106 F. 519 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Southern New York | 1900
Final hearing on bill and answer raising questions as to validity and infringement of the second claim of complainant’s patent, bio. 387,831, granted August 14, 1888, to John Thomson, for a disk water meter. Said claim is as follows:
“In a water meter, the combination, with a disk chamber having a fixed diaphragm and an oscillating disk therein, of inlet and outlet ports formed in said chamber, the area and circumferential extent of the inlet port being greater than that of the outlet port, whereby the impact of the inflowing current upon the disk is decreased, substantially as set forth.”
The patent relates to tlie class of rotary displacement water meters, in which a disk, called in the briefs and argument a “piston,” so nutates or wabbles in a meter chamber as to measure the fiow of water lluough the chamber. The interior side wall of said chamber is in the form of the equatorial zone of a sphere. Its top and bottom walls are in the form of truncated cones with the smaller ends adjacent. On one side of said meter chamber a radial par. tition called a “diaphragm” extends from its top and bottom walls
Prior to 1887 water meters of the disk or nutating piston type had been constructed, but they were not practically successful, because of a tendency to become unseated, — that is, to break contact between the piston and upper and lower walls of the meter chamber, — and to thus permit leakage. Thereupon Messrs. Thomson & Lambert, of the complainant company, and Mr. L. H. Nash, of the defendant company, addressed themselves to the task of devising a commercially successful meter in which the impact of the inflowing water should be so reduced that the piston would keep its seat. They undertook to solve the problem in different ways. As a result, Thomson & Lambert obtained patent No. 375,023, on December 20, 1887, and Nash obtained patent No. 379,805, on March 20, 1888. The patentee of the patent in suit, referring to the constructions covered by these earlier patents, truly says:
*521 “In previous practice it lias generally been presumed to be necessary that the inlet and outlet ports' should be formed of equal (circumferential) area, and disposed in equal extent on either side of the diaphragm.”
That is, they secured two ports of equal area and of the greatest possible aggregate area by so constructing them that their edges should conform to the edges of the piston when it was in its position of greatest elevation and depression. The aggregate opening was lune-shaped and was limited to 180 degrees in circumferential extent; each port being spherically triangular in shape, of maximum height, and with its apex furthest from the diaphragm. Both pat-entees stated that the object in thus making the ports as large as possible was to reduce the impact or velocity of the inflowing water. On this point Thomson & Lambert say:
“The first object of this peculiar arrangement and form of water ways and ports is to present the greatest possible area of opening to the disk chamber, the velocity of the current being thereby so greatly reduced that its dynamic effect upon the disk, ball, and socket is practically Inappreciable.”
Neither of these meters held the piston to its seat without the addition of some restraining contrivance. Thomson & Lambert used a roller on the spindle in conjunction with a fixed stud. Nash used a weight on the spindle, designed to hold the piston on its seat by centrifugal force.
It is essential to the successful practical operation of a water meter of this class that the piston shall constantly maintain contact with the conical heads of the piston chamber, with the minimum of resistance and friction, and that the maximum flow of water through the meter shall not be reduced. The roller and weight contrivances of Thomson & Lambert and the weight of Nash caused resistance and friction, which retarded the operation of the disk, and resulted in the wearing away of its edges, thereby shortening its life, causing it to leak, and impairing its accuracy and efficiency. The effect of reduction of impact is to permit more water to pass through the meter with less friction and strain. No construction would he permissible whereby the ports should be less in cross section than the supply and discharge pipes. The problems involved in these objections and requirements were still unsolved by these rival inventors. In 1888 Thomson set. forth in the patent in suit, what is claimed to be his solution of these problems. Certain parts of the specification which relate to the invention in suit are as follows :
“The fourth object of the invention is to provide the greatest possible area for the inlet of the fluid to lie disk chamber, thereby adapting a smaller size of meter than heretofore to greater duty. * * * In previous practice it lias generally been presumed to be necessary that the inlet and outlet ports should he formed of equal area, and disposed in equal extent on either side of the diaphragm. I have found, however, that this is not necessary, and utilize this fact, to provide an inlet port of greater area than that of the outlet port, as fully Illustrated in the drawings. This is accomplished by extending the lino of change in the disk from the center of the diaphragm around into the inlet port, as indicated by the broken line, 20. When the disk is in contact with the cone frusta at this section, the edges of the ports are lapped. In other words, it is at this portion of the motion of the disk that the change of displacement occurs from one side to the other thereof. To permit such a for*522 mation of the inlet port, and at the same time prevent communication from one side to the other at the time of change, it is necessary to form the corners 27, 28, of the outlet port somewhat higher than that of the corresponding corners of the inlet port, and also that the contact of the disk on the diaphragm shall be made with approximate accuracy. The advantage of this construction is that the velocity of the inlet current upon the disk may thus he reduced to the greatest possible extent, as the area of the port may equal or even exceed the area of the passage through the disk chamber.”
