Improvements connected with Meters for Liquids.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1894-Accepted, 30th June, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Meters for Liquids.
I, JOHN THOMSON, Engineer, of 190 Carrolton Avenue, Brooklyn, in the State
of New York, United States of America, 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 to disc water meters, and the object of the invention is to
improve the operation and simplify the construction of this type of water meter.
But this Specification is not burdened with a description of the "disc action,'
per se, as this device in its application to water meters is well known in the art.
Referring to the accompanying illustrations I have shown an embodiment of my
invention in one completed apparatus and have shown separately the principal
details and also several modifications, and it will be understood that the features of
the invention may be used separately or together as may be required in the varying
conditions to be met in practice.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 is a vertical centre section through the main casing of the meter,
exposing the internal disc casing and disc edgewise in full lines.
Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view developed from Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line A of Fig. 1, the view being upward,
but with the disc casing removed.
Fig. 4 is also a horizontal section on the line A. of Fig. 1, the view being
downward in the direction of arrow B, but with the lower section of the disc casing
and the diaphragm in place.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detached vertical sections enlarged on the radial lines F and G
respectively, of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the disc casing complete with the ball, spindle,
diaphragm and disc thrust controlling stud, a portion of the upper section of
the disc casing being broken away to expose the disc and the said stud.
Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the disc casing developed from Fig. 7 to show the
inlet and outlet ports.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section through the disc casing, the disc, the ball and the
spindle, on the line C of Fig. 7.
Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the construction of the thread
of the cap.
. Fig. 11 indicates a modification in the mode of applying the cap.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view in plan, with a portion of the disc broken
away, showing a modification in the location and application of the disc thrust
controlling stud.
Fig. 13 is a vertical centre section on the line H of Fig. 12 also showing a
modification in the construction of the ball of the disc and its socket, and
indicating a modified device for maintaining the disc in contact with the cone
frusta.
Fig. 14 is a detached edge view of the ball and disc, showing a method of
attaching the disc thrust controlling stud when the disc is formed of a thin
metal plate.
Figs. 15 and 16 show modifications in the construction of the slot in the disc
casing within which the disc thrust controlling stud is adapted to operate.
Fig. 17 is a top plan view showing a part exterior and interior of a meter
adapted for larger service pipes, involving different conditions of application from
that of the smaller type of meter primarily illustrated.

page_text: g. 18 is a vertical section on the lines J and L of Fig. 17, the latter illustration
also indicating a further modified device for maintaining the disc in contact with
the cone frusta of the disc casing.
The several features of this invention will now be described.
The disc casing is made up of two distinct sections 25, 26, Fig. 8, without being
provided as heretofore with a transverse partition or wall for the purpose of forming
the ports, but in place of such partition the sections are sawn or milled crosswise,
forming open slots 27, Fig. 7, and within these slots the diaphragın 28 is inserted,
suitably located circumferentially to form the inlet and outlet ports M. P.
The inner edge of the diaphragm is adapted to receive the ball of the disc 30,
and when it is inserted into the slots towards the sockets, the faces 31 of the disc
casing act as stops to limit its position. When it is once properly located it
preferable to secure it to one of the sections, thus making it a part thereof but
leaving it free to be withdrawn from the slot of the other section.
The lip 32 of the diaphragm extends beyond the perimeter of the disc casing
and is adapted to engage a slot as 33, Fig. 17, in the main casing 34 thus acting to
properly locate the ports of the disc casing with relation to the water channels of
the main casing. One of the particular advantages of this construction and
disposal of the diaphragm is that there is the utmost freedom of delivery of the
fluid to and from the chamber V of the disc casing, as there are no sharp projections
at the intersection of the diaphragm with the inner wall of the disc casing. Now,
when the disc casing has been placed within its bearing in the main casing, the
gasket 35 inserted and the cap 36 applied so that it shall impinge thereon, the disc
casing will be forced to the stop shoulder 37 in the main casing, the entire structure
will be firmly locked in position, and a proper joint-closure between the disc-casing,
the main casing and the cap at the same time will be obtained. The bearing for
the exterior of the disc casing in the main casing may be cylindrical, but I prefer
to employ a tapering bearing as the insertion and removal of the disc casing is
thereby more conveniently accomplished.
Another feature of my invention relates to the relative arrangement of the ports
and waterways, and in carrying this out the disc casing is surrounded at its
periphery by a circumferential chamber R, the exterior of this chamber being the
inner wall of the main casing.
