Improvements in Electric Meters.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 16th July, 1889-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters.
We JOSEPH OULTON, of 232 Otley 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 apparatus for measuring, and integrating electric currents,
and comprises appliances as follows:-A. train of wheels having a torsion balance,
the vibrations of the balance being accelerated, or retarded by the current to be
measured. The difference between the known normal speed of the train, and its
speed when influenced by the current indicating the measure of the said current.
Two synchronous torsion balances driven by two escapements, and scape wheels
impelled by a weight acting on them equally by means of a pulley, and an endless
chain, the one free from, and the other under the influence of the current or both
being influenced by the current but in opposite ways.
When there is no current, the balances vibrate at the normal speed, and the said
pulley has no motion on its axis. But when the current is passing, the balance
under its influence, being accelerated, or retarded, the pulley has a differential motion,
which may be indicated by a train of wheels, and dials. The winding up of the said
weight may be automatically effected by a remontoir.
The balance to be influenced is of iron (or of nonmagnetic metal having attached
to it, concentrically, an iron core) beneath, above, or around which is placed
concentrically with it, one, or more fixed solenoids, with, or without iron cores.
When the current passes through the solenoid, or solenoids, it influences
the balance or its iron core, and increases, or shortens the period of oscillation.
The positions of the fixed solenoid, or solenoids, and the iron core of the balance,
may be reversed, the former being placed on the balance, and the latter fixed above,
or beneath it. Or a solenoid, or solenoids, with, or without iron cores may replace
the simple iron core in either position.
In the latter case the instrument becomes a "Watt Meter;" if the fixed solenoids
indicate the Ampéres, and the others indicate the electro motive force, or Volts, or
vice versa.
The simple iron core may be replaced by an iron bar, or needle, placed diametrically
on the balance itself, or on the torsion spring, wire, or other suspender, and oscillating
under the influence of a solenoid, or solenoids, either with or without iron cores, so
adjusted that the period of oscillation shall be proportionately varied by the current.
Such solenoids may be of cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical or other section.
A torsion, or other balance consisting of weights, the radial distance of which is
varied by the current, this variation may be effected by their being placed at one
extremity of arms, hinged on their other extremities, and placed in proximity to one
or more solenoids, (with, or without cores) so that, when the current passes, the said
solenoids will draw the said weights, nearer to, or further from the centre of
oscillation.
A torsion balance with a curb upon the wire, or torsion spring, in proximity to a.
solenoid, with, or without a core, which solenoid when the current passes, varies
the position of the said curb on the torsion spring, and so varies the time of
oscillation.
Instead of a torsion suspension to the balance, a rigid suspension may be used, the
vibrations being effected by a coiled, or helical spring.
Or a balance vibrating on a horizontal axis the vibrations being effected by a

page_text: spring, may be influenced by the current. in the manner above described, mutatis
mutandis.
Two trains of wheels, the one with a normal balance, the other with a balance
influenced by the current, the former being on an arbor driven in one direction, by
the latter, but when there is no current, driving itself, at the same speed, in
the opposite direction, and therefore producing no motion on the index, or dial
plate.
When the balance of the latter is influenced by the current its speed is varied,
and sets up a differential motion, which is recorded by the other clock, on the dial
plate.
The two trains may be driven by the same main spring, or weight.
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Town Hall Buildings, Halifax, Agent for the Applicants.
VATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters.
We JOSEPH OULTON, of 232 Otley 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 apparatus for measuring and integrating electric currents,
and comprises appliances as follows:-A train of wheels having a torsion balance, the
vibrations of the balance being accelerated, or retarded by the current to be
measured. The difference between the known normal speed of the clock, and its
speed when influenced by the current indicating the measure of the said current.
Two synchronous torsion balances driven by two escapements and wheels impelled
by a weight acting on them equally by means of a pulley and an endless chain, the
one free from, and the other under the influence of the current or both influenced by
the current but in opposite ways.
When there is no current the balances vibrate at the normal speed, and the said
pulleys, as no motion on its axis. But when the current is passing, the balance under
its influence being accelerated or retarded, the pulley as a differential motion which
may be indicated by a train of wheels, and dials. The winding up of the said
weight may be automatically affected by a remontoir.
