IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, NATHAN
DEFRIES, of 26, Grafton Street, Fitzroy Square, Engineer, and NATHANIEL
FORTESCUE TAYLOR, of 4, Cleveland Street, Mile End, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Eighteenth day of August, in the sixth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Nathan
Defries and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Nathan Defries and Nathaniel
Fortescue Taylor, our exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as we, the
said Nathan Defries and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, our exors, admors, or
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, our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS
FOR GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that we, the said Nathan Defries, and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor,
or one of us, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled
in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of 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, we, the said

page_text: Nathan Defries and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, do hereby declare that the
nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be per-
formed, are fully 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:—
Our Invention relates,-
First, to a mode of constructing the flexible partitions used in meters for
measuring gas and other fluids; and,
Secondly, our Invention relates to improvements in constructing meters for
gas and other fluids, wherein four or more flexible partitions are used.
And in order that our Invention may be most fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed to explain the means pursued by us in
performing our improvements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In constructing flexible partitions for meters for gas and other fluids, it has
been usual to make them of leather or other flexible material; the surfaces of
which have been suitably prepared, so as not to allow of gas passing through the
same; but in thus using leather or other flexible material, it has been supposed
by some that the partitions are liable to contract and expand under the
variable temperatures and circumstances to which they are liable to be sub-
mitted in use, but we have found that meters so made have on trial been
proved to be more correct in their measurement than what are called wet
meters; yet it is desirable to remove the possibility of error to which meters
working with flexible partitions may possibly be liable, and at the same time
to make them more lasting. And the first part of our Invention consists of
forming flexible partitions of meters for. gas and other fluids of several
inflexible surfaces (that is, surfaces. not flexible under the pressure to which
they are submitted,) combined together by a flexible material, by which means
the flexibility of each partition will result from the bending of the partition at
the lines of junction of the inflexible parts of the partition. By this arrange-
ment no practical injury or incorrectness of action will arise from the sup-
posed effects of expansion and contraction, and at the same time the flexible
partitions will be rendered more lasting. Each partition may be made up of
several parts depending on the shape thereof, but we believe that four inflexi-
ble parts, the lines of junction radiating from the centre, will be found to be
the most convenient arrangement, but we do not confine ourselves thereto.
Figure 1 shows a back elevation of a flexible partition; Figure 2 shows
a front elevation of the same; Figure 3 shows a plan in section; Figure 4
shows a plan with the flexible partition distended towards the front; Figure 5

page_text: shows a plan of the partition in its central position; and, Figure 6 shews the
separate parts which connect the moving flexible partition with its axis.
Each of the partitions used in a gas meter is to be composed of four angular
parts b, b, b, b, of metal, which are glued or cemented to a leather surface, as
is shown. In making the flexible partition, the angular parts b are each
covered on one side with leather, which is fastened by the folding over of the
edges of the parts b, and then the parts 6 are glued or otherwise securely
cemented on to a surface of leather, which surface of leather is fixed into a
frame 6, 6, all round by the folding of the metal, as is shown. By this
arrangement we are enabled to ensure that the flexible partitions used in gas
meters will at all times move through the same space, and consequently
measure the same quantity of gas each time of movement. f is the axis
which gives motion to the wheelwork which records the quantity of gas
measured, such axis receiving motion by being connected with the movement
of the flexible partition in the following manner :-(1) is an arm affixed to
the axis f; the arm is forked at the other end, as is shewn, and within this
fork the arch piece (2) works on axes carried by the arm (1), and the arch
piece (2) is governed in its movement by the rod (3), which is attached by a
pin joint to the arch piece, the other end of the rod (3) being attached
by a pin joint to the projection (4), affixed to the frame of the flexible
partition, as is shewn. Within the arch piece (2) is connected, by a pin joint,
the rod (5), which is fastened to the centre of the flexible partition, and on
the four sides of the rod (5) are attached, by pin joints, the four short bent
links or rods (6), 6), 6), 6), which at their other ends are each attached by
a pin joint to the angular parts 6 composing the flexible partition.
By this
arrangement the movement of the flexible partition will be communicated
with ease to the axis f, which turns in bearings at f', f, carried by the fixed
frame of the flexible partition, as is shown, and from the axis f motion will
be communicated to the wheelwork for recording the gas measured.
We would remark that the inflexible material used for making the various
parts of flexible partitions may be of tin plate or other thin sheet metal or wood,
or other sufficiently stiff material; and although we prefer that each part of
which a flexible partition is composed should be a complete plate, yet it will
be evident that inflexible frames of the same shapes, being affixed to a flexible
partition of leather or other suitably prepared flexible material, would answer
a similar end; for it will be readily understood that a flexible partition of a
meter so formed would only bend at the lines of junction of the several
frames, in precisely the same manner as if each frame were a thin plate of
metal or other stiff material, the leather or other material used for combining

