Improvements in and relating to Gas Meters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Gas Meters.
I, ELIAS BOWEN DE LA MATYR, of 622 Geary Street, San Francisco, in
the State of California, United States of America, Physician, 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 :-
An apparatus embodying my invention embraces a revolving measuring drum
having a plurality of compartments each provided with a flexible diaphragm which
forms a movable side wall to the compartment, a valve which is actuated by the
turning of the drum and which operates to bring the compartments at the .
descending side of the revolving drum successively into communication with
the supply pipe and the compartment at the rising side of the drum successively
into communication with the delivery pipe, together with means acting on the
movable side walls of the compartments at the rising side of the drum operating to
throw said walls inwardly, so as to expel the gas from said compartments, the
drum being rotated by the preponderance of weight at its descending side due to
the diaphragms at that side being at a greater distance from the axis of the drum
than those at the ascending side.
The invention also embraces other features of construction in gas meters of the
character referred to, as will hereinafter fully appear.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention :-
Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section through one end of the casing of a
meter embodying my invention, and showing the drum partly in end elevation and
partly in central section.
Figure 2 is a plan section through the case and drum taken on line 2-2 of
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a central, vertical section through the case showing the drum in
side elevation.
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve and inlet and outlet pipes
connected therewith, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a face view of the non-rotative valve seat.
.
Figure 6 is a face view of the rotary valve seat which is attached to the drum.
Figure 7 is a section taken through the non-rotative valve seat taken on
line 7-7 of Figure 4.
In said drawings, A indicates an outer enclosure, case or housing, and B a
revolving measuring drum which is mounted to turn on a horizontal axis within the
casing A. The case A may be made of any suitable shape, and is made of proper
size to allow the drum to turn freely therein. As herein shown, said case A is
made in two parts, the upper one forming a cap which is detachably secured to the
lower part in any suitable manner, and which is removable for the purpose of
obtaining access to the interior mechanism for the purpose of inspection, adjustment
or repairs.
The said drum B is provided with a plurality of compartiments, each having a
movable wall or diaphragm C adapted to be expanded or thrust outwardly by the
pressure of gas within the compartment, and to be forced inwardly by mechanical
means to expel the gas from the compartment. The drum may have any desired
number of compartments and a corresponding number of movable walls or
diaphragms.

page_text: The drum is revolubly supported within the casing by means of a central
shaft B, which passes through the drum and projects beyond the ends of the
same to form trunnions 6 6¹. The trunnion b¹ engages a bearing a in one end wall
of the case while the trunnion b is provided with a bearing recess 62, which recess
is engaged by the inner end of an axially arranged bearing stud a¹, the outer end
of which is screw-threaded and inserted in a socket a² in the opposite end wall of
the case.
Said stud a¹ is shown as having a collar or flange a³, having flat faces
for the application of a wrench by which it may be turned. The bearing receiving
the shaft is made so deep that the stud a' may be slipped into the same to permit
the insertion of the opposite trunnion & into its bearing by an end wise movement
of the drum; the stud being then slid outwardly and screwed into the socket a² in
an obvious manner.
Referring now to the particular features of construction in the drum B, as
herein shown, said drum has the form of a regular polygon and is provided with
two square end walls arranged perpendicular to the axis of the drum and between
which extend radially arranged partition walls B2 (Figure 1) which terminate at
their outer ends at the angles of the drum, said walls forming the four compart-
ments thereof. The four sides or faces of the drum are formed by the flexible
walls or diaphragms C of the compartments. Said movable walls or diaphragms
are formed of leather or other suitable flexible material which is impervious to
gas, and not liable to be injuriously acted upon by it, together with metal plates D,
so arranged in connection with the flexible material that they may be moved freely
inward and outward to afford suitable expansion and contraction of the compart-
ments. As herein shown, two of such metal plates D are used in connection with
each diaphragm, and the outer edges of said plates are arranged parallel with the
outer margins of the partition walls B2, so that the inner margins of the plates are
free to move outwardly and inwardly. The flexible parts of the diaphragm C, are
secured at their margins to rectangular frames c, attached to the end walls of the
drum and to the partitions B2, and are made sufficiently full to enable them to be
thrust inwardly until adjacent to the said radial partitions so that approximately
all of the gas may be forced from the compartment, and to be correspondingly
forced outward to give a large capacity in the compartments when the latter are
filled with gas.
or
The plates D may be secured by rivets or otherwise to the flexible parts of the
diaphragms, as heretofore common, or they may be unattached thereto
independent thereof, and rest against the outer surfaces of said flexible parts.
