CERTAIN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE QUANTITY OF LIQUIDS PASSING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER
Year: 1825

page_text: CROSLEY'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
CROSLEY, of Cottage Lane, City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Gen-
tleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the First day of February, in, the sixth year of His reign, did give
and grant unto me, the said Samuel Crosley, my exors, admors, and assigns,
that I, tho said Samuel Crosley, my exors, admors, and assigns, during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within Englatid, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
my Invention of "CERTAIN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE
QUANTITY OF LIQUIDS PASSING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER;" in which said
Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Samne! Crosley,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately.
after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same Letters
Patent. (relation being thereunto had) will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Samuel Crosley, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by: theso Presents, reference being made to the Drawings
hereunto ánnexed (that is to say):

page_text: My Invention consists of certain apparatus (which for the sake of brevity
I shall hereafter denominate by the term "liquid meter ") by means of which
the quantity of liquids passing from any reservoir, common stock or other
source, at any elevation, and consequently under the influence of any degree
of pressure, may be measured and registered. For this purpose I use an
air-tight vessel (herein-after denominated the air vessel); in this the machinery,
by which the measuring is performed is to be placed. The object of the air
vessel is to provide a medium in which the machinery may work freely and
without interruption from any accumulation of liquid, and to prevent any
liquid from flowing into the meter (after once put in operation) excepting
when some outlet from it is open, and thereby to dispense with the use of any
stopcocks or valves at the inlet, for the air in the air vessel will be com-
pressed in the upper part of it by the liquid flowing into it preserving the
medium of air required for the machinery, and causing a counterpoise at all
times proportioned to the column of liquid to which the meter is exposed.
The machinery may be of a great variety of descriptions, but without being
inclosed in an air vessel, or some other contrivance. For the same purpose it
would be subject to many disadvantages when exposed to considerable pressure.
I shall describe two kinds of machinery by which the measuring may be
carried on within the air vessel. These two methods differ from each other
in certain particulars. One of them will be found in some cases preferable to
the other, (for example) the measuring trough herein-after described will be
found most applicable to measuring tar or other semi fluids. The first
method is a hollow wheel or drum (herein-after called the measuring wheel)
revolving upon an axis and divided into compartments. The construction of
the measuring wheel may be the same as that of any of the different forms of
wheels used and well known in the machines for measuring and registering
gas called "
'gas meters," one of which I have delineated in the Drawings
hereunto annexed. There is, however, this difference in the application of
these wheels to the purpose of measuring liquids. In gas meters a segment of
the upper part of the measuring wheel is, during use, filled with gas, the
remainder below the gas being occupied by water as a boundary, while in
the liquid meter a segment of the lower part of the hollow wheel of the
same dimensions, or nearly so, is occupied by the liquid, the remainder above
being occupied by air. The liquid is conducted into the measuring wheel by
a pipe at the axis, and fills the compartments in succession. The prepon-
derating weight of the liquid in the compartments on one side of the wheel
causes the wheel to revolve, and produces a rotatory motion, which being by

page_text: the axis communicated to a tiam of connecting wheel work, causes the number
of its revolutions to be pointed out by an index moving over a dial plate
graduated to the capacity of the wheel, thereby shewing the quantity of liquid
which has passed.
The second method. is a vessel in the shape of a trough (herein-after called
the measuring trough) open at both ends, but with an upright partition across
the middle, dividing it into two equal compartments. This vessel tumbles
over upon an axis placed immediately under the partition across the trough,
and there are rests fixed to the air vessel, under each end of the trough, to limit
its.action. These rests must be placed so much below the pivots or axis that
the compartment of the trough which for the time being is being filled, may. fall
down and discharge its contents before it is quite full. The liquid flows from
a pipe immediately over the centre or axis of the tumbling trough into that
compartment of the trough which is uppermost, and when it has filled it to a
certain height its weight causes that end to fall, and its contents are discharged.
the empty compartment rising, and being immediately ready to be filled, and
it is in like manner discharged, and so on alternately, so long as the liquid
flows. The axis communicates with a counting train (having the well known
motion termed the click and rotchet, or any other wheel work usually adopted for
producing a rotatory from a reciprocaling motion), and index as before men-
tioned with regard to the first method. The measuring machinery must be
inclosed in the air vessel, to the bottom of which the: liquid will flow from the
machinery. The capacity of the air vessel must be such as to admit of
sufficient compression of the air, and must therefore be dependent on the
extent of the pressure of the column to which the liquid meter is exposed, and
it must be sufficiently large to allow space for the measuring machinery to
work without its being interrupted. The well known law of compression of
air will determine the size of the vessel adapted to any particular situation,
and it is unnecessary to enter into detail of the particular dimensions as
applicable to all the various cases to which apparatus of this description
is to be applied, attention to the general remarks I. have made being
sufficient to lead any person conversant with the subject to the adoption of
the proper dimensions in any particular case. The liquid is drawn off or
let out at the bottom of the air-tight vessel, and any number of outlets may
be:connected with it, and the liquid meter will be put in operation whenever
any of these outlets are opened; and will cease to operate when all the outlets
are stopped; there is one outlet represented in the Drawings, Figures: 1 and 8,
by.cocks, near letter E, at the bottom, but there may be as many outlets 'as
are wanted. A liquid meter fitted up with a measuring wheel, and another

