A NEW OR IMPROVED LIQUID METER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacob Heinrich Blum, of Bienne, in the Republic of
Switzerland, for an Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED LIQUID METER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jacob Heinrich Blum at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th April 1881.
JACOB HEINRICH BLUM, of Bienne, in the Republic of Switzerland.
OR IMPROVED LIQUID METER."
" A NEW
The object of this Invention is to enable one to measure any liquid whatever
issuing from a vessel of any dimensions, and at the same time to keep an accurate
account of the quantity flown out.
The apparatus constructed for this purpose can either be adapted to a bottle or
jar of various dimensions, or it can be modified so as to allow of its being
temporarily fixed on a cask or any similar vessel.
This apparatus consists chiefly of a hollow cock with two or more gauged
compartments, through which the liquid which has to be measured flows out.
The capacity of each of the two compartments is exactly known and calculated
in the same unit of measure.
If the compartments are alternatively filled with the liquid to be measured, and
the latter is allowed to flow out, every movement of the cock will obviously cor-
respond to a certain quantity of liquid flown out, and if these movements are
recorded by means of an instrument contrived for the purpose, the quantity of the
liquid flown out will thus be accurately indicated.
The capacity of the compartments contained in the aforesaid cock may of course
be chosen at will, but it will be useful always to choose them in a simple relation
to the unit in which the liquid to be controlled is usually measured.
The apparatus is otherwise constructed as follows:-Underneath the bottom of
a liquid receptacle of any suitable dimensions is placed a cock with an outwardly
projecting neck. The hollow plug or core is adjusted in the conical cavity of the
cock and secured by means of two screw-nuts; it can be turned by means of a
handle. This plug is divided throughout its length into two parts by a partition,

page_text: and provided with 3 openings which present themselves successively under the
opening at the bottom of the liquid receptacle. Two of these openings answer
the purpose of letting the liquid flow out from either of the two compartments.
The third of these openings is so arranged as to permit the two compartments to
be filled or emptied at the same time.
But in order that the compartments may empty themselves when the plug is
placed in the required position, they are put in communication with the outside air
by means of three small pipes and an opening in the circumference of the plug.
One of the air-pipes runs through the liquid receptacle from the bottoms to the
top, and is covered at its upper end with a capsule perforated at the bottom, so as
to admit the outside air without the possibility of foreign bodies finding their way
into the pipe.
The two other pipes as well as the opening are so arranged as to connect the
first air pipe with the compartments of the plug at the required moment.
The liquid receptacle is provided at its upper part with a neck covered with a
cap, and in front with a casing for enclosing the counting or recording apparatus.
The counter is placed inside the front of the liquid receptacle, and made visible
through an aperture in the cover, provided with a sheet of glass. The counter is
set in motion by an eccentric or cam when the handle on the spindle of the plug
is turned.
This cam or eccentric acts upon a set of levers which actuate a click and a
ratchet-wheel.
The counter consists further of tooth gearing, a dial or dials, and hands similar to
those used in other counting mechanism.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jacob Heinrich Blum in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
*14th October 1881.
JACOB HEINRICH BLUM, of Bienne, in the Republic of Switzerland.
OR IMPROVED LIQUID METER."
" A NEW
The object of this Invention is to enable one to measure any liquid whatever
issuing from a vessel of any dimensions, and at the same time to keep an accurate
account of the quantity flown out.
The apparatus constructed for this purpose can either be adapted to a bottle or
jar of various dimensions, or it can be modified so as to allow of its being
temporarily fixed on a cask or any similar vessel.
This apparatus consists chiefly of a hollow cock with two or more gauged
compartments through which the liquid which has to be measured flows out.
The capacity of each of the two compartments is exactly known and calculated
in the same unit of measure.
If the compartments are alternately filled with the liquid to be measured and
the latter is allowed to flow out, every movement of the cock will obviously
correspond to a certain quantity of liquid flown out, and if these movements are
recorded by means of an instrument contrived for the purpose, the quantity of
the liquid flown out will thus be accurately indicated.
The capacity of the compartments contained in the aforesaid cock may of course
be chosen at will, but it will be useful always to choose them in a simple relation
to the unit in which the liquid to be controlled is usually measured.
The apparatus is otherwise constructed as follows:-Underneath the bottom of a
liquid receptacle of any suitable dimensions is placed a cock with an outwardly
projecting neck. The hollow plug or core is adjusted in the conical cavity of the
cock, and secured by means of two screw nuts; it can be turned by means of a
handle. This plug is divided throughout its length into two parts by a partition
and provided with three openings, which present themselves successively under the
opening at the bottom of the liquid receptacle. Two of these openings answer the
purpose of letting the liquid flow out from either of the two compartments.
The third of these openings is so arranged as to permit the two compartments to
be filled or emptied at the same time.