The flexible connections thus made permit the plates D to move or swing
outwardly under the pressure of gas entering the compartments and to be pressed
or forced. inwardly for the purpose of expelling the contained gas from the said
compartments.
In connection with the diaphragms and plates arranged as described, yokes or
frames E are so arranged to connect the plates at one side of the drum with those
on the opposite side thereof. Said frames E extend around the ends and sides of
the drum and are made sufficiently larger than the drum to stand at a short distance
away from its outer surface. Two of said frames E are shown as used in connection
with each pair of opposite diaphragms, each frame being connected with two
opposite plates D. The said frames E are cach made in two pieces which are
joined at their parts which extend across the heads of the drum by means of
adjustable connecting pieces E' herein shown as having the form of oppositely
screw threaded nuts or turn buckles. The frames E may be connected with the
plates D in any suitable manner, the same being herein shown as connected by
links c c with lngs d d on the outer faces of the plates.
The pair of plates D on each side of the drums being engaged with the two
frames E, it follows that when the plates on one wall are expanded by the interior
pressure of the gas flowing into the compartment beneath it, those on the
opposite wall will be to an equal extent forced inward by the action of the said
frames.

page_text: The adjustable connecting pieces El enable the length of the side pieces of the
frame to be changed with the result of varying the extent to which the diaphragms
of the compartments at the rising side of the drum are drawn inward and
consequently varying the quantity of gas expelled from the compartments in the
operation of the meter. By the use of such adjusting connections therefore, the
capacity of the drum may be accurately regulated to correspond with the quantity
which the indicating apparatus is constructed to show as the quantity measured.
Gas is supplied to the meter by means of a supply pipe F and is carried there-
from to the place where it is used by a delivery pipe F. Said pipes are attached
to the end wall of the case A and communicate with the drum through the medium
of two intermediate inlet and outlet pipes G, G' which lead to the valve by which
the passage of the gas to and its exit from the compartments of the chamber is
controlled.
In connection with the said drum B, revolubly mounted as described, is employed
a valve consisting of a non-rotative valve seat H, which is mounted on the end
wall of the case, and a rotary valve seat I which is affixed to and turns with the
drum; said valve seats being arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of
rotation of the said drum. The non-rotating valve seat H has a central orifice h³
through which passes the end portion b of the shaft B₁ of the drum, said valve seat
being free from contact with the said shaft, so that it may move freely with respect
to the drum. Said seat H, moreover, is movably supported or connected with the
case by connections permitting universal movement of the said seat, and the seat
is held or pressed against the rotary seat I on the drum, by a suitably applied
spring, herein shown as having the form of a coiled spring J, surrounding the
end portion of the shaft B' between the outer face of the valve seat and the wall
of the case.
In connection with the movably supported valve seat H, I provide connections
between the connecting pipes G, G', and the supply and discharge pipes F, F¹, so
arranged as to permit the seat to move freely without interfering with the passage
of gas to and from the valve. Such connections may be made in several ways, but
as a desirable way of constructing such connections, I so construct said pipes G G¹
that they constitute the support by which the seat H is supported from the wall
of the case, and I form a movable or yielding connection between said pipes and
the said wall, by means of flexible diaphragms K, K', which are secured over
openings a a in the wall and in which the outer ends of said pipes are secured.
In connection with the diaphragms thus arranged, the supply and delivery
pipes F F are attached to the outer walls of two connected compartments as L L
which are attached to the wall of the case around or outside of said diaphragms,
so as to avoid possibility of escape of gas should the diaphragm leak. Said
boxes are shown as cast in one piece, and separated by a dividing wall or
partition.
As a simple and desirable way of constructing and attaching said diaphragms,
the latter are shown as made of pieces of leather or the like, which are placed over
the openings a a³ and secured to the wall of the case around said openings by
means of rings M M', secured to the wall over the said leather by bolts, screws or
rivets, so as to firmly hold or clamp the margins of the same. The pipes G G'
are shown as secured to the diaphragms K K by means of collars 9 g and nuts g¹ g¹,
on said pipes, between which collars and nuts the edges of the diaphragms are
firmly clamped.
g
In the face of the valve seat H are formed two ports h h¹ which communicate
with the pipes G G', and in the rotary valve seat 1 are formed four ports i, 1, 2, 3,
which communicate severally with the compartments of the drum. Said valve
seats H and I are shown as having flat contact faces.
