IMPROVEMENTS IN DEVICES FOR REMOVING GASES FROM SEWERS AND DESTROYING THEM BY HEAT
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Elizabeth Jane Corbett, of San Francisco, California,
U. S. A., Physician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DEVICES FOR
REMOVING GASES FROM SEWERS AND DESTROYING THEM BY HEAT."
Sealed the 27th August 1878, and dated the 3rd June 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Elizabeth J. Corbett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd June 1878.
ELIZABETH JANE CORBETT, of San Francisco, California, Physician. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DEVICES FOR REMOVING GASES FROM SEWERS AND DESTROYING THEM
BY HEAT,"
My Invention relates to a novel method of destroying such noxious gases as are
generated in the sewers of a city, and it consists in leading a pipe from the sewer
to each of the gas lights along its line, so that the gases will be conducted to and
delivered into the flames and thereby destroyed.
gases
Numerous plans have been devised for preventing the escape of these foul
through the conduits which lead from sewers into houses and into the streets of a
city, without adequate means being provided for allowing them to make their escape
from the sewers. This compels the gas to accumulate in the sewers, so that they
soon become charged with it, and the difficulty of preventing it from escaping into
the houses and streets is increased.
My plan is intended not only to provide a vent through which these gases can
pass to the open air in the day time as fast as they accumulate, but when the gas is
lighted at night each gas jet establishes a draft through the gas or vent tube, which
draws the gas into the flame where it is destroyed, thus preventing any accumulation
of gas in the sewer.
Referring to the accompanying Drawing, which shows a view of my apparatus,
letter A represents the level of a street surface; B is a sewer; C is a lamp post; D is
the gas main; and E is the gas pipe which leads to the lamp.
My Invention consists in leading a pipe F from the sewer up to the gas burner
in the lamp, so that it will serve as a vent or conductor to draw off the gas as fast
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page_text: as it accumulates in the sewer. I shall usually lead this pipe up inside of the lamp
post, and will construct a shield or bonnet G around the gas burner, so that the
upper end of the pipe F will terminate inside of it. This compels the gas which
escapes from the upper end of the pipe F to come in contact with the flame of the
gas burner, whereby it is burned and destroyed.
If desired a cock can be applied near the upper end of the pipe F, which can be
closed in day time so as to prevent the escape of the gas when the gas light is not
burning; but when the gas is lighted this cock must be opened, so that the draft
which is occasioned by the heat of the gas flame will draw off the gases from the
sewers and burn them.
The small quantity of gas which is drawn off from the sewer at a time will
prevent any deleterious effects upon gas flame, even if the gas is non-inflammable.
By this arrangement I can prevent any accumulation of gas in the sewer, and by
providing a vent the liability of this foul gas escaping at any other point is
avoided.
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,―
1st. The method of removing and destroying the foul gases which are generated
in sewers, consisting in providing a vent tube or vent tubes, through which the
gases are drawn off and brought into contact with the flames.
2nd. The vent tube F connected with the sewer B at its lower end, and termi-
nated at its upper end in close proximity to the flame of a gas jet, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
3rd. The gas pipe E, provided with a shield or bonnet G, in combination with
the pipe F, the lower end of which connects with the interior of the sewer B, while
its upper end terminates inside of the shield, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day
of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
Witnesses,
GEO. H. STRONG.
FRANK A. BROOKS.
ELIZABETH J. CORBETT. (LS)