IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Julius Schülke at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1877.
JULIUS SCHÜLKE, of Berlin, Prussia, Manufacturer.
GAS METERS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY
My Invention relates to that construction of dry gas meters wherein the gas is
caused alternately to distend one of two flexible bags, the other bag being at the
same time collapsed, so as to deliver the gas with which it was previously filled.
My improvements relate principally,-
First. To the provision of a chamber surrounding the bags and inlet and outlet
valves, into which the gas is delivered before issuing from the meter, in order to
act in a similar manner to the air vessel of a pump for providing a constant flow,
and also to surround the bags and valves with gas at nearly the same pressure as
that contained therein, so that any variation in such pressure shall not perceptibly
alter the capacity of the bags, and that the valves shall be. almost in a state of
equilibrium.
Second. To the arrangement of the valves and gear in such manner that only a
slight force is required to reverse their position, and that such reversal takes place
suddenly at the end of each distension of one of the bags.
Third. To an improved impermeable durable material for forming the flexible
bags and other parts of the meter.
Fourth. To an improved form of and appliances to the bags, whereby they are
prevented from being altered in shape.
And, Fifth. To the use of flexible diaphragms instead of stuffing boxes for in-
suring the passage of rods or spindles, gas-tight, through partitions separating the
compartments of the meter.

page_text: The flexible bags employed are those of bellows form with alternate ridge and
furrow folds. They may be either of wedge shape, the two outer sides being joined
together at one end, while the other ends are made alternately to approach to and
recede from each other; or the sides may be rigidly fixed, either at an angle or
parallel to each other, the distension and collapsing being effected by the movement
of the partition between the two bags. This partition is by preference constructed
of a flexible diaphragm fixed on a rigid framing, so that when the gas is admitted
on the one side, it bulges out the diaphragm, and so increases the capacity of the
bag.
For preventing the deformation of the bag by variations of pressure, the sides of
the folds are rendered more or less rigid by cementing thereto pieces of any suitable
rigid material, and also by providing internal ties passing across from the one side
of a fold to the other. Furthermore, I construct the folds, so that where there is a
ridge at top there are furrows at sides, and vice versa. Instead of employing two
bags, I, in some cases, dispense with one of them by placing the one bag in a closed
compartment of the meter, which itself forms the second measuring compartment,
the gas being made alternately to pass into the bag, by the distension of which the
capacity of the compartment is correspondingly reduced, and into the compartment,
whereby the bag becomes collapsed.
For the material of which the bags are constructed I employ linen, cotton, or
other suitable fabric, treated with a compound formed as follows:-500 parts
gelatine are boiled with 750 parts glycerine, and 1500 parts water, and to
this is added 40 parts of chromate of potash, and 4 parts of an alcoholic solution of
salycylic acid or other suitable antiseptic substance. This compound is kept from
the light until required for use, when it is applied to the fabric, which is then ex-
posed to the light, whereby the gelatine becomes converted to a perfectly insoluble
compound, with the other substances, withstanding perfectly the action of all such
substances, as the sulphuretted hydrogen and other compounds of the gas, glycerine,
alcohol, ammonia, and creosote.
The fabric prepared as above described is applicable to the bags of all gas meters,
as also to the diaphragms and valves employed therein.
The valves and gear for admitting and discharging the gas to and from the
measuring bags are constructed as follows:-The valves, which are of disc form and
by preference constructed of a numbers of layers of the before-described fabric, are
situated in pipes leading from the inlet to each compartment of the measuring bag
or bags, they being arranged by a small motion to seat alternately upon opposite
seats in the pipes, so that as the one valve closes the inlet for the gas to the onebag
and opens the outlet thereto, the other valve opens the inlet to the other bag and
closes the outlet thereto.
