Improvements in Electricity Meters.
Year: 1889

page_text: complete operation Leit, rain June, 1890-Accepted, 20th July, 1990
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electricity Meters.
I, EMILE BATAULT, of 20 rue de Candolle, Geneva, Switzerland, Doctor of
Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus or electricity meters based on the principle which
consists in measuring, at regular intervals of time, the length of the tangent of the
angle of deviation of the hand of a galvanometer placed in the circuit of the current
to be measured, and in registering the sum of these tangents.
For this purpose the apparatus consists of three principal parts viz. :-1st a pendulum
or a clock spring and gear wheels for measuring the time; 2nd an Ampère-meter, or a
Watt-meter, or a Volt-meter, the angular deviations of which vary but the length of
the tangents of which angular deviations are proportionate to the intensities of current
to he measured; and 3rd of a counting gear and dials for registering the tangents
measured, such registering being proportional to the length of the tangents measured.
In the apparatus hereinafter described and represented in the accompanying
drawings, the motor is a pendulum A. B. suspended at A, and moved by an electric
current (for instance a shunt current on the main wires) by means of Hipp's
system.
This pendulum or moving body carries a click C, by means of a flat spring 1,
fixed as shewn in figs. 1 and 2, and the free end of this click engages with the teeth
of a ratchet wheel D. The pendulum imparts a reciprocating motion to this click
and moves forward, at each double oscillation, the wheel D a predetermined
number of teeth, this number depending upon the amplitude of the movement of the
pendulum.
A stop screw b presses the click against the teeth of the wheel D, in order to stop
the click always at the same place, and when the click is arrested the spring 1, allows
the pendulum to complete its oscillation without retarding its motion too suddenly.
In this way the wheel D is caused to revolve a known distance in a given time.
There is a galvanometer, or tangent galvanometer (Ampère-meter, Watt-meter,
Volt-meter) fixed at H. This galvanometer consists of a coil of insulated wire E
(shewn in section in the drawings, in order to allow the internal arrangement to be
seen). Within this coil is a magnet G (which can be also a coil of insulated wire, or
a solenoid) carried by a light horizontal shaft g pivoting in two bearings I and I¹.
This shaft carries a very light indicating needle F at right angles, or very nearly so,
to the magnet, or solenoid, and counter-balanced by a weight cx. The magnet G is
short and very small as compared with the galvanometer coil E in order to keep to
the well known conditions of the tangent compass. The needle F is arranged to
sweep over a flat metallic rod N, N', carried by two pillars Q and Q¹, and placed at
right angles to the needle F when this is at its normal position. Consequently N, N¹,
represents the tangent to a circumference having its center at 9 and a radius equal
to g, N
When a current passes through the galvanometer coils the magnet is deflected and
with it the needle F. Supposing that G moves through an angle a, the point of
intersection of F with N N₁ will ha Nill and the longth NH NH wanzosent the

page_text: tangent of the angle a. Now, to solve the question in view, which consists to integrate
at regular intervals of time the length of these tangents, I have devised the following
arrangement, the details of which can be modified without departing from the nature
of the invention.
The axis d of the wheel D, which, when caused to do so, turns a known distance,
carries a roller T moving in unison with a second roller T of the same size and
parallel therewith. The roller T¹ is mounted on an axis d', the imaginary line of
centres d, d¹, being parallel to N, N¹. The distance between d, d' may vary according
to the size of the rollers and to the maximum length of tangent it is desired to
measure. A very thin endless metallic band S, perforated at equal distances with
small holes is stretched over these two rollers. Short pins s, standing out from the
rollers, engage with the perforations in the band S, so as to keep it firmly in place
on the rollers. From what has been said above it will be seen that this band is moved
forwards a constant distance in a known time, that is to say, a given point on this
band will come back to the same starting point after, say, one minute, for instance.
This band is divided into two equal parts by two short pins, e and e', fixed perpen-
dicularly to its surface. These pins are for the purpose of allowing the band to give
motion to a small carriage which measures the length of the tangent every time the
endless band moves a distance of half its length.
Two pillars Q, Q', carry a round metallic rod h, ', parallel to, and below N, N¹,
and nearer to the frame of the apparatus. This rod is used as a slide and on it
travels the small carriage W which consists of a U-shaped metallic piece carrying
two small grooved rollers m, m¹ running on h, h'; this carriage is provided with
a counter-weight n, to retain it in a vertical position. The axes of these roller m, m¹,
are in a line with the under portion of the band S.
