IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR WATER, GAS, AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Sterne, of 9, Victoria Chambers, in the City
of Westminster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METERS FOR WATER, GAS, AND OTHER FLUIDS."-A communication from
abroad by August Almqvist, of New York, in the United States of
America.
Sealed the 19th December 1871, and dated the 13th October 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Sterne at the.
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th October 1871.
I, LOUIS STERNE, of 9, Victoria Chambers, in the City of Westminster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METERS FOR WATER, GAS, AND OTHER FLUIDS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has special reference to meters of the class known as
diaphragm meters, and it consists in the construction, combinations, and
arrangements of parts of single-acting and double-acting meters as
herein-after described; all being based upon the same main principle. .

page_text: •
I proceed first to describo a single-acting meter with oscillating
flexible diaphragm and oscillating circular valve. The body of the meter
is made in two parts provided with flanges, by which they are securely
bolted together, and which may be made of various sizes according to
the amount of water or gas required. The diaphragm is made of india-
rubber or other suitable flexible material, the edges of which are clamped
and secured between the flanges of the parts of the body, and serve as
packing between the flanges. The diaphragm is made double to receive
an oscillating arm or frame between to preserve the said arm or frame
from the corrosive action of the water. The lower part of the arm is
made broad or it may be made in the form of an elastic framework, and
its upper end is rigidly attached to a rock shaft which works in bearings
formed upon or attached to the upper edge of the body of the meter.
The upper end of the arm is allowed to move freely, and at the same
time the upper part of the meter is made watertight by means of a ring
surrounding the upper part of the said arm, clamped between the parts of
the body, and which holds the diaphragm pressed closely against the
sides of the body. To one end of the rock shaft, or to the upper part of
a rigid arm which is rigidly connected to one end of it, is attached the
upper end of a spring, the lower end of which is connected with a lever
attached to the valve of a cock, so that the said valve may be operated
by the elasticity of the spring as the rock shaft is rocked by the
oscillation of the arm caused by the pressure of the water upon the
diaphragm. The lower end of the spring may be attached to the lover
either above the centre of the cock or to an extension of the lever below
the centre. The cock is constructed somewhat similar to an ordinary
four-way cock, the form being immaterial so long as it is constructed
with two sets of inlet and outlet orifices, cach set acting independently
of the other, and each set being connected with the interior of the body
of the meter upon opposite sides of the diaphragm. The arm which §
is rigidly attached to the end of the rock shaft is formed at its lower
end with a curved or arched cross head, having its centre in the axis of
the shaft. This arched cross head is provided with a flange, the middle
part of which is cut away or notched to allow the pin or arm of the lever
to pass from the one side to the other of the said flange when released by 3
passing the end of the flange. The flanged cross head thus acts as a
stop to prevent the valve from being moved by the action of the spring
before the desired amount of water has entered the body of the meter.
The spring in combination with the rigid arm provided with the flanged
-

page_text: cross head may be used to operate similarly on a sliding valve or on one
otherwise constructed.
In using the meter, the water is introduced through the supply pipo
into the cock, through which it passes into and through a pipe and into
the body of the meter upon, say, the left-hand side of the diaphragm.
As the water flows in it presses the diaphragm and oscillating arm
towards the right-hand side of the meter until the desired amount of
water has entered, at which point the pin of the arm or lever passes the
left-hand end of the crosshead, and is thrown by the clasticity of the
spring through the notch in the centre of the flange, changing tho
position of the valve so that the water may flow out of the meter through
pipes at tlie same time that the water enters the body of the meter at
the right-hand side of the diaphragm through other pipes, and so on
continuously. The number of times the meter has been filled or tho
amount of water that has passed through it is registered by a series of
gear wheels, each of which has exactly the same number of teeth, and
each succeeding one of which is operated by a single tooth or pin
attached to the next preceding one, so that each succeeding wheel may
be revolved through the space of one tooth at each revolution of the
preceding wheel, the first wheel of the series being operated by a single
or double pawl connected with the rock shaft. The teeth of the series of
wheels are numbered upon' their outer sides, which numbers are seen
through small holes in a dial plate by which the said wheels are covered.
For convenience, I prefer to make cach wheel with ten teeth so that
the numbers when read off may stand in the decimal order as tens;
hundreds, thousands. The operating parts of the meter should bo
covered with a casing or box to protect them from accidental injury.
Meters worked by flexible diaphragms have heretofore proved to be
objectionable for several reasons, among which those having reference to.
incorrect measuring under different pressures caused by enclosed air or
tardy valves and other reasons are avoided by the meter I have just
described. Another objection, viz., the indurability of a rubber
diaphragm is mainly due to the fact that it is made to work too heavy.
valves with too large a stroke, those of the working parts in direct
contact with the diaphragm also being acted upon by only a small
portion of the said diaphragm, thus exposing this portion to a greater
strain than the remaining surface, and thereby causing an increased
unequal tension all around and radiating in diminishing ratio from one

page_text: point. For the same reason it is obvious that moulding the rubber
diaphragm in the same shape as the insido of the body of the meter,
purporting to allow of a large stroke without straining the elasticity of
the rubber, does not overcome this last objection.
To remedy this I make the inner form of each of the two halves of 5
the outer shell or body of the meter of the shape of a cone or spheric
segment, the height of which is about one-tenth, not exceeding one-
eighth, of its base, reducing thereby the stroke accordingly to one-fifth,
not exceeding one-fourth, of the diameter of the meter. With such a
small stroke the diaphragm need not be moulded in any bulged form, 1
but can be made of a straight sheet, quite thin, and inserted by hanging
it between the two halves (the latter being placed perpendicularly a
little apart), and then clamped between the flanges by pressing the
halves together and inserting the bolts. The deviation from the centre
line being only about one and one-fourth inches, or one half of the 1
stroke, the elasticity of the diaphragm will not be exerted to any
perceptible degree, as its own weight would cause it to swag that much
were it placed horizontally; and thus only its imperviousness and not
its elasticity is taken into account for the working of the meter.
The diaphragm is composed of rubber enclosing an elastic frame 2
formed of flat springs fastened together at the centre or cut out of one
plate of metal, the frame reaching through the whole internal width of
the meter, one of its radial projections being provided with a screw-
thread and shoulder, by means of which and a nut it may be secured
through a hole to the rock shaft, the shaft being punched through to 2
receive the screw. In working the meter the elasticity of the frame
will allow its centre to travel to the end of the stroke, while its edge or
the ends of its radial projections remain always in the line drawn
through the centre of the whole meter, and also through the centre of
the rock shaft bearings. The [frame thus acts as and may properly be a
called a perforated metallic diaphragm, rendered water-tight by means
of the rubber covering. For convenience sake the rubber covering is
made of two sheets and inserted as described, but the rubber may also
be moulded on and around the metallic diaphragm, leaving a ring or
tube of rubber surrounding the radial projection which is attached to a
the rock shaft at the point where a metallic ring is inserted in the
said rubber tube for packing between the flanges of the shells of the
meter.