There is great conflict as to the object, scope, and. effect of this invention. It is admitted that Thomson thus disclosed for the first time the discovery that a further increase in the size of the inlet port and consequent reduction of impact could be secured by shifting- the diaphragm from the center of the two equal ports over into the outlet port.
Counsel for complainant claims as follows:
(1) The theory of the invention covered by the claim in suit was to “constantly provide superior pressure upon the inlet side of the piston by making the inlet port larger in circumferential extent and area than the outlet port, * ⅜ * thereby holding the piston to its seat.”
(2) The foregoing statement in the specification as to the fourth object of the invention must be construed to refer to the foregoing theory, because by reason of such construction “a greater duty, in the sense of higher speed with perfect measuring, will be performed .by the meter.”. -
(S) The statement that the result is to be accomplished by “extending the line of change * * * around into the inlet port” (that is, by shifting the diaphragm away from the central position around into the outlet port) “is only a description of the form illustrated in the drawing, and preferred because it permits of a maximum area of both ports.” The “line of change”' is an imaginary line. It is defined as.“the portion of the motion of the disk that the change of displacement secures from one side to the other.” It is the line which marks the point where one chamber is at its maximum and the other is at its minimum size. The position of this line is constant. It does not change. 'It is agreed that the statement in the specification, “extending the line of change in the disk from the center of the diaphragm,” means “the diaphragm is to be shifted from its central position.”
(4) That is, complainant claims that Thomson’s invention covered not merely the form of meter with shifted diaphragm specifically described and claimed, but “the method of providing an inlet port in area 'and circumferential extent greater than the outlet port, without. shifting the diaphragm.” This would cover a construction wherein the diaphragm remained stationary, but the apex of the outlet port-furthest from the diaphragm was filled up, and it is this construction alone which defendant is alleged to have infringed. To support 'this contention, complainant relies on the following facts:
(a) Thomson’s original sketch for. the patent in suit illustrates, inter alia,-inlet ports greater in circumferential extent than outlet port's, but “not carried to their extreme theoretical or practical limit.” Ns to this sketch Thomson testifies:
*523 “1 tliink this sketch tells its own story, the outlet port being smaller thars the inlet; and such a construction in any disk meter could be obtained without shifting the diaphragm to one side or the other of what may be termed it» mid or neutral position.”
(b) At the close of the specification the following language is used:
“While I have thus described one embodiment of my invention, which is the preferred form, it will he evident to those skilled in the art that many of my improvements can be embodied in various other constructions without departing from the principles thereof. It will be also evident that various features set forth may be combined in a single structure, as shown, or may be used separately or in combination with other equivalent features; and my Invention is not, therefore, limited to the precise construction and arrangement, shown.”
Counsel for complainant says:
“This comprises a clear statement that the raised comers, 27, 28, the shifted diaphragm, and the mechanical devices for holding the piston in position without tension need not be used with the differential construction of chamber ports.”
(c) The third claim specifically covers the shifted diaphragm construction. Counsel for complainant therefore coni ends as to the second claim as follows:
“Based upon the specification, with its concluding suggestions of possible' modifications, and contrasted with the third claim, this claim must he construed to broadly cover any meter of the nula ting disk type having the inlet port of the meter chamber in area and in circumferential extent greater than-the outlet port, and regardless of whether the xwrts are or are not as large as they would he made.”
