Improvements in Recording Apparatus for Electric-meters.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July. 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1389
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Recording Apparatus for Electric-meters.
We, GEORGE WASHINGTON WALKER, of 400 West 57th Street New York City, in
the County and State of New York, United States of America, Inventor, and
WILLIAM BRACKEN, of 247 5th Avenue, New York City, in the County and State of
New York, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
our said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN RECORDING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC-
METERS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
Our invention relates more especially to means for recording the actions of an
electrical measuring instrament, and has for its main objects simplicity of construction
and accuracy of operation.
As our improvements have been designed more particularly for recording the
different quantities of current used in a given time, in an electric light circuit, we
have illustrated our invention in connection with an ammeter and a system of electric
lighting, although our improvements may be equally well employed in conjunction
with a volt-meter or other electric measuring instrument.
The primary feature or basis of our invention rests in the procuration of a photo-
graphic impression or copy of the fluctuations or variations of the movable or
indicating part of the measuring instrument.
In the carrying out of our improvements, we employ an electric meter, an electric
lamp, or other source of light, a strip or sheet of paper or other substance or material
sensitive to light, and clockwork or other motive power for feeding or advancing the
sensitized substance.
The needle, vibratory arm, or indicating portion of the meter moves over a slot or
opening formed in a plate or partition located between the lamp or source of light and
the moving sensitized substance and causes to be made upon the latter a photographic
impression or line.
The dividing-plate is also formed with a second slot for which is provided a shutter
that is operated at predetermined times to admit light for the purpose of making
transverse lines or divisions upon the sensitized material, and said dividing-plate is
furthermore formed or provided with a series of apertures or perforations for the
constant admission of light upon the traveling sensitized surface for the purpose of
producing thereon a series of longitudinal lines or divisions.
The sensitized substance is arranged within a case or box and by the clock-movement
is adapted to travel from one roller or spool to another. This box is removably fitted
to the clock movement, is arranged within a frame or covering to the whole instrument
or apparatus and is provided with a slide or lid for excluding light from the sensitized
material when the box is detached from the clock-movement and removed from the
apparatus for the purpose of developing the photographic impressions.
Other features of novelty are also provided, all as will be hereinafter more fully
described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,
Figure 1, is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying our invention, a portion
of the outside casing being broken away to afford a view of some of the interior
working parts.
Figure 2, is a horizontal section taken at the line x, x, of Figure 1.
Figure 3, is a front elevation of the clock-work and the box containing the sensitized
material, detached.
Figure 4, is a horizontal section to show the means employed for periodically
actuating the shutter, the box of sensitized paper being removed.
Figure 5, is a diagramatical view illustrating part of our invention.

page_text: Figure 6, is a fragmentary view of the sensitized material after development and
bearing a record of the changes in the meter.
Figure 7, is a view of a modification of our invention.
In the several views, the same part will be found designated by the same letter or
numeral of reference.
5
A designates an ammeter which as seen is included in an electric circuit B, and
contained within a case or box C. The ammeter A illustrated is of well known con-
struction, and does not require any specific description. In lieu of the same other
any
suitable form or construction of ammeter may be employed. Extending from the
axis of vibration 1 of the meter is an arm or needle 2, (figure 1.) whose free end is 1
arranged to swing before a graduated scale fixed or marked upon some stationary part
of the machine. At figure 6 the said scale is shown and is designated by the letter D.
The needle at or near its free end is provided with an elongated hole or opening 3,
which vibrates in front of a long straight slot 4, in a partition or plate 5, secured
preferably in a vertical position in a box or casing E. On each side of the needle is
arranged a shield 6, preferably in the form of a sector for a purpose to be presently
explained. Instead of the construction shown at figure 1, that illustrated at figure 5
may be adopted, wherein the shields and the needle are made of a single piece and
perforated to form the elongated eye B.
In front of the needle and shields is arranged a light, preferably an incandescent
lamp 7, provided preferably with a reflector 8. A cover 9 screwed at 10" to the
casing is preferably placed in front of the lamp. This cover may be provided with
a glass face to permit visual observation of the dial or scale D, and the needle for the
purpose of ascertaining the state of the meter at any desired time.
