US441614A - button - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet 1,

(No Modem G.N.DUTTON. FLUID METER.

, 99 lill/Iliff (No Model.)

0.N.DUTT0N.

FLUID METER.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES Atty.

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(NoModel.) I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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FLUID METER.

110.441,614. Patented-Nov; 25, 1890.

(No Model.) 5 SheetsLSheet 4.

@.NLDUTTON.

- FLUID METER.

No. 441,614. FIGA-L -4 lumi. ,'S, l

. (No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 5j.

C. N. D'U-TTON. FLUID METER.

.110.- 441,614. Panentemov. 25 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

`OHAUNCEY N. DUTTON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FUEL GAS AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FLUID-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 441,614, dated November 25, 1890.

Application filed August 19, 1889. Serial N o. 321,262. (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, CHAUNCEY N. DUTTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Meters, of which improvements the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements upon certain features of construction of the fluid-meter for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 400,420 were granted and issued to George Vestinghouse, Jr., and myself under date of March 26, 1889; and its object is to effect a structural simplification and economy in sundry details, as well as to prevent the obstruction of the meter by undue variations of level of the sealing fluid under extreme differences of pressure.

The improvements claimed consist in certain novel devices and combinations hereinafter set forth, including (a) a measuring'- shell, which is closed centrally at its top; (o) a port-section connected to and moving with the measuring-shell and having a series of valvecontrolled ports and passages; (c) a measuring-shell suspended upon a universaljoint mechanism, which further acts to prevent rotation of the shell, and (d) a threaded bearing engaging a fixed nut for varying and adjusting the angle of libration of the measuring-shell.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through a meter embodying my invention at the line w w of Figs. 2, 3, and 4; Figs. 2 and 3, horizontal sections at the lines and y y, respectively, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a plan or top view of the valve-seat and valves; Fig. 5, a side View in elevation of the universal-joint mechanism; Fig. 6, a horizontal section through the same at the line c* c of Figs. 5 and 7; Fig. 7, a vertical section through the same at the line t t of Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 8, a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, through the port-section and cap ot' the meter at the line s s of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4; Fig. 9, a vertical section through the registercase at the line r r of Fig. 1, and Fig. 10 a detached view in perspective of the dog which connects the registering mechanism with the measuring mechanism.

. top by a proper plug.

In the practice of my invention I provide a meter shell or case which is substantially in the formof a section of la sphere, and is composed of a lower section 1 and an upper 55 section 2, which are connected by bolts passing through outwardly-projecting flanges on their meeting edges.

In order to reduce the volume of sealing fluid, I provide, as in Patent No. 400,420 afore- 6o said, a series of upwardly-projecting displacers 4, which in this case are formed integral with and act as parts of the bottoniv plate 3 of the lower section 1 of the meter-case. A supply-pipe 48, for the inflow of the fluid to be measured, is connected centrally to the bottom plate 3 in line with a central tube 5, which is also connected to said plate and projects upwardly therefrom above the level of the sealing fluid, and a discharge-nozzle 52, for 7c the delivery of the measured uid, is connected to a chamber 6, fixed upon the't-op of the upper section 2 of the meter-case.

The sheet-metal measuring shell or vessel 38 is, similarly to that of Patent No. 400,420, 75 substantially in the form of an annular section of a sphere divided radially by partitions 39 into a series of measuring-compartments, the lower ends of which are open and immersed in a suitable sealing fluid, each com- 8o partment inclosing one of the displacers 4. The compartments are each completely closed at top, except in the particular of being provided with a port 62 for the supply and delivery of fluid to be measured. The sealing fluid is introduced through a lateral iillingtube 50, which is cast upon one side of the lower section 1 of the case and is closed at The meter-case of Patent No. 400,420 was 9c divided by a partition into upper and lower compartments, and the central portion of the measuring-shell was entirely open at top, at which it thus communicated with the upper compartment and with the casing of a central valve,which was in communication there-v with and controlled the supply and exhaust of iiuid to and from the measuring-compartments. Under such construction the pressure in the central portion of the drum and roo the valve-casing was lower than that in the measu rin g-compartments, as a result of which in case of extreme differences of pressure the sealing fluid tended to be forced out of the measuring compartments into the valve-casing, trapping` the valve and obstructing thc meter.