page_text: '
One great objection to water meters has heretofore been the difficulty
of keeping them from leaking through the stuffing boxes necessarily
used. Even the best stuffing boxes have to be renewed at least once
every year; besides that, in order to be tight they involve an additional
amount of friction, which requires greater pressure or head of water to
overcome in working a meter. Now in order to dispense with a
stuffing box I adopt the following arrangement:-I make the valve
chest one piece of casting, having ducts communicating with the
passages in the parts of the meter (the ducts and passages being all
formed by cores in casting the metal) for the purpose of admitting and
discharging the fluid. The valve chest is provided with two lugs,
through which it is secured by bolts to the body of the meter, a sheet
of rubber being interposed for packing. The valve chest is bored out
in its centre to receive a cylindrical valve, which is pivoted to a disc a
little larger in diameter than the valve, and held firm and water tight
between a shoulder in the valve chest and the packing interposed
between the valve chest and the body of the meter. The other pivot
and bearing for the valve are the valve rod and the solid lid or outer
end of the valve chest, through which the valve rod connects with the
device for operating the valve. In order to dispense with a stuffing box
and yet prevent leakage around the valve rod there is formed on the
valve rod at the point nearest to the cylindrical valve proper a device of
preferably conical shape working on or in a corresponding surface in the
outer end of the valve chest. The valve is pressed against its seat with
a force proportioned to the area of cross section of the valve rod, which
force is sufficient to secure its tight working under high pressure, but
to hold it close to its seat even under the lowest pressure a spring is
interposed between the inner end of the valve and the disc before
mentioned. The rigid arm attached to the rock shaft and provided with
the arched and flanged cross head, as before described, may be made
adjustable. For this purpose it is divided nearly up to its hub, forming
two arms having lugs, both of which are drilled through and one of
which is threaded to receive a screw, by loosening or tightening which
the flanges of the cross head may be made to remove from or approach
to each other, thereby decreasing or increasing the stroke respectively
and regulating the capacity of the liquid contained for each stroke to
the utmost precision. On the opposite or inner side of the rigid arm
is formed a hub, to which I attach a paul for working the register.
The wheels of the register work against hubs formed on the plate of

page_text: the register, which plate is supported by the rock shaft passing through
a hole in a hub of the said plate, this hole being large enough to allow
of the free motion of the shaft without moving the plate with it. On
the back of the plate between the successive hubs are formed little
curved projections. There is another projection on the lower part of
the plate intended to prevent it from swinging with the movement of
the shaft by being held in position in a notch or similar contrivance
attached to the casing. Passing through the hubs on the plate and
holding the wheels of the register are the indices, cach of which
consists merely of a wire with the pointer attached to its outer end, and 1
having a hole in its inner end close to the back of the plate. These
holes are drilled at right angles to the direction of the pointers. After
the register wheels and indices have been placed in position an elastic
steel or brass wire is drawn through the said holes, resting on the
curved projections before named between the index pins. This wire 1
serves for two purposes, viz. :-First. It prevents the pointers from
turning, thereby allowing the registering to be indicated by the number
on its wheel, which as the wheel revolves passes opposite to the end of
the corresponding pointer. Second. The wire being held in tension by
the curved projections on the plato pulls the index pins inward, which 2
presses the wheels of the register against the face of the hubs, thereby
producing enough friction to prevent the wheels from turning in the
wrong direction when the paul has dropped one tooth and retires to
catch another.
For accessibility in building the meter the rock-shaft may be bent and 2
inserted in the journal boxes at the same time as the diaphragm, after
which the bearings are put on from the ends of the shaft until they
lodge in the boxes. The boxes are formed on the two parts of the
body of the meter in casting the same, and provided with small stops at
the upper edge to prevent the bearings from being lifted out of the g
boxes, and at the same time to allow the inserting of a wedge at the
space between them, to prevent any lateral movement of the bearing, if
necessary.
'
To insure the easy working of the shaft, as well as cheapness, and
prevent any friction from rust, the bearings are made of wood and 3
dipped in oil before being put on the rock shaft and inserted in the
boxes. A hole for a screw plug exists at the upper flange of the meter,
to be closed after the water has expelled the air when starting the meter.

