IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF GAS METERS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Schatten, of Hesse Cassel, Civil Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION
OF GAS METERS."
Sealed the 29th July 1862, and dated the 31st January 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Schatten at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st January 1862.
I, HERMANN SCHATTEN, of Hesse Cassel, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR
CONSTRUCTION OF GAS METERS," to be as follows:-
That my improvements may be readily understood, I have illustrated them
in several Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, reference to which is made
in the following description:-
In a metal cylinder A (Figs. II. and III., Sheets 2 and 3), divided by a
partition B into two cylindrical chambers of equal contents, move on their
axles 6 (resting in bearers a), and independantly of each other, two cylindrical
diaphragms, drums, or bellows C, D, also of metal. They have a segment,
(c, c, Fig. I., Sheet 1) cut through both lateral walls; and the thus opened
diaphragms or drums are on one side (in the Drawing on the upper side d),

page_text: closed by a moveable partition or lid. The other side (here the lower one)
remains open, and is of such depth that when the meter is working, the interior
and the exterior opposing liquid may remain in equal level. The liquid which
or drums as between them and
opposes the gas is as well in both diaphragms
the casings, and both cylindrical chambers communicate by an opening e at
the bottom of the partition B (see Fig. II.) f. (Figs. I. and II.,) Sheets 1
and 2) indicates the normal level of the liquid; this will be obtained by filling
the opening g up to the brim when it is tightly screwed up. The diaphragms,
drums, or bellows are double acting, firstly, because the gas in the interior
beneath the partitions is resisted in its upward pressure by the liquid within;
secondly, becauses the gas presses upon the exterior partitions and is resisted by
the outer liquid. The middle (E, Fig. II.) of the diaphragms or drums being
filled with air and swimming in the liquid, the.friction on their axle bearings
is considerably diminished and almost annulled. To make the gas enter below
the partitions each of the diaphragms or drums has in its interior a narrow
channel in form of a ring (shewn at H, Figs. I. II. and III.) introduced
at h (Fig. I.) The projecting orifices (Eigs. I. and III.) serve to lead the-
gas over the partition. It will be evident from the preceding that the dia-
phragms or drums move round half, and not an entire circle, and when they
have reached the end of their journey the change of gas takes place by means
of the alternating apparatus hereafter described and the diaphragms return to
their starting point and are again charged with gas. This length of motion
always remaining the same, the result is a constantly regular and correct
measurement or registering of the gas not dependant upon the level of the
liquid. To obtain the backward and forward motion two alternating apparatus
are placed in the middle of the front and back partitions and so combined
with the gas channels that the sliding apparatus in one diaphragm or drum is
acted upon by the revolution of the axle of the other drum, and vice versa.
This arrangement (which the existing leather diaphragms or bellows do not
possess, although otherwise their form is similar to those shown), gives the
mathematical certainty that in no position can gas pass through the meter
without registering. Fig. IV., Sheet 1, shews the sliding apparatus in
profile with the gas channel F beneath it; G, the fixed sliding chest with its
channels; H, the two connected slides; b, the axle with its crooked or
eccentric pivot J, which carries the friction rollers that move the slides. The
six channels in the slides all open-in the first place upon the upper surface,
which, like the surface of the slides moving upon it, has been ground perfectly
even. By the different positions assumed by the slides the middle openings
combine either with the inlet or outlet or shut them alternately. The other

page_text: openings of these six channels combine directly with-the gas channels leading
further, as hereafter explained. Four of these channel openings are in the
front of the slide chest, as indicated Figs. I. and IV. The fifth and sixth
openings are on the lower side, as indicated by the down pointing arrows,
Fig. I. These six channels are for the following purposes; those / connected
by the channel in front of K (see Fig. I.) belong to the gas inlet and are
marked with arrows pointing upwards; those marked m are connected by the
channel F beneath them (see Fig. II.) and belong to the outlet. The above-
described channel junctions are common to both sliding apparatuses, the inlets
of both uniting together and having at n (Fig. I.) their common point for
inlet of gas, and the gas outlets also, unite and have their common point of
outlet at o. The channels p and q in the middle of the slide chest, however,
lead the gas only into or out of the double-action drums or bellows to which
they belong, one opening over the other under the partition. The holes r
(Fig. IV., Sheet 1), have the exact breadth of two channel openings, and are
as deep as a partition, and by moving to and fro combine the inlet or outlet
of the gas with one of these middle openings, and lead it over or under the
partition. M, Fig. I., is the regulator, placed in the front casing of the
meter, through which the gas streams before entering the meter itself; the
liquid in its lower part communicates with that in the meter through the
pipe u. The entire arrangement is so clearly displayed by the Drawing that
further description is not needed. The gas having passed through the said
regulator enters by the connecting pipe (Fig. I.) into the inlet channels
common to both sliding apparatuses.. These inlet channels lead to the anterior
slide chest and through the exterior of the case ring L (Figs. II.) into the
connecting channel K, which lies before it and is connected with it. The
same channel is led downwards from the point of inlet n, passes beneath the
meter case, then up to the back casing, and through the case ring into the
connecting channel lying before and which covers the two inlet openings 1 of
the slide chest. Beneath the slide chest is the channel F which unites the two
exterior openings m, belongs to the outlet, and has its common point of outlet
at o. Both the inlet and outlet channels just described are common to both
sliding apparatuses, but not so the middle openings p and q, either having
a channel for itself and leading the gas both to the diaphragm, drum, or
bellows for measuring, and then back for consumption. The middle openings
of one slide chest both belong to one of the double-action drums, one opening
serving to lead the gas over, the other under the partition; and in one slide
chest there is at the same time only one inlet and one outlet combined with
the middle openings. According to Fig. I. the middle opening of the loft