page_text: fitted up with a measuring trough, such as before alluded to, are explained
by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the references thereto, as I shall now
proceed to describe, first observing that the said Drawings represent the
apparatus adapted to general purposes, but that the arrangement and con-
struction of the parts may be varied and modified according to the various
situations for which they may be required to be adapted, without at all
deviating from the principle of my Invention. Figure 1 represents a section
taken across the axis of the liquid meter, with the measuring apparatus on a
rotatory principle. It is drawn to a scale of one third of the size of a meter
capable of measuring one gallon or thereabouts per minute, and contained
in an air vessel of sufficient size for resisting the pressure of a column of water
of about one hundred feet in height, but when exposed to such a pressure the
water would rise much higher in the vessel than at present shewn at the
bottom of it. The train of counting wheel work to be attached to the axis
I have omitted, in order to leave the Drawing of the other parts more clear
and explanatory, and it being well known. Figure 2 represents a section
taken lengthwise of the axis of a liquid meter of the same construction; and in
these two Figures the same parts are distinguished by similar letters of reference.
A, B, C, D, E, is the air vessel, which may be made square or cylindrical, or
in any other convenient form. F, G, H, represent the measuring wheel,
formed by an inner and outer rim, closed at the sides, forming a circular
channel, which is divided by partitions into compartments like one of the
various forms of wheels employed in measuring gas. These wheels may vary
in the number and form of the compartments, (for example) instead of an
outer and inner rim, as represented in the plan, the compartments. may be
formed of partitions curved from the periphery towards the axis, as represented
in Figure 1 by the dotted lines in red ink, but it is essential that each
compartment should be closed tight on all sides, excepting at the inlots and
outlets. In this Figure the wheel has three compartments, F, G, and H.
The inlet of F is at l, and the outlet at m. The inlet of G is at i, and the
outlet at k, and the inlet of H is at n and the outlet at o. The liquid to bo
measured is admitted into the several compartments successively, by means of
an angular pipe p, q, shewn in Figure 2, which is passed through the air
vessel (being made air-tight at the joint) and the end 9 of which being always
immersed in liquid, prevents the escape of the compressed air. The wheel
turns upon an axis, one end of which is carried by this angular pipe, as shewn
at r, Figure 2, and the other end of which is supported by the opposite side of
the air vessel, as shewn at s, Figure 2, where it communicates with tho
train of counting wheels, which by the index registers the quantity. of liquid