In my present invention the central portion of the measuring-shell is closed at top by a port-section B, connected thereto, which will be presently described, and the fluid to 1o be measured is admitted through the lower nozzle 48 and tube 5 to the central portion of the shell, in which the maximum pressure always obtains, there being a somewhat lower pressure in the measuring-compartments and t 5 a st-ill lower and minimum pressure in the upper portion of the meter-case above the measuring-shell and sealin g fluid. The pressure therefore tends to force the sealing fluid out of the central portion of the shell, causzo ing the fluid to stand at its lowest level therein, and tending in a less degree to force it out of the measuring-compartments,in which it will stand at a higher level, the excess of iiuid being forced into the upper portion of z 5 the casing on the exhaust side of the meter, where the fiuid stands at its highest level, and has no tendency to interfere with the normal working of the meter.

The substitution of a portsection attached 3o to and moving with the measuring-shell and carrying the valve mechanism for the fixed valve-Casin g of the prior construction further attains the advantages of (a) simplifying and cheapening the casting which carries the dis- 3 5 placers, the tubes or channels therein leading' to the 1neasuring-compartments being now dispensed with; (b) providing shorter and straighter channels opening directly into the measuring-compartments, thereby reducing 4o the friction of the fluid to be measured and increasing; the capacity of the meter; (c) so loeating said channels that they shall atall times be above the level of the sealing fluid, and therefore not be liable to be obstructed thereby, and (d) effecting the determination and maintenance of the normal and accurate relation of the members of the measuring mechanism by the form and position of the portsection, which serves as the rigid central sup- 5o port on which all the parts of the measuring mechanism are assembled, and by means of which their normal relation and operation are readily determined with the accuracy essential to the successful operation of the meter.

The measuring-shell is supported and its axis maintained uniformly at a fixed angle i with the vertical axis of the meter, so thatits direct oscillation shall, as in Patent No. 6o 400,420, be prevented and converted into a libratory or progressive wave-like movement about its center by a universal-joint mechanism C, connected centrally to the lower side of the port-section Band to a fixed 6 5 support, and a shaft 23, j ournaled in said section and coupled to a crank-arm 34 ona shaft 33, which is journaled in a bearing on the metercase in line axially therewith and above the measuring-shell. The universal joint mechanism employed in. this instance is composed of two blocks or carriers 30, each of whiehis provided with a central-threaded stem 3l and four lugs or bearings 36, projecting from its side opposite that on which the stem is xed. The stem 3l of the lower carrier is secured to a central support 7 in the tube 5, and the stem of the upper carrier is fixed centrally in the bottom of the port-section B, the two carriers being coupled by pins 37, which tit freely in their lugs 3G and in bearings 40, which are arranged in the same plane and in pairs at right angles on a coupling-frame 41, interposed between the carriers 30. It will thus be seen that the measuring-shell is supported and adapted to move in either direction about the common axis of either pair of bearings 40 of the couplingframe, and its axis is maintained at a fixed angle with that of the meter, so as to impart to it the desired libratory movement by its connection with the shaft 33, as will be explained in connection with the description of the'valves and their operating members, of which said shaft forms a part.

The port-section B, which closes the top of the central portion of the measuring-shell 38, is a light casting having an outer cylidrical shell 53 and a central hub or boss 54, connected at top by an integral series of transverse valve-'faces 55 and about half-way between the top and bottom of the casting'by a transverse partition 5G. A top wall 57 of sheet metal is secured to and covers that portion of the upper side of the casting not closed by the valve-faces, and a bottom Wall 5S, also of sheet metal, is secured to and closes its lower side. Concentric shoulders 59 are formed upon the shell 53 adjacent to its top and bottom, to serve for setting the inner and outer walls of the measuring-shell 38, and a series of vertical ribs 60 is lalso formed upon the periphery of the shell 53, against which the inner ends of the radial partitions 39 of the measuring-shell are set.

