Patent GB-190318948-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Acetylene Generators.
Inventor: PAGE SYDNEY ELLIOTT
Filed: 1903-09-02
Granted: 1903-11-12
Abstract: 18,948. Page, S. E., [Colt Co., J. B.]. Sept. 2. Acetylene is prepared automatically by dropping carbide into water. The generator A, Fig. 1, consists of a tank filled with water through a tube W, and provided with an overflow s, t, a flush-out cock u, a stirring-arm w operated by the handle x and rod v, passing through the overflow tube, and a charging-hopper B having a cover C. The gas holder consists of a tank E having a cross partition H and a bell F. A tube J connects the top of the generator with the lower compartment I, and another tube q connects the water space of the generator with the same compartment. Gas passes through the tube J to the tube K, which has a drain tube open at the bottom, and is covered on the top with a floating trap L having a sealing- flange O. The trap prevents any back flow of gas. The gas leaves the holder through a tube P having a drain tube, and leading to a filter R. The compartment J is provided with a water overflow pipe S, and an opening T to the air, while the upper compartment has telescopic tubes V, U to act as a safety-escape for excess gas to the outer air viÔ the lower compartment. A branch tube from the gas tube J leads to the top of the compartment I, and is provided with a valve Y operated simultaneously with the water-supply valve X of the tube W by means of levers l, k, and a link o, so that, cn charging the generator with water, air or gas is allowed to escape to the compartment I, and thence to the atmosphere. The hopper is provided with a valve 1, Fig. 3, having a plunger 2 which is attached to a rod 3 and is operated by an arm 17. Surrounding the valve is a casing 5, which is raised after the valve rises and falls before it falls, by leaving a space between the top 7 of the plunger 2 and the underside of the casing, as shown. The valve and casing move beneath a bell 9, which has a neck 10 provided with a flange 11, for fixing to the hopper, and with an extension having a removable cap 12. The arm 17 falls by gravity, but is raised by a projection 21 from a rocking shaft 16 which passes through a lateral projection 14, Fig. 5, from the neck 10. The shaft 16 is loosely connected by arms 26, 25 to a rod 24, Fig 1, pivoted to the bell of the holder. On the shaft 16, Fig. 5, there are also (1) a fixed member 29 having an upwardly-extending catch 30 and a finger 31, and (2) a loose arm 32 having a latch 33 engaging with the catch 30, and also a shaft 34 carrying a trip 36 engaging with a fixed stop 37. The latch 33 is held in position by a spring 38. The arm 32 is adjustably secured to the arm 26 by a spring pressed pin 39 or other means. When the bell falls, the arms 25, 26 move downwardly, and the latch 33 engaging with the catch 30 causes the shaft 16 to rock so as to lift the valve 1. As the bell rises, the arm 31 is moved upwards by the projection from the arm 32, thereby causing the shaft 16 to rock in the reverse direction. When the arm 25 falls below a predetermined limit, owing to the carbide having been exhausted, the trip 36 is brought into contact with the pin 37. The shaft 34 is thereby turned, and the latch 33 released, allowing the valve to close independently of any further motion of the gasometer. The hopper has a removable valve seat 40, Fig. 3, and a hinged under valve 45 operated by means of a rod from a float 47, so that, when the water falls below a predetermined level, the valve will close the mouth of the hopper. The filter R consists of an outer casing a, Fig. 16, having a cover b and a depending sleeve d from which is supported a cylindrical wire framework e having a metallic lower cap f and outside which is secured by circular depressions h and cords i a felt or other suitable filtering-material g. The crude gas enters through an opening at the bottom of the casing, and the purified gas escapes through an outlet at the top.