Improvements in Apparatus for the Driving of Chronometric Balances and Pendulums for Electricity Meters.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 8th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Driving of Chronometric
Balances and Pendulums for Electricity Meters.
We JOSEPH OULTON of 8 Wakefield Road, Bradford in the County of York,
Clock Maker, and JOSEPH EDMONDSON, of 36 Sunbridge Road, Bradford,
in the County aforesaid, Electric Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:—
This invention relates to electricity meters in which the vibrations of a chrono-
metric balance or balances pendulum or pendulums, in combination with magnets,
or solenoids are made to record the amount of electric current, or energy passing
into consumption.
The improvement consists firstly in the use of a pendulum or pendulums driven
by gravity arms, such for instance, as those in the well known "Becketts gravity
escapement" but lifted in our improvement by electro magnetic force, instead of by
clockwork actuated by a spring or weight.
For this purpose, the pendulum is made, at the right point in its vibrations, to
complete the electric circuit of an electro magnet and causes the said magnet to
actuate a lever which, when the circuit is again broken by the pendulum is drawn
to its original position by a spring or its equivalent.
The action of the said lever is so arranged that in going it lifts the gravity arm
to the required height, and in returning makes way for the falling of the same in
order to impel the pendulum, or vice versa.
In the case of a chronometric balance the force of a spring is substituted for that
of gravity.
The improvement consists, secondly in combining a condenser with the electric
circuit of the electro-magnet, so as to lessen or prevent sparking at the point where
the pendulum or balance opens or closes the said circuit.
A third improvement is applicable to cases in which the supply current is liable
to be intermitted. It consists of a catch or escapement actuated by an electro
magnet, whose circuit is closed and opened by, and at the right points of the
vibration of, the balance or pendulum allowing the balance or pendulum to escape,
so long as the supply current is not intermitted.
But when the said current is interrupted (as for instance, by the opening of a
switch) the escapement does not act as such but the balance or pendulum is caught
by it and held in such a position that when the current is again switched on and
the catch is thereby released, the balance or pendulum resumes its vibrations.
The electro magnet, actuating this escapement and that lifting the gravity arm may
be one and the same, if so preferred.
Dated this 10th do of 1900

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Driving of Chronometric
Balances and Pendulums for Electricity Meters.
We JOSEPH OULTON of 8 Wakefield Road, Bradford in the County of York
Clock Maker, and JOSEPH EDMONDSON of 36 Sunbridge Road Bradford, in
the County aforesaid, Electric Engineer, 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 improvements in electricity meters in which the
vibrations of a chronometric balance or balances pendulum or pendulums in com-
bination with magnets or solenoids are made to record the amount of electric
current or energy passing into consumption and consists in the use of a pendulum
or pendulums each driven by an arm actuated by gravity or by a spring such for
instance as the gravity arms in the well known Becketts gravity escapement
but lifted in our improved manner by electro-magnetic force instead of by clock-
work driven by a spring or weight.
"
In the case of a chronometric balance the impulse arm is actuated by a spring.
Such being the nature and object of our said invention the following is a complete
description of same in the case where two pendulums or chronometric balances are
employed reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which similar
letters or figures of reference point to the same or similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved pendulum form of our electricity
meter or apparatus for measuring and indicating the amount of electric current or
energy passing into consumption such apparatus being electrically connected with a
train of wheels and dials such as illustrated by Figs. 4, 5 and 6.
Fig. 2 is a detail of part of Fig. 1 drawn to an enlarged scale in order to shew
its construction more clearly.
Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 2 but shewing the action of the magnet and
weight reversed.
Fig. 3 is an end sectional elevation on line A. B of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the indicating dials.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4 shewing the train of wheels for operating the hands
of the dials.
Fig. 6 is a detail of part of the indicating mechanism drawn detached in order to
shew its construction more clearly.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a part of Fig. 1 drawn detached and with
the pendulum rod removed in order more clearly to illustrate part of the
invention.
Fig. 8 is an end view of Fig. 7 the pendulum rod being in position.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of Figs. 7 and 8 shewing the apparatus connected with a
condenser.
Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the apparatus as constructed when chronometric
balances are employed in lieu of the pendulums.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of part of Fig. 10 the position of the chronometric
balance being indicated by the dotted lines.
Fig. 12 is a detail of Fig. 11 drawn to an enlarged scale in..order to shew its
construction more clearly.
According to this our said invention and referring first to meters in which
pendulums are employed and to Figs. 1. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings,
at 1. 1 are two pendulums (whereof one is an ordinary pendulum which may
be
conveniently regulated by a screw 33 as shewn and the other is a pendulum
influenced by the current to be measured in any convenient manner.
We prefer
the method shewn in the drawings which consists of a fixed main coil 58 together
with-the-volt or high resistance coil and a correcting coil on the pendulum as

page_text: hereinafter described and marked 65) which being made to vibrate the required
motion is maintained by gravity arms 2. 2 said armis 2. 2 are mounted on axes free
to move in the carrying frames or brackets 3. 3 (see Figs. 7. 8 and 9). Mounted
loosely in the said brackets 3. 3 and below each of the arms 2. 2 is an armature 4
one end of which is near to the electro magnet 5 and the other end is provided with
a counter-balance weight 6. On each pendulum rod 7 is a short cranked finger 8
(see Fig. 2) at the outer end of which is an adjusting screw 9 and also a small
blade spring 10 fixed at one end by a screw or otherwise on the said cranked
finger 8.
The free end of the spring 10 rests on the adjusting screw 9. On the upper side
of the spring 10 is a small projection or a piece of platinum 11 which as the
pendulum vibrates comes in contact with a similar projection 12 on the gravity
arm 2. A screw 13 (Figs. 7. 8 and 9) limits the amount of movement of the
armature 4. The action is as follows:-In a state of rest or in the normal
position the counterbalance weight 6 holds the armature 4 in contact with the
screw 13 and away from the electro magnet 5 the gravity arm resting on the top
side of the armature 4.
As the pendulum vibrates and moves to nearly the limit of its arc in one
direction the projection or platinum 11 on the cranked finger 8 will come in contact
with the projection or platinum 12 on the gravity arm 2. At the moment of
contact and while the pendulum moves through its supplementary arc (the circuit
being closed as hereinafter described when referring to the different coils and their
connections) the armature 4 is attracted to the electro magnet 5. When the
pendulum moves in a reverse direction the gravity arm 2 falls with it until the
arm rests upon the armature 4.
The circuit is then opened by the part 11 moving away from the part 12
and the armature leaves the magnet and lifts the gravity arm to its original
position.
It will be seen that the gravity arm falls through a longer arc than that through
which it is raised by the vibration of the pendulum the difference being the height
to which the gravity arm is raised by the armature 4. The repeated fall of the
impulse arm 2 through this short distance is sufficient to maintain the vibrations
of the pendulums. The impulse arm may be actuated by a spring instead of by
gravity.
It will be evident that the action of the magnet 5 and weight 6 may be reversed
as shewn in Fig. 24. In this case the gravity arm 2 is mounted in bushes which
insulate it from the frame 3 its arbor being electrically connected to the bar 30
by a light flexible connection.
When the gravity arm 2 rests on the top of the weight 6 the electric circuit of
the magnet 5 is completed the armature 4 is consequently drawn down and the
gravity arm 2 is lifted along with the weight 6. When the pendulum moves in the
direction of the arrow and lifts the gravity arm 2 by means of the screw 9
the circuit is broken at 11. 12 the magnet 5 releases the armature 4 and the
weight 6 falls as far as permitted by the stop 13. When the pendulum moves in
the reverse direction the gravity arm 2 falls with it until the arm rests again on the
weight 6 completes the circuit and the magnet 5 again lifts the weight 6 and
gravity arm 2 to the first named position.
