IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVE- MENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO FLUSHING WATERCLOSETS AND PREVENTING WASTE OF WATER
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Henry Robinson, of Ealand Lodge,
Merrion, in the County of the City of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR MEASURING WATER
AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVE-
MENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO FLUSHING WATERCLOSETS AND PREVENTING
WASTE OF WATER.”
Sealed the 21st April 1874, and dated the 25th February 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Henry Robinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 25th February 1874.
I, ARTHUR HENRY ROBINSON, of Ealand Lodge, Merrion, in the
County of the City of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR MEASURING
WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, PARTS OF SUCH IM-
PROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO FLUSHING WATERCLOSETS AND PREVENTING
WASTE OF WATER," to be as follows:-
-

page_text: meter, and consists of a peculiar arrangement of valves and mode of
actuating the same, parts of which improvements are applicable to
hydraulic & other motive-power engines, and to the flushing of water-
closets and preventing waste of water.
In carrying out my Invention I propose to employ a cylinder of a
given capacity through which the fluid to be measured is caused to pass,
such cylinder having a piston working therein by the pressure of the
inflowing fluid.
Attached to or in connection with the cylinder is a valve case or
chamber, in which are situate two inlet valves carried on the same
spindle one at each end, and facing the inner ends of the valve chamber,
which form the valve seats, and are the inlet ports to the measuring
cylinder of the meter or the cylinders of the engine when my Invention
is applied thereto. This valve chamber is in connection with the main
or supply pipe, and is at all times filled with the incoming fluid.
..
Attached to or in connection with the chamber are two other valve
'chambers, each being provided with a double valve, the principal valve
in cach being that which closes and opens alternately the outlet ways or
ports of the cylinder, the other acting when the outlet port is open as a
stop against the back pressure of the cylinder on the inlet valve, and-
being so constructed as to ensure the closing of the outlet port at the
required moment. The outlet ports discharge into a water space, which
communicates with the delivery pipes.
:7
For the purpose of operating the inlet valves I employ a rod, which
passes through a stuffing box into a valve case or chamber first herein-
before referred to, and is provided with a stud or suitable projecting
piece which works in a longitudinal slot in the valve spindle, and actuates
the same. To the outer end of this rod I attach a lever, which is con-
nected by means of an adjusting link or other suitable means to a cross
head or arm made rigid on the piston rod. The piston rod in its passage ;
up and down actuates the lever 'which operates the inlet valves by
opening and closing one or other alternately, thereby changing the
current of the incoming fluid, which in its passage to the measuring
cylinder or the cylinder of the engine as the case may be closes the
valve of the outlet passage or port at that side. The outlet valve at the g
other side is caused to rise by the discharge from the cylinder and allow
a free passage for the measured fluid to the water or other space which

page_text: communicates with the delivery pipe, and at the same time the upper
part or back of same is caused to act as a stopper against the back
pressure of the cylinder on the inlet valve at this side, which was closed
on the opening of the inlet valve at the other side. The current of water
or other fluid and the consequent motion of the piston in the cylinder is
changed each time the inlet valve is reversed.
The preceding arrangement may be modified in various ways without
departing from the principle of my Invention, for example, the outlet
ports may be worked in immediate connection with the inlet valves, and
in the same chamber or in adjoining chambers, and be covered by a slide
or flap valve, which may be operated by the spindle of the inlet valves
before referred to or by the pressure of the incoming fluid. Or a suitable
slido valve may be arranged to cover the inlet and outlet ways or ports
alternately, and be actuated in the same manner as the inlet valves first
herein-before described, and if desired a spring or weight may be used to
aid the pressure of the incoming fluid in maintaining the closed valve or
valves on its seat or face.
Any ordinary counting mechanism may be applied in connection with
any convenient moving part of the apparatus for the purpose of
indicating the measured quantity of fluid passed through the same, or
for recording the number of strokes of tho piston either when used
for measuring purposes or as an hydraulic or other motive-power
engine.
In applying my Invention to meters for domestic and other purposes
where a cheaper construction is desired the arrangement may be sim-
plified in the following manner:-I propose to employ a cylinder of a
given capacity in which works a piston without a rod, or sliding loosely
through a stuffing-box on a fixed rod within the cylinder. To the
cylinder I affix valves as herein-before described, which are operated by a
hand lever in connection with the inlet valve spindle hercin-before
referred to. Each time this lever is reversed the incoming liquid actuates
the piston, and consequently expels the quantity before the piston and
no more, such piston being arrested at its full travel, where it remains
till the hand lever is again reversed. Any simple counting mechanism
may be applied in connection with the hand lever to record the number
and time it has been changed, and consequently the number of gallons
discharged at each operation, the piston being allowed to perform its full
stroke.