Within the casing E and back of the plate 5 is arranged a box 10) which rests upon
horizontal supports 11 fixed to the casing and which is held and guided laterally by
vertical flanges 12 formed integral with the supports. The said box 10 is designed
to contain the sensitized material and to be removable from the casing. The sen-
sitized material may be composed of any suitable substance prepared in any known or
suitable way. By preference, I employ the well-known bromide paper. This paper
designated by the numeral 13, is wound in a coil upon a roll or spool 14 mounted to
rotate in the box 10.
The outer end of the coiled ribbon or band of paper passes around guide posts or
rollers 15, 15, at the front of the box and is fastened to another spool or roll 16,
within the box.
The front of the box is cut away or formed with a large rectangular opening 17
to expose the paper to the light from the lamp 7, when the box 10 is within the
casing E and the apparatus is in operation. A slide or cover 18 is provided to close
the opening 17, in order to efficiently prevent the admission of any light to the sen-
sitized paper when the box is removed from the casing for the purpose of developing
or fixing the photographic impressions upon the paper. In order to conveniently
insert and remove the sensitized paper the front a of the box is detachably con-
nected to the sides by means of hooks and eyes c and d.
The opening 17 in the front a of the box is made sufficiently wide and long to
encompass the slot 4 in the dividing-plate 5, as well as a similar parallel slot 19 and
a series of perforations 20 also made in said plate, for the purpose of admitting light
to the sensitized paper through said slots and perforations.
Beneath the box 10 is arranged a suitable motor preferably clock-work, F-for
feeding the sensitized paper or for winding it from the spool 14 to that marked 16
The axis of the latter spool extends below the bottom of the box 10 and is formed or
provided with a hub 21 having a square or angular socket or depression for the re
ception of the square or angular protruding extremity 22 of one of the shafts of the
wheel-work. This makes a simple and effective connection, between the driving
power and the paper to be fed, which may be readily and instantly broken when it i
desired to remove the box containing the paper from the apparatus.
The slot 19 is normally covered by a shutter 23 which is hinged or pivoted at 2
to the plate 5, and which is provided with a spring 25 for a purpose which wi

page_text: presently appear.
This shutter is designed to be automatically operated at given
periods of time to permit the passage of light through the slot 19 to obtain effects
upon the sensitized paper. For this purpose the lower end of the shutter is provided
with an arm or projection 26 that is engaged by a finger 27 connected at 28 to an
arm or lever 29 by a knuckle-joint. The arm or lever 29 is pivoted or fulcrumed
upon the top-plate e of the clock-work and is provided with a lug 30 with which co-
operates a cam 31 secured upon the upper ond of the shaft 32 of the wheel movement.
A spiral spring 33 is provided for maintaining the lever in engagement with the cam
at all times, and a flat spring 34 is provided for keeping the finger 27 in such rela-
tion to the projection 26 as that it may in one direction of movement engage with or
actuate the same and raise the shutter so as to uncover the slot 19.
By periodically admitting light through the slot 19 the sensitized paper is marked
transversely, as indicated by the lines ƒ at figure 6, and hence is divided into known
or given periods of time.
The series of perforations 20 are always open for the passage of the light and by
this means the paper is marked or ruled longitudinally as indicated by the parallel
horizontal lines g, at figure 6. These perforations 20 are preferably calibrated from
or located with reference to the graduations of the scale D. The lines g represent
current-values corresponding to the scale D, and may be divided into periods of five
as shown or otherwise. In the chart or plan shown at figure 6 there are nine lines g
the lowermost being, marked naught or zero, the next, 5, the next 10 and so on to
the uppermost one which is numbered 40. These lines in the present instance are
intended to signify amperes of current.
The straight or rectilinear slot 4 co-operates with the clongated eye or opening 3,
formed in the needle or indicating part of the meter, for the admission of light
to the sensitized paper, and the shields 6 on either side of the eye 3 are made of
such width as to cover at all times all that portion of the slot 4 not in register
with the eye 3, so as to prevent the entrance of any light to the sensitized paper
except through the said eye. If the eye be at zero the upper shield 6 excludes
the light from every part of the slot 4 excepting at that locality, and if the eye
be at 40 the lower shield intercepts the light below that point; while between the
extremes of the slot both shields come into play. It will be observed that the
eye is elongated or made of such length as that it may always coincide with
the straight slot 4 no matter what the extent of vibration of the part 2 may be.
