IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING, MEASURING, AND REGISTERING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Lillie, of the City of Manchester, Engineer,.
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING,
MEASURING, AND REGISTERING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 28th October 1868, and dated the 1st May 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Lillie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st May 1868.
I, JOSEPH LILLIE, of the City of Manchester, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN.
APPARATUS FOR REGULATING, MEASURING, AND REGISTERING. THE FLOW OF
LIQUIDS," to be as follows:-
My Invention has reference to improvements on a former. Invention.
for which Letters Patent were granted. to me, bearing date the. Twelfth
day of April 1864, No. 914.
In the Invention referred to the liquid to be measured and registered:
is caused to pass into and fill a.hollow plug of the capacity required

page_text: contained within a hollow body, and to pass out of and empty the said
plug by the turning of the plug within a fixed body, or by the turning
of the body over a fixed plug, in order in either case to open- and
close the passages for the admission and discharge of the liquid into
and from the plug through the orifice in the body as required.
Now my present Invention consists in the first place in the com-
bination into one apparatus of any required number of separate
measuring chambers, each chamber being in communication with a
common supply pipe at one side of the apparatus and a common outlet
at the other side thereof, and having a separate counting or registering
apparatus. The liquid from the supply pipe enters the measuring
chamber at the bottom of the same, and the chamber is closed at
the top by a float valve. By moving a handle belonging to a
particular chamber of the requisite capacity intermediate gearing is
worked, by which the communication of that chamber with the supply
pipe is shut off, and the communication with the outlet immediately
afterwards opened by the further movement of the handle. By this
means the chamber which had been full becomes emptied, and the
movement of the handle sets the counting apparatus in motion and
thereby registers the quantity of liquid drawn from the chamber, all
repetitions of such drawings off of liquid being registered and indicated
in the usual manner. By returning the handle to its original position,
the communication with the outlet is closed, and that with the supply
pipe again opened, by which the chamber becomes again filled.
:
And my..Invention consists in the second place in substituting for
the several chambers above described a single chamber of sufficient
capacity for the largest quantity required to be measured, the several
smaller quantities being measured and drawn off through outlets with
orifices opening into the chamber at the respective levels required,
according to the proportion which the smaller quantity to be drawn
off bears to the whole internal capacity of the chamber below the
float when the valve is closed. The chamber receives its supply of
liquid at the bottom, and the several outlets are in communication
with a spout at which the requisite quantity can be drawn off and
registered by working the proper handle and intermediate gearing as
in the former apparatus. The several indicating dials are fitted one
over the other, and are of increasing diameter down to the lowest

page_text: dial, in order to indicate the register on the outer edge of each dial
when seen from above. The upper part of the apparatus over the dials
is securely closed by plate glass.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Lillie in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 31st October 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
LILLIE, of the City of Manchester, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the First day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Lillic, Her
special licence that I, the said Joseph Lillie, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Lillie, 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, use,
exercise, 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 REGULATING, MEASURING, AND REGISTERING
THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Joseph Lillie, 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 Joseph Lillie, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement (that is to say) :-
-
My Invention of "Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating,
Measuring, and Registering the Flow of Liquids," has reference -to

page_text: improvements on a former Invention for which Letters Patent were
granted unto me, bearing date the Twelfth day of April One thousand
cight hundred and sixty-four, No. 914.
In the Invention referred to the liquid to be measured and registered
is caused to pass into and fill a hollow plug of the capacity required
contained within a hollow body, and to pass out of and empty the said
plug by the turning of the plug within a fixed body, or by the turning
of the body over a fixed plug, in order in either case to open and close
the passages for the admission and discharge of the liquid into and from
the plug through the orifices in the body as required.
Now my present Invention consists in the first place in the combina-
tion into one apparatus of any required number of separate measuring
chambers, each chamber being in communication with a common supply
pipe at one rt of the apparatus and a common outlet at the opposite
or other par. reof, and having a separate counting or registering
apparatus. By means of this arrangement of a number of separate
chambers of different capacities comprised in one complete apparatus is
obtained the advantage in practice that when one is emptied the rest
are supplied ready for use, whilst the emptied one is being refilled.
The chambers are circular in form and are either arranged vertically
one above another, or triangularly in pairs, or otherwise as preferred.
When arranged one above another the roof of each chamber, which is
composed of metal, is formed with a socket to receive the foot of the
chamber above it. The several chambers stand on a base plate suitably
fixed, and are connected together by the supply and outlet pipes, thereby
together constituting a complete apparatus. Any required number and
measure of chambers can be constructed so as to form one complete
instrument, each measure or chamber having its own registering
apparatus connected with it. The several chambers can be each worked
separately, and the results of such working duly registered, but all the
chambers are combined by their connection with the supply and outlet
pipes and the base plate which forms the foundation of the whole apparatus.
Underneath any of the chambers is constructed a cock or tap with a
passage for the liquid from the supply pipe to flow freely through the
eye or centre of the hollow plug contained in the body of the cock
connected with the chamber or measure, but when the plug is moved
round by means of a handle alone or with intermediate gearing the
supply is cut off and the measure or quantity of liquid contained in

