IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS."
Year: 1881

page_text: 24
LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN FLUID METERS." A communication from abroad by Birdsill Holly, of
Lockport, in the County of Niagara and State of New York, United States of
America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May 1881.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS." A commu-
nication from abroad by Birdsill Holly, of Lockport, in the County of Niagara
and State of New York, United States of America.
These improvements relate to meters for measuring the flow of steam and other
fluids, and have the special object to construct a meter for use in connection with
apparatus for supplying steam in cities and towns for heating and other purposes,
whereby the amount of steam taken by each consumer can be accurately or
approximately determined.
In the improved meter I combine an impact wheel, a hydraulic brake or
regulator wheel, and counting mechanism. The blades of the impact wheel are less
in height than the vertical diameter of the induction pipe, so that but a certain
portion of the steam or other fluid takes effect on the wheel, and I use in the
induction pipe a self adjusting valve, by which the admission of the fluid is
regulated in proportion to the flow.
In the Drawing herewith forming part of this Specification Figure 1 is a vertical
section of the meter, and Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line x, x, of Figure 1.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. A is the hollow cylindrical case of
the meter fitted with heads a, a¹; B is the induction pipe, and C the outlet pipe;
b is a shaft sustained centrally of case A by a step 6 in the lower head a¹, and by
a bridge disck that is fitted in the case below the upper head a. The interior of
case A is divided by two diaphragms d, e, that are centrally apertured. On shaft b
immediately above the diaphragm is the impact wheel D, and on the lower end

page_text: of the shaft in the space between the lower diaphragın e and head a' is the impact
wheel E. The impact wheel I consists of radial arms from a central hub provided
with paddles f at their outer end. The paddles f are in width about half the
vertical diameter of the induction inlet B. The regulator wheel E is of similar
construction, and is provided with paddles g that are proportionately wider than
the paddles of the impact wheel. The induction pipe B is of square bore next to
the case A, and contains the valve i, that consists of a flap pivoted at its outer end
to the upper side of the pipe, so that the valve is free to rise and fall according to
the variations in the quantity of the inflowing fluid. The disc & beneath the upper
head a forms a partition by which a space is obtained that is separate from the
wheel chamber. The shaft b passes freely through this partition k, and carries a
pinion on its end. In the centre of head a is fitted a short arbor m, packed by a
gland c, and carrying on its lower end a toothed wheel m³. On partition k is
stepped an arbor carrying gear wheels n, n¹, by which the pinion and wheel m
are connected, and the motion of the wheel shaft bis imparted to arbor m.
The counting mechanism is contained within a case F that is formed or fixed on
head a.
This counting mechamisn may be of any suitable construction, and
provided with indicating dials and hands of usual character. Its primary arbor o
is shown as formed square and entering the end of arbor m, but the connection
may be made by gearing.
In operation the steam or other fluid entering by pipe B raises valve i more
or less according to the quantity, and passing to the chamber gives revolution to
the wheel D, and escapes through partition d to the outlet C. The paddle wheel D
being narrow, only the lower strata of fluid takes effect, so that in case the flow or
pressure is sufficient to raise valve i above the top of the paddles the surplus steam
will pass over the wheel without effect. If the flow be small the valve insures
discharge of the same upon the wheel with the required velocity. The chamber
containing the regulator wheel E is to contain water (which is supplied by the
condensation in case the fluid measured is steam), and the wheel thus will serve as
an hydraulic brake to regulate the motion of the wheel D. The head a¹ of the
case is formed with ribs p that act to retard the water, and prevent a rotary current
with the wheel. In case steam is being measured any water of condensation can
escape freely downward, so that the impact wheel will not be clogged. Such water
overflows by the outlet C, and the steam pipe from the outlet should drop down-
ward, as shown by the pipe q, so that the water can escape freely.
In case the steam is carried upward from the lower end of the pipe g the water
that collects at the bottom will be forced out by the steam. The upper diaphragm d,
in addition to its central aperture, is provided with small openings below the
path of the paddles of wheel D. These are for allowing free escape of water, so
that it may not be piled up in front of the paddles.
The dials of the meter indicate what I term units of steam, which are calculated
in the following manner for obtaining their value:-Dry steam is passed through
the meter and through a coil submerged in cold water until the meter register one
thousand units, and the condensed steam then weighed. The amount of water
thus obtained compared with the quantity of fucl required to evaporate it gives
the value of the units.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is,-
1st. In a meter for measuring fluids the combination of an impact wheel, a
bydraulic brake or regulator wheel, and counting mechanism, substantially as
described.
2nd. In a meter for measuring fluids the self adjusting valve i pivoted to the
upper side of a square bore induction pipe B, in combination with an impact
wheel D, having blades of less height than the vertical diameter of the delivery end
of the induction pipe, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3rd. The diaphragm d, having a central aperture and outer openings d', in

page_text: combination with the impact wheel D, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
4th. The combination of the hydraulic brake or regulator wheel E and ribs p,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5th. The combination with the case A and diaphragms d, e, of the brake or
regulator wheel E and the impact wheel D, the paddles of wheel D being of
relatively less height than the paddles of wheel E, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty fifth day of May, A.D. 1881.
A M CLARK (LS)