IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER METERS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jonathan Pickering, of Globe Works, Stockton on Tees,
in the County of Durham, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WATER METERS."
Sealed the 16th December 1879, and dated the 2nd July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jonathan Pickering at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1879.
JONATHAN PICKERING, of Globe Works, Stockton on Tees, in the County of
Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER METERS."
These improvements relate to water meters, and consist in certain mechanism
for registering the quantity of water passing through the same.
Standing side by side are two cylinders, which are properly fitted with pistons,
the rods of the said pistons projecting somewhat more than usual, and having collars
or rings secured thereon; the use of these collars is to move a lever or combination
of levers up and down at each stroke.
The lever is fixed to a shaft or spindle, and has another lever or quadrant fixed
nearly at right angles to the first.
The use of the lever or quadrant is to move a slide valve which is similar to the
slide valve of an ordinary steam engine, except that it is placed on the top or end
of the cylinder instead of the side.
The cover of the two cylinders forms a water chest, and within it is contained
the levers, shafts, and slide valves for both cylinders; also the inlet and outlet pipes
are attached thereto.
It is worked in the following manner :-Supposing both pistons are at the bottom
of their respective cylinders, the water is in the act of raising No. 1 piston, and as
it approaches the top of the cylinder, nearly the end of its first stroke, the projecting
piston rod having a collar, touches the lever and moves the slide valve of No.

page_text: cylinder; then No. 2 piston gradually moves to the top, and in turn performs the
same office as before stated, that is, No. 2 piston rod moves the slid valve for No. 1,
so that it is in a position to perform the downward stroke, and in like manner
changes the slid valve for No. 2, to allow No. 2 to follow No. 1, each alternately
working up and down.
In order to obtain a register of the quantity of water passing through the meter
another spindle is carried to the outside of the cover, with an attachment to the
aforesaid levers and spindles; then to the outer spindle is affixed an indicator,
from which may be seen the quantity of water or other liquid accurately
measured.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jonathan Pickering in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
January 1880.
JONATHAN PICKERING, of Globe Works, Stockton on Tees, in the County of
Durham, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER METERS."
These improvements relate to water meters, and consist in certain mechanism for
registering the quantity of water passing through the same.
Standing side by side are two cylinders, which are properly fitted with pistons,
the rods of the said pistons projecting somewhat more than usual, and having collars.
or rings secured thereon; the use of these collars is to move a lever or combination
of levers up and down at each stroke.
This lever is fixed to a shaft or spindle, and has another lever or quadrant fixed
nearly at right angles to the first.
The use of the lever or quadrant is to move a slide valve, which is similar to the
slide valve of an ordinary steam engine, except that it is placed on the top or end of
the cylinder instead of the side..
The cover of the two cylinders forms a water chest, and within it is contained the
levers, shafts, and slide valves for both cylinders; also the inlet and outlet pipes
are attached thereto.
It is worked in the following manner: Supposing both pistons are at the bottom
of their respective cylinders, the water is in the act of raising No. 1 piston, and as
it approaches the top of the cylinder nearly the end of its first stroke, the projecting
piston rod having a collar, touches the lever and moves the slide valve of No. 2"
cylinder; then No. 2 piston gradually moves to the top, and in turn performs the
same office as before stated, that is, No. 2 piston rod moves the slide valve for
No. 1, so that it is in a position to perform the downward stroke, and in like manner
changes the slide valve for No. 2 to allow No. 2 to follow No. 1, each alternately.
working up and down.
In order to obtain a register of the quantity of water passing through the metre,"
another spindle is carried to the outside of the cover, with an attachment to the
aforesaid levers and spindles; then to the outer spindle is affixed an indicator, from
which may be seen the quantity of water or other liquid accurately measured..
In order that my Invention may be fully understood reference is made to the
accompanying Drawings, wherein similar letters of reference marked on each Figure
refer to corresponding parta.
Sheet 1. Figure 1 is an elevation; Figure 2, a longitudinal section, by which it
will be observed the meter consists of two cylinders similar in appearance, having
a piston in each, the rods of which are connected to the valve levers hereinafter
mentioned; Figure 3 is a transverse section; Figure 4 is an end elevation; Figure 5
represents a plan of the meter with the cover off, showing the valves and attach-
ments; Figures 6 and 7 represent other forms of valves that may be used; Figure 8
shows an ordinary valve with the lever attachmenta Sheet 2. Figures 1, 2, and 3
represent a modification of the lever, differing somewhat from those shown in
Figure 8; the portways with the passages to the cylinders are here shewn more
fully. A and B are the cylinders connected together with the valve plato D. When
the pistons are at the bottom of their respective cylinders, the portway for A will be
open to the bottom, and the port way for B will be open at the top, the water being
admitted through the inlet will fill the cover E, causing the piston a in cylinder A
to ascend, and when the stroke is nearly completed the valve of cylinder B is
reversed, thereby admitting water to the bottom of the piston b; the stroke is
performed in a similar manner, reversing the valve on approaching the end of the
stroke for cylinder A; piston a is thus prepared for a downward stroke. The piston
a, with its attachments, controls the valve of cylinder B, and the piston b, with its
attachments, controls the valve of cylinder A.

page_text: Each piston rod has a pin at the top (in some cases a collar), which gives motion
to the first lever C, partially turning a spindle, and on the spindle is another lever
(in some cases & quadrant), which works the valve. Each set of levers to A and B
cylinders are similar, but the passages from the portways differ, in order to give a
change of time in which each stroke is performed, so that the valves will never
both be shut together. This change may also be effected by using for one of the
cylinders the valve shown in Figure 7. Another form of valve may also be used
as shown in Figure 6, but in most cases the valve shown in Figure 8 is preferred.
In the pistons for packing I use india rubber roller rings, and I have also shewn
how I use similar packing for the piston rods instead of the ordinary stuffing 1
boxes.
To register the quantity of water passing through the meter a spindle is fitted
into the end of the spindle working one of the valves, and continued through the
end of the cover or any convenient place. This spindle communicates motion to a
system of wheels in the usual way to register a definite quantity of water passing 1
through the cylinders between the inlet and outlet.
In the registering index I cover the dials with a plate, making apertures therein
to admit the view of two Figures, and by reading the least numbers the proper
quantity is ascertained.
This is accomplished by fixing on each digit spindle the figured dial, and having i
the dial to revolve instead of the hands or pointers as heretofore; the improvement
is shewn in Figure 9.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, I wish to remark that I do not limit. myself to the precise
details herein given, as they may be varied and modified without departing from i
the main feature of my Invention, and I would observe that I make no claim to the
well known parts of the apparatus, which are only shewn to illustrate the mode of
applying my improvements, and that the two cylinders before mentioned are not
necessarily vertical where the pistons and valves are actuated reciprocally, but what
I desire to be secured to me is,―
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming respectively
my improvements in water meters to measure and register fluids and liquids, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described and shewn on
the Drawings.
Second. The arrangement of the cylinders, valves, and indicator shewn in the 3
Drawings and herein before described, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jonathan Pickering, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the First day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
WASTA