment
of a register with dial or index permitting a correct valuation of the volume of
the liquid or fluid which has passed through the apparatus.
According to the said invention the mechanism is entirely enclosed in a cast
iron casing provided with two pipes, one of which serves for the admission of fluids
and the other for their exit; This casing is closed at its lower part with a curved
base and at its upper part with a lid also curved, and which is jointed by means
of an india-rubber ring.
The apparatus comprises one or more helicoidal wheels or screws arranged in a
chamber, and two cylinders in which move pistons which are connected with the
main shaft actuated directly or indirectly by the said screw or screws. The main
shaft carries a cam which actuates a slide-valve by means of a rod or a lever

page_text: according as the position of the said slide-valve is vertical or horizontal; a chamber
is provided with which the two cylinders communicate and from which the flow of
fluid to the cylinder is effected by means of the said valve which may be placed
horizontally or vertically as required. Each partial or total revolution of the main
shaft is registered by a dial or index placed at the side, or upon the upper part of
the lid.
The water, as it is admitted through the inlet pipe into the meter, passes through
a filter and deposits thereupon all the matters in suspension therein. The water
subsequently enters the chamber in which the screw rotates, through small apertures
inclined in the direction of the rotary movement of the said screw. After having
acted upon the said screw the said water passes, under pressure, into another
chamber; it thence passes to the measuring cylinders through the distribution
chamber, and acting upon the pistons connected to the main shaft, imparts to the
latter a rotary movement, the fluid subsequently escaping through the exit pipe.
The plate on which the slide-valve moves has three apertures or ports two of
which serve to put the cylinders in communication with the distribution-chamber,
the third being connected with the exit pipe. The distribution chamber in which
a single slide-valve is employed is a particular feature of this apparatus.
The channel communicating with each port is bifurcated to form two channels
one of which passes to one cylinder and the other to the other cylinder. The exit
channel is likewise divided into two branches.
:
The upper and lower portions of each cylinder communicate with the exit
passage. If the water is allowed to flow, the pistons begin to move and a quantity
of water equal to the capacity of the cylinder above or below the pistons is expelled
through the exit pipe. At the time when the pistons are about to reach 'the'
extremities of their strokes, the eccentric reaches also the end of its revolution and
rapidly moves the slide valve by means of a lever disclosing the port which was
closed and closing the port which was open, also putting it in communication with
the exit port.
The rods of the pistons pass through stuffing boxes in the upper extremities of-
the cylinders and are connected to the cranks by means of an elongated stirrup and
a sliding piece.
I employ in this apparatus a peculiar kind of stuffing box designed to separate
the mechanism from the chamber containing the fluid; the stuffing box consists of
an india rubber ring fitted into a notch formed in the main shaft; this ring is
lubricated, and two grooves are formed for the purpose of retaining the lubricant;
the said stuffing box is thus kept constantly lubricated and is perfectly water-
tight.
I arrange upon the exit pipe a flap-valve designed to prevent any return of the
water, and upon the admission pipe I arrange an air-chamber in order to prevent
any shocks to the apparatus.
It will be readily understood that the arrangement above described is not
absolute, thus the screw may be replaced by any other suitable apparatus and may
be placed vertically or horizontally as required. The said screw inay be mounted
upon the main shaft or be connected thereto by means of gearing. The main shaft
may be mounted on pivots or upon bearings and be actuated by any suitable
means.
I may use in this apparatus any kind of pistons, such as pistons provided with
flexible discs, especially when the meter is intended to be used as a dry meter for
gases.
-
It is obvious that I may use single-acting cylinders if required or only one
double acting cylinder, for instance, or increase the number thereof.
The apparatus is provided with a special register and dial or index which is
placed on the outside wall of the 'meter, and receives motion from an arm keyed
upon one of the extremities of the main shaft.. The registering mechanism is,
arranged in such a manner that the pointers are always in juxta-position with the
figures of their respective dials or indices, and that the movement from one to the

page_text: other takes place intermittently, that is to say that each pointer jerks suddenly
from one figure to the following figure.
