606 



GAS-METER 



1063 



pivot or gudgeon, upon which the centre of its prop turns ; the other end of the axis 

 runs in the cover, which hero forms tho side of a superior open vessel, in which, upon 

 the same axis, there is a toothed wheel. The vessel 

 is so far filled with water, that the tube c rises just 

 above it, which position is secured by the level of tho 

 side vessel. When the gas entors through the tube c t 

 by its pressure upon tho partition e it turns the 

 cylinder from right to left upon its axis, till tho ex- 

 terior opening d rises above the water, and the gas 

 expands itself in the exterior space, whence it passes 

 off through a tube at top. At every revolution a 

 certain volume of gas thus goes through the cylinder, 

 proportional to its known capacity. The wheel on 

 the axis works in other toothed wheels, whence, by 

 means of an index upon a graduated disc or dial, 

 placed at top or in front of the gas-meter, the number 

 of cubic feet of gas which pass through this apparatus 

 - in a given time is registered. 



Mr. Thomas Edge, of Great Peter Street, Westminster, has contrived the following 

 meter, of which drawings are annexed : 



Fig. 1064 is a front view of a three-light meter, the front plate being removed, and 

 some of the parts shown in section. 



Fig. 1065 is a transverse section of the same. 



The gas enters at A into the small chamber B, in the bottom of which is a level 1 

 valve (part of Mr. Edge's patent improvement), moving upon its axis and attached 



1064 



1065 



by the rod to a metal float c, which in the present drawing is buoyant. The object 

 of this arrangement is to intercept the passage of the gas into the meter, unless a 

 sufficient quantity of water is in it, that being necessary to its proper action ; tho gas 

 then passes through the inverted siphon or tunnel into tho convex cover, whence it 

 passes into the chambers of the drum. 



Another of Mr. Edge's improvements consists in the cutting down of this siphon 

 pipe or tunnel to the proper water level, and connecting the bottom of it to a waste 

 water box, into which any surplus water must fall. The importance of this pre- 

 caution will be seen on investigating tho drum, as an excessive height of water will 

 materially interfere with the measurement, the quantity of gas delivered per revolution 

 being considerably less. This, in connection with the lever valve and float, confines 



