Improvements in and relating to Electricity Meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electricity Meters.
We, JOSEPHI ROUTIN, of Bahnhofplatz, Zurich, Switzerland, Engineer, and
CHARLES EUGEN LANCELOT BROWN, of Baden, Switzerland, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to electricity meters of the class known as discontinuous
integrating meters. A meter according to this invention differs, however, from
the instruments of this class heretofore in that there is substituted for the clock-
mechanism a simple electro-magnet excited at predetermined intervals by a
single standard clock placed in the central station. The intervals between
successive signal-currents from the standard clock may be varied according to the
time of the day or night, thus allowing of the adoption of tariffs varying in a
rational manner according to the load curve of the generating station.
It will
be seen from the arrangements hereinafter described that no auxiliary wires or
conductors are required for connecting the standard clock to the several meters
of a system.
Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the accompanying drawings are diagrams representing
the application, of a meter according to this invention to systems of electric
distribution of various kinds, and
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a meter according to this invention.
wheel r.
A meter according to this invention may be constructed either as an hour-meter
(so as to measure simply the total time during which the current is used,) as a
coulomb-meter, or as a watt-hour meter. It will however be sufficient to describe
a coulomb' or watt-hour meter according thereto, which is represented in Fig. 5.
The receiving magnet f is arranged to act upon an armature m fixed to a
lever o which is free to rotate on the axle of a ratchet wheel r that drives the
counting train. The lever o is normally held down by a springs and carries a
pawl. that engages with the wheel r, so that each time that the standard clock
makes contact, the magnet f is excited, attracts the lever o and partly rotates the
The movement of the lever is limited in one direction by a set-screw t
and in the other by a scroll-plate or cam v mounted on the axle of the measuring
instrument proper (whether ammeter or watt-meter). This scroll-plate is cut in
such a manner that the ratchet-wheel is carried partly round each time through
an angle proportional to the quantity to be measured (amperes or watts). To
allow of the free movement of the scroll-plate e, the set-screw t must be adjusted
so that, even when the consumption is zero, the end of the lever o does not rest on
the said scroll-plate. A small set-screw holds back the pawl p from the
ratchet-wheel while the lever moves over the short distance corresponding to the
position of the scroll-plate for zero consumption, but allows it to engage with the
ratchet-wheel as soon as by a movement of the scroll-plate, the lever is allowed to
move a greater distance.
In the case of an "hour-meter" a second fixed set-screw takes the place of the
scroll-plate v.

page_text: Figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent applications of meters according to this invention to
systems in which alternating currents are employed. and representing the
mains, a the alternator, the exciter, & the contact-maker of the standard clock,
f the receiving electro magnet of the meter, h an apparatus the consumption of
which it is desired to measure, g the switch controlling the circuit of the
apparatus h, and cel earth plates connected respectively to the contact maker d
and electro magnet f. It will be seen that with the connections shown in Fig. 1,
it is possible, by giving a sufficient impedance to the magnet f to prevent any
action of the leakage currents in the main b on the receiving magnet.
When the energy is distributed through transformers, the connections shown
in Fig. 2, or those shown in Fig. 3 may be adopted. The connections shown in
Fig. 2 require the use of an auxiliary wire between the generating station and the
nearest point of the section to which the meter is attached, but they allow the
standard clock to be placed in the central station itself, which may be of advantage
in the case of stations of little importance; it should also be noted that, as the
current required for working the receiving magnet is exceedingly small, the cost of
such an auxiliary wire will always be insignificant. In Fig. 3 is shown a special
motor driving a small continuous current dynamo. This arrangement may be
of advantage either in the case of very important stations or where the generating
station is situated at a great distance from the place where the current is used.
In Fig. 4, there is shown an arrangement of apparatus in which the recording
circuit is provided with a condenser or capacity-element, which is designed to
regulate the potential of the currents, especially when two different kinds of
current are employed. band represent the mains, and a suitable condenser,
the letters a, d, f, g and h retaining the same meanings as in the case of Figs. 1, 2
and 3. It is evident in this case also that when the connections are made as shown,
leakage currents from the line cannot affect the receiving magnet.
Dated this 26th day of October 1897
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in and relating to Electricity Meters.
We, JOSEPH ROUTIN, of Bahnhofplatz, Zurich, Switzerland, Engineer, and
CHARLES EUGEN LANCELOT BROWN, of Baden, Switzerland, Manufacturer, 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:
-
This invention relates to electricity meters of the class known as discontinuous
integrating meters. A meter according to this invention differs, however, from
the instruments of this class heretofore in use in that there is substituted for the clock-
mechanism, a simple electro-magnet excited at predetermined intervals by a
single standard clock placed in the central station. The intervals between
successive signal-currents from the standard clock may be varied according to the
time of the day or night, thus allowing of the adoption of tariffs varying in a
rational manner according to the load curve of the generating station. It will
be seen from the arrangements hereinafter described that no auxiliary wires or
conductors are required for connecting the standard clock to the. several meters
of a system.

