Year: 1897

page_text: I, STEPHEN SIMPSON, of 32, Powderham Crescent, Exeter, in the County of
Devon, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
_
This invention consists of improvements relating to dry gas meters, my object
being to produce such meters of a more compact, simple, and efficient form than
those as present in use.
place
In constructing a meter in accordance with my invention I employ a casing
divided diagonally by a partition. At the smaller end of each of the angular
spaces formed by the diagonal partition in the interior of the casing,
upright rods or stems, such rods in one type of my improved meter being carried
through suitable stuffing boxes into the upper part of the meter containing the
valve box and index. To the upper ends of the rods or stems I attach levers which
are connected by links or rods to the usual tangent, but owing to the position at
which the rods are placed within the meter I prefer to make the connecting links
or rods of unequal length, or in some cases, to use intermediate rocking shafts and
levers in order to give the required motion to the valves.
Instead of carrying the upright rods or stems into the upper part of the meter
as hereinbefore described, I sometimes carry the rocking shafts into the lower
chambers through suitable stuffing boxes and connect them to part of the movable
partition of the diaphragms.
To the lower part of the upright rods or stems I secure the square or other suit-
ably shaped movable portion carrying the flexible diaphragms which open and
shut in an even and steady manner on an axis formed by the upright rods or stems.
The flexible diaphragms are made of leather or of linen, cotton, or other suitable
fabric so treated as to be impervious to gas, and are preferably of a bellows form with
zig-zag folds. To prevent the deformation of the diaphragms by variation of
pressure and other causes, the sides of the folds are stiffened by the attachment of
suitable material. I sometimes also employ internal wire or other ties, or internal
or external frames, or supports, hinged to the upright rods or to either the fixed
or movable partition.
The flexible diaphragms are attached to the fixed and movable partitions by wire,
clamping bars, or in any other convenient manner.
In dry meters as now constructed the stroke or movement of the diaphragms is
controlled by the length or throw of the adjusting tangent, and as a result of the
wear at the various joints, the stroke of the diaphragms is decreased and the meter
will thus become inaccurate in its measurements. To prevent such inaccuracy I
may employ suitable stops to control the stroke of the diaphragm in one or both
directions. I preferably provide one stop with a right and left hand screw working in
a joint in the partition, for the purpose of regulating both diaphragms, the end of
the screw having a slot or a square head to permit of adjustment from the exterior
of the meter. I sometimes provide a screw to adjust each diaphragm separately,
the ends of the screws being enclosed with suitable caps or covers so arranged that

page_text: they can be readily and effectually sealed. In some cases I may use a suitable
cam or cams to give the required motion to the valves in place of the crank generally
used.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
improvements relating to Dry Gas Meters.
I, STEPHEN SIMPSON, of 32, Powderham Crescent, Exeter, in the County of
Devon, Engineer, 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 dry gas meters and has for its object to produce a meter
of simple and compact design that shall be capacious and efficient in operation.
My invention consists in the arrangement of the measuring chamber of a dry
gas meter diagonally and longitudinally divided by a fixed partition, and in the
arrangement of the movable diaphragm discs upon vertical rods or spindles disposed
in the smallest angular recess of each of the triangular chambers so formed, so
that upon the alternate ingress and egress of gas the movable diaphragm discs may
be caused to partially and alternately rotate upon the respective vertical rods or
spindles upon which they are screwed, with the effect of operating the index
mechanism and passing the gas through the meter in definite measure in the usual
manner of a dry meter. The diagonal disposition of the respective diaphragmis
affords a maximum capacity of measurement while the fixture of the respective
movable diaphragms to the vertical rods or spindles whereby the motion of the
discs is positively communicated to the index mechanism, together with the means
which is hereafter described for positively determining the movement of the
respective movable diaphragm discs ensure the constant measurement of definite
quantities of gas and ready means for the precise calibration of the meter.
My invention further consists of improvements hereafter described as applied;
and is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a dry gas meter in which my invention is
shewn as applied.
Figure 2 is a plan corresponding thereto, in which the meter cover is removed,
thus bringing into view the index and valve operating mechanism.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan of the meter casing through the measuring chamber,
in which one diaphragm is shown in section the other in plan.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a dry gas meter in which my invention is
shewn as applied according to a modification in design.
Figure 5 is a plan corresponding thereto in which the meter cover is removed,
and in which the index and valve operating mechanism is indicated.
Figure 6 is a plan of a dry gas meter in section through the valve chamber, shew-
ing convenient means for operating the valves.
Figures 78, and 9, illustrate in section various means of securing the flexible
diaphragms to the movable diaphragm disc.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of the means employed for determining the
movement of the diaphragm dises.
Figure 11 illustrates means for precluding the deformation of the diaphragms
and ensuring their collapse into determinate ridge and furrow folds; while