Complainant, in support of its contention that the claim in suit covers a construction whereby the piston is kept on its seat by water-pressure, relies on the following language in the specification:
“To still further provide for the proper operation of the disk under all conditions, I provide a yielding resistance in which are combined the following peculiar conditions: The disk is carried normally without tension; but in,: the event of foreign matter being introduced between the contacting surfaces-of the disk and the cone frusta the disk may lift or vibrate against the yielding; resistance, and be again instantly reset to its proper position as soon as relieved. This is accomplished by simply forming the controlling spindle or axis, :¾5. of the disk so that Us resisting point is near the center of the ball. CO. In this wise the spindle may he made with practical accuracy and of considerable rigidity, so as to control the motion of the disk properly*without subjecting it to spring tension; but upon the introduction of foreign material it "will yield readily, acting as a spring, Cor the reason lhat a very considerable amount of motion at the periphery of the hall or disk will involve but a very slight amount of motion upon the yielding section of the spindle. I provide for the positive control and motion of the disk by mounting upon the end of the said spindle a friction roller, .'>(>.”
Counsel for complainant says:
“It is evident that Thomson thought that restraining device of importance solely with regard to foreign solid matter in the meter. He practically says that he so constructs the restraining device that normally it will not be* under tension at all, and whenever any piece of stolid matter may be carried into the-meter chamber under the piston, so that it would, but for the yielding of the-piston away from its seat, obstruct the meter by causing the stoppage of the-piston, this yielding restraining device, in the nature of a spring, permits the piston to move, and will restore the piston to iis normal position, where again it may be controlled or held upon its seat by any other means which may be in the meter, and, as we contend, by means of the greater area and eireumfer-*524 cntial extent of the inlet port as compared with the outlet port. That is all there was of it.”
Complainant further argues that:
“There is no reason to say that Thomson was trying to improve on those that had the largest possible maximum area, and make one still larger. He does not say so.”
(5) Counsel for complainant further invokes the application of the doctrine that an inventor is entitled to all the beneficial uses of his invention, although not disclosed by him in his patent.
As to the foregoing contentions, defendant says as follows:
As to 1: Nine-tenths of said patent and 14 of its 17 claims are devoted to .the adaptation of “this type of meter, to be operated with its disk in a vertical instead of a horizontal position,” and to provide a certain kind of strainer, registering apparatus, and pressure caps, none of which matters are involved herein. In the remainder of said patent he specifically described and claimed the idea of increasing the size of the inlet port by shifting the diaphragm around into the inlet port, so as to further reduce impact, and providing certain comers so as to prevent leakage; and there is no language in the patent or claims which refers to or suggests any such construction as- is contended for by complainant. The theory of the Thomson invention stated by counsel for complainant is one invented by him, and is not supported by the evidence of his experts or by the record. Complainant’s expert Foster says he understands said second claim as “limited to a structure in which the velocity of the inlet current is reduced below what it would be in the structure of the said patent, if the diaphragm were set so as to divide the inlet and outlet ports into apertures of the same circumferential extent and capacity.” Again he says:
“A mere reduction of tbe outlet port, providing it was not made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the measuring chamber, would not in any way vary the action of the disk; and, if such was the caso, such reduction would be immaterial, and not bring the construction within the invention of the second claim of the patent in suit.”
As to complainant’s theory that the invention covered by the second claim is the reduction of the size of the outlet port relatively to that of the inlet port, Mr. Benjamin, complainant’s other expert, says:
“The patentee does not diminish the size of the outlet port. It would be absurd to do so.”
As to 2: There is nothing in the patent to justify the inference attempted to be drawn by complainant as to its second point. “The fourth object of the invention” is, as stated in the portions of the specification already quoted, “to provide the greatest possible area for the inlet of the fluid * * * by extending the line of change from the center of the diaphragm around into the inlet port [that is, shifting the diaphragm into the outlet port], * ⅜ * thereby hdapting a smaller size of meter than heretofore to greater duty.”
As to 3 and 4: The cutting down of the outlet port without shifting the diaphragm, which complainant claims is covered by said claim, would not adapt a small meter to greater duty, but would •frustrate this stated object. The patentee explains' “the advantage
(1) The specification describes only one construction, namely, with a shifted diaphragm, and no other construction is anywhere suggested unless it can he guessed at from the general language already quoted.