Each wheel in the register carrying the pointer of one of the dials or indexes is
provided with another upon which are placed 10 Figures of sufficient dimensions
to be easily read and which appear through an aperture arranged above the dial or
index; this simple arrangement facilitates the reading of the numbers registered
by the apparatus and prevents any error in the calculation of supplies.
The pistons may consist of sheet iron receptacles closed at their upper parts by
iron covers having the shape of spherical segments upon which are fixed the piston
rods connected with sliding stirrups. The lower parts of these receptacles may
plunge into water which forms a hydraulic joint but they preferably enter glyceriue
in order to obviate the action of frost.
To ensure the pistons moving in a vertical direction, rollers are arranged at their
upper parts and roll freely in grooves formed for that purpose inside the apparatus.
The two cylinders in which these pistons or receptacles move are connected.
together by two lateral channels which maintain the liquid therein at the same
level; moreover, in order to ensure the constancy of this level, a vessel arranged in
the same manner as a Mariott vessel serves for the introduction of the liquid; for
this purpose the vessel is provided with a screw filling plug and with a pipe
situated at its lower part and having a cock.
It is obvious that a constant level of the liquid in the meter could likewise be
obtained by means of a float rod and valve.
When the apparatus is used as a dry gas-meter I employ pistons having flexible
or membraneous discs, or pistons having a flexible cylindrical casing; however,
I may also use the arrangements of receptacles above mentioned, only as there
must not be any liquid in the meter the joint between the peripheries of the said
receptacles and that of the cylinders are rendered water tight by means of india
rubber rings rolling freely between these pieces, the movement of which is limited
by means of two metallic rings fixed to the upper and lower parts of the receptacles.
This form of joint and of piston is equally applicable to fluid meters, whether single
or double acting. As above mentioned, the apparatus just described may also be
used as a 'motor; it is sufficient for this purpose to arrange two brackets carrying
the bearings and to key upon the extremities of the main shaft a fly wheel and
transmitting pulleys.
When the apparatus is used as a gas engine it is necessary to use several screws
and to give the blades a peculiar shape permitting the speed of the fluid jet to be
counteracted; moreover between the shaft of the motor and the axis of the screws
a sufficient train of gear wheels must be interposed to maintain between these
various parts proper relative speeds.
These motors may be provided with an arrangement for fixed or variable
expansion and may be constructed with or without condensers.
Dated 101
J
C
12004
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant:

page_text: I, AIMÉ BONNA, of Paris, France, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, ALSO ADAPTED TO
SERVE AS MOTORS" and in what manner the same is be performed, to be parti-
cularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to meters for water, gas, and other fluids which meters
may also be employed as motors.
The improved meters present as compared with meters heretofore employed,
numerous advantages amongst, which I shall mention the following. The improved
meter operates with considerable speed and has sufficient capacity to measure a
large supply whilst at the same time its extreme sensitiveness enables it to measure
also the smallest supply, moreover the simplicity of its parts permits it to be easily
kept in repair and reduces the liability of its getting out of order which has been
so often the case with apparatus heretofore constructed; its moderate price renders
it applicable to all situations even to that of private apartments, and lastly the
said meter is provided with a dial or index arranged so as to facilitate the reading
of the amount of fluid which has passed through it.
This apparatus, which is hereinafter described is based upon the following
principles that is to say firstly. Partial utilization upon a first receiver, composed
of one or several helicoidal wheels, of the speed with which, liquids fluids, gases,
vapours or the like, the supply of which requires to be measured, enter the
apparatus, secondly, utilization of the excess of the up stream pressure over the
down stream pressure by means of a second receiver composed of one or several
cylinders and pistons connected together and with one and the same shaft which is
also connected directly or indirectly with the first receiver, thirdly the employment
of a register with a dial or index permitting a correct valuation of the volume of
the liquid or fluid which has passed through the apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a water meter constructed according to this
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a cross section.