The axis upon which the roller m² turns is prolonged far enough to come under-
neath the band S, as shewn in fig. 2, so that when either of the pins e or e¹, fixed on
the band, encounters this axis m, of the roller m², the carriage will be set in motion
with the same speed as the band.
'
On looking at the drawings it will be seen that in front of the needle F is a small
movable frame r, 1, 2, pivoting about its axis ", r³, upon two screws V, V'.
A spring k, is fixed on the plate which carries, on one of its sides, the frame, and
on the other the rollers T, T¹. This spring presses upon one of the arms of the
frame r, 1, 11, 71, and keeps the part " 11, of the frame always in contact
with N, 'N', (which represents, as before seen, the tangent), and consequently catches
the needle F between 1, 1, and N, N', when permitted to do so.
"
The band S, is furthermore provided on its side with two small rods or pins i, i;
fig. 1, and i, fig. 2, fixed at an equal distance from each other, that is to say at each
half of the band. Each of these pins successively lifts the framer, 71, 11, 111, by
means of the segment j,j, ;", one surface of which is inclined (fig. 2,) so that during
the time occupied by the band in moving forwards the distance j¹, 111, the frame is raised
and the needle F rendered free to take up its equilibrium or vertical position, or a position
corresponding to the intensity of the current at this moment. When the pin i has
advanced beyond the frame falls suddenly against the needle F and retains it.
When the carriage W, is moved by the pin e the needle F is always rotained by
the frame r, 1, 1, 11. This carriage W, is provided with an arm u sliding on the
upper part of N, N¹.
The portion u', of this arm projects beyond the rod N, N
and is cut like a bezil, the edge of which is first engaged when W is moved by the
band. In this way when u encounters the needle F held between the frame r, r,
,, and N N the further motion of the carriage is impeded and the carriage is
caused to rock on the axis h, 1, and the shaft m¹ of the roller becoming inclined is
moved from the path of the pin e and can no longer be moved forwards by the pin
In other words the carriage can only be moved forwards by the band till it encounters F
that is to say, it can only measure a length equal to the tangent of the angie of
deviation of the galvanometer.
this
The carriage in its movement from f' to f carries a thread, or wire, fixed at t;
thread is wound round a grooved pulley X, which is fixed upon the axis of a

page_text: counting gear in such a way that the pulley turns this axis only when moved in one
direction (the opposite one to that of the hands of a watch).
When the carriage W, is no longer drawn forwards by the band, or rather, as soon
as it ceases to be drawn, the counter weight Y, passing over the pulley Z, rotates the
thread pulley and. brings it back to its starting point, that is to say, in such a
position that the arm u¹, of the carriage will be in a line with g, N", (axis line of the
needle F).
In this apparatus the pendulum is moved by the following arrangement.
The lever part of the pendulum is provided with an armature K, acted upon by
the electro-magnet M. A small tongue L, pivoting about its axis O, is carried by
the lower end of the pendulum. When the pendulum is at rest this small tongue is
in the position shewn in Fig. 1, and presses upon a small notched piece n, fixed to a
flat spring R, which is fixed at one of its ends to a pillar P. The other end is free
and is provided on its lower surface with a platinum contact w. Two adjustable screws p,
and p held by a pillar P¹ are employed for limiting the motion of the spring R. The
point of the lower screw p¹ is of platinum, that of the upper is provided with insulating
material, such as ivory. The pillars P, and P¹, are insulated from the metallic frame
of the apparatus.
screw p.
The current which has to vitalize the magnet M, arrives from the source of supply
at the pillar P; one of the ends of the insulated wire of the electro magnet M, is
fixed on the pilar P, and the other end of this wire returns to the other pole of the
source of supply. When the spring R is in contact at w, with the screw p¹, the
circuit through M is closed, which is the case when the pendulum is at rest,
the magnet becomes immediately energized, the armature K is attracted and causes
the pendulum to swing, K coming to K. In this movement the small tongue L
leaves the notched piece n, the spring R is raised by its elasticity, being no longer
pressed down by the tongue, and is stopped by the insulated contact of the adjustable
Consequently the current is broken in the electro-magnet M, and the
pendulumn, on account of its weight, swings from K', to K". In this movement the
small pivotted tongue L, which had left the piece n, slides over it without pressing it
down. When the pendulum is at K", being at the end of its oscillation, it swings
back, on account of its weight, in the direction K¹, but then the small tongue L
encounters one of the notches in the piece n, and being so stopped by its edge pushes
down the spring R, and makes a fresh contact at w. The electro-magnet M,
becoming thus again vitalized, attracts the armature K, and increases the fresh
impulse given to the pendulum. The small pivotted tongue, when K has arrived
at K', or further, will have left n, and, therefore, during the oscillation from K',
to K, will never be able to depress the spring. On the contrary, and for the
reason already mentioned, this tongue will always engage the notches in n, in the
oscillation from K", to K, and that up to the moment when the amplitude of
the oscillation will be sufficient to allow the small tongue L to leave the piece_n,
when swinging in the direction of K". From this moment the amplitude of the
oscillations will be constant, it will neither increase nor decrease. The pendulum
will only stop when, for any reason, the current is broken. But the pendulum, being
at rest, will always start without any previous impulse, according to the arrangement
just described.
This apparatus, though based on the same principle, might be constructed in
different ways. For instance the rollers T, T', and the band, might be replaced by a
rod furnished with teeth like a rack and moved at an uniform speed by means of a
clock train. It would be possible also to move, directly, the carriage W by means
of a long pendulum. Instead of a movable carriage the roJ h, h', could be made to
lide. A rack might be substituted for the thread drawn by the carriage. Instead of
he mechanical manner of disengaging the carriage W, as above described, an electric
lisengaging gear might be used which would release the carriage from the band by
imple contact of the carriage with the needle F.
If preferred, the frame r, 1, 1, 1, might be raised by a rod fixed upon one of the
ollers T, T', instead of by the pins fixed upon the band.

page_text: With a magnet for the galvanometer, the apparatus cannot be used for alternating
currents, but it may be so used when a solenoid is employed instead of a magnet.
1:1
101
Cantember 1889
ERNEST DE PASS,
68, Fleet Street, London, Agent for the Applicant
68, Fleet Street, Lon
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electricity Meters.
I, EMILE BATAULT, of 20 rue de Candolle, Geneva, Switzerland, Doctor of Medicine,
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 state-
ment, reference being had to the drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My invention relates to apparatus or electricity meters based on the principle which
consists in measuring at regular intervals of time, the length of the tangent of the
angle of deviation of the hand of a galvanometer placed in the circuit of the current
to be measured, and in registering the sum of these tangents.
For this purpose the apparatus consists of three principal parts, viz.: 1st a pendulum,
or a clock spring, and gear wheels for measuring the time; 2nd an Ampère meter, or
a Watt meter, or a Volt meter, the angular deviations of which vary, but the length of
the tangents of which angular deviations are proportional to the intensities of current
to be measured; and 3rd of a counting gear and dials for registering the tangents
measured, such registering being proportional to the length of the tangents measured.
In the apparatus hereinafter described and represented in the drawings accompanying
iny Provisional Specification, the motor is a pendulum A, B, suspended at A, and
moved by an electric current (for instance, a shunt current on the main wires) by means
of Hipp's system.
This pendulum or moving body carries a click C by means of a flat spring 1 fixed,
as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, and the free end of this click engages with the teeth of a
ratchet wheel D. The pendulum imparts a reciprocating motion to this click and
moves forward, at each double oscillation, the wheel D a predetermined number of
teeth, this number depending upon the amplitude of the movement of the pendulum.
A stop screw 6 presses the click against the teeth of the wheel D, in order to stop the
click always at the same place, and when the click is arrested the spring allows the
pendulum to complete its oscillation without retarding its motion too suddenly. In
this way the wheel D is caused to revolve a known distance in a given time.
There is a galvanometer, or tangent galvanometer (Ampère meter, Watt meter,
Volt meter) fixed at H. This galvanometer consists of a coil of insulated
wire E (shewn in section in the drawings, in order to allow the internal
arrangement to be seen). Within this coil is a magnet G (which can be also a
coil of insulated wire, or a solenoid) carried by a light horizontal shaft g
pivotting in two bearings I and I'. This shaft carries a very light indicating
needle at right angles, or very nearly so, to the magnet, or solenoid, and counter
balanced by a weight c*. The magnet G is short and very small, as compared with
the galvanometer coil E, in order to keep to the well known conditions of the tangent
carried
compass. The needle F is arranged to sweep over a flat metallic rod N, N',
by two. pillars Q and Q¹, and placed at right angles to the needle F when this is at its
normal position. Consequently N, N₁, represents the tangent to a circumference
having its centre at g and a radius equal to g, N".
When a current passes through the galvanometer coils the magnet is deflected and
with it the needle F. Supposing that G moves through an angle a the point o
intersection of F with N, N¹, will be N, and the length N N will represent the
tangent of the angle a. Now, to solve the question in view, which consists to integrat
at regular intervals of time the length of these tangents, I have devised the following
arrangement, the details of which can be modified without departing from the natur
of the invention.

page_text: The axis d of the wheel D, which, when caused to do so, turns a known distance,
carries a roller T moving in unison with a second roller T of the same size and
parallel therewith. The roller T¹ is mounted on an axis d', the imaginary line of
centres d, d¹, being parallel to N, N'. The distance between d, d', may vary according
to the size of the rollers and to the maximum length of tangent it is desired to
measure. A very thin endless metallic band S, perforated at equal distances with
small holes is stretched over these two rollers. Short pins s standing out from the
rollers engage with the perforations in the band S so as to keep it firmly in place on
the rollers. From what has been said above it will be seen that this band is moved
forwards a constant distance in a known time, that is to say, a given point on this band
will come back to the same starting point after, say, one minute, for instance. This
band is divided into two equal parts by two short pins e and el fixed perpendicularly
to its surface. These pins are for the purpose of allowing the band to give motion to
a small carriage which measures the length of the tangent every time the endless band
moves a distance of half its length.
Two pillars Q, Q', carry a round metallic rod h, h¹, parallel to, and below N N³, and
nearer to the frame of the apparatus. This rod is used as a slide and on it travels the
small carriage W which consists of a U-shaped metallic piece carrying two small
grooved rollers m, m³, running on h, h; this carriage is provided with a counter
weight n, to retain it in a vertical position. The axes of these rollers m, m', are in a
line with the under portion of the band S.
The axis upon which the roller m' turns is prolonged far enough to come underneath
the band S, as shewn in Fig. 2, so that when either of the pins e or el fixed on the
band, encounters this axis m", of the roller m', the carriage will be set in motion with
the same speed as the band.
On looking at the drawings it will be seen that in front of the needle F is a small
movable frame r, r1, 1, 1, pivoting about its axis ", r, upon two screws V, V₁.. A
spring is fixed on the plate which carries, on one of its sides, the frame,
and on the other the rollers T, T'. This spring presses upon one of the arms of the
frame,,,, and keeps the part 1, 1, of the frame always in contact
with N, N', (which represents, as before seen, the tangent) and consequently catches
the needle F between 11, 111, and N, N1, when permitted to do so.
11
The band S is furthermore provided on its side with two small rods or pins i, i,
fig. 1, and i, fig. 2, fixed at an equal distance from each other, that is to say at each
half of the band. Each of these pins successively lifts the frame r, r,,, by
means of the segment i, j, j", one surface of which is inclined (fig. 2) so that during
the time occupied by the band in moving forwards the distance ¹, ", the frame is
raised and the needle F rendered free to take up its equilibrium or vertical position,
or a position corresponding to the intensity of the current at this moment. When
the pin i has advanced beyond j" the frame falls suddenly against the needle F and
retains it.
When the carriage W is moved by the pins the needle F is always retained by the
frame r, 1, 1, 111 This carriage W is provided with an arm u sliding on the upper
part of N, N. The port on u¹ of this arin projects beyond the rod N N¹ and is cut
like a bezel, the edge of which is first engaged when W is moved by the band. In
this
way when u encounters the needle F held between the frame r; p², poll, polll,
and N N', the further motion of the carriage is impeded and the carriage is caused to
rock on the axis h, h', and the shaft m¹¹ of the roller becoming inclined is moved from
the path of the pin e and can no longer be moved forwards by the pin e. In other
words the carriage can only be moved forwards by the band till it encounters F; that
is to say, it can only measure a length equal to the tangent of the angle of deviation
of the galvanometer.
The carriage, in its movement from f¹ to f, carries a thread or wire fixed at t, this
thread is wound round a grooved pulley X, which is fixed upon the axis of a
counting gear in such a way that the pulley turns this axis only when moved in one
direction (the opposite one to that of the hands of a watch).

page_text: When the carriage W., is no longer drawn forwards by the band, or rather, as soon
as it ceases to be drawn, the counter weight Y, passing over the pulley Z, rotates the
thread pulley and brings it back to its starting point, that is to say.in such a position
that the arm u¹ of the carriage will be in a line with 9, N₁, (axis line of the
needle F).
In this apparatus the pendulum is moved by the following arrangement.
The lever part of the pendulum is provided with an armature K, acted upon by the
electro-magnet M. A small tongue L, pivotting about its axis O, is carried by the
lower end of the pendulum. When the pendulum is at rest this small tongue is in
the position shewn in Fig. 1, and presses upon a small notched piece n, fixed to a flat
spring R, which is fixed at one of its ends to a pillar P. The other end is free and is
provided on its lower surface with a platinum contact w. Two adjustable screws p
and p, held by a pillar P¹, are employed for limiting the motion of the spring R.
The point of the lower screw plis of platinum, that of the upper is provided with
insulating material, such as ivory. The pillars P and P¹ are insulated from the metallic
frame of the apparatus.
The current which has to vitalize the magnet M, arrives from the source of supply
at the pillar P¹; one of the ends of the insulated wire of the electro magnet M is
fixed on the pillar P, and the other end of this wire returns to the other pole of the
source of supply. When the spring R is in contact at w, with the screw p¹, the circuit
through M is closed, which is the case when the pendulum is at rest, the magnet
becomes immediately energised, the armature K is attracted and causes the pendulum
to swing, K. coming to K. In this movement the small tongue I leaves the notched
piece n, the spring R is raised by its elasticity, being no longer pressed down by the
tongue, and is stopped by the insulated contact of the adjustable screw p. Consequently,
the current is broken in the electro magnet M, and the pendulum, on account of its
weight, swings from K¹ to K". In this movement the small pivotted tongue L, which
had left the piece n, slides over it without pressing it down. When the pendulum
is at K, being at the end of its oscillation, it swings back, on account of its weight,
in the direction of K', but then the small tongue L encounters one of the notches
in the piece n, and being so stopped by its edge pushes down the spring R and
makes a fresh contact at w. The electro magnet M, becoming thus again vitalized,
attracts the armature K, and increases the fresh impulse given to the pendulum.
The small pivotted tongue, when K has arrived at K', or further, will have left n,
and therefore during the oscillation from K¹ to K", will never be able to despress
the spring. On the contrary, and for the reason already mentioned, this tongue will
always engage the notches in n in the oscillation from K" to K', and that up to the
moment when the amplitude of the oscillation will be sufficient to allow the small
tongue L to leave the piece n, when swinging in the direction of K". From this
moment the amplitude of the oscillations will be constant, it will neither increase
nor decrease. The pendulum will only stop when, for any reason, the current is
broken. But the pendulum, being at rest, will always start without any previous
impulse, according to the arrangement just described.
:
This apparatus, though based on the same principle, might be constructed in
different ways.
For instance the rollers T T¹ and the band might be replaced by a
rod furnished with teeth like a rack and moved at an uniform speed by means of
a clock train. It would be possible also to move the carriage W directly by means
of a long pendulum. Instead of a moveable carriage, the rod h, h', could be made
to slide. A rack might be substituted for the thread drawn by the carriage.
Instead of the mechanical manner of disengaging the carriage W, as above described,
an electric disengaging gear might be used which would release the carriage from
the band by simple contact of the carriage with the needle F.
If preferred, the frame r, 1, 1, 111, might be raised by a rod fixed upon one of
the rollers T, T¹, instead of by the pins fixed upon the band.
With a magnet for the galvanometer, the apparatus cannot be used for alternating
currents, but it may be so used when a solenoid is employed instead of, a magnet.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. In an electricity meter, the combination of a galvanometer (Ampère meter,
Watt meter, Volt meter) known as a tangent galvanometer, of a pendulum or
clockwork to measure the time of a moveable body or piece measuring at equal
intervals of time the length of the tangent of the angle of deviation of the needle
of the galvanometer under the influence of the measured current, and of an axis,
or a wheel, whose angular motion is proportional to the tangent measured by the
moveable body or piece, substantially as described and shewn and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In an electricity meter, the combination of a pendulum, or clockwork, of a
band stretched upon two rollers, said band being moved by said pendulum or clockwork
at a known speed, of a carriage V moved by the said band until it encounters the
galvanometer needle, of a moveable frame for fixing or retaining the needle at
known intervals of time, and of a wheel X whose angular motion is proportional
to the length measured by said carriage, substantially as described and shewn and
for the purpose set forth.
3. In an electricity meter, the combination of the tongue L pressing upon the
piece n, and of the spring R making the necessary contact, to allow the pendulum to
start from its normal position without any previous impulse, substantially as described
and shewn and for the purpose set forth.
4. Electricity meters constructed substantially as herein before described and shewn
with reference to the annexed drawings.
Dated this 12th day of June 1800
ERNEST DE PASS,
78, Fleet Street, London, Agent for the Applicant.