IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO HYDRAULIC PUMPS, AND TO APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Brierley Denham Healey, of Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID
METERS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO HYDRAULIC PUMPS, AND TO APPARATUS FOR
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Brierley Denham Healey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th May 1881.
BRIERLEY DENHAM HEALEY, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO HYDRAULIC
PUMPS, AND TO APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER."
This Invention has reference to a new arrangement of apparatus for actuating
the valves of fluid meters, hydraulic pumps, or water power engines, by the pressure
of the fluid, and without the aid of the usual piston rods, tappets, or tumblers, as
at present generally used.
The combination allows of a great reduction in the space occupied by the
complete apparatus, and the number of different parts is also very much less,
whilst maintaining a large measuring capacity of cylinder.
And in order that this Invention may be understood, I will now describe it with
reference to the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and the best manner I
am acquainted with of carrying it into effect.
On Sheet 1, Figure 1 is an elevation of the front of the meter, and Figure 2 is a
vertical section through the measuring cylinder and main valve. On Sheet 2,
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation through the valve box, and Figure 4 is an
horizontal section across the centre of the valves and cylinder.
Where it is desirable to limit the space required for the meter to a minimum,
two pistons are placed within the measuring cylinder, as shewn on Figure 2, the
space within the main piston being utilized by a secondary piston. Where however
the space occupied is not so much an object the main piston is closed with a disc
in or about the centre of its length, and the secondary piston is not then used.
In the Drawings referred to the measuring cylinder 1 is shewn set vertically,
and containing a main piston 3 with its secondary piston 2, but it is obvious that
[Price 6d1

page_text: similar apparatus may be sot horizontally. The outside of the main piston has
three projections or slight flanges, one at each end and one in the centre of its
length, and this feature is the same whether only one piston is used or both.
Between the said projections or flanges recesses are formed, and in each of these
recesses an india rubber roller ring is stretched round the piston before it is forced
into the cylinder. The space between these roller rings is always open to the
escape passage, and as either of the rings approaches the centre of cylinder 1 it
uncovers a port which admits pressure water to one end of the change valve; the
other end of change valve being open to the exhaust, the whole apparatus is
reversed as more fully described below.
Figure 2 shews the pistons at the bottom end of the measuring cylinder 1, the
upper end being full of pressure water; the roller ring 4 has just uncovered the
port 5 and admitted water to the passage 0, shewn in dotted lines on Figures 2
and 3. The change valve 7 was then forced down to the position shewn on
Figure 3, the double valve 8 admitted pressure water to the lower end of the
main valve 9, and the latter has been lifted to the position indicated. The port
10 being now uncovered the pressure water flows to the bottom of the measuring
cylinder, and the measured water from the top end passes through the port 11 to
the outlet passage 12.
The secondary piston 2 having only one india rubber roller ring 16, it moves
more quickly in commencing its stroke than the main piston 3 with the two roller
rings 4, but on coming in contact with the end stops 21 of main piston, both pistons
travel together during the latter part of the stroke. The flanges 17 of piston 2
are movable, and are passed through the slots 18 after the roller ring 16 has been
put over its piston.
The pressure water enters the valve box at 13, the central portion of both
valve chambers being under pressure communicated by the passage 14. As the
pistons approach the top end of the measuring cylinder 1 the valves will be again
reversed, and the fluid will flow with regularity and certainty so long as the outlet
is open, provided not less than a head of 3 feet of water is maintained in the
supply pipe.
The piston valves of the main and change valves have small india rubber roller
rings in suitable recesses towards each extremity, and the diameter of these rollers
is such that they revolve about once during each stroke of the valve to which they
are attached. The roller rings for main piston require to be larger in proportion
to the diameter of the cylinder than the rings 16 on secondary piston, so as to
ensure the proper covering of the grating to change valve ports 5.
The measuring cylinder and circular chambers for valve pistons may be lined
with brass in the usual manner or may be unlined, but when unlined I place brass
or gun metal gratings at entrances to ports 5, instead of simply boring holes in
casing when lined. The holes in these gratings or casings require to be carefully
made, so as not to cut the roller rings or allow them to "slip" over the ports.
The pistons and valve pistons are preferred of vulcanite, a material long used for
similar purposes, but brass may be used for any of these, and for the valve pistons,
the cores may be filled with any suitable buoyant inaterial when made of brass.
All the pistons beat upon india rubber cushions suitably attached to the ends of
the valve chambers and the covers of measuring cylinders.
The inlets 20 are put in the centre of cylinder covers to prevent the inflow of
water from drifting the pistons sideways. All the ports and passages being large
and free from sudden bends they allow of a maximum flow of water.
The index gearing and attachments to the same may be of any well known or
convenient kind. These are indicated on Figures 1 and 4 as being worked by
means of a lever 19, which is moved by one of the valves, the lever passing into
suitable slots in rods which pass up to the index ratchet wheels.
The new arrangements of apparatus for actuating the valves above referred to,
although described and shewn as applied to water or fluid meters only, are however
equally applicable to hydraulic pumps and water power engines. When applied to

page_text: the latter purposes a piston rod is attached to one end of the main piston, having
a stuffing box in one of the cylinder covers, and the power is then applied in any
convenient manner.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with of performing the same, I
wish it to be understood that I do not claim any of the well-known parts of the
machinery which are shewn for the purpose of illustrating my present improvements,
but what I believe to be novel and original and claim as my Invention is,-
-
First. The construction of a piston having two roller rings so arranged as to pass
part of the pressure water for actuating the valves of fluid meters, hydraulic pumps,
or water power engines, in the inanner herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The combination of the various parts of the apparatus shewn on the
accompanying two Sheets of Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Brierley Denham Healey, have hereunto set
my hand, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
B. D. HEALEY. (L.S.)