page_text: This screw plug may however be dispensed with by placing the meter
so that the valve will be the highest point, and thus the air be expelled
through the valve by the action of the water alone. In this case the
index will of course be placed above the valve. A similar hole is at
the lower flange for emptying when not in use.
Another arrangement for working the valve is as follows:-A spring
plate is attached to the rock shaft, either directly or by a collar or sleeve
movable on the shaft, which motion may be regulated by screws on
projections of another collar, the latter being securely fastened by a pin
or otherwise to the shaft. The axle or fulcrum of the valve is connected
by a lever and pin to the spring plate. There is a stop plate curved or
inclined on its working surface and of a length corresponding to the
desired distance of motion of the pin. Instead of this plate may be used
inclined catches or other devices applicable as stops placed at the same
distance apart. There is a stop pin connected either with the spring
plate or with the lever. There is a spring which yielding to the pressure
of the stop pin during motion of the lever pin, expands at the end of the
stroke, retaining the stop pin at rest at the ends of the stop plate until
released by the bending of the spring plate. The spring may be attached
either to the stop pin or to the stop plate. The length of contact
between the stop pin and stop plate, and thereby the time of rest of the
pin of the lever after completed stroke, as also the tension of the
spring plate to suit its work, are regulated by a screw thread and
nut, which may be made either as a part of the stop pin or separately.
The operation is as follows:-The movement of the rock shaft in one
direction, when acted on by the oscillating arm which is in connection
with the diaphragm as before described, bends the spring plate, which
being thus bent rises above the contact of the stops, when expanding it
reverses the position of the lever and the valve operated thereby,
changing the position of its ports. The stop pin is then retained at
the opposite end of the stop plate until by the return motion the spring
plate is again bent in the other direction sufficiently to release the stops,
when the valve is again reversed and so on continuously. By adjusting
the length of contact between the stop pin and stop plate by means of
the thread and nut above mentioned the stroke of the oscillating arm
may thus also be varied. The stroke may be further increased without
increasing the flexion of the spring plate by unscrewing the set screws
in the lugs of the collar before mentioned a greater or less distance out

page_text: of contact with the projections on the other collar. In the case of slow
velocity, and where the movement is placed vertically, the spring
connected with the stop pin may be dispensed with, as the weight of the
stop pin is sufficient to cause it to fall after passing the ends of the
stop plate.
I now proceed to describe a double-acting meter for gas or other
fluids. There are two diaphragm chambers similar to those previously
described. They may be formed of metallic sheet plates struck up by
dies into the shape of spheric segments of small altitude, the edges being
left flat for the purpose of forming flanges of different widths, so that in
putting them together the broader flange will overlap the other, between
which flanges the diaphragm is inserted and clamped. by being bent
together with one flange over the other and pressed tight. Thus the
halves of each chamber are fastened together securely without screws or
solder cheaply, and without danger of destroying the diaphragm by the
heat necessary in applying solder for fastening. The diaphragm in each
chamber is made single and secured to the oscillating arm of the rock
shaft by means of a piece sewn on, between which and the diaphragm
the rock shaft arm is inserted and pivoted to the inside of a short tube
clamped between the flanges to allow of the free oscillation of the arm
and rock shaft. To the rock shaft are attached two slotted arms, one for
each diaphragm chamber and which are placed at such angles to the
oscillating arms that one diaphragm will always be at the middle of its
stroke while the other passes its "dead centre," thus reversing the
motion of the other diaphragm without the aid of a cut-off valve gear,
while at the same time the valve always rotates uninterruptedly in the
same direction. The slotted arms act upon a crank pin adjustablė on
the crank of the valve which has two ports acting alternately as inlets
and outlets for each chamber, and one common exhaust in the centre of
the valve seat. The valve is so constructed that during its revolution
the whole area of one of the four ports is always in communication with
the exhaust, whereby a constant flow of the fluid is effected as if it were
discharged through an open pipe; each chamber being twice emptied
and filled for each revolution, or four times the volume of one chamber
discharged for each revolution of the valve. Each revolution, and
consequently the measurement, is transmitted by means of a screw on
the valve stem to a toothed wheel on a shaft which communicates its
motion to the index wheels. These wheels are constructed as before

page_text: described, but in this case a slightly different arrangement is adopted for
producing the necessary friction, to prevent the wheels from turning in
undue time, and of making and placing the indexes. The spindles of
the register wheels work in bearings in frames secured in the register
; box (which is gas-tight) and a straight spring wire is put alternately
over and under the spindles and secured at its ends to the box, so that
by more or less "setting" the wire the friction between it and the
spindles is decreased or increased to any degree of nicety required.
The indexes being stationary (while the figures stamped on the wheels
O move around the point of the index) they may be made and placed at
proper distances apart by simply being cut or stamped out of the outer
casing.
In order to occupy as little as possible of available space in a room it
is desirable that a gas meter be so constructed that when placed in an
5 angle of a room it will present no angles or corners, but only a smooth
front toward the interior of the room. In a gas meter which must work
with extremely low pressure and with very even motion it is also of
utmost importance that the valve be placed far enough from the centres
of oscillation of the diaphragm arms to enable the application of a
0 sufficiently large crank, and thereby secure an easy movement of the
valve.
To effect this necessity, and at the same time maintain the small
compass desired, the diaphragm chambers are placed at such an angle
to each other that the two sides of the casing tangenting the outer curves
5 of the chambers meet at a right angle, so as to fit in the angle or corner
of a room, while the third side of the casing presents the face of the dial
to the interior of the room, the general exterior shape of the gas meter
being that of a three-sided prism with two corners rounded off.
By this arrangement space enough is gained to place the valve at the
0 desired distance from the point of oscillation of the diaphragm arms;
that is to say, at a point where the slotted arms make a large enough
stroke to admit of the required length of crank. The gas after entering the
meter through the pipe, and passing through the chambers; the valve and
exhaust passes into the casing, which acts as a reservoir or drum for the
5 free expansion of the gas, equalizing its pressure in the discharge
pipe, from which it passes through the service pipe to the burners.
This meter may be used with equal advantage for water or other liquids,