(2) Thomson, the patentee, testifies that the first and only model constructed was “made by taking one of the [Thomson & Lambert] meters, ⅜ * removing the diaphragm from its regular position, and shifting it round to such an approximate position as is shown in the drawings of the patent.”
(3) Thomson did not conceive of or invent a construction whereby the piston was held down on its seat by pressure of the water, and
“21. xQ. What was your object in making up and assembling six experimental meters, when one would have answered the purpose? A. Experiments on those meters .had been carried on for quite some time. We were then using in our experiments the regular disk chamber, and were making little patching around the. port, with added pieces of brass soldered thereon for the purpose, until we were practically satisfied. Then we had a special pattern made and sent to the foundry, and finished up six meters, so as to find out if the pattern was correct. We thought and still think safer to make an experiment on a few meters at a time, preferably, than in a single one, where the experiment may be deceitful. 24. xQ. In your answer to xQ. 21 you say that before you had patterns made you conducted experiments on your regular disk chamber by soldering pieces of brass around the ports for the purpose. What purpose did you have in view in making those experiments? A. To have the disk self-controlled by the action of the current, without any rigid control. 27. xQ. How long a time did these experiments extend over before the patterns were •made from which the castings of this exhibit were made? A. The experiments were made as late as 1888, at the time of our making our upright meter, but were abandoned on account of the illness of Mr. Thomson, the patentee of the patent in suit. 28. xQ. How. long a time was occupied by the experiments referred to in your answer to xQ. 21, — those which immediately preceded the making of the patterns for the exhibit referred to ? A. In 1893 we changed somewhat the style of our meter, to make the meter commercially known as the ‘Bee Meter.’ Those experiments had to be stopped on account of the illness of myself. Preferably to putting on the market a meter which had not been fully tested, I gave the order to the foreman of the factory to not introduce any change in the port of the chamber until we had had fuller opportunity to decide on this experiment about the ports. In 1894 those experiments were started again, and we found quite a trouble to find a way to tell what was going on in the meter. It is not until the middle of the year 1895 that I designed a special recording device, showing exactly what was going on in the meter when tested. From that time we satisfied our mind promptly how the ports ought to be formed and proportioned to get the self-control of the disk by the current without any rigid control.”
(4) It further appears, from the testimony of the inventor himself, that he never tried his invention, except in a pail of water, and under such conditions as made it impossible for him to determine whether the impact of the water did keep the disk on its seat. As to the language quoted above as to mechanical “restraint,”'defendant says:
“The patentee substituted for the old rigid spindle one with ‘considerable rigidity,’ which ordinarily controls the disk as in the prior art, without subjecting it to spring tension except on extraordinary occasions.”
This will be further referred to in connection with the discussion of the models and expert testimony.
A thorough examination of the testimony, and careful consideration of the exhaustive arguments and briefs, compel the conclusion
(5) Furthermore, that, the parties being rivals in business, the complainant, although it made and sold (55,000 disk meters, never made a meter in accordance with, the specifications of the patent in suit until long after the issuance of the defendant’s Nash patent, and until after the defendant brought out its patented meter, and that from the dale of the patent, in 1888, down to 1805, the complainant did not construct or use the port improvement which it now claims is covered by said second claim, and which defendant herein first constructed, and which it (defendant) claims in its other suit against this complainant was first invented by Nash.
