IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND GAS, APPLICABLE ALSO AS A MOTIVE-POWER ENGINE
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Wright Jones, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING
WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND GAS, APPLICABLE ALSO AS A MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINE"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Wright Jones at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd November 1881.
WRIGHT JONES, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND GAS,
APPLICABLE ALSO AS A MOTIVE POWER ENGINE."
My Invention relates to meters for measuring water and other fluids and gas, and
consists in arrangements whereby I secure greater accuracy of measurement and
economy of construction than hitherto accomplished.
The first part of my Invention consists in the employment of a cylinder provided
with inlet and exit ports. Within the said cylinder are two pistons, capable of
being caused to slide therein by the pressure of the liquid or fluid to be measured ;
these pistons I connect by means of a rod. Within the above named cylinder and
between the beforenamed pistons I mount a lever turning upon a stud carried by
the cylinder, one end of which lever is formed as a jaw so as to act upon a valve,
by which the admission and exit of the water or other fluid to and from the before
named cylinder is controlled.
The other end of the before named lever is provided with projections, against
which the aforesaid pistons act as they traverse to and fro in the cylinder so as to
turn the said lever upon its stud. The aforesaid lever I also provide with inclined
surfaces, against which a bowle or roller is forced by means of a spring when either
of the before named pistons comes in contact with the projections of the aforesaid
lever, the said lever being thereby caused to turn upon its centre, and one of its
inclines acting upon the previously mentioned bowle or roller compresses the before-
named spring; but on a further movement of the said lever, the spring acting upon
the other incline causes a further turning of the lever, thereby effecting a movement
of the valve previously referred to, and thereby causing the pistons to move in an

page_text: Opposite direction unch they again act upon the aforesaid lever and move the
valve.
The aforesaid lever I connect to a registering dial, by which the movement of the
pistons will be recorded.
The second part of my Invention consists in the employment of a cylinder, within
which are two pistons capable of being caused to slide by the pressure of the water
or fluid to be measured.
The aforesaid pistons I connect by means of a part upon which is mounted a
valve for controlling the inlet and exit of the water or other fluid to and from the
said cylinder. Upon the part which connects the two pistons previously referred to
I mount a stud carrying two levers provided with a projecting part which acts
against a double incline forced forward by a spring. To the before named levers I
connect an arm passing between projecting parts upon the previously named valve.
As the pistons pass from one end of the cylinder to the other, one of the above
named levers carried upon the part connecting the previously named pistons is
brought into contact with a stud projecting from the cylinder before referred to, the
said lever being thereby turned upon its centre, and through the medium of the
before named projecting part charges the spring aforesaid, such spring upon a
further movement of the pistons causing the said lever to be still further turned
upon its centre, and through the medium of the above named arm and projecting
stud to act upon the above named valve, and thereby cause the pistons to move in
an opposite direction until they again act upon the valve. The part between and
connecting the above named pistons I form as a box or cavity communicating with
the inlet passage of the meter formed in the circumference of the above named
cylinder-and-between the aforesaid-pistons. Within the part connecting the pistons
aforesaid I form passages communicating with each end of the before named
cylinder, such passages being alternately opened to the inlet and exit passages of
the before named cylinder.
If desired the above arrangements may be employed for obtaining motive power.
In such case I provide a piston-rod passing through a glaud or stuffing-box upon
the end of the cylinder before named, one end of which piston rod above referred
to I connect to the pistons sliding within the above named cylinder, the other end
of such piston-rod being connected to a crank in any usual manner.
A further part of my Invention relates to the cylinders used in meters for
measuring water and other liquids, and consists in casting therein a lining or
coating of metal or alloy not readily corroded by the liquid to be measured, such
lining after being cast being finished by boring, turning, or by other suitable
means.
The next part of my Invention consists in forming the ports or passages of
water-meters without curves or bends, the same being closed by caps attached by
screws, whereby I am enabled to more readily clean such ports or passages should
they become choked or stopped.
