GB486603A - Improvements in and relating to coin-freed prepayment mechanisms for meters - Google Patents

Abstract

486,603. Prepayment mechanism for meters. BRITISH ELECTRIC METERS, Ltd., and BROWN, R. T. Dec. 10, 1936, No. 33970. [Class 27] A change-speed gear of the infinitely variable type is provided in the drive of the fixed charge mechanism of a prepayment meter. As applied to a fixed charge mechanism in association with a prepayment electricity meter, a synchronous motor 2 through a two speed gearing and worm gearing drives in opposite directions two worm wheels 23, 27 loosely mounted on a fixed spindle 28 and pressed towards one another by light springs 31 to cause them to engage a friction roller 32 carried by a long pinion 33. The drive from the pinion 33 is transmitted through wheels 43, 44, 45 to one of the sun wheels of the usual secondary differential which sums the motions derived from the fixed charge motor and the consumption meter. The position of the roller 32 relatively to the wheels 23, 27 is adjusted, to vary the rate of fixed charge, by a spindle 34 passing through the long pinion 33 and prevented from rotation by an arm 40 on one end engaging a slotted plate 41. The other end of the spindle 34 is screw threaded and engages a threaded sleeve 36 carrying a spur wheel 37 meshing with a second wheel 38 fitted with a screw head 39. To adjust the roller 32, the wheel 38 is rotated by a screw driver engaging the slotted head 39. Indicators.-The wheel 37 through wheels 48, 50 rotates a shaft 51 having a worm 52 which rotates a worm wheel 53 loose on the spindle 28 and carrying a graduated flanged disc 54 the markings of which, representing different rates, can be read in conjunction with a fixed pointer. The spindle 51 'is provided with a pointer 55 serving in conjunction with a fixed mark as a fine adjustment indicator so that an accurate adjustment of the fixed charge rate may be made.