According to one arrangement these valves are placed in a vertical position, their
stems being connected to a four-arined lever, the lower arm of which is acted on by
a spring, so as keep the valves in whatever position they are moved into. The end
of the upper arm is engaged with a little play between a fork on a lever turning on
the same pin as the valve lever, and biassed by a spring, so as to remain in one of
two opposite positions, and to move of itself rapidly from the one position to the
other after a certain motion has been imparted to it by the reciprocating partition
of the measuring bag, such motion being imparted by means of two adjustable
tappets situated at some distance apart on an arm fixed to the said partition, so that
when the partition arrives near its one end motion, the one tappet is made to act
on the lever. This motion of the lever effects the sudden throwing over of the valve
lever, so as to reverse the position of the valves at the end stroke of each of the bags.
In order to increase the suddeness of this action, a drag spring is applied to the
lever in such a manner that this is only free to be thrown over by its spring when
this has acquired some power, owing to its distension or compression by the first
part of the motion of the lever. Each motion of the bags is communicated to the
registering mechanism, which may be of any known construction, by means of a
rod connected to a crank on a spindle receiving motion from the reciprocating

page_text: partition, and passing gas-tight through a flexible diaphragm into the casing of the
counter.
According to another arrangement for reversing the valves quickly, the lever
thereof is engaged when in each opposite position with one of two spring pawls,
which consecutively hold it until the measuring bags have almost completed their
motion, when a tappet on the moving part of the bag releases the pawl, and the
lever with its valves is thrown over by means of a spring, which is alternately
biassed in opposite directions by the motion of the measuring bags.
According to another modification of the last arrangement, in place of the spring
pawls I provide a slotted boss, to which a rocking motion is imparted at each end
stroke of the bags by means of tappets on the latter coming in contact with arms
on the boss, which is biassed by a spring to remain in the extreme positions. The
vertical arm of the valve lever has a stud which can pass through the slot of the
boss when the slot is brought into a horizontal position on the boss having partly
moved through its stroke, the stud being prevented by the oblique position of the
slot from passing through it at any other time.
According to another modification, the valves and their seats are arranged in a
horizontal position, both valves being on one and the same stem, which is biassed
by a spring, so as to tend to remain in the positions into which they are moved.
The throwing over of the valves is effected by a forked rocking lever, also biassed
by a spring, and actuated by the moving bag, as before described, so as to cause
its fork to act against stops on the valve spindle.
According to another modification of this arrangement, the inlet passage for gas
is formed between the valves instead of at each outer end thereof; and at the lower
end of this passage is a flexible diaphragm through which a lever passes gas-tight,
entering with its end a slot in the valve spindle; this lever is connected to the lever
actuated by the gas bags, as before described. Or in place of arranging the valve
lever to pass into the gas supply passage, it may be placed outside the latter, and
be provided with a fork embracing the opposite ends of the valve spindle, which is
extended, so as to project beyond the outlet openings of the valve casing. Or the
said lever may be arranged entirely to one side of the valve casing, and be made to
rock between stops on the one extended end of the valve spindle.
In all the above arrangements the drag spring described in the first arrangement
may be applied to the reversing lever, so as to increase the suddenness of its action.
Also it is to be understood that in each of the said arrangements the measuring
bags and valve casing are by preference surrounded by a chamber, into which the
gas passes from the bags, for the purposes herein-before specified.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Julius Schülke in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st May
1878.
JULIUS SHÜLKE, of Berlin, Prussia, Manufacturer.
GAS METERS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY
My Invention relates to that construction of dry gas meters wherein the gas is
caused alternately to distend one of two flexible bags, the other bag being at the
same time collapsed, so as to deliver the gas with which it was previously filled.
My improvements relate principally,-
First. To an improved impermeable durable material for forming the flexible bags
and other parts of the meter.
Second. To an improved form of and appliances to the bags, whereby they are
prevented from being altered in shape.
Third. To the arrangement of the valves and gear in such manner that only a
slight force is required to reverse their position, and that such reversal takes place
suddenly at the end of each distension of one of the bags.
And, Fourth. To the use of flexible diaphragms instead of stuffing boxes, for
insuring the passage of rods or spindles gas-tight through partitions separating the
compartments of the meter.
