An Improved Apparatus for Measuring and Recording any Number of Different Quantities of Liquids.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1890-Accepted, 12th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Measuring and Recording any Number
of Different Quantities of Liquids.
IWALTER ALLEN SHEPPARD of Cleve Hill House Midford near Bath in the
County of Wiltshire 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 :-
My apparatus consists of a measuring vessel or cylinder into which the liquid to be
measured flows by its own gravity and the quantity of liquid entering which, is
controlled or varied as desired by an accurately fitted piston sliding in the said vessel
or cylinder and capable of being located therein at pleasure at different positions in
the length of the same for the purpose of altering the capacity of the said measuring
vessel or cylinder and thus enabling the same to measure various quantities of liquid
as desired. The above mentioned piston is actuated by being connected with the
lever which operates the tap, which tap possesses suitable ports or passages adapted
for passing the liquid which it is desired to measure, from the source of supply to the
interior of the above mentioned vessel or cylinder and after being measured allowing
of its being drawn off.
Having now explained the object and nature of my said invention I refer to the
accompanying drawings and description as follows to more particularly describe its
construction and action.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of the apparatus constructed in accordance
with my invention.
Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same.
Figs. 3. 4 & 5 aro sectional diagrams shewing the different positions of the tap and
passages in the same necessary to carry out the required operations of alternately
admitting the liquid to the interior of the said measuring vessel or cylinder and
allowing of the discharge of the same after being measured.
Fig. 3 shews the position of the lever and plug of the tap in its normal position of rest
the passage for supplying the liquid, a being covered by the face of the plug thereby
preventing its admission into the measuring vessel or cylinder the interior of the
latter being at same time open to the outlet through the port c.
Fig. 3 also shews the lever (K) and plug of the tap in the position for drawing off
the liquid after the desired quantity has been measured.
Fig. 4 shews the position of the lever (K) and plug of the tap when measuring the
"lesser" quantity of liquid (to which reference is made in the hereinafter described
method of action of the apparatus) the outlet being closed by the face of the plug
covering the port (c).
Fig. 5 shows the position of the lever (K) and plug of the tap when it is desired
to measure the " greater quantity" of liquid (to which reference is made in the
hereinafter described method of action of the apparatus) the outlet being closed as
before by the face of the plug covering the port (c).
The apparatus may be constructed and arranged for measuring any desired number
of different quantities of liquid by means of adjusting the piston at various heights
in the measuring vessel or cylinder but I should say that in order that my invention
may be more easily understood from this specification and accompanying drawings I
have shewn it as adapted for measuring only 2 different quantities of liquid such
different quantities being indicated by the positions of the piston shown by dotted
lines on the drawings at two different heights on the measuring vessel or cylinder
and subara 1
IN

page_text: For the purpose of explanation in this specification it will be convenient to indicate
No. 1 as being the position of the piston for measuring what I will term the "lesser"
quantity before referred to and No. 2 in which the capacity is doubled, I will term
the greater quantity likewise before referred to.
In the sectional elevation Fig. 1. A is the measuring vessel or cylinder in which 5
slides the piston B, connected by means of the rods and D and the lever E, with
the arm F, which is carried by, but not fixed to the spindle of the cock G. The
piston is shewn in its normal position of rest (in which position it is adjusted for
measuring the lesser quantity of liquid) being held thus, together with the lever E
and rods C and D by means of the spring H, a stop I is fixed at any suitable point 1
in the length of the guide rod J to prevent the piston descending further than required.
The lever K is fixed to the spindle or plug of the cock for operating same and is
also shewn in its normal position of rest, it is capable of movement from the point
marked (1) to that marked (3) from (1") to (2") of its travel it simply operates the
tap G when however it is depressed beyond (2") a semicircular notch (L) comes in
contact with the projecting pin M fixed in the arm F & thereby by means of the
rods C&D and lever E aforesaid, raises the piston into the position for measuring
the greater quantity of liquid, the piston is provided with an air valve N to allow
of the escape of the air contained in the measuring vessel or cylinder during the
time the liquid is being admitted thereto to be measured. The air valve N is operated
by means of the float O fixed on the spindle of the valve.
The action of the apparatus is as follows, reference being made to the corresponding.
positions of the lever as shewn in the various figures.
In these drawings the same letters or numbers refer to the same parts and
positions of the apparatus as shewn in the different figures.
Supposing that it is desired to measure what I have for purpose of explanation in
this specification designated the "lesser quantity" of liquid the lever K is depressed
from its normal position of rest to the position (2) Fig. 4, when thus placed the
plug uncovers the port A and allows the liquid to flow through the port into the
measuring vessel or cylinder gradually filling it and expelling the air through the air
valve N. When the liquid rises to the level of the under side of the piston it raises
the float which thereby closing the air valve prevents the liquid passing through to
the upper portion of the measuring vessel or cylinder above the piston. The desired
quantity of liquid having thus been measured the lever is again returned to the
position (1) Fig. 3.
The inlet port A is thereby closed by the face of the plug as before described and
the measured liquid is allowed to flow out by the outlet port c.
The cycle of operations for measuring what I have termed the greater quantity of
liquid is identical with the foregoing with the exception that instead of the lever K
being depressed to the point (2") only it is lowered to the point (3"). When it is
depressed as far as (2°) in its travel (see Fig. 1) it engages with the projecting stud
or pin M and depresses with it the arm F which is movable on the plug or spindle of
the tap G, by this action the rod D being connected with the arm F is depressed
and by means of the lever E the rod C is raised, thereby raising the piston B unti
the lever K is depressed to its lowest extent in which position the piston Bis
correspondingly raised to the highest limit of the travel, in this position determining
the capacity of the space under it for measuring the greater quantity of liquid. The
depression of the lover K while raising the piston has simultaneously brought th
plug of the tap G into the position shewn at (3ª) Fig. 5. The inlet port A being
open the liquid enters the cylinder as before described expelling the air through th
air valve N until it rises to the level of the underside of the piston when it lifts th
float which closes the air valve as before described.
The "greater" quantity of liquid being thus measured the lever K is returned t
its normal position (1) Fig. 3 when the face of the plug covers the supply port
and opens the outlet c when the liquid flows from the measuring cylinder.
The number of different quantities measured, or their equivalent value in mone
may be registered on a dial automatically by means of a suitable form of recordin

page_text: instrument actuated by being connected with any desired moving part of the above
apparatus.
If also it is desired to indicate by sound when the required quantity of liquid has
entered the measuring vessel or cylinder and is ready to be drawn off, this may be
effected by an electric bell suitably arranged in connection with the apparatus the
bell being caused to ring at the proper moment by means of the lifting of the float O
making contact with an electric battery.
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.
1st. An apparatus as above described for measuring any number of different quantities
of liquid in which the liquid flows from the apparatus by gravitation after being
measured.
2nd. A measuring vessel or cylinder the capacity of which is altered by raising
and lowering therein a piston having an air valve seated therein and which is
controlled by direct positive action from the lever which operates the tap.
3rd. A cock or arrangement which while allowing the flow of liquid into the
measuring vessel or cylinder for the various measures required is so constructed
as to prevent the possibility of liquid escaping from the measuring vessel or
cylinder until the lever which operates the cock is returned to its normal position
of rest.
DL: CAL
1000
W. A. SHEPPARD.