The balance to be influenced is of iron (or of non-magnetic metal) having attached
to it, concentrically an iron core) beneath, above or around which is placed
concentrically with it, one, or more fixed solenoids, with or without iron cores.
When the current passes through the solenoid, or solenoids, it influences the balance
or its iron core, and increases or shortens the period of oscillation. The position of
the fixed solenoid or solenoids, and the iron core of the balance, may be reversed, the
former being placed on the balance, and the latter fixed above or beneath it. Or a
solenoid or solenoids with or without iron cores may replace the simply iron core in
either position. In the latter case the instrument becomes a "Watt Meter" if the
fixed solenoids indicate the amperes and the other indicate the electric motive force or
Volts or vice versa. The simple iron core may be replaced by an iron bar or needle,
placed diametrically on the balance itself, or on the torsion spring, wire or other
suspender, and oscillating under the influence of a solenoid or solenoids, either with
or without iron cores so adjusted that the period of oscillation shall be proportionately
varied by the current. Such solenoid may be of cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical, or
other section. The two escapements and wheels hereinbefore referred to may be
driven by the same main spring or weight.

page_text: Such being the nature and object of this our said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
forming a part of this specification in which and in the following description the same
numerals refer to the same parts throughout.
Fig. 1 shews a "Torsion balance." it consists of a cylindrical balance or weight 1
combined with an elastic torsion ribbon 2, of any suitable material (preferably of
steel). It is suspended from its support 3 attached to the framework of the train of
clockwork from which it receives its impulse through the fork or crutch 4 embracing
the pin 5 fixed to the torsion ribbon. The pallets 6 are fixed to the pallet arbor 7
which carries the crutch and receive their impulse from the scape wheel 8.
The regulation is affected by the right and left hand screw 9 which when turned on
its axis moves the regulating weights 10. 10 nearer to or further from the axis of the
balance 1 on which they rest. The action is as follows:-
:-
When the balance is rotated round its axis the "torsion" of the ribbon 2 tends to
bring it back to its position of rest or zero, and in doing so will cause it to rotate or
oscillate to and fro like the balance of a watch. Its rotations may be maintained and
recorded by an ordinary train of clockwork.
Beneath the balance (which in this case is of iron) is placed a solenoid 21 through
which is passed the current to be measured. When the current of electricity is
passing, the magnetic influence of the solenoid alters the speed of the balance.
The clock having being set to register normal time when no current is passing the
variation of time cause by the current is a measure of the current consumed within
certain limits. The solenoid 21 may have an. iron core, either fixed, or attached to
and rotating with the balance, and the said solenoid may be placed either above or
beneath the balance.
Figs. 2 and 3 shew a mode of driving two torsion balances by means of one and
the same weight, by which the more easily and effectually to synchronise their periods
of rotation or oscillation.
The driving weight 11 is suspended by an endless chain 13 passing over the
pulleys 12. 12 12" and is kept in tension by a counterweight 14 attached to the
pulley 12. The counterweight has a handle by which it may be drawn down for
the purpose of winding. The pulleys 12° 12° are loose on the arbor 15 which also
carries loosely upon it the ratchet wheels 16. 16, the maintaining wheels 17. 17ª and
the main wheels 18. 18 through which the driving power is communicated to the
escapement and balances as in ordinary clocks. The. arbor of the pulley 12 carries
an index 19 which shews on a dial 20 fixed to the weight 11, the difference between
the motion of the pulleys 12" 12b as controlled by the balances. When the balances
are rotating at their normal rate the pulleys 12" 12" will revolve at the same speed,
but when one of the balances is influenced by the current, or when both balances are
influenced in opposite directions a difference of speed is set up which is recorded ou
the dial, such difference being a measure of the current of electricity consumed (within
certain limits).
Instead of an endless chain we may use an endless cord or ribbon, or its equivalent.
It will be manifest that the employment of one and the same weight or one and the
same spring, or the equivalent of either is also applicable to the driving of two
balances of any kind or two pendulums, when applied to the measuring and registering
of electric currents in a manner equivalent to that herein indicated with regard to
torsion balances.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew in front and side elevation respectively the method of driving
both balances by one and the same spring, (their arrangements being also equally
suitable for driving with one and the same weight as just before described.
The spring (enclosed in the spring box 22) has one end attached to the spring
box 22 which is fixed to the mainwheel 18 and drives one scape wheel 8 through the
intervening train of wheels.