page_text: side of the slide chest lying in the drum or bellows C leads the gas into the
channel N, and this channel, like those above described, passes through the
anterior case ring round the meter, up the back casing, and terminates above
the partition of the diaphragm, drum, or bellows D at the point where the inlet
is indicated by . The channel O goes the same way, joins at the back the inlet
opening of the annular channel at h, and leads the gas under the partition of
the drum D at the point indicated by t.
To regulate the quantity of gas passing through the meter I use the following
apparatus, which is not shewn in the accompanying Drawings, as from its
simplicity it may be easily described and understood without such reference:-
I place a fork upon an axle, the ends of the fork being bent outwards, so that
on the axle turning they may strike upon angles soldered upon the inside of
the casing of the meter. To make this happen earlier or later, and to lengthen
or shorten thereby the swing of the drums or bellows, a piece of metal with
two holes, into which the fork is struck, may be pushed backwards and
forwards, the fork thus straightened or enlarged, and the swing of the drum
consequently lengthened or shortened.
The hands of the indicater being moved by the usual arrangement, I have
not,shewn it in the Drawings, its place is in the front of the case ring, which for
this purpose is covered with glass, and movement is communicated to it by
the crooked or eccentric pivot J of the axle of the drums or bellows, which, in
turning, pushes a catch, which taking into a balance wheel, sets the indicating
apparatus in motion.
Having now described the several parts of my improved gas meter, I will
describe its action from the filling, previously observing that from the peculiar
construction of my meter, glycerine (which does not evaporate or freeze) may
be used instead of water. The indicating apparatus being in front, and the
sectors of both diaphragms, drums, or bellows in the position shewn, Fig: I.,
both the interior of the drums and the spaces between them and the outer
casing filled with liquid through the opening 9 (Fig. III.), which is then
closed by a screw, and the gas being introduced, the drum C begins it's work
(as by the before-mentioned transposed gas channel for this drum the gas inlet
over the partition is open) by its turning it pushes the slides of, the drum or
bellows D (which, come in contact with its axle) also into this position, and
thus cause it to work when it changes the slides of the drum or bellows C,
and this process continues in uninterrupted succession. By this reciprocal
action one diaphragm, bellows, or drum moving the slides of the other and
then resting until its own slides are moved again, and from the regularly
prescribed length of swing or movement of, the diaphragms or drums it is

page_text: evident that no irregularity in the measurement or registering of the gas
can take place, nor any disturbance of the mechanical arrangement of the
meter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Hermann Schatten in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th July 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HERMANN
SCHATTEN, of Hesse Cassel, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Hermann Schatten, Her special licence that I, the said Hermann
Schatten, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Hermann Schatten, my executors, administrators, and 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 THE MANUFACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF GAS METERS,"
upon the condition (amongst others), that I, the said Hermann Schatten, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Hermann Schatten,. do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be-per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed
and forming part of this my Specification, and to the letters placed thereon,
serving to denote similar parts where such parts appear or can be seen.at each.
of the Figures respectively
My Invention will be best understood by reference to the Drawings and the.
description thereof; but before proceeding to describe them I would observe,..

