GB906756A - Liquid meter - Google Patents

Abstract

906,756. Liquid meters. ETABLISSEMENTS H. POTEZ. July 5, 1961, No. 24317/61. Class 69 (1). A meter with a container 2, which receives liquid at any pressure and discharges it at atmospheric pressure, has in combination with an inlet port 10 and an outlet port 8, a device T for recording successive fillings of the container 2 and an automatic control mechanism which opens and closes a valve 12 for the inlet port 10 when the liquid in the container 2 reaches a predetermined lower N-N, or upper M-M, level respectively and which drives the device T through one unit each time the inlet port 10 opens. A push-rod P has portions 19, 22 and 23 which are a sliding fit in an extension 17 of the box 1 of the container and is urged upward by a spring 53. In its lowest position the rod P depresses the valve 12 against its spring 13 to open the inlet whilst closing the outlet 8 with a valve 27 which is fixed to it; in its upper position it lifts an arm 26 to operate the device T. Balls 31 in holes around the extension 17 co-operate with low diameter ports above and below the flange 22 on the rod P to retain the rod in its upper or lower positions accordingly. A sleeve 33 slidable on the extension 17 has low 34 and high 36 diameter internal sections which retain the balls 31 in the locking position or let them move outward to free the flange 22 for vertical travel of the rod P. When the liquid in the container falls to the level N-N, lugs 39 on a float 37 engage levers 42 which lift the sleeve 33 as in Fig. 1. Upward movement of float 37 is limited by a stop 38. When the liquid rises to near the top of the container it closes an air-valve 50 and lifts a piston 34 against a spring 52 which is stronger than springs 13 and 53 combined. The piston 34 carries a tube 46 whose lower end raises the sleeve 33 when the piston itself is raised or presses the rod P downwards with the force of the spring 52 when the piston is down. A tube 6 acts as an overflow and an air inlet. When the container is empty the float 37 opens the inlet 10 and closes the outlet 8 after raising the sleeve 33 so that the flange 22 drops below the balls 31 (as in Fig. 1). As the container starts filling the float rises and frees the sleeve, which falls and locks the balls above the flange 22 to hold the rod P down. When the liquid reaches the piston 44 the latter rises and lifts the sleeve 33 with it, causing the balls to free the rod P again. Thereafter, as filling continues up to the level M-M the rod P rises, opening the outlet and closing the inlet so that the container is emptied ready to start another cycle. Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates a practical embodiment of the meter and Fig. 6 illustrates a simplified version in which no outlet valve 27 is provided. The openings in the sleeve which house the balls 31 are oblique to the radial direction so that the sleeve rotates in use and localized wear is avoided.