A further part of my Invention relates to meters which are especially applicable
to measuring gas or other aëriform fluids. For this purpose I use a chamber which
I partially fill with water, and within the aforesaid chamber, and capable of sliding
therein, I place another vessel closed at the upper end, the lower edges of the said
vessel dipping into the water contained in the previously mentioned chamber, such
vessel aforesaid constituting a piston, such piston being actuated by the action of
the gas in its passage through the meter. Passing through the lower part of the
before named chamber are tubes or openings, such tubes extending upward above
the level of the water contained in the aforesaid chamber, where they are provided
with a valve, which valve when moved in one direction or the other will permit
the gas or other aëriform fluid to flow to or from the exterior or interior of the
before named vessel, which constitutes a piston. To the above named sliding vessel
or piston I connect a rod sliding in guides carried by the above named chamber,
such rod being provided with projecting parts which, as the sliding vessel rises and
falls, come in contact with one end of a bell crank lever carried by a stud attached

page_text: to the tubes above named. The other end of the said bell crank lever passes
between projections formed on the valve referred to for admitting the gas or
other aëriform fluid to or from the interior or exterior of the before named sliding-
piston.
To the before named bell crank lever I connect a projecting part which acts
against a double incline carried by a spring attached to any convenient part. As
the bell crank lever above referred to is turned by the projection upon the pre-
viously mentioned rod, the projecting part of the bell crank lever charges the said
spring with power, and upon the said projecting part of the bell-crank lever having
passed the apex of one of the inclines before named, the other incline will produce
a further turning of the said bell-crank lever, thereby moving the valve for con-
trolling the inlet and exit of the gas or other aëriform fluid.
In place of the sliding vessel and water into which it dips, as above described,
for measuring the gas or other aëriform fluid, I propose in some cases to use a
diaphragm composed of any suitable material. To the said diaphragm I attach a
rod sliding upon a guide carried by the above-named chamber for actuating the
valve in the manner above described in reference to the wet gas meter.
The above described sliding vessel or diaphragm I cause to act upon any suitable
registering apparatus for recording the amount of gas or other aëriform fluid passing
through the aforesaid meter.
A further part of my Invention refers to valves used in meters of the construction
above described for measuring water or other fluids and gas, and consists in the use
of a valve revolving or partially rotating in contact with a face, such face being
provided with openings for the inlet and exit of the liquid or fluid to be measured.
The said valve I form circular, and divide the surface in contact with the before
named face into recesses or chambers, such chambers alternately receiving the water
or other fluid on its passage to and from the measuring chamber or chambers. The
above described valve having its inner surface exposed to the liquid flowing to and
from the meter, and its outer surface to the fluid contained within the meter, is
nearly in equilibrium, and consequently requires little power for working.
A further part of my Invention consists in the use of asbestos for forming the
diaphragms used in gas meters for measuring and regulating the pressure of the gas
in its passage through such metres. The asbestos to be used for the above purpose
I propose to form into sheets of suitable shape or form.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Wright Jones in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd May
1882.
WRIGHT JONES, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND GAS,
APPLICABLE ALSO AS A MOTIVE POWER-ENGINE."
My Invention relates to meters for measuring water and other fluids and gas, and
consists in arrangements whereby I secure greater accuracy of measurement and
economy of construction than hitherto accomplished.
The first part of my Invention consists in the employment of a cylinder provided
with inlet and exit ports; within the said cylinder are two pistons capable of
being caused to slide therein by the pressure of the liquid or fluid to be measured.
These pistons I connect by means of a rod. Within the above named cylinder
and between the before named pistons I'mount a lever turning upon a stud carried
by the cylinder, one end of which lever is formed as a jaw so as to act upon a
valve by which the admission and exit of the water or other fluid to and from the
before named cylinder is controlled.
The other end of_the_before-named-lever-is-provided-with-projections against
which the aforesaid pistons act as they traverse to and fro in the cylinder so as to
turn the said lever upon its stud. The aforesaid lever I also provide with inclined
surfaces against which a bowl or roller is forced by means of a spring when either
of the before-named pistons comes in contact with the projections of the aforesaid
lever, the said lever being caused to turn upon its centre, and one of its inclines
acting upon the previously mentioned bowl or roller compresses the before-named
spring, but on a further movement of the said lever the spring acting upon the
other incline causes a further turning of the lever, thereby effecting a movement of
the valve previously referred to, and thereby causing the pistons to move in an
opposite direction until they again act upon the aforesaid lever and move the
valve.
The aforesaid lever I connect to a registering dial by which the movement of
the pistons will be recorded.
The second part of my Invention consists in the employment of a cylinder,
within which are two pistons capable of being caused to slide by the pressure of
the water or fluid to be measured.