Figure 4 is a view of the slide and its driving mechanism.
Figures 5, 6, 7 are views illustrating various modifications of the registering
apparatus.
Figure S is a vertical longitudinal section of a gas-meter constructed according
to this invention.
Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section of the same.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of a meter with oscillating vertical
slides.
Figure 11 is a vertical transverse section showing an end view of an oscillating
vertical slide and its frame.

page_text: Figure 1 e arrangement of
piston-rod.
•
Figures 13 and 14 are a front and side elevation respectively showing the con-
nection of the piston rods and cranks by means of plates having grooves the form
of which is determined by calculation.
Figure 15 is an elevation showing the mode of supporting the main shaft by
means of rollers.
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate in elevation and section the registering apparatus of
the meter.
Figure 18 is a detail view showing the method of connecting the axes of the
dials of the registering apparatus representing the various figures of the units.
I will first describe the fluid meter shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3. In this arrange-
ment the mechanism is entirely enclosed in a cast iron casing M provided with two
pipes E F the former of which serves for the admission of liquids and the other for
their exit. The casing is closed at its lower part by a curved base and at its
upper part by a lid also curved and which is jointed by means of an india rubber
ring.
This apparatus comprises one or more helicoidal wheels or screws R arranged in
a chamber, and the cylinders K K' in which move the pistons P1 P2 connected with
the shaft J actuated directly or indirectly by the wheel R; a shaft J carrying a
cam C which actuates the slide valve T by means of a rod or a lever according as
the position of the said slide valve is vertical or horizontal; and a distribution
chamber D through which the two cylinders K K¹ communicate and from which the
flow of fluid to the cylinder is effected by means of the said valve which may be
placed horizontally or vertically as required.
Each partial or total revolution of the shaft J is registered by a dial or index
placed at the side or upon the upper part of the lid.
The water is admitted through the inlet pipe E into the chamber A whence it
passes through a filter G and deposits thereupon all the matters in suspension
therein. The water subsequently enters the chamber of the wheel R through.
small apertures B inclined in the direction of the rotary movement of the said
wheel or screw. After having acted upon the said screw the water passes through
the apertures I having the shape of sectors and enters the chamber U under
pressure. It thence passes to the measuring cylinders K K' through the distribu-
tion chamber D, and acting upon the pistons P¹ P³ connected to the shaft J imparts
to the latter a rotary movement, the fluid subsequently escaping through the exit
pipe F.
The face on which the slide valve moves has three apertures or ports, two, 0¹011,
of which serve to put the cylinders in communication with the distribution
chamber, the third S being connected with the exit pipe. The distribution
chamber D, a view of which is shewn on Figures 1 and 2 and in the arrangement
of which a single slide valve is employed, is a particular feature of this apparatus.
In the said arrangement the communicating channel corresponding with the port O'
divides into two branches forming two channels X X one of which is connected
with the cylinder K and the other with the cylinder K¹. The channel corre-
sponding to the port O" is likewise divided into two branches Y Y, one of which
extends to the cylinder K and the other to the cylinder K¹. The exit port.
communicates with the outlet pipe.
In the position shown in Figure 4 the slide valve covers the ports O' and S the
port O being open. The upper portion of one cylinder and the lower portion of
the other cylinder then communicate with the exit passage F through the channels X.
If the water is allowed to flow it acts upon the upper face of the piston P' and the
lower face of the piston P" whereby the said pistons begin to move and a quantity.
of water equal to the capacity of the cylinders below the piston P¹ and above the
piston P2 is expelled through the exit pipe. At the time when the pistons are
about to reach the extremity of their strokes, the excentric C rapidly moves the
slide valve by means of the lever H uncovering the port O" and at the same time

page_text: closing the port O" which is then in communication with the exit. The water
now acts upon the lower face of the piston P¹ and the upper face of the piston P²,
whereby the pistons are again set in motion in an opposite direction and force out
a fresh and equal quantity of water.