page_text: high
measured. The wheelwork and index are made air-tight by a glass face
shewn at t, t. The measuring wheel is placed within a trough or tank
(represented by the letters w, y, s) of the depth of somewhat more than the
radius of the wheel, the upper part being level with the axis, or thereabouts.
This tank is fastened to the side of the air-tight vessel, but at one end of it
there is an opening made a little lower than the axis, into which is fastened
a pipe W,X, to convey the liquid down to the bottom of the air vessel..
Nearly one half of the measuring wheel will be immersed in the liquid, but the
flowing of it through the opening in the tank will prevent its becoming so
as to close or flow over the inlet and outlet of any compartment of the
measuring wheel at the same time. The lightly etched part of the Drawings
is intended to represent the space which the liquid occupies. The liquid.
from the tank or through may be carried off by a pipe such as W, X, or by a
shorter pipe turning against the side of the vessel, or without any pipe. The
liquid is represented as flowing into the compartment H by the inlet n;. and
there being more liquid on that side of the axis than the other, causes the
wheel to revolve, and at the same time the liquid which had previously been
admitted during the revolution of the wheel into the compartments F and G,
is running into the tank by their respective outlets m and k, and passing off
through the hole in the tank at W, and thus the several compartments
become filled and emptied successively in each revolution of the wheel. The
liquid discharged from the outlets successively having filled the tank or trough,
it will then run through the opening in the tank or trough to the bottom of
the vessel. Supposing no outlets from the air vessel to be open, the liquid,
which I am presuming to be supplied from a reservoir, will continue to accu-
mulate at the bottom of the air vessel, and compress the air until it becomes
of sufficient force or density to counterpoise the weight of the colunin of liquid,
and prevent any more liquid flowing into the meter until some outlet from
the air-tight vessel be opened.
Figures 3 and 4 represent a liquid meter, having the measuring apparatus
on the reciprocating principle. Figure 3 is a section taken across the axis of
the trough; and Figure 4 is a section taken lengthwise. of the axis.
Such
parts as are seen in both Figures. are distinguished by the same letters of
reference. A, B, C, D, E, is the air vessel. f, g, h, and i represent the
trough. It is suspended by an axis across it at h, h, supported by the sides
of the air vessel. The extent. of its motion is limited by two rests j, k,
fastened to the sides of the vessel. The trough is represented in Figure 3 as
having the end down upon the rest j, and the division of the trough f, g, h, is

page_text: filling with liquid by the pipe A. The lightly etched part shews the liquid.
When the liquid has nearly filled that division it will immediately fall down
on to the rest k, and discharge its contents, the opposite division 9, h, i
rising to be filled, and so on alternately. The liquid when discharged from the
trough falls into a funnel-shaped vessel, placed under the trough, and ter-
minating with the pipe l, m. The motion is communicated to the train of
counting wheels by the axis h, shewn in Figure 4, and n, o, is a glass cover
for the index. My previous observations with respect to the operation of the
air vessel are applicable to this method of framing the liquid meter, and
therefore need not be repeated, and the funnel-shaped vessel and pipe l, m,
are used only for the same reason as the pipe W, X, in Figures 1 and 2.
The entrance pipe must have a bend like an inverted syphon, previously to or
after entering the vessel, as represented at A, in Figure 4, in order that the
compressed air may not escape as it otherwise would. When the liquid
meter is made on the reciprocating principle upon a large scale, it will be
advisable to employ some of the usual well known contrivances used for
similar purposes, to check the force of the fall of the ends of the trough
upon the rests. A spring at or near to each rest, or a tumbling beam, may
be employed, placed immediately under the trough, at such a distance that
the springs or upper end of the tumbling beam shall not come in contact
with the trough until it has passed the centre of gravity. By attention to my
previous descriptions it will be seen that my liquid meter is applicable in
a great variety of situations, and under a great variety of circumstances. It
would be endless to describe all the variety of its practical uses, but I will
observe that it may be placed in any convenient situation, in a house or manu-
factory, and any required communication with it be made by pipes, even to the
top of the building, provided the reservoir whence the supply is derived be
somewhat higher in elevation. The descriptions herein-before contained
appear to me sufficient, but the form, proportions, and arrangements of the
several parts may be varied and modified according as circumstances or
situations may require, as would naturally be suggested by my descriptions to
persons conversant with the subject; and the materials of which my Invention
may be constructed may be partly wood, iron, or tin, or of such other sub-
stances as are suited to the nature and quality of the liquid to be measured,
and the degree of strength of durability required.
I do not claim originality in the construction of the measuring wheel, or of
the measuring trough, or in their application to the measuring of liquids
when used without the air vessel. I claim the combination of the air vessel

page_text: with the measuring apparatus, by which means liquids passing from one place
to another from any elevation, and occasioning therefore any degree of pressure,
may be measured and registered.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Crosley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, and in the sixth
the reign of King George the Fourth.
year of