The aforesaid pistons I connect by means of a part, upon which is mounted a
valve for controlling the inlet and exit of the water or other fluid to and from the
said cylinder. Upon the part which connects the two pistons previously referred
to I mount a stud carrying two levers provided with a projecting part which acts
against a double incline forced forward by a spring. To the before named levers I
connect an arm passing between projecting parts upon the previously named valve.
As the pistons pass from one end of the cylinder to the other one of the above
named levers carried upon the part connecting the previously-named pistons is
brought into contact with a stud projecting from the cylinder before referred to,
the said lever being thereby turned upon its centre, and through the medium of
the before nained projecting part charges the spring aforesaid, such spring upon a
further movement of the pistons causing the said lever to be still further turned
upon its centre, and through the medium of the above named arm and projecting
stud to act upon the above named valve, and thereby cause the pistons to move in
an opposite direction until they again act upon the valve. The part between and
connecting the above named pistons I form as a box or cavity communicating

page_text: with the inlet passage of the meter formed in the circumference of the above
named cylinder and between the aforesaid pistons. Within the part connecting
the pistons aforesaid I form passages communicating with each end of the before
named cylinder, such passages being alternately opened to the inlet and exit
passages of the before named cylinder.
If desired the above-named arrangements may be employed for obtaining motive
power, in such case I provide a piston-rod passing through a gland or stuffing box
upon the end of the cylinder before named, one end of which piston-rod above-
referred to I connect to the pistons sliding within the above named cylinder, the
other end of such piston-rod being connected to a crank in any usual manner.
The next part of my Invention consists in forming the ports or passages of
water-meters without curves or bends, the same being closed by caps attached by
screws, whereby I am enabled to more readily clean such ports or passages should
they become choked or stopped.
A further part of my Invention relates to meters which are especially applicable
to measuring gas or other aëriform fluids. For this purpose I use a chamber
which I partially fill with water, and within the aforesaid chamber and capable of
sliding therein I place another vessel closed at the upper end, the lower edges of
the said vessel dipping into the water contained in, the previously mentioned
chamber, such vessel aforesaid constituting a piston, such piston being actuated by
the action of the gas in its passage through the ineter. Passing through the lower
part of the before-named chamber are tubes or openings, such tubes extending
upward above the level of the water contained in the aforesaid chamber, where
they are provided with a valve, which valve when moved in one direction or the
other will permit the gas or other aëriform fluid to flow to or from the exterior or
interior of the before named vessel which constitutes a piston. To the above-
named sliding vessel or piston I connect a rod sliding in guides carried by the
above named chamber, such rod being provided with projecting parts which as the
sliding vessel rises and falls come in contact with one end of a bell-crank-lever
carried by a stud attached to the tubes above named. The other end of the said
bell-crank-lever passes between projections forined on the valve above referred to
for admitting the gas or other aëriform fluid to or from the interior or exterior of
the before-named sliding piston. To the before nained bell-crank-lever I connect
a projecting part which acts against a double incline carried by a spring attached
to any convenient part. As the bell-crank-lever above referred to is turned by
the projection upon the previously mentioned rod, the projecting part of the bell-
crank-lever charges the said spring with power, and upon the said projecting part
of the bell-crank-lever having passed the apex of one of the inclines before-named
the other incline will produce a further turning of the said bell-crank lever,
thereby moving the valve for controlling the inlet and exit of the gas or other
aëriforin fluid.
In place of the sliding vessel and water into which it dips, as above described,
for measuring the gas or other aëriform fluid, I propose in some cases to use a
diaphragm composed of any suitable material. To the said diaphragm I attach a
rod sliding upon a guide carried by the above named chamber for actuating the
valve in the manner above described in reference to the wet gas meter.
The above described sliding vessel or diaphragın I cause to act upon any suitable
registering apparatus for recording the amount of gas or other aëriform fluid passing
through the aforesaid meter.
A further part of my Invention refers to valves used in meters of the construction
above described for measuring water or other fluids and gas, and consists in the
use of a valve revolving or partially rotating in contact with a face, such face being
provided with openings for the inlet and exit of the liquid or fluid to be
measured. The said valve I forin circular, and divide the surface in contact with
the before named face into recesses or chambers, such chambers alternately
receiving the water or other fluid on its passage to and from the measuring chamber
or chambers. The above described valve having its inner surface exposed to the

page_text: liquid flowing to and from the meter and its outer surface to the fluid contained
within the ineter is nearly in equilibrium, and consequently requires little power
for working.
