Improvements in Gas Meters.
Year: 1899

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Meters.
We, JOHN SEYMOUR, Manufacturer of 17, Temperance Street, in the City of
Toronto, Province of Ontario, Canada, and WILLIAM JAMES CLARK, Barrister-at-
Law, of 75, Yonge Street, in the said City of Toronto, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of our invention is to simplify the mechanism for controlling the
passage of gas in the meter and to make it readily removable for repairs, and it
consists essentially, of a valve seat having detachable connections with the gas
spaces of the meter, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and of a rotary valve, the
parts of the valve seat and valve being provided with suitable ports and so shaped
that the ports to the gas spaces of the meter are successively placed alternately in
connection with the inlet and outlet pipes of the meter by the rotation of the valve.
The standard supporting the mechanism for rotating the valve is also preferably
detachably secured to the meter and the parts are constructed in detail substantially
as hereinafter more specifically described and then definitely claimed.
Figure 1, is a perspective view of a portion of a gas meter provided with my
improved valve.
Figure 2, is a vertical sectional elevation of the valve.
Figure 3, is a sectional plan view of the same.
Figure 4, is a perspective view of the valve showing the cap turned back.
Figure 5, is a vertical section of modified form.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the
different figures.
Although our invention relates solely to the construction of the valve and its
method of connection, we will briefly describe those portions of the meter
immediately connected therewith.
1, are the flag wires which derive a rocking motion from the diaphragm of the
meter in any well known manner. Arms 2, are rigidly connected to the upper
ends of the flag wires. The other ends of these arms are pivotally connected to
the links 3, which themselves have an adjustable pivoted connection to the
tangent 4, which is rigidly secured to the upper end of the valve spindle 5. From
this valve spindle the indicator spindle 6, derives its motion by means of the worm
gearing 7. Those skilled in the manufacture of meters will readily understand
that by the rocking of the flag wires a rotary motion is imparted to the valve
spindle 5. This valve spindle, as well as the inner end of the indicator spindle
is journaled in a bracket standard 8, which is detachably secured as shewn to the
bottom of the upper portion of the meter. The lower end of the valve spindle 5,
rests in a step, formed in the top of the valve 9, of the valve seat 10, see Figures 2
and 5.
It is, of course, understood that in dry meters using diaphragms, connections
have to be provided to convey the inflowing gas from the inlet pipe to the inside
and outside of each diaphragm, thus, in a two diaphragm meter, necessitating four
connections which must be alternately connected with the inlet pipe from the
main and the outlet pipe to the house service.
In Fig. 1, 11 is the inlet pipe, 13 the outlet pipe, and 12, 20, 21 and 22 the
connecting pipes above referred to. As there is absolutely no novelty in their
D

page_text: connections to the inside and outside of the diaphragms, and as such connections
form no part of the present invention, they are not illustrated in the drawings.
The inlet pipe 11 has connection by means of the port 26 with the annular space 14
surrounding the valve. The outlet pipe 13 is connected with the central outlet
port 15.
The connecting pipes 12, 20, 21 and 22 are connected respectively with
the ports 16, 23, 24 and 25, which are separated from one another by the radial
division 27. The valve 9, has the inlet reçess 17 formed therein, which is so
shaped and proportioned as to be capable of embracing one of the ports 16, 23, 24
and 25 and segment of the annular space 14. This valve has also formed therein
the outlet recess 18, which is shaped and proportioned that it may be made to
register exactly with one of the aforesaid ports opposite to that with which the
inlet recess is registered, and also with the outlet port 15. As the radial
divisions 24 are comparatively narrow the inlet and outlet recesses would only
register with opposite ports for a comparatively brief space of time, and for the
most part they afford connection between two ports and the gas supply, and
between the two opposite ports and the outlet port.
Upon the upper face of the valve 9 are located two studs 28, 29, preferably
separated somewhere about 90 degrees apart. Between these studs upon the
spindle 5 is secured an arm 19. When the meter is working this arm engages
with the stud 28. If any attempt is made to work the meter backwards, the
arm 19 moves round into contact with the stud 29 and the working of the valve is
immediately deranged. When the valve is set up in a meter and operatively
connected the port 16 connects with the inside of one diaphragm, the port 23
connects with the inside of the other diaphragm, the port 24 with the outside of the
first diaphragm, and the port 25 with the outside of the second diaphragm.
From the description given above it will be readily seen that our improved
valve places the inside of the first diaphragm in connection with the gas supply
at the same time that the outside of the said diaphragm is connected with the
outlet port, and that as the valve revolves the inside and outside of each diaphragın
are alternately placed in connection with the gas supply and the outlet port. It
is essential that no gas be within the top of the meter, as it will have a tendency
to escape through the dial of the registering apparatus. By connecting the inlet
pipe with the annular space 14, which is covered by the valve 9, we avoid the
necessity of allowing gas to fill the top of the meter, or the alternative, which is
to cover the valve with a closed casing which must be torn open to get at the valve
for repairs. As in our invention the whole of the work is done by a single valve,
we considerably reduce the number of working parts, and simplify their operation.
We are also enabled to make the valve readily removable for repairs. It will be
noticed that the inlet and outlet pipes and the various connecting pipes are pro-
vided with unions or couplings. By unscrewing these couplings and by detaching
the bracket standard 8, the valve and its connected parts may be easily removed.
The links 3 are always loosely connected with the adjustable connection upon the
tangent 4, and are hence easily disconnected when it is desired to remove the
valves.
In Fig. 5 we show a modification of the valve in which the outer portion 9" is
divided from the inner portion 9b and is made stationary. It thus serves all the
purposes of the original form and saves extra frictional surface. The studs 28
and 29 must be changed in position and a packing introduced where the valve
stem 5 goes through the outer part of the valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a meter a valve seat having a central outlet port, an annular inlet space
and two or more intermediate ports of equal size, in combination with
rotary valve provided with an inlet recess adapted to place any
given intermediate port in communication with the inlet and an outlet recess
a