The rib 38 meeting the outer edge of the diaphragm 28, and the rib 39 making
contact with the cylindrical exterior of the disc casing divide the annular chamber R
into two portions (preferably of unequal capacities as shown) while the contact of
the disc casing with the cylindrical bearings 40, 41, of the main casing completes
the closure of the chamber R, so that its only communication is with the inlet pipe
and the inlet port M, and with the outlet port P and the outlet pipe. The inlet
stream is caused to first flow into that portion of the chamber R farthest from the
inlet port M, and this is accomplished in the present instance by curving one of the
walls of the inlet spud as at 42, Fig. 4, to act as a deflector. In the bottom of
the receiving chamber are arranged a number of ribs 43 disposed transversely
therein but of less height than the channel, as best illustrated in Fig. 5, thereby
forming a series of open pockets or recesses disposed below the level of the ports.
The object of thus first deflecting the swift entering stream away from the inlet
port is to deposit in these pockets any obstructions likely to damage the disc,
particularly as in the instance of lead, paste, stones, and gravel, which if rolled
through the inlet pipe will not in like manner be rolled into the disc chamber, but
by descending into the pockets will be entrapped thereby.
In connection with the foregoing an important detail relates to the circular
vertical septum 44 situated in the receiving section of the chamber R; one end of
this septum, that is, the end farthest from the inlet spud, being fixedly secured as
by the pin 45, while the other end bears under spring tension against the face of
the abutment 46, Figs. 3, 4 and 6. The lower edge of the septum makes approxi-
mately close contact with the horizontal face 47 of the main casing, but the upper
edge of the septum is to be free of contact except where it may abut against

page_text: projections as 48, Figs. 3 and 5, for the purpose of definitely limiting its position.
Thus there is provided a narrow circular opening 49 at the top of the septum so
that the flow from the inlet pipe is forced first into the chamber R as arrows 50,
between the septum and the wall of the main casing, thence rising and passing
through the narrow slit as arrows 51, whence the flow reversing passes between the
septum and the wall of the disc casing as arrows 52; until reaching the full space
as arrow 53, it passes at reduced velocity to the inlet port M, and thence through
the disc chamber and outlet port P to the pipe, as best indicated in Fig. 4.
But an important operation of the septum is yet to be pointed out which is that
in the event of the space between it and the wall of the main casing becoming
filled, its free end will then be forced inwardly (see dotted lines 54) by which action
the flow from the pipe will pass directly between the edge of the abutment 46, and
the outer surface of the septum, see dotted arrow 55, Fig. 4, and thence direct
to the inlet port; the septum thus acting as a spring valve.
The advantage derived from the construction and disposal just described is that
when the septum automatically yields permitting the water to flow directly to the
port M, the accumulated debris in the chamber between the septum and the wall of
the main casing is not carried into the space contiguous to the inlet port of the disc
chamber. It will be observed that the free end 56 of the septum, Fig. 4, is
curved outwardly. The object of this is that when the flow is direct to the
port, as dotted arrow 55, the current will be caused to impinge against the outer
wall of the main casing, thus reducing the velocity of particles liable to obstruct
the disc and tending to their gravitation into the pockets provided therefor.
Obviously the septum may be perforated and secured to act partially or entirely
as a strainer. It is to be observed that the discharge from the outlet port P of
the disc chamber is entirely unimpeded, being delivered direct into the outlet pipe;
also that the disposal of the disc casing within the main casing obtains a balance
of pressure in the chambers S, T, above and below the disc casing which is
absolutely similar whether the conditions be dynamic or static, as the water which
reaches and fills the aforesaid chambers must either pass the joints of the ball and
the diaphragm or through special perforations which may be made in the walls of
the disc casings.
Another feature of the invention is in the construction of the thread of the cap
or head 36, and in the manner of supporting the disc casing thereon and in the
construction thereof, whereby in event of the meter being frozen the threads of
the cap will be stripped and the cap, the disc and the disc casing be blown
out, but without injury to the thread of the main casing or to the disc or
disc casing. To form the male thread so that it will certainly yield under a
definite strain, but which shall not be sufficient to damage the female thread
In this
I cut a groove as 58, Fig. 10, at the bottom of the thread of the cap.