Surrounding the bags and inlet and outlet valves is a chamber into which the gas
is delivered before issuing from the meter, in order to act in a similar manner to the
air vessel of a pump for providing a constant flow, and also to surround the bags
and valves with gas at nearly the same pressure as that contained therein, so that
any variation in such pressure shall not perceptibly alter the capacity of the bags,
and that the valves shall be almost in a state of equilibrium.
The flexible bags employed are those of bellows form, with alternate ridge and
furrow folds. They may be either of wedge shape, the two outer sides being joined
together at one end, while the other ends are made alternately to approach to and
recede from each other; or the sides may be rigidly fixed, either at an angle or
parallel to each other, the distension and collapsing being effected by the movement
of the partition between the two bags. This partition is by preference constructed
of a flexible diaphragm fixed on a rigid framing, so that when the gas is admitted
on the one side it bulges out the diaphragm, and so increases the capacity of the bag.
For preventing the deformation of the bag by variations of pressure the sides of
the folds are rendered more or less rigid by cenieting thereto pieces of any suitable
rigid material, and also by providing internal ties passing across from the one side of
a fold to the other. Furthermore, I construct the folds so that where there is a
ridge at top there are furrows at the sides, and vice versa. Instead of employing
two bags, I in some cases dispense with one of them by placing the one bag in a
closed compartment of the meter, which itself forms the second measuring compart-4
ment, the gas being made alternately to pass into the bag by the distension of which
the capacity of the compartment is correspondingly reduced, and into the compart-
ment whereby the bag becomes collapsed.
4
For the material of which the bags are constructed I employ linen, cotton, or other
suitable fabric, treated with a compound formed as follows:-500 parts of gelatine
are boiled with 750 parts of glycerine and 1500 parts water, and to this is added 40
parts of chromate of potash and 4 parts of an alcoholic solution of salicylic acid or
other suitable antiseptic substance. This compound is kept from the light until
required for use, when it is applied to the fabric, which is then exposed to the light,
whereby the gelatine becomes converted to a perfectly insoluble compound with the a
other substances, withstanding perfectly the action of all such substances as the sul-
phuretted hydrogen and other compounds of the gas, glycerine, alcohol, ammonia,
and creosote.
The fabric prepared as above described is applicable to the bags of all gas meters
as also to the diaphragms and valves employed therein.

page_text: The valves and gear for admitting and discharging the gas to and from the
measuring bags are constructed as follows:-The valves, which are of disc form, and
by preference constructed of a number of layers of the before-described fabric, are
situated in pipes leading from the inlet to each compartment of the measuring bag
or bags, they being arranged by a small motion to seat alternately upon opposite
seats in the pipe, so that as the one valve closes the inlet for the gas to the one bag
and opens the outlet thereto, the other valve opens the inlet to the other bag and
closes the outlet thereto.
The instantaneous reversal of the valves at the end of each stroke of the bags, so
as to cause the collapsed bag to be filled and the distended one to be emptied, is
effected by tappets on the moveable part of the bags, actuating either levers or
catches, so arranged as to bring into action springs that operate the valves, these
springs being so arranged that when moved beyond a certain point they impart a
sudden impulse to the valves, and that in either extreme position they tend to hold
the valves in the position into which they are thrown.
The accompanying Drawings shew various arrangements by which my Invention
can be carried into effect. Fig. 1 shews a sectional front view of a meter constructed
according to my Invention; Fig. 2 shews a transverse section; and Fig. 3 shews the
registering mechanism detached. The flexible measuring bags A, A¹, are secured to
two angular sides A², A², fixed in the casing B, and have between them the partition
A³, to which a reciprocating motion is imparted as the bags are alternately distended
and collapsed by the admission and emission of the gas, which enters the bags
through the vertical pipes C, C', C, and the horizontal pipes D1, D2, the latter of which
communicate with the sides A2 In the pipes C¹, C, are the valves E¹, E³, so
arranged that when seated, as shewn at E¹, they close the communication with the
outer casing and establish the communication between the inlet pipe C¹ and the
pipe D¹, so that the gas can enter the bag A, while when seated as at E2 they close the
communication between the inlet pipe C and the bag A³, and open the communica-
tion between the bag and the outer casing, so that the gas can flow from the former
into the latter, as indicated by the arrows.
