IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING THE DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Mottram Smales of Leavesden in the County of
Hertford Engineer and Henry John Rogers of Lavington House Watford
"
in the same County Engineer for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN ·
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Mottram Smales and
Henry John Rogers at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
5th April 1882.
JOHN MOTTRAM SMALES of Leavesden in the County of Hertford Engineer and
HENRY JOHN ROGERS of Lavington House Watford in the same County Engineer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND INDICATING THE DEPTHS OF
LIQUIDS
This Invention relates to improved means & apparatus for measuring and
indicating the depths of liquids, semi-liquids and fluids in seas, rivers, canals, docks,
locks, minės, wells, reservoirs, tanks, cisterns, vats, cesspools, drains, casks, ships
holds, gasometers and other receptacles; such indications being transmitted to any
desired distance.
This Invention is intended to supersede the float and its attachments also the
pipe and air-vessel arrangement which latter fails to indicate properly if the most
minute quantity of the compressed air should accidentally escape from the pipe.
By means of this apparatus it is proposed to indicate on a gauge or gauges the
quantity of liquid that is contained in one receptacle separately, or in any number
of receptacles together; or the height of water in reservoirs docks &c; +such gauges
may be placed at any distance from the liquid required to be measured and
irrespective of the difference in the levels of the liquids to each other; and' the sanie
gauge or indicator may be used to determine the height or quantities of liquids in
any number of receptacles as hereafter explained.
-
These results are attained by a combination of the following elements; a pipe
or pipes, an apparatus for introducing air or gas pressure, an indicator or gauge and
a distributing tap or valve with any number of outlets.
8. W
These arrangements may be carried out in many different ways for effecting the
same purpose but we reserve the right of adding or modifying as 'experience may
suggest
1st a pipe or pipes are used to convey the pressure of air or gas one end of
which pipe is inserted into the liquid; one branch therefrom being connected to the
gauge and a second branch to the air or gas apparatus or to the orifices of a
distributing valve as the case may demand

page_text: 2ndly the apparatus for causing pressure in the pipe or pipes may consist of any
forcepump, bellows, diaphragın, blower, fan, centrifugal pump, injector, or other
mechanical arrangement for forcing air, and the said compressing apparatus may be
worked by manual or motive power or an air-tight receptacle may be used in which
gas-producing chemicals are inserted and which is connected to the pipe leading to
the gauge and to the distributing valve
.
3dly The gauge or indicator may consist of any pressure gauge & may be
marked to indicate feet, weight, or measure of capacity; and the words " 'empty,"
"full" or any other signal may be marked thereon and it may be so arranged that
the face or index pointer is adjustable, and a maximum index pointer may be
used where desirable; syphon gauges may also be employed-but we reserve to
ourselves the right to employ the one most suitable for the purpose, it being
understood that any number of gauges may be attached at different stations or
places.
4thly For the purpose of indicating upon one or more gauges the measurement
or height of liquids in any number of receptacles or places a distributing valve is
eniployed for connecting the indicator, air pump, injector or gas producer to any of
the outlets; each outlet having a pipe leading to the various liquids it is desired to
measure; any number of openings may be employed also a single tap to each pipe
may be used in place of or in addition to the distributing tap but these are not
necessary where only one liquid is to be measured
Having described the above mentioned elements we propose to illustrate their
application. The arrangement for measuring water in a well is as follows: One
end of the pipe is immersed to any desired depth below the water level, to the
other part of the pipe is fitted the apparatus for introducing the pressure and also
a pressure gauge; when pressure has been attained in the pipes equal to the head
of water surrounding the immersed pipe the excess pressure will escape at the end
attached to the gauge and it is evident that the said gauge will accurately indicate
the pressure that is equal to the head of liquid above the pipe that is immersed.
Suppose, for example, that the pipe is immersed 20 feet below the water level the
gauge would indicate a corresponding pressure and any rise or fall of water will
require more or less pressure respectively and indicate the same upon the gauge.
Having once charged the pipe it will continue to indicate the pressure for some
time until by leakage or condensation it again requires charging or if desired, the
apparatus for introducing the air can be attached to any machinery in motion and
thus show continuously the height of the liquid required to be measured; or an air
injector may be used for the same purpose.