manner but amplify in the thread the condition of a beam supported at one
end, so that the depth of this spiral groove, the cross-sectional area remaining
constant, will accurately determine the supporting strength of the thread, which
will thus yield at the root as 59, when the thrust is as indicated by arrow 60. To
5 facilitate the removal of the stripped thread and to also more certainly ensure that
it shall entirely give way and the cap be blown out "clean," the thread may be
mutilated as at 61, Fig. 2. I also remark that while the foregoing construction
may be applied to any form of thread I regard the ratchet form when applied in
the manner here shown, the preferable, as in this wise the pressure transmitted to
0 the cap is sustained on the flat surfaces of the threads, hence there is much less
frictional adhesion than in a V thread, which is an important advantage in removing
the cap. But, that the cap alone shall be capable of being blown out is not
sufficient to protect the internal structure of a meter against freezing when it is
considered that the internal compression, or expansion, as the case may be, if borue
5 by the disc casing would spring and distort it, rendering it unfit for subsequent usc.
This difficulty however is fully overcome in the present construction wherein the
sections 25, 26, of the disc casing are not only held together, but are also forced to

page_text: their seat and to their bearing in the main casing by the cap 36. Hence, if the
water should first congeal in the space S above the disc casing, the pressure
thereby exerted due to the expansion of freezing would be transmitted through
the disc chamber sections to the flange of the cap, when the rupture of the thread
not only relieves the pressure upon the main casing but forces the disc casing
outward with the cap. Again, if the water within the disc chamber has solidified
it will be seen that inasmuch as the two sections of the disc chamber are simply
centered to each other by a snap-joint as Y, and are clamped together only by the
cap, that the disc casing sections are free to separate without distortion immediately
the threads of the cap are ruptured.
Should there be cases in practice where it is preferable to attach the cap by
means of bolts or screws, this may be readily met by such an arrangement as is
shown in Fig. 11. Thus, by cutting a groove as 62, the cap and disc casing may
be blown out without damage to any part excepting only the cap itself, as all the
other details. and conditions remain as in the instance of the screw cap. As a
matter of convenience in assembling and to facilitate inspection when in service,
the cap is provided with a series of projections 63, and the main casing is
also provided with a series of projections 64 so disposed that the cap may be
screwed home or removed by the most simple appliances. Thus, say a screwdriver,
a file, or a rod may be utilized as a lever of great effectiveness as indicated by the
dotted outline z of Fig. 2. The projections on the cap are preferably spaced
equidistant, but the projections on the casing are spaced unequally, by which
arrangement a favorable "bite" is afforded at whatever position rotatively the
cap may be set.
In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown an improved device for controlling the circum-
ferential thrust, see arrows 63 of the disc, consisting in mounting two thrust
rollers 64, on the projecting studs 65, formed on the stud plates 66 and attaching
these stud plates to the disc 30. The rollers operate in slots 67 formed
diametrically opposite each other in the outer wall of the disc casing. The
principal object of this arrangement is to increase the durability of the device, as
not only do two rollers double the area of the wearing surfaces but obviously the
action is in more perfect balance mechanically when considering the effect of the
flow to and from the inlet and outlet ports MP. The manner of attaching the stud
plates shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 is especially intended in the instance of a disc
made from a thin sheet of metal. Thus slots are first made in the disc, the edges
of which are then bevelled forming a V section 68, Fig. 14, and the edges of the
plates are then adapted thereto. Hence, when the plates are forced tightly into
the slots they virtually form a part of the disc and are capable of standing hard
usage without loosening. To prevent them from working outward they may either
be riveted as 69, or soldered along their edges. A ready method of forming the
slot in the disc casing is to first cut a square, open slit entirely across the casing
and to then insert a properly constructed piece 70, Fig. 15, to form the outer
enclosing wall. In the instance of using soft metal in the casings the sides of the
slot as well as the outer wall may all be formed in the inserted piece as shown in
Fig. 16; this being constructed of any material having the requisite hardness to
resist the thrust of the rollers.
It is to be particularly observed that when the rollers 64 are disposed at a right
angle to the diaphragm 28, the slot 71 of the disc will be somewhat wider than if
they were situated on any other angle, for the reason that the maximum slip of the
disc upon the frustra is then on the line of the diaphragm.