The ports are located at opposite sides of a vertical line passing through
the center of the valve seat H and are so arranged that the compartments at the
descending side of the drum will always be in communication with the supply
pipe while those at the ascending side will be in communication with the delivery

page_text: pipe. The said ports h h¹ of the non-rotating seat, are made of a length circum-
ferentially which is greater than the distance between the two adjacent ports of
the rotating seat and it follows from this construction that gas will begin to enter
each of the compartments of the drum before it is cut off from the adjacent one in
advance of it and will similarly continue to flow from each of the compartments
before it ceases to flow from the adjacent one in advance of it. This construction,
therefore, insures uninterrupted and uniform flow of gas through the apparatus,
regardless of variations of pressure or quantity used.
The entering gas expands the compartments of the descending side by forcing
the diaphragms outwardly into convex form, while the gas is expelled from the
compartments at the rising side of the drum by the forcing inwardly of the
diaphragm plates at the rising side of the drum, as clearly seen in Figure 2;
the rotation of the drum being caused by the disturbance of the balance caused by
such shifting of the plates, as before described. It follows, from the above, that
each compartment will successively be filled and exhausted, the same being filled
as it is descending at one side of the drum when its port coincides with the inlet
port and being emptied when at the rising side of the drum when its port
coincides with the exit port h'.
The ports and ¹ are, moreover, so arranged that they will supply gas to and
permit its exit from each compartiment during the time the same is descending
and until it reaches a point at which its diaphragm is so far below the level of the
axis of the drum that it will tend to open or move outwardly by the action of
gravity. For this purpose the said ports are extended through somewhat more
than a quarter of a circle (Figure 5) so that the gas will continue to flow into
each descending compartment until such compartment reaches a point nearly
beneath the axle.
The amount of gas passing through the meter is indicated by means of a suitable
registering mechanism M operated by gearing connected with the shaft B³ of the
drum in an obvious manner.
An important and valuable result secured by the arrangement of the ports last
referred to, is that the full expansion of the compartments necessary for completely
filling the port occurs when the weight of the movable diaphragms at the
descending side as well as the opposite ones at the ascending side together with
that of the movable parts which are employed to connect the diaphragms with
each other, is acting in a direction to force outwardly the diaphragms of the
compartment being filled and to force inwardly that compartment from which the
gas is being expelled.
To provide an orifice or passage leading from the delivery or exhaust side of
the drum to the space within the outer case, which orifice is opened intermittingly
instead of constantly, I have provided a port or passage J' leading to the interior
of one of the compartments, near the margin of the rotating valve seat, I, and in
the stationary or non-rotating valve seat, H, a corresponding small port, K³, said
ports J and K2 being arranged to coincide with each other one at each revolution
of the drum, and thereby acting to bring the outer case periodically into
communication with the discharge side of the drum. It will of course be under-
stood that if the supply of gas afforded by such ports be too small to maintain a
pressure in the case equal to that in the discharge passage, or practically so, the
ports may be made larger than those shown, or a greater number of ports may be
made in the drum. .
The inlet and outlet pipes G G¹ arranged as described, serve to conduct the gas
from the supply pipe to the valve and from the latter to the delivery pipe, so that
the gas supply and exit passages are kept separate from the interior space of the
outer case A. At the same time the said space is periodically brought into
communication with the compartment which is in connection with the outlet
passage or delivery pipe, by the ports J and K2, as described, so that a pressure
is maintained in the outer case equal to that in said delivery pipe. As a result of
this construction, a pressure is maintained on the outer surfaces of the diaphragms

page_text: equal to that in said delivery pipe, so that the internal pressure thereon is counter-
balanced to the extent of the external pressure, and excessive strain on the
diaphragms and other working parts, is avoided. By connecting the case with the
delivery side of the drum, through an intermittingly opening port, which has small
capacity for the passage of gas, the pressure in the closed outer case is kept uniform,
without affording a passage for the escape of gas from the case to the delivery pipe
in any considerable quantity in case of a rupture of or leakage in one of the
diaphragms; it being obvious that the opening afforded for the passage of gas to
the delivery pipe by the ports arranged as described, or even by a minute hole
which is always open, would not be sufficient to permit gas to escape in quantities.