A further part of my Invention consists in the use of asbestos for forming the
diaphragms used in gas meters for measuring and regulating the pressure of the
gas in its passage through such meters. The asbestos to be used for the above
purpose I propose to form into sheets of suitable shape or form.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood and more readily
carried into effect, I will now proceed to describe the same, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawings.
Fig. 1 being a vertical longitudinal section of a meter constructed according to
the first part of my Invention, Fig. 2 being a cross section taken on the line A, B,
at right angles to Fig. 1. At 1 is a cylinder which for convenience of construction
is formed of two portions C, D; secured by bolts or in any other convenient
manner to a central part E. Within the cylinder 1 are two pistons 2, 3, capable
of being slidden to and fro within the cylinder 1. The circumference of the said
pistons being provided with any suitable packing. The two pistons 2, 3, I connect
by means of a part 4.
In one portion of the cylinder 11 form a port or passage 5, opening at one
end 5 into the cylinder 1, the other end 5** communicating with an opening
or port 6 formed within the part E. At 7 is another opening or port opening
at 7* into the interior of the cylinder 1, its other end 7** communicating with a
port or passage 8 formed within the part E; within the part E is formed a port 9.
Upon the surface 10 of the part E is formed a face upon which is a slide
valve 11 mounted, capable of being slidden across-the-ports-6,-9,-8,-as-will-here--
after be pointed out. Formed upon the part E are two brackets 12, 13, supporting
the end of an axle 14 capable of being oscillated therein; upon the axle 14 is
formed a projecting part 15, passing between projecting parts formed upon the
back of the valve 11. Upon the axle 14 are formed two inclines 16, 17, meeting
at the point 18. The inclines 16, 17, are provided with projections 16*, 17*, the
purpose of which I shall hereafter explain. At 19 is a piston capable of being
slidden within an opening which acts as a guide for the said piston, such opening
being formed within a projecting part 20 formed upon the part E; within the
opening is a coiled spring 21 which tends to force the piston 19 in the direction of
the arrow a. The piston 19 is provided with a bowl or roller 19*, which acts
periodically upon the inclines 16, 17. In the position of the parts, as shewn, the
Buid to be measured enters the meter by the passage 21*, and filling the cylinder
between the two pistons 2, 3, and passing along the port or passage 7 presses
against the surface 3* of the piston 3, which will be thereby forced along with the
piston 2 in the direction of the arrow b. Assuming that the interior of the
cylinder 1 was previously filled with fluid, the movement of the piston 2 in the
direction of the arrow b will cause such of the fluid as is in advance of the piston 2
to be expelled through the port 5, then through the port 6 into the cavity 11*
formed within the interior of the valve 11, from which it passes into the eduction
port 9, thence into the pipe 9×; a continued movement of the pistons 2, 3, in the
direction of the arrow b will cause a part 4* of the frame 4 connecting the two
pistons 2, 3, to arrive in contact with the projecting part 16* upon the incline 10,
thereby causing the inclines 16, 17, and part 15 to turn in the direction of arrow c,
which will cause the spring 19 to be compressed until the point 18 of the
inclines 16, 17, passes beneath the bowl 19*, when the bowl being forced forward
by the spring 21 acting upon the incline 16 will cause a further turning of the
inclines 16, 17, in the direction of the arrow c, and the part 15 acting against the
projection formed upon the valve 11 will traverse the valve 11 so as to open the
port 6 to the space between the two pistons 2, 3, and bring the cavity 11* of the
valve into communication with the ports 7, 8, and eduction port 9; the fluid will
now act against the surface 2× of the piston 2, and thereby causing it and the
piston 3 to move in an opposite direction to the arrow b, the fiuid which had

page_text: previously filled the part 1 of the cylinder 1 will be expelled by the piston 3
through the ports 7 and eduction port 9. The pistons 2, 3, will continue to move
in a direction contrary to that of the arrow b until the part 4** of the frame 4
arrives in contact with the projection 17* formed upon the incline 17, and turning
the incline in a direction opposite to that previously described will compress the
spring 19 until the apex 18 of the incline 17 arrives beneath the bowl 19*, when
the spring 21 will traverse the valve 11 into the position shown in the Drawings.
