IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Barker Hill of New Cross in the County of
Surrey, Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Barker Hill at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1883.
FREDERICK BARKER HILL of New Cross in the County of Surrey Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF
LIQUIDS"
My invention relates to apparatus for measuring water or other liquids and for
supplying liquids in regulated quantities for various purposes. The said apparatus
may be advantageously employed for measuring water supplied to dwelling houses
or other buildings or for measuring other liquids. But the most important feature
of my said invention is the adaptation of the same to apparatus for flushing sewers
or drains and to apparatus for supplying water to and flushing water-closets and
other conduits.
I construct an apparatus which forms a very convenient water meter, as follows,
that is to say, I provide a vessel of any convenient dimensions and constructed of
cast iron or other suitable material which vessel is separated internally into several
compartments one of which I call the measuring chamber or compartment. Tho
liquid enters from the main or supply into this measuring chamber or compartment
to which it is admitted by a suitable valve connected by a lever with the regulating
and measuring apparatus hereinafter described. The lower part of the said
compartment has a horizontal extension in which is an aperture fitted with a short
tube whose upper edgo forms the seat for the controlling valve which is preferably
a flat plate or disc, the said valve is enclosed within a cylindrical chambor extending
up from the part in which the said valve seat is fitted. The latter is preferably.
made with an edge which is approximately sharp or V-shaped in transverse section
and the valve is provided with a ring or annular portion of india rubber or the
like to bear or rest on this edge when the valve is closed. This valve is made.
"
:

page_text: buoyant by the addition of a hollow casing or float formed of sheet metal or other
suitable material. And the said valve is attached by a rod to the lover of the
admission valve in such a manner that when the said valve rises from its seat it
raises the lever,
At the side of the compartment containing this valve is a second cylindrical
compartment containing another valve. The valve in this second cylindrical
compartment is scated upon an aperture from which a discharge pipo extends
through the bottom of the vessel. And there is another discharge aperture at a
higher lever extending through the side of the said vessel. The last named valvo
is also connected by a rod with the lever of the admission valve.
The said lever is arranged at or near the top of the vessel and is connected by
a pawl and ratchet wheel with the registering mechanism which may consist of a
series of dials and indexes like those of a gas meter or similar apparatus.
When the aforesaid controlling valve rests on its seat the inlet valve is open
so that the liquid can enter freely into the measuring compartment, but when this
compartment is full, the controlling valve (which is so weighted that it will not
rise from its seat till subjected to the pressure due to the proper head of water)
opens and allows the liquid to flow through its aperture into the compartment
above the same and thence into the second cylindrical compartment and the valve
in the latter then rises. The aforesaid lever is thereby raised and closed the
admission valve at the same time actuating the registering apparatus. When the
controlling valve has risen from its seat, its buoyancy keeps it up while the water
in the measuring compartment that is to say the quantity to be measured at each
operation of the valve flows from the measuring compartment through the second
cylindrical compartment whence it is discharged from the aforesaid aperturos.
I prefer to place the above described measuring apparatus in a cistern or tank in
such a position that when the said cistern is filled to a certain height or level it
will prevent the action of the said apparatus until this level is reduced.
I provide for flushing sewers drains or the like as follows: that is to say I provide
an apparatus which. I by preference place in a tank or cistern and which when the
liquid in the said tank or cistern rises to a certain level will act automatically and
dischargo the same and will then allow the tank to be again filled to the same
lovel and then again discharge the liquid and will continue to operate in this
manner until the supply of liquid to the tank is stopped. For this purpose
construct a box by preferenco a cylinder of cast iron or other suitable material
with an aperture at the bottom in which I fit a short tube or ring whose upper
edge projects inside the case or cylinder and forms a seat for an automatic valvo
I prefer that the seat should like that above described have an approximately
sharp or shaped edge and that the valve should be fitted with india rubber or
other suitable, material which will when resting under pressure on the said seat
make a tight joint therewith.
The said valve is preferably a disc or plate of any suitable material and
dimensions. It has to be weighted to suit the head of water under which it is to
work and is provided with a float of such capacity as to insure the lifting of the
said valve when the liquid in the tank rises to the required level.