page_text: in which case however I dispense with the reservoir, and attach the
service pipe directly to the exhaust in the valve; and also for com-¨
pactness and neatness of appearance place the chambers parallel to each
other, and the valve across their edges, making it cylindrical, and
arranging the four ports in the periphery of the valve seat in pairs
opposite each other, and the common exhaust in the centre of its length
instead of its diameter, as will be seen in the following description of a
double-acting water meter with flexible diaphragms.
In this double-acting water meter the diaphragms may each be made
of one single sheet of rubber clamped at its centres between flat discs,
to which are attached the diaphragm arms. The other ends of these arms
are rigidly attached to the rock shafts, which latter work in bearings
formed in the outer shells of the meter, and are made water-tight
without a stuffing box in the manner before described. To the end of
the rock shafts outside of the meter are attached the slotted arms which
work the crank pin, and on one of which is formed a slotted projection,
which latter by means of an adjustable pin transmits motion to the
counting mechanism. The crank has the crank pin attached to it in
such manner as to be allowed a sliding motion in a radial direction from
the centre of the valve stem.
By this construction the diaphragm, which is on the "dead point," is
not affected by the motion of the other, which is then on its middle or
centre of stroke, as the crank pin moved by the latter diaphragm will
simply slide through the slot of the slotted arm of the former diaphragm
longitudinally; and thus in no instance will the crank pin be the motor
of the arm, but the said arm when at the end of its stroke will remain
stationary until impelled by the return motion of its diaphragm alone
consequent upon the inflow of water.
A double lever is pivoted to the rock shaft or elsewhere, and provided
with two slots, one of which engages with the adjustable pin in the 3
slotted projection before mentioned, and the other is provided with an
adjustable pin which engages with a slot in one part of another double
lever (pivoted to an upright shaft.) The other part of this lever carries a
friction paul, which is held by a spring and between two pins in such a
position as to grasp the rim of a friction wheel and turn it with the 9
motion of the second-named double lever in one direction, and to loosen
its grip and slide on the rim of the wheel with the return motion of the

page_text: said double lever. The friction wheel is rigidly attached to the upright
shaft above mentioned, which latter is provided at its upper end with a
tapering square (or inverted pyramid) fitted into a steel plate, which
rests on a rim formed on the register plate. By tightening a nut on the
lower end of the upright shaft against the friction wheel the steel plate
can be pressed against the said rim with any force required to produce
friction enough to prevent the said shaft and wheel from moving with
the return motion of the friction paul. A tooth on the upper end
of the said shaft gears with the first of the index wheels.
As the volumes of the diaphragm chambers for equal distances or part
of the same stroke are not alike, but decrease (not in the same but in
diminishing ratio) with the increase of stroke, it is necessary that the
counting mechanism be so arranged and constructed as to cause the
friction paul to travel faster and push the friction wheel round a greater
distance when the diaphragm is moving at the middle of its stroke, and
takes in a larger volume of water, and to push the said wheel a less
distance when the diaphragm is moving further towards the end of its
stroke, and takes in a less volume of water.
.
. This is accomplished by the adjusting double levers before described
(or their equivalents) in the following manner :-When the diaphragm
and its slotted arm are at the centre of the stroke, the first slotted arm
of the first-named double lever is in a line with the slotted projection
before described; the second slotted arm of this double lever is also in a
line with the slotted arm of the other double lever. The pin in the
slotted projection moving in a circle around the rock shaft is at this
time on the end of its reach toward the pivoting point of the doublo
lever in its slot, thus producing a rapid motion of the said lever
(decreasing as the pin travels outward), the other and longer end of
which lever thus receives a still more rapid motion, furthermore
increased in its effect on the friction paul as the slot of the other double
lever, on which lever this paul is attached, is just at the same instant in
line with the second slot of the first double lever, and the corresponding
pin works with its longest reach on the shortest reach of the second
double lever. By attaching the pins at a greater or less distance from the
centres of motion of their levers the ratio of speed of the tooth which
gears with the index wheels may thus be increased or decreased
respectively, and the correctness of the register so regulated that it

page_text: will be correct and invariable under any variations in pressure or
velocity of water. The arrangement in this double-acting water meter
of the self-adjusting crank and slotted arm crank pin and rock shaft
may be applied to double-acting piston meters.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Louis Sterne in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th April 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LOUIS
STERNE, of 9, Victoria Chambers, in the Oity of Westminster, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one,
in the thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Louis Sterne, Her
special licence that I, the said Louis Sterne, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Louis Sterne, 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, exercisc,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN METERS FOR WATER, GAS, AND OTHER FLUIDS," (a communication from
August Almqvist, of New York, United States of America,) upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Louis Sterne, 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.

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say :-
This Invention has special reference to meters known as' diaphragm
meters, and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrange.
ments of parts of single-acting and double-acting meters as herein-after
described, all being based upon the same main principle.
I proceed first to describe a single-acting meter with oscillating
flexible diaphragm and oscillating circular valve. Figure 1 is an edge
view of this meter; Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the same
taken through the line 2, 2, Figure 3; Figure 3 is a side view of the
same; Figure 4 is a detail view of the registering device; Figure 5 is a
detail face view of the register dial plate; Figure 6 is a detail sectional
view of the supply and discharging cock; Figure 7 is a detail front
view of the same. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts.
A is the body of the meter which is made in two parts, provided with
flanges a' by which they are securely bolted together, as shewn in
Figures 1 and 3, and which may be made of various sizes according to
the amount of water or gas required; B is the diaphragm, which is
made of india-rubber or other suitable flexible material, and the edges of
which are clamped and secured between the flanges a' of the parts of
the body A, and serve as packing between the said flanges. The
diaphragm B is made double to receive an oscillating arm or frame Ċ
between to preserve the said arm or frame from the corrosive action of
the water; O is an arm, the lower part of which is made broad, or which
may be made in the form of an elastic framework, and the upper end of
which is rigidly attached to a rock shaft D. The shaft D works in
bearings formed upon or attached to the upper edge of the body A. of
the meter. The upper end of the arm C is allowed to move freely, and
at the same time the upper part of the meter is made water-tight by
means of a ring E surrounding the upper part of the said arm C clamped
between the parts of the body A, and which holds the diaphragm B
pressed closely against the sides of the body A, as shewn in Figure 2.
To one end of the rock shaft D, or to the upper part of the rigid arm J,
is attached the upper end of a spring F, the lower end of which is con-
nected with an arm or lever G attached to the valve H of the cock I, so