The valves are carried by the horizontal arms of a four-armed lever F, the lower
arm of which is actuated by a spring F¹, while the upper arm engages between a
fork on a lever G pivotted on the same pin H as the lever F. This lever is acted
upon by tappets A on a bar A³ carried by the partition A³, so that as this partion
approaches its end stroke it moves the lever over from the inclined position on one
side of the vertical centre line to the corresponding position on the other side of the
line. The lever is acted upon by a spring G¹ in such a manner that when the
former has been moved slightly beyond the position in which its fulcrum is in line
with the two points of connection of the spring, the latter throws the lever rapidly.
over into the opposite position, and tends to hold it there.
It will be seen that there is some play between the fork of the lever G and the
end of the lever F working therein. By this means the former only begins to
impart motion to the latter when it has arrived near the end of its stroke, and the
spring F, operating in a similar manner to G', throws the lever F rapidly over
into the opposite position when it has passed the vertical line, and tends to hold it
there. By these means the valves are reversed instantaneously, and by the
exertion of only a slight force just at termination of the stroke of A³.
In order to make the action of the lever G still more sudden and energetic
when it has been moved through a certain distance, it has a pin G² projecting
from its upper end, against which a spring I is made to press in the contrary
direction to the motion imparted to the lever until the latter has moved so far
that the pin escapes the end of the spring, when being suddenly released from such
counteracting pressure, and at the same time acted on by the spring G', as before
described, it will complete its motion very rapidly.
The motion of the partition A³ is imparted to the counter at J by means of a
spindle J attached to the partition, and carrying a crank Ja that actuates a rod
Js by alternately raising and lowering it at each stroke of the bags. The rod Js

page_text: passes gas-tight through a small diaphragm J made of the before-described
impermeable flexible material fixed over an opening in the casing enclosing the
counter, and serving in place of a stuffing box for preventing the escape of
gas into this casing. Inside the casing the rod J³ is made to impart its recipro-
cating motion to the counter in any known manner. The gas passes from the
measuring bags into the surrounding chamber B, whence it issues through the
branch B, the capacity of the chamber being such as to render the variations of
pressure at each discharge of the bags practically imperceptible.
The bags and valves being surrounded externally by the gas in this chamber at a
pressure differing but slightly from that inside the apparatus their action will not
be affected, the valves being free to move with great ease, and the form of the bag
will not be distorted, as it would be if a considerable difference of pressure
existed.
In order still further to prevent any such distortion, and thus obviate any
inaccuracy of measurement, the bags are constructed, as shewn in enlarged detail at
Fig. 8, and at Figs. 9 to 12.
The fabric forming the bags, which is made of the material herein-before described,
is folded in the manner shewn, so as to form alternate ridges and furrows, the
external ridges at the top being in line with the external furrows at the side, as
indicated more clearly at the perspective view of one corner at Fig. 8ª, so that the
entire bag can be made of one piece of fabric without a join. The folds are gathered
together and secured at bottom by being nipped in a metal frame, as shewn, so
that the bags are of fan-shape when distended. The partition A³ is formed of a
metal frame, in which is secured gas-tight the diaphragm A made of the before-
described material; this diaphragm is so formed that when the gas is admitted
into the one bag or compartment it will bulge out into the other one, as shewn at
Figs. 8 to 10, thus for the time enlarging the capacity of the bag that is being
filled, the bulging being effected in the contrary direction when the other bag is
filling. The folds of the bag are stiffened by cementing against their inner. surfaces
pieces of stiff material A7, such as pasteboard, and the furrows are prevented from
being bulged outwards by ties As of string or tape treated with the before-mentioned
gelatine solution, and passing across from side to side, and also from the top
furrows to the lower end of the bag, where they are secured to the framing.
Figs. 9 and 10 shew respectively a sectional plan and vertical section of a modified
arrangement of the bags in which the partition A³ is stationary, while the two
sides A2, A2, are caused to move to and fro as the bags alternately expand and
collapse. In this case the inlet and outlet passages D1, D2, are formed in the upper
part of the partition itself, as shewn.
