US146624A - Improvement in water-meters - Google Patents

Description

PATENT OFFIQEov JOHN ,WATERI'IOUSE OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATER-METERS Specilication forming part of Letters PatentNo. 146,624, dated` January 20, 1374; applicationfiled May 24, 1873.

l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WArnRHoUsE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Water-Meters, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to apparatus designed for measuring wat-er from service-pipes as it is delivered to the consumer, and consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a vertical section of the meter, taken on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection of Fig. 1 taken on the line a: x.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts.

A represents the meter, consisting of a rectan gular-shaped metallic box divided into two 1 compartments, B and C, by the central vertical partition D. E is the induction, and F the eduction, pipes. These pipes connect with the horizontal pipe G, which is fixed in the partition D. From the horizontal tube G two pi pcs, H and I, extend downward to near the bottom of the meter in each compartment, as seen in Fig. 1. J is a weight in each compartn'ient, the two being connected together by the rod K, which rise and fall alternately, and operate a rotating slotted tube, L, in the pipe G,

and control the ilow of the water. M is a float hinged to the side of the meter in each compartment. N is a lever for each float, the fulcrums of which are at the points O O. These levers are connected with the floats by means ot' the bars P l. (See Fig. l.) Q is an airtube connected with each compartment, by means of which air may pass from one to the other.

Ve will suppose a quantity of water to be in each compartment. The water from the in duction-pipe runs into and ills one compartm ent, forcing the air contained therein through the air-pipe Q into the other c'om] )artment, and th is compressed air forces the water up through the eduetion as it is being used. VWhen the water in one compartment descends to a certain depth, the float will follow and pull the lon g arm of the lever outward, which releases the short arm, and allows the weight to fall. At the same time the weight in the other compartmen t, which is submerged in water, ascends and catches on the short end of the lever, which operation changes the flow of the water.

The tube G is open at both ends, but closed at the middle. The tube L, which is the axis upon which the weights move, fits snugly into the pipe G, and both are provided with suitable slots or openings, forchangin g the flow of the water. The floats M are but little lighter than the water, and are prevented from rising much above a horizontal position by the leverbars I), which strike against the sides of the meter. A small rod, R, is fastened in the ceny ter. of the pivot-tube L, from whence it passes through the front of the meter in awater-tight packing, and terminates in a suitable device for connecting with any approved registering apparatus.

These meters may be made of any kind of metal. The water in the bottom should be of surlieient depth to receive the ends of the pipe, to prevent the escape of the air.

For adjusting the floats, so that they will trip the weights at the proper time, lill the meter full while it is open orbefore the top is put on, and then draw oi, say, ive gallons from each compartmentfand adjust the floats to trip at this stage of the water. Then the required quantity of water is in the meter, and a sufficient head oi' water is allowed to ilow into one of the compartments while the egress is cut ofi', all the air in one compartment will be Jf'orced into the other, and this will give a pressure sutlicient to raise the water about thirty-four feet. 1f it is` required to raise the water higher than this, then a sufficient quantity of air is forced in to give the desired pressure. This is done by connecting an air-pump with the tube S when, say, the left compartment is nearly empty; then turn the cock T of the tube, and disconnect the pump. Now, let the water be drawn off until the other coinpartment is emptied, and the moment. the weight falls cut oit communication between the 'two compartments by the Vcock U. The water will not till the left compartment if a superfluous quantity of air has been forced in, so the cock U is opened, and such air is drawn` off.

By means of a meter constructed inthis manner, the water is accurately meas ured as it Hows,

and may be elevated to any desired height, in the manner described. u

To the ends of the air-tube Q are attached wire baskets, in each of which is a ball-valve, that closes the end of pipe Whenever the Water rises up thereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as newr and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A Water-meter of two compartments With Weights J J and floats M M therein, and a stationary slotted tube, and a slotted pivot-tube, so arranged that the oscillation of the Weights controls the 110W of the Water, substantially as shoim and described.

3. The oats M M, and catch-levers N N, in `combination with the Weights J J, as and for the purposes described.

J WATERHOUSE.

Vitnesses W. L. HART,

YE. G. POTTER.

Images