page_text: Figure 12 illustrates alternate means, having the same object, which likewise
do not necessitate stitching.
In carrying my invention into effect as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
accompanying drawings. I provide a casing A whose measuring chamber B is
divided by a fixed diagonal partition B', forming longitudinal chambers of
triangular shape; into the smallest angular recesses of each of which a vertical
rod or spindle C is mounted respectively in a journal bearing such as c and within
a stuffing gland provided upon the partition D that transversely divides the casing
to form the measuring chamber B and valve and index chamber D. Levers E
of the same length are screwed to the respective upper extremities of the rods or
spindles C and are connected to a tangent F by means of links F3 one of which is
shewn longer than the other to suit the usual disposition of the index and valve
mechanism. Diaphragm dises G are fixed to that main portion of the rods or
spindles C that traverses the respective divided chambers BB such discs being
caused to partially rotate or vibrate upon the rods, spindles or centres C upon the
alternate ingress and egress of gas, regulated by means of valves operated in turn
by means of the movement or partial rotation of the discs, thereby also causing
the operations of the index mechanism by means of a worm provided upon the
shaft whose rotation is caused by levers and links E F, and a worm wheel F4
provided upon the unit spindle of the meter index H.
The flexible diaphragms I are made of leather or of linen, cotton or other suit-
able fabric or material so treated as to be impervious to gas and are preferably of
bellows form collapsing regularly in alternate ridge and furrow folds, being pre-
cluded from deformation by variation of pressure or other cause by such means as
the provision of stiffening plates I' internally and externally as illustrated in
Figure 11 or internally or externally only or by such means as external frames,
or internal frames 12 of channel or other suitable section; hinging as from the
vertical rods or spindles C or hinged to the fixed partition B' or to the dia-
phragm disc G, while retained in position by a cord or thread 13 lying
within the groove of the frame 12 as illustrated in Figure 12. The flexible
diaphragins I are first screwed to the fixed partition B preferably by means of a
clamping plate as illustrated in Figure 3, the centre part of the discs G being with-
held until this is effected and is subsequently soldered or otherwise secured in
position. The diaphragms are secured to the movable dises G by the means illus-
trated in Figure 7 which consist of an edge groove G2 provided on the disc in which
the leather or other flexible material is retained by means of cord or wire G³, or
preferably by the means illustrated in Figure 8 which consists of a clamping
plate G provided internally to face the disc flange being retained in position by
means of screws or rivets G5 or by the means illustrated in Figure 9 which consist
in providing the disc G with an edge flange 66 of U form having a protruding
circular edge G which bears closely upon the opposite edge of the U flange, and
serves on the introduction of the leather or diaphragm material between the edges
of the flange to effect a firm grip.
For the purpose of ensuring constant measure of definite quantities of gas and
the ready calibration of the meter, stops JJ KK' are provided for determining
the movement of the respective movable diaphragms G, each set of stops J K and
JK being mounted upon right and left handed screws L and L' whose adjacent
extremities are retained in position within a block M fixed within the partition B¹
by means of pins m engaging in recesses upon the opposed extremities of the screws.
These screws LL' are arranged centrally upon the bottom plate of the meter and
are provided with square extremities projecting so as to be capable of operation
on each side of the meter, and after fixture of the stops into position these screw
ends may be covered and a seal of wax n may be affixed at each side to prevent
the fraudulent adjustment of the stops. It will be readily understood that upon
the operation of either of the screws L or L' the respective stops
K or JK may
be caused to recede or approach so determining a relatively large or relatively small