page_text: This latter modification may be applied to the flushing of closets and
preventing waste of water by allowing only a measured quantity to pass
out at each operation of the apparatus. A plug or barrel valve with
suitable ways may be substituted for the outlet valves before referred to,
and be actuated by a lever in connection with the lever for working the
inlet valves.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Arthur Henry Robinson in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 25th August 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARTHUR
HENRY ROBINSON, of Ealand Lodge, Merrion, in the County of the City
of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Arthur Henry Robinson, Her special
license that I, the said Arthur Henry Robinson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Arthur Henry
Robinson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND
IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, PARTS OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE
TO FLUSHING WATERCLOSETS AND PREVENTING WASTE OF WATER," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Arthur Henry Robinson,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Arthur Henry Robinson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:-
My Invention relates to a simple and effective means of measuring
and indicating the quantity of water or other fluid passing through a
meter, and consists of a peculiar arrangement of valves and mode of
actuating the same, parts of which arrangements are applicable to
hydraulic and other motive-power engines, and to the flushing of water-
closets and preventing waste of water.
In carrying out my Invention I propose to employ a cylinder of a
given capacity through which the fluid to be measured is caused to pass,
such cylinder having a piston working therein by the pressure of the
inflowing fluid.
Attached to or in connection with the cylinder is a valve case or
chamber, in which are situate two inlet valves carried on the same
spindle, one at each end, and facing the inner ends of the valve chamber
which form the valve seats, and are the inlet ports to tho measuring
cylinder of the meter or the cylinders of the engine when my Invention
is applied thereto. This valve chamber is in connection with the main
or supply pipe, and is at all times filled with the incoming fluid.
Attached to or in connection with this chamber are two other valve
chambers, cach being provided with a double valve, the principal valve
in cach being that which closes and opens alternately the outlet ways or
parts of the cylinder, the other acting when the outlet port is open as a
stop against the back pressure of the cylinder on the inlet valve, and
being so constructed as to insure the closing of the outlet port at the
required moment. The outlet ports discharge into a water space, which
communicates with the delivery pipe.
For the purpose of operating the inlet valves I employ a rod, which
passes through a stuffing box into the valve case or chamber first herein-
before referred to, and is provided with a stud or suitable projecting
piece, which works in a longitudinal slot in the valve spindle, and
actuates the same. To the outer end of this rod I attach a lever, which
is connected by means of an adjusting link or other suitable means to a

page_text: J
cross head or arm made rigid on the piston rod. The piston rod in its
passage up and down actuates the lever, which operates the inlet valves
by opening and closing one or other alternately, thereby changing the
current of the incoming fluid, which in its passage to the measuring
cylinder or the cylinder of the engine as the case may be closes the
valve of the outlet passage or port at that side. The outlet valve at the
other side is caused to rise by the discharge from the cylinder and allow
free passage
for the measured fluid to the water or other space
which
communicates with the delivery or exhaust pipe, and at the same time
the upper part or back of same is caused to act as a stopper against 1
the back pressure of the cylinder on the inlet valve at this side, which
was closed on the opening of the inlet valve at the other side. The.
current of water or other fluid and the consequent motion of the piston
in the cylinder is changed each time the inlet valve is reversed.
a
T
2
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall 1
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the, several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figure 1.on the Drawing represents a side elevation of my improved
meter or motive-power engine, as the case may be; Figure 2, an end
clevation of the same; Figure 3, a plan of the same; and Figure 4, an
enlarged sectional view on line 1, 2, in Figure 3, shewing the arrange-
ment of valves forming parts of the apparatus.
•
A represents a cylinder of any determined capacity through which?
the fluid to be measured or utilised as the case may be), whether water,
steam, gas, or compressed air is caused to pass, and in this cylinder a
piston is worked in either direction by the pressure of the said passing
fluid; B is a foundation or bed plate formed with a water space or
vessel B', and to which the cylinder A is secured. In one of the sides of
the water space or vessel B' is fixed a delivery pipe a, and through or
along the upper portion of the foundation or bed plate B and of tho
water space or vessel B' are passages and c leading respectively from
tlic upper and lower sides of the piston in the cylinder A to an arrange.
ment of valve chambers and valves mounted on the foundation or bed
plate B, the outlet ports of which communicate with the water space or
vessel B' as hereafter described. In this arrangement of valves C
represents a valve case or chamber, in which are two inlet valves D, D',

