Improvements in or relating to Gas and other Fluid Meters.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1869-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Gas and other Fluid Meters.
I, FRED E. YOUNGS, of Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny and State of
Pennsylvania, U.S.A., Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
PROPORTIONAL METERS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement. :-
My invention relates to improvements in or relating to gas and other fluid meters,
and it consists in,
1. The combination of an inlet pipe from which a portion of the gas is allowed to
pass through the ineter to be measured, and the other portion allowed to pass to the
larger opening of a proportional valve, a partition which separates the gas which is
passed from the meter from the gas which is shunted by the meter, and a weighted
diaphragm adapted to control the action of the proportional valve.
2. The combination of the inlet pipe from which a portion of the gas is allowed to
pass through the meter to be measured and the other portion through a balance
valve to the larger opening of a proportional valve, a diaphragm which separates the
gas which has passed through the meter from the gas which is passed through the
balance valve, and which operates the balance valve so as to equalize the pressure
upon the two openings of the proportional valve.
The objects of my invention are to provide a proportional meter in which the
friction of the meter used to measure the smaller portion of gas is not allowed to
affect the ratio of the gas which passes through the proportional valve and to so
construct the parts that changes in the pressure of the gas shall not change the
ratio between the volume of gas which is shunted past the meter and that which
is passed through the meter to be measured.
Heretofore in proportional meters the parts have been so constructed that
changes in pressure have produced a change in the ratio between the measured and
unmeasured volume of gases due to variation in the friction of the meter used for
measuring the smaller portions of the gas and to an unequal fall of pressure in
passing through the proportioning valves.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a proportional meter which embodies my
Invention.
Figure 2 is also a sectional view of a meter which is a modification of what is
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the proportional valve and its mechanism.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the valve seat alone.
A represents the supply pipe from which the gas may be discharged directly into
the chamber B, and from this chamber a portion is taken through the meter C,
or that portion of gas which is to pass through the meter C, may be taken from
the pipe direct, and passed through the pipe D, as shown in dotted lines without ever
passing through the chamber B. In the upper portion of this chamber B is formed a
valve chamber E, in which the valve F is placed, which is preferably made double
or in the form of a balance valve as shown when the two valves F are secured to
the valve rod G.
They are preferably made egg-shaped or in such a form that in any position the
amount of opening through which the gas has to pass bears the same ratio to the total
opening in the valve seats V, that the position of the valve at that point of the
stroke, bears to the total stroke of the valve, or in other words, when the valves
are at half stroke the area through which the gas has to pass is one half of the total
area of the valve when wide open or at full stroke. The valve rod G is supported
at one or both ends by hinges H and H or any other suitable means adapted to allow
a nearly frictionless motion, and is connected at one end to a flexible diaphragm 1,
which serve to separate the measured and unmeasured portions of the gas, and to

page_text: equalize their pressure in the chambers J L. That portion of the gas which passes
through the meter for the purpose of being measured passes into the chamber L, and
accumulates therein until its pressure against the diaphragm causes the valves F,
to open sufficiently to allow enough gas to pass into the chamber J, to exactly
counterbalance the pressure in the chamber L. In the upper portion of both of the
chambers J and L or at any other convenient position that may be preferred is placed
the proportional valve, the opening of which no matter whether made through the
valve seat or the valve itself bears a determined ratio or proportion to each other
through which the gas escapes into the chamber N. As here shown these openings a
and bare located in the upper portions of the chambers J and L, but they may be
located in any other position that may be preferred, as I do not limit myself to any
exact location as they will act as well in one position as another, provided the two
openings in the valve are connected either directly or indirectly with the chambers JL.
It is immaterial whether the two openings are made through the valve seat or the
valve. When made through the valve they are easier to get at, and easier to make
repairs. As here shown, the two openings are made triangular in shape, and bear a
certain determined proportion to each other so that the quantity of gas which passes
through the larger opening will be a multiple of that which passes through the smaller
one. The valve O is used to control these openings and is made substantially as
shown in Figure 3 and no matter how wide the valve may be opened or how near
it may be closed, the ratio of gas passing through the two openings will always
remain the same. The apexes of the triangular openings in the valves may be cut off
or closed up so that the width of the apex of the smaller opening would not become
too narrow for practical construction in maintaining the ratio determined. These
openings are preferably made triangular for two reasons, first, because the width of
the larger opening in the valve seat becomes sufficiently narrow at the apex to prevent
any lost motion in the valve due to wear of the guides of the valve, from materially
affecting the form of the larger opening through which the gas is passing at a time
when the valve is nearly closed. Second, a longer stroke of the valve and weighted
diaphragm is required to produce a given increase or decrease in the area of the
openings in the valve than would be required if the valve were not narrowed up on its
closing side. This effectually prevents fluttering of the weighted diaphragm, as the
adjustment of the valve to the changing conditions of flow are made gradually and
not so quickly as to cause excessive changes in the relative pressure in the inlet and
outlet chambers before the diaphragm could come to rest.
