IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles William Siemens, of John Street, Adelphi,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID
METERS."
Scaled the 22nd: May 1857,, and. dated the 29th November. 1856..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles William Siemens
at the Office of the Commissioners. of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th November 1856.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM SIEMENS of John Street, Adelphi, in the County of
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FLUID METERS," to be as follows:-
I construct a box, case, or trunk of square or other suitable section, and I
place within it two flexible walls or diaphragms united by transverse par-
titions, in which are slots traversed by a helical bar or a spindle having a
series of cranks or eccentrics arranged in a helical form. The revolution of
this bar or spindle communicates an undulatory motion to the diaphragms
which propel forwards any fluid contained in the case.. If, on the other hand,
a current of fluid be passed through the case, the diaphragms will acquire an
undulatory motion and cause the helical bar or spindle to revolve. A counter
connected to the spindle registers the quantity of fluid which passes through.
The sides of the flexible diaphragms are provided with a series of ribs or wires
which come in contact with elastic cushions at each side of the case so as to
prevent the passage of fluid at those parts. Or the sides of the case may
be provided with ribs, and the flexible diaphragms with elastic surfaces. The
diaphragms may be formed of a continuous band of leather or other suitable.
13236-3. W. 4891.

page_text: flexible material, cupped or otherwise packed where it comes in contact with
the box or case. A thin sheet of copper or other metal may be placed between
the band and the partitions, or a chain or chains may be employed to connect
the partitions so as to relieve the band of end strain. The interior may be
filled with a lubricating or semi-solid material such as tallow mixed with oil.
The apparatus may be made with one or more flexible diaphragms and the
connections to the spindle and other details may be varied. I sometimes
employ a cylindrical case with a smaller cylinder or plunger within it and with
a cylindrical or conical diaphragm of leather or other flexible material connected
to both. The plunger moves to and fro, inverting the diaphragm or rolling it
back upon itself. Two, three or more of these apparatus are connected to a
helical bar or a crank shaft which communicate sthe motion to a counter. The
valves through which the fluid is admitted and allowed to escape are also
formed of diaphragmns of leather or vulcanized caoutchouc or other suitable.
flexible material, which being rolled back allow the water to pass through a
number of small apertures. In fluid meters of the general form of those
described in the Specification of certain Letters Patent granted to me and
Joseph Adamson and bearing date the 24th March 1853, I prevent or
greatly retard the leakage of fluid between the neck of the revolving part and
the conducting tube or inlet, by providing upon either or both parts a series of
circular ribs or projections nearly touching the other part. The revolving
part or wheel has a small thimble of stecl or other suitable material at its
lower part, which rests upon a pivot fixed in the case, which pivot is surrounded
by an oil cup fixed to the wheel. This oil cup is made with an annular
cavity, which dips down below the level of the aperture through which the
pivot passes. Any water which may leak into this oil cup, falls to the bottom
of the oil when the apparatus is at rest, or is thrown towards the largest
diameter of the cup when the wheel is revolving. In either case, the oil
remains round the pivot, which is thus well lubricated as long as any oil
remains. I make the exit passages for the water or other fluid of a conical
form or of the form of the contracted vein. They may be punched or
stamped to the required form and size and fixed between two stamped plates
which form the wheel, which may have either straight or curved channels for
the passage of the fluid and is provided with retarding vanes to oppose a
certain amount of resistance to its motion. The wheel or moving part in each
case is connected to a train of wheels or counter, by which the quantity of
fluid passing through is registered and indicated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles William Siemens in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I CHARLES
WILLIAM SIEMENS of John Street Adelphi in the County of Middlesex send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of November in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six in the twentieth year of Her
reign did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto me tho
said Charles William Siemens Her special licence that I the said Charles
William Siemens my executors administrators and assigns or such others as
I the said Charles William Siemens my executors administrators and
assigns should at any time agree with and no others from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed should and lawfully
might make usc exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of Man an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID METERS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I the said Charles William Siemens my executors or administrators by
an instrument in writing under my or their or one of their hands and seals
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same was to be performed and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE that I the said Charles William Siemens do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing
and the figures and letters marked thereon that is to say.
I construct a box, casc, or trunk, of square or other suitable section, and I
place within it two flexible walls or diaphragms united by transverse partitions
in which are slōts traversed by a helical bar or a spindle having a series of
cranks or excentrics arranged in a helical form. The revolution of this bar or
spindle communicates an undulatory motion to the diaphragms which propel
forwards any fluid contained in the case. If, on the other hand, a current of fluid
be passed through the case, the diaphragms will acquire an undulatory motion
and cause the helical bar or spindle to revolve. A counter connected to the
spindle or to the diaphragms registers the quantity of fluid which passes through.

