IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS." A communication from abroad by
Frederick Klingmueller, of Prague, Austria.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS METERS." A communi-
cation from abroad by Frederick Klingmueller, of Prague, Austria.
The object of this Invention is to construct a gas meter in such a manner as to
overcome the main objections to ordinary dry and wet gas meters. The ordinary
wet gas meters are objectionable, because they are liable to freeze when exposed to
cold, and because they offer a large surface of water to the gas, in consequence
of which the water is rapidly evaporated, and thus their frequent refilling is
necessary.
When glycerine is used instead of water the wet gas meters are very expensive
by reason of their requiring so much fluid. Dry gas meters, on the other hand, are
rapidly deteriorated, especially by impure gas; they are also open to the objection
that when out of use the leather parts become so dry as to prevent their working.
Gas meters constructed according to the present Invention require only a small
quantity of glycerine, can be worked at a greater speed, and can be made smaller
than ordinary wet gas meters without being liable to deterioration when out of use.
The accompanying Drawing illustrates the construction of a gas meter according
to this Invention.
Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2 is a section through the line C, D, and
Figure 3 is a section through the line A, B, of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 4 is a
plan or top view; Figure 5 is a section through the line E, F, of Figures 2 and 3.
In all of these Figures corresponding parts are indicated by the same letters of
reference.

page_text: a is a metal case divided by a horizontal partition into two chambers. This
outer case encloses an inner case divided vertically into two chambers b, b¹. Between
the inner case b and the outer case a the bell c is arranged, and between the inner
case b¹ and outer case a the bell c¹. For each of the chambers b, b¹, separate filling
boxes d, d¹, are arranged in the outer case, and these boxes are provided with
partition pieces e, e¹, fixed inside to their tops, but reaching not quite down to their
bottoms, and therefore leaving apertures f, f, through which the liquid poured into
these filling boxes can pass into the spaces between the outer case a and the two
inner chambers b, b¹. The overflow screws of the filling boxes are arranged higher
than the lower edge of the partitions e, e¹, so that these partitions are always sub-
merged in the fluid. In each of the chambers b, b¹, are two levers with weights
*g, g, g¹, g¹, which are fastened at one of their ends to the top of the bells c, c¹,
and at the other of their ends to the shafts h, h¹. The weights serve to counter-
balance the bells. The bells are each provided with four guide ways 7, 1', through
which the guide rods i, i, i¹, i¹, pass to ensure the vertical movement of the bells.
To the middle of the top of each bell a jointed connecting rod m, m³, is fastened,
which communicates with the horizontal shaft 1, 1. Each of these shafts 1, 1¹, is
provided at one end with a bevel pinion gearing into another bevel pinion 2, 21, on
the rotary shafts k, k¹. These shafts k, k, are connected by knee joints n, n, n¹, n¹,
with the crank pin o of the crank shaft p. The crank shaft p carries the worm x
gearing into the worm wheel n on the shaft y carrying the first counterwheel of the
counter 3. The crank shaft p passes through a stuffing box into the separate valve
chest, and forms here the crank, which by means of the valve rods q, ql, moves the.
distributing valves r, r, to and fro.
The gas passes into the valve chest through the pipe v. The escape takes place
through the escape pipe u, u¹, beneath the valve chest. To prevent gas escaping
out of the bells into the spaces above them the intermediate spaces a, b, a, b, are
filled with glycerine of a strength of 18 degrees Baumé. To guard against a sudden
high pressure driving the glycerine over the edge of the chambers 6, 6, they are
made narrower at the top, thus allowing more room for the rising fluid. The dis-
tributing valves r, r¹, are arranged at an angle of 90 degrees, so that their rods q, q³,
are at right angles. Below each distributing valve are three openings, one 8, 8¹,
communicating with the space below its corresponding bell, one 8, f, 8, f¹, com-
municating with the space above its corresponding bell, and one u, u', for the escape
of the gas.
When the gas meter has been supplied with glycerine, as above explained, the
gas is allowed to pass into the valve chest through the pipe v. From this part
the gas passes first through the opening 8 of the first valve r to the space below its
corresponding bell c, and raises the same. As soon as the first bell c has risen one-
fourth of its upward stroke the second valve r¹ is opened, and allows the gas to pass
through the opening s¹ to the space below its corresponding bell c¹, which is likewise
raised. As soon as this second bell c¹ has reached three-fourths of its upward stroke
the first bell c will have completed its upward stroke, and will then begin to go
down, whilst the second bell c¹ continues to rise, because by the altered position of
the first valve r the opening a communicating with the space beneath the first bell c
has been closed, whilst the opening 8, f, communicating with the space above the
same has been opened, thus allowing the gas to enter above and press down the
bell c.
In consequence of the falling of the bell c the gas contained therein will be forced
out through the pipe 8, which by the altered position of the valve has been brought
into communication with the outlet passage u¹ of the valver, and will finally escape
through the pipe u.
When the first bell c has completed one-fourth of its downward stroke the second
bell c¹ will have risen to its highest point, and will begin to sink in consequence of
the altered position of its valve, and will force out the gas through the pipe 8¹ and
the passage u¹ into the outlet pipe u.
The bells make only three-fourths of their rising or sinking strokes simultaneously

page_text: during the fourth quarter of the rising stroke of the one, the second will be in the
act of sinking, or vice versa. By this arrangement the dead points are overcome,
and a regular consumption of gas is permitted.
By the rising and falling motion of the said bells the two horizontal shafts 1, 11,
are rotated, and communicate their rotation by means of the bevel pinions 2, 2¹, to
the vertical shafts k, k¹, which rotate the crank shaft p by the knee joints n, n, n¹, n¹.
This crank shaft p alters the position of the valves, and simultaneously by the worm
x communicates its rotation to the wheel w on the shaft y, which sets the connecting
gearing 3 in motion, thus causing the consumption of gas to be registered.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A gas meter constructed essentially as above described.
Second. The bells c, c', with the levers m, m', acting on shafts 1, 1¹, provided
with bevel pinions for communicating their motion to the crank shaft p, essentially
as above described and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W“. ROB". LAKE. (L.S.)