Patent GB-715386-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to acetylene gas generators
IPC: C10H5/00
Filed: 1951-05-10
Abstract: <PICT:0715386/IV (b)/1> An acetylene generator comprises a closed water compartment superimposed on a closed carbide compartment and valve means for controlling the supply of water to the carbide compartment through a vent and for controlling the supply of acetylene in the gas take-off, wherein the carbide and water compartments are in communication through one or more vents which run from the top of the carbide compartment to above the maximum level of water in the water compartment, and a syphon connects from the bottom of the water compartment to the bottom of an external closed air compartment, whereby when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined value the water is forced out of the water compartment through the syphon into the air compartment and returns when the gas pressure falls.  The acetylene generator may be modified by including a gas reservoir compartment between the water and carbide compartments, communication between the gas reservoir and the carbide compartments being afforded by a vent running from the top of the gas reservoir compartment, and a water transfer compartment of relatively small capacity is provided at the bottom of the gas reservoir compartment and is in open communication with the gas reservoir compartment, the water reservoir being provided with a filling inlet pipe, the lower end of which is positioned relatively to the syphon associated with the water transfer compartment so that when the water reservoir is filled only a small quantity of water flows through the syphon to the water transfer compartment, a vent running from the top of the water compartment to the water transfer compartment, said water transfer compartment having a valve controlled outlet communicating with the carbide compartment, a syphon being provided between the water transfer compartment and the water reservoir, the lower ends of the vent pipe and syphon which extend into the water transfer compartment being at substantially the same level in said compartment.  The carbide and water compartments may be detachably secured together by screw means, the upper compartment having an upper and lower section to form the water and gas reservoirs respectively, and the space below the gas reservoir accommodating the water and gas control valves. The water valve fitting may include a flange to form the open water transfer compartment.  The valve-controlled gas outlet may communicate with the lower part of the carbide compartment whereby the acetylene is filtered by passing it through the carbide.  The base of the carbide compartment may have a spring-supported base for the carbide to shake off powder accumulating above the carbide.  The closed air compartment may form a handle for the generator.  In the Figure, the water compartment 38 is filled to the lower end of pipe 49 so that a small quantity of water flows through syphon 44 to the water transfer compartment 32.  The valve 29 is opened to allow water to drop through port 33 onto the carbide in the carbide compartment 1, the carbide being supported by the loose base 13 attached to springs 14 and 15.  The acetylene generated passes into gas reservoir 39 through vent 48, then into the water transfer chamber 32 and finally by vent 47 to the water reservoir 38 when the lower end of vent 47 is uncovered.  When the gas pressure is higher than atmospheric in addition to the weight of the column of water in compartment 38, the small quantity of water in space 27 and in compartment 32 is forced into syphon tube 44, and a further increase in the gas pressure results in the water being forced back through the syphon tube 43 into the air compartment 46.  When the gas outlet valve 24 is opened, the acetylene escapes through pipe 25 protected by sleeve 52, the gas pressure falls, thus allowing water to return to space 27 and drop through valve passage 18 onto the carbide. Should water rise from the space 27 and cover the lower end of the vent pipe 47 water ceases to flow from the water reservoir 38 until the end of pipe 47 is uncovered by a fall in pressure and the gas pressure in all compartments becomes equal.