page_text: Figures 12 and. 3 represent a fluid meter constructed according to my
Invention.
Figure 1 is a plan with the top of the case or trunk removed and shewing
the diaphragms in section. Figure 2 is a side view with the side of the
case removed. Figuro 3 is an end view. Figure 4 is a detached view of
one of the transverse plates and shewing sections of the diaphragms. The
same letters indicate similar parts in each Figure. A is the case of rectangular
form. B B are the diaphragms or flexible walls of leather or other suitable
material. The top and bottom edges are. turned over a little so that they
may be pressed by the fluid against the smooth plane surfaces of the top and
bottom of the case. C.C. D D are transverse plates or partitions of brass or
other suitable material, having projecting pins or studs which pass through
the diaphragms and are rivetted into the oval-shaped ribs or wires E E. or
the diaphragms are fixed by screws or otherwise to the transverse plates.
The two end plates CC have projecting pins or rods which slide in sockets
FF at the sides of the case, and the plates C C are thus kept at the proper
distance apart.
G is the helical bar or spindle which passes through vertical
slots in the plates C C D D. and is fixed at its ends in two discs H H
mounted on spindles I. I turning in bearings or bushes in two fixed uprights
J. J. The slots in the plates C C D D are not strictly vertical, but are
inclined a little in opposite directions on the two sides of the plate, the slot
being somewhat twisted or winding. Each part of the slot is thus accom-
modated to the angle which the helical bar G assumes when working in that
part of the slot. The greatest horizontal inclination in one direction being at
the top, and in the other direction at the bottom, while in the centre the
inclination is in a vertical direction. The slots in the end plates C. C. arc
covered by the discs H H. The helix G makes somewhat more than one
turn, or about one turn and one-third of a turn in its total length.
The sides of the case A are lined with cushions a a of vulcanized caoutchouc
or other suitablo elastic material comented or otherwise attached to the sides.
If a current of water or other fluid be now introduced at one end of the case
and allowed to escape at the other end, it can only pass through between the
diaphragms B and the sides of the case A, and as the diaphragms are only capable
of undulatory motion, they are compelled to undulate and communicate a
rotary motion to the helix G and the discs H H. The number of undulations
or revolutions is registered by a counter which thus indicates the quantity of
fluid passed through the meter. The counter may be driven from one of the
spindles I. I. or in the following manuer. c is a pin fixed to one of the end

page_text: plates C and entering a fork or slot in the end of a lever K mounted on a
vertical spindle L which passes through the top of the case A and is made
fluid tight by a cupped leather or stuffing box or otherwise. The lever K
vibrates backwards and forwards with each undulation of the diaphragms and
the spindle L communicates the motion to the counter by a lever and paul
and a ratchet wheel or otherwise. This fluid meter is capable of making
several hundred strokes or revolutions per minute without injury. The
number of plates D may be varied and they may be placed so near
together as to touch or almost to touch each other. A little space should
however be left between them so as to allow them to approach and recede a
very little to and from cach other, to accommodate the varying position or
angle of the diaphragms, although the distance of the two extreme plates C. C.
from each other is constant. If the length and pitch of the helix be such that
it makes a turn and a half or any multiple of half a turn, the total length of
the diaphragm measured along its curves or undulations will be constant
although the intermediate plates D will approach and recede slightly to and
from each other with the varying undulations of the diaphragm. The
plates C C D D may be connected by short links or a chain l. 7 as shewn
in plan in Figure 5. The diaphragms are thus relieved from any injurious
end strain or instead of links, short struts with circular or spherical ends or
joints may be placed between the plates to keep them at the proper distance
apart. These struts or links may be placed along each side of the apparatus
behind the diaphragms, so as to support them if they should be pressed in
between the plates. The diaphragms B may be made of leather alone or
strengthened by thin plates of hammered or elastic brass or other suitable
elastic metal or by bands or strings of horse-hair, catgut, or other strong and
flexible material. Instead of employing the wires E on the diaphragms and
the cushions a in the case, the case may be rigid and the diaphragms may
carry clastic ribs. Or the case may have rigid or clastic ribs coming in contact
with clastic or rigid surfaces on the diaphragms. Or both the case and the
diaphragms may be made with ribs or without ribs.
Although I have described the meter as being placed in one particular position,
it admits of being placed in any position. Meters may be constructed with two
or more sets of undulating diaphragms and helices, placed side by side and so
arranged that the undulations of one diaphragm may correspond with and come
in contact with those of the next. Thus two sets of diaphragms with right and
left handed helices connected by equal spur wheels on their axes may be
employed-Or a single diaphragmn working against one side of the case may
be used, and the fluid introduced between that side of the case and the