The space between the shell 53 and central hub 54 of the port-section is divided into a series of ports and passages through which the fiuid admitted through the pipe 48 to the central portion of the measuring-shell 38 is admitted to the several measuring-compartments thereof and exhausted therefrom into the meter-casing above the measuring-shell for delivery through the nozzle 52, the admission and exhaust of fluid being controlled by a series of reciprocating slide-valves 11, working over the valve-faces 55, as presently to be described. The valve-faces are disposed equiangularly about the. central hub 54, and extend radially therefrom to the outer shell 53, three being provided in the instance illustrated. A port (il extends from each valveface through the port-section to the central portion of the meter-casing or that inclosed by the inner wall of the measuring-shell, ad-

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jacent to which port a port 62 is formed in each valve-face to establish communication, when uncovered by the valve, between the adjacent measu rin g-compartment and the u pper portion of the meter-casing. On the inner side of each port 61 a port 63 is formed in each valve, which port, when uncovered by the valve, establishes communication between the port 61 and a passage 64. Each of the passages 64 leads from a port 63 to an opposite measuriiig-compartment of' the shell 38, extending first between the top of the valve-section and the partition 56 and then turning downwardly, the difference of level being indicated by the tinted portions 64 in Figs. 2 and 3, and extending for the remainder of its length between the partition 56 and the bottom plate 58 to a port or opening 66, leading into the opposite measuring-compartment. The passages 64 are'below the partition 56, separated one from another by radial partitions 67, and above the partition 56 they are separated bypartitions 68, which, to afford all available transverse area in the passages 64, are made partly radial and partly parallel with the radial center lines of the several valve-faces.

Under the above construction it will be seen that each nneasuring-compartment of the shell 38 is, by proper movements of one of the slide-valves 11, adapted to be alternately placed in communication with the supply and the exhaust side, respectively, of the portsection B.

The ports 61, 62, and 63 of each of the valveseats 55 are controlled bya slide-valve 11, fitting truly upon the valve-seat and having a recess or cavity similar to the exhaust-recess of a steam-engine slide-valve. The valves 11 are reciprocated by a crank 69 on a drivingshaft 23, the lower end of which is tubular and is journaled on a cylindrical bearing 70, fixed centrally in the hub 54 of the valve-section B, and the upper end of which is fitted to rotate in a bearing 71, supported by aframe 20, fixed to the cap-plate of the valve-section. The valves are coupled to the crank-pin 72 by connecting-rods 73, having end eyes fitting on the crank-pin and on pins 74, fixed on adj ustable blocks 75, which are clamped to guide-rods 76 by set-screws 77. The guiderods 76 slide in guides 78, fixed to the frame 20 and to the outer end of the valve-faces, and are connected with the valves 1l by pins 7 9, which engage holes in the valves and effect their reciprocating movement with the guide-rods, at the same time preventing them from moving laterally and obviating liability to bending.

In Patent No. 400,420, before referred to, the adjustment for increase or decrease of the angle of libration of the measuring-shell was effected by means of a crank-plate connected to the valve-shaft and moved transversely thereto by a nut. Under my present invention I attain the same end, with greater simplicity and economy of construction, by

the provision of a slotted arm 80, which is secured upon the upper end of the valve-driving shaft 23, and is coupled bya link 81 with a similar arm 34, fixed upon a register-driving shaft 33, which is journaled in line axially with the meter in a tubular bearing 82, having an external thread, which engages a corresponding internal thread in a support 83, fixed to the cap 6 of the meter-casing. The shaft 33 carries a worin 84, engaging a wormwheel 85, fixed upm a horizontal shaft 86. The pin 88 of a crank 87, fixed upon the opposite end of the shaft 86, engages a slot ina crank 89 on the first-motion sha'ft 90 of a suitable indicating and registering vmechanism A, which is inclosed in a casing set in the metercap 6, and which, not constituting in and of itself part of my present invention, need not be herein described.

` The register casing and mechanism are further set forth in a separate application, tiled by me under date of September2, 1889, Serial No. 322,754, and are not therefore claimed as of my present invention.

By raising or lowering the threaded bearing 82 in its support 83 the angle of the shaft 23 with the axis of the meter and consequently the angle of libration of the measuring-shell may be decreased or increased, as

required, for varying the capacity of the meter.

The bearing 82 is held in adjusted position by a lock-nut 91 on its top, as well as by a screw 92, engaging a thread in the support 83, and adapted to enter either of a series of holes in a disk 93, fixed upon the lower end of the bearing 83.