page_text: the several pieces of a flexible partition acting as a flexible hinge between the
different surfaces; and such leather or other material used we prefer to be
coated with almond oil and black lead, by means of which the leather
will retain the flexible character, and yet not allow of the passage of gas or
other fluid through the same.
as..
We will now proceed to explain the second part of our Invention, which
before stated, relates to improvements on gas and other fluid meters
where four or more flexible partitions are used as the means of measuring.
In constructing meters heretofore for gas and other fluids, when four flexi-
ble partitions have been proposed to be used, the flexible partitions have
been coupled together in pairs, which mode of making meters with flexi-
ble partitions is therefore only applicable when an even number of flexible
partitions are used. Now, according to one part of our improvements, we
are enabled to make meters with four or more flexible partitions, and in
such manner that each partition is independently in connection with, and aids
to give motion to, a common axis, and we believe that more regularity of trans-
mitting gas or other fluids may be obtained when odd numbers of flexible
.partitions are used than when even numbers; the Drawings, therefore, only
shew meters in which odd numbers of flexible partitions are used, but the
.description will equally apply to even numbers, as the means of connecting
each flexible partition with the common axis will be the same in all cases.
Figure 7 represents a vertical section of a meter for gas or other fluid, having
five flexible partitions; these flexible partitions may be according to the first
part of our Invention, or may be similar to those heretofore employed, and the
.Drawing shews them to be similar to those heretofore used, in order that the
manufacturer may use whichever he may think proper. Figure 8 is a section
of the meter taken at the dotted line a, b, Figure 7; and Figure 9 shews a
plan of the interior of the upper chamber or compartment N of the meter,
into which all the gas or fluid flows. The meter is formed in a five-sided
vessel A, A, and the interior of the vessel A is divided by five partitions. B, B,
into five compartments or chambers to receive the gas or fluid; these cham-
bers are marked C, D, E, F, and G, and the gas or other fluid enters succes-
sively into and flows out from these chambers or compartments. Each of the
flexible partitions B (which I prefer to be of calf or lamb skin, bark, tanned
leather, with the surfaces coated with almond oil and black lead) gives motion
to an axis H, and each axis, by suitable apparatus, is connected to a crank
axis, which is common to all the flexible partitions, in order that rotatory.motion
may be communicated to that axis, as hereafter explained; these axes H turn in
bearings at their lower ends, and pass through the stuffing boxes H at their

page_text: upper ends. He is an arm affixed to each of the axes, and each of the arms H
is connected by a moveable joint to the centre of one of the flexible par-
titions B; hence the flexible partitions B are put in motion by the flowing
in of gas or other fluid to the series of chambers or compartments C, D, E, F,
and G. On the upper end of each of the axes H is affixed an arm H³, and
by means of connecting rods H*, one to each arm H³, motion is communicated
to the crank axis I, each connecting rod H' being connected with the crank of
the axis I; hence each flexible partition B is independent of the others, and is
separately put in connection with the common axis I, in order to aid in giving
motion to that axis. The upper end of the axis I passes through a stuffing
box J, and then gives motion to a suitable train of wheels for recording the
quantity of gas which has passed through the meter, as is well understood,
the axis I making one revolution each time that all the chambers C, D, E, F,
and G, have been filled and emptied with gas or other liquid; the cubic con-
tents of these chambers being, so far as the space through which the flexible
partitions pass, being known, the train of wheels will be regulated accordingly,
as is well understood. I¹ is a second crank on the axis I, to which five
connecting rods K, K, are attached, each connecting rod K giving motion to
a slide valve L, by being connected by a pin joint L' affixed on the stems M of
the slide valves, the stems M being guided in their movements by sliding
through guide holes M¹, as is shewn. The gas or other fluid passes first into
one or other of the cambers or compartments C, D, E, F, or G, and thence
into the upper compartment N, from whence it passes away at the opening O.
The gas or other fluid is introduced into the meter at the pipe P, from whence
it passes through the pipe P¹ into the hollow ring or pipe P2, from whence
proceed branch tubes P³, one to each chamber C, D, E, F, and G; but such
branches have no communication with the main pipe P2, excepting through
the slide valves; hence gas or other fluid flowing into the meter will only pass
from the main pipe P2 into any one of the chambers C, D, E, F, or G, when.
the hollow slide valve of that chamber covers the slit or opening into the
pipe P² and the slit or opening into the branch pipe P³, and the gas will flow
out of the chambers or compartments C, D, E, E, and G, when their
respective valves only cover the respective openings of the main pipe P³,
leaving the slits or openings of the branch pipes open to the upper chamber N
of the meter, thus allowing the gas or fluid successively to flow out of the several
chambers or compartments C, D, E, F, and G. In some cases we cause each
flexible partition B to work within two compartments or chambers, into
which gas or other fluids to be measured in flows; in this case the gas or fluid
alternately presses on the two sides of each partition B. This will readily be
understood on examining the horizontal section of a meter shown at Figure 10,