The other end of the spring in the box 22 is fixed to the mainwheel arbor 23 and
drives the other scape wheel 8 through a ratchet wheel 24, maintaining power 25.
mainwheel 18 and the intervening train of wheels. A dial 26 with a hollow arbor 27

page_text: "
is driven by a wheel or pinion gearing into the train wheel 28 and rides loosely on
the arbor 29 which carries the index 30.
The
The arbor 29 (with the index 30) is driven by a wheel or pinion gearing through
an intermediate wheel 287 into a wheel 28× on the arbor of the train wheel 28.
said intermediate wheel 287 is inserted to cause the index to revolve in the same
directions as the dial.
When the balances are rotating at their normal speed the speed of the dial and
that of the index are identical, but when the current influences one of the balances (or
both balances in opposite directions) a difference is set up in the speed of the dial and
index which thus register the amount of current consumed. In Figs. 4,
the
apparatus for influencing the balances or one of them are omitted, but it may be as
shewn in Fig. 1 or as hereinafter described).
numbers than can be recorded
The arbor 29 which carries the
into a wheel 32 (with teeth in
This wheel carries a pinien 33
1) on a hollow arbor which
In Fig. 6 is shewn a method of registering higher
with the single index and dial shewn in Figs. 4. 5.
index 30, also carries the pinion 31. The latter gears
the ratio of 10 to 1) riding on a stud fixed on the dial.
driving a wheel 34 (with teeth in the ratio of 10 to
carries the index 35. It will be seen that the index 30 will register up to 100, and
the index 35 up to 10,000.
The balance or balances may be influenced in the mode shewn in plan in Fig. 7.
The permanent magnet 36 is placed diametrically to the balance 1, which in this case
is of non-magnetic metal and the current to be measured passes through the
solenoids 21. 21. with or without iron cores) which are placed so that their axes
shall coincide, or nearly so, with the axis of the magnet 36, when the balance is at
the "dead point." It will be evident that the solenoids 21. 21 may be enlarged and
may be brought nearer the axis of the balance, which may rotate wholly or in part
within them. When the poles of the solenoids and the position of their axes are as
shewn in the drawing, the effect of a current passing through the solenoids 21. 21.
will be to quicken the rotations or oscillations of the balance, but if their polarity be
reversed the current will have the opposite effect.
Fig. 8 is the front elevation of a form of "Watt meter according to our invention.
In or on the balance (of nonmagnetic metal) is placed diametrically a solenoid or
coil 37 of high resistance and indicating the volts. Two solenoids 21. 21 to carry
the current to be measured are placed with their axes coinciding with the axis of the
volt coil. Beneath the balance are placed mercury cups 38. 39 through which the
volt coil is connected as a shunt with the supply circuit by wires 40. 41. 42. 43.
The effects of the current passing through the solenoids 21. 21 are the same as
described in reference to Fig. 7.
It will be evident that the magnet 36 in Fig. 7 and the volt coil 37 in Fig 8
might as well be suspended on the torsion spring 2. Also that in regard to Fig. 7
a solenoid may be placed on the balance (receiving its current through mercury
cups as in Fig. 8) and a permanent magnet or magnets may take the place of the
solenoids 21. 21. In regard to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the solenoids 21 21 may
be volt coils and the solenoid 37 may carry the current to be measured. In some
cases it may be convenient to make the permanent magnet 36 Fig. 7 or the volt coil
Fig. 8 of sufficient weight to constitute the balance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed we may say that we do
not confine ourselves to the precise arrangements herein set forth, but what we
claim is
1. The use of a torsion balance or torsion balances, combined with a solenoid or
solenoids magnet or volt coil substantially as illustrated by Figs. 1. 7. and 8 for the
purpose herein set forth.
2. In electric meters two balances or pendulums, combined with and driven by
one and the same weight, or by one and the same spring, as herein described and
substantially as illustrated by drawings annexed.

page_text: 3. In electric meters in which two balances or pendulums are driven by one and
the same weight (or its equivalent) the combination and use therewith of differential
mechanism which registers the difference set up between the balances by the current
under measurement.
JOSEPH
OULTON.
JOSEPH EDMONDSON.
By their Agent, Walter Brierley,
Central Chambers, Halifax.