In order to lessen or prevent sparking at the points of contact 11. 12 whenever
the electric circuit is opened or closed we find it advantageous to combine an
ordinary condenser such as 14 (see Fig. 9) with the electric circuit of the electro
magnet 5 a wire 15 from the frame 3 being connected with one side of the condenser
and a wire 16 connects the opposite side of the condenser 14 and the top of the
pendulum rod,
When in lieu of the pendulums 1. 1 we employ chronometric balances 1.1 (see
Figs. 10. 11 and 12) the said balances 1. 1 being made to vibrate, their motion is
maintained by the impulse arms 2. 2 which are mounted on axes 35 free to move
in the carrying frames or brackets 3. 3. On the axis 35 is a vibrating spring 34

page_text: (preferably similar to the balance spring of a watch). Mounted loosely in the
brackets 3. 3 is an armature 4 one end of which is near to the electro magnet 5 but
held (when no current is passing round such magnet) against the adjusting screw 13
by the spring 6. On each balance 1 is a pin 11 which as the balance vibrates comes
in contact with the end 12 of the impulse arm 2.
The action is as follows:-In a state of rest or in the normal position the
spring holds the armature 4 against the adjusting screw 13 and away from the
electro magnet 5. The impulse arm 2 then rests against the armature 4 being
retained there by the force of the spring 34. As the balance vibrates and moves
to nearly the limit of its arc in the direction of the arrow, the pin 11 will come in
contact with the end 12 of the impulse arm 2. The balance continues its motion
through its supplementary arc (the circuit being closed as hereinafter described
when referring to the coils and their connections) the armature 4 is attracted to
and held by the electro magnet_ 5. When the balance moves in the reverse
direction the impulse arm 2 is made by the spring 34 to follow it until it comes in
contact with the armature 4 the pin 11 then leaves it behind, the circuit is broken
and the armature 4 being released the spring 6 brings it back to the stop 13 and
carries the impulse arm 2 with it. It will be seen that the impulse arm 2 moves
through a shorter arc when carried by the balance in the direction of the arrow
than when it returns with it the difference being the distance between the position
of the armature 4 when it is against the magnet and its position when against the
adjusting screw 13. This difference gives the required impulse to the balance.
The index which records the amount of electric current or energy passing into
consumption to which we make no separate claim consists of the dials and hands
(see Figs. 4 and 5) the hands being actuated by the train of wheels (see Fig. 5)
such train of wheels being operated and operating as follows:-The electric circuits
of the two electro-magnets 41. 41 are connected in series with the electric circuits
of the magnets which actuate the impulse arms (one to each) and near to each
magnet 41 is an axis 42 (seen most clearly in Fig. 6) on which is fixed the
armature 43 and also the lever 44, the upper end of which has two cross arms 45 45
in which are pins 46. 46 carrying the blade springs 47. 47 which engage with the
teeth of a ratchet or catch wheel 48 carried on an arbor 49 which passes through a
slot 50 in the lever.44. On the arbor 49 is a pinion 51 gearing with and driving
the wheel 52 of the differential motion 53 and on the arbor 49 is the pinion 51*
gearing with and driving the wheel 52 of the differential motion. When current
passes around the electro magnets 41. 41 (in consequence of the circuits being
closed at the contacts 11. and 12 by the vibration of the respective pendulums or
balances) the armatures 43. 43 are attracted to such magnets 41. 41 consequently
the axes 42. 42 are turned part of a revolution, and the levers 44. 44 are moved in
the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6 the ends of the upper blade
springs 47. 47 come in contact with the teeth of the ratchet or catch wheels 48. 48
and the latter are turned a space of half a tooth. When the circuit is again opened
the spiral springs 54. 54 move the levers 44. 44 in a reverse direction to that
indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6 and the lower blade spring 47. 47 now move the
ratchet or catch wheels 48. 48 a space of half a tooth in the same direction as
before. This to and fro movement of the levers is repeated so often as the circuit
is opened and closed by the pendulum or balances consequently the pinion 51
rotates and drives the wheel 52 in a reverse direction to that in which the
pinion 51* drives the wheel 52ª. So long as the speed of these wheels 52 52ª is the
same the wheel 55 will remain stationary. When the speed of the wheel 52 varies
from the speed of the wheel 52" in consequence of the deviation from synchronism
of the pendulum or balances caused by current going into consumption the wheel 55
will rotate and set in motion the train of wheels or clockwork which drives the
hands or indices. The stop pins 56. 56 on the levers 44. 44 prevent the ratchet
or catch wheels 48 48 moving more than the distance or space of half a tooth at
one time or for one vibration of the levers 44. 44.