The diaphragm P, which forms a portion of the top of the chamber J, against
which the volume of gas exerts a lifting pressure is provided with a weight Q, which
is proportioned to the area of the diaphragm so as to cause a fall in the pressure
due to the throttling of the gas as it passes through the valve O, into the chamber N.
Pivoted in the chamber N is the lever R, which is connected by the rods S with the
diaphragm P, at one end, and by the rod T, with the valve O, at the other. As this
diaphragm rises and falls the valve O is made to open and close the proportional
openings for the purpose of turning on or shutting off the gas so as to maintain a
certain difference of pressure between the chambers J and L and the chamber N. If
the weight were not used the pressure of the gas in the chamber J, being
greater than that in the chamber N, would cause the diaphragmn to rise and to
open the valve so as to allow the gas to pass freely into the chamber N, and thus
always maintain an equilibrium with nearly an equal pressure in the chambers J, L
and N. As the gas is throttled by passing through the valve O, there is a fall of
pressure in passing to the chamber N, and this weight Q serves to make up for
this fall of pressure and to weight the diaphragm so that when the flow of gas
away from the chamber N is reduced or cut off, the pressure of the gas and the
weight upon the upper side of the diaphragmn cause the valve O to immediately reduce
the area of the openings in the valve or close it entirely. When the flow of gas from
the chamber N is again started the greater pressure of gas against the under side
of the diaphragm causes this diaphragm to rise and open the valve so that the gas
will pass from the chambers J and L into the chamber N.

page_text: The friction in the meter would cause the pressure of the gas in the chamber L to
be less than that in the chamber J, but the pressure in the chamber L operates as
above described to open the valve F only a sufficient amount to allow the same
pressure to pass into the chamber L as in the chamber J, thus entirely eliminating
or balancing the friction of the meter before the gas passes through the proportional
valve and thus maintain always the same proportional flow of gas no matter whether
the friction in the meter be high or low. As the flow through the proportional
valve is always in absolutely the same ratio, the gas passing through the chamber N
will be determined with the utmost precision and accuracy.
In case it is not desired to measure the gas with as much precision as above
described or where a greater fall of pressure between the chambers J and L and the
chamber N is permissible the balance valve F may be done away with, and a solid
partition U may be substituted for the diaphragin 1,-as the slight difference of
pressure in the chambers J and L due to friction in the meter C will then cause but
little error in the accuracy of the proportional measurements.
As shown in figure 2 the operation of the other parts are the same as shown
in figure 1, but the same accuracy in measurement is not attained, though the
difference in some cases will be slight.
It is obvious that the details of the mechanical construction here shown may be
varied almost indefinitely without departing from the spirit of my invention.
While I believe the construction here shown to be one of the best adapted for
their practical manufacture yet I dot wish to limit myself to this precise con-
struction except in so far as may be necessary to come within the scope and intent
of this invention.
This meter is designed for measuring fluids of all kinds though it is especially
intended for gas.
If used for measuring water, pistons may be substituted for the
diaphragmn, though this is not absolutely necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a proportional meter, a proportional valve having its larger opening placed
between the inlet and outlet chambers and its smaller opening placed between the
delivery side of the meter, and the outlet chamber, substantially as shown.
2. In a proportional meter, the combination of a receiving chamber for the
unmeasured volume of gas, an outlet chamber from which the gas is taken, a diaphragm
placed between the two chambers, a proportional valve which is operated by the
diaphragm, the larger opening of the valve being placed between the inlet and
outlet chambers, and its smaller opening being placed between the delivery side of
the meter, and the outlet chamber, substantially as described.
3. In a proportional meter the combination of the regulator provided with an
outlet chamber from which the gas is taken, an inlet chamber through which the
unmeasured gas passes to the outlet chamber, and from which, or by which, a
portion of the gas is taken or passes to and through a meter, a meter delivery chamber
into which the gas from the meter passes, a proportional valve, and a diaphragm for
operating the valve, substantially as set forth.
4. In a proportional meter, the combination of a meter with a regulator provided
with an inlet pipe, an outlet chamber, and a chamber into which the gas from the
meter is discharged, the inlet and meter delivery chambers being separated from the
outlet chamber by a proportional valve, and a diaphragm which operates the valve,
substantially as specified.
5. The combination in a regulator for a proportional meter, of an inlet chamber,
a balance vaive, a diaphragm for operating this valve, a chamber into which the gas
passes from the inlet chamber, a chamber into which the gas is discharged from the
meter, a proportional valve, a diaphragm which operates the proportional valve, & an
outlet chamber, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 6. In a proportional meter, a proportional valve having two triangular openings
which bear a determined proportion to each other, and a valve for controlling the
openings, with a diaphragm for controlling the movement of the valve, substantially
as specified.
7. In a regulator for a proportional meter, the combination of two diaphragms, a
balance valve which is attached to one of the diaphragms, and a porportional valve
which is attached to the other diaphragm, the diaphragms being controlled
independently of each other, by the pressure of the measured and unmeasured gas,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1889
H. B. BARLOW,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agent for Applicant.