AN IMPROVED FLUID METER.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex; for an Invention of AN
IMPROVED FLUID METER. A communication from abroad by Alexander
Kaiser, of Berlin, in the German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th February 1882.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED FLUID METER." [A communication from
abroad by Alexander Kaiser, of Berlin, in the German Empire.]
According to the present Invention fluid meters are constructed as follows:-
A cylindrical casing contains within its lower part a chamber with a tangential
passage having at one end the inlet opening and at the other end the outlet for the
fluid to be measured. In this chamber is arranged a horizontal vano wheel, the
vanes of which project somewhat into the tangential passage, so that the fluid
passing through the latter impinges thereon and causes the wheel to revolve, such
motion being imparted by the axis of the wheel to a counter in the upper part of
the casing. The diameter of the chamber in which the wheel revolves is larger
than that of the wheel measured across the tips of the vanes, so that there exists
an annular space between the vanes and the sides of the chamber, filled with
liquid in a quiescent state. A similar space also intervenes between the tips of
the vanes and the side of the tangential passage, so as to allow free passage of the
liquid through the latter. In some cases the vanes may have small extensions of
part of their surface projecting into such spaces, in order to afford a inore energetic
action. At the inlet end of the tangential passage is forined a chamber containing
a hinged flap-valve, which is pivotted to a rod acted on by a spring tending to
keep the valve closed, in which position it leaves only a very small opening,
sufficient for the passage of the minimum quantity of fluid the meter is required

page_text: to register. On a greater flow of fluid taking place the increased pressure will
force open the valve to a corresponding extent against the action of the spring, the
tension of which is so regulated that the valve is only forced fully open when the
maximum flow of fluid is attained which the meter is required to register. The
flap or valve and its opening are made of a shape corresponding with that of
the vanes of the wheel so that at all times the jet of liquid passing the valve will
correspond in width to the width of the vanes on which it is made to impinge.
In order to obtain a considerable width for the rim of the wheel and its vanes
without making the entire wheel too bulky and massive, the central portion of the
wheel is formed as a thin plate and the top and bottom walls of its chamber are
made with cylindrical projections entering and filling out the spaces thus left on
each side of the central plate within the rim of the wheel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th August 1882.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED FLUID METER." A communication from
abroad by Alexander Kaiser of Berlin in the German Empire.
According to the present Invention fluid meters are constructed as follows:-
A cylindrical casing contains within its lower part a chambér with a tangential
passage having at one end the inlet opening and at the other end the outlet for the
fluid to be measured. In this chamber is arranged a horizontal vane wheel, the
vanes of which project somewhat into the tangential passage, so that the fluid
passing through the latter impinges thereon and causes the wheel to revolve, such
motion being imparted by the axis of the wheel to a counter in the upper part of
the casing. The diameter of the chamber in which the wheel revolves, is larger
than that of the wheel measured across the tips of the vanes, so that there exists
an annular space between the vanes and the sides of the chamber, filled with
liquid in a quiescent state. A similar space also intervenes between the tips of
the vanes ar 1 the sides of the tangential passage, so as to allow free passage of the
liquid through the latter. In some cases the vanes may have small extensions of
part of their surface projecting into such spaces, in order to afford a more energetic
action. At the inlet end of the tangential passage is formed a chamber containing
a hinged flap valve, which is pivotted to a rod acted on by a spring tending to keep
the valve closed, in which position it leaves only a very small opening sufficient
for the passage of the minimum quantity of fluid the meter is required to register.
On a greater flow of fluid taking place the increased pressure will force open the
valve to a corresponding extent against the action of the spring, the tension of
which is so regulated that the valvo is only forced fully open when the maximum
flow of fluid is attained which the meter is required to register. The flap or valve
and its opening are made of a shape corresponding with that of the vanes of the
wheel so that at all times the jet of liquid passing the valve will correspond in
width to the width of the vanes on which it is made to impinge.
In order to obtain a considerable width for the rim of the wheel and its vanes
without making the entire wheel too bulky and massive, the central portion of the
wheel is formed as a thin plate and the top and bottom walls of its chamber are
made with cylindrical projections entering and filling out the spaces thus left on
each side of the central plate within the rim of the wheel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the Drawings shew respectively a vertical section, a sectional
plan and a plan partly in section of the above described improved fluid meter. A
is the casing, B the counter chamber, C the counter mechanism shown separately at

