IMPROVEMENTS IN LIQUID METERS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIQUID METERS." A communication from abroad by
José Francisco de Navarro and Henry Clark Sergeant, both of the City and
State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 1st July 1879, and dated the 11th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th March 1879.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, .656, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIQUID METERS." [A
communication from abroad by José Francisco de Navarro and Henry Clark
Sergeant, both of the City and State of New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to rotary meters and consists in certain novel con-
structions and arrangements of parts whereby the quantity of water or other liquid
passing through the meter is measured by means of a valve or wheel, so applied
as to rotate with very little friction, and to communicate its motion to any suitable
indicating or registering apparatus.
In carrying out this Invention the meter case is formed in two parts, viz., a
lower or base portion, and an upper or cap portion preferably of circular form
internally secured together by a flange joint or otherwise; the lower portion
contains a circular valve seat to receive a valve which is free to rotate upon an
arbor or dead spindle mounted in the base portion of the valve seat. This base
portion of the valve seat forms a division between the valve chamber and the
inlet passage, and is provided with one or more inlet ducts by which the liquid
to be ineasured enters the valve chamber and raises the valve off its seat. The
liquid as it enters the valve chamber has a circular motion given to it by means
of one or more steps, having inclined upper surfaces placed over the inlet ducts
in the bottom of the valve chamber. The liquid is directed against wings or
vanes on the underside of the valve which is thus caused to rotate.

page_text: It should here be observed that as the valve sits close upon its seat no liquid
can escape without the raising of the valve from its seat, thereby reducing the
friction of the valve or wheel when in motion, and allowing it to rotate with the
current in the chamber.
As the valve rises from its seat the liquid escapes from under it to and through
the outlet. The valve stem is provided with a worm which takes into a worm or
cog-wheel, by which motion is communicated to an indicator or register in the
upper portion of the meter case.
The valve is also provided with a regulator consisting of a number of resistance
wings fastened to the valve stem, and which rotate with the valve. These wings
act in concert with current breakers or fixed resistance wings secured to the upper
portion of the case, and serve to check the momentum of the valve and prevent it
running ahead of the current.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
September 1879.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIQUID METERS." A
communication from abroad by José Francisco de Navarro and Henry Clark
Sergeant, both of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to rotary meters, and consists in certain novel con-
structions and arrangements of parts whereby the quantity of water or other liquid
passing through the meter is measured by means of a valve or wheel, so applied as
to rotate with very little friction, and to communicate its motion to any suitable
indicating or registering apparatus.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a plan view of a liquid meter
constructed in accordance with the Invention; Figs. 2 represent an inverted plan
of the upper or cap portion of the meter, and a top view of the lower or base
portion thereof; Fig. 3 is a mainly sectional elevation of the meter, and Fig. 4 a
top view of the lower or base portion thereof with the rotating valve removed;
Fig. 5 is an under view of the rotating valve detached; A indicates the lower or
base portion of the meter or meter case, and B, the upper or cap portion thereof
secured together by a flange joint 6, or otherwise. These case portions are
preferably of circular form internally. The lower case section or portion A contains
within it a circular valve seat C upon which a valve D when down sits. This
valve is free to rotate upon an arbor or dead spindle C mounted in the base
portion of the valve seat, which valve seat is cylindrical in construction, its base
serving as a dividing plate to form an upper chamber d immediately below the
valve, and a lower chamber e with which latter the inlet passage f that conveys the
liquid under pressure to the meter connects. The outlet passage g from the meter
connects with an annular chamber in the case portion A outside of the valve
seat C. One or more inlet ducts h in the bottom of the chamber & beneath the
valve or wheel D serve to conduct the inlet water from the receiving chamber e
into the chamber d, to give the necessary rotation and lift to the valve D, the
current having a circular motion under the valve given to it by arranging the
ducts h to deliver the liquid into the chamber d, in directions corresponding with
the circular motion of the valve around its arbor .c. This may be done by
constructing the bottom of the chamber & with one or more steps i having inclined
upper surfaces. The valve D is rotated by the action of the circular current in the
chamber d against wings or vanes k on the under side of said valve. It should
however be observed that as the valve D sits close upon its seat C, no water can
escape without the raising of the valve from its seat, thereby reducing the friction
of the valve or wheel D when in motion, and allowing it to rotate with the current
in the chamber d, the wings k being constructed to work close to the ducts h so
that the rotation of the water in the chamber d is obstructed by the wings k, and
the valve or wheel D is caused to move in exact proportion to the velocity of the
water under the valve D.
The valve or wheel D which when in operation rises from its seat C to allow of
water escaping from under it to and through the outlet g of the meter is connected
by a screw on an upper stem of the valve D, with a worm or cog-wheel m by
which motion is communicated to the indicator or register G in the upper portion
of the meter case section B, also by which gear of the screw and worm wheel
provision is made for the rising or climbing of the valve when being rotated:
Upon the top of the valve D is arranged a regulator which is composed of any
number of resistance wings n fastened to the valve stem by means of a screw o,
and rotating with the valve. These wings which act in concert with the current

page_text: breakers or fixed resistance wings r in the hollow upper case section B, serve to
check the momentum of the valve or wheel D, and to prevent it running ahead of
the current. When the meter indicates more liquid than passes through it under a
full head or pressure longer wings n should be used, and when it indicates less
liquid than passes shorter wings n should be employed.
"
Having now described the nature of this Invention of " Improvements.in Liquid
Meters as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the
above in part recited Letters Patent I claim,-
First. The arrangement substantially as herein described of the inlet ducts which
convey the liquid under pressure to the rotating valve or wheel.
Second. The rotating and rising valve or wheel constructed to closely seat itself
when shut, and provided with propelling wings and an upper shaft or stem
carrying a screw in combination with a worm or cog wheel of an indicating or
registering apparatus, substantially as specified.
Third. The combination with the rotating and rising valve or wheel of the valve
seat on which said valve closes, and resistance wings or vanes for regulating the
rotation of said valve or wheel, essentially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Eleventh day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.