US373003A - Us meter - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

5 Sheets- Sheet 1.

GrAS` METER.

Patented Np'v. 8.1887.

umher. waningw".

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. J. BELL.

GAS METER.

No. 373,003. Patented Nov. 8,1887.

N. Pnts. mwmmnphm. vla-ungen nc,

' (No'MoaeI.) 5 sheets-,sheet 3.

H. J. BELL.

GAS METER.

. Patented Nov. 8, .1887.

Nojsvaoos.

Nv PETERS, Phew-Lithography'. Wnhnghm, D4 C.

(No Modell.) 5 sheets-sheet 4.A

H. J. BELL. @As METER.'

No. 373,003.. Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

l f7/venan N. PETERS, Phowumogmpher. wuhngum D. (L

(No Mael.) u Y n 5 slheets-shevn 5.

H. J.B-BLL. GAS METER. No. 373,003. Patented Nov. 8, .1887.

Witnesses.

N. Ps1-zus, Pmmuwmmr. wiwngm. n. c. l

Arent `triceO HAROLD J. BELL, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

ens-M ETER.

SPECIFICATION forming par-tof Letters Patent No. 373,003, dated November 8, 1887. Application filed May 4, 1887. Serial No. 237,057. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, .HAROLD J. BELL, of Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have'invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Gas-Meters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description o f the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and to the iigures and letters of reference marked thereon.

Heretofore gasmeters haver been employed consisting of a main casing divided into two or more compartments, in one ot' which the diaphragms or operating parts are located and in the other the valve mechanism, and iu some instances the registering mechanism also, the gas to be measured being admitted to the lastmentioned chamber from the main, and eX- hausted, after passing through the valves, measuring devices, Src., into the chamber containing the diaphraghm or equivalent devices against which the gas operates to communicate motion to the registering devices. All said meters are, however, open to several objections, the principal one being that the partition between the chambers is liable to be corroded by the ammonia or other substance carried in with the gas and to leak, thus permitting the passage ot' gas to the consumer from one chamber to the other without being measured. Another, and very seriousone, is that the shafts and rods passing through the partition'must be packed in order to prevent leakage, which packing very materially increases the friction and the consequent retarding of the action of the meter, causing the supply of gas to be lessened and the meter to operate in a very unsatisfactory manner. There are many other objections to this form of meter, among which may be mentioned the inaccessibility of the operating parts to .permit of adjustment or repainwhen necessary or desirable, as in all of them it is required, in order to permit this, that a portion at least of the main casing be removed, thus practically destroying the meter.

It is the 'object-of my present invention, however, to obviate all the objections pointed out above and others found in Apractice to eX- ist in meters of this class, and it consists, generally stated, in locating all the operating parts of the meter within a chamber into which gas is admitted from the main., so that no packing will be required tending to in any Way retard the action of the mechanism.

It further consists in certain novel arrangementsof parts, whereby the operations will be carried on more positively and regularly than heretofore, and the gas passing through be accurately measured, all as I will hereinafter fully describe, and point out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a meter constructed in accordance with my invention, a portion of the casing being broken away to show the internal arrangements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the top removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a sectional view on the line xxof Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a sectional view on the line z z of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a bottom plan view showing the arrangements of supply and exhaust channels; Fig. 7, a detail perspective View of the main shaft and the adjustable crank pin mounted thereon,and showing also thetripping device for preventing the backward movement of the meter. Figs. S to 13, inclusive, are detail views, showing the manner of connecting the diaphragm-holding frames with the diaphragm.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

A represents the metallic main casing of the meter, constructed preferablyof circular form, as shown, though, if desired, square or other shaped casings may be employed, as will be readily understood, and it is provided with the top A and the bottom A2, the latter being secured slightly above the lower end of the side portions of the casing, so as to accommodate the inlet and exhaust passages communicating with the various diaphragm-chambers and with the valve-ports of the valves, though, if desired, these passages can be placed above the bottom and inside the casing proper. On opposite sides of the'chamber R,within this casing,are diaphragms B B2 B3 B2 preferably of leather, secured at their edges in frames C, constructed as shown in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive, and described specifically hereinafter, which frames are secured to the sides of the casing A at their edges by means of solder or other suitable fastening means, if desired, and it will IOO be noted in passing that the edges of these frames are rounded, so that the leather will not be bent over a sharp corner of metal when the diaphragms are moved backward and forward.

