Automatic Gas-generating Acetylene Lamp.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1895
Automatic Gas-generating Acetylene Lamp.
1, CAESAR KAESTNER, Merchant of 13 Brüderstrasse, Halle-on-Saale, in the
Empire of Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed tbe particularly described and ascertain d
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an acetylene lamp which generates gas in proportion as
it is being consumed at the burner and which by reason of its convenience may be
adopted with advantage for many purposes such for instance as illuminating
dwellings and factories.
In the accompanying drawings:-
:-
Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of a single lamp, and
Fig. 2 illustrates a gas-generator with gas holder for a system of illumination on
a large scale.
The calcium carbide employed for producing the acetylene is decomposed by the
supply of water drop by drop in proportion as the generated gas is being consumed
at the burner.
The following apparatus is employed for this purpose.
Upon the vessel A there is mounted another vessel B; from the latter water
flows (through an elbow or bent pipe D in which is a cock N and a non-return
valve) on to a layer of fel: E.
Under the felt E there is arranged a plate F provided with a funnel-shaped
extension forming an outlet G. The opening in the funnel-shaped extension G
is made of a size to correspond with the consumption of gas by the lamp and in
such a manner that only a single drop can form at this place. The felt E is
therefore provided for the purpose of straining or filtering the water and thereby
preventing the aperture in the funnel G from becoming stopped up by impurities
such as dust or fungi in the water.
The above-described gas-generating apparatus may be connected to a gas holder J
(Fig. 2) for the purpose of supplying a large number of burners. But in this case
it is advisable to provide two gas-generators in order that gas may be generated
continuously. The conduit from the gas-generator to the gas holder may either be
shut off by means of a cock M or back flow of the gas may be prevented by
means of a non-return valve P.
The receptacle for the calcium carbide is advantageously provided at its lowest
point with a screw cap or plug O for cleaning etc.
When the water comes in contact with the calcium carbide acetylene gas is
formed and rises at once through the pipes H and when the cock C is open flows
into the burner K which is formed with extremely fine holes in order to prevent
the flame from smoking or otherwise suitably formed.
When the lamp is to be extinguished the water cut-off cock N is first closed and
then the burner cock C is shut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
An automatic gas-generating acetylene lamp comprising a vessel such as A
adapted to contain calcium carbide to be decomposed a water reservoir such as B
a funnel shaped outlet such as G leading from said water reservoir into said

page_text: vessel A and means such as a layer of felt E to filter or strain the water as it
passes from the reservoir B to the said outlet G from which latter it is delivered
drop by drop into the said vessel A substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
Dated this 8th day of October 1895.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.