page_text: Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification
are diagrams representing the, application of a meter according to this
invention to systems of electric distribution of various kinds, and
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a meter according to this invention.
A meter according to this invention may be constructed either as an hour-meter
(so as to measure simply the total time during which the current is used), as a
coulomb-meter, or as a watt-hour meter. It will however be sufficient to describe
a coulomb or watt-hour meter according thereto, which is represented in Fig. 5.
The receiving magnet f is arranged to act upon an armature m fixed to a
lever o which is free to turn on the axle n of a ratchet wheel r that drives the
counting train of the meter. The lever o is normally held down by a springs and
carries a pawl p that engages with the wheel r, so that each time that the standard
clock makes contact, the magnet f is excited, attracts the lever o and partly
rotates the wheel r. The movement of the lever o is limited in one direction by a
set screw and in the other by a scroll-plate sector or cam v (hereinafter called a
scroll plate) mounted on the axle of the measuring instrument proper (whether
ammeter or watt-meter) so as to be adjusted thereby. This scroll-plate is cut in
such a manner that the ratchet-wheel r is carried partly round each time through
an angle proportional to the quantity to be measured (amperes or watts) the
maximum radius of the scroll plate corresponding to the absence of current and
the diminishing radius to an increasing consumption of current. To allow of the
free movement of the scroll-plate v, the set-screw t must be adjusted so that,
even when the consumption is zero, the end of the lever o does not rest on the
said scroll-plate. A small set-screw U holds back the pawl 2 from the ratchet-
wheel r while the lever moves over the short distance corresponding to the position
of the scroll-plate for zero consumption, but allows it to engage with the ratchet-
wheel as soon as by a movement of the scroll-plate the lever is allowed to move
a greater distance.
In the case of an
scroll-plate v.
"
hour-meter" a second fixed set-screw takes the place of the
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 represent applications of meters according to this invention to
systems in which alternating currents are employed. and 61 representing the
mains, a the alternator, c the exciter, & the contact maker of the standard clock,
f the receiving electro magnet of the meter, h an apparatus the consumption of
which it is desired to measure, g the switch controlling the circuit of the
apparatus h, and ee earth plates connected respectively to the contact maker d
and electro magnet f. It will be seen that with the connections shown in Fig. 1,
it is possible, by giving a sufficient impedance to the magnet f to prevent any
action of the leakage currents in the main b on the receiving magnet.
When the energy is distributed through transformers the connections shown
in Fig. 2, or those shown in Fig. 3 may be adopted. The connections shown in
Fig. 2 require the use of an auxiliary wire between the generating station and the
nearest point of the section to which the meter is attached, but they allow the
standard clock to be placed in the central station itself, which may be of advantage
in the case of stations of little importance; it should also be noted that, as the
current required for working the receiving magnet is exceedingly small, the cost of
such an auxiliary wire will always be insignificant. In Fig. 3 is shown a special
motor & driving a small continuous current dynamo c. This arrangement may be
of advantage either in the case of very important stations or where the generating
station is situated at a great distance from the place where the current is used.
In Fig. 4, there is shown an arrangement of apparatus in which the recording
circuit is provided with a condenser or capacity-element in order to adapt the
arrangement (which is otherwise like that shown in Fig. for alternating currents)
for the use of continuous currents. b and b' represent the mains, and a suitable
condenser, the other letters retaining the same meanings as in the case of Figs. 1, 2
and 3. It is evident in this case also that when the connections are made as
shown, leakage currents from the line cannot affect the receiving magnet.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. Apparatus for registering the consumption of current wherein the registering
apparatus of each consumer is provided with a magnet coil which is connected
at one end to one of the distributing mains and at the other end to earth, and
there is connected to the said distributing main a source of current which is placed
in connection with earth at any desired intervals that may be regulated for example
by means of a central clock, and whereby all the registering apparatus are operated,
as set forth.
2. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, in which the current with which
the consumers are supplied differs from that which operates the registering
apparatus, whereby disturbances that might otherwise arise, owing to accidental
earth connections, or short circuiting, are prevented.
3. In apparatus according to Claim 1, counting mechanism wherein the armature
of the electro-magnet is constructed as a lever which, when it is attracted by the
magnet, strikes against a scroll-plate the position of which is adjusted by a current
meter, the maximum radius of said scroll-plate corresponding to the absence of
current, and the diminishing radius corresponding to an increasing consumption
of current, the arrangement being such that the said lever is enabled to produce a
ratchet action (by means of a pawl and ratchet wheel) which is proportional to the
distance of the end of the lever from the scroll plate substantially as described.
4. The improved electricity meter constructed and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in Fig. 5, whether arranged in
accordance with Fig. 1; or Fig. 2; or Fig. 3; or Fig. 4; of the drawings.
Datad Kia 14th day of July 1898
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.