I attach to the said valve a hollow body made of thin sheet metal or other
suitable material to form the float. This hollow body or float may be filled or
partly filled with, water or other material to weight the valve according to the
head or lovel in the tank previously determined upon as that at which the liquid
shall be discharged by the automatic valve. The valve may bo provided with a
holo closed by a scrow plug or otherwise to permit the quantity of water therein
to be conveniently regulated.
I prefer that the outer case or cylinder of the said apparatus should be
supported on feet which permit the free access of the liquid to the inlet aperture
and valve.
For flushing water closets or other conduits where the valve is not required to
act automatically. I adapt my apparatus as follows that is to say., I construct a

page_text: cistern which may be square circular or of any other convenient form. The said
cistern is by preference provided with a downward extension or well in which I
place a tube whose upper end regulates and determines the head or level of water
in the cistern and whose lower end is provided at one side with an outlet passage
extending through the bottom of the well. The centre of the bottom of this tube
is provided with a valve seat and I place thereon a valve fitted with india rubber
or other suitable material and provided with a hollow float substantially as and for
the same purpose as above described And the said valve should be weighted
according to the head of water to be employed in the cistern although as this
apparatus is not designed to work automatically the valve will not be raised by
the upward pressure of the fluid. By a rod or other suitable connection attached
to its upper end the said float is connected to the lever of tho ball cock which
regulates the admission of water to the cistern. I connect with this ball cock
lever an auxilliary lever one end of which extends through the side of the cistern
and is provided with a chain or cord or other suitable means to be inanipulated
when required. When this apparatus is properly arranged the float of the ball
cock will close the cock or valve when the water is level with the top of the
aforesaid tube, but if a little water overflows into the said tube it will escape at
the bottom of the same without operating or affecting the apparatus, and while
the said levers are left at rest the weight of the valve will keep it on its seat..
But if the said chain or cord or other means should be moved the weight of the
valve will be overcome and it will be raised from its seat at the bottom of the tube.
When the valvo is once raised the water entering through the aperture into the
tube will keep the valve open till the cistern is empty or nearly so. The said
valve then returns to its seat; the ball descends and opens the cock and the cistern
is refilled.
The connection between the ball cock lover and the auxiliary or discharging
lover is effected by means of a link or other device which permits one lever to
move some distance without moving the other lover so that the discharging lever
need not be held up while the water is flowing from the cistern. The said
auxiliary or discharging lever is provided with a weight at its inner end to secure
its return to its normal position after being moved.
I may if desired provido either of the above described forms of my apparatus
with registering mechanism to measure or indicate the quantity of liquid that
passes through the same at each operation of the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Barker Hill in the Patent Office on the 30th April
. 1884.
FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of New Cross, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
“IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF
LIQUIDS
"
My invention relates to apparatus for measuring and controlling the flow of
water or other liquids, or for supplying liquids in regulated quantities for various
purposes. The said apparatus may be advantageously employed for measuring
water supplied to dwelling-houses or other buildings. But the most important
feature of my said invention is the construction of the said apparatus in such a
ananner as to adapt it for flushing sewers or drains, or for similar purposes. Another
feature of my said invention is the construction of the said apparatus in such a
manner as to adapt it for supplying water to, and flushing, water-closets and other
receptacles or conduits
My said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus chiefly designed for
measuring water supplied to dwelling-houses or other buildings.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of an apparatus constructed according to
my invention for flushing sewers or drains, or for similar purposes.
Figure 3 is a vertical contral section showing a modification of this apparatus, and
Figure 4 is a plan of the same with the lid or cover removed.
Figure 5 is a vertical central section showing another modification of tho said
apparatus.
Figuro 6 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 7 a front elevation showing a further modification thereof, and
Figure 8 is a vertical central section of apparatus constructed according to mý
invention for supplying water to, and flushing, water-closets and other conduits.
