Year: 1897

page_text: We, GEORGE HAWKINS, HENRY HAWKINS, and SAMUEL HENRY HAWKINS, all of
250, Green Street, Upton l'ark, Essex, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a new or improved hydrogen gas generator, the object
being to facilitate the generation of hydrogen gas by providing an apparatus
arranged or constructed in such a manner as to allow of the generation of the gas
being continually effected as it is not necessary for the working of the apparatus
to be stopped for re-charging etc. Our improved apparatus is further of few and
simple parts, while ready access may be had to same for cleaning purposes or
repairs.
In carrying our invention into practical effect, our improved generator com-
prises three superposed chambers each arranged in such a manner as to form a gas
tight connection, the upper chamber being designed to contain a supply
acidulated water, while the two lower chambers serve as generators.
Near the bottom of each of the lower chambers we arrange a suitable grid and
upon this is placed the necessary material or materials for the generation of the
gas.
We further arrange in connection with these chambers a suitable series of pipes
connecting the upper or acid chamber with the lower and upper generators and
also connecting the two generators together, while further balance pipes, vent pipes,
and pipes for drawing off the gas are suitably arranged. The necessary gauges,
vent taps, waste taps and the like are arranged in any convenient manner and
may be of any required form or construction as required.
Each generator is furnished with a manhole, while the cover or lid of the acid
tank or chamber is preferably formed with a flange designed to enter a suitable
U-shaped channel or recess formed around the edge of the tank or chamber
and containing water, thus forming a gas tight connection between same.
With our improved apparatus one or both generators may be used at a time
by opening the taps or cocks of the supply pipes, so as to allow of the acid gaining
access to the generating chamber or chambers, while when it is necessary to re-
charge one of them the working of that chamber can be stopped, while the second
chamber continues the generation of gas, so that no stop in the working is
necessary.
Our improved gas generator is automatic in its working, in so far that in the
event of the gas being generated in larger quantities than is required for immediate
use it fills the generators, forces back the liquid through the supply pipes until
it is below the grid, thus placing the material or materials necessary for the
generation of the gas above the acid mixture.
As our improvements are capable of modifications, without departing from the

page_text: principle thereof, we do not restrict ourselves to dimensions, materials, or to the
precise form or placement of the several parts thereof.
Dated this 28th day of October 1897.
F. G. CASSELL,
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicants.
We, GEORGE HAWKINS, HENRY HAWKINS, and SAMUEL HENRY HAWKINS, all of
250, Green Street, Upton Park, in the County of Essex, Gentlemen, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:
Our invention relates to the novel construction of an apparatus in which hydrogen
gas is produced by the action of diluted sulphuric acid upon iron or zinc.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, in which,-
Figure 1, represents a front elevation of the generator, shewing the arrange-
ment of the chambers and pipes connected therewith, and
Figure 2, is a section through the chambers.
In carrying out our invention we form three separate vessels or chambers (A),
(B) and (C) of copper or other suitable material capable of resisting the action of
the acid we employ. These are arranged in the manner illustrated; the upper
one being designed to contain sulphuric acid and water in suitable proportions,
while the two lower ones hold iron or zinc shavings, borings or turnings. The
said metal is supported on a grid or perforated plate (D) arranged in the lower
portion of each of the chambers (B) and (C). It is fed into the said chambers
through the hand holes (E) and (E).
The aperture in the upper chamber through which the acidulated water is
poured is furnished with a cap or cover (F) which rests in a channel or recess (F)
around the said aperture containing water so as to seal the connection between
the same.
A pipe (G) furnished with a cock (G) is led from the lower portion of the acid
chamber (A) to beneath the grid (D) in the lower chamber (C) to convey the
acidulated water to the metal. A similar pipe (H) is led to the middle chamber (B)
so that either one of these chambers can be worked independently of the other.
Another pipe (I) fitted with a cock (I) connects with the lower portions of the
middle and bottom chambers (B) and (C) so that the liquid from one chamber can
be forced by the pressure of gas into the other when necessary. Suitable gauge
glasses (J), (J) and (J) are secured to the chambers to shew the height of liquid
therein.
The pipes (K) and (K') communicating with the upper portions of the
chambers (B) and (C) preferably connect with the pipe (K) leading to the top
chamber and serve to convey the air in the lower chambers to the upper one when
first starting the apparatus. (L) is a vent pipe to enable the air or gas that finds
its way to the top chamber to escape. (M) and (MI) are pipes which extend to
the central portions of the chambers (B) and (C) to convey the gas from the same
to the outlet pipe (M³). (N) is the balance pipe for the middle chamber and (N¹)

page_text: is the balance pipe for the lower chamber. These pipes may be termed the safety
valve arrangements of the apparatus.
A cock such as (0) is fitted in the lower portion of each chamber for drawing
off the acidulated water and spent liquid when necessary, or if desired the spent
liquid may be blown through pipes secured to the branches (1) and ("") on the
balance pipes. The latter arrangement is more especially for use when the
apparatus is employed for supplying gas to engines for driving boats.
The lower chambers (B) and (C) may each be fitted with a plug (Q) which can
be removed when it is desired to clean the interior of the same, instead of having
to remove the hand hole cover, for this purpose.
All pipes are furnished with cocks where required for the proper working of
the apparatus also plugs for clearing the pipes when necessary.
In the drawings it is assumed that the bottom chamber is working, the cocks in
the pipes connected therewith are consequently shewn turned on.
The generator is automatic in its working in so far, that in the event of the gas
being generated in larger quantities than is required for immediate use, it fills the
generator and forces back the liquid through the supply pipes until it is below
the grids, thus placing the metal necessary for the generation of the gas above
the acid mixture.
As our invention is capable of modification without departing from the principle
thereof, we do not restrict ourselves to size, materials, or to the precise form or
placement of the several parts thereof.
By the use of this invention gas can be continuously generated, as when one
generating chamber becomes practically exhausted the other is in readiness to be
worked; moreover the spent solution can be used until it is completely worked
out.
The construction of our generator is such that the chambers and fittings thereof
can be taken apart so as to facilitate its removal and repairs when necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
Firstly. A hydrogen gas generator constructed and operated substantially in the
manner as herein set forth.
Secondly. In hydrogen gas generators the combination of the chambers (A), (B)
and (C), the liquid supply pipes, the pipe (I), the vent pipes, balance pipes, gas
outlet pipes, gauge glasses, drain cocks and other fittings, the whole being con-
structed and arranged substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Thirdly. In hydrogen gas generators the chambers (A), (B) and (C) and fittings
thereof made detachable so that they can be taken apart substantially as and for
the purposes herein set forth.
Tik 2071 dave of two 1808
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.