large enough to supply even a single burner. It follows that no material loss of
gas could result from the breakage of a diaphragm, or extensive leakage thereof,
because the amount of gas which would escape from the case to the delivery pipe
under such circumstances would be trifling. Moreover, by reason of the increase
of pressure on the outside of the drum, the internal pressure would be balanced and
the diaphragm would no longer be moved outwardly by the incoming gas, so that
the drum would cease to revolve and it would be necessary to repair the meter
before it would again permit the passage to the delivery pipe of enough gas to be
of any benefit to the user. In case of leakage or rupture of the drum, therefore,
there would be no waste of gas, and the consumer would be obliged to see that
the meter was repaired before he could procure a supply sufficient for any
practical use.
There is liability that hard particles may sometimes reach the contact faces of
the rotary valves, such as herein shown; it having been found that particles thus
ledging between the valve faces are more likely to remain between such surfaces
and interfere with the action of the valve in case of a rotating than in that of a
reciprocating valve, because in the turning of the valve any such particle will ten.l
to move continuously in a circular path. As an improved construction in rotary
valves for gas meters intended to avoid the objection stated, I propose to cut away
the valve faces in such manner as not to interfere with the operation of the ports,
but at the same time in such manner that no single point on either valve face shall
remain constantly in contact with the other face during a complete rotation of the
movable part. This construction is illustrated as applied to the central portion of
the valve shown or that inside of the outer parts which contain the ports J and K³,
by providing recesses, *,, in the non-rotating seat H, of which the recesses
form radial inward and outward extensions of the ports hh', and the recesses are
located in the flat face of the stationary seat between the ends of said ports. Said
recesses *, h, overlap each other radially, so that all of the parts of the opposing
valve seat embraced within the area covered by said recesses will at certain periods.
come opposite the said recesses. As a result of this construction any particles of
dirt caught in the valve faces will finally reach one of the recesses and will be.
caught and carried along by the edge of the moving valve at the rear of the recess,
this construction giving the same result, as far as the automatic or self-cleaning
action of the valve is concerned as is obtained in the use of a reciprocating valve.
which acts to alternately cover and uncover one of the valve faces. I have shown
the recesses referred to as located in the stationary part H of the valve seat,
but they may of course be similarly arranged in the rotating part of the seat.
Where a small port K2 is employed it is of course necessary that the valve seat.
should be made continuous to prevent the opening of the port J', except when the
port K² coincides therewith. It is practicable, however, to omit said port K² and
extend the recesses outwardly to the margin of the valve face, in which case said
recesses will perform the function of said port K2. In such case, however, it will
usually be necessary to make the recesses ³ narrower than shown in the drawings.
in order to prevent the port J¹ from remaining open for too great a length of time..
The construction last suggested is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5.
Provision is made for the drainage of water of condensation from the compart-.
ments by making the shaft which supports the drum tapering where it passes.

page_text: through the same so that any water within the compartments will, when the same
are at the upper part of the drum, flow along the inclined bottom of the compart-
ments formed by said shaft, and pass through the ports into a suitable receptacle
connected with the delivery pipe, from which it may be drawn as often as is
necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A gas meter comprising a revolving drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, meaus acting on the diaphragms
at the rising side of the drum to force the diaphragms inward, and a valve operated
by the turning of the drum and constructed to admit the flow of gas to and its exit
from two of the adjacent compartments simultaneously, whereby a constant flow of
gas through the apparatus is maintained, substantially as described.
2. A gas meter comprising a revolving drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragmns, means acting on said diaphragms
at the rising side of the drum to torce said diaphragms inwardly and a rotary valve
comprising a valve seat turning with the drum and having ports leading to the
several compartments, and a stationary valve seat having inlet and outlet ports
which communicate with gas inlet and outlet passages and are each of such length
as to establish connection with two adjacent ports in the moving part at once,
substantially as described.
3. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having movable walls, a valve actuated by the turning of the drum
and operating to admit the gas to and permit its exit from the said compartments
in succession and a closed casing surrounding the drum, said casing being adapted
for communication with a discharging compartment at the rising side of the drum,
whereby a pressure is maintained on the outside of the drum equal to that in the
delivery pipe leading from the meter, substantially as described.
4. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum having the form of a regular
polygon and having a plurality of compartments, the outer walls of which are
formed by flexible diaphragms, a valve actuated by the turning of the drum and
acting to bring the compartments successively into connection with inlet and outlet
passages, and means for connecting the diaphragms on opposite sides of the drum,
comprising rigid frames having longitudinal parts which extend over the flexible
outer walls of the compartments, and transverse connecting parts which extend
across the ends of the drums, substantially as described.
5. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, means acting on the diaphragms
at the rising side of the drum to force said diaphragms inward, a valve operated by
the turning of the drum and constructed to admit the flow of gas to and its exit
from two of the adjacent compartments simultaneously, said valve comprising two
valve seats arranged concentrically with the axis of the drum, one of which valve
seats is attached to and turns with the drum and the other of which is non-rotative
and a spring acting in the direction of the axis of the drum and operating to hold
said valve seats in contact with each other, whereby said valve remains tight
notwithstanding wear in the valve seats, substantially as described.
6. A gas meter comprising a revolving drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, means acting on the diaphragms
at the rising side of the drum to force said diaphragms inward, a valve operated by
the turning of the drum acting to admit the flow of gas to and its exit from the said
compartments in successien, an exterior closed case or inclosure surrounding the
drum, the interior of said casing or inclosure being connected with the delivery
side of the drum by a minute passage or orifice, and means operated by the turning
of the drum for alternately closing and opening said minute passage or orifice,
substantially as described.

page_text: 7. A gas meter comprising a revolving drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, means acting on the diaphragms
at the rising side of the drum to force said diaphragms inward, a valve operated by
the turning of the drum acting to admit the flow of gas and its exit from the said
compartments in succession, an exterior closed case or inclosure surrounding the
drum, the interior of said casing or inclosure being connected with the delivery
side of the drum by a minute passage or orifice, said passage or orifice being formed
by means of ports in the stationary and movable parts of the main valve whereby
the same is intermittingly opened in the turning of the drum, substantially as
described.
8. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, a valve actuated by the turning
of the drum and acting to bring the compartments successively into connection with
inlet and outlet passages, and means connecting the diaphragm on opposite sides
of the drum embracing adjusting devices by which the quantity of gas passing
through the respective compartments may be accurately regulated, substantially as
described.
9. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, means acting on the diaphragmns
at the rising side of the drum to force said diaphragms inward, a valve comprising
two valve seats arranged concentrically with the axis of the drum, one of said valve
seats being attached to and turning with the drum and the other being non-rotative,
inlet and outlet passages attached to the non-rotative seat and connected with
supply passages by flexible connections affording freedom of movement in the said
non-rotative seat, and a spring applied to the non-rotative seat to hold said valve
seats in contact with each other, substantially as described.
10. A gas meter comprising a revoluble drum provided with a plurality of
compartments having flexible walls or diaphragms, a casing surrounding the drum,
means acting on the diaphragms at the rising side of the drum to force the same
inward, a valve comprising two valve seats arranged concentrically with the axis
of the drum, one of said valve seats being attached to and turning with the drum
and the other being non-rotative, supply and delivery pipes attached to the wall of
said casing, inlet and outlet passages attached to the non-rotative valve seat having
communication with the said supply and delivery pipes and connected with the
wall of the case by means of flexible diaphragmns, and a spring applied to the non-
rotative valve seat to holl such valve seats in contact with each other, substantially
as described.
11. The combination with the revolving drum and exterior case of a valve seat
consisting of a seat turning with the drum aud a non-rotative seat, inlet and outlet
passages attached to the non-rotative seat and passing through holes in the wall of
the case, flexible diaphragms attached to the wall of the case around said holes and
to the said passages, so as to movably support the non-rotating valve seat, supply
and delivery pipes attached to the wall of the casing outside of the last named
diaphragms and a spring acting on the non-rotative valve seat to hold the seats in
contact with each other, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the revoluble drum, of a valve embracing a rotary
valve seat actuated by the drum, and a non-rotative valve seat arranged
concentrically with each other, said seats having segmental recesses formed in
their contact faces and overlapping each other radially to insure the removal of
foreign particles from between the contact faces, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of March 1807.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.