page_text: movement of the diaphragm discs. It is obvious that one screw may be employed
to perform the function of two and that one screw L³ may be caused to adjust stops
for limiting movement in one direction as illustrated in Figure 3, while another
screw may in addition be employed when removed to adjust the stops for limiting
movement in the opposite direction. It will be understood that I do not limit
myself to the adjustment of the stops by such means as hereinbefore described as
it is obvious that I may employ any such means as levers and links without depart-
ing from my invention.
By the use of such stops the movement of the diaphragms is positively determined,
and is not omitted absolutely by the length or throw of the tangent, so that thereby
wear at joints has not the effect as in dry meters usually employed of effecting the
movement of the diaphragm discs and so causing inaccuracy of measurement after
long use. It will be understood that the extremities of the links F are suitably
slotted so that the movement of the respective discs is not confined by the throw of
the tangent, whose function is simply to operate the valves and not to determine
the movement of the discs.
In carrying my invention into effect according to a modification in design illus-
trated in Figures 4 and 5, the vertical rods or spindles C are mounted within
bearings cc and are not prolonged into the upper valve and index chambers as the
motion is conveyed by means of vertical rocking shafts N mounted within suitable
stuffing boxes provided in the partition D, and from the discs G G by means of
levers OO within the measuring chamber whose extremities are slotted to receive
the pins o and to permit thereof, while levers E2 E2 of the same length are pro-
vided at the upper extremity of each of the respective rocking shafts N, within the
valve and index chambers through which the alternate movement of the discs is
caused to effect the rotation of the tangent F by means of links FF connected
and disposed in the usual manner as illustrated. For the purpose of conveniently
operating the valves in this or other type of dry gas meter I may arrange a cam P
upon the spindle F which may alternately cause the movement in one direction
or the other of the respective valves Q, the valve rods R P being provided with
slotted heads R¹ P¹ so as to permit thereof, and are mounted in guides S, while
holding the respective valves by means of projections q which are engaged within
slots on the rods as is clearly illustrated in Figure 6. It will be seen that the cam
of the shape and arrangement illustrated permits of the valves being opened and
closed quickly and of remaining fully open during the greater part of the time
the gas is passing in or out of the measuring chambers.
In the construction of a meter according to my invention it will be understood
that a maximum capacity of measurement is afforded while a constant passage of
small definite quantities of gas is insured.
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,-A dry gas meter in which the respective diaphragm discs are secured to rods
or spindles provided in the smallest vertical angular recesses formed in the measur-
ing chamber by a fixed diagonal partition so that the movement of the discs may
be positively communicated to the tangent substantially as described.
2, A dry gas meter in which the respective diaphragm discs are secured to rods
or spindles provided in the smallest vertical angular recesses formed in the measur-
ing chamber by a fixed diagonal partition such rods or spindles being prolonged
into the index chamber and by means of levers and links causing the rotation of
the tangent and the operation of the valves as described.
3,A dry gas meter in which the respective diaphragm discs are secured to rods
or spindles provided in the smallest vertical angular recesses formed in the measur-
ing chamber by a fixed diagonal partition, the motion of the disc being positively
communicated to the tangent by means of levers, rocking shafts and further levers
and links as described.

page_text: 4, In dry gas meters means for the positive determination of the movement of
the diaphragm discs consisting of stops as described.
5,-In dry gas meters means for the positive determination of the movement
of the diaphragm discs consisting of stops provided upon screws and capable of
rotation to effect their adjustment as described.
6,-In dry gas meters the means for causing the diaphragms to collapse in alter-
nate ridge and furrow folds as described and also as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12
of the accompanying drawings.
7, In dry gas meters means for operation of the valves for the purpose of open-
ing and closing quickly and for remaining open during the greater part of the time
the gas is passing in or out of the measuring chambers as described and illustrated
with reference to Figure 6.
8,-A dry gas meter as and for the purposes described with reference to Figures 1,
2, and 3 and 4 and 5 and generally with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dotad this 31st dow of January 1898
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.