Like letters indicato corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
The apparatus shown in Figure 1 forms a very convenient water-meter and is
constructed as follows, that is to say-u is a vessel of any convenient form and
dimensions and inade of cast iron or other suitable material.. This vessel is divided
internally into three chambers or compartments a', a², a³. The compartiment a¹ I
will hereinafter term the measuring chamber. The liquid enters from the main or
supply into this measuring chamber or compartment through a suitable valvo b
connected by a lover c with the regulating and registering apparatus as hereinafter
described. The lower part of the compartiment a' is made with an aperture
to receive the casting & which forms the two cylindrical chambers or compart-
inents a³, a³ and the cover or top of the chamber a¹. At the lower end of the
chamber a³ is an aperture fitted with a short tube e, whose upper edge forms the
seat for the controlling-valve f. This valve is shown as a flat plate or disc, but
it may be of any other suitable form. Tho said valve is enclosed within the
cylindrical chamber a² in which the tube e is fitted. The latter is preferably made
with an edgo which is approximately sharp or V-shaped in transverse section, and
the valve is provided with a ring or annular portion f¹ of india-rubber or tho
like to bear or rest on this edge when the valve is closed. This valve f is made
buoyant by the addition of a hollow casing or float g formed of sheet metal or
other suitable material. The valve fand float g are connected by a rod h with the
lever c of the admission-valve b by means of the bridge-piece fixed to the top of
the float 7 and perforated to receive the end of the rod h. This rod is provided

page_text: with a collar h¹ so that, when the valve f rises slightly from its seat, the bridge-
piece f will come against the collar h¹ and the further upward movement of the
valve will raise the lever c; but the said valve is free to fall without acting on
the said lever.
The cylindrical compartment a³ contains another valve i also provided with a
float g'. This valve is seated upon a tube j from which a discharge pipe / extends
downward, and there is also a discharge aperture & formed at a higher level in the
sido of the chamber a³, which aperture is connected by a pipe or passage with
the pipe. The valve i is connected by a rod h³ with the lever c of the admission-
valve.
The lover o is arranged at, or near, the top of the vessel a and is connected by a
pawl m and ratchet-wheel m¹ with the registering mechanism, which may consist
of a series of dials and indexes like those of a gas-meter or similar apparatus.
When the controlling valve f rests on its seat, the inlet-valve b is open, so that
the liquid can enter freely into the measuring chamber a¹; but, when this chamber
is full, the valve ƒ (which is so weighted that it will not rise from its seat till
subjected to the pressure due to the proper head of water) opens and allows the
liquid to flow through the tube e into the compartment a and thence through tho
aperture into tho compartment a³. The liquid acting upon the valve fraises
the same until it comes against the collar h'; the said liquid then enters the
chambers a³, a³ and acting upon the floats g, g' raises the lever c and closes the
admission-valve b, at the same time actuating the registoring apparatus.
the controlling-valvo ƒ has risen from its seat, its buoyancy keeps it up while tho
water in the measuring chamber a, that is to say, the quantity to be measured at
cach operation of the valve, flows from the measuring chamber a' through the
cydindrical compartments a³, a³; from the latter of which it is discharged through
tho apertures and l. The valve is then closed by gravity.
When
It will be readily understood by referring to the drawing that the valve f will
close before the valve i, because, whon the water in the chamber a has descended
as far as the top of the tube or valve-seat c, there will still be sufficient water in
the chamber a³ to hold up the valve i. The valve f will, therefore, close before the
valve 6 is again opened.
I prefer to place the above described measuring apparatus in a cistern or tank A
in such a position that, when the said cistern is filled to a certain height or level,
the action of the said apparatus will be prevented until this level is reduced, that is
to say When the water is at a sufficiently high level in the tank A, the valvo i
will be held up by the buoyancy of the float g' and will keep the admission-valve b
closed until the level of the water in the tank is sufficiently lowered to permit the
valve i to fall and open the said admission-valvo
I sometimes insert a tube d into the casting d at the top of the measuring
chamber a. This tube serves to admit air to the said chamber and to permit the
escape of air therefrom; it also serves to increase the head of liquid therein, if the
valve should stick from any cause, and thus ensures the lifting of the said valve..
This tube is inado of small diameter so that, should the liquid rise therein, it will
not materially affect the measurement of the said liquid.