The axle 14, or any other suitable part, I cause to act upon a registering dial in
any convenient manner, as will be readily understood, by which the movements of
the pistons 2, 3, will be recorded.
The second part of my Invention is shewn by Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 3 is a
vertical side view partly in section; Fig. 4 is a plan of Fig. 3, also partly in
section and Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line F, G, of Fig. 3. At 23 is
a cylinder closed at its ends by the covers 24, 25, within which cylinder, and
capable of being slidden longitudinally therein, are two pistons 26, 27, connected
together by a part 28, shewn detached in Fig. 6. Within the part 28 is formed a
passage 29 communicating at one end 29* with the part 23* of the interior of the
cylinder 23 and at its other end with a port 30. Within the part 28 is another
passage 31 communicating at one end 31* with the part 23** of the interior of
the cylinder 23, and at its other end with a port 32. Above the ports 30, 32, is
mounted a circular valve 33 capable of being rotated upon a stud 34 secured to
the part 29. Within the underside of the valve 33 are formed cavities separated
by a rib or bar 33*, shown more clearly in the detached view, Fig. 6, in which the
valve is shewn in horizontal section taken on the line H, J, of Figs. 3 and 5. But
as this valve forms a distinct portion of my Invention I shall subsequently more
particularly describe the same. At 35 is an axle, one end thereof being supported
by the part 28, the other end of the said axle being carried by a bar 36 extending
between and attached to the two pistons 26, 27. Fast with the axle 35 are two
inclines or arms 37, 38; also attached to the axle 35 is an arm 39, its outer end 39*
being provided with a stud 40 projecting above the valve 33. Fast upon and
standing up from the valve 33 are two pins 41, 42, against which the stud 40
acts alternately as will hereafter be pointed out. Projecting from the inclines 37, 38,
is an arm 43 carrying a bowl or roller 43* against which presses a spring 44
attached to the pistons 26, 27, the said spring being shaped so as to form two
inclines 45, 40, joined at their apexes. The action of the parts is as follows:-Tho
fluid to be measured enters by the pipe 47 filling the space between the two
pistons 26, 27, and through an opening 48 formed in the part 28 passes into one
of the cavities e formed within the valve 33, from which it passes through the
passage 30 into one end 23* of the cylinder 23, and acting against the surface 27*
of the piston 27 forces the piston 27, part 28, and piston 26 in the direction of the
arrow d; a continued movement of the pistons 26, 27, in this direction will cause
the incline 37 to arrive in contact with the end 49* of a projecting stud 49 secured
to the cylinder 23; and a further movement of the pistons 26, 27, in the same
direction will cause the incline 37 to be turned upon the axle 35, such movement
causing the bowl 43* to pass along the incline 45 and depress the spring 44
until the bowl 43* has arrived opposite the apexes of the inclines 45, 46, but upon
passing beyond that point the force exerted by the now charged spring 44 will by
ineans of the ineline 46 cause a further turning of the arm 43 which will cause the
stud 40 to act against the pin 41 upon the valve 33, and thereby partially rotate
the valve 33 upon the stud 34 until the cross bars 33* thereof occupy a position
at right angles to that shewn in the Drawing. Assuming that the part 23** of
the interior of the cylinder 23 in advance of the piston 26 was filled with fluid, the
movement of the piston 26 in the direction above described would have expelled
such fluid through a passage 31 formed within the part 28 (such passage 31
communicating at one end with the interior of the cylinder 23 and at its other end
with a port 32), and through the cavity formed within the valve 33, then through
a port 50 leading into a chamber formed within the part 28, the edges of the

page_text: sides 28*, 28**, of the said chamber forming along with a portion of the circum-
ferences of the pistons 26, 27, a cavity 51, one side thereof being closed by a
portion of the inner circumference of the cylinder 23. The cavity 51 is in
communication with an opening 52, forming the eduction passage of the meter;
and in order to prevent fluid passing the edges 28*, 28**, of the cavity 51, I form
a groove 52 around the cavity in which I place a suitable packing. Upon the end
of the pipe 52** I affix a collar 52***, such collar acting as a guide to retain the
part 28 and pistons 26, 27, in working position. As soon as the valve 33 has
become turned into the position at right angles to that shown in the Drawing,
the fluid passing by the opening 48 into the cavity f of the valve 33 will be
directed by the port 32 into the passage 31 and between the end 25 of the
cylinder 23 and the surface 26* of the piston 26, thereby causing the piston 26 to
be slidden in a direction opposite to that of the arrow d, such sliding of the
piston 26 will cause the piston 27 to expel the fluid from the end 23* of the
cylinder 23 by the passage 29, port 30, into the cavity e of, the valve 33, then
through the port 50 into the chamber 51, and then through the eduction
pipe 52**. The aforesaid traversing of the piston 26 will cause the end of the
incline 38, which has now become elevated to arrive in contact with the stud 49,
and a continued traversing of the pistons 26, 27, will cause the axle 35 to be
partially rotated, thereby causing the bowl 43* to act upon the incline 46 and
depress the spring 44 until the bowl 43* has passed the apexes of the inclines 45, 46,
when the spring 44 will by means of the incline 45 carry the levers 43, 39, and
inclines 37, 38, into the position shewn in the Drawing. The stud 40 projecting
from the arm 39 acting against the pin 42 standing up from the valve 33 will
partially rotate the said valve and place it in the position shown in the Drawing,
when the pistons 26, 27, will again commence to travel in the direction of the
arrow d, as previously described.
