Improvements in Meters for Water or other Liquids.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Meters for Water or other Liquids.
I PLACIDO TARDÁ of Barcelona in the Kingdom of Spain, Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
:-
This invention relates to water meters and the like and consists in certain improve-
ments embodied in the water meter hereinafter described the characteristic features
of which are
1) Two distributors each formed by a cylinder with perforated walls the perforations
being arranged in three circular series or tiers arranged on its circumference there
being within each cylinder two pistons or a double piston arranged on one and the
same rod having the necessary space between them so that two of the series of
openings are always in communication with the space enclosed between the two
pistons so that the water arriving by the holes in the central tier flows through the
holes in either the upper or the lower tier according to the position of the pistons and
consequently the water is directed towards the upper or lower part of a cylinder
provided for measuring it.
2) The combination of two distributing cylinders, with two other cylinders for
measuring the water so that the piston rod of each of these two measuring cylinders
being moved by the pressure of the water transmits proper motions to the piston or
pistons of the distributor in connection there with and the water which passes by each
distributor flows for measurement not towards the cylinder which receives the impetus
but towards the other cylinder.
3) The manner of connection between the rod of the double piston of the distributor
and that of the piston of the measuring cylinder in connection therewith. The rod of
the piston of the distributor is hollow, and in its interior rests the head of the piston
rod of the measuring cylinder said head may move freely therefore in the interior of
the rod of the distributor in longitudinal direction within limits previously determined
that is until the moment when the direction of the water current is to be changed. At
this moment the rod of the measuring piston following its course carries along the
piston of the distributor and the latter then uncovers the holes concealed whilst con-
cealing on the other hand those which were uncovered.
4) The construction of the pistons of the measuring and distributing cylinders by
providing them with an india rubber plate arranged on the leathers so that the latter
rest continually on the sides of the cylinder obtaining thus a perfect joint although
the water arrives at the ordinary pressure.
On the accompanying drawing is represented a water meter with two cylinders
which embodies this invention.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the axes of the two cylinders.
Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on the line of the axes of one of the cylinders.
Fig. 3 is a section illustrating the counting train and the manner in which the
motion of the piston of the distributor is transmitted thereto.
The whole mechanism is enclosed in the case A with plate A¹. In order to fix well
the cylinder the cylinders D and D' the base of the latter is lengthened to form a
flange B so that it may lie in the joint of the case and in order to obtain a hermetical
joint one arranges above an india rubber or leather ring C and below a plate C¹ of
the same material.
The cylinders D and D₁ are intended to measure the water. Each cylinder has a
piston consisting of a central neutral plate E. Fig. 2 with two leathers F one at each
side having their edges bent in contrary direction one to the other so that they work
in double action with an indiarubber plate G arranged on each leather so that the

page_text: .
leathers may continually touch the walls of the cylinder even when the water flows at
the ordinary pressure and with two outer metal plates H; the whole is traversed by a
nut headed bolt I screwed to the upper plate H by which all these parts are screwed
together. To the bolt I is screwed the rod J which traverses the cylinder and passes
through a stuffing box K K¹.
Above each cylinder is a distributor formed by a cylindrical box L L' open at its
two ends and having its walls perforated with three circular series of holes M N O
and M' N'O' respectively. Each series of holes is enclosed by a case M N O³
and M N O³ which encircles the distributing cylinder.
The case N³ is in communication with the inlet pipe P and former also with the
case N by means of the pipe P¹. The cases M³ and 03 communicate respectively
with the upper and lower part of the cylinder D and the cases M2 and O2 communi-
cate respectively with the lower and upper part of the cylinder D¹ by means of the
pipes and Q
Each distributor has its hollow piston rod R R' provided with two plates S S¹ apart
at a convenient distance in order that only one series of holes is hidden at a time it
may be the series M. or the series O. On each plate is arranged a half piston similar
to that of the measuring cylinders, that is formed by an india rubber plate, a leather
and a metal plate T the whole well screwed together by means of the nut U. The
edges of the leathers of the half pistons are curved inwardly in view of preventing the
water from escaping outwards.
The rods of the pistons of the distributors are hollow and through their interior run
the rods J or J' to the ends of which are screwed heads or buttons which prevent
them from coming out during their descending motion.