The lamp 7 is preferably included in the circuit. B as illustrated at figure 5, and
is preferably arranged to be lighted only when one or more of the lamps & (or
other translating devices) may be in use. To effect this desideratum I place in the
circuit an electro-magnet 35 and a spring controlled armature 36 which vibrates
between a contact 37 and a stop 38. From one wire of the main line M extends one
wire of the circuit B, which passing through the electro-magnet and the meter,
connects with the lamps G, and from the other wire of the main line extends another
wire which also connects to the lamps G, as usual. The lamp 7 is connected by a
wire to the wire and by a wire to the contact 37, while the armature is con-
nected to the conductor i by a wire m. The armature-spring is marked with the
letter n, and operates to hold the free end of the armature against the contact or
stop 38 when all of the lamps G are out or in disuse. The instant, however, a con-
nection is made at any of the lamps G, the magnet is energized and the free end of
the armature is drawn over to touch the contact 37. This immediately throws the
lamp 7 into the circuit causing it to become incandescent and to produce the
necessary light for photographing the movements of the needle or arin of the meter.
Before the ignition of the lamp 7 the needle or indicating part of the meter stands
at zero, but as soon as said lamp 7 is ignited (which as explained can not occur until
one or more of the lamps G are put into operation) the needle of the meter moves a
distance on the scale D corresponding with the quantity of current being consumed.
The movements of the needle will of course vary in accordance with the number of
lamps in use, and hence will vibrate back and forth irregularly in front of the slot 4.

page_text: This vibration is photographed instantly and accurately upon the traveling band of
sensitized paper, and thus a positive record or representation of the same is secured.
The clock-movement is geared to feed the sensitized paper at any desired speed,
say about one inch per hour. As the paper is wound upon the spool 16 and the
diameter thereof is thus increased the paper will move before the slot 4 at a slightly
increased speed but this is immaterial on account of the employment of the slot 19
and the shutter, whereby at pre-determined times the lines may be made without
regard to the rate of travel of the paper. I prefer to photograph the paper
transversely at each hour, but I may hereafter elect to mark it thus in periods of time
greater or less than one hour.
The sensitized paper may be of such length as to require one month or more to be
wound from one spool to the other. Just previous to the expiration of that time, the
lid E' of the casing may be unlocked and opened by some person in authority (as a
company's collector or inspector) the slide 18 pushed in over the opening 17 and
the box 10 with its enclosed paper removed from the apparatus and carried to a
suitable place for the development of the photographic impressions. At the same time
another box with a fresh roll of sensitized paper may be substituted for that removed,
so as to leave no appreciable break in the recording of the current used.
The photograph may be developed in the usual manner and when the impressions
have been fixed the amount of current used within the given period of time may be
readily read or ascertained.
At figure 6 is represented a developed chart from which it will be observed that
during the first hour about eight amperes of current were used for a few minutes,
and about eleven amperes for about fifteen minutes; that during the second hour
cleven amperes continued to be used for about half an hour when during the next
ten minutes or so the current was increased in quantity to twenty-five amperes; that
during the third hour twenty-five amperes were used for about fifteen minutes and
thereafter only twenty-three amperes were used, and so forth. Thus the quantity of
current passing through the meter during the hour, day, week or month may be con-
veniently ascertained and properly charged to the consumer..
In the manner which we have shown our invention carried out, the cam 31 is
timed to make one revolution in one hour during which time it gradually forces the
arm or lever 2 to the left against the tension of the spring 33. At the end of the
hour the rise or cam proper passes by the lug 30 and the spring 33 pulls the lever
quickly towards the left, during which movement the finger 27 strikes the projec-
tion 26, and opens the shutter. When the finger 27 has in moving in this direction
passed by or parted company with the arm 26, the spring 25 instantly closes the
shutter. As the cam pushes the lever 29 to the left again the finger 27 rides over the
projection 26, against the force of the spring 34. The joint 28 is such that
the finger is free to vibrate upwardly in returning past the projection 26, but is
heid rigidly when swinging in the direction of the arrow at figure 4.