In the arrangement shewn in sectional plan and elevation at Figs. 11 and 12 the
bags are of a circular or other convenient form with the sides A2, A2, fixed parallel
to each other, while the partition A³ moves to and fro in a position parallel to the
sides.
Figs. 13 and 14 shew a plan and sectional elevation of an arrangement in which
only one bag A of annular form is employed fixed inside the closed chamber A¹,
which serves in lieu of the other bag, and is quite separated from the other part of
the meter, the gas entering and escaping alternately from the bag and chamber
respectively through pipes D1 and D2. The bag being distended will force the gas
out of the chamber, and the gas being admitted into the chamber will cause the
bag to collapse.
Figs. 4 to 7 shew two other arrangements for operating the valves arranged as
at Figs. 1 and 2 by the movement of the partition A³.
In the arrangement shewn in longitudinal section and cross section at Figs. 4
and 5 the partition indicated by the line A³ carries a pin A4, which towards the
end of each stroke comes in contact with one or other of the spring catches K, K¹,
the beaks of which alternately engage with the notches L1, L2, of the lever or arm L
fixed on the pin M, and carrying spring arms N, N¹, that are connected to the
spindles of the valves E¹, E². To the pin M is attached one end of a volute spring

page_text: M', the other end of which is secured to an arm A5 projecting from the partition A³,
the tension of this spring being so adjusted that when the partition is in the middle
or vertical position the spring has no bias, so that when the partition is in either
end position the spring will have a bias in contrary directions."
The parts being in the positions shewn at Fig. 4 it will be seen that the partition
As in completing its motion to the right will raise the catch K' out of gear with
the arm L, so that this is free to follow the bias of the spring M' in moving to the
right, thereby turning the arms N, N', so as to reverse the position of the valves. At
the same time the catch K will fall into the notch L' of the arm L, and will thus
hold it stationary while the partition A³ is performing its stroke to the left, at the
end of which it will operate the catch K, as described with reference to K¹. Thus
at each stroke the catches will hold the arm L stationary until by the motion of
the partition the spring has attained sufficient tension to effect the sudden reversal
of the valves.
In the arrangement shewn at Figs. 6 and 7 a stud O having a slot O¹ is mounted
on a pin O carried by the standard P, and has attached to it the double-ended arm
Q, which is biassed either by a spring R or by its own counterweight, so as to tend
to assume the position shewn at Fig. 6. In this position the slot O' is slightly
oblique, so that the stud L' on the upper end of the arm L cannot enter it. The
arm L corresponds to the arm L of the previous arrangement, and all other parts of
the apparatus are the same as there described. The partition A³ in this case carries
two tappets A, each of which, as the partition approaches the end of its strokes,
comes in contact with one or other end of the lever Q, and in turning this, some-
what brings the slot O into a horizontal position, so that the stud L' can pass
through it. The spring M¹ then causes the arm L to move over from one side of the
vertical line to the other, thus reversing the positions of the valves, as before
described.
Figs. 15 to 23 shew various arrangements for actuating the valves when these are
arranged in a horizontal position.
In the arrangement shewn in longitudinal and transverse section at Figs. 15 and
16, the valves E¹, E, are fixed on a horizontal spindle Es having a collar E* against
which press alternately the limbs S¹, S, of the forked rocking lever S. This lever
is acted on by a spring T which tends to throw it into an inclined position on either
side of the vertical centre line, the tendency being reversed as soon as the lever has
been moved passed such centre line, as described with reference to the first arrange-
ment.
The tappets A* on the rocking partition A³ of the measuring bags, as in the
previous arrangements begin to move the lever over towards the end of the stroke,
and the lever in being thrown over by the spring when it has passed the centre
line, throws the valves over from the one position to the other by the one or other
limb of its fork coming in contact with the collar E. The valve spindle and valves
have also a bias imparted to them alternately in opposite directions by means of
the springs U, so as to make their action still more instantaneous when the lever
has moved them beyond a certain point. D1, D2, are the passages leading from the
back of the valve chambers to the measuring bags.