The upper openings of the rods R & R are closed by screws R2 R3. The upper
nut U of the piston R covers also a plate V bent at right angles which carries at its
end a button embraced by the fork of the lever V1 (Fig. 3).
This lever is therefore moved by said button V and transmits its motion to the
counting mechanism. For this purpose the axis V2 traverses the case A by passing
through a stuffing box and issues at the other side where it is provided with a lever V³
which at each motion of the piston causes the wheel V to advance for one tooth's
breadth the latter transmits its motion to the other wheels provided with indicators
which in connection with dials show the volume of water passed through in a similar
manner.
The screw bolts Y are provided for access to be had to regulate the course of the
pistons which is done by tightening or loosening the screws, R³ R³.
The water to be measured entering at P. fills the passage N³ the pipe P' and the
passage N filling the distributors by the holes N¹ and N. The water escapes by the
openings fills the passage 0 and passes by the pipe to the bottom of the cylinder D
where it enters by the mouth D. The water raises the piston 12 and when the head
of the rod J arrives against the screw R2 it also carries along the piston of the dis-
tributor until the moment when it uncovers the series of holes M.
At this moment the piston touches a projection L (Fig. 2) which stops its
motion.
Then the water which penetrates through the holes N leaves the distributor by
the orifices M and passes by the pipe Q to the bottom of the cylinder D¹ which
it enters through the mouth D³. The water then raises the piston I* therein and
when the rod Jarrives against the screw R³ it carries along also the piston of
the distributor which thereupon conceals the holes O₁ cutting off the passage of
the water towards the cylinder D. At the same time the piston uncovers the
holes M by which the water is introduced which will work the first piston I³.
The projections L' stop the piston of the distributor R¹ and consequently the
piston stops also. The water which was underneath the piston I' flows out at
the mouth D it rises to the passage O³ and at the piston R¹ is then at the highest
point of its course it leaves the distributor by the orifices O¹. When the case of the
meter is full of water it flows out by the pipe P'.
When the head of the rod J rests upon the inner lower end of the rod R the

page_text: latter is carried along, also concealing the holes M and uncovering the orifices O.
At this moment the piston stops by the action of a projection and then the water
passes through the pipe Q¹ and fills the space above the piston I* causing the
fatter to descend and thus the motions are repeated without interruption. The water
once measured by the cylinders whilst leaving the distributor enters the case of the
meter which it leaves by the pipe P'. The motions of the piston rod R are transmitted
by means of the part V to the fork V' and the lever V³. When the piston descends
the lever rises and it causes the advance of the wheel V* by one tooth. When the
piston rises this lever descends and it slides over the teeth of the wheel V* without
giving it any motion, the sliding being allowed by providing a small hinge joint at
the end of the lever. The motions in the cylinder D¹ are not transmitted, for they
correspond with those in the cylinder D. In this manner if the volume of each
cylinder is one quarter of a gallon each tooth of the wheel V represents a
gallon.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
In a meter for water or other liquids.
1. A distributor consisting of a cylinder with walls perforated with three circular
series of holes having in its interior two pistons arranged on one and the same rod
and separated at the necessary distance so that two circular series of holes are always in
communication with the space between the cylinders so that the liquid to be measured
arriving through the central series leaves by the orifices of the upper or lower series
according to the position of the pistons to pass to the upper or lower part of the
measuring cylinder respectively.
2. The combination of two distributing cylinders aforesaid with two measuring
cylinders or meters whereby the piston rod of each measuring cylinder receiving its
motion by the pressure of the water, transmits movement to the piston of the dis-
tributor in relation therewith whereby the water is distributed to the other measuring
cylinder substantially as set forth.
3. The method of connection between the rod of the double piston of the distributor
and that of the piston of the measuring cylinder in relation therewith one of these
rods being hollow and holding in its interior the head of the other rod which moves
freely within this cavity within certain limits the one rod operating the other as
herein described.
4. The construction of the pistons of the measuring cylinders and also distributing
cylinders with an india rubber plate in combination with the leathers so that the latter
always rest against the walls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 18th day of Inlv 1800
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.