But in order that the compartments may empty themselves when the plug is
placed in the required position, they are put in communication with the outside
air by means of three small pipes and an opening in the circumference of the plug.
One of the air pipes runs through the liquid receptacle from the bottom to the
top, and is covered at its upper end with a capsule perforated at the bottom, so as
to admit the outside air without the possibility of foreign bodies finding their way
into the pipe.
The two other pipes as well as the opening are so arranged as to connect the
first air pipe with the compartments of the plug at the required moment.
The liquid receptacle is provided at its upper part with a neck covered with a
cap, and in front with a casing for enclosing the counting or recording apparatus.
The counter is placed inside the front of the liquid receptacle, and made visible
through an aperture in the cover provided with a sheet of glass. The counter
is set in motion by an eccentric or cam when the handle on the spindle of the plug
is turned.
This cam or eccentric acts upon a set of levers which actuate a click and a ratchet
wheel.

page_text: -
The counter consists further of tooth gearing, a dial or dials, and hands similar
to those used in other counting mechanism.
Referring to the Drawings,-
In its chief features this liquid-meter consists of a cock-box a in which a hollow
air-proof key b is ground in, and which latter is commonly divided by a partition c
in two chamber A and B of equal or unequal capacities.
Each of these empty
spaces corresponds exactly to a certain determinate quantity of liquid. Thus, for
instance, with a cock, the two chambers of which contain and litre, one can let
out at will or litre, and by adding these fractions it is self-evident that any
larger quantum of the liquid may also be obtained.
To the liquid-meter is adapted in a suitable manner an index which quite
exactly registers the number of the fillings with the quantum of each, and in that
manner thus enables, without any trouble and with absolute certainty, to ascertain
the quantity of liquid issued from the holder.
By means of an electric current the index of the meter may also be placed at any
distance whatever from the holder.
The Drawing represents a liquid-meter with two chambers of the same capacity,
each being capable of litre.
In the cock box a are two openings 1 and 2 which are situated diametrically
opposite one another and in the same vertical plane. The opening 1 corresponds
with the feed pipe m, and the opening 2 with the delivery-pipe n. The key of the
cock b shows on the line of its larger inner diameter 4 openings 3, 4, 5, and 6, lying
at right angles to each other and in the same plane as those of the cock-box, they
are separated by the partition c in such a manner that each chamber receives two
of these openings.
On the front side of the key the tap h and the adjoint-piece d are melted, which
latter serves to secure the winch f. Moreover, a ring g with a central little plate i
curved outwards is screwed on the body of the cock.
The sweep of the winch f is limited by the shoulders k and 7 of the ring g.
The spring which surrounds the tap h and leans against the little-plate i regu-
lates the right shutting between the cock box and the key. Figs. 1 & 3 shows
both positions of the winch. In Fig. 1 the chamber A fills itself through the
opening 3, whilst at the same time the chamber B is enabled to empty itself
through the opening 5.
In Fig. 3 the chamber B fills itself through the opening 6. The chamber A
empties itself through the opening 4, and thus is obtained an alternative filling
and emptying of each chamber. In the case of the chambers having an unequal
capacity this arrangement is usually modified in such a manner that the partition c
is carried through the middle of the feed opening Figs. 1, 3, and 5. Both chambers
fill now themselves simultaneously, but may, if needed, be emptied each alone and
filled again, as it is clearly shown in the Figs. 3 and 5. The winch must in this
case run over a space of 180°. When the chambers are to be filled and emptied
very fast those of equal capacity must be preferred.
Besides the openings already mentioned there are in the cock-box two other
apertures 7 and 8 in the plane x, y, and in the same plane the openings 7ª and 8ª
of the cock-key at the highest point of the chamber.
Fig. 2 corresponds with Fig. 1. The chamber B empties itself. The opening 7a
presents itself under the opening 7 of the cock-box, the air enters from without
into the chamber B and renders the emptying of the same possible.
The Fig. 4 corresponds with the Fig. 3. The chamber A empties itself. The
opening 8 and 8 come in contact and make possible the emptying of the chamber A.
The same thing takes place with the unequal chambers.
When working with liquids rich in alcohol, which are easily volatilized, the
passage of the air through the liquid holder must be avoided, and the air directly
driven in the atmosphere. The adjoint-piece, designated by r, which encloses the
floats and the air cylinder u serves for this purpose.

