AN IMPROVED METER FOR REGISTERING THE FLOW OF WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
TEBAY, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
-
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventh day of March,
in the
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Tebay, my exors, adñiors, and assigns,
Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
John Tebay, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Tebay, my exors, adññors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and. no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands
of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, and Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "AN IMPROVED
METER FOR REGISTERING THE FLOW OF WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS;" in which
said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said John Tebay,.
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal,' to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of

page_text: the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Tebay, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon; that is to say :-
My Invention consists of the application of a screw-propelling wheel, which
is acted upon and caused to revolve by the flow or current of fluid to be
registered, in conjunction with a regulating valve, and either with or without
certain other valves which are herein-after described. The mode in which I
make this application is as follows:-A, A, Fig. 1, is a hollow cylinder
or casing of metal; B, B, is the base part of the cylinder or casing; and
C, C, C, C, is the cover, part of which cover C¹, C¹. forms a chamber for
D is the inlet and D'
containing the wheelwork of the index movement.
the outlet passages to and from the instrument, to which supply and "draw
off" pipes are attached in the ordinary way. The cover and base are attached
to the body of the cylinder or casing by screws and packing or any other
suitable means of making a water-tight joint. E, E, Figs. 1 and 2, is the
screw-propelling wheel, which revolves freely in a horizontal direction upon its
axis F, in the bearings f, f¹. e, e, is the periphery of the wheel, and is
cylindrical. G, G, is a circular framing which is attached to the framing of
the index movement by the screwed pins g, g, having flange upon its
upper edge that forms a close joint all round with the cover at c, c¹, and
supports by horizontal cross bars the lower bearing 1 of the propelling
wheel. This framing has also a rim g', g', formed on its inner surface, which
projects upwards within the periphery e, e, of the propelling wheel, and directs
the current against the blades or vanes of the wheel. On the axis F of the
propelling wheel is a worm or screw pinion h which communicates the
motion of the propelling wheel to the several screw pinions and wheels
HI, H', ', and H", ". These wheels reduce in speed and are so proportioned
to the maximum speed of the propelling wheel, and the known quantity of
fluid passing it, that the axis of the wheel H" (which is the indicating axis)
makes exactly one revolution for every ten, hundred, thousand, or any number
of gallons, or other unit of measurement required to be indicated on the
dial of the index when the propelling wheel is revolving at its maximum
velocity. The axis of the wheel H" is placed at right angles to that of the
propelling wheel, and communicates motion to the index hands through the

page_text: front part of the casing at I, Fig. 2, working through the conical bearing at i,
which is water-tight, and thereby prevents any escape or leakage from the
interior. The opposite or back end of the axis is supported by the screwed
pin ', which is also used to give the conical bearing at 1' the requisite tight-
ness, and passes through the back of the casing into a small cup or recess i",
where it is sealed up when once adjusted. The index movement is fixed to
the casing by the studs J, J, J, which pass through the casing and screw into
the front plate J¹ of the movement. These studs also support the index dial
upon their outer ends. The escape or leakage of water or other fluid through
these stud holes, as well as the aperture at 1, is prevented by a packing
of red lead, cement, or any suitable, material, interposed between the casing
and the plate J. To maintain a uniform current against the propelling
wheel, and thereby ensure correspondence between the index and the quantity
passing through the meter above the quantity required to propel the wheel
E, E, at its maximum velocity, I use a valve which I call the "Regulating
Valve," and which consists of two hollow cylinders K, K¹, Fig. 3, the smaller
cylinder K sliding freely within the larger one K. k, k, are elongated
openings in the larger cylinder K, through which the current passes. L is a
disc which is connected to the smaller cylinder K by the rod L. Against this
disc the current presses and causes it to rise in the cylinder M. The internal
area of the cylinder M, and the horizontal surface area of the disc L, are so
proportioned as to allow an annular passage for the current between the
periphery of the disc and the inner surface of the cylinder equal to the area of
the inlet or outlet passages D and D. The disc L is weighed according to
the velocity of current required, and rises or falls as the current increases or
decreases, carrying with it the sliding cylinder K¹, which covers the openings
K, K, as it rises, or uncovers them as it falls, and thereby maintains an
equilibrium of flow, cutting off or admitting an increased flow as the dise
rises by increased or falls by decreased velocity of the current acting against
it. This regulating valve is attached to the casing of the instrument in such
a way that no current of fluid can pass except through the openings k, k.
As there is a point in the velocity of the current acting against the propel-
ling wheel E, E, below which the quantity of fluid passing through ceases
to correspond with the index when adjusted to the maximum speed of
the wheel, and to prevent fraudulent advantage being taken of this cir-
cumstance, I use a valve which I call a "check valve," to cut off the current
when it is not sufficient to maintain the maximum speed of the propelling
wheel. One form of this "check valve" consists of a chamber N, N, N',
Fig. 1, which is attached to the diaphragm o, o, forming with it a water-tight

