Improvements in Water Meters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1891-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Meters.
Italy,
I, EDWARD SCHINZEL, Mechanician, Vico della Cupa Chiaja of Naples,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement —
My invention relates to that class of water meters, in which the quantity of water
is indicated by the number of revolutions of a fan or paddle wheel, and which are
known as inferential water meters.
In the following description reference will be made to the accompanying
drawings, Figs. 1 to 3, which represent a water meter embodying my improvements,
Fig. 1 being an elevation of the inner part comprising the wheel and counting
mechanism, while Fig. 2 is a plan of the outer part or casing, and Fig. 3 a horizontal
section along line of.Fig. 1.
The improved water meter consists of two principal parts which may be detached
from each other, namely the inner part chiefly composed of the counting mechanism
and the fan or paddle wheel, and the outer part or paddle wheel casing. The
counting mechanism A. is separated from the fan by a water tight partition C, shown
in Fig. 2. On the underside of the partition C are formed 3 or more, but
preferably 6 or 8 radial compartments D, situated above the paddle wheel, as shown
by Fig. 3.
These compartments D (or the partitions between the same) have the object, to
oppose to the water at the upper edge of the vanes or paddles of the wheel B such
a resistance, that the water cannot flow through the meter without turning the
wheel B, and consequently not without being measured.
The new water meter is thus designed, to measure equally well the largest and
the smallest quantities of water, so that not even the minutest quantity may pass
through unmeasured.
To the sides of the disc Care secured posts E and F, the former serving to
support the plate G which contains the upper bearings of the counting mechanism,
while the posts F support the lower plate H, which holds the step bearing J for the
fan spindle or paddle wheel shaft K.
The dise C contains the lower bearings for the axles of the counting mechanism
and carries also a cylinder or sleeve for guiding the main shaft and keeping it
water tight.
The two bearing plates G and H, as well as the tooth wheels of the counting
mechanism, are made of celluloid, in order to ensure the smooth and easy working
of the entire apparatus
The lower journal or pivot L of the main shaft K (preferably made of phosphor
bronze) consists of ebonite or hard india-rubber and runs in a cup or plate of
By using this polished
polished stone which rests on the bearing plate H.
stone-cup as a bearing for the ebonite journal 1, the wear of the latter is reduced
to a minimum.
The paddle wheel casing M, shown by Fig. 2 is so constructed, that the wheel B
fits exactly into the same, that the posts E enter corresponding recesses of the
paddle wheel casing, and that the upper part of the disc C closes the paddle wheel
5 casing at the top, while the partitions between the compartments D project into
the interior of the paddle wheel casing.
As shown by Fig. 2, the openings N and O for the inlet and outlet of the water,
are placed close together, so that the water in the meter is forced to make alınost
a complete circuit, or to describe almost a complete circle, before it leaves the
O water meter.

page_text: This improvement likewise contributes to attain an accuracy of measurement,
which has not hitherto been reached in, inferential water meters..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In a water meter having the water outlet of the paddle wheel chamber at the
circumference of the same, a group or series of 3 or more compartments, situated
above the fan or paddle wheel, and arranged radially around the axle of the same,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
2. In water meters, a paddle wheel casing M having a water inlet N and
outlet placed close together, so that the water to be measured is forced to
describe in the meter almost a complete circle, substantially as described.
3. A water meter, in which the tooth wheels of the counting mechanism (A),
as well as the bearing plates (G and H) are made of celluloid, substantially as
described.
4. In a water meter, a fan spindle or paddle wheel shaft (K) provided at its
lower extremity with a pivot (L) made of hard rubber, in combination with a
polished stone cup J on which runs the said pivot, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of June 1891.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents for the Applicant..