In the operation of the meter the fiuidto be measured enters the casing through the pipe 48 and passes through the tube 5 into the central space inclosed by the inner Wall of the measuring-shell 38 and the port-section B. From this space it passes through the ports 61 to the valves 11, and, as the position of the valves may determine, to one or another of ,IOS

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the measuring-compartments of the shell 38.

If the position of the valves is suchas to place one or more of the ports 61 in communication with one or more of the ports 62, the fluid passes from the ports 61, through the recesses of the valves and the ports 62, into the compartments, Whose ports 62 are opened, charging said compartments. At the same time the opposite compartments are, by reason of the position of the valves, being discharged. When the valves have changed their position, so as to open the port or ports 62 to the upper portion of the case andthe communication between said port or ports and a port or ports 61, the fluid is exhausted from said compartments into the upper portionof the meter-casingand is thence delivered through the nozzle 52. If the position of the valves is such as to place one or more of the ports 6l in communication with one or more of the ports 63, the fluid passes from the ports 61, through the recesses of the valves and the ports 63, into the passages 64, passing through the same, iirst over and then under the part-i tion 5G, and through their ports GGin the shell of the valve-section, into the compartments communicating with said ports 6G, and charging said compartments, the opposite co1npartments being coincidently and similarly discharged. XVhen the valves have changed their positions, so as to open the ports (V53, through which the iiuid has previously been charged, to the upper portion of the metercasing and close communication between the upper portion of the meter-casing and the ports G3, through which the fluid has been previously discharged, the charged compartments are discharged, and the discharged compartments are charged in a similar manner.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a iiuid-meter, the combination of an inclosing-case provided with inlet and outlet pipes, a measuring-shell divided into a series of separate compartments and adapted to receive a progressive Wave-like movement about its center, a universal-joint mechanism supporting the measuringshell, and two shafts coupled one to the other and journaled on the shell and on the meter-casing, respectively, one of said shafts being mounted in a longitudinally-adj ustable bearing,substantially as set forth.

2. In a fluid-meter, the combination of an inclosing-case provided with inlet and outlet pipes, an annular spherical sector measuring4 shell divided into a series of separate compartments and adapted to receive a progressive wave-like movement about its center, a universal-joint mechanism coupled to a fixed bearing and to the measuring-shell, a shaft journaled in bearings on the measuring-shell in line Wit-l1 the universal-joint mechanism, a tubular bearing mounted adj ustably in a support on the meter, a shaftl journaled in said bearing, and a crank-arm fixed upon said shaft and coupled to a similar arrn on the shaft of the measuring-shell, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fluid-meter, the combination of an inclosing-case provided with inlet and outlet pi pes, an annular spherical sector measuringshell divided into a series of separate compartments and adapted to receive a progressive vvave-like movement about its center, a port section fitting into and closing the central space within the measuring-shell at its top, said section being peripherally secured to the inner Wall of the measuring-shell and provided with a series of direct through-ports and a series of passages leading from ports in the measuring-compartments to ports in the upper wall of the port-section, a driving-shaft j ournaled in bearings in the port-section and coupled to an arm upon a shaft mounted in a bearing on the meter-casing, a series of Valve-faces fixed upon the top of the portsec tion and provided with ports communicating with the through-ports and the passages of said port-section and with compartments of the measuringshell, and a series of slidevalves, each coupled to a crank on the drivingshaft and controlling the ports ot one of the valve-faces, substantially as set forth.

4. In a fluid-meter, the combination of an annular spherical sector measuring-shell divided by partitions into separate compartments and a cylindrical port-section secured to and closing the top of the inner portion oi' the measuring-shell and provided with annular concentric circumferential shoulders for setting the inner and outer Walls of the shell, substantially as set forth.

5. In a fluid-meter, the combination of an annular spherical sector measuring-shell divided by partitions into separate compartments and a cylindrical port-section secured to and closing the top of the inner portion of the measuringshell and provided with eircumferential ribs for setting the partitions of the shell, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GHAUNGEY N. BUTTON.

Witnesses:

W. D. UPTEGRAFF, J. SNOWDEN BELL.

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