The rods of the pistons P1 P2 pass through stuffing boxes Q in the upper
extremities of the cylinders and are connected to the cranks of the shaft J by
means of elongated stirrups V having bearings sliding therein.
I employ in this apparatus a peculiar kind of stuffing box designed to separate
the mechanism from the chamber U containing the liquid; this stuffing box
consists of an india rubber ring W fitted into a notch formed partly in the shaft J
and partly in the division wall. This ring is lubricated and two grooves are
formed for the purpose of retaining the lubricant; the said stuffing box is thus
kept constantly lubricated and is perfectly water tight.
I arrange upon the exit pipe a flap or check valve designed to prevent any
return of the water; and upon the admission pipe I arrange an air chamber in
order to prevent any shocks to the apparatus.
It will be readily understood that the arrangement above described is not
absolute, thus the screw R may be replaced by any other suitable apparatus and
may be placed vertically or horizontally as required, the said screw may be
mounted upon the shaft J or be connected therewith by means of gearing The
shaft J instead of being mounted on pivots as shewn in Figure 1 may be mounted
. upon bearings, and be actuated by any suitable means.
I may use in this
apparatus any kind of pistons; pistons provided with flexible rings are especially
applicable when the meter is intended to be used as a dry meter for gases.
It is obvious that I may use single acting cylinders if required, or only one
double acting cylinder, for instance or increase the number thereof.
In some cases, I may dispense with the screw R in order to simplify the
construction of the apparatus and to reduce the cost thereof.
The apparatus is provided with a special register and dial or index, several
specimens of which are shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7. This register which is
placed on the outside wall of the meter receives motion from an arm Z keyed upon
one of the extremities of the shaft J, and its mechanism is arranged in such a
manner that the pointers are always in juxta-position with the figures of their
respective dials or indices, and that the movement from one to the other takes
place intermittently, that is to say each pointer moves suddenly from one figure to
the following figure. Each wheel in the register, carrying the pointer of one of the
dials or indices, is, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, provided with another wheel m
upon which are placed 10 figures of sufficient dimensions to be easily read, and
which appear through an aperture arranged above the dial or index. This simple
arrangement facilitates the reading of the numbers registered by the apparatus and
prevents any error, in the calculation of supplies.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 7 which is more complete than the
preceding arrangement, the train of wheels of the dials or indices actuate a counting
apparatus with small wheels, the figures of which shew at first sight the volume of
liquid which has passed through the apparatus.
Figures 8 and 9 shew the special arrangement of the apparatus when used as a
gas meter.
The pistons in this meter consist of sheet iron receptacles a closed at their upper
parts by iron covers having the shape of segments of a sphere, upon which covers
are fixed the piston rods connected with sliding stirrups. The lower parts of these
receptacles may be immersed in water which forms a hydraulic joint, but they
preferably enter glycerine in order to prevent the apparatus being affected by
frost.
To ensure the pistons moving in a vertical direction, rollers e are arranged at
their upper parts and roll freely in grooves formed inside the apparatus.
The two cylinders in which these pistons or receptacles move are connected
together by two lateral channels b which maintain the liquid at the same level in

page_text: both cylinders. In order to ensure the constancy of this level, a vessel c arranged
in the same manner as a "Mariott" vessel serves for the introduction of the
liquid; for this purpose the vessel c is provided with a screw filling plug d and
with a pipe fsituated at its lower part and having a cock through which the
liquid is conveyed to the channel 6 above mentioned; apertures between the
vessel c and the surface of the liquid in the meter ensure the automatical operation
of the apparatus.
It is obvious that a constant level of the liquid in the meter could likewise be
obtained by means of a float rod and valve.