Where great exactness is required and the frictional resistance of the air in the
pipe has to be taken into consideration it will be desirable to have the same length
of pipe from the gauge to the liquid as from the liquid to where the pressure is
introduced, this may be done in several ways, for instance, a double pipe may run
about halfway or a coil, consisting of about the same quantity of piping as the
pressure pipe, may be inserted between it and the gauge, thus the frictional
resistance of air in the pipes will be equal to the pressure on the gauge and to the
pressure of the liquid alike
The apparatus may be made in a portable form and connected with India rubber
tubing and it may be employed on board-ship for indicating the quantity of water
in any or all of the holds cisterns, bilges &c; also the draught of water fore & aft
by means of the pipes leading to those particular parts
Where the apparatus is used for rivers, streams, docks &c; the rise and fall of
water may be utilized as a means of introducing the air pressure and the indicator
may be arranged for tracing or marking graphically the varying heights of water
at certain specified times and it may be also, combined with electrical apparatus
either for producing pressure in the pipes or for signalling at considerable
distances.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by, the said John Mottram Smales & Henry John Rogers in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 3rd October 1882.
JOHN MOTTRAM SMALES of St. Pancras Schools Leavesden in the County of
Hertford Engineer and HENRY JOHN ROGERS of 61 High Street Watford in the
County of Hertford Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING
AND INDICATING THE DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS
This Invention relates to improved means and apparatus for measuring and
indicating the depths of liquids, semi-liquids, and fluids in seas, rivers, canals, docks,
locks, mines, wells, reservoirs, tanks, cisterns, vats, cesspools, drains, casks, ships-
holds and other receptacles, such indications being transmitted to any desired
distance.
This Invention is intended to supersede the float and its attachments, also the
pipe and air vessel arrangement, which latter fails to indicate properly if the most
minute quantity of the compressed air should accidentally escape from the pipe.
By means of this apparatus it is proposed to indicate on a gauge or gauges the
quantity of liquid that is contained in one receptacle separately, or in any number
of receptacles together; or the height of water in reservoirs, docks &c. and such
gauges may be placed at any distance from the liquid required to be measured and
irrespective of the difference in the levels of the liquids to each other, and the same
gauge or indicator may be used to determine the heights or quantities of liquids in
any number of receptacles as hereafter explained.
These results are attained by a combination of the following elements: a pipe or
pipes, an apparatus for introducing air or gas pressure, an indicator or gauge, and
a distributing tap or valve with any number of outlets, These arrangements may
be carried out in many different ways for effecting the same purpose, but we
reserve to ourselves the right of adding to them or modifying them as experience
may suggest.
1st A pipe or pipes are used to convey the pressure of air or gas; one end of
the pipe is inserted into the liquid, or into the side, or bottom of the receptaclo
containing the liquid, the other end of the pipe with its sundry branches is con-
nected to the gauge, air or gas apparatus, or to the orifices of the distributing
valve or taps as the case may require, the open end of the pipe may be fitted with
a larger pipe or an air vessel to act as a container for the air.
2nd The apparatus for causing the pressure in the pipes may consist of any
force pump, bellows, diaphragm, blower, fan, centrifugal pump, injector or other
mechanical arrangement for forcing air, and the compressor may be worked by
manual or motive power, or an air-tight receptacle may be used in which gas-
producing chemicals are inserted and which is connected to the pipe leading to the
gauge and to the distributing tap or valve.
1
3rd The gauge or indicator may consist of any pressure-gauge and may be
marked to indicate feet, weight, or measure of capacity; the words "empty,"
"full" or any other indication may be marked thereupon or any signal such as the
ringing of a bell, or striking of a gong may be connected therewith, and it may be
so arranged that the face, or index pointer is adjustable, or a maximum and
minimum index pointer may be used where desirable, syphon gauges may be also
used, and charged with a liquid or fluid of various specific gravities or with the
same kind of liquid which it is desired to measure, but we reserve to ourselves the
right to use the most suitable for the purpose, it being understood that any
number of gauges may be attached to the same pipe at different stations or
places.

page_text: 4th For the purpose of indicating upon one or more gauges and with the same
instrument the measurement or height of liquids in any number of receptacles or
places a distributing valve or tap is employed capable of connecting the gauge or
indicator, air-pump, injector or gas producer to any of the outlets, each outlet
having a pipe leading to the various liquids it is desired to measure, any number
of openings may be employed, also a single tap to each may be used in place of, or
in addition to the distributing tap, but these are not necessary where only one
liquid is to be measured.