This slip or horizontal vibration of the disc is indicated by the broken lines 72,
Fig. 12. Hence, the particular location of the slots with respect to the diaphragm
is not important provided the slots are directly opposite each other. But in the
instance of a disc made of hard rubber the roller may become a headed spindle 73,
as shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 18. I have found that by attaching the disc spindle 74 5
to the disc alone and then adapting thereto the hemispherical ball sections 75,
having a comparatively free bearing on the spindle, their faces or edges, Figs. 9,

page_text: 13, 18, resting against the faces of the disc, that the freedom of action and the
durability of the disc action is increased, due to the fact that the ball sections are
free to revolve upon the spindle; thus from time to time changing the position of
their wearing surfaces. Then, by counter boring the disc casing as at 76, Fig. 13,
to definite stop shoulders 77, and adapting thereto cylindrical bushings 78, as of
hardened steel, compressed graphite, or lignum vitæ, whose inner surfaces are
swept to the curvature of the ball, we have then a combination by means of which
the efficiency and scope of this type of meter may be greatly enhanced. So too,
these socket bushings 78 may be fitted freely in the recesses 76 whereby their positions.
may automatically change differentially with respect to the ball.
In
I have here shown two improved constructions providing a yielding control of
the oscillating action of the disc, the first, Fig. 13, consisting in forming a closed
recess or chamber X beneath the ball and sockets of the disc, into which the lower
end of the disc spindle 74 projects, and in inserting a solid free ball of metal 79 so-
as to act by gravity against the spindle in a proper direction to maintain the disc
in contact with the frusta. Then as the disc spindle revolves it simply rolls the.
ball around in a circuit. The plate 80 upon which the ball rolls is inclined towards
the centre to produce the effect described, but the ball 79 is not intended to fill
the space between the spindle and the vertical side of the chamber, the object of
this being to permit the ball to be driven outward to relieve the disc in event of
obstructions passing between it and the frusta. In fact at high speeds of operation
the controlling ball will tend to relieve the spindle of pressure, which is exactly
The second modified con--
opposite from previous gravity controlling devices.
struction for controlling the oscillating action of the disc is shown in Fig. 18.
this instance a hollow sphere 81 sealed against the introduction of water, is attached
to the lower end of the disc spindle. The proportion of the sphere is such as to
effect sufficient displacement to become actively boyant. Hence, as the sphere will
constantly tend to rise, as denoted by arrow 82, this will exert a constant tension
upon the disc, causing it to mutate in contact with the frusta. Obviously the
sphere will also act to partially or wholly relieve the sockets of the weight of the
ball and of the disc. Moreover if particles of foreign material should be introduced
between the disc and the frusta the disc and ball would vibrate and pass over the
same, thus causing the sphere to swing inwardly towards the centre line I; but the
obstruction passed the sphere would again float outward and upward, resetting
the disc to its normal position. It is to be observed that the correct operation of
these controlling devices involve that the ball and the sphere shall be disposed
below the disc, and that the disc casing shall lie in a horizontal plane.
The arrangement shown in Figs. 17 and 18 is especially intended for meters of
large calibre, for permitting the ready inspection and removal of the disc casing
without removing the main casing from the pipe line, and the especial feature of
this adaptation is in the simple manner of forming the circumferential chamber R.
which consists in applying the detachable annular plate 85 to form the upper wall
of the chamber. Thus when the cap or cover 86 is bolted to place, it also secures
the said plate, which in turn tightly clamps the disc casing downward to its.
seat 87.
It will be understood that the spindle 74 is arranged to operate an internal
differential gear train 90 or some equivalent mechanism, whereby the movements.
of the disc may be indicated on the register 91, but this forms no part of my
present invention and is not specifically described, being well understood by those.
skilled in the art.
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. The disc casing hereinbefore described, having a transverse radial slot and a.
diaphragm inserted in the slot, substantially as and for the purposes described.
ish she dino assing centrally mounted

page_text: therein, and the annular chamber between the two separated into receiving and
discharging portions, and having open pockets, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
3. The herein before described features of construction and arrangement of the
septum in the circumferential chamber between the main casing and the disc casing,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The hereinbefore described construction and arrangement to prevent injury
from freezing, comprising the arrangement of the enclosing cap with mutilated or
weakened threads, and the disc casing in separable sections supported by said cap,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The hereinbefore described improvements in the disc and disc casing,
comprising the friction rollers mounted upon the periphery of the disc and
operating in the disc casing, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein set forth.
6. The hereinbefore described improvement in the application of the ball sections
to the disc spindle, and in supporting the disc and ball in the disc casing by means
of socket-bushings applied to the interior of the disc casing, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein set forth.
7. The herein before described constructions and arrangements of devices for
maintaining the disc in contact with the frusta of the disc casing, substantially in
the manner illustrated in Figs. 13 and 18, and for the purposes set forth.
8. The hereinbefore described special features of construction as illustrated in
Figs. 17 and 18, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated the 23rd dov of Mon 1904
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.