The apparatus shown in Figure 2 is designed for flushing sewers or drains, or
for similar purposes, and is by preference placed in a tank or cistern A¹, so 'that,
when the liquid in the said tank or cistern rises to a certain level, the said
apparatus will act automatically and discharge the said liquid, and will then permit
the tank to be refilled to the same level and then again discharge tho liquid, and
will continue to operate in this manner until the supply of liquid to the tank is
stopped.
This apparatus is constructed as follows, that is to say -n is a box or casing,,
by preferenco a cylinder, of cast iron or other suitable material with an aperture at'
the bottom in which I fit a short tubo or ring n. The upper edgo of this tube or
ring projects inside the casing or cylinder n and forms a seat for 'an' automatic

page_text: valve f. I prefer that the sont should, like that above described, have an approxi-
mately sharp or V-shaped edge, and that the valve should be fitted with a ring or
annular piece of india-rubber or other suitable material so that the valvo will;
when resting under pressure on the said seat, make a tight joint therewith.
The said valve is preferably a disc or plate of any suitable material and
dimensions. It must be weighted to suit the head of water under which it is to
work, so as to ensure its lifting when the liquid in the tank rises to the required level,
The said valvo is, moreover, provided with a float g of such capacity that, when the
valve is lifted, it will be held up by the buoyancy of the said float as long as the
liquid is passing through the box or casing n. This float consists of a hollow body
nado of thin sheet metal or other suitable material. The said float may be filled,
or partly filled, with water or other material to weight the valve according to the
head or level in the tank previously determined upon as that at which the liquid
shall be discharged by the automatic valve. The valve ƒ may be formed with a
hole, closed by a screw-plug f³ or otherwise, to permit the quantity of water in
the float to be conveniently regulated. f' is a ring formed on the valve f to deflect
the liquid as it enters through the opening in the valve-scat and thereby causo it
to act with greater force in raising the valve or keeping the same up. The box or
casing n is, moreover, mado with ribs or projections n³ to guide the valve and
float.
I prefer that the outer case or cylinder n should be supported on feet n³ to
permit the free access of the liquid to the inlet aperturo and valve. The casting n
is provided with a cover n³ firmly secured by bolts or otherwise and it has an
outlet n' which may be connected with a drain, sower or other conduit.
In Figures 3 and 4, I have shown a modification of this part of my invention, in
which the tube or ring n¹ is formed integrally with the box or casing n, and the
valve and float g are cast in one piece. In this case a plug f³ is inserted at the
top and bottom of the float. The valve-seat n* is bevelled and the valve f is
provided with a ring f¹ of india-rubber or other suitable material fitting into a
groove therein.
Figure 5 shows another modification in which the box or casing n is fixed to
the outside of a tank and is open at the top. In this case, the said box or casing
is extended upward to a sufficient height to prevent the overflow of the liquid
therefrom. In the apparatus shown, the outlet n* is made of greater area than the
inlet n° so that the box or casing does not require to be of the same height as the
tank. The top plug f³ is made with a ring or loop for convenience in removing
the same for cleaning or other purposes.
In Figures 6 and 7 I have shown a further modification in which I suspend the
valve f and float g in a similar manner to an ordinary tidal valve or "tide-flap,"
that is to say, the valve fis hinged to a flat-plate f having a raised seating fo ab
the required angle. And the said valvo is enclosed by a casing n of any suitable
material and having an outlet n'.
This apparatus is fixed to the exterior of a tank A' preferably at, or near, the
bottom thereof. The advantage gained in this case is that the whole of the water
is permitted to escape from the tank, whereas with the forms or modifications
shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 thero is always a few inches of water left in the
tank. But these forms or modifications have the advantage of acting as groase-
interceptors in addition to their other functions, because, as the level of the water
in the tank cannot descend below the top of the valve-seat and the grease floats
on the water, it is obvious that, the grease cannot pass through the box or
casing n.
