IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND IN REGULATING THE
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Smith, of Skinner Street, Snow Hill, in the
City of London, and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, of Stratford, in the
County of Essex, Gas Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND IN REGULATING THE
"
Sealed the 27th March 1857, and dated the 27th September 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Smith and
Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 27th September 1856.
We, WILLIAM SMITH, of Skinner Street, Snow Hill, in the City of London,
and NATHANIEL FORTESCUE TAYLOR, of Stratford, in the County of Essex,
Gas Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND IN
REGULATING THE FLOW OF THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to the parts forming the partitions or diaphragms
of dry gas meters, and consist, when forming them of several pieces or plates
of metal or other suitable material converging to a common centre, and
united by flexible material (commonly called shielded partitions), in applying
to the centre of such flexible material a plate of metal, for the purpose of
there keeping the flexible material from passing the inner edges or converging
5 points of the plates.

page_text: Also the improvements relate to the connections for effecting the correct
relative motions of the several parts of such diaphragms, and consist in the
application of a slotted piece at the point of connection of two of the parts or
sections of each partition, with a forked arm from the spindle, by which
motion is transferred to the valves, such slotted piece being to receive a bar,
which by links is connected to two other of the parts or sections of the
diaphragm, by which, aided by a steadying link, a simple to and fro motion is
obtained thereto.
Also the improvements relate to the valves for governing the passage of the
gas to and from the measuring compartments of the meter, and consist in
forming the seat of each valve in connection with two measuring compart-
ments with four passages, three of which are parallel to each other, and the
fourth transverse thereto, to effect a communication by the cover with one or
other end passage in the seat, and in forming the valve cover with three
parallel chambers or compartments, the two outer of which are connected so.
as to operate as one.
When measuring other fluids, the improvements relate to applying a regu-
lating valve to regulate the quantity of fluid admitted to the meter by the
pressure of such fluid, and consist in placing such valve in position with a
tendency to be opened by the inlet of the fluid, but which tendency is counter-
acted by a weight upon a flexible diaphragm at the same time, operated upon
by such fluid, so that the one may counteract the other.
Also the improvements relate to the valve for governing the direction of
motion of the fluid alternately to and from the measuring compartments, and
consist in substituting, for the sliding motion heretofore adopted, a lifting or
jumping, combined with a to and fro motion, controlled by a link or links fixed
to axes, or by other suitable means with which a spring or steadying means is
sometimes employed, and in governing the movement of such valve by means
of tappets supported from the moveable diaphragm; also to forming the move-
able diaphragm or partition by means of a metal plate surrounded at the edge 3
by an annular ring of vulcanised or prepared india-rubber.
Also the improvements relate to employing, in connection with each mea-
suring compartment of such meters, a spindle valve capable of acting alternately
with the inlet and outlet passages thereof.
Also the improvements relate to applying the inlet valve or valves to gas
regulators, so as to have a tendency to open by the passage thereto of the gas,
but which tendency is counteracted as the pressure increases beyond the con-
sumption by the pressure of the gas lifting a flexible diaphragm, or it may be
a moving cover surrounded by quicksilver, connected to such valve or valves,

page_text: and thereby closing or partially closing such valve or valves to regulate the
size of the passage for the gas. The diaphragm or moving cover is maintained
in correct working position by parallel motion, and is capable of being weighted
to the pressure which may be exerted. The inlet valve is also weighted with
a tendency to close it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 27th March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
SMITH, of Skinner Street, Snow Hill, in the City of London, and NATHANIEL
FORTESCUE TAYLOR, of Stratford, in the County of Essex, Gas Engineers, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of September, 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 us,
tho said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, Her special licence
that we, the said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William
Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, our 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, use, excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MEASURING GAS AND OTHER
FLUIDS, AND IN REGULATING THE FLOW OF THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue Taylor, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or their
hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, should par-
ticularly 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 we, the said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue
Taylor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The improvements relate, firstly, to the parts forming the partitions or
diaphragms of dry gas meters, and consist, when forming them of several
pieces or plates of metal or other suitable material converging to a common
centre, and united by flexible material (commonly called shielded partitions),
in applying to the centre of such flexible material a plate of metal, for the
purpose of there keeping the flexible material from passing the inner edges or
converging points of the plates.
Secondly, the improvements relate to the connections for effecting the
correct relative motions of the several parts of such diaphragms, and consist in
the application of a slotted piece at the point of connection of two of the parts
or sections of each partition, with a forked arm from the spindle, by which
motion is transferred to the valves, such slotted piece being to receive a bar,
which by links is connected to two other of the parts or sections of the
diaphragm, by which, aided by a steadying link, a simple to and fro motion is
obtained thereto.
the
Thirdly, the improvements relate to the valves for governing the passage of
gas to and from the measuring compartments of the meter, and consist in
forming the seat of each valve in connection with two measuring compart-
ments.with four passages, three of which are parallel to each other, and the
fourth transverse thereto, to effect a communication by the cover with one or
other end passage in the seat, and in forming the valve cover with three
parallel chambers or compartments, the two outer of which are connected so
as to operate as one.
When measuring other fluids, the improvements relate, fourthly, to applying
a regulating valve to regulate the quantity of fluid admitted to the meter by
the pressure of such fluid, and consist in placing such valve in position with
a. tendency to be opened by the inlet of the fluid, but which tendency is
counteracted by a weight upon a flexible diaphragm at the same time, operated
upon by such fluid, so that the one may counteract the other.
Also the improvements relate, fifthly, to the valve for governing the direc-
tion of motion of the fluid alternately to and from the measuring compartments,
and consist in substituting, for the sliding motion heretofore adopted, a lifting
or jumping, combined with a to and fro motion, controlled by a link or links
fixed to axes, or by other suitable means with which a spring or steadying
means is sometimes employed, and in governing the movement of such valve
by means of tappets supported from the moveable diaphragm; also to forming