In the arrangement shewn in the longitudinal and transverse section at Figs. 17
and 18, there is one inlet pipe C for the two valves, the space between them being
consequently closed, and the outlets into the meter casing being provided on the
opposite sides, as shewn; while the passages D', De, leading to the bags are at top.
The reversing lever S acted on by a spring T as in the previous arrangement is
fixed on a spindle S', on which is a second lever S, which passes gas-tight through
the flexible diaphragm V, made of the before-described material; that closes the
lower end of the tube C. The upper end of the lever S² enters a slot in the valve
spindle Es, so that as the lever S approaches the end of its stroke, the lever S
reverses the position of the valves, the spring U serving as before to accelerate such
action.

page_text: Figs. 19, 20, and 21 shew in longitudinal and transverse section and plan, a
similar arrangement to that just described, but with the lower end of the inlet
pipe C closed by a solid cap, the motion of the valves being effected by a tappet S²
on the lever S taking into a fork S³ which embraces the outer ends of the valve
spindle E³, to which it is secured by screws St
Figs. 22 and 23 shew a longitudinal and transverse section of another modifica
tion of this arrangement, in which the lever S is arranged entirely to one side of the
valve chambers, and operates the valves by means of a stud S2 acting alternately on
the collars E* fixed on the projecting end of the valve spindle E³.
In all the above-described arrangements the valves E', E², seat alternately on
the aperture leading from the inlet pipe C to the pipes D1, D2, and on the
aperture leading from the pipes D', D2, to the outer chamber or casing. The
valves are by preference made of a number of dises of the before-described fabric
pressed closely together and confined between metal discs secured to the valve
spindle which passes through all the discs.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim,―
First. The construction of dry gas meters wherein measuring bags or chambers are
alternately expanded and collapsed by the admission thereto and emission therefrom
of gas by means of valves actuated by levers or arms and springs brought into action
by a moving part of the measuring bags, such levers and springs being so arranged
that on being moved beyond a certain point they receive a sudden impulse so as to
effect the rapid reversing of the position of the valves at the end of each stroke of
the bags, substantially as herein described.
Second. The use for regulating the supply and discharge of gas to and from the
measuring bags of double-seated valves, arranged and operating substantially as
herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, and 15 to 23 of the Drawings.
Third. The use in combination with the lever or arm operating the valves of a
spring so arranged that when the lever or arm has been moved beyond the point in
which the points of connection of the spring and the pin on which the lever turns
lic in one and the same straight line, the spring imparts a sudden impulse to the
lever, substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The use for imparting a sudden impulse to the lever or arm operating
the valves of a spring so arranged and operating in combination with catches, that
the catches hold the lever or arm until the spring has had a certain tension imparted
to it by the motion of the measuring bags, substantially as herein set forth.
Fifth. The use of springs in combination with the valve spindle so arranged that
when the valves have been moved a certain distance by the reversing lever, the
springs impart to them a sudden impulse to complete their motion and tend to hold
them in their reversed position, substantially as herein described.
Sixth. The use in combination with the reversing lever of a spring, so arranged as
to act in opposition to the motion of the lever up to a certain point, so that on its
action then ceasing, the suddeness of the impulse imparted to the lever is increased,
substantially as herein described.
Seventh. The use for the measuring bags, valves, and flexible diaphragms or par-
titions of dry gas meters of textile fabric treated with a solution of gelatine in diluted
glycerine, with the addition of chromate of potash, and with or without the
addition of salicylic acid or other suitable antiseptic substance, substantially as
herein described.
Eighth. The construction of measuring bags or chambers herein described with
reference to Figs. 8 to 14 of the Drawings.
Ninth. The use for preventing the distortion of the measuring bags of stiffening
pieces A7 and ties A³, substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 8 to
12 of the Drawings.
Tenth. The use for increasing the capacities of two contiguous measuring bags or
chambers of a flexible partition, so formed that on admission of gas into the one

page_text: chamber it will cause the partition to bulge out into the other chamber, substantially
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julius Shülke, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JULIUS SCHULKE. (L.S.)