page_text: connected together on the same spindle and working respectively upon
the valve scats d, d', which are formed on the inner faced ends of the
valve case or chamber C, and are the inlet ports to the cylinder A as here-
after more particularly described. Communicating with the valve case or
chamber C is the main or supply pipe e, through which the water or other
fluid flows into and fills the said chamber; f, f', are passages leading from
the valve scats or ports d, d', to valve chambers E; E', in cach of which
is a double valve (F or F¹) formed with a stem or feathers on its under
side, and working thereby through a guide tube or outlet passage (G
(or G¹) in the bottom of the said chamber in such a manner that when the
valve F (or F¹) is in its lowest position it closes the outlet passage G
or G¹), which communicates with the water space or vessel B', and
when in its highest position closes the passage f (or ƒ¹); I, I, are holes
or perforations through the bottom of cach chamber E and E', and form
communications between the latter and the chambers H, H', which
communicate with the cylinder A by the passages and c (Figure 3)
before mentioned; I, I', arc sliding ferrules or tubes inserted in the
passages f, f, and acting upon and in combination with the double
valves F, F, as hereafter described. They are prevented from falling too
far by slots formed at opposite portions of their circumferences and
working over pins fixed in the passages f,f', as shewn. K is a standard
or bracket fixed within the water space or vessel B', and carrying a
double tilt lever L having two equal arms, the outer cnds of which
bear respectively upon the lower ends of the stems or feathers of the
double or outlet valves F, F¹.
If found desirable a modification in the construction of the
chambers E, E, and outlet valves F, F, as shown in red ink,
Figure 4, may be employed; in this case the lower portions of the
circumferences of the said chambers are recessed, and the valves F, F',
are provided with leathers on their upper faces, the edges of which
leathers work in contact with the upper portions of the circumferences
of the said chambers so as to confine the pressure of the water or other
fluid on the said upper faces until sufficient to force the valves F, F, on
to their seats G, G³, and thereby prevent the escape of the water or other
fluid into the water space or vessel B' without having first passed
through the measuring cylinder A.
The mode of operating the inlet valves D, D', (scen more particularly
in detail in Figures 5, 6, and 7) is as follows:-Through the connecting

page_text: '
piece or spindle between the said valves are two openings or slots x, y,
intersecting each other at right angles, one opening or slot a being
arranged longitudinally with and the other opening or slot y transversely
to the said spindle as shewn.. Through the transverse opening or slot y
passes a rod M, on which is fixed a wiper lever N, working in the longi-
tudinal opening or slot x, and actuating the valves D, D', thereby as
hereafter described, or in lieu of the slots x, y, the wiper lever N may bo
forked and work over or under the said connecting piece or spindle, in
which case the rod M would be caused to cross above or below the centre
of thic chamber, and the inlet passage may be at top or bottom of the
chamber, the form of the latter being modified accordingly. Or the
valve D, D', may be constructed in one with a double face, and bo
suspended in the chamber C in the same manner as the pendulum of a
clock or by a drop link or other suitable means, the stems or spindles
acting as guides, which may or may not be used, or the guides may be
formed on the periphery of the valve working in slots or guides within
the chamber, in which case the valve would be operated by a stud or
wiper lever acting against the periphery of the same for the purpose of
changing its position. The inner end of the rod M takes its bearing in a
recess formed on the inside of the valve casing or chamber C, whilst it's
outer end passes through a stuffing box on the outside of the said
chamber, and is provided thereat with a lever O, the end of which is
connected by a tappet or adjustable rod P with the cross head R carried
by the piston rod S, as shown, in such a manner that by the reciprocating
motion of the latter an intermittent movement is communicated to the
rod M, which by the action of the wiper lever N moves the valves D, D',
sufficiently to cause either of them to break contact with either of the
inlet ports d, d', respectively when the pressure of the water or other
fluid will further move them in the same direction, and thereby open and
close the said ports alternately at proper times. By the adjustment of
the tappets on the rod P the measuring capacity of the cylinder A or
length of stroke of the piston therein may be regulated at pleasure.
"
The manner in which the apparatus here described operates either as
a meter or as a motive-power engine is as follows:-The inlet,
valves D, D', being in the position shown in Figure 4 of the Drawing,
videlicet, the valve D opening the inlet port d and the valve D'
closing the inlet port from the valve casing or chamber C, the
water or other fluid within the said chamber passes through the port d

page_text: .
and passage f into the valve chamber E around the double valvo F
(which is closed to the outlet passage G) through the openings or
perforations g, g, into the chamber H, thence through the passage b
and rising port 6' to the interior of the measuring or motive cylinder A
above the piston, which it forces downwards. Shortly before the piston
reaches the termination of its stroke the cross head R carried by the
piston rod S acts upon the rods and levers in connection with the
inlet valves D, D¹, so as to cause the valve D' to break contact with
or open the inlet port d³, and the pressure of the water or other fluid
within the chamber C then acting upon the face of the said valve throws
it over, and with it the valve D, so that the latter is lodged against or
closes the inlet port d, thereby changing the current of the water or
other fluid, which now passes through the port and passage ƒ¹ until it
meets with the upper face of the double valve F', which it presses upon
and closes down upon the seat of the outlet passage G¹ (the ferule or
tube I meanwhile retaining the pressure upon the upper face of the
valve F by sliding down and following the latter to any desired distance
from its seat). The water or other fluid then fills the chamber E¹ and
passes through the openings or perforations 9, 9, into the chamber H¹,
and thence through the passage c (Figure 3) to the interior of the
measuring or motive cylinder A on the under or opposite side of the
piston. In the meanwhile during the closing of the double or outlet
valve F¹ upon the seat of its outlet passage G¹ the lower end of the
stem of the said valve presses upon and depresses the double tilt
lever L, which causes the opposito double or outlet valve F to rise
and open its outlet passage G and at the same time close the passage ƒ
to the chamber E; or the required movement of the tilt lever L may
be obtained from some reciprocating part of the apparatus if desired.
The movement of the valve F is also assisted by the pressure of the
water or other fluid contained in the cylinder A above the piston, and
which is now being expelled from the said cylinder through the passage b
and chamber H up through the openings or perforations 9, 9, and down
through the outlet passage G into the water space or vessel B, whence it
passes away through the delivery pipe a. The piston having arrived at
the top of the measuring or motive cylinder A the inlet valves D and D'
are again reversed and the operation repeated, the water or other fluid.
being expelled from the cylinder A. on the under side of the piston
through the passage c into the water space or vessel B in a precisely
similar manner to that already described,