It is strenuously contended that in these circumstances the patent In suit, as far as the invention of claim 2 is concerned, is a mere paper patent. The parties are further at issue upon the' questions of corners, tight lit, and leakage, as bearing on (his contention that the invention covered by the second claim was an impracticable one. The patentee says in the portion of the specification already quoted (hat to carry out the idea of the reduction of velocity by shifted diaphragm construction, and at the same time prevent communication from one side to the other at the time of change, it is necessary to form the corners, 27, 28, of the outlet port somewhat higher than that of the corresponding corners of the inlet port, and also that, the contact of (lie disk upon the diaphragm'shall be made with approximate accuracy. That is, the patentee stales that: higher corners and a tight fit are essential to secure these two objects, — enlargement of inlet port and avoidance of leakage. Complainant’s position on this point is as follows: (a) The patentee is here discussing only the preferred form construction of shifted diaphragm, not (lie other form of unsliifted diaphragm and partially filled up outlet port, (b) Claim 2 says nothing about corners, and refers only to the undisclosed and not preferred form, in which corners would not be necessary. (c) The drawing's of the patent in suit and the prior art show constructions in which the piston does not fit tight, (d) A certain amount of leakage was permissible. Therefore a tight fit and cornel's are only necessary where leakage is to be absolutely prevented, (e) “A loose fit of Thomson’s piston, so as to provide the old expedient of equalization of pressure when excessive upon opposite sides of the piston, would have made7’ the Thomson meter an operative meter. It is admitted that a Thomson meter constructed exactly according to Thomson's specification will not keep its seat, and (hat a Thomson meter so modified as not to have a tight tit, but to permit leakage, will keep its seat. Hut the contention that such leakage is permissible is not proved. That the patent does not describe a loose-iitting piston appears from the foregoing and following quotations from the specifications:
“A recess, 41, is first milled into the tace of the edge of the disk, very slightly larger in diameter than the roller intended to be used. A pivot bearing is then formed, and preferably of a depth several times greater than the length of the roller intended to be used. The roller is then placed to position, and*528 the pivot, 42, forced in; the hearing throngh the roller being a snug fit, while, the bearing in the disk is free. Now, by slightly relieving the edge of the slot, it will be seen that the entire thrust upon the diaphragm is borne by the friction roller, and that in consequence of causing the pivot to turn with the roller a bearing of ample extent may thus be obtained.”
That is, the roller is inserted so as to fit closely to the diaphragm, and the “slightly relieving the edge of the slot” is not sufficient to make a port which would be material in view of water packing. This will be referred to again in connection with the discussion of the models. Inasmuch as the patentee says that corners and a tight fit are “necessary,” they must be read into the claim as essential parts of the patented construction.
As to complainant’s contention that corners and approximate accuracy of contact of the disk upon the diaphragm stated by the pat-entee to be necessary are conditions only of the preferred, and not of the undisclosed, form, it must be held that Thomson never conceived ■ of any such undisclosed form. Taking the whole case together,' the contentions of defendant already stated are sustained by the patent, in connection with the other evidence. The unsolved problem in this art was how to utilize water pressure alone to keep a meter on its seat. Thomson invented a way to reduce impact, — a means to an end. But he did not say or show or illustrate how water kept the piston on the seat. He did not experiment to find out. The device constructed according to his specifications is unpractical and was never used. If now, by a modification of this construction not hinted at in said specification, the new and unexpected result is accomplished which complainant had vainly sought for seven years,, it is persuasive evidence of a new and independent invention. Especially is this so in the light of the evidence in the other case, where this defendant is complainant, and where it appears that a practical meter in which water did keep the piston on its seat was patented by the defendant Nash and manufactured by the defendant herein before this complainant had ever made a practical meter in which the piston was kept on its Seat'by water pressure alone,
The efforts of experts and counsel, so' far as models are concerned, have been chiefly directed to the question of whether the specifications and drawings of the patent in suit showed an operative meter; that is, one in which the piston would hold its seat without mechanical restraint. In support of the negative of this contention, defendant produced what is known as the “Carlile Model,” — a meter constructed in exact accordance with the specifications of the patent. Thomson, the patentee, says it “is as precise a production in metal of the drawing in the patent as might be expected from illustrations of such character and the specification, * ⅜ *” and “is such a construction as is precisely illustrated in the patent, and which I would expect a skilled mechanic to produce if ordered to follow the lines.” It is admitted by complainant’s expert that it will not work, and in fact it is proved that such a meter keeps its seat better and works better when run backward than forward, because the raised corners of the outlet port and the tight fit between piston and diaphragm cause a pocketing of the water, which forces the piston from its seat. Com
It is unnecessary to discuss the contentions as to anticipation by the Donkin & Fary patent, or as to areas. Both sides agree that area in the patent generally means “effective area,” and that when Thomson referred to the ports of “equal area” of the prior art he meant that feature of construction of the so-called equal areas of Thomson & Lambert and Nash, which consisted in having the largest possible outward or measured areas equally disposed on either side of the diaphragm. Counsel, experts, and patentees have used these words in different senses, and have adopted different standards of measurement, based on water ilow, the size of the hole alone through the skin or inner surface of the meter, or the size of the hole and grooved passage leading thereto, taken together. One of the experts
In Computing Scale Co. v. Keystone Store-Service Co. (C. C.) 88 Fed. 788, the claim was for a certain combination “whereby the pivotal supports of the beam and rod, e, may be brought into alignment, as and for the purpose described.” The court held that this covered only such a combination so constructed that the supports might be brought into alignment as and for the purpose described, and said:
“The insertion of these words meant something, and they must be given dué weight.- The construction we adopt accords them meaning. That of complainant ignores their presence, and makes nonressential what the patentee and the office have deemed material and essential.”