page_text: that the said valve may be operated by the clasticity of the spring Fas
the rock shaft D is rocked by the oscillation of the arm O caused by the
pressure of the water upon the diaphragm B. The lower end of the
spring F may be attached to the lever G, either above the centre of the
cock I, or to an extension of the lever G below the said centre. The
cock I is constructed somewhat similar to an ordinary four-way cock,
and the form of which is immaterial so long as it is constructed with
two sets of inlet and outlet orifices, each set acting independently of the
other, and each set being connected with the interior of the body A of
the meter upon the opposite sides of the diaphragm B; J is an arm
rigidly attached to the end of the rock shaft D, and upon the lower end
of which is formed a curved or arched cross head K, having its centre in
the axis of the shaft D. The arched cross head K is provided with a
flange k', the middle part of which is cut away or notched, as shewn in
Figure 1, to allow the pin or arm of the lever G to pass from the one
side to the other of the said flange when released by passing the end
of the said flange. The said flanged cross head K thus acts as a stop to
prevent the valve H from being moved by the action of the spring F
before the desired amount of water has entered the body A of the meter.
The spring F, in combination with the arm J, provided with the flanged
cross head K, may be used to operate similarly on a sliding valve, or on
one otherwise constructed. In using the meter the water is introduced
through the supply pipe L into the cock I, through which it passes
when the apparatus is in the position shewn in Figure 1, in the direction
of the arrows 1, through the pipe M into the body A. of the meter upon
the left-hand side of the diaphragm B. As the water flows in it presses
the diaphragm B and arm C towards the right-hand side of the meter
until the desired amount of water has entered, at which point the pin of
the arm or lever G passes the left-hand end of the cross head K, and is
thrown by the elasticity of the spring F through the notch in the centro
of the flange, changing the position of the valve I so that the water
may flow out through the pipes M and N at the same time that the
water enters the body A of the meter at the right-hand side of the
diaphragm B through the pipes L and O, and so on continuously.
The number of times the meter has been filled, or the amount of 3
water that has passed through it, is registered by a series of gear wheels P,
each of which has exactly the same number of teeth, and each succeed-
ing one of which is operated by a single tooth or pin attached to the

page_text: through the space of one tooth at each revolution of the preceding
wheel, the first wheel of the series being operated by a single or double
paul connected with the rock shaft D. The teeth of the series of
wheels P are numbered upon their outer sides, which numbers are
seen through small holes in the dial plate Q by which the said wheels
are covered..
For convenience I prefer to make each wheel with ten teeth so that
the numbers when read off may stand in the decimal order, as tens,
› hundreds, thousands, &c. The operating parts of the meter should bo
covered with a casing or box to protect them from accidental injury.
Figure 8 represents a side elevation of another improved meter partly
in section; Figure 9 is a central section of the same taken through the
line y, y, of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a vertical central section through
the line x, x, of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a face view of the register and
device for operating the supply and discharge valve; Figure 12 is a
cross section of the said valve through the lines, 2, Figure 9; Figure 13;
side view of the valve proper; Figure 14, plan of the disc to which the
inner end of the said valve is. pivoted; Figure 15, edge view of the
register supporting plate; Figure 16, reverse view of the said plate;
Figure 17, end view of journal box and bearing for the rock shaft;
Figure 18 is a modification of the diaphragm. Similar letters of
reference in these Figures indicato like parts.
Meters worked by flexible diaphragms have heretofore proved to be
objectionable for several reasons, among which those having reference to
incorrect measuring under different pressures caused by inclosed air or
tardy valves and other reasons are avoided by the meter I have just
described. Another objection, viz., the indurability of a rubber
diaphragm, is mainly due to the fact that it is made to work too heavy
valves with too large a stroke, those of the working parts in direct
contact with the diaphragm also being acted upon by only a small
portion of the said diaphragm, thus exposing this portion to a greater
strain than the remaining surface, and thereby causing increased.
unequal tension all around, and radiating in diminishing ratio from one.
point. For the same reason it is obvious that moulding the rubber
diaphragm in the same shape as the inside of the body of the meter,.

page_text: purporting to allow of a large stroke without straining the elasticity of
the rubber, does not overcome this last objection.
To remedy this I make the inner form of each of the two halves of
the outer shell or body A (Figure 9) of the meter of the shape of a cone
or a spheric segment, the height of which is about one-tenth, not t
exceeding one-eighth of its base, reducing thereby the stroke accordingly.
to one-fifth, not exceeding one-fourth of the diameter of the meter.
With such a small stroke the diaphragm B need not be moulded in any
bulged form, but can be made of a straight sheet, quite thin, and
inserted by hanging it between the two halves A (the latter being placed 1
perpendicularly a little apart), and then clamped between the flanges a¹
by pressing the parts A together and inserting the bolts. The deviation
from the centre line v, v, (Figure 10) being only about one and one-
fourth inches or one-half of the stroke, the elasticity of the diaphragm
will not be exerted to any perceptible degree, as its own weight would
cause it to swag that much were it placed horizontally, and thus only its
imperviousness and not its elasticity is taken into account for the

page_text: in the said rubber tube for packing between the flanges a³ of the shells
A of the meter.
One great objection to water meters has heretofore been the difficulty
of keeping them from leaking through the stuffing boxes necessarily
used. Even the best stuffing boxes have to be removed at least once
every year, besides that in order to be tight they involve an additional
amount of friction, which requires greater pressure or head of water to
overcome in working a meter.
Now in order to dispense with a stuffing box I adopt the following
arrangement:-I make the valve chest I one piece of casting, having
ducts L, M, N, O, communicating with the passages M', O', in the
parts A of the meter (said ducts and passages being all formed by
cores in casting the metal), for the purpose of admitting and discharging
the fluid. The said valve chest I is provided with two lugs I', through.
which it is secured by bolts to the body of the meter, a sheet of rubber
being interposed for packing. The valve chest I is bored out in its
centre to receive the cylindrical valve H, which is pivoted to a disc H',
a little larger in diameter than the valve H, and held firm and water-
tight between a shoulder in the valve chest I, and the packing inter-
posed between the valve chest and the body A of the meter. The other
pivot and bearing for the valve H are the valve rod and the solid lid
or outer end I" of the valve chest I, through which the valve rod h¹
connects with the device for operating the valve H. In order to
disponse with a stuffing box and yet prevent leakage around the valve
rod h, there is formed on the valve rod h', at the point nearest to the
cylindrical valve proper H, a device of preferably conical shape,
working on or in a corresponding surface in the part I" of the valve
chest I. The valve h is pressed against its seat with a force proportioned
to the area of cross section of the valve rod h', which force is sufficient
to secure its tight working under high pressure, but to hold it close to
its seat even under the lowest pressure a spring S is interposed between
the inner end of the valve H and the disk H', as shewn in the Drawings.
The rigid arm J attached to the rock shaft D, and provided with the
arched and flanged cross head K, as before described, may be made
adjustable. For this purpose it is divided nearly up to its hub (as
seen in Figure 11), forming the arms; and j, having lugs and P,
both of which are drilled through, and one of which is threaded to
receive a screw j", by loosening or tightening which the flanges k³, k³,