page_text: diametrically opposite adapted to place the opposite intermediate port in com-
munication with the outlet port, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a meter a valve seat having a central outlet port and four equal ports
surrounding it in combination with a rotary valve provided with an inlet recess
adapted to register with any given port of the four and an outlet recess diametri-
cally opposite adapted to place the opposite intermediate port in communication
with the outlet port, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a meter the valve seat 10, provided with the outlet port 15; the outlet
pipe 13 communicating therewith; the annular space 14 the inlet pipe 11, com-
municating therewith; the ports 16, 23, 24 and 25 and the pipes 12, 20, 21 and 22,
communicating therewith in combination with the valve 9 provided with the inlet
recess 17 and the outlet recess 18, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a meter a valve seat and valve in combination with an inlet pipe, an
outlet pipe; and pipes leading to the gas spaces of the meter, all of the said pipes
being connected with the valve seat and provided with unions or couplings whereby
they may be disconnected and the valve seat removed, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
6. In a meter the valve seat 10 provided with the outlet port 15; the outlet
pipe 13 communicating therewith; the annular space 14, the inlet pipe 11, com-
municating therewith; the ports 16, 23, 24 and 25; the pipes 12, 20, 21 and 22
communicating therewith and union joints or couplings in the said pipes, in com-
bination with the valve 9 provided with the inlet recess 14 and the outlet recess 18,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a meter a valve seat having a central outlet port and four equal ports
surrounding it, in combination with a rotary valve provided with an inlet recess
adapted to register with any given port of the four; an outlet recess diametrically
opposite adapted to place the opposite intermediate port in communication with
the outlet port; a valve spindle suitably journalled and having one end set within
a recess or step in the valve; an arm rigidly connected to the valve spindle;
and two studs upon the valve set at substantially 90 degrees apart
on each side of the said arm substantially as and for the purpose specified.
one
7. In a meter the valve seat 10 provided with the outlet port 15; the outlet
pipe 13, communicating therewith; the annular space 14, the inlet pipe 11
communicating therewith; the ports 16, 23, 24 and 25; and the pipes 12, 20, 21
and 22 communicating therewith in combination with the valve 9 provided with
the inlet recess 14 and the outlet recess 18, the valve spindle 5 suitably journaled
and having one end set within a recess or step in the valve; the arm 19
rigidly connected to the said spindle, and the studs 28 and 29 on the valve,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8. In a meter a valvo seat having a central outlet port, an annular inlet space
and two or more intermediate ports, in combination with a valve divided into a
stationary and a rotary part, the stationary part forming a cap covering the annular
inlet space and the rotary part, the latter being provided with an inlet recess
adapted to place any given port in communication with the inlet and an outlet
recess diametrically opposite adapted to place the opposite intermediate port in
communication with the outlet port substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 8th day of A1101st 1849
Dated this 8th day of August
For the Applicants,
GEDGE & FEENY,
Chartered Patent Agents,
60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.