page_text: The current acting against the
.
division of the meter into two compartments; n, n, is a flexible water-tight
diaphragm fixed across the mouth of the chamber. The port holes N',N',
and the neck n of the chamber form the only medium of communication
between the upper and lower compartments; these port holes surround the
lower part of the neck of the chamber in sufficient number to be in the
aggregate equal to the inlet or outlet passages D and D of the meter. P is
a hollow cylindrical or slightly conical valve which shuts over the port holes
n, n', having a rod p which passes down through the flexible diaphragm
into the lower compartments, and has attached to its lower end a disc L,
Fig. 1, which works in the cylinder M. The lower part of this cylinder is
wider than the upper part as at m, m'.
under side of the disc L opens, and supports when open, the valve P, but as it
requires a current to raise the disc L in the first instance, the flexible
diaphragm n, n, is used for the purpose of originating a current, which it does
in the following manner, forming as it does a division in the column of fluid
when the instrument is at rest, and the valve P closed, thus separating the
supply from the issue or "draw off" side when any sufficient impulse is
imparted to the column of fluid by the opening of any of the apertures of
issue it yields to such impulse sufficiently to enable the motion thereby given
to the column to raise the disc, thus opening the valve P and allowing free
passage to the current through the port holes n, n¹. The disc L is weighted
so as to require such a current to keep the valve P open as will maintain the
propelling wheel at its maximum speed. The flexible diaphragm is also
weighted, as shewn at p¹, for a similar purpose, and a small space is left round
the rod p in the metal collar 2", to enable the diaphragm to sink against
pressure by allowing the pressure to accumulate through such space in the
upper compartment. When the current falls below the point necessary to
support the disc L, the latter sinks gradually until it reaches the wide part of
the cylinder m³, m³, when the supporting pressure of the current being
suddenly destroyed by the greater area of annular passage afforded in the wide
part, the disc instantly drops, and closing the valve P cuts off the current
altogether. In order to compensate for this larger area of the annular
passage in the lower part of the cylinder m, m', and enable the disc L to rise
through it in opening again, I use a loose metal ring Q, Q, which closes with
the first impulse of the current against the under side of the disc L, and forms
a compound disc which equals nearly the whole area of the cylinder at m, m'.
This ring rises with the disc L until it is checked by the shoulder of the narrow
part of the cylinder at m²; it then drops back into its seat, leaving the disc L
'supported by the current, and acting as, before described, in the narrow part of