page_text: plates a, a; but according to this second part of our improvements there is a
slotted bar between the forked ends of this arm d', the slot in which is to
admit of the free passage of the bar g, whose outer ends are by links connected
to the other two plates a of the diaphragm, whilst the bar g is also affixed to
the steadying link h, by which a simple steadying means to. the parts or
sections of the diaphragm in their motion is obtained.
Figure 5 shows a section of the parts of a valve constructed according to
the third part of our improvements; a being the seat, and 6 the cover thereto.
Figure 6 shows a plan of one of such valve seats; and Figure 7 the under
side view of the cover. Figure 8 shows a plan view of the valve chamber
of a meter to work with three moveable partitions or diaphragms, (or six
measuring compartments,) the valves of which are arranged according to this
part of the improvements. In each of these views the same letters indicate
similar parts. c is the inlet passage for the gas to the valves conducting the
gas to each valve through the passage 1 in the seat, to the chamber 2 in the
cover b, from. which it passes alternately by one or other of the passages 3, 3,
to one or other measuring compartment, and thence back by a passage 3 to a
chamber 4 in the valve cover. And it will be seen that the two chambers 4 of
each cover are connected together by a passage 5, by which the measured gas
is conducted, as received, into a chamber 4 to the passage 6 in the valve seat
in connection with the outlet passage d.
Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, and 12+, represent sectional and other views of
à meter for measuring water and other fluids, with the fourth part of our
improvements applied thereto. The water or other fluid to be measured
passes into the meter, as indicated by the arrows, through the pipe a and box
b, which is formed with the passage b' capable of being closed by the valve b²;
and according to this part of our improvements the valve b² is affixed on the
under side of the opening 6 to the lever arm &', which turns upon a centre of
motion 6, and has one end weighted by the weight 6º, the tendency of which
is to keep the valve closed whilst the other end of the lever arm 6 is by pin
joint connected to the stem c of the weight c', connected to and bearing upon
the flexible diaphragm c² of vulcanized or prepared india-rubber. When the
pressure of the water or other fluid increases beyond that required, the force of
such fluid will tend to lift the diaphragm c with its weight, and thereby
partially close the valve b, till by that pressure being diminished and the
weight c' descending, the valve 63 will open again for the free passage of the
fluid. The water or other fluid thence passes by the passages d, d, as shown
by the arrows, to the valve chamber e, in which works the valve f for
governing the direction of flow through one or other of the passages g or h, to