The axle 35 or any other suitable part I cause to act upon a registering dial in
any convenient manner, as will be readily understood, by which the movements of
the pistons 26, 27, will be recorded. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate another method
by which I obtain a partial rotation of the valve by which the fluid is admitted to
aud allowed to escape from the meter; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal elevation partly in
section; Fig. 8, a plan, also partly in section; and Fig. 9, a cross section of Fig. 7
taken upon the line K, L, of Fig. 7. As some of the parts are similar to those
previously described in reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, I shall affix thereto similar
letters of reference. At 28 is the part attached to the pistons 26, 27, upon which
is mounted the valve 33 loosely, through the centre of which passes a spindle 54
having formed upon its upper end a cross piece 55, upon the ends of which are
bowls or rollers 56, 57, supported upon circular inclines 58, 59, concentric with the
valve 33. Extending downward from the part 28 are arms 60 provided with a
cross bar 60*, to which is attached one end of a coiled spring 61, the other end
thereof being attached to the spindle 54; within the spindle 54 is formed an
aperture, into which passes a rod 62 having at its upper end a cross bar 63, one
end of which is formed as a fork 64 which embraces a stud 65 projecting into the
interior of the cylinder 23, the other end 63* of the cross bar 63 is bent downward
so as to be in the path of the cross bar 55. In the position of the parts, as shewn,
the valve is admitting fluid to the right hand end of the cylinder 23, which fluid
will cause the piston 26 to move in the direction of the arrow m; such motion
will, by means of the stud 65, cause the cross bar 63 to be partially rotated upon
its fulcruin 62 in the direction of the arrow N; and the part 63*, acting against
the cross bar 55, will also rotate it in the same direction, and thereby cause the
bowls 56, 57, to move along the circular inclines 58, 59, and so raising up the
spindle 54, thereby extending the spring 61; a continued movement of the piston 26
will cause the bowls 56, 57, to arrive at the highest points of the inclines 58, 59,
and a still further movement of the pistons 26, 27, will carry the bowls 56, 57,
past the highest points of the inclines 58, 59; the extended spring 61
drawing down the spindle 5+ will cause the cross bar 55 to be further rotated

page_text: in the direction of the arrow n, which will bring it in contact with the face
of the incline 66, standing up upon the back of the valve 33 (shown more
clearly in Figs. 9, 10, and 11). The cross bar 55 acts against the incline 66,
thereby causing the valve 33 to be partially rotated in the direction of the arrow n,
until it occupies a position at right angles, or nearly so, to that shown in the
Drawings. The valve 33 I prevent from rotating beyond a certain distance by a
pin 67 projecting from the part carrying the incline 59, against which pin the
back of the incline 66 arrives when the valve 33 is being rotated in the direction
of the arrow n. The rotation of the valve 33 into a position at right angles to
that shown will cause the liquid flowing into the meter to act upon the surface 27*
of the piston 27, which will cause the pistons 27, 26, to move in a direction
opposite to that of the arrow m; such motion will cause the forked bar 63 and
part 63x to be turned in a direction opposite to that of the arrow n, and arrive
against the cross bar 55, which it will turn in a direction opposite to that of the
arrow n until the bowls 56, 57, arrive at the apexes of the inclines 58, 59, when
the spring 61, again drawing down the spindle 54 and cross bar 55 by means of
the fixed inclines 58, 59, and incline 68 upon the back of the valve 33, will bring
the valve 33 into the position shewn in the Drawing, when the pistons 26, 27, will
again move in the direction of the arrow m.
