Improvements in Fluid Meters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fluid Meters.
I, EMANUEL SPIRO of Böhmisch-Krumau, Bohemia, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for measuring liquids, especially suitable for
ascertaining the quantity of feed water used in boilers.
Owing to wear, apparatus heretofore employed for the purpose has been liable to
give inaccurate indications. Thus meters having vanes and which under the best
conditions are of doubtful accuracy, have become unreliable after a time, on account
of the wear caused by the great speed of rotation. Piston meters also become
affected by the great wear of the rubbing surfaces of the piston and of the cylinder
walls, whereby after comparatively short use, water can escape between the piston
and the cylinder walls without being measured.
In apparatus according to the present invention the indications are independent
of the wear of the several parts of the meter. The nature of the apparatus is
based on the mechanical, automatic indication of the vertical movements of a float
in a cylindrical prismatic or other suitably shaped vessel through which the water
has to pass before use, and in which inflow and outflow never take place simul-
taneously. The inflow of the water, or its outflow, or both, can be indicated
separately. As the vessel is of the same cross section throughout its height, the
unit of length of the vertical movement of the float will always correspond to an
equal quantity of inflowing or outflowing liquid.
Two arrangements of apparatus according to this invention are illustrated in the
accompanying drawing:-
Figs. 1 and 2 are two views at right angles to one another of one arrangement,
the vessel and the registering device being shewn in partial section in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate, diagrammatically, apparatus of modified construction.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the inlet and outlet cock of the vessel in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
C is a vessel, of equal cross section throughout its height, containing a float S
movable in vertical guides, said movement being transmitted to a pulley R by
means of a belt, rope or band, kept in tension by a counterweight g.
The inflow and outflow cock H illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, has in its plug
two slots arranged a quarter of a circle apart, which can be brought either opposite
the inflow branch m and the inlet branch n to the vessel, or opposite the said
branch n and outflow branch o so that according as the cock is turned by the
movement of the lever s¹, there takes place either inflow through the pipes M
and N, or outflow through the pipes N and O, but simultaneous inflow and outflow
of the liquid is impossible.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, instead of one cock, two cocks
are employed, of which the upper one, H', regulates the inflow, and the lower
one, H, the outflow. The plugs of these cocks are each formed with an aperture
the direction of which in one cock is at right angles to that of the aperture in the
other, and the connecting links x and y can only be moved simultaneously this
being effected by the lever s', the arrangement being such that either the inflow
pipe M only or the outflow pipe O only will be in communication with the interior
of the vessel C.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the pulley R to which the
movement of the float S is transmitted, is mounted on a horizontal shaft a¹ which,

page_text: in order that only the movements of the float corresponding to the falling or to
the rising water level shall be transmitted, is movable horizontally and carries at
one end a friction cone F which, in one position of the shaft, is pressed against a
second friction cone F keyed upon the shaft a² (so that the shafts a¹ and a* are
coupled together), but in the other position of the movable shaft a', rotates without
carrying with it the cone F and its shaft a². The shifting of the shaft a¹ to effect
the coupling and uncoupling of the shaft a³, takes place simultaneously with the
turning of the cock H (or of the cocks H' and H2 as the case may be), by means
of levers connected to the turning lever s', and whereby a tappet d that
operates the pressure lever h, is actuated, so as to draw the shaft a', which is
jointed to the lever h, to a slight extent out of the sleeve upon which the pulley R
is keyed.
Only after the lever ' has been moved into the opposite position, can the
cone engage with the cone F³, because only then can the spring ƒ press the
lever h with the shaft a' towards the cone F.
In the arrangement illustrated the two shafts a¹ and a³ will be coupled only
during the outflow of the water from the vessel C. If the shaft a³, instead of
being on the right hand, were arranged on an extension of the shaft a¹ at the left
(the friction cones being in suitable positions), the movement of the float would
be transmitted only during the inflow. If the shaft a' had friction cones F" on
each end to engage with friction cones on two shafts a³, then the rising motion
of the float S would be transmitted at the left hand, and.the falling motion would
be transmitted at the right hand.