page_text: one or the other side of the moving diaphragm or partition employed. This
diaphragm is formed of the metal plate i, surrounded by the annular ring j of
vulcanized or prepared india-rubber, the one edge of which is connected to the
clge of the plate i, whilst the other edge is connected to the case. The method
adoptod in preparing the annular ring of india-rubber j.is as follows:-Having
cut a strip of sheet india-rubber (unprepared or unvulcanized) to the required
size, it is stretched over a mould of the form desired, and united by suitable
composition at the two ends or edges, so as to form an endless belt or ring,
which is then subjected to the vulcanizing or preparing process.
The valve f, according to the fifth part of our improvements, in place of
sliding on its seat, as is ordinarily the practice, has given to it a sort of jumping
nction, which is shewn, given by its being connected at each end to the ends of
links, whose other ends turn upon pin joints affixed to the sides of the
valve chamber, thereby causing the valve to move by a sort of parallèl motion.
Another mode of effecting the lifting or jumping motion to the valve f is by
affixing pins f in the sides thereof, and causing these to slide over fixed
surfaces, as shown by Figures 13 and 14, in which the spring o aids to give
steadiness to the motions of the valve. And in place of two guide links k, as
in Figures 9, 10, and 18, there may be but one, as represented by Figures 15
and 16. Motion is given to the valve f in the following manner:--
-Upon the
plate i is affixed, and so as to move with it, the stem , upon which are affixed
the rings or tappets 5, 7, which in the motion of the plate i alternately operate
upon a stud in the T piece of the arm A, which turns upon the fixed axis of
motion ', whilst its other end is connected to one end of the spring m, whose
other end is by pin joint affixed to the stationary piece m', as shewn. As the
arm is moved by the action of the rings or tappets 3 on the pin l, to bring
the pin in a horizontal line with the axis P, the spring m becomes compressed,
but so soon as the pin passes that horizontal line in either direction, the
action of the spring m is to carry the outer end of the arm to which the pin
is affixed, to the fullest extent in the direction in which for the time it is
moving, and in so doing one or other of the pins in the T end of the lever
will act upon the lever arm_n in connection with the valve f, to reverse its
position.The lever arm n is affixed to the axis n', which passes through a
suitable stuffing box in the side of the valve box e, and has affixed to it an
arm n², which by a link n³ is connected to the valve f. The dotted lines show
the reverse position of the parts. The Drawing shews the water or other
fluid passing to be measured through the passage h, and the measured fluid to
be passing from the other side of the diaphragm by the passage 9 to the
outlet passage o in councction with the tap p. The motion of the parts is also
เ

page_text: aided by a spring q, one end of which is affixed by pin joint to the end of the
lever arm n, whilst its other end turns upon the fixed pin q', as shewn.
Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20 show some of the parts separately, to a larger
scale.
Figures 21, 22, and 23 shew parts constructed according to the sixth part
of our improvements; and it will be seen that each valve P is capable
alternately of operating to close the passages 7, 9, and the two valves p
are formed on or affixed to the spindle r, so as to be thereby moved
simultaneously.
Figures 24 and 25 show an arrangement for carrying out the seventh part
of our improvements. a is the inlet passage for the gas which passes through
the opening b, which is capable of being closed when the supply of gas is
stopped by the valve acted upon by the weight 6. But so soon as gas is
caused to flow, the pressure thereof opens the valve until that pressure
increases beyond the consumption, when the gas acts upon with a tendency to
raise the flexible diaphragm c, which is connected by means of the link d to
one end of the lever arm 63, carrying the valve b', when the valve 6' will close
or partially close the opening b, reducing and thereby regulating the pressure
of the gas in its passage through the apparatus; f is the outlet for con-
sumption; g are weights to regulate the pressure on the diaphragın. Figures
26, 27, and 28 shew another modification of this part of the Invention, in
which in place of a flexible diaphragm a moving cover e is employed, whose
edges move in the channel filled with quicksilver. The same letters are
employed in these Figures to illustrate similar parts described in the last
Figures. are lever arms, one end of each of which turns upon pin joints 1,
carried by the casing, whilst the other ends are by pin joints attached to the
upper parts of the diaphragm or moving cover for effecting a parallelism of
motion thereto, aided by the lever arms b*, to which the valves b¹ are affixed.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention and in what manner
we carry the same into effect, we would have it understood, that we do not
confine ourselves to the precise details herein shewn and described, so long
as the peculiar character of any part thereof be retained; but what we do
claim is,
First, the application of plates c, for the purpose explained, to the centre of
the flexible material used with the moveable diaphragms or partitions of dry
gas meters having plates a of the character referred to.
Secondly, we claim the application of the slotted bar f, and parts acting
therewith, for the purpose of steadying the motion of diaphragms or partitions
such as referred to.

page_text: Thirdly, we claim the constructing the parts of valves for gas meters,
substantially as explained in respect of Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Fourthly, we claim the mode of arranging and combining parts 61, 63, and
c, c, and parts acting therewith, as explained in respect of Figures 9 and
12*, or any mere modification thereof.
Fiftbly, we claim the adaptation of parts by which a lifting or jumping
motion in place of a sliding one is given to the valves for governing the
direction of motion of the fluid.
Also, we claim the adaptation and combination of parts for giving the
roquisite to and fro motion to the valve f, as explained.
Also, we claim the mode of forming the moveable partition or diaphragm
by the adaptation thereto of an annular ring of vulcanized or prepared india-
rubber, as explained.
Sixthly, we claim the mode of arranging and combining valves, as described
in respect of Figures 21, 22, and 23.
Seventhly, we claim the arranging and combining parts for regulating the
flow of gas, or any mere modification thereof, as described in respect of Figures
24, 25, 26, 27, and 28.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Smith and Nathaniel Fortescue.
Taylor, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-seventh
day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven.
Witness,
WILLIAM SMITH.
(L.S.)
NATHANIEL FORTESCUE TAYLOR. (L.S.)
WILLIAM BROOKES, Patent Agent,
73, Chancery Lane, London.