rlhe four diaphragms being slightly less in length than the diameter of the casing when they are secured in place, there will be formed four chambers,U' C C C, between each diaphragm and the easing behind it closed at the top by a projecting iange, c, to which frames C are secured, as shown in Figs. l and 3, and at the lower side by the bottom Azof the main easing. Each of the chambers thus formed7 it will be noted, is deeper at the center than near thc edges, thus permitting of the maximum movements ofthe diaphragm in and ont without having any waste space to be iillcd with dead7 gas, and providing forthenearly complete exhaustion of the gas in the chambers when the diaphragrns are moved therein.

On either side of the center of each of the diaphragms are secured metal plates C5 C5, having their bedges turned, as shown, to prevent sharp corners coming in contact with the material of the diaphragm and wearing or tearing it, and to the outer one of each pair of these plates is secured one end of a pistonrod or plate, D, the other end of which is eon nected to the plate ou the opposite diaphragm, as shown, so that when one is moved inward the opposite one moves outward, as will be readily understood, and near the center both rods are provided with longitudinal slots d, for the passage and accommodation of a central standard, E, carrying the main operatingshaft F. This standard Eis constructed preferably of cast metal, and is secured to the bottom A, as shown, while its upward extension is hollow and forms the bearing for the shaft F,which passes up through it and is provided on its upper end with a small casting, G, having the extension G', in which are two perforations, g g', at right angles to the shaft F, as shown. rlhe upper perforatiomg, is smooth, and in it is adapted to slide a guide-rod, H, the outer end of which is secured to a casting, J, having thereon a stud or pin, z', while the lower perforation, g', is screw-threaded and adapted to receive the end of the screw J', passing throughaperforation in casting J and prevented from longitudinalmovement therein by means of collars jj,soldcred or otherwise secured thereon, as shown, and this screw is further provided near its outer end beyond the casting with a cross-pin, j', serving as a means for turning said screw, as will be explained. It will be seen that by turning this screw to the right or left the casting J can be moved nearer to 0r farther from casting G on shaft F, the rod H serving as a guide and the collarsjj causing the movement.

Upon the inner end of the rod H, beyond the shaft F, is secured a ioop K, constructed preferably of sheet metal, and between the arms of this loop isplaecd a weighted pawl or catch, K', pivot-ed upon the rod H, and with its upper engaging end, k', projecting above the same, while its lower end is weighted, cansing it to assume the position shown normally, the connectingportion k of theloop K preventing its turning, save in one direction.

The two rods or plates D connecting diaphragms on opposite sides are, as stated, provided with the slots at their centers, through which the shaft F, or, rather, the tubuiar portion of support E, passes, and are further provided on one side these slots with the upward extensions or pins L L, to the upper ends'ot' which are loosely pivoted connecting-rods L' L', their other ends being pivoted to the stud i on the casting J, and being secured thereon by the small pin passing through it, as shown. Now, it will be seen that if the diaphragms, beginning with, say, B', then B, the., are pressed outward in succession the connectingrods L will, acting through the crank-pin 1', cause the shaft F to be rotated to the left, as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 2, and t-he trip K is so positioned relative to the connectingrods L' that its upper end will pass beneath them and be moved backward, thus permitting their passage; but as soon as it has passed the lower heavier end causes it to resume normal position, and should the motion of the diaphragms and shaft F be reversed this upper end would collie in contact with the connecting-rod L', and the portion lc of the loop K arresting the backward movement of the trip, the mechanism would be stopped.

