Improvements in and relating to Gas Meters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Gas Meters.
I, EDMUND WALTER TERRELL RICHMOND, Gas Engineer, of Summercourt,
Romford, in the County of Essex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
My invention relates to gas meters in which the measurement of the flow
of gas is accomplished by the determination of the time equivalent of the gas
flow while a gas cock remains open.
In time gas meters which have been hitherto proposed the opening of a
gas cock liberates clock-work mechanism, and the closing of the cock stops
the clock-work. In most mechanisms of this class the rate of the clock remains
constant, whether the gas cock be opened to a small extent to pass a feeble
flow of gas, or to a large extent, passing the maximum possible. An attempt
has been made to operate a pendulum in such manner as to shorten the pen-
dulum, when the gas cock is full open, and lengthen it when the gas cock is
but little open. Pendulum clocks, however, are objectionable for the purpose,
and the object of my invention is to dispense with pendulum clocks and provide
a balance wheel clock of which the time rate may be varied, as determined by
the position of the stop cock.
In carrying my invention into effect according to one modification, I provide
an ordinary balance wheel clock of any known type, and on the balance spring
I provide a sliding piece on the end of a lever arm, which lever arm is prefer-
ably pivotted at the same centre as the balance wheel. This lever arm, when
rotated, seizes the balance spring, and causes the operative length of spring
to be altered. Thus I connect the gas stop cock for supplying gas to this
lever by means of a suitable link in such manner that when the stop cock is
open a wiper contrivance moves the balance wheel and starts the clock, and
at the same time the link to which I have referred determines the position
of the lever arm with regard to the balance spring, so that when the cock is
but little open, the spring is operating at its full length, and the balance
wheel moves slowly; but when the opening of the cock is increased, or is opened
fully, the spring is shortened, and the speed of the clock increases. In this
way I am enabled to obtain by careful calibration a time instrument which
gives a reading in time units proportional to the gas flow past the cock.
preferably graduate the clock in cubic feet.
I
My invention is applicable to measuring gas as used in gas stoves, or for
gas consumed in any other way.
According to another modification of my invention, I may alter the effectivo
diameter of the balance wheel for the same purpose.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1898.
MARKS & CLERK,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Gas Meters.
I, EDMUND WALTER TERRELL RICHMOND, Gas Engineer, of Summercourt,
Romford, in the County of Essex, 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 invention relates to gas meters in which the measurement of the flow of 5
gas is accomplished by the determination of the time equivalent of the gas flow
while a gas cock remains open.
In time gas meters which have been hitherto proposed, the opening of a
gas cock liberates clock-work mechanism, and the closing of the cock stops
the clock work. In most mechanisms of this class, the rate of the clock remains 1
constant, whether the gas cock be opened to a small extent to pass a feeble
flow of gas, or to a large extent, passing the maximum possible. An attempt
has been made to operate a pendulum in such manner as to shorten the pen-
dulum, when the gas cock is full open, and lengthen it when the gas cock is
but little open. Pendulum clocks, however, are objectionable for the purpose, 1
and the object of my invention is to dispense with pendulum clocks and provide
a balance wheel clock of which the time rate of flow may be varied, as determined
by the position of the stop cock.
Referring to the accompanying sheets of drawings,―
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of my stop cock controlled clock 2
gas meter.
Figure 2 is a back elevation of the same, but partly in section.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus.
Figure 4 shows a modification of Figures 1, 2 and 3.
In carrying my invention into effect according to one modification, I provide 2
an ordinary balance wheel clock of any known type, and on the balance spring
provide a sliding piece on the end of a lever arm, which lever arm is prefer-
ably pivoted at the same centre as the balance wheel. This lever arm, when
rotated, seizes the balance spring, and causes the operative length of spring
to be altered. Thus I connect the key A of the gas stop cock B for supplying 3
gas, to this lever C by means of a suitable link D and arm E, see Figs. 1, 2
and 3. When the stop cock is opened a wiper contrivance F moves the balance
wheel G and starts the clock, and at the same time the link D to. which I have
referred determines the position of the lever arm C with regard to the balance
spring H, so that when the cock is but little open, the spring is operating g
at its full length, and the balance wheel moves slowly; but when the opening
of the cock is increased, or it is opened fully, the spring is shortened, and
the speed of the clock increases. In this way I am enabled to obtain by
careful calibration a time instrument which gives a reading in time units
proportional to the gas flow past the cock.
I may provide notches in the cock key, and a fixed spring to enter them
so that when the key is turned till the spring enters the first notch gas is
being supplied at the slowest rate. When it is moved to the next gas is being
supplied more rapidly, and so on. When gas is being supplied at the slowest
rate, and at a fixed price per hour, if the clock be graduated in hours, the 4
charge will be the number of hours read on the dial multiplied by the charge
per hour. If the gas is being supplied at a greater rate, then the number
of hours shown on the dial will be greater during the same actual time and
the charge to be made will be found in the same way as before.
I may graduate the clock in cubic feet, or in shillings and pence.
50

page_text: My invention is applicable to measuring gas as used in gas stoves, or for
gas consumed in any other way.
In Figure 4 is shown a modification of Figures 1, 2 and 3. In this arrange-
ment the link D is replaced by a rack I and the link C by a disc J having a
pinion K attached, which is adapted to gear with the rack I. The block L is
rigidly fixed to the clock frame and carries the end of the spring. A slit block L'
is attached to the disc J, and the spring passes through its slit. This arrange-
ment enables the effective length of the spring to be altered to any desired
degree, and the clock thereby caused to vary its rate in proportion to the gas
passed at any opening of the gas cock.
In the drawings, I have shown the clock arranged to indicate up to twenty-
four hour's supply of gas at the slowest rate, but any other range may be
provided for.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. Varying the rate of speed of a clock recording the time rate of flow
of gas, by shortening the effective length of the balance spring of the clock
as the cock controlling the flow of gas is opened, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. The combination with a clock spring tension varying device as claimed
in Claim 1 of a multiplying gear as described with reference to Figure 4.
3. The improved clock gas meter substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1898.
MARKS & CLERK,
Agents for the Applicant.