page_text: may be made to remove from or approach to each other, thereby
decreasing or increasing the stroke respectively, and regulating the
capacity of the liquid contained for each stroko to the utmost precision.
On the opposite or inner side of the rigid arm J is formed a hub w, to
which I attach the paul R for working the register P. The wheels of
the register work against hubs Q' formed on the plate Q, which plate
is supported by the rock shaft D passing through a holo in the hub Q"
of the said plato Q, the said hole being large enough to allow of the free
motion of the shaft D without moving the plate Q with it. On the back
of the plate Q between these successive hubs Q' are formed little curved
projections q. is another projection on the lower part of the plate Q,
intended to prevent it from swinging with the movement of the shaft D,
by being held in position in a notch or similar contrivance attached to
the casing shewn in Figure 8. Passing through the hubs Q' and holding
the wheels of the register P are the indices p', cach of which consists
merely of a wire with the pointer attached to its outer end, and having
a hole in its inner end, close to the back of the plate Q. These holes
are drilled at right angles to the direction of the pointers. After tho
register wheels and indices have been placed in position, an elastic steel
or brass wire q' is drawn through the said holes resting on the pro-
This wire serves for two
jections 9 between the index pins p³.
purposes, viz.:-First, it prevents the pointers from turning, thereby
allowing the registering to be indicated by the number on its wheel,
which, as the wheel revolves, passes opposite to the end of the correspond-
ing pointer. Second, the wire q' being held in tension by the projections q
on the plate Q pulls the index pins p' inward, which presses the wheels
of the register against the face of the hubs Q', thereby producing
enough of friction to prevent the wheels from turning in the wrong
direction when the paul R has dropped one tooth and retires to catch
another. For accessibility in building the meter, the rock shaft D is
bent as seen in Figure 8, and inserted in the journal boxes T at the
same time as the diaphragın C, after which the bearings U are put on
from the ends of the shaft D until they lodge in the boxes T. The
square boxes T are formed on the two parts of the body A of the meter
in casting the meter, as shewn in the Drawing, and provided with small
stops t, t, at the upper edge to prevent the bearings U, l, from being
lifted out of the boxes T, and at the same time to allow the inserting
of a wedge at the space between them to prevent any lateral move-
ment of the bearing if necessary. To insure the easy working of the

page_text: shaft, as well as cheapness, and prevent any friction from rust, the
bearings U are made of wood and dipped in oil before being put on the
rock shaft D, and inserted in the boxes T, T; X is a hole for a screw
plug at the upper flange of the meter, to bo closed after the water. has
expelled the air when starting the meter. This screw plug may, how.
ever, be dispensed with by placing the meter so that the valve will be
the highest point, and thus the air be expelled through the valve by the
action of the water alone. In this case the index will of course be
placed above the valve: Y is a similar hole at the lower flange for
emptying when not in use.
Another arrangement for working the valve is represented in
Figures 19 to 26. Figure 19 represents a front or face view of this
arrangement; Figure 20, a sectional side view of Figure 19; Figures 21
and 23 and Figure 25 represent face views of modifications of the
arrangement. Figure 22 and Figures 24 and 26 are sectional side
views of Figures 21, 23 and 25 respectively.
'
B is a spring plate attached to the rock shaft A, either directly or by
the collar or, sleeve a' movable on the shaft A, which motion may be
regulated by the screws a" on the projections 6" of the collar 6', the
latter being securely fastened by a pin or otherwise to the shaft A.
C is the axle or fulcrum of the valve. D is the lever of motion acting
on the fulcrum C.* The said lever D is provided with a pin d' connected
with the spring B. E is a stop plate curved or inclined on its working
surface, and of a length corresponding to the desired distance of motion
of the pin d'. Instead of this plate E may be used inclined catches or
other devices, applicable as stops placed at the same distance apart..
F is a stop pin connected either with the spring plate B (as shewn in
Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22), or with the lever D (as shewn in Figures 23,
24, 25, and 26). G is a spring which, yielding to the pressure of the
stop pin F during motion of the lever pin d, expands at the end of the
stroke, retaining the stop pin F at rest at the ends of the stop plate E
until released by the bending of the spring plate B. The spring G may
be attached either to the stop pin F (as in Figures 19, 20, 25, and 26),
or to the stop plate E, as in Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24. The length of
contact between the stop pin and stop plate, and thereby the time of
rest of the pin d¹ of the lover D after completed stroke, as also the
tension of the spring plate B-to suit its work, are regulated by the screw