The pistons, or any other suitable part, I cause to act upon a registering dial in
any convenient manner, as will be readily understood, by which the movements
thereof will be recorded.
If desired, the above described arrangements of apparatus may be used for the
purpose of obtaining motive power from water or other fluid, in which case a
piston rod (indicated by dotted lines P in Figs. 1, 3, and 7) secured to the pistons
and passing through a suitable stuffing box may be caused by means of a con-
necting rod and crank or equivalent apparatus to impart rotatory motion to a shaft,
as will be readily understood, or may act directly upon a pump.
The next part of my Invention consists in forming all the passages in water or
other fluid ineters through which the fluid passes in its passage through the
meter without curves, so that they may be readily cleansed, such passages where
they have to be closed at one end are there provided with a plate or cover, as at 70,
Figs. 1 and 2, such plate being retained in position by screws or bolts, or they may
be stopped by screwed plugs, as shown at 71, 72, Fig. 1. Upon the removal of
such plates or plugs the above described passages may be readily cleansed.
A further part of my Invention relates to meters which are especially applicable
to measuring gas or other aëriform fluids, and is illustrated by Figs. 12, 13.
Fig. 12 being an elevation partly in section, and Fig. 13 a plan thereof. At 73 is
a chamber which I partly fill with water up to the part indicated by the lines O, P,
within which is a chamber 74 capable of being slidden vertically therein and closed
at its upper end, the lower edges thereof dipping into the water 75, such vessel 74
constituting a piston; passing through the chamber 73 are tubes 76, 77, 78,
provided at their upper ends with a part 79, upon which is placed a valve 80
capable of being freely rotated upon a stud 81. To the chamber 74 is attached a
tube 82 sliding upon a vertical rod 83 secured to the chamber 73. Upon this tube
are projecting studs 84, 85. Upon the pipe 77 is a stud 86, upon which and capable
of being rotated thereon is a bell-crank lever 87, a projecting pin 88 from one of its
ends projecting over the valve 80. At 76 is the pipe for supplying gas to the meter,
which gas in the position of the parts as shewn passes up the pipe 76 into a cavity Q
formed in the valve 80 (this valve 80 being similar in construction to the valve 33
in Figs. 3 to 11 inclusive) which communicates with an opening 89 formed in the
valve seating, from which descends a pipe 77, an extended part 77* of which
communicates with the interior of the chamber 73, the gas presses upon the outer
surface of the chamber 74, and the gas with which the interior of the chamber 74 has
been previously filled will pass out through an opening 90 formed through the valve
seating 79, and will pass into a cavity R formed in the interior of the valve 80, from
which it passes into the pipe 76, an extension 76* of which passes into a chamber 91

page_text: formed upon the top of the chamber 73. The descent of the chamber 74 will
cause the stud 84 to arrive in contact with the end 87* of the bell crank lever 87,
and cause it to turn over in the direction of the arrow S. Upon the bottom of
the chamber 74 I mount a spring 93, upon the upper end of which is attached a
part 94 formed with two inclined surfaces 95, 96, see enlarged detached view,
Fig. 12. Upon the arm 87* of the bell crank lever 87 is a part 97 formed with
two inclines 98, 99, against which the inclines 95, 96, upon the spring 93 act
as follows: As the bell crank lever 87 is turned in the direction of the
arrow S, the inclines 98, 96, force back the spring in the direction of the arrow V
until their apexes arrive in contact, and upon a still further movement of the bell
crank lever 87, the incline 95 upon the spring will cause a further turning of the
bell crank lever 87 in the direction of the arrow S, thereby causing the pin 88 to
act against the pin 92 projecting from the valve 80, and so rotating the valve 80
in the direction of the arrow t into a position at right angles, or nearly so, to that
shown in the Drawing, which movement will have caused the cavity R of the
valve to bring the pipe 76 into communication with the pipe 77, and the pipe 76
will communicate with the opening 90 when the gas will be supplied to the
interior of the chamber 74, which will then be caused to ascend, thereby forcing
the gas which had previously been fed to the interior of the chamber 73 down the
continuation 77* of the pipe 77, up the pipe 77 into the cavity R formed in the
valve 80, thence down the pipe 76, and from which it will pass to the chamber 91;
frem which chamber it may be conducted to be used for any desired purpose.