page_text: the vessel A being divided into five compartments by the fixed partitions A',
and each compartment is then divided into two compartments or cham-
bers C, C, D, D', E, E, F, F, and G, G', and the seat of each valve has
.three slits or openings, each slide valve being capable of covering two slits or
openings. The middle slit or opening of each valve enters into the ring or
main pipe P, the outer slit or opening of each valve enters into the branch
pipe P³, and the inner or third slit of each valve opens into one of the cham-
bers or compartments C', D', E, F, or G¹, and this arrangement is equally
applicable, whether four, five, or more flexible partitions are used in the same
meter, and the apparatus for giving motion from the flexible partitions will
each set be similar to what we have described; and we have made choice of a
meter with five flexible partitions, and consequently five sets of valves, as it
offers a good example of the mode of combining the parts, and is, we believe,
preferable as a meter to one having only four or six flexible partitions, for, as
we before stated, we consider odd numbers of flexible partitions in the same
meter preferable to even numbers. We would remark, that we are aware that
there have been gas meters, each having three flexible partitions, each par-
tition acting by separate connection with a common axis, and a Patent was
granted to the said Nathan Defries for such gas meter; this part of our Inven-
tion, therefore, consists only in so arranging and combining the requisite
number of parts, in order to construct. meters with four or more flexible
partitions, so that each flexible partition may be in connection with a common
axis, without being connected with any other flexible partition, as herein
described.
We will now describe another arrangement of meter with flexible partitions,
wherein a rotatory valve is used, and we, in this case, will make choice of a
meter having seven flexible partitions. In this case the chamber N, Figures 11.
and 12, (into which all the gas or other fluid flows after it has been measured
in the various measuring compartments or chambers,) is in the centre of the
vessel A, and the connecting rods to the crank on the axis I are each
attached by moveable joints to the flexible partitions, as is shown; and the
rotatory hollow valve Q moves on the face plate or seat R, as is shown; it
being formed to cover at the same time four of the slits or openings in the
seat R, leaving three of the openings open to the compartment or chamber N,
and thence by the eduction way, as indicated by the arrows. P is the induction
pipes which comes up to the centre of the valve seat R, as is shewn, and the
gas or fluid flows into the hollow valve Q, and thence through the openings in
the valve seat R into such of the branch pipes P³ as open into the slits in
the seat R, which, for the time being, are covered by the valve Q, and, as the
valve rotates on its seat, by its being affixed to the axis I, the valve will

page_text: successively uncover the opening into the various branch pipes P³, and the
gas or fluid will flow into the chamber N, and thence away at the eduction
way. In this manner may four, five, six, seven, or more flexible partitions in
the same meter be caused to work a rotatory valve affixed to an axis I, and in
such manner that each flexible partition may be independent in its connection
with the common axis I; hence it will be seen that the peculiar character of
this second part of our Invention is the so combining the action of four or
more flexible partitions in a meter, that each flexible partition, by its own
mechanical apparatus, is, in connection with a common axis, aiding the
other partitions in obtaining rotatory motion to such axis, yet no two of the
flexible partitions are connected together, nor do they influence each other's
motion, excepting through the common axis, as described.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the best means
we are acquainted with for performing the same, we would have it under-
stood that we make no claim to any of the mechanical parts separately,
nor do we confine ourselves to the precise details herein described, so long as
the peculiar character of either part of our Invention be retained; but what
we claim is,
First, the mode herein described of forming flexible partitions for meters for
measuring gas and other liquids, by combining several inflexible surfaces by
flexible joints in such manner that the partitions so formed may bend at the
lines of junction, as above described.
And secondly, we claim the mode of constructing meters for gas and other
fluids, when with four or more flexible partitions, in such manner that each
partition may be separately in connection with and separately aid in giving
motion to a common axis for registering the quantity of gas or other fluid
passing through a meter.
And we also claim the mode of giving motion to the slide valves when
working with four or more flexible partitions, as described in respect to
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10; but we do not claim the separate valves. And
we also claim the mode of constructing and giving motion to a rotatory valve
when working with four or more flexible partitions combined in the same
meter for gas and other fluids, as described in respect to Figures 11 and 12.
In witness whereof, we, the said Nathan Defries and Nathaniel For-
tescue Taylor, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventeenth
day of February, in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty-
shroo
NATHAN
(L.S.) DEFRIES.
NATHANIEL FORTESCUE (L.S.) TAYLOR.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventeenth day of February,
in the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid Nathan Defries and Nathaniel
Fortescue Taylor 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.