page_text: The float s consists of a piece of cork suspended perpendicularly to a pin fixed
to the cover of the box, along which it can slide up and down, and bears the loops
through which passes the extremity of the light levert firmly secured to the air-
cylinder. The little spring v presses the little cylinder against the hollow of the
adjoint piece w fixed to the cover, which is, like the air-cylinder too, provided
with a slit. The whole arrangement together with the guides of the air cylinder is
seen on the. The underpart of the adjoint piece ends in the shape of a hollow cock-
key, which is divided by a tongue y melted to and prolonged downwards in two
parts of unequal size x and 2. This cock-key bears at the division x an opening
corresponding with the feed pipe m. By turning the adjoint piece the shutting off
of the opening m of the feed pipe is obtained. Figs. 1 & 2 show the stoppage
of this little key, and the Figs. 1 and 3 the stretching of the same. If, for
instance, the chamber A is to be filled, the liquid, as in the situation of Fig. 1, will
flow in through the compartment x and the opening 3. The air contained in the
chamber will be expelled and arrive through the compartment into the float-box,
and from thence through the corresponding openings of the air cylinder and cover,
escape out. After the filling the liquid likewise rises in the compartment z, reaches
'the float and lifts it up by means of the lever t, which in consequence of the
.turning of the air-cylinder brings the air-openings out of contact, and thereby
effects the shutting off of the air. As soon as the second chamber B is filled the
compartment empties itself. The float sinks again under its own weight and.
opens anew the air-pipes until the same play begins again.
In Figs. 1 and 5 is shown the manner in which the index is connected
with the cock. On the cock-box is secured a sheet-mantle o, which bears a
peculiar notch to receive the driving pin p of the index, and to secure the excentric.
The index itself is placed on the hollow stand q, which encloses at the same time
the driving mechanism. The last consists of an excentric 10, which is screwed
upon the hind part of the cock-key. The driving pin rests on this excentric 10,
and is strongly pressed by the spring 11 against it. Each time the winch is turned
right or left, the little pin p is lifted by the excentric 10 and pushes forward by
one tooth the 8-toothed ratchet wheel by means of the ratch 12, which is brought
back again by a little spring. The turning backwards of the ratchet wheel is
prevented by the catch 13. The former is provided with a little case which
revolves around a pin firmly secured to the pillar-plate. The said little case bears
moreover the thin disc 14 with a ratchet pin. A rotation of the disc 14 brings
this pin in contact with a tooth of the star-wheel 15, and drives forward that
wheel by one tooth. The wheels 15, 16, and 17 are all of them 10 toothed and
provided with cases, which, like the wheel 14, revolve around firm pins; to each
of the two first star-wheels 15 and 16 is fixed a driving pin, so that a rotation of
the wheel 15 drives forward the wheel 16 by one tooth, and similarly a rotation of
the wheel 16 does the same to the wheel 17. The assumed positions of the star-
wheels are fixed by the springs 18, 19, & 20.
In consequence of what has been said, after 100 rotations of the ratchet wheel 14,
for instance, the other wheels will have accomplished the number of revolutions
here stated:—
Wheel 15
Wheel 16=
Wheel 17
100=10 revolutions.
=1
»
In order to render visible to the eye the way run over by the several wheels, a
dial is fixed upon every wheel-case, which indicates it by corresponding numbers.
A cover lets the upper number of each dial freely exposed to the sight through
small apertures. The three dials permit the reading of them up to 999.
The number of teeth in which the ratchet-wheel is divided is proportionate to
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page_text: wheel is likewise to be divided in 8 teeth, and the excentric must be so contrived
that for the chamber of the quarters the pin p must be lifted twice so high as for
the chamber of the eighths, whereby the ratchet-wheel will be driven forward by
two divisions, viz., by or .
In this manner the index may be adapted to any required measure. In the
Drawings is represented also a liquid-meter with separated feed-pipes. Such a
construction affords this advantage that when the apparatus is liable to be displaced,
the feed pipe with the cock may easily be unscrewed, taken off, and put up to
another holder. To drive it in a piece of wood is made use of. The key of the
cock has only two openings m and n. The tongue is here replaced by a pipe r,
which construction is perfectly suited to apparatus with chambers of unequal size.
To guard against any undue unscrewing of the screw-nut a and the removal of
the cock z, a safety-key, not particularly described here, must be added to it.
Having thus fully described my Invention, what I claim is,-
1. The use of a liquid meter in the shape of a cock, provided with a hollow key
serving for a measure, the hollow of which is divided in two chambers of equal or
unequal capacities by a partition running in the plane of the longitudinal axis of
the key.
2. The disposition of the openings contrived in the key of the cock, substantially
as shown in the Drawing and description, which brings about the alternative
filling and emptying of the two chambers.
3. The disposition of the openings in the key of the cock, substantially as set
forth in the description and Drawing, enabling both chambers to be filled
simultaneously, and to be emptied as described.
4. The way and manner in which the air is made to escape from the chambers
of the cock, substantially as described.
5. The way and means by which the air is made to penetrate into the chambers,
substantially as described.
6. The manner in which the various parts are combined in a whole, substantially
as described and shown in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jacob Heinrich Blum, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, A.D. 1881.
RLIIM