page_text: 8 and 9) which are separated from each other by the extensions n of the blades
when these are in motion. On the apparatus being put in action, the entering jet
(Figs. 2 and 3) intersects the liquid cylinder or cylinders a b c d in such manner
that the parts a dc thereof are prevented from revolving with the wheel while
the parts a b c are converted into one or more direct passages for liquid flowing
through. The action of the entering jet having a certain velocity is namely about
the same as if the two parts a b c and a dc of the cylinder were separated by solid
walls, because it cannot assume any perceptable change of speed and direction
during the short distance x y (Fig. 2). In order to increase the sensibility of the
apparatus for very small quantities of liquid, the blades, teeth or vanes of the
wheel E can be provided either at the middle, or at any other point with projecting
parts n as shewn at Fig. 9. The volume of the rotating mass in the wheel chamber
is reduced to a minimum by the arrangement of the wheel E as shown at Figs. 8
and 9, the only part which is put in motion being that indicated by the black tint.
The bearings p and q (Fig. 1) of the axis of the measuring wheel are lined internally
with a material that will not oxidise in water, so that the friction of the axis will
not affect the accuracy of measurement. By extending the partition M down
into the interior of the wheel as shewn at Fig. 1, tho air carried in by the entering
liquid cannot enter the counter chamber, so long as a free exit of such air is afforded
at the outlet G.
The following are the advantages of the above described improved construction
of meter :-
1, By the use of the fluid cylinder surrounding the measuring wheel the entering
flat jet of the liquid forms for itself a direct straight passage through the apparatus ;
whereby loss of pressure is prevented.
-2, The liquid cylinder surrounding the measuring wheel prevents the possibility
of the action of the apparatus being disturbed by any impurities that may-pass-
through with the liquid.
3, In consequence of the reduction of the volume of rotating liquid in the wheel
chamber, the cominencement of motion of the wheel is facilitated, and it will also
stop more quickly when the supply of liquid ceases.
4, The construction of the measuring wheel shewn enables a comparatively
strong axis o to be employed whereby the durability of the apparatus is
increased.
5, The passage a be formed by the liquid cylinder has a comparatively large
section so that the dimensions of the apparatus as compared with its measuring
power are very small.
6. The prevention of the entrance of air into the counter chamber also prevents
any liquid from escaping between the axis o and its bearing p.
In reading off the figures from the counter Fig. 3, those figures have to be taken
that are nearest to the line 8 t.
The construction of the inlet nozzle H shewn at Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 with
automatic regulation by means of the spring valve I requires the latter to be
brought as near as possible to the measuring wheel, in order that the jet of liquid
for small quantities, the cross section of which is indicated at Fig. 7, may have the
requisite action on the wheel; in addition to this, the spring J obstructs the inlet.
In order to avoid these disadvantages, the construction of inlet shewn at Figs. 10,
11, 11, 12 and 13 may be employed. The supply pipe N, through which the liquid
flows alone when the quantity is so small that the flap O is not opened by its
pressure, opens at the periphery of the wheel E so that the jet will act directly
upon it. The other end of the pipe N, which is of optional length, is fixed to the
plate P of the flap so that the latter can be placed at any convenient point of the
inlet. The flap Ô closes by its own weight, which is so adjusted that the liquid to
be measured only flows solely through the pipe N until the quantity passing
through is sufficient to have the before described action upon the liquid cylinder
a b c d.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 shew constructions of nozzles for apparatus with vertical

page_text: wheel axis, and Fig. 13 shews n construction for a horizontal axis. Fig. 10° shews
a suitable form of blade for the measuring wheel for the inlet shewn at Fig. 10.
Fig. 11 shews a section on line b c d Fig. 11. In the construction of flap
shewn at Figs. 10, 11 and 12 the flap O is pressed against its seat firstly by being
suspended on inclined surfaces and secondly by the position of its centre of
gravity at a point beyond the upper points of support, and displacement of the flap
is prevented in the one direction by the pipe N and in the other direction by the
sides of the chamber T. In the arrangement at Figs. 13 and 13 the displacement
of the flap O is only prevented by the walls of the chamber T. Fig. 14 shewn an
arrangement of lift valve in place of a flap valve, but this arrangement causes
greater loss of pressure on account of the unavoidable deviation of direction of the
jet. The use of the pipe N as guide for the valve should also not be employed in
such cases where the liquid itself or impurities carried with it may cause resistanco
to the movement of the valve. Fig. 16 shews a plan of a flap valve for the con-
struction of wheel blade with central projection as at Fig. 15ª. Fig. 15 shews the
corresponding nozzle. In each of the above described constructions of inlet, the
nozzle is arranged so as to be an entirely separate piece from the other part of
the apparatus, and is secured thereto by the screw cap R. Each of the nozzles
consists of two combined parts S and T in which are secured the flap or valve
plate P and strainer V. When great sensitiveness and accuracy for small supplies
are not required, a simple nozzle without flap or valve may be employed, in which
case the correct action of the apparatus will take place for slightly increased
quantities. The proper regulation of the apparatus is effected in the first instance
at the factory by accurately gauging the opening of the nozzle and by forming a
small notch either in the flap or valve or in the plate thereof.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I
claim -
First. The construction of fluid meter wherein one or more liquid cylinders
surrounding the measuring wheel operate in combination with the entering jet
that the latter transforms a portion of the former into a direct passago and
prevents the other portion of the cylinder from revolving with the measuring
wheel.
Second. The herein described construction of measuring wheel and its chamber
operating in such manner as to reduce to a minimum the rotating body of liquid in
the chamber without requiring to reduce the width and diameter of the measuring
wheel.
Third. The use of projections on the blades or vanes of the measuring wheel as
described in order to increase the sensitiveness of the apparatus.
Fourth. The heroin described construction of the partition M whereby the nir
carried with the liquid is prevented from getting into the counter chamber.
Fifth. The construction of inlet nozzle with regulating flap arranged and operating
as herein described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. So constructing the inlet nozzle with its flap as to be separate and
detachable from the other part of the apparatus, substantially as herein described.
Seventh. The construction of regulating Hap as herein described and shown on
the Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Denton Abel have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.