The operation of my flushing apparatus is as follows, that is to say:-Assuming
the tank to which the said apparatus is attached to be supplied with water from
any source, then as soon as the water has reached a certain level in the tank, the
head of water will lift the valve f and float g and thus permit the water to escape
from the said tank into the sewer or other conduit, and the water entering the box

page_text: or casing n will hold up the said valve and float until the water in the tank has
descended to the level of the top of the valve-seat, or nearly so. The valve is then
closed by gravity and remains closed until the tank is refilled to the same level.
It will be seen that, in all the forms of apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6 and 7, the valve f is first lifted by the pressure of the liquid thereon and is then
held up by the buoyancy of the float g, until the proper quantity of liquid has
passed through it, the said valve is then closed by gravity.
For flushing water-closets or other receptacles or conduits, where the valve is
not required to act automatically, I construct my apparatus as shown in Figure 8,
in which a is a vessel or cistern which may be square, circular or of other convenient
form. The said vessel or cistern is, by preference, provided with an extension or
well a' in which I fix a tube at whose upper end regulates and determines the head
or level of water in the cistern a, and whose lower end is provided at one side with
an outlet-passage k extending through the bottom of the well a'. At the bottom
of the tube a' is a tube or valve-seate upon which is placed a valve f fitted with a
ring fof india-rubber or other suitable material and provided with a hollow body
or float g substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified. The valve ƒ should
be weighted in excess of the head of water to be employed in the cistern a, because,
as this apparatus is not designed to work automatically, the valve must not be
raised by the upward pressure or head of the liquid. The float g is connected by
a rod h or other suitable means to the lever c¹ of the ball-cock 61 which regulates
the admission of water to the cistern a. I connect with this ball-cock-lever c¹ an
auxiliary lever q, one end of which extends through the side of the cistern a and is
provided with a chain r or a cord or other suitable means for manipulating or
operating the apparatus when required. When this apparatus is properly arranged,
the float s of the ball-cock b' will close the said cock when the water is level with
the top of the tube aº. If a small quantity of water should overflow into the said
.tube it will escape at the bottom thereof without operating or affecting the
apparatus. While the said levers are left at rest, the weight of the valve f will
keep it on its seat. But, if the chain is pulled downward, tho weight of the
valve fis overcome and the said valve is raised from its seat at the bottom of the
tube a. When the valve is once raised the water entering through the aperture
at e into the tube a³ will keep the valvo f open by reason of the buoyancy of the
float g until the cisterna is empty or nearly so.
The said valve then returns to
8
8
its seat, the ball & descends and opens the cock b' and the cistern a is refilled.
The connection between the ball-cock-lever c' and the auxiliary or discharging
lever q is effected by means of the slotted link t or other device which permits one
lever to move some distance without moving the other lover, so that the discharging
lever need not be held up while the water is flowing from the cistern. The said
auxiliary or discharging lever q is provided with a weight gl at its inner end to
ensure its return to its normal position after being moved as above described.
may, if desired, provide either of the above described forms of my apparatus
with registering mechanism to record or indicate the quantity of liquid that passes
through the same.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I Claim :—
First: In an apparatus for measuring and controlling the flow of liquids or for
supplying the same in regulated quantities for the purposes above specified, the
employment of a valve combined with a float and so arranged that the said valve
will be opened by the head of liquid in the measuring chamber or tank when the
proper quantity of liquid has been supplied thereto and will be held up by the
buoyancy of its float until the said measuring chamber or tank is empty, or nearly
so, and will then be closed by gravity.
Second: An apparatus for measuring liquids, consisting essentially of the
measuring chamber, the chambers communicating therewith and with each other,
and the valves and their floats connected with the lever of the admission-valve,

page_text: substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings for the
purpose specified.
<
Third Tho apparatus consisting of the box or casing containing the valve and
float and provided with inlet and outlet apertures, substantially as described with
reference to either of the modifications shown in Figure 2, or in Figures 3 and 4,
or in Figure 5, or in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, for the purposes specified.
Fourth-The modification of my invention whereby the said apparatus is
adapted for supplying water to, and flushing, water-closets or other receptacles or
conduits, substantially as described with reference to Figure 8 of the drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Barker Hill have hereunto set my hand
and seal this. Thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
T
TIL T