page_text: that from the peculiar construction of my meter, glycerine (which does not
evaporate or freeze) may be used therein instead of water. I would also
observe, that in my Provisional Specification I have used various terms to
express the same thing, such as diaphragm, drum, and bellows; but in this
my Final Specification I omit the constant repetition of terms, using one
equivalent, but claiming the benefit of the full terms named in the Provisional
Specification if it should be found that any of the duplicata or triplicata should
be more opposite than the term herein used.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
And, firstly, of the pair of diaphragms or drums C and D, which are
constructed in metal, and of a cylindrical form, they move independantly on
their axles 6 in their bearings a. They are placed in a cylinder A of sheet
metal resting on its own periphery and divided by a solidly fixed partition B,
Figures II. and III. into two cylindrical compartments of equal dimensions;
both these diaphragms are opened by a cuniform segment or incision in their
two. lateral walls at the same part c, c, Figure I., one side of which opening
(the upper one at 6) is hermetically closed by a transverse partition. The
other side (the lower one) is left open and sufficiently deep to allow the liquid
to preserve its.level within and without the diaphragms whilst the meter is
working. The liquid which forms the levels of resistance, is contained both
in the diaphragms, and between them and the enclosing frame. The two
cylindrical compartments are connected by an opening at the bottom of the
partition B, Figure II. The liquid has its normal level at f, Figures I. and II.
This level is obtained by filling the opening g, Figures I. and III. until it
overflows, it is then hermetically closed; these diaphragms have a double
action, as on one hand the gas within them raises the partition walls, whilst
the level of the liquid acts as a level of resistance, and as on the other hand
the gas acts on the outer partition walls, the outer level of the liquid forming
the resistance. The central compartment of the diaphragms E, Figures II.
and III., is filled with air floating on the liquid, and the friction in the beds is
therefore materially diminished, nay, almost reduced to nothing. The interior
of each of the two diaphragms contains a narrow gas pipe in the shape of a
ring, and inserted at h, Figures I and II., as shown in Figure IV. in the front
and side view, and in Figures II. and III. in the section and plan, in order to
introduce the gas below the partition. These rings are fixed at the point of
insertion in the front and back partition at h, from which the gas tube is
continued to the sliding valve. The openings i, Figures 1. and III. of the
front and back partition serve the purpose of conducting the gas above the

page_text: partition. The motion of the diaphragms, as evident from the preceding, does
not embrace a whole circle, but a half circle. When reaching one limit of
their motion (semi-rotation) the alternating introduction of the gas commences
by means of the alternating action to be herein-after described, the diaphragms
move back to the starting point, and here the alternating introduction of the
It is this constant and uniform extent of their motion
gas recommences.
which secures the certainty of a constant and exact measure, and its
independence of the level of the liquid. Any contrivance for preserving the'
normal level hitherto necessary in gas meters of a drum shape, and rendering
their construction more or less complicated is thus rendered superfluous. The
measure is not affected by a lowering of the level, as the liquid does not
perform the office of measuring, but the constant and uniform extent of tho
alternating movement of the diaphragms serves as its basis.
Secondly, of the alternating apparatus. In the centre of the front and back
partition, extending to the interior of the diaphragms, are placed two
alternating contrivances thus arranged through the gas tubes, that the sliding
valve of each of the two diaphragms is brought into play by the semi-rotatory
motion of the other diaphragms. The alternating motion of the diaphragms
is the result of this contrivance, and this arrangement not applicable to the
sliding valves of gas meters with leather diaphragms of a' similar form, affords
the mathematical certainty that no combination can occur in the position of
the sliding valves, in which unmeasured, and therefore not registered, gas can
pass through the meter.
Figure V. shews the sliding valve apparatus in its section, together with the
gas tube F below it in its three principal parts, namely, G, the immovable t
sliding valve box with its six communicating tubes H; the two connected
sliding valves with their connecting openings; and, thirdly, the axle b with its
crank I supporting the sliding rolls for moving the sliding valves. The six
communicating tubes open once and altogether at the upper surface, which is
carefully smoothed as well as the slides which move on it. The central
openings either connect themselves with the inlet or outlet, or close them
alternately in consequence of the alternating position of the valves. The other
openings of these six communicating tubes connect themselves in a direct
manner with the continuation of the gas tubes which are hereafter more fully
described. Four of these openings are in front of the sliding valve box shewn
by the rectangular punctuated squares in Figures I. and V. The fifth and
sixth opening are situated below, and shewn in Figure I., where they are
pointed out by the descending arrows. These six communicating tubes in the
box, with their double openings, act as follows:-The two next the axle at equal