Mounted upon the shaft F is a worm, M, with which a wormgear, M', secured ou a horizontal shaft, N, engages, said shaft passing through a stuffing-box, m, in the casing A at one side between two of the diaphragms B B, and its outer end is provided with a gear, m', engaging the first gear in the train of the registering mechanism O, preferably located in a casing, O', secured to the outside ol' the casing A, as shown. In order to cause the rotation of this shaft F, some means must be provided for admitting the gas to the chambers in rear ofthe diaphragms in succession and exhausting it from the chamber of the opposite connected diaphragm into the outlet from the meter, and in order to provide for thisllocatc, preferably beneath the bottom proper, A, several channels, l) BQ (g' R R', as shown in Fig. 6. The two passages l P' connect the chambers C' C with the ports a' c, respectively, in the valve seat S, located on the bottom of the casing to one side ot' the shaft F, and

.the passages Q Q' connect the chamber G'Z C' with the ports ct c, respectively, in the valveseat S', also located in the bottom of the casing at right angles to the valveseat S. Fassages Q' and F' cross each other near the center of the easing at right angles, as shown, one, P', being located below the other, and there being no communication between them. Passages B B' connect the center ports, r o", of the valve-seats S S', respective] y, with theexhaust-pipe U, passing up through the chamber B in one corner, between the diaphragrns,

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and out through the topV of the main easing, as

i with the chambers t t therein, adapted to be ward, moving the connecting-rod, and through reciprocated'back and forth upon the valveseats S S, respectively, by connecti ng-rods T T', connected to a crank, V, on the lower end of theshaft F, said valves being guided and prevented from leaving their seats by rods ifl t3, passing through loops secured to the bottoni of the casing in the ordinary manner. The valves and crank V are so situated relative to each other and the crank-pintat the upper end of the shaft that when the latter is, say, in the position in Fig. l the valve T is moved toward the center, leaving the port c' in connection with the chamber B, the port c3 in connection with the exhaust-port r through the chamber t in the valve, and the valve T is at half-stroke, leaving the port c4 partly open to chamber B and port cz connected by chamber twith the exhaust-port r in valve-seat S. (Not shown.) A further motion of the shaft F in the direction of motion indicated would, as'will be seen from Fig. 5,cause the valve TX to be moved farther outward, fully opening the port c* and fully connecting the port c2 with the exhaust, and at the same time move valve T outward, closing port c', and then connecting with the eXhaustport r and opening the port c3 to the chamber B.

From the above general description the operation of the device will be readily under-V stood.

The gas is admitted from the main or sup-A ply through the inlet W and fills the chamber B,then passes through the port in the valveseat thatv happens to be open, (in the present instance'referring to Fig. 5,) through c', fills the chamber C', and presses the diaphragm outit the shaft F, to the position shown, the gas in the chamber C3 exhausting through the .port c3 to the exhaust r and exit-pipe U. The continued movement ofthe crank V causes the valve TX to admit the gas from chamber B to the chamber C4, pressing its diaphragm outward, and at the same time exhausting the gas in C2 out through the port cAz and exhaust in valve-seat S to the pipe' U. Then the chamber C3 istilled and the gas in chamber C eX- hausted, and soon, filling the chambers in suscession and exhausting the opposite chambers into the outlet-pipe and rotating the shaft F, from which motion is communicated through the worm and cto-operating wheel and shaft to the registering mechanism. The capacity of the chambers and thefgearing to the registering mechanism are so regulated thaty the quantity passing through the former and into the exit-pipe will be accurately measured and registered.

The valves are of course arranged so that there will be a continuous motion, and one chamber will be open to the supply of gas until the next is fairly started on its outward movement, so there will' be no jerky or sudden movement of the diaphragms due to sudden impulses, but the rotation of the shaft will be uniform and continuous as long as ggas is supplied.

It will be notedthat between two of the diaphragms, B3 B4, there is more space than between any other two, and this is for the purpose of permitting the passage of the shaft N, connected to the registering mechanism, and also foranother purpose about to be described.

Oftentimes meters, either from variations in the density of the gas or some other reason, get out of order and fail to register the quantity of gas passed through them properly, and in order to correct this it is necessary to adjust the throw of the crank-pin to which the diaphragms are connected. This is ordinarily done by dismantling the meter and moving nuts on the crank on either side of the pin inward or outward, so as to carry the pin nearer to or farther from the operating center; but all this I obviate by the employment of the adjusting screw J', carrying the casting J, `cooperating with the casting on the end of the shalt F, and provide in the side of the casing A, above the register, an opening, fr, closed by a plate, fr', that can be removed when desired, so that a key having a split end for engaging the cross-pin j may beinserted into the easing and the screw J turned in or out, adjusting the pin z' nearer to or farther from the shaft F, as will be readily understood.