page_text: The inlet valves D, D', are relieved from any back pressure that may:
be caused by the water or other fluid passing from the cylinder A into
the water space or vessel 131 by means of the ferules or tubes I, I', the
former of which is represented on the Drawing (Figure 4) in its lowest;
position in the passage f. Immediately on the efflux of the water or: a
other fluid from the cylinder A, and on the rising of the double valve F
as before described the latter will come in contact with the lower end of
the ferule or tube I, which it slides upwards until the said valve comes
in contact with and closes the end of the passage f, the consequence
being that the water or other fluid in flowing back through the chamber E
is prevented from entering the passage f and so causing any back
pressure upon the inlet valve D. The same description applies to the
fcrule or tube I' and inlet valve D'.
-
Any ordinary counting mechanism may be applied in connection with
any convenient moving part of the apparatus for the purpose of indicating
the measured quantity of fluid passed through the same, or for recording
the number of strokes of the piston cither when used for measuring
purposes or as an hydraulic or other motive-power engine.
The apparatus hero described when used as a motive-power engine
may be applied to operate a pump rod, a slotting, planing, or mortising
chisel, a nipper for breaking sugar, a cutter for cutting purposes, a punchi
for punching holes, or any other suitable mechanism.
The preceding arrangement may be modified in various ways without
departing from the principle of my Invention, for example, the outlet
ports may be worked in immediate connection with the inlet valves and
in the same chamber or in adjoining chambers, and be covered by a slide
or flap valve, which may be operated by the spindle of the inlet valves
before referred to, or by the pressure of the incoming fluid, and if
desired a spring or weight may be used to aid the pressure of the
incoming fluid in maintaining the closed valve (or valves) on its scat
or face.
Figure represents my Invention applied to a horizontal cylinder
meter or engine working a crank shaft, and which may be used either
singly or double, as shown, the construction of valves and chambers
being precisely similar to those already described, and so arranged that
the valves actuated by the cylinder. in their immediate proximity feed
the piston of the opposite cylinder and vice versa, the passages b and c
being arranged accordingly.
:

page_text: In applying my Invention to meters for domestic and other purposes
where a cheaper construction is desired the arrangement may bo
simplified in the following manner:-I propose to employ a cylinder of
a given capacity in which works a piston without a rod, or sliding loosely
through a stuffing box on a fixed rod within the cylinder. To tho
cylinder I affix valves as herein-before described, which are operated by
a hand or foot lever O' in connection with the inlet valve spindle herein-
before referred to, in which case the tappet rod P and lever O may be
dispensed with or not as found desirable. Each time the lever O' is
reversed the incoming liquid actuates the piston, and consequently
expels the quantity before the piston and no more, such piston being
arrested at its full travel, where it remains till the hand or foot lever O'
is again reversed. Any simple counting mechanism may be applied in
connection with the hand or foot lever O¹ to record the number of times
it has been changed, and consequently the number of gallons discharged
at each operation, the piston being allowed to perform its full stroke.
The outlet valves F, F¹, and valve chambers E, E', may in this case bo
dispensed with if desirable, and a simple draft-off cock used in lieu
thereof.
This latter modification may be applied to the flushing of closets and
preventing waste of water by allowing only a measured quantity to pass
out at each operation of the apparatus, which may be actuated by any
ordinary lever or handle placed in connection with the seat of the closet.
A plug or barrel valve with suitable ways may be substituted for the
outlet valves before referred to, and be actuated by a lever in connection
with the lever for working the inlet valves.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the hercin-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. In a meter or motor the construction and arrangement of the
inlet valves D, D', working in a suitable valve case or chamber in com-
bination or not with the double or outlet valves F, F', working in suitable
chambers and with a water space or vessel, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings or any
mere modification thereof.

page_text: Second. The combination of the ferules or tubes I, I', with the
passages from the inlet valves D, D', 'and with the double or outlet
valves F, F', substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described
and illustrated by my Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
I
Third. The combination of the double tilt lever -L with the double or
outlet valves F, F', substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described and illustrated by my Drawings or any mere modification'
thereof.
Fourth. The mode of actuating the inlet valves D, D¹, by a tappet or
adjustable rod P in combination with the rod M and levers N and O, and
with the cross head R of the piston rod S, substantially as herein-before:
described and illustrated by my Drawings or any mere modification
thereof.
Fifth. The application and use of a hand lever O¹ in combination with
the rod M and lever N, substantially as and for the purpose herein-.
before described and illustrated by my Drawings or any mere modification
thereof.
J
In witness whercof, I, the said Arthur Henry Robinson, have
to this my Specification set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth
day of August, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
AD THIRD HENRY PORINSON
G
ARTHUR HENRY ROBINSON. (L.S.).
i