The meter thus arranged operates in the following manner, that is to say The
gas is admitted through the pipe E into the chamber A of the meter, and enters
subsequently by means of apertures into the chamber of the screw R. After having
acted by reason of its speed upon this screw, the gas leaves this chamber and enters
the chamber U still preserving its pressure. It thence passes to the measuring
cylinders by means of the three ports, and corresponding slide valve T and acts
upon the pistons coupled to the shaft, imparting to the said pistons alternate
rectilinear movements in opposite directions, the gas escaping afterwards through
the exit pipe.
When the apparatus is used as a dry gas-meter I employ pistons having flexible
or membranous discs, or pistons having a flexible cylindrical casing, however
I may also use the arrangements of receptacles above mentioned, only, as there
must not be any liquid in the meter, the joints between the peripheries of the said
receptacles and of the cylinders are rendered water-tight as shown on the right
hand side of Figure 8 by means of india rubber rings g rolling freely between these
pieces The movement of these rings is limited by means of two metallic rings h
fixed to the upper and lower parts of the receptacles a. This form of joint and of
piston is equally applicable to fluid meters whether single or double acting.
As above mentioned the apparatus just described may also be used as a motor; it
is sufficient for this purpose to arrange two brackets carrying bearings and to key
upon the extremities of the main shaft J a fly wheel and transmitting pulleys.
When the apparatus is used as a gas engine it is necessary to use several screws
and to give the blades thereof a peculiar shape permitting the speed of the fluid jet
to be counteracted; moreover between the shaft of the motor and the axis of the
screws a sufficient train of gear wheels must be interposed to maintain between
these various parts proper relative speeds.
These motors may be provided with an arrangement for fixed or variable
expansion and may be constructed with or without condensers.
Figures 10, 11 and 13 illustrate a modification of the system of distribution in
which vertical slides are employed the number of which is equal to that of the
cylinders and which are placed upon the sides of the distributing chamber A.
Each slide is formed of a small pendulum oscillating upon a shaft a placed
above the shaft B of the meter and supported by a bracket E situated upon
the distributing chamber A.
These pendulums have a frame portion for the passage of the shaft B and a cam
keyed upon the latter.
At every half revolution the cam causing the slide to oscillate reverses abruptly
the distribution of the water in the cylinder, when the piston which corresponds to
this slide has arrived at the lower end of the stroke.
The piston rods and cranks are coupled by means of stirrups and slotted frames
enabling connecting-rods, to be dispensed with thus reducing the height of the
apparatus to the smallest possible dimension.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 12, the driving mechanism remains the
same, with the exception that the stirrup in which the slide of the crank shaft
moves is modified as follows. The two guides of the stirrup upon which the slide
moves are connected by two hollow columns through which two rods pass. These
rods serve as guides and are fixed vertically upon the upper part of the cylinder
parallel to the piston-rod.

page_text: The stirrup can be placed horizontally as indicated in the drawings or it may be
slightly inclined, in order to pass with greater facility over the dead points.
As illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 the piston-rod carries instead of a stirrup, a
plate in which a groove is formed. The crank pin is then provided with a roller
running in the said groove.
The curvature of this groove is such that the dead points are overcome with
facility.
Upon the apparatus is placed a device represented in Figure 10 for the purpose
of ascertaining any escapes which may take place through the packing of the
pistons. This device consists simply of a key P passing, above one of the piston-
rods, through a stuffing box in the upper wall of the apparatus.
This key enables the motion of the pistons to be stopped when the cocks are
open. If there is any loss of water, it is ascertained by the outflow of liquid.
Having described the means by which any escape can be detected I will proceed
to examine those which are employed for obviating it.
I have adopted for this purpose a peculiar type of piston represented in figure 10.
This piston is made of two movable parts connected by their rods and if requisite
by fastening bolts. The joint is formed by inserting caoutchouc or similar rings
behind which the water under pressure from the cylinder enters by small channels
formed in the body of the piston. In this manner the water by its own pressure
renders the joint absolutely tight.