page_text: thread and nut H, which may be made either as a part of the stop pin F
(as in Figures 19, 20, 21, 22), or separately (as in Figures 23, 24, 25,
and 26).
The operation is as follows:-The movement of the rock shaft in the
direction of the arrow 1, Figures 19, 21, and 23, when acted on by the 5
oscillating arm, which is in connection with the diaphragm, as before
described, bends the spring plate B, which, being thus bent, rises above
the contact of the stops, when, expanding, it reverses the position of the
lever D, and the valve operated thereby, changing the position of its-
ports. The stop pin F is then retained at the opposite end of the stop 1
plate E until by the return motion the spring plate B is again bent in
the direction of the arrow 2, Figure 25, sufficiently to release the stops
when the valve is again reversed, and so on continuously. By adjusting
the length of contact between the stop pin and stop plate by means of
the thread and nut H above mentioned, the stroke of the oscillating arm 1
may thus also be varied. The said stroke may be further increased
without increasing the flexion of the spring plate B by unscrewing the
set screws a¹ in the lugs of the collar b', a greater or less distance out
of contact with the projections c on the collar a'. In the case of slow
velocity, and where the movement constructed as shewn in Figures 19 2
and 20 is placed vertically, the spring G may be dispensed with, as the
weight of the stop pin F is sufficient to cause it to fall after passing
the ends of the stop plate E.
I now proceed to describe a double-acting meter for gas or other
fluids. Figure 27 represents a top view of this meter, the outer casing 2
being shewn in section; Figure 28 is a front view of the same, the
casing being partly broken out; Figure 29 is a diminished' side view of
the same; Figure 30, face view of the valve seat; Figure 31, top view of
valve proper; Figure 32, section of valve chest and valve taken through
the line x, x, of Figures 30 and 31; Figure 33, cross section of one of 3
the diaphragm chambers; Figure 34, face view of a diaphragm with
rock shaft attached.
A and A' are the diaphragm chambers (the general exterior appearance
and mode of operation of the diaphragms of which are similar to those
previously shewn and described), formed of metallic sheet plates struck 3
up by dies into the shape of spheric segments of small altitude, the edges
being left flat for the purpose of forming flanges a² and a" of different
widths, so that in putting them together the broader a' will overlap a",

page_text: between which flanges the diaphragm B is inserted and clamped by
being bent together with the flange a¹ over the flange a" and pressed
tight. Thus the halves of each chamber are fastened together securely
without screws or solder cheaply, and without danger of destroying the
diaphragm by the heat necessary in applying solder for fastening. The
diaphragm B in each chamber is made single and secured to the
oscillating arm. of the rock shaft by means of a piece b', Figure 34,
fastened on, between which and the diaphragm B the rock shaft arm is
inserted and pivoted to the inside of a short tube clamped between the
flanges a¹ and a¹, to allow of the free oscillation of the arm and rock
shaft. To the rock shaft are attached the slotted arms C and C³, which
are placed at such angles to the oscillating arms that one diaphragm will
always be at the middle of its stroke, while the other passes its "dead
centre,” thus reversing the motion of the other diaphragm without the
aid of a cut-off valve gear, while at the same time the valve always
rotates uninterruptedly in the same direction. The arms C and C¹ act
upon the crank pin d' adjustable on the crank d of the valve D, which
has two parts acting alternately as inlets and outlets for each chamber,
and one common exhaust in the centre of the valve seat E.. The valve
D is so constructed that during its revolution the whole area of one of
the four ports is always in communication with the exhaust D', whereby
a constant flow of the fluid is effected as if it were discharged through
an open pipe, each chamber being twice emptied and filled for each
revolution, or four times the volume of one chamber discharged for each
revolution of the valve. Each revolution and consequently the measure-
ment is transmitted by means of the screw F on the valve stem to the
toothed wheel G on the shaft g, which communicates its motion to the
index wheels.
These wheels are constructed as before described, but in this case a
slightly different arrangement is adopted for producing the necessary
L

page_text: around the point of the index), they may be made and placed at proper
distances apart by simply being cut or stamped out of the outer casing
L making a part thereof, as shewn in Figure 28.
f
In order to occupy as little as possible of available space in a room,
it is desirable that a gas meter be so constructed that when placed in an
angle of a room it will present no angles or corners, but only a smooth
front toward the interior of the room. In a gas meter which must work
with extremely low pressure and with very even motion it is also of
utmost importance that the valve be placed far enough from the centres
of oscillation of the diaphragm arms to enable the application of a
sufficiently large crank and thereby secure an easy movement of the
valve. To effect this necessity and at the same time maintain the small
compass desired the chambers A, A', are placed at such an angle to each
other, Figure 27, that the two sides of the casing L tangenting the outer
curves of the chambers meet at a right angle in the point M, so as to fit
in the angle or corner of a room, while the third side of the casing L
presents the face of the dial to the interior of the room, the general
exterior shape of the gas meter being that of a three-sided prism with
two corners rounded off. By this arrangement space enough is gained
to place the valve at the desired distance from the point of oscillation of
the diaphragm arms, that is to say, at a point where the arms C and C¹
make a large enough stroke to admit of the required length of crank.
The gas after entering the meter through the pipe N and passing through
the chambers A and A¹; the valve D, and exhaust D', passes into the
casing L, which acts as a reservoir or drum for the free expansion of the
gas, equalizing its pressure in the discharge pipe o, from which it passes
through the service pipe to the .burners.
This meter may be used with equal advantage for water or other
liquids, in which case however I dispense with the reservoir and attach
the service pipe directly to the exhaust in the valve, and also for com-
pactness and neatness of appearance place the chambers parallel to
each other and the valve across their edges, making it cylindrical and
arranging the four ports in the periphery of the valve seat E in pairs
opposite to each other, and the common exhaust in the centre of its
length instead of its diameter, as will be seen in the following description
of a double-acting water meter with flexible diaphragms. Figure 35
represents a horizontal section of this double-acting water meter through
the line x, x, of Figure 36; Figure 30, a vertical sectional side view