In the modification shown at figure 7, the eye or aperture 3 is omitted from the
needle 2, and the shields 6, 6, are also dispensed with. The light from the lamp 7
being cut off by the needle as it fluctuates the sensitized paper will not be affected
at those portions covered by the needle, but all other portions of the paper will be
exposed to the light and will be acted upon thereby. Hence when the paper is
developed instead of obtaining a chart with a white ground and black record as shown
at figure 6, there will be obtained a black ground with a white record.
We have herein shown our invention carried out in the best forms now known to
us, but appreciating the fact that innumerable changes in detail construction and
arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of our invention, we
desire it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to precisely what we have
shown and described, nor do we limit ourselves to an apparatus containing all the
several features of our improvements for some of them may be used without others
in a contrivance varying in general plan of construction.
Although we have shown our invention employed in connection with an ammeter,

page_text: we do not limit ourselves to the same, for our improvements are adapted to be used
in combination with any other kind or character of electrical measuring instru-
ment, just as well, the gist of our invention consisting in providing suitable means, as
will presently be set forth in the claims, for recording conveniently and accurately
the vibrations, reciprocations, or fluctuations of the movable or current-indicating
portion of an electrical measuring instrument, be it a needle, arm, plate or other
device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1. The combination with an electric meter, of a casing, a source of light, a sub-
stance sensitive to light in a box or compartment within said casing, a partition
between the box or compartment and the source of light, having a slot between which
and the source of light the indicating part of the meter moves or vibrates.
2. The combination of a source of light, a substance sensitive to light, and a partition
having a straight slot with an electric meter whose indicating part is provided
with an elongated eye.
3. The combination of a source of light, a substance sensitive to light, and a
partition having a slot, with an electric meter whose indicating part is provided with
an eye and shields on the right and left thereof equal each in size to the length of
the slot in the partition.
4. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter, of
a source of light, a sensitized substance, a motor for feeding the same, a partition
provided with two slots and a shutter governing one of said slots.
5. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric meter, of
a source of light, a sensitized substance, a motor for feeding the same, a partition
provided with two slots, a shutter governing one of said slots, and means for opening
and closing said shutter at predetermined periods of time.
6. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter, of a
source of light, a sensitized substance, a motor for feeding the same, a partition
provided with two slots, a shutter provided with an arm and a spring, a lever, a cam
for actuating said lever, and a clock-movement for rotating said cam.
7. The combination with an electric-metor, of a source of light, a sensitized sub-
stance, a mechanism for feeding the same, and a partition provided with a series of
apertures for effecting longitudinal ruling of the sensitized substance.
S. The combination with an electric-meter, of a source of light, a sensitized sub-
stance, mechanism for feeding the same, a partition provided with a series of perfora-
tions and a slot, a shutter for said slot, and means for opening and closing said
shutter, whereby the sensitized substance may be ruled longitudinally and
transversely.
9. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter, of
a source of light, a sensitized substance, mechanism for feeding the same, a partition
provided with a series of perforations and two slots, a shutter for one of said slots,
and means for opening and closing said shutter; whereby the sensitized substance may
be ruled longitudinally and transversely and may also receive photographic represen-
sentations or impressions corresponding to the fluctuations of the vibratory or
indicating part of the measuring instrument.
10. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter, of
a sensitized substance, an electric lamp for affecting said substance an electric
circuit including said meter said lamp and translating-devices, and means substan-
tially as described for extinguishing the light of said lamp when all of said
ranslating-devices have been disconnected or thrown into disuse.
11. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter, of
sensitized substance, an electric lamp for affecting said substance, an electric-
ircuit, translating devices, an electro-magnet and a circuit-closer, whereby the said

page_text: lamp is adapted to be lighted as soon as one (or more) of said translating-devices is
-put into use.
12. The combination with the vibratory or indicating part of an electric-meter,
of a suitable casing, a source of light, a box or compartiment removably fitted within
said casing, a sensitized substance within said box, and means for feeding said
sensitized substance.
source of
13. The combination with an electric-meter, of a suitable casing, a
light, a clock movement, a box removably connected to said clock-movement, and a
strip or ribbon of sensitized material within said box adapted to be fed by said clock-
movement.
14. The combination with an electric-meier, of a suitable casing, a source of light,
a box or compartment within said casing, and provided with an opening, a slido
governing said opening, and a sensitized substance within said box.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicants.