IMPROVE- MENTS IN WATER OR OTHER FLUID METERS OR MOTORS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Barnes, of 35, Avenue Parade, Accrington, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WATER OR OTHER FLUID METERS OR MOTORS."
Sealed the 24th April 1877, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
dated the 12th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Barnes at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1876.
JAMES BARNES, of 35, Avenue Parade, Accrington, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER OR OTHER FLUID METERS OR
MOTORS."
This Invention consists in a new arrangement of parts composing a meter for the
measurement of fluids, applicable also as a motor. Four cylinders or boxes are
placed round a central crank shaft. One pair of cylinders face each other on
opposite sides of the shaft, the other pair are similarly arranged at right angles to
the 1st pair. The axes of all the cylinders are preferably in the same vertical
plane, or nearly so; each cylinder has a piston, and each pair of opposite pistons
are rigidly connected together by a rod, on which (and forming an integral part of
it) is a link with a long transverse slot. In this slot the crank pin (or a journal
round the crank pin) work, the two piston rods and links being so arranged as to
pass each other, and actuate the same crank pin at right angles to each other. The
end nearest the crank shaft of each cylinder is open, the other end closed, but
provided with a port leading to a central valve forming a part of the crank shaft,
or securely fastened thereto and rotating with it on a circular valve face, with four
inductions ports in a ring, and a central port in and below the valve forming the
discharge orifice; the whole is enclosed in a casing.
The mode of action is as follows:-Water being let into the casing, and the
apparatus being in such position that piston No. 1 is close to the cylinder head,
No. 3 close to the open end, and Nos. 1 and 4 at half stroke. The crank revolving
No. 1 advances toward the central shaft, No. 2 continues its advance, and Nos. 3 & 4
retreat; at the same time the valve has uncovered the induction port of No. 1, and
covered that of No. 3, leaving No. 2 induction port open, and No. 4 still in com-
munication with the exhaust; at the same time No. 3's port was cut off from

page_text: communication with the central chamber, and was coupled with the exhaust by
means of the valve.
Any of the ordinary kinds of registering apparatus can be connected with the
continuation of the crank shaft.
I prefer to make all the working parts of brass, bronze, or other metal not liable
to speedy corrosion. Under a considerable head and with a free exhaust this
apparatus without any alteration beyond prolonging the shaft so as to attach a
pulley or gearing thereto can be used as a motor for machinery, more especially
sewing machines and other light affairs.
Three or any other number of cylinders at equal angles with each other would do 1
instead of four, and jointed connected rods take the place of rigid ones, whether
the apparatus be used as a meter or motor, but it would be more complicated, and
I prefer the arrangement as described.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said James Barnes in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th April 1877.
JAMES BARNES, of 35, Avenue Parade, Accrington, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER OR OTHER FLUID METERS OR
MOTORS."
Fig. 1 is a vertical section, Fig. 2 horizontal section, Fig. 3 vertical section
of casing and counting apparatus; Fig. 4, section of valve and seat; Fig. 5, plan of
same; Fig. 6, plan of seat; in the middle of Fig. 3 is a plan of dials of counting
apparatus.
This Invention consists in a new arrangement of parts composing a meter for
the measurement of fluids, applicable also as a motor. Four cylinders or boxes
A, B, C, and D, are placed round a central spindle E. One pair of cylinders A, C,
face each other on opposite sides of the shaft E; the other pair B, D, are similarly
arranged at right angles to the first pair. The axes of all the cylinders are
preferably in the same plane or nearly so. Each cylinder has a piston A¹, B¹, C¹, D¹,
and each pair of opposite pistons are rigidly connected together by a rod F or G,
on which and forming an integral part of it is a link with a long transverse slot.
In this slot the spindle (or a journal round the spindle) works. The two piston rods
and links being so arranged so as to pass each other on opposite sides of the plate or
dise on spindle E, and actuate the same spindle (or theoretically the crank pin) at
right angles to each other. The object of this plate is to act as guide to keep the
spindle standing truly at right angles to all the cylinders. The end nearest the
spindle of each cylinder is open, the other end closed, but provided with a port
H, I, J, or K, leading to a central valve O; this valve forms with the shaft prac-
tically a crank shaft, the valve being the web of the crank and the spindle. A
crank pin pivoted on the valve 0 and the said valve rotates with the spindle
on a circular valve face L. This face L has four induction ports Ma, M6, Mc, M d,
in a ring, and a central port N in and outside the valve forming the discharge
orifice; the whole is enclosed in a casing P.
The mode of action is as follows:-Water being let into the casing, and the
apparatus being in such position that piston A¹ is close to the cylinder head, C¹ close
to the open end, and B¹ and D¹ a half stroke, the crank revolving, A¹ advances
toward the central shaft E, B¹ continues its advance, and C¹ and D¹ retreat; at the
same time the valve O has uncovered the induction port of cylinder A, and covered
that of cylinder C, leaving B's induction port open, and D's still in communication
with the exhaust N; at the same time C's port was cut off from communication
with the central chamber through its port Mc being covered, and was coupled with
the exhaust N by means of the valve O.
Any of the ordinary kinds of registering apparatus can be connected with the

page_text: continuation of the crank shaft, the plan I like best being shown in Fig. 3. I need
not however describe it, as it is well known, and not original with me.
I prefer to make all the working parts of bronze, brass, or other metal not liable
to speedy corrosion. Under a considerable head and with a free exhaust this
apparatus without any alteration beyond adding a second web to the end of the
spindle and prolonging the shaft, so as to attach a pulley or gearing thereto, can
be used as a motor for machinery, more especially sewing machines and other light
affairs.
Three or any other number of cylinders at equal angles with each other would do
instead of four, and jointed connecting rods could take the place of slotted rigid ones,
whether used as a meter or a motor, but it would be more complicated, and I prefer
the arrangement as above described.
It will be seen at once that the valve is one arm of the crank shaft, and that the
crank pin is the principal feature of the crank shaft, the shaft itself being practically
dispensed with, except when the apparatus is used for a motor, when the other web
of the crank is placed above, and the shaft continued through the casing at a point
opposite the valve.
Having now described my Invention I wish it to be understood that I make no
claim for multi-cylindrical engines or meters, in which the cylinders are not enclosed
in a water-tight casing, but what I believe to be new and desire to protect under
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The combination of a series of cylinders and pistons surrounded by a water-
tight casing, with their rods all actuating a central crank shaft or its mechanical
equivalent, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2nd. The arrangement described and shown of slotted link piston rods in combi-
nation with the crank pin and the arrangements for maintaining that pin in a truly
vertical position.
3rd. The arrangement of valve substantially as described in combination with
the method of actuating it, causing it to perform the duty of a crank.
4th. The general arrangement of engine or meter, substantially as described, in
which the cylinders all radiate with their open ends towards the central axis and
spindle, which latter actuates the valve and counting apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Barnes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1877.
Witness,
ROBERT CUNLIFFE,
11, Avenue Parade,
Accrington.
JAMES BARNES. (L.S.)