The pressure exerted by the spring f upon the pressure lever h, might be
produced by the action of weights. Similarly the coupling arrangement F1 F
might be replaced by another arrangement. The recording of the revolutions
made by the pulley R and caused by the sinking of the float (or rising, or both)
may be effected either graphically or by means of a counting mechanism with
dial and pointer. Both arrangements are shewn in the drawing. Upon the
shaft a there is mounted an eccentric E, by the rotation of which the slider
with the pencil i is shifted sideways. Under the said pencil there rotates a
horizontal dial which is continuously actuated from the pointer shaft of a
clock .U, the centre of the dial being located in the direction of movement of
the pencil. Upon this dial which continuously rotates with the same speed, the
pencil will describe zig-zag lines lying between two circles, and the outermost
and innermost points of which correspond to the two end positions of the eccentric.
If the dial is divided to indicate units of time, the distance between two successive
outer or inner points of the zig-zag lines corresponds to the period of time
during which such a quantity of liquid has flowed away that the movement of
the float will have exactly caused one complete revolution of the pulley R.
The dimensions of the cross section of the receiver and of the pulley Rare
advantageously such that a complete revolution shall correspond to a round number
of units of measure of the liquid. If the inflow ceases by the movement of the
cock H (or the cocks H' H³), then the rotary motion of the eccentric E is at once
stopped by the uncoupling of the shaft a². The pencil i therefore remains in the
position occupied at that moment and is compelled to describe an arc upon the dial
until on the re-coupling of the shaft a² the pencil is caused to continue to describe
the zig-zag line.
The pointer-counting mechanism Z is of well known construction.
In the arrangement shewn diagrammatically in Fig. 4, both the inflow and the
outflow are registered. The pencil is moved upwards and downwards by the
reducing pulley L which is keyed upon the shaft of the pulley R, so that zig-zag
lines are described upon the cylinder J, which is rotated by clockwork. If there
is neither inflow nor outflow, then, since the shaft of the pulley R does not rotate,
a horizontal line will be described. When there is an inflow of liquid the carrying
corde of the pencil holder is wound on the pulley L. and the pencil describes an
upwardly directed line. When the level of the liquid falls the line will run

page_text: downwards, because the pencil i will be lowered in consequence of the unwinding
of the cord e.
¡ In the construction shewn in Fig. 5, the indication of the outflow only (or of the
inflow only) is effected by providing the first disc of the counting mechanism with
teeth at its periphery into which a pawl mounted on the cord pulley R, engages in
such a manner that the disc rotates only during the rotation of the cord pulley in
one direction, whilst it remains stationary during the rotation in the other direction,
the pawl sliding over the teeth. Instead of a pawl and toothed wheel a clamping
device might be employed for the same purpose.
Advantageously the vessel C may be provided with a water gauge w (Fig. 1) and
an overflow pipe u (Figs. 4 and 5).
Dated this 1st day of October 1901
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fluid Meters.
I, EMANUEL SPIRO of Böhmisch-Krumau, Bohemia, Manufacturer, 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 liquids, especially suitable for.
ascertaining the quantity of feed water used in boilers.
Owing to wear, apparatus heretofore employed for the purpose has been liable
to give inaccurate indications. Thus meters having vanes and which under the
best conditions are of doubtful accuracy, have become unreliable after a time, on
account of the wear caused by the great speed of rotation. Piston meters also
become affected by the great wear of the rubbing surfaces of the piston and of the
cylinder walls, whereby after comparatively short use, water can escape between
the piston and the cylinder walls without being measured.
In apparatus according to the present invention the indications are independent
of the wear of the several parts of the meter. The invention is based on the
mechanical, automatic indication of the vertical movements of a float in a cylindrical
prismatic or other suitably shaped vessel through which the water has to pass
before use, and in which inflow and outflow never take place simultaneously. The
inflow of the water, or its outflow, or both, can be indicated separately. As the
vessel is of the same cross section throughout its height, the unit of length of
the vertical movement of the float will always correspond to an equal quantity of
inflowing or outflowing liquid.
