GB445146A - Improvements relating to prepayment gas meters - Google Patents

Abstract

445,146. Prepayment mechanism for gas meters. SOUTH METROPOLITAN GAS CO., CARPENTER, C. C., and SMITH, C. H., 709, Old Kent Road, London. April 23, 1935, No. 12195. [Class 27] Price-changing mechanism.-The valve-closing mechanism or " burning-off " shaft 10, Fig. 1, of a prepayment gas meter is driven from a meter shaft 1 carrying a sun-wheel 2 of an epicylic gear. A sleeve 3 on the shaft 1 carries a disc 4 on which are mounted the pivots 5 of the planet wheels, a striking or clutch member 6 being slidably splined on the sleeve. Normally, when the striking member 6 is engaged with a clutch member 7 fixed to the frame, rotation of the disc 4 is prevented and the drive from the shaft 1 passes through the train of gears 2, 8, 5, 9. After consumption of a predetermined amount of gas, the striker 6 is moved back to engage a clutch member 11 fixed to the shaft 1, so that the sleeve 3 rotates at the same speed as the shaft and the drive passes direct through the epicyclic gear which is locked together as a single unit. Gas is then supplied at a different rate. The striker 6 is moved back by a lever 12, Fig. 2, under the action of a spring 13, the time at which this movement occurs being determined by the position of a notch 14 in a cam 15 which is driven from the shaft 1 through gearing 16. The cam 15 may be reset by means of a shaft 18, a friction clutch 17 being incorporated in the drive 16.