As regards the pistons for the gas metres, they are constructed either as bells
with caoutchouc packings wound helically, or simply in the form of ordinary
pistons.
If a meter is to operate properly it is essential that it should be sensitive, that is
to say that it should be subjected to as slight passive resistances as possible.
In order to have only a minimum resistance, the main shaft is secured upon
points figure 10, or it is supported by a system of bearings with rotary rollers
figure 15 which latter arrangement presents the advantage of causing only rolling
friction.
The system of lubrication of the various parts for transmitting the motion is
automatic and has the peculiarity of continually purifying the oil by passing it
through the water, thus preventing its being transformed into "gome." It consists
simply in placing in the space which contains the main shaft and the parts for the
transmission a bath of oil Hoating upon the top of a bath of water.
The oil being continually kept in motion by the transmission is washed in the
water upon which it,swims and provides a perfect lubricating substance, because
the joints are constantly being moved in the lubricating material.
It is evident from the foregoing description that I make use of a spherical screw.
turbine for assisting the pistons at the moment of their passage over the dead
points.
This screw or turbine figure 10 is loose upon the shaft B and carries a pinion p
which gears with a wheel of larger diameter. Upon an intermediate shaft c is
keyed a pinion gearing with the wheel which is of large diameter and keyed
upon the main shaft B of the meter. By reason of the differences of radii between
the toothed wheels of this series, a determined proportion may exist between the
velocity of the screw or turbine and that of the shaft.
The registering apparatus which is driven as above stated by means of a
prolongation of the rod for actuating the rotary slide, receives its motion, in the
case of the vertical oscillating slides, by means of an endless screw placed upon
the main shaft B and gearing with a pinion secured upon the driving shaft of the.
registering apparatus, as shown in Figures 10 11 and 13.
Figures 16; 17 and 18 illustrate my system of registering dial-plates.
A new system of actuating mechanism for the dial-plates is shown in Figure 17
which mechanism causes the figures appearing in the apertures shown in Figure 16
to spring forward,

page_text: The large wheel h termed the runner has its pinion i fixed upon its axis which
pinion drives the wheel j by means of which the hectoliters are indicated.
The wheel which gears with the wheel j is the driving wheel of the wheels m
and for the cubic meters. The series of gear wheels at the bottom do not exhibit
any peculiarity, unless it be that they always turn the hands from left to right
upon the dials, owing to the intermediate pinions q and n.
The shaft of the gear wheel by which means the cubic meters are indicated
carries a scroll wheel or cam l. This wheel bears against a rod acted upon by a
spring, which causes the ratchet-wheel T to advance one tooth, at each revolution
of the wheels and l, through the medium of a pawl t fixed upon the said rod;
after each complete revolution of the wheel , the push rod moved by the spiral
spring advances the wheel T one tooth. The push rod moving quickly causes the
wheel T to turn through a certain angle and permits the figures it carries to be
presented successively in the apertures placed above the dials upon the cover. In
order to prevent back-motion, a small pawl S is placed at the upper side of the
wheel T.
The wheel T has fixed upon its axis a wheel v Figure 18 which constitutes the
driving wheel.
It has one single tooth which engages with the notches u of the wheel V and
causes it to turn through the distance of a single tooth at every revolution of the
wheel v.
No stop is necessary in this motion, because the driving wheel serves as a
stop by engaging in the concavities of the teeth. The wheel V carries in its turn a
driver with a single tooth which actuates the following wheel, and so on.
It is understood that the registering apparatus may be limited to the latter
system exclusively without the ordinary gear-wheels, placed below and actuating
the dials, being employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
First. The improved registering meter for water, gas or other fluids constructed
as herein before described and shown in the accompanying drawings and capable of
being also used as a motor.
Second. The arrangement in the inlet chamber of the meter, of one or more
helicoidal wheels, screws or turbines of suitable form designed to utilize the speed
possessed by the fluid as it enters the apparatus through apertures arranged
obliquely to the direction of the rotation of the screw or turbine, the latter being
either directly or indirectly connected with the shaft of the meter.
