Improvements in Devices for Automatically Regulating the Quality of Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Automatically Regulating the Quality
of Gas.
We, EDWARD JAMES FROST No. 23 South Third Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America Mechanical Engineer and BENJAMIN
MIDDLEDITCH, of 385 Cordillac Boulevard Detroit, Michigan, United States of
America Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:--
Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of the apparatus,
Fig. 2 is an outer end view of the lever and counterbalance,
Fig. 3 is a view, in perspective of the outer end of the lever and counterbalance.
It is well known that air currents charged with hydrocarbon vapors of gasoline from
carburetors and designed for illuminating purposes, vary from time to time in the
degree of saturation, thus causing corresponding variations in the illuminating power
of the gas, and most of the time there is an over saturation, thus causing smoke in
the burning of the gas with diminished candle power and the giving out of
unpleasant odors.
It is known that the gravity or weight of the gas varies with the degree of its
saturation by the vapors of gasoline and that these vapors can be mixed in proper
proportions with air and a uniform gas can be produced of unvarying candle
power.
Taking advantage of the above facts the object of our invention is the production
of a machine, simple in construction and reliable in action, whereby to automatically
effect such regulation in the proportion of air and gas as to secure the best possible
results from such mixture.
In the accompanying drawings 1 represents a cylinder or mixing chamber having
the extension 2. 3 is a sealed float, preferably of cylindrical form, connected with
one end of a lever 6, the mode shown in the drawing being a lug 7 on float 3, pivoted
to the lever 6.
A central passage way 4 may be formed through the float 3 to receive a valve
stem 5, one end of which is connected with the lever 6 through lug 7, the other end
being connected with a valve 16, hereinafter described. We have illustrated the
device as made with a central passage way through the float, but this passage way
may be omitted, and the valve-stein connected with the float, or with the lever in
any other way.
The lever 6 is fulcrumed at 8 and is provided with a bifurcated counter balance 9,
which is supported by pivot 10, resting on bearings in travelling block 11, which in
turn is supported on the outer end of the lever. 12 is an upward projection, or lug,
on lever 6, forming a bearing for screw 13, for the adjustment of counter balance 9.
14 is the casing containing the valve seat 15 on which the valve 16 rests when
closed; 17 is the air inlet through which air is supplied at a pressure equal to or
greater than the pressure of the incoming gas, and 18 is the gas inlet, and the
arrows designate the passage of the gas around the deflecting plate 19 and float 3.

page_text: The rod 5 is connected at top by a swivel joint to the lug 7, and at the bottom
with the valve 16 with similar attachment.. 20 is also a deflecting plate and is
attached to cover 21. 22 is the gas outlet leading to the burners. 23 represents a
rod having a
bearing in the wall of extension 2 and adapted to have inward
longitudinal and also axial movement, and has on its inner end a socket to engage
with screw 13 to adjust the position of counter balance 9, a spiral spring 24 on the
stem of rod 23 retracts same when pressure is released from said rod.
The operation of my invention is as follows:
The float and the counter weight are so initially adjusted relative to each other
as that the valve 16 controlling the air inlet is closed and remains closed when vapor
of just the desired richness (or less) is passing from the carburetor into the gas
inlet 18 and through the cylinder 1 to the burners. As soon, however, as the vapor
current becomes too highly charged, or saturated, the increase of its density so
resulting lifts the float 3 and with it the air inlet valve at same time correspondingly
depressing the counter weight 9. This admits air to the mixing chamber through
inlet 17 and valve 15, to dilute the vapor in said chamber, and (when gas is being
drawn from the mixing chamber) the float varies the position of valve 16 in
accordance with the amount of air required from time to time, thus keeping the
vapor within the mixing chamber at practically a constant density, and insuring gas
of even and regular quality. Sudden variations in the number of lights supplied
from the mixing chamber may cause the float to open the valve wide, or to close the
,air valve entirely, but ordinarily, when the apparatus is in use, the admission of
air is continuous, but regulated, until the gasoline in the carburetor becomes nearly
exhausted of its lighter constituents.
By the use of our invention the quality of gas supplied to the burners is
practically uniform from the time the carburetor is charged with fresh gasoline down
to the time when the gasoline is exhausted, instead of being rich, heavy and smoky
at first and afterwards poor, light and deficient in illuminating power as usual.
It will be observed that the counter weight on the outer end of the lever is
movable longitudinally and can be readily and accurately adjusted by removing the
cap 25, pushing inwardly the rod 23 until the socket on the inner end of same
engages with threaded rod 13 and then turning rod 23 to the right or left, as required,
to effect the desired adjustment.
Should it be desired to vary the standard or quality of the gas to be employed at
the burners at any time, any desired adjustment as between the counter weight and
the float can be effected in the manner described.
Our invention is equally applicable to the regulation of the supply of gasoline from
a gasoline tank to the carburetor, the valve in such cases, as 16, being placed
intermediate between the gasoline tank and the carburetor, and its opening and
closing being, consequently, effected by the varying density of the gas in the mixing
chamber and the corresponding rise and fall of the float.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The combination with a mixing chamber having a gas inlet port and a gas
eduction port, of a lever pivoted in said chamber having on one arm a float and on
the other arm a weight, an air inlet port adapted to deliver air to said mixing
chamber (at a pressure equal to or greater than the gas pressure at the gas inlet
port), and a valve controlling said air inlet port and connected with said lever,
whereby the admission of air to said mixing chamber is regulated and varied in
proportion to the richness of the gas entering said chamber, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
2. In devices for regulating the quality of gas, the combination of a mixing
chamber provided with an inlet port leading from a gas producer, an air inlet port
leading from an air blast, and an eduction port leading to the burners, of air inlet
valve 16 and counterbalanced float 3 so connected to each other that the amount of

page_text: opening of said valve is automatically regulated by the density of the gas admitted
to said mixing chamber, substantially as described.
3. The combination with mixing chamber 1 provided with induction ports for the
admission of gas and air, respectively, and with an eduction or delivery port, and an
extension 2, of float 3, passage way 4, therethrough, valve stem 5, balance lever 6,
counter balance 9, valve 16, and adjusting device connected with said lever whereby
the adjustment of said counter balance can be effected, and the admission of air to
said chamber be automatically regulated by the density of the gas admitted to said
chamber, substantially as described.
4. The combination with mixing chamber I, provided with induction and eduction
ports, of float 3, having passage way 4 therethrough, lever 6, provided with lug or
projection 12, counterbalance 9, travelling block 11, threaded rod 13, valve stem 5,
connected at its upper end to lever 6, and at its lower end to valve 16, and means, as
rod 23, for effecting the longitudinal movement of said counterbalance, substantially
as described.
Dated thin nond
2000
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.