In Renwick v. Pond, 20 Fed. Cas. 536, Judge Blatchford said that where a combination was claimed, so arranged as to effect a certain engagement “if the combination exists, yet, if it is not so arranged as to effect such engagement, there is no infringement.” See, also, Lovell v. Johnson, 38 C. C. A. 426, 91 Fed. 160; J. L. Owens Co. v. Bradley (C. C.) 83 Fed. 482; Roemer v. Peddie, 26 C. C. A. 440, 81 Fed. 380; Whitaker Cement Co. v. Huntington Dry Pulverizer Co., 37 C. C. A. 151, 95 Fed. 471.
The defendant does not infringe the shifted diaphragm or preferred form construction of the patent in suit. It makes an efficient meter, in which the actual area of its inlet port is not of “the greatest possible area,” as in Thomson; is not so large as the inlet ports of the prior art. The actual area of its inlet port is greater than the areas of its outlet ports. As to whether the effective area is greater or not, complainant’s experts differ. The following arrangement in parallel columns, taken from defendant’s brief, correctly states the relations of the two constructions:
Summary.
Specifications and Claims of Thomson Patent in Suit Compared with Nash Meter.
Page 1, line 62:
“The fourth object of the invention is to provide the greatest possible area for the inlet of the fluid to the disk chain-her, thereby adapting a smaller size of meter than heretofore to greater duty.”
The area of the inlet of the Nash meter is not the greatest possible, nor, indeed, as large as in prior meters,
*531 Pago 2, line 15:
‘•'Chis is accomplished by extending tin» line of change in the disk irom the center o£ i lie diaphragm around into the inlet port, as indicated by the broken line. 2(i.
“To permit such a formation of the inlet port, and at the same time prevent communication from one side to the other at the time of change, it is necessary to form the comers. 27, 28, of the outlet port somewhat higher than that of the corresponding corners of the inlet port, and also that the contact of the disk upon the diaphragm shall be made with approximate accuracy.
“The advantage of this construction is that the velocity of the inlet current niton the disk may thus he reduced to 1hi' greatest possible extent, as the area of the port may equal or even exceed the area of the passage through the disk chamber.”
Claim 2:
“In a water meter, the combination, with a disk chamber having a fixed diaphragm and an oscillating disk therein, of inlet and outlet ports formed in said chamber, the area and circumferential extent of the inlet port being greater than that of the outlet port, whereby the impact of the inflowing current upon the disk is decreased, substantially as set forth.”
This feature is the subject of claim 3, which we are not charged with infringing. because the lino of change in the Nash meter is not shifted at all.
The corners of the outlet port of the Nash meter are lower than the corresponding corners of the inlet port.
In the Nash meter there is a large opening in the disk at the side of the diaphragm.
The inlet port of the Nash meter is smaller than inlet ports of the prior art, and the velocity of the inlet current is therefore augmented.
The areas of the inlet and outlet ports of the Nash patent are practically equal.
The impact of the inflowing current in the Nash meter is not decreased, but is increased fourfold.
The construction of defendant’s patent will be further discussed in the other suit. The conclusion reached is that defendant does not infringe the second claim of complainant’s patent, upon either construction thereof, and the bill may therefore be dismissed.