The electro magnets in this invention may be either with or without iron cores

page_text: and their armatures may be either of iron or of a coil or coils placed in a shunt
circuit and with or without iron cores.
Although we have here described the application of electrically actuated impulse
arms on two pendulums or balances of electricity meters where the basis of
measurement is the amount of variation from synchronism of the said pendulums or
balances it will be readily understood that the same method of driving may be
applied in electricity meters in which only a single pendulum or balance is used to
which construction our invention equally applies.
We will now describe how the different parts of the apparatus are connected
together and indicate the flow of the electric current through the meter.
At 57 (see Fig. 1) is the + main supply wire along which the current passes
around the fixed main coil 58 to the lamps. The wire 57 is connected by shunt
wire 59 with the bar 30 through which a current for actuating the movements and
index passes down the springs 27. 27 and pendulum rods 7. 7 and (when contact is
made between the parts 11. 12) along the gravity arm 2 to the frame 3 which is
connected by wire 15 to one side of the condenser 14 the opposite side of the
condenser being connected by the wire 16 to the bar 30. The circuit is continued
from the frame 3 by wire 60 round the magnets 5. 5 and by wire 61 to the index.
Another current passes along the pendulum rod to the fork 63 thence by wire 64
to correcting and volt coils 65 which are upon and form part of the pendulum or
balance and whose functions are hereafter described. From the correcting coil 65
the current passes up the pendulum rod 7 by the wire 66 away to the main wire for
supplying the lamps.
The wires 66. 67 may be carried inside the pendulum rod 7 the latter being made
hollow for this purpose.
The connections are similar when torsion balances are employed excepting that
wires 70. 70 are employed dipping into mercury cups 71. 71 by way of which the
current passes as indicated in Fig. 10.
A very small current is continually passing through the shunt circuit which
includes the volt coil, the magnetic effect of which is in proportion to the electro
motive force of the current. When current is passing through the fixed main coil
to the lamps the magnetic force of the main coil and of the volt coil combined
accelerate or retard the vibrations of the pendulum such acceleration or retardation
being registered on the dials and being except as hereinafter described in proportion
to the watts passing into consumption. The force required to produce the
vibrations of a pendulum is in proportion to the square of the number of
vibrations. If therefore a= the normal number of vibrations and b= the number
to be added by the current the force required to produce a will be a³ and to
produce a +6 will be a² + 2 a, b + b², the difference (2 a b + 6) being the force to
be exerted by the current under measurement. With the volt coil alone the force
actually exerted would be in the ratio 2ab+b only.
Upon each volt coil therefore there is wound the " correcting coil" carrying a
very small proportion of the current passing into consumption. If correctly
calibrated this small current brings the ratio up to 2 a b + b³ and makes the readings
proportional throughout any range.
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 what we
claim is :-
:-
Firstly. The general construction and arrangement of the improved apparatus
for actuating chronometric balances and pendulums applied to electricity meters
as and for the purposes herein described.
Secondly. In electricity meters the combination with a pendulum or chrono-
metric balance of an impulse arm actuated by gravity or a spring and withdrawn
directly or indirectly by an electro magnet from its position after having given the
impulse as herein described and illustrated by annexed drawings.
Thirdly. In an electricity meter the use in combination with an electro magnet

page_text: and a pendulum or chronometric balance of an impulse arm such impulse arm itself
forming a part of the electric circuit which energises the said electro magnet and,
being itself the means whereby the pendulum or balance opens and closes the said
electric circuit.
JOSEPH EDMONDSON,
JOSEPH OULTON,
By their Agent, Walter Brierley,
Penny Bank Chambers, Waterhouse Street, Halifax.