It will be noted that all the operating parts of the meter are located within the chamher into which the gas is admitted preliminarily, and consequently no packing is required for any of the operating parts except the shaft communicating motion to the register, that is v located to one side and betweenthe diaphragms, and between the register-casing and the main casing, so that even should any leakage take place in this packing the gas would only enter the register-casing and not escape into the air. AEven this packing might be dispensed with and the register-casing be open to the chamber B; but thisis objectionable in that the impurities in the gas would be liable to discolor the glass and obscure a View ofthe dial-faces, and l prefer to employ the arrangement shown.

The friction produced by packing will be reduced by the employment ofthe above means to a minimum, and the shaft on which even this small amount is produced is geared down so that its motion is slow and positive, readily overcoming it.

Another and quite an important advantage is gained by employing horizontal valve-seats and locating them above the bottom of the main casing, in that they will be self-clearing of any deposit, and any water condensed in the main chamber will not tend to clog them, but will be below their upper sides on the bottom, and it may be drawn off from said ICO IOS

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chamber, when desired, through a perforation, x2, in the bottom, closed by a suitable plug or cap, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3.

It is of course desirable and even necessary that the edges of the leather diaphragms should come in contact when moving only with rounded surfaces, and as a means of accomplishing this result I secure them, as before stated, in frames C. In Figs. S to 1.3, inelusive, are shown the various steps of making these frames, and the following is a description of the various manipulations. As all the sides of the frame are alike, the description of one will apply equally well to all.

In Fig. S is shown a portion of the strip of metal, preferably tin, forming one side of the frame, and this is first bent over at the edges, as shown in Fig. 9, forming the beads Z, which are pressed down upon the surface and the strip bent longitudinally at the middle, as shown in Fig. l0, thebeads l forming rounded edges for the plates, against which the leather works. Four ot' these strips are formed in this manner, and then are placed upon the edges ofthe square piece of leather constituting the diaphragm, with one end ofthe inner side of each strip overlapping that of the next, as shown in Fig. 11. Then the edges of the plates are clamped tightly on the leather and at the ends on each other, forming a metal frame inclosing the leather, which can be secured on the casing and employed without further manipulation, if desired; but I prefer to further finish them. The corners ofthe frame are now eut off, asshown in dotted lines, Fig. 11, and full lilies, Fig. 12, presenting the appearance indicated in the latter ligure,with two thicknesses of metal in each side of the leather. New, in order to linish the frame and render it much stiffer and more substantial, I bend the strips composing it longitudinally, as indicated in dotted lincsZ 2, Fig. I2, folding the portion with the leather between over upon one side, as' shown clearly in Fig. 13, the beveled portion at the corner where the cut was made forming thejoint indicated at 4 in said figure, thus completing the frame. New, it will be noted that the edges ofthe leather come only in Contact with the rounded beads at the edges of the frame on either side, and that at or very near this point there are six thicknesses of metal and two of leather, forming an extremely rigid and substantial frame. These frames can be secured in position in the'casing A by solder, or in any suitable manner desired, can be manufactured cheaply, and will serve the purpose for which they are intended in an admirable manner.

A further advantage incident to the cinployment of the operating devices located within the gas-chamber and the dispensing with the packing and consequent diminution of friction, lies in enabling me to employ a much smaller plate C at the center of the diaphragm, through which motion is communicated to the connecting-rods D, not only reducing the weight, butallowing a much greater reciprocation of the diaphragms in the chamber, which, as stated, is also permitted by their semieireularshapc. The smallplates also present an advantage 4over the employment of the larger ones heretofore used in that with the latter the amount of leather between their edges and the retaining-frames is necessarily small, and when they are reeiprocatcd back and forth the leather is doubled back upon itself when passing the center, thus renderingit more liable to wear and cut than is the case where the plates are small and the amount of leather greater.