Two arrangements of apparatus according to this invention are illustrated in the
drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification.
Figs. 1 and 2 are views of one arrangement at right angles to one another, the
vessel and the registering device being shewn in part section in Fig. 1.'
Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate, diagrammatically, apparatus of modified construction.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the inlet and outlet cock of the vessel shown
in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
C is a vessel or receiver, of uniform cross section throughout its height,
containing a float S movable in vertical guides, said movement being transmitted
to a pulley R by means of a belt, rope or band, kept in tension by a counter-
weight g.
The inflow and outflow cock H illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, has in its plug
two slots arranged about 90 degrees apart, which can be brought either opposite
the inflow branch m and the inlet branch n to the vessel, or opposite the said

page_text: "branch n and an outflow branch o. The pipes M, N, O communicate respectively
with the branches m, n, o, so that according as the cock is turned by the move-
ment of the lever s', there takes place either inflow through the pipes M and N,
or outflow through the pipes N and O, but simultaneous inflow and outflow of the
liquid cannot take place.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, instead of one cock, two cocks
are employed, of which the upper one, H', regulates the inflow, and the lower
one, H, the outflow. The plugs of these cocks are each formed with an aperture
the direction of which in one cock is at right angles to that of the aperture in the
-other, and the levers s', y, of the plugs are connected by a link so that they
move simultaneously, this being effected by operating the lever s', the arrangement
being such that either the inflow pipe M only, or the outflow pipe O only, will
be in communication at one time with the interior of the vessel C.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the pulley R to which the
movement of the float S is transmitted, is mounted on a horizontal shaft a' which,
in order that only the movements of the float corresponding to the falling or to the
rising water level shall be transmitted, is movable horizontally and carries at one
end a friction cone F' which, in one position of the shaft, is pressed against a second
friction cone F keyed upon a shaft a² (so that the shafts a' and a² are coupled
together), but in the other position of the movable shaft a', rotates independently
of the cone F³ and its shaft a². The shifting of the shaft a¹ to effect the coupling
and uncoupling of the shaft a², takes place simultaneously with the turning of the
cock H (or of the cocks H' and H as the case may be), by means of a link s³ and
lever connected to the turning lever s', and whereby a tappet d that operates
the pressure lever 1, is actuated, so as to draw the shaft a', which is jointed to the
lever , to a slight extent out of the sleeve upon which the pulley R is keyed.
Only after the lever s' has been moved into the opposite position can the cone F¹
engage with the cone F³, because only then can the spring press the lever / with
the shaft a¹ towards the cone F.
In the arrangement illustrated the two shafts a¹ and a² will be coupled only
during the outflow of the water from the vessel C. If the shaft a³, instead of
being on the right hand, were arranged on an extension of the shaft a¹ at the left
(the friction cones being in suitable positions), the movement of the float would be
transmitted only during the inflow. If the shaft a' had friction cones F' on each
end to engage with friction cones F' on two shafts a², then the rising motion of the
float S would be transmitted at the left hand, and the falling motion would be
transmitted at the right hand.
The pressure upon the lever h, might be produced by the action of weights
instead of by the spring f. Similarly the coupling arrangement F1 F might be
replaced by any other suitable arrangement. The recording of the revolutions
made by the pulley R and caused by the descent or ascent or both of the float
may be effected either graphically by a pencil point or by means of a counting
mechanism with one or more dials and pointers. Both arrangements are shewn
in the drawing. Upon the shaft a' there is mounted an eccentric E, (see Figs. 1, 2
and 3) by the rotation of which the slider with the pencil i is shifted sideways.
In contact with the said pencil there rotates a dial u which is driven continuously
from the pointer shaft of a clock, the centre of the dial being located in the
direction of movement of the pencil. Upon this dial which continuously rotates
with a uniform speed, the pencil will describe zig-zag lines lying between two
circles, and the outermost and innermost points of which correspond to the two end
positions of the eccentric. If the dial is divided to indicate units of time, the
distance between two successive outer or inner points of the zig-zag lines corresponds
to the period of time during which such a quantity of liquid has flowed away
that the movement of the float will have exactly caused one complete revolution
of the pulley R.