page_text: through the line y, y, of Figure 35. Figure 37, a section similar to
Figure 35, and shewing how the same construction of details may
apply to double-acting pistons if substituted for the flexible diaphragms.
Figure 38 is an enlarged section of the valve and valve chest taken
through the line 2, 2, of Figure 36, as seen in the direction of the
arrow. Figures 39, 40, 41, are cross sections of the valve proper taken
through the lines y', y¹, z', z¹, and v, v, of Figure 38 respectively.
Figure 42 is a vertical detail section through the linc 2¹ of Figure 36,
shewing how the rock shafts are inserted and the diaphragm arms
attached thereto. Figure 43 is a detail of the counting mechanism, of
which Figure 44 is a section through v', v', and Figure 45 a modification.
Figure 46 is a detail view of the slotted arms and slotted crank, with
automatically movable crank pin, by which the length of stroke is made
dependent on the velocity and volume of water, all of which will be
herein-after more fully described.
A are the diaphragms, each made of one single sheet of rubber
clamped at their centres between flat discs a¹, to which are attached the
diaphragm arms B, as seen in Figure 35. The other ends of the arms B
are rigidly attached to the rock shafts C and C³, which latter work in
bearings formed in the outer shells of the meter (instead of in the
centre line thereof as before shewn), and are made water-tight without
a stuffing box in the same manner as the valve stem before described.
To the end of the rock shafts C, outside of the meter, are attached the
slotted arms D which work the crank pin, and on one of which is formed
the slotted projection c, which latter by means of the adjustable pin d
transmits motion to the counting mechanism. D¹is the crank in or on
which the crank pin E is attached to it in such manner as to be
allowed a sliding motion in a radial direction from the centre of the
valve stem. By this construction the diaphragm which is on the
"dead point" is not affected by the motion of the other, which is then
on its middle or centre of stroke, as the crank pin E moved by the
latter diaphragm will simply slide through the slot of the arm D of the
former diaphragm longitudinally, and thus in no instance will the crank
pin be the motor of the arm D, but the said arm, when at the end of its
; stroke, will remain stationary until impelled by the return motion of its
diaphragm alone, consequent upon the inflow of water. F is a double.
lever pivoted to the rock shaft C' or elsewhere, and provided with the
slots ƒ and, of which the former (f) engages with the pin d in the

page_text: -
arm c, and the latter (f¹) is provided with an adjustable pin g, which
engages with the slot g' in another double lever G (pivoted to an
upright shaft L). The other part of this lever G carries a friction
paul I, which is held by a spring i, and between two pins attached to
h in such a position as to grasp the rim of a friction wheel K, and turn
it with the motion of the lever G in one direction, and to loosen its grip
and slide on the rim of the wheel K with the return motion of tho
lever G. The friction wheel K is rigidly attached to the upright
shaft L, which latter is provided at its upper end with a tapering square
(or inverted pyramid) fitted into a steel plate M, which rests on a
rim N formed on the register plate. By tightening a nut on the lower
end of the shaft L against the wheel K the steel plate M can be pressed
against the said rim N with any force required to produce friction
enough to prevent the shaft L'and wheel K from moving with the
return motion of the friction paul I. A tooth 2 on the upper end of
the shaft L gears with the first of the index wheels. As the volumes of
the diaphragm chambers for equal distances or parts of the same stroke
are not alike, but decrease (not in the same but in diminishing ratio)
with the increase of stroke, it is necessary that the counting mechanism
be so arranged and constructed as to cause the friction paul I to travel
faster and push the friction wheel K round a greater distance, when the
diaphragm A is moving at the middle of its stroke, and takes in a larger
volume of water, and to push the wheel K a less distance when the
diaphragm A is moving further towards the end of its stroke, and takes
in a less volume of water. This is accomplished by the adjusting levers
or segments F and G (or their equivalents) in the following manner :—
When the diaphragm A and its slotted arm D are at the centre of the
stroke the arms c and fare in line with each other, as are also the
slots and g. The pin d moving in a circle around the rock shaft C
is at this time on the end of its reach toward the pivoting point of the ;
lever F in the slot f, thus producing a rapid motion of the said lever F
(decreasing as the pin & travels outward), the other and longer end f¹ of
which thus receives a still more rapid motion, furthermore increased in
its effect on the friction paul I as the slot g¹ of the lever G, on which
lever this paul is attached, is just at the same instant in line with the
slot, and the pin g works with its longest reach on the shortest reach
of the lever G. By attaching the pins d and g at a greater or less
distance from the centres of motion of their levers c and f¹ the ratio of
speed of the tooth may thus be increased or decreased respectively, and

page_text: the correctness of the register so regulated that it will be correct and
invariable under any variations in pressure or velocity of water.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I make the following
claims:-
With regard to the meter described with reference to Figures 1 to 7
I claim,―
1. The combination of the flexible diaphragm B, oscillating-arm or
frame C, and rock shaft D, with the rigid arm J provided with an arched
and flanged cross head K and the spring F, substantially as herein shewn
and described and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination of all the parts as enumerated in the first claim
with the lever G and the valve H of the cock I, substantially as herein
shown and described and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination of the rigid arm J constructed as described,
spring F, and lever G, with the rock shaft D and valve H of the cock I,
substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpose set
forth.
4. The combination of the ring E with the flexible diaphragm B, arm
or frame C, and body A of the meter, substantially as herein shewn and
described and for the purpose set forth.
With regard to the meter described with reference to Figures 8 to 18,
I claim,―
1. The combination of a metallic diaphragm a trifle less in diameter
than the interior diameter of the body or shell A, flexible throughout
its whole extent and covered with rubber or equivalent waterproof
material with the rock shaft D and body or shell A, substantially as
herein shewn and described and for the purposes set forth.
2. The combination of the device with the cylindrical valve H, both
revolving upon the same axis, but working against different surfaces in
the same valve chest I, substantially as shewn and described for the
purposes of dispensing with a stuffing box, preventing leakage and
reducing friction.
3. The combination of the continuous wire q¹ with the projections q
daubla

page_text: within a small and convenient compass, giving to it the desired prismatic
form adapted to fit in an angle of a room, substantially as herein-before
set forth.
With regard to the meters described with reference to Figures 35 to 46,
I claim,―
.1. The automatically movable crank pin E and the combination with
the same of the slotted arms D as shewn and described.
2. The arrangement and construction as shewn and described of the
diaphragms A, arms B, and rock shafts C and C¹².
3. The combination with a double-acting piston meter of the self-
adjusting crank D' and slotted arm D, crank pin E, and rock shafts C
and C', as described.
4. The combination of the levers F and G, either or both, or their
equivalents, with the arms D or c and with the paul I and wheel K or
equivalents as shown and described.
5. The combination, arrangement, and construction as shewn and
described of the friction wheel K, paul I, lover G, steel disc M, working
on a rim N and shaft L.
6. The construction of the valve as shewn in the Drawing and herein
described