The upward movement of the cylinder 74, which will bring the pin 85 against the
bell crank lever 87, thereby causing it to be turned into the position shown in the
Drawing, and the-stud-88-acting-against-the-pin-92* again places the valve 80 into
-position for supply gas to the outside of the chamber 74. In place of the sliding
vessel 74 and water into which it dips, as above described, for measuring the gas
or other aëriform fluid, I propose in some cases to use a diaphragm composed of
any suitable material, and this part of my Invention is shown by Fig. 14; at 73 is
the outer casing of the metre to which the circumference of a diaphragm 100 is
attached in any suitable manner; to the centre of the diaphragm is secured a
rod 82, the upper end of the rod 82 being provided with discs 82*, by which it is
secured to the said diaphragm 100. As the arrangements of the pipes and the
action of the valve are similar to those previously described, the diaphragm 100
replacing the sliding chamber 74, no further description thereof will be requisite,
and that they may be more readily understood I apply similar letters of reference
to parts corresponding to those of Figs. 12, 13. The above described sliding vessel
or diaphragm I cause to act upon any suitable registering apparatus for recording
the amount of gas or other aĕriform fluid passing through the aforesaid metre.
A further part of my Invention consists in the use of asbestos for forming the
diaphragms used in gas meters for measuring and regulating the pressure of the
gas in its passage through such meters. The asbestos to be used for the above
purpose I propose to form into sheets of suitable shape or form, or I form the
diaphragm of leather or other suitable material, and coat it with asbestos applied
thereto in any convenient and suitable manner.
A further part of my Invention refers to valves used in meters for measuring
water or other fluids and gas, and consists in the use of a valve revolving or
partially rotating in contact with a surface, and is illustrated by Figs. 15, 16, and
17, of which Fig. 15 is a plan, and Fig. 16 a side view thereof, and Fig. 17 a view
looking at the valve from below.
At 101 is the surface upon which the valve 102 rotates, such face being provided
with openings w, x, y, z, formed therein for the inlet or exit of the liquid or fluid;
within the valve 102 are formed recesses or chambers 103, 104; in the position
shown, the liquid is flowing into the cavity 104 through the opening w, and from
thence into the meter (through the opening a) to be measured, while at the same time
the fluid which which has been measured flows into the cavity 103 by the opening y,
and from thence through the opening ; but upon partially rotating the valve so

page_text: as to bring it into the position shown in Fig. 18, the fluid will enter the cavity 104
from the opening w, from which it will pass through the opening into the meter
to be measured, and the liquid which has been measured will pass simultaneously
into the cavity 103 by the opening y and escape therefrom by the opening ..
Upon reference to Figs. 3 to 14 inclusive it will be seen that the outside surface
of the valve is exposed to the pressure of the water or other fluid flowing into
the meter, while the interior of the cavities are subject to almost the same pressure,
the valve therefore being nearly in a state of equilibrium, the pressure exerted by
the fluid to press the valve against the surface upon which it rotates being
counterbalanced to a great extent by the pressure of the fluid passing through the
cavities formed within the valve.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood that I
claim as secured to me under the above in part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. In meters for measuring water or other fluids provided with two pistons
connected together, placing the valve by which the movements of such pistons are
controlled between the aforesaid pistons, such pistons actuating the said valve by
means of a spring, substantially as shown and described.
Secondly. Mounting the valves of meters for measuring the water and other
fluids upon a part traversed to and fro by the pistons of such meters, thereby
dispensing with the usual thoroughfares formed upon the cylinders, within which
the aforesaid pistons traverse, substantially as described and shown in reference to
Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive.
Thirdly. Forming the diaphragms used in meters for measuring gas or other
aëriform fluids of asbestos, such asbestos being shaped into suitable form in any
convenient manner.
Fourthly. In meters for measuring water and other fluids and gas, the use of a
valve constructed, substantially as described and shown in reference to Figs. 3 to 18
inclusive.
Fifthly. The construction of meters for measuring aëriform fluids and gas,
substantially as described and shewn in reference to Figs. 12, 13, and 14.
In witness whereof, I, the said Wright Jones, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
WRIGHT JONES. (L.S.)