Other advantages incident to the construe tions shown and described herein will at once present themselves to those skilled inthe art, and it is evident that various modifications can be made wit-hout departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore I do not desire to be confined to the exact arrangements herein shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is l. In a gasmeter, the combination, with four chambers, the diaphragms forming one side of each, an operating-shaft, a registering mechanism geared thereto, rods connecting opposite diaphragms, and connecting rods connected at one end to the last-mentioned rods at one end and to the shaft for causing its rotation when the diaphragms are moved inward in succession, of a central chamber with which one side el' each of the diaphragme is normally in comnnlnication, aud in which all the operating parts, save the register, are located, passages leading from the central chamber to each of thediaphragm-chambers, exhaust-passages communicating with the exit-pipe and valves, also located in the central chamber and operated from the operatingshaft for connecting each ofthediaphragmchambers with the central chamber in succession, and at the same time connecting the diaphragm-chamber opposite the one so connected with the exit-pipe through the exhaustpassage, and a supply-pipe leading to the central chamber, substantially as described.

2. In a gas-meter, the combination,with the four chambers, the diaphragms forming one side of each, rods connecting opposite diaphragms, an operatingshaft, and connectingrods connected at one end to the last-men tioncd rods at one end and to the shaft for causing the rotation of the latter by the successive movement ot the diaphragme, of passages connecting each of the diaphragmchambers with a chamber communicating with the gas-supply, two cXhaust-passages-one for cach pair of chambers-and two valves operated from the operating-shaft, adapted to connect each of the chambers in succession with the supply and at the same time connect the opposite chamber with the exhaust, and a registering mechanism connected with the main operating shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a gasmeter, the combinatiomwith the lOO operating-diaphragms, the connecting-rods, the operating shaft having the adjustable crank-pin to which said rods are connected, the centralchamber connected with the gas-supply, and valve devices connected to the operating-shaft for admitting gas to the diaphragmchambers in succession, all said operating parts being located within the central chamber, of a registering mechanism operated from a shaft geared to the main shaft, said first-mentioned shaft passing out through the main casing between two of the diaphragms, substantially as described.

" 4. In a gas-meter, the combination,with the operating diaphragms and connecting-rods, of

the main shaft to which they are connected, and

a registering mechanism geared to said shaft, a rod secured to said shaft, the metal loop secured to the rod and the weighted pawl hung upon the rod between the arms of said loop, so as to (zo-operate when moving in one direction with the connecting-rods to arrest the action, but when moved in the opposite direction to permit their free passage, substantially as described.

5. In a gas-meter, the combination,with diaphragms and connecting-rods, ofthe main shaft and a registering mechanism geared thereto, a casting secured to said shaft, a casting having a crank-piu thereon to which the connectingrods are attached, a guide-rod, and an adj usting-screw connectingthe two castings,whereby the throw of the crank-pin may be adjusted,

substantially as describe 6. In a gas-meter, the combination,with diaphragms and connectingrods, of the main shaft and aregistering mechanism geared thereto, a casting secured to said shaft, a casting having a crank-pin thereon to which said connectingrods are attached7 a guide-rod and an adj usting-screw secured to the last-mentioned casting, and perforations in the casting on the crankshaft with which they co-operate,whereby the throw ofthe crank-pin may be adjusted, substantially as described.

7. In a gas-meter, the combination,with the diaphragms and connectingrods, of the main shaft and a registering mechanism geared thereto, a casting secured to said shaft, a casting having a crank-pin thereon to which the connecting-rods are attached, a guide-rod and an adjusting-screw connecting the two castings, and a perforation in the main casing in line with the shaft, whereby the screw can be manipulated by the insertion of the proper tool and the crank-pin adjusted without removing `themachinery from the casing, substantially as described.

8. rIhe combination, with the diaphragms and connectingrods, of the main shaft and a registering mechanism geared thereto, the casting secured to the shaft, the casting having a crankpiu thereon, the guide-rod and adj listing-screw connecting the two, and the pivoted pawl mounted upon the extension of the guide-rod and adapted to co-operate with the connectingrods to prevent the backward movement of the mechanism, substantially as described.

9. The combination,with the diaphragm, of the frame consisting of the'single strips of material, each having beaded edges and bent over upon itself, with the diaphragm between said edges, substantially as described.

l0. The improved frame for holding the diaphragms, consisting of the metal strips having the beaded edges folded longitudinally and clamped upon the edges of the diaphragm and again bent longitudinally,with the leather between them, substantially as described.

HAROLD J. BELL.

Witnesses:

MELvILLE CHURCH, THOMAS DURANT.

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