page_text: the chamber descends through the same centre or hollow plug into the
outlet pipe fitted at any required angle with the supply pipe. The body
of the cock and the plug are made either entirely of metal or of "Leoni's
Adamas," or other ceramic or vitreous substance, or of metal lined with
such ceramic substance. One or more apertures may be formed in the
plug in order to lessen the traverse of the handle and to correspond with
the required outlet. Around the outer body of the cock is constructed
the box or inclosure which contains the registering apparatus, and this
being of the ordinary description does not need to be described.
In the roof of each chamber is fitted a float of suitable diameter and
depth, on the top of which is constructed a metal valve for the admission
and emission of air. The said valve is kept in its seating as required
(allowing reasonable play) by means of a spindle fastened to the valve
in connection with a guide fixed on the top of the hollow centre or plug,
the descent of the spindle and valve being limited in its action by a
collar on the spindle.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the liquid from.
the supply pipe is free to enter the measuring chamber at the bottom of
the same, and that the chamber or chambers is or are closed at the top
by a float valve; then by moving a handle belonging to a particular
chamber of the requisite capacity the communication of that chamber.
with the supply pipe is shut off, and the communication with the outlet.
immediately afterwards opened by the further movement of the handle..
By this means the chamber which had been full becomes emptied,.
and the movement of the handle sets the counting apparatus in motion
and thereby registers the quantity of liquid drawn from the chamber,
all repetitions of such drawing off of liquid being registered and.
indicated in the usual manner. By returning the handle to its original
position the communication with the outlet is closed and that with.
the supply pipe again opened, by which the chamber becomes again
filled.
And my Invention consists in the second place in substituting for the
several chambers above described a single chamber of sufficient capacity
for the largest quantity required to be measured, the several smaller
quantities being measured and drawn off through short tubes or outlets'
open at both ends with orifices at the top opening into the said chamber
at the respective levels required, according to the proportion which the
smaller quantity to be drawn off bears to the whole internal capacity of:

page_text: the chamber below the float when the valve is closed. In this arrange-
ment it is necessary after drawing off any required quantity to return
the handle to its original position in order to obtain a fresh supply of
liquid to compensate for the quantity drawn off.
Around the body and below the said single chamber or vessel con-
taining a fixed quantity of liquid (say, for instance, a pint) are constructed
two or more cocks or taps placed either vertically or horizontally, each
representing with their outlets a certain capacity for the passage of
liquid, and each having a separate connection with a common supply
and a common outlet. In moving the single handle of any of the
separate outlets the measure of liquid is withdrawn, whilst the supply is
cut off. This is effected by means of intermediate gearing between the
outer range of taps surrounding the chamber, but in connection with
the centre supply cock, and at the same time independent of the other
outlets in its action. Each dial and its appurtenances is worked as
required by its own spindle, which forms the plug of the cock in con-
nection with its own separate measure. Instead of cocks surrounding
the main chamber I construct and apply underneath the same valves
with a vertical action, one valve in the centre to admit and shut off the
supply, whilst the others are in connection with the several short pipes
or outlets contained within the said chamber or vessel, and are worked
from the spindle of the main or supply valve by means of inclined
planes (or other suitable mechanical arrangement) over which the ends
of the spindles of the outlet valves traverse, and are thereby raised to
draw off the quantity or measure required. Underneath the main or
supply valve is a catch or clutch box, the upper part of which is
secured to the valve spindle while the lower part thereof runs loose
upon the said spindle. This clutch box is used for the purpose of
raising the valve into its seating to shut off the supply leading to the
main chamber or vessel previous to any of the outlet valves being
raised in order to draw off any required quantity of liquid. The main
or supply valve and the other or outlet valves are inverted in relation to
each other, but they may be otherwise arranged. In connection with
the lower part of the clutch box are constructed and applied the various
inclined planes, each adapted to act on its own separate outlet valve.
To this part of the clutch box is fixed a handle, which by its motion
serves to shut the supply or inlet valve and open all or any of the outlet
valves. When any particular outlet valve is required to be opened a

page_text: stud or pin is pushed underneath the under sido of the inclined-plane
belonging thereto, which being moved over the fixed pin causes the
inclined upper surface to act upon and raise the bottom end of the-valve
spindle. The valves are returned again to their original position by
spiral springs. Instead of separate inclined planes to work each outlet
valve the mechanism may be arranged to work all or any of them by
one inclined plane. After cach separate quantity of liquid is drawn off
the handle is returned to its original position, the upper part of the
clutch box returns to its corresponding seating, and the main or supply
valve is opened for a fresh admission of liquid. The dials in this case
surround the body of the chamber and are acted upon as required by
means of meclianism set in motion by the movement of the separate
outlet valve spindles, or by the separate pins; in this case also there is
one supply pipe in connection with the main or inlet valve, and the
several surrounding or outlet valves run into one main pipe or channel
contained within the inner space between the valves terminating in one
common outlet. The top of the supply valve spindle being drilled or
bored serves as a guide for a rod connected with the float and air valve
at the top of the main chamber or vessel. The several short tubes serving
as outlets immersed in the liquid and confined within the chamber or
vessel are regulated as to their elevations therein by tapping the lower
portion of the tube or otherwise, such lower portion being fixed to the
bottom of the chamber.
By a comparison of the foregoing descriptions of two modifications of
the apparatus under this second head of my Invention, it will be seen
that in the former case the main supply is shut off by means of cocks
acting independently, and in the latter case the outlet. valves are
worked from the main or supply valve after the supply is shut off;
or the main supply valve or cock may be worked from the outlet valve
or cock.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I hereby declare
that what I claim as of my Invention is,―
First. The apparatus described under the first head of my Invention
consisting of an arrangement of separate chambers of different capacities
with separate counting or registering apparatus and floats and air valves
comprised in one complete apparatus, having a supply and outlet
common to all the chambers, as hercin-before described.

page_text: And, secondly. The apparatus described under the second head of my
Invention consisting of an arrangement with one chamber or vessel of
sufficient capacity to contain the largest quantity of liquid required to
be drawn off, from which chamber or vessel may be drawn off through
short tubes or outlets various measured quantities of liquid by using
either cocks or valves in the manner above described with one supply
and one outlet, one air valve and float, and one or more handles, as
merein-before described.
merem Deiore descriven
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Lillie, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Thirty-first day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
JOSEPH LILLIE. (L.S.)