Patent GB-190204371-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators and Portable Lamps.
Inventor: TEJADA JUAN DE DIOS
Filed: 1902-02-20
Granted: 1902-05-22
Abstract: 4371. Tejada, J. de D. Feb. 20. Acetylene lamps.-Relates to apparatus in which the carbide is automatically supplied to the water. An annular gas chamber is formed by two casings 1, 2, and a water seal 5 for the gasholder bell 7 is formed by the casings 2, 4. Upon the top of the generating - chamber 12 is an annular washing- chamber 8, the inner wall of which is conical. Water is poured into the space 4, and passes into the chamber 8, and thence by a bent pipe 15 into the generator 12. The longer leg of the pipe 15 is in the chamber 8, and consequently the pipe serves to maintain a constant level of liquid in the chamber. The level in the generator is kept constant by a siphon 66', which is connected with the conical bottom of the chamber and is enclosed in a casing 13. A removable carbide chamber 11 rests in the conical opening through the chamber 8. It is fitted with a conical valve 30 carried by a stem 33 passing through a tube 32 and fitted with a cap, between which and a spider 34 is a spring supporting the valve and normally keeping it closed. The stem is forced down for starting the generation of gas, by a screwed rod 36 passing through the top of the bell. Beneath the valve 30 is a conical spreader 38 with upturned edges, which prevent water from splashing up through the valve orifice. A conical expansion at the bottom of the tube 32 relieves the valve of the direct weight of the carbide. The bell is fitted with hinged glazed inspection doors 41 closed by spring hinges 42, and a similar door 44 in the top serves for the insertion of a funnel for charging the holder 11 with carbide. The gas produced passes from the generator and holder into the chamber 8 by the pipe 15 and the holes 14 in the outer wall of the chamber. Thence it passes by a pipe 16 down through the water and up into the space 3. In order to maintain a constant pressure in the space 3 whilst the carbide holder is being recharged, a pipe 17 is arranged to discharge water from the seal into the space 3. The bottom of this pipe and the top of the pipe 16 are arranged in the same lime, and they are fitted with valves 20, 22, Fig. 3, mounted on a link 18 of such length that when one valve is closed the other must be open. Normally, a spring keeps the valve 20 closed, but, by turning a handle 27, a cam 25 may be caused to close the valve 22 and open the valve 20. The water is subsequently run off from the space 3 by a cock 24. At the bottom of the space 3 is fitted a spring safety-valve 64 for escape of the gas if the pressure becomes dangerously high. Gas passes from the space 3 to the burners by cocks 60, the plugs of which are fitted with a folded piece of wire gauze, which retains any lime suspended in the gas, and may be removed through a hole 62 in the side of the cock for cleaning. The carbide may be contained in a number of holders provided with valves and used in succession. For flushing out the generator, the siphon 66<1> is turned down into the horizontal position to charge it, and it is then quickly raised. When the apparatus is arranged as a lamp, as shown in Fig. 1, the cocks 60 are mounted as gas-tight pivots in the casing 1, and are connected with pipes 47, which join at 48 and carry the burner and globe support 50. They also carry an ornamental cover 54 for the gas holder. Side arms 52, pivoted at the point 48 and normally retained in spring catches 53, support the pipes 47. When the carbide holder is to be recharged, the cover 54 is removed, the arms 52 are turned upwards, and the pipes 47 are then turned downwards, without extinguishing the light.