page_text: the cylinder M. In Fig. 1 the disc and cylinder of the "regulating valve" are
shewn as serving the purpose of the "check valve" also, but not necessarily so,
as the two may be separate, each having its own disc and cylinder. I also use
another description of "check valve," which is shewn in Fig. 3, where R is an
air-tight chamber attached with its mouth downwards to the valve S, S, and
contains at all times a body of air or other elastic substance. Across the mouth
of the chamber is fixed the air-tight flexible diaphragm r, r. T is a weight
equal to the pressure of the current required to maintain the maximum
speed of the propelling wheel. The valve S, S, is fixed to the diaphragm U, U,
and forms with it a water-tight division of the instrument into two com-.
partments. The direction of the current is shewn by arrows, and the action
of this valve is as follows:-When the current of fluid has full freedom of
issue, its pressure does not exceed that allowed by the "regulating valve,"
and the weight T is proportioned to it, to prevent the rising of the
diaphragm r, r, in which case the valve S, S, remains open; but when the
current is interrupted beyond the meter, by the closing of the apertures of
issue, the pressure of the fluid in the meter increases and pressing against
the diaphragm r, r, condenses the air contained in the chamber R, and
causes the diaphragm to rise, raising with it the disc S', to which it is attached
by the rod t, and the adjusting screw collar S¹, until the disc is brought
within the influence of the current passing into the neck of the valve S,
when being made to slide freely upon the screw. collar S', as shewn in
Drawing, it suddenly rises and shuts of the current altogether until the
pressure accumulates in the upper compartment through the space between
the collar S of the disc and that of the adjusting screw S', or through any
other small aperture left for the purpose, and when the pressure in the upper
equals that in the lower compartment, the disc falls by its own gravity and
re-opens the passage. I also use a float to raise the disc S, in which case
the flexible diaphragm r, r, and weight T. are dispensed with, and the float
rises with the surface of the water in the chamber as the air it contains
is condensed by the increasing internal pressure of the fluid, and the same
result is produced as last described. An elastic cushion of vulcanized
cautchouc or other clastic material may be used instead of the air chamber
above described, but I prefer the latter. When these forms of "check valve"
acting by increased internal pressure are used they are not connected with
the "
regulating valve," as shewn in Fig. 1, but are separate, and the
regulating valve" is then arranged, as shown in Fig 3, and herein-before
described.
6.
Having thus described my Invention, I desire it to be understood that

page_text: I do not confine myself strictly to the particular description of form and
proportions herein given, nor to the several metals and substances herein
named, nor to the particular parts or combination of parts herein-after
claimed as original or new, but claim the right to use any other form or
proportions which will admit of the perfect action of the several parts of
my Invention, videlicit, a screw-propelling wheel in conjunction with a regula-
ting valve, and either with or without a check valve, as herein described.
And I also claim the right to use any metals or substances other than
those herein mentioned, which may be capable of resisting hydrostatic pressure
and bydrodynamic action, and which may be in all other respects suitable.
I further wish it to be understood that I do not claim the originating
of any particular part or portion of my Invention as herein described, either
separate or otherwise, excepting always such parts or combinations of parts
as are herein-after set-forth, that is to say:-
First, I claim the application of a screw-propelling wheel in conjunction
with a "regulating valve," and either with or without any of the different
forms of "check valves" described herein.
Secondly, I claim the placing of the screw-propelling wheel with its axis
in a vertical position; and also the particular form and arrangement of screw-
propelling wheel herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the particular arrangement of " regulating valve" herein
described for regulating the flow of fluids generally for the purpose of measure-
inent or otherwise.
Fourthly, I claim the particular arrangement of "check valve" described
herein, and shewn in Figure 1, either with or without a separate disc and
cylinder as described.
Fifthly, I claim the application of increasing internal pressure for the
purpose of cutting off the current or flow of fluid at any given point of velocity
or rate of speed, whether such application be made by means of the air
chamber, as herein described, or by any other elastic medium.
Lastly, I claim the placing of the wheelwork of the index, necessary to
produce the required slow speed of the indicating axis, in the interior of the
instrument, communicating the requisite motion to the index hands through
the conical water-tight bearing, as herein described.
In. witness whereof, I, the said John Tebay, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Seventh day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty.
(L.S.) JOHN TEBAY.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventh day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid John Tebay came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.