IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS & REGU- LATORS, & IN COMPOUNDING MATERIALS TO BE USED AS A COATING FOR OR IN THE COMPOSITION OF SUBSTANCES SUBJECT TO THE ACTION OF GAS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by IIenry Alexander Frederick
Duckham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th April 1861.
I, IIENRY ALEXANDER FREDERICK DUCKHAM, of Clerkenwell Green, in the
County of Middlesex, Gas Regulator Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS & REGU-
LATORS, & IN COMPOUNDING MATERIALS TO BE USED AS A COATING FOR OR IN THE
COMPOSITION OF SUBSTANCES SUBJECT TO THE ACTION OF GAS," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention consists in the application of slide valves to
gas regulators generally in lieu of the lift or clack valves usually employed,
which slide valves are not liable to be fixed in the seats from the pressure of
the gas, or to jump or produce irregularity of action as observable in ordinary
valves.
Secondly, in the application & use of glass, pebbles or other stones or
glazed ware as the material of the valves in gas regulators and meters, which
materials are not subject to the action of the gas or to the adhesion of any
sticky matters which deposit on metal valves and impede their action.
Thirdly, in the application of a float to the reservoirs or self-acting supply
cisterns of gas meters & regulators to shut off the passage of gas through the
regulator or meter before the cistern is empty and so suspend the action of the
meter or regulator.
In applying this float I dispose it near the bottom of the reservoir, and suspend
it by rods to a cross-head placed above the level of the water in the reservoir,

page_text: and mounted on a rod, which descends therefrom within a tube which descends
below the reservoir into the water or fluid of the meter or regulator. The rod
passes below this tube & is then suitably connected with a lever or other valve
disposed at the inlet orifice of the outlet tube of the gas, the whole arrange-
ment being such that the float holds the valve constantly open so long as there
is a sufficient supply of fluid in the reservoir, but closes it before the
supply fails.
The fourth part relates to the application of a supply tube from the fluid
reservoir of wet gas meters to admit the supply therefrom on both sides of the
measuring drum at a uniform level, which will interrupt the action of the meter
if tilted forward, and therefore prevent tampering with it in that way, as also
the application of a pipe from the dry well, which is carried round the extremity
of the drum towards the back of the meter, is bent upwards a little above the
water level, and down again so as to dip two or three inches, such dipping end
being open if the meter be tilted backwards. When so fitted the water would
pass over the bend or syphon-like end of the pipe & so enter the dry well &
stop the action of the meter & effectually prevent tampering by tilting the
meter backwards.
The fifth improvement consists in the combination generally of dry gas
meters with dry gas regulators, & wet gas meters with wet gas regulators;
or it may be dry gas regulators with wet gas meters, or vice versa, in one and
the same machine or case.
The sixth part relates to the application of a composition composed of
gelatine & treacle or other non-crystallizable saccharine matter in about equal
parts; & a small proportion of alum to metallic or other surfaces generally
subject to the action of gas in order to their preservation.
I sometimes make flexible gas tubing of such composition in combination
with other materials in lieu of the india-rubber or other impervious material
usually employed; I also use this composition with any suitable fabric or
material for the formation of gas holders & other chambers or surfaces to
contain gas or which are subject to the action of gas.