page_text: upright J which is then fitted closo to the disc H and plate C or the
diaphragm is itself attached to the upright J.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of a reaction fluid meter of the general
form of one described in the Specification of certain former Letters Patent
granted to me and Joseph Adamson and bearing date the Twenty-fourth
day of March One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three but with certain
improvements and modifications-Figure 7 is a plan and Figure 8 is an
end view of the revolving part or wheel B. The water or other fluid
enters the case A at the inlet C and passes through a grating or wire
gauze D and through the neck or pipe E into the wheel B. I greatly
retard or diminish the leakage between the pipe E and the wheel B by
making the upper part of the wheel with two or more internal collars or
flanges which are not fitted tightly to the pipe E but are just large enough
to run freely round it. The upper part of the wheel may be made cylindrical
and the collars or flanges formed on the pipe E, or both the pipe and the
wheel may be furnished with flanges, but I consider the first arrangement
preferable. Any fluid which passes between the first collar and the pipe E
forms eddies between the collars and is thus prevented from escaping freely.
I find that the leakage in this arrangement is much less that when the upper
part of the wheel is simply made cylindrical and fitted freely to the pipe E,
and also that it is less liable to become clogged or obstructed by particles of
sand or dirt entering between the surfaces in proximity. This arrangement
is applicable to meters constructed with wheels like those shewn and described
in the Specification of the aforesaid former Letters Patent and also to meters
with wheels of other forms. F is the spindle of the wheel. It is furnished with
a small steel thimble which rests on a pivot 7 fixed in the stud or pillar G
which is fixed. in the bottom of the case A. The pivot is round at the top
and it is smaller than the thimble f which can thus revolve or spin upon the
pivot with very little friction. H is an oil cup or chamber, the bottom of
which is turned up so as to approach very near to the top of the pivot and
has a central opening which fits as close as possible to the upper part of the
stud G but turns freely around it. Any water which may leak into this oil
cup falls to the bottom or is thrown outward to its largest diameter by centri-
fugal force, and in either case it does not reach the pivot but merely forces
the oil up to it. The object of this arrangement is to prevent friction between
the stud G and the oil chamber by keeping the wheel in its proper position
by the thimble and pivot while at the same time a small lateral motion is
allowed to enable the wheel to revolve on its true axis of gyration.
I
The wheel or revolving part B is made with two hollow arms c. c ter-

page_text: minating in jets d d of a conical form or of the form of the "contracted vein.'
These jets are made of copper or other suitable material stamped to the
required form and size. The wheel B is made in two parts which are stamped
to the required form and size and furnished with flanges which are joined on
the horizontal line y. These flanges are bent into an angular position as
shewn in Figure 8 so as to form vanes which present a considerable resistance
to the motion of the wheel. This resistance tends to equalize the indications
of the meter for equal quantities of fluid passed through at different velocities.
The jets d. d. being inserted in their places, the two parts of the wheel B are
put together and the flanges are connected by rivets and soldering round the
edge or otherwise. The wheel or revolving part of the meter and the case
arc to be so placed or arranged that the wheel may be submerged and
surrounded by the fluid which is being measured. The spindle F is connected
to a counter having a train of wheels and endless screws contained in an oil
chamber J. The motion is thus reduced to the wheel i whose spindle j passes
through a cupped leather collar in the top of the case and carries a pinion /
which drives the dial or index wheels. These meters are in the first instance
adjusted or graduated experimentally by passing a certain quantity of water
or other fluid through them at different velocities. The vanes formed by
bending up the flanges of the wheels are more or less bent or portions are
removed when necessary. The number of revolutions performed by the
wheel in passing a certain quantity of water being ascertained, the wheels of
the counter are proportioned so that the indices and dials may indicato gallons
or cubic feet or other units of volume as may be desired. Any number of
meters may then be made of the same pattern and dimensions, and they will
all indicate alike or nearly so. Each one may be adjusted by varying the
vanes or resistance to the wheel, or they may be used without adjustment and
their indications corrected by adding or subtracting their ascertained-per-
centage of error.
This construction of wheel is particularly advantageous for meters employed
for measuring small quantities of fluid, such as the quantity of water supplied
to or consumed in private houses. It may however be also employed for
measuring much larger quantities of fluid when required. In such cases
three, four, or more jets may be employed in lieu of two. By the combination
of the contracted jets with the collars or flanges round the inlet and the thimble
and pivot surrounded by the oil chamber several advantages are obtained.
The leakage being diminished by the collars or flanges admits of the meter
being worked with a considerably greater fluid pressure within the wheel than
in the case surrounding it. The contracted jets may thus be advantageously

page_text: employed and the wheel is capable of being driven by a very slight current
of fluid through the jets owing to the friction of the thimble on the pivot being
very small.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that what I claim is
First constructing fluid-meters with an undulating diaphragm or dia-
phragms working in a case and governed in its or their motion by a helical
bar or a series of cranks and connected to a counter by which the undulations
are registered as herein-before described.
Second constructing the revolving part or wheel of a fluid meter and the
fixed part or pipe which introduces the fluid into it with two or more collars
or flanges on one or both of the said parts so as to check the passage of the
fluid by the production of eddies in manner herein-before described.
Third supporting the wheel or revolving part of fluid meters by means of a
thimble attached to the wheel and resting upon a fixed pivot of smaller climen-
sions than the interior of the thimble and combined with an oil chamber as
herein-before described.
Fourth constructing the wheel or revolving part of fluid meters operating
by reaction with jets of a conical form or of the form of the contracted vein
as herein before described.
Fifth constructing and arranging the wheels of reaction fluid meters with
conical or contracted jets in combination with two or more collars or flanges
for diminishing the leakage at the inlet pipe and with a thimble and pivot
surrounded by an oil chamber in manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof I the said Charles William Siemens have hereunto
set, my band and seal this Twenty-eighth day of May in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
C. W. SIEMENS. (L.S.)