Third. In a fluid meter, coupling upon a single shaft, the piston rod or rods of the
measuring cylinder or cylinders, the number of which may vary as required; the
said cylinder or cylinders being either single or double acting as above described.
Fourth. The arrangement in the distribution chamber of the meter, of a single
slide valve for controlling the operation of the pistons of the cylinders, the said
alide valve being actuated by a cam mounted upon the shaft of the meter,
substantially as described.
Fifth. The employment of a joint formed of an india-rubber ring arranged in
the manner above described, for preventing the entrance of water from the water
chamber to the mechanism of the meter.
Sixth. The employment in gas meters of equilibrated receptacles immersed in a
tank of, water or glycerine and guided in their motions, substantially as, and for
the purposes, described.
Seventh. The application in dry gas. meters of pistons having flexible or
membranous discs or of equilibrated receptacles provided upon their peripheries
with annular rings capable of rolling freely between the external surfaces of the
receptacles and the internal surfaces of the cylinders which contain them.
Eighth. The employment of registering mechanism in which the wheel carrying
the pointer of each dial moves suddenly from one figure to another and is provided
with a disc having upon its periphery 10 figures which appear successively in

page_text: apertures formed above the dial, in order to facilitate the reading of the indications
of the meter.
Ninth. When using the apparatus herein before described as a motor, mounting
upon the shaft with which the pistons are coupled, a fly-wheel and pulleys designed
to transmit the power exerted upon these pistons.
Tenth. The modification of iny invention wherein I dispense with helicoidal
wheels or screws for the purpose of lowering the cost price of the apparatus.
Eleventh. In a fluid meter, the employment of a check valve for preventing back
pressure and of an air vessel for preventing shocks to the mechanism.
Twelfth. The employment in a gas meter of a vessel designed to ensure the
constancy of the level of the liquid contained in the measuring cylinders.
Thirteenth. The employment of vertically oscillating slides set in motion through
the medium of frames and grooved cams upon the main shaft of the apparatus,
the number of these slides being equal to the number of measuring cylinders
employed.
Fourteenth. The mode of guiding the horizontal or inclined stirrup at the end
of the piston-rod by means of two small cylinders sliding upon two rods fitted
parallel to the piston rod.
Fifteenth. The method of connecting the piston rods with the driving shaft by
means of plates attached to the piston rods and provided with grooves in which
the crank pins fitted at the extremities of the main shaft run, as represented in the
drawings.
Sixteenth. The method of constructing the pistons with two leather or
caoutchouc rings, the pressure of the fluid acting (pon the back of the said rings so
to press them against the surface of the cylinder and ensure a perfect fit.
Seventeenth. The key P placed above one of the pistons and passing through a
stuffing-box, in order to ascertain if any escape takes place.
Eighteenth. The train of gear wheels serving for the transmission of motion
between the turbine or screw and the main shaft with the object of enabling this.
turbine and its shaft to rotate at different velocities.
Nineteenth. The improved registering dial indicating on the one hand the
number of revolutions of the main shaft by means of hands moving continually
upon the various dials, and on the other hand, by means of figures marked upon
discs and appearing suddenly through small apertures, these discs being actuated
by means of a spiral cam and a sliding rod pressed upon the periphery of this
wheel by a spring and carrying a pawl which moves a ratchet-wheel secured upon
the same shaft as the disc indicating cubic meters, the said disc taking with it in
its movement a wheel having a single tooth which actuates another toothed wheel
fastened upon the shaft of the disc, through the medium of which the tens of the
cubic meters are indicated, and so on.
Twentieth. The automatic lubrication of the mechanism consisting in causing the
transmitting parts to move in oil, floating upon water, this oil being constantly
wasbed in the said water by being passed through the same, thus preventing the
'gome."
formation of "
רד
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