The dimensions of the cross section of the vessel or receiver C and of the
-pulley. R are preferably such that a complete revolution shall correspond to a

page_text: convenient number of units of measure of the liquid. If the inflow ceases by the
movement of the cock H (or the cocks H' H*), then the rotary motion of the
eccentric E is at once stopped by the uncoupling of the shaft a³. The pencil i
therefore remains in the position occupied at that moment and is compelled to
describe an arc upon the dial until on the re-coupling of the shaft a³ the pencil is
caused to continue to describe the zig-zag line.
The dial and pointer counting mechanism Z is of well known construction, the
pointers being driven in succession by gear wheels in the ordinary manner.
In the arrangement shewn diagrammatically in Fig. 4, both the inflow and the
outflow are registered. The pencil i is moved upwards and downwards by the
reducing pulley L which is keyed upon the shaft of the pulley R, so that zig-zag
lines are described upon the cylinder J, which is rotated by clockwork. If there
be neither inflow nor outflow, then, since the shaft of the pulley R will not then
rotate, a horizontal line will be described. When there is an inflow of liquid the
carrying cord e of the pencil holder will be wound on the pulley L and the pencil
will describe an upwardly directed line. When the level of the liquid falls the line
will run downwards, because the pencil i will then be lowered in consequence of
the unwinding of the cord e.
In the construction shewn in Fig. 5, the indication of the outflow only (or of the
inflow only) is effected by providing the first disc of the counting mechanism with
teeth at its periphery into which a pawl mounted on the cord pulley R, engages
in such a manner that the disc rotates only during the rotation of the cord pulley
in one direction, whilst it remains stationary during the rotation in the other
direction, the pawl sliding over the teeth. Instead of a pawl and toothed wheel
a clamping device might be employed for the same purpose. In other respects the
counting mechanism Z may be of ordinary construction.
The vessel C may advantageously be provided with a water gauge w (Fig. 1) and
an overflow pipe u (Figs. 4 and 5).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A fluid meter comprising a vessel into which the liquid to be measured flows,
a float, and a device for recording the movement of the float due to variations in
the level of the liquid in said vessel, the inflow to and outflow from the vessel
taking place at different times substantially as described.
2. In a fluid meter of the kind referred to in the preceding claim, a registering
apparatus comprising two shafts a¹ and a one of which carries the recording
mechanism, whilst the other carries a pulley R actuated by the float, and is movable
longitudinally by a link and lever jointed to the operating lever s' employed
for controlling the inlet and outlet cock or cocks substantially as and for the
purposes described.
3. In a fluid meter of the kind referred to in Claim 1, an eccentric E fixed
upon the shaft a³, a slider / carrying a pencil i and moved by the said eccentric,
and a dial which rotates with a uniform speed and has its centre of rotation located
in the direction of movement of the pencil so that the pencil will describe upon it,
during the rotation of the eccentric E, a zig-zag line substantially as and for the
purposes described.
4. In a fluid meter of the kind referred to in Claim 1, a pulley R operated by
the float S and carrying a pawl or clamping device adapted to engage with the
periphery of the first dial of the counting mechanism in such a manner that the
dial will rotate only during the rotation of the pulley in one direction, substantially
as described with reference to Fig. 5.
5. In a fluid meter of the kind referred to in Claim 1, for the purpose of
registering both the ascent and descent of the float, a pencil i suspended by a
cord e passing over the reducing pulley L of the pulley R which is operated from
he float, and a cylinder J rotated by clockwork and upon the surface of

page_text: which a record is made by the said pencil substantially as and for the purpose
described.
6. The combinations and arrangements of parts constituting the improved fluid
meters hereinbefore described with reference respectively to and shown in
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 5 of the drawings.
TEL: 10 - of Tu 1805
EMANUEL SPIRO,
By L. W., per F. B.