Having described the above mentioned apparatus generally we propose to
illustrate its application: the arrangement for measuring the liquid is as follows;
one end of the pipe being immersed or connected to any desired depth below the
liquid level, or attached to the side or bottom of the receptacle containing the
liquid, we fit the other part of the pipe to the apparatus for introducing the
pressure, and also a pressure gauge; When a pressure has been attained in
the pipes equal to the head of liquid surrounding the immersed pipe it will
indicate that pressure accurately on the gauge and it is evident that any excess of
pressure above the bead of liquid will escape at the open end of the pipe and
through the liquid; suppose for example that the pipe is immersed 20 feet below
the water level, the gauge would indicate a corresponding pressure, and any rise
and fall of liquid will require more or less pressure respectively and indicates the
same upon the gauge; having once charged the pipe it will continue to indicate
the pressure for some time until by leakage or condensation it again requires
charging, or if desired the apparatus for introducing the air can be attached to any
machinery in motion and thus show continuously the height of the liquid required
to be ascertained, or an air injector may be used for the same purpose.
Where great exactness is required and the frictional resistance of the air in the
pipes has to be taken into consideration, it will be desirable to have the same
length of pipe from the gauge to the liquid as from the liquid to where the pressure
'is introduced, this may be done in several ways, for instance a double pipe may
run about half way, or a coil consisting of about the same length of piping as the
pressure pipe may be inserted between it and the gauge, by this means the
frictional resistance of the air in the pipes will be equalized.
For measuring several liquids on the same apparatus the working of the
distributing tap is so arranged that by turning an orifice in a plug opposite an
outlet from which a pipe leads to the liquid to be measured, the gauge pressure
apparatus will be placed in communication with that particular pipe through an
opening at the bottom of the plug, and all other openings being shut off by the
same process a pointer on the tap handle will indicate the various outlets that are
required to be placed in communication with each other.
"
*
The apparatus may be made in a portable form with rubber tubing if desired
and it may be used on board ship and. so arranged that it will indicate the quantity
of water in any or all of the holds, cisterns, ballast tanks, or bilges, also the draught
of water fore and aft, by means of pipes leading to those particular parts: Where
the apparatus is used for rivers, streams, docks &c. the rise and fall of water may
be utilized as a means of introducing the air pressure, and the indicator may be
arranged for tracing or marking graphically the various heights of water at certain
specified times and may be combined with electrical apparatus either for working
an apparatus for producing pressure in the pipes or for signalling at great
distances.
This invention may also be used as a portable sounder for measuring depths, by
'dispensing with the air compressor and pipes, and securing the gauge in an air and
water-tight case; for this purpose it is lowered into the liquid by means of a cord
or wire and the pressure will be indicated upon the dial and thus the depth
ascertained, a maximum pointer being preferaby used for this purpose, 'or the
spring tube of the gauge may be filled with a liquid which will 'cause the sounder
to sink more rapidly, the liquid is prevented from 'escaping by means of a flexible
diaphragm.

page_text: Having generally described the objects and working of this apparatus, we will
now proceed to further explain the same by means of the accompanying drawings
where Figures 1. 2. and 3. represent an apparatus for measuring liquids that are
in four different places or receptacles; Figure 1. is a front elevation, E. the gauge
marked in feet; F. the air compressor, G. the distributing tap or valve, 1ª, 2ª,
3, 4 are the pipes leading to the four different liquids that are to be measured;
by placing the pointer H. to any finger on the dial, a particular pipe in connection
with the liquid it is desired to measure is placed in communication with the gauge
and air compressor, and shuts off the other three openings by the same operation,
Figure 2. is a section through A. B. showing the the distributing tap with the orifice
open to No 1. pipe, Figure 3. is a section through C. D. showing one form of air
compressor, Figure 4. shows the same apparatus on a small scale as applied to four
different receptacles, Figure 5. is the apparatus for measuring one or two liquids,
the dotted lines I. show the addition necessary for measuring two liquids.
Having described the nature of the said invention and in what manner the
same may be performed, we claim
1st The apparatus substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings,
for indicating on a manometer or gauge, the height or measurement of one liquid
separately or the height or ineasurement of any number of liquids or semi-liquids
separately or together, with one apparatus, 2nd a combination of the air or gas
compressor with or without the distributing tap or. valve, the pressure being con-
veyed through the pipes to the liquid, and to the gauge or gauges which are placed
in any convenient position for observation and 3rd the application of the apparatus
for the various purposes specified
In witness whereof we the said John Mottram Smales and Henry John
Rogers have hereunto set our hands and seals this thirtieth day of
September in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty
two.
JOHN. 'MOTTRAM. SMALES. (L.S.)
HENRY J ROGERS.
(L.S.)