page_text: distances from it and connected by a communicating tube K, Figure I. and
marked 7, admit the gas as indicated by the rising arrows. The two indicated
by m, and as appears in Figure II. connected by the communicating tube F
below form the outlet. These two combinations of communicating tubes serve
the two sliding apparatus conjointly as the entrances of both connect themselves
with each other forming their united point for the admission of gas at n,
Figure I. Both their outlets for the gas form an equal combination, and have
their joint outlet in o. The central tubes p and q, however, of the sliding valve
boxes only convey the gas into or out of their respective diaphragms, one of them
above and the other below the partition. The indentures r, Figure V., on the
surface in which the sliding valves H are to move are exactly of the width of
two of these openings and the intermediate sides, and thus in their alternating
motion connect either the inletting or outletting tube of the gas with one of
these central openings, and either convey it above, or below the partition.
These sliders are by their connecting pins in 's, in such a manner connected
that the distance of their indentures, as shewn by Figures I. and V. correspond
with the openings in the box. The slider on the right hand connects the inlet
with the opening of the diaphragms, the left hand slider connects the outlet
with it.
And, thirdly, of the regulator.-In order to avoid interruptions in the
working of my meter, which must occur in consequence of an excessive
pressure of the gas, or of an excessive lowering of the level of the liquid, I
have provided my meter with a regulator checking further motion as soon as
the limit of one inch has been touched, which I fix as its extent. The
regulator M, Figure I., is placed in front of the meter, and the gas has to pass
through it in order to enter the meter. The liquid contained in it commu-
nicates with that of the meter by the communicating tube u (shewn dotted.)
This contrivance is that of a simple float, and easily understood from the
Drawing:
And, fourthly, of the gas tubes.-The gas having passed through the
regulator finds its way through the connecting tube at n, Figure I., into the
joint inlets for both sliding contrivances. It is then led upwards to the front
box and through the external frame ring I, Figures I. and II., into the com-
municating tube K lying before and connected with it. The same tube from
the point of insertion n led downwards, passes underneath the frame and
upwards again on the back part, and here again in the same manner as in
front through the framing into the communicating tube before it, which covers
the two inlets of the sliding valve box. The connecting tube F between the
two external openings of the slide valve box belonging to the outlet, and

page_text: provided with the joint point of outlet at o, is placed under the slide valve
box. Its continuation to the posterior box is exactly the same with the
previous description. Both communicating tubes for the in-flow and out-flow
of the gas belong conjointly to the two sliding apparatus. This is not the
case with the central openings of the box p and q, each of which possesses its
own communicating tube, and conveys the gas both to the diaphragms and
thence for consumption after registration. The central openings of the one of
the boxes belong both to one of the doubly-acting diaphragms. One of these
openings convey the gas above the partition, the other below it, and in the
same box one inlet and one outlet are only simultaneously connected with the
central openings. The central opening p of the left side of the box situated
in the diaphragm C, Figure I., conveys the gas into the tube N, and passes
like the previously described communications through the front part of the
frame ring round the meter upwards on the back part, and terminates above
the partition of the diaphragm D, at the same spot where the point of admis-
sion in the front part is indicated by i. The communicating tube O, before the
central opening on the right, follows, the same direction, uniting on the back
part with the inlet of the circular communication at h, and conveys the gras
under the partition of the diaphragms D, which spot is indicated by t in the
front. The communications of the central openings of the box in the dia-
phragm D are exactly the same with those previously described, albeit that
they lead to diaphragmn C, and obtain the opposite inlet. The back commu-
nication N has its outlet above the partition at t, the back communication O
above the partition i, as explained below.
And, fifthly, of a contrivance for regulating the gas which passes through
the meter. A Drawing of this apparatus has not been considered requisite,
as it may be easily described. Although the proportionate space of the dia-
phragms can be calculated with accuracy, the practical. performance cannot
always be expected in a similar manner. My meter therefore contains in the
'interior of the framework an exceedingly simple contrivance, enabling the con-
sumer to ascertain the cubic contents with the greatest accuracy; it consists of
a fork attached to the axle, the prongs of which bending outwards strike right
and left at every semi-rotation of the axle against fixed angles soldered to the
inner frame. A metal limb with two holes, in which the prongs of the fork
are placed, and which by being moved forwards or backwards contracts the
fork or expands it, enlarges or contracts the semi-rotatory motion of the
diaphragms.
.
And, sixthly, of the dial.This point of the meter, being sufficiently known,
has not been. added to the Drawings. It is placed in the circular front of the

page_text: frame, which for this purpose is covered with glass. The motion is imparted
to the hands by means of the crank I of the axle of the diaphragms by
pushing in its semi-rotation a catch, which acts on an escapement, which
pushes it forward one tooth, and thus prepares registration. The rings of the
frame are fastened by screws to render the dial, as well as the sliding
apparatus and the regulator, easily accessible.
Having now described the several parts of my improved gas meter, I will
shortly describe its action from the filling. The indicating apparatus being in
the position shewn, Figure I., both the interior of the diaphragms and the
spaces between them and the outer casing are filled with liquid through the
opening 9 (Figure III.), which is then closed by a screw, and the gas being
introduced into the diaphragm C begins its work (as by the before-mentioned
transposed gas channel only for this diaphragm the gas inlet over the par-
tition is open), by its turning it pushes the slides of the diaphragm D (which
come into contact with its axle), also into this position, and thus cause it to
work when it changes the slides of the diaphragm C, and this process con-
tinues in uninterrupted succession. By this reciprocal action one diaphragm
moving the slides of the other then resting until its own slides are moved
again, and from the regularly prescribed length of swing of the diaphragm it
is evident that no irregularity in the measurement of the gas can occur.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Schatten, have hereunto set
my-hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
HERMANN SCHATTEN. (L.S.)