Patent GB-262781-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gas generating apparatus
IPC: C10J3/24
Filed: 1926-12-07
Abstract: 262,781. Gas Research Co., (Assignees of Smith, H. F.). Dec. 14, 1925, [Convention date]. Producer plant.- A gas generating system comprises a gas producer having a blower supplying moistened air to the fuel bed and and associated with a control device whereby the generation of gas is automatically controlled, the gas outlet pipe from the producer being selectively connected either to a supply main or to a vent pipe. The gas is drawn from the producer 10 by a fan 25 driven by a motor 26 and after passage through a condenser 20 and filter 32 is supplied either through a main 27 to burners 46 or to a vent pipe 42, through an automatically controlled valve in a casing 51. This casing is divided into two compartments 53, 54 by a partition 52, compartment 54 leading by a restricted opening 55 to the main 27. A disc valve 60 rests on the partition 52 and when in this position allows the gases to pass through a chamber 68 to the vent pipe 42 through a restricted opening 70. A three button switch 45 having contacts 80, 81, 82 controls the system. For starting, the switch 80 is closed, after lighting a fire in the producer, and the magnet 87 is energized attracting the armature 90 connected to one wire 91 of a house lighting circuit and by contacts 92, 93 and wire 94 to an electrode 95 in an inverted tube 100, dipping into an electrolyte in a vessel 101. A second electrode 105 is connected by a lead 110 to the fan motor 26 and the other terminal of the house lighting circuit. A passage 115 leads from the tube 100 to the inlet 50 of the valve casing. Thus. by closing switch 80, the fan motor 26 is energized by current passing through contacts 92, 93 and electrolyte 102 the gases passing to the vent pipe 42. A small passage 120 in the partition 52 connects chambers 53 and 54 and a pipe 125 leads to beneath a diaphragm 128 having an attachment to an arm 132 provided with a latch 135, so that a rise of pressure in chamber 53 is communicated to the diaphragm 128 which raises the latch 135 to retain the armature 90 and the contacts 92, 93 in position when the operator's finger is withdrawn from the switch 80. If however there is a leak in the system and gas passes freely through pipe 27 the pressure is not raised, and, on withdrawal of the operator's finger the blower stops. A pressure gauge 137 is provided to show when the requisite pressure is reached and to disclose leakages. When a suitable gas is being produced as shown by a test cock 139, s'witch 81 is closed, energizing the magnet 75 which raises the valve 60 cuts out the vent pipe and connects the blower to the main 27, the valve being retained in place by the gas pressure, so that on an abnormal fall in pressure in the delivery pipe as by overloading, the valve drops and cuts off the gas supply until the switch 81 is again closed. The drop in pressure also acts on the diaphragm 128 and releases the catch 135 so that the motor can only be restarted by operation of switch 80. Excess gas pressure is communicated by passage 115 to the tube 100 and depresses the electrolyte cutting off the current to the motor gradually and without sparking until when a fall of pressure occurs the electrolyte rises again and re-starts the current to the motor. To stop the gas generation a switch 82 is closed which acts through conductors 140, 141 and 84 to energize a magnet 134 which by its armature 133 disengages the latch 135 and breaks the contacts 92, 93 thus stopping the blower. Water is supplied by a pipe 156 to a container 150 sealing pipes 152, 153 for draining condensates from the chambers 53, 54, the overflow passes by a flexible pipe 155 to a saturator in the base of the producer. The container 150 is counterbalanced and pivoted at 159 and has a member 158 which controls the outlet of the nozzle 157. In a modification, means are provided to give a periodical blast to the fuel to maintain it alight when the producer is standing idle. Specification 199,695 is referred to.