IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER MOVING STRUCTURES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING GAS IN SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING GAS ELSEWHERE
Year: 1863

page_text: of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY CARRIAGES
AND OTHER MOVING STRUCTURES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND
HOLDING GAS IN SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING GAS ELSEWHERE."
led the 22nd March 1864, and dated the 26th September 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Malam and
William Tice at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 26th September 1863.
We, WILLIAM MALAM, of Walpole Street, Deptford, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer, and WILLIAM TICE. of Downham Road, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY
CARRIAGES AND OTHER MOVING STRUCTURES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING
AND HOLDING GAS IN SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING
ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING GAS ELSEWHERE," to be
as follows:-
We construct apparatus for supplying gas to railway carriages in such
manner that the gas may be compressed or forced into the apparatus at high
pressure, and so regulated as to be consumed at the burners at a low or
reduced pressure, so that each carriage may carry a comparatively large
quantity of gas. For this purpose we fix to the top of the carriage a pipe
intended to act as a holder or reservoir of compressed or high-pressure gas;
г
071

page_text: from this pipe the gas, its passage being controlled by a spring valve or other
appliance, is carried through a regulating apparatus to the burners, to which
it is distributed at a reduced or low pressure. The branch pipe which conveys
the gas from the reservoir or holder pipe to the burners may preferably before
reaching the regulator open into a chamber in which the compressed gas is
allowed to expand, and whence it passes through the regulator to the burners.
Gas is pumped or forced into the reservoir or holder pipe from any required
supply, so that a sufficient quantity may be carried for a desired distance, and
in a comparatively small space. The holder or reservoir pipe (which by
preference is carried all along the edges of the carriage roof) acts as a gas
holder, and the pressure being reduced, as explained, the gas reaches the
burner in a fit condition for combustion. A regulator that may be used in
some cases consists of two conical valves on one stem, on which is a diaphragm,
partly or wholly flexible, on which a spring or series of springs may press.
The above mode of supplying gas may be adapted for other moving bodies
beside railway carriages.
Our Invention next relates to an improved retort. This retort has at its
upper part, within or communicating with its interior, a channel tubular way
or passage, extending in the direction of from front to back of the retort, and
it should preferably lic nearly from end to end thereof, and slope slightly
towards the back end; one end of this way or passage leads into the ascension
pipe, and the other end into the interior of the retort, so that the gas generated
in the latter is forced to pass into and through this way or passage before
escaping into the ascension pipe, by which means the gas is brought into the
hottest part of the retort, and tar or other impurities prevented from falling to
the bottom of the mouth-piece.
Our improvements in apparatus for manufacturing and holding gas when
adapted for use on ships or vessels have for object to prevent the working of
such apparatus from being interfered with by the lurching or motion of the
vessel. For this purpose we form recesses or chambers in the under part of
the hydraulic main, immediately below the parts at which the ascension pipes
enter it, and we carry or prolong the end of such ascension pipes into these
chambers or recesses, of which there is one for each pipe, so that each pipe
dips or opens into such a chamber or recess instead of into the body of the
main, whereby the ends of the pipes are kept submerged, and the tarry or
other liquids retained in the recesses, even when the vessel rolls.
In respect of gas holders we steady the cylinder in its descent by affixing
thereto catches, teeth, or guide pieces, guided by pulleys or rollers, and working
in the teeth of racks formed on the pillars or standards of the frame of the

page_text: holder, but when the cylinder is to rise, these catches are disengaged from the
rack, which may be done by a single hand lever working crank arms connected
with them. Or we effect a proper transmission of gas if the cylinder should be
displaced by fitting a fan, screw, wheel, or like appliance, driven by clockwork
or otherwise, in a box or chamber formed in the outlet from the holder,
so that the gas may be duly propelled thence.
We also construct a gas holder of a flexible or partially flexible case or
vessel, working in a close or air-tight casing or chamber, mounted when for
use at sea on pivots or trunnions, or on ball and socket or universal joints,
from which casing or chamber noxious emanations and escapes of gas are
carried off through a flexible telescopic or other tube leading thence to any
desirable part.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Malam and William Tice in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th March 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
MALAM, of Walpole Street, Deptford, in the County of Kent, Civil Engineer,
and WILLIAM TICE, of Downham Road, Islington, in the County of Middlesex,
Gas Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said William Malam and William Tice, Her special licence that we, the
said William Malam and William Tice, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said William Malam and William Tice,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed. should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER MOVING STRUCTURES, AND
IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING GAS IN SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS,
PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR MANUFACTURING AND HOLDING
GAS ELSEWHERE," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William

page_text: Malam and William Tice, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of
one of us or them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Malam and William Tice,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:
We construct apparatus for supplying gas to railway carriages in such
manner that the gas may be compressed, forced, or admitted into the
apparatus at high pressure, and so regulated as to be consumed at the burners
at a low or reduced pressure, so that each carriage may carry a comparatively
large quantity of gas; for this purpose we fix to the top of the carriage a
pipe or series of pipes which acts as a holder or reservoir of compressed or
high pressure gas, and from this pipe or series of pipes the gas having its
passage controlled by a spring valve or other similar appliance is carried
through a regulator to the burners to which it is delivered at a reduced or low
pressure the pipe which conveys the gas from the reservoir or holder pipe to
the burners opens before reaching the regulator into a chamber in which the
gas expands, and whence it passes through the regulator to the burners. Gas
is pumped or admitted into the reservoir or holder pipe in sufficient quantity
to serve for a desired distance, and is thus carried in a comparatively small
space. The reservoir pipe is by preference led all along the edges of the roof
of the carriage. The pressure being reduced as explained, the gas reaches
the burners in a fit condition for combustion. An improved regulator which
we sometimes use consists of two conical valves on one stem, which stem also
carries a partially or wholly flexible diaphragm on which a spring or springs
press. The above mode of supplying gas may be adapted for other moving
structures beside railway carriages.
Our Invention next relates to an improved retort. In this retort at its
upper part is a channel, tubular. way, or passage, extending from the front
towards the back of the retort nearly from end to end thereof, and sloping
slightly towards the back. This way or passage forms the communication
between the ascension pipe and the interior of the retort, for which purpose

page_text: it communicates at one end with the ascension pipe, and the other end leads
into the interior of the retort. so that the gas generated in the latter is forced
to pass into and through the said passage before escaping into the ascension
pipe, whereby all the gas is brought into and through the hottest part of the
retort, and tarry or other impurities are prevented from falling to the bottom
of the mouth-piece.
Our improvements in apparatus for manufacturing and holding gas when
for use on ships or other vessels have for object to prevent the lurching or
motion of the vessel from interfering with the working of the apparatus.
For this purpose we form recesses or chambers in the under part of the
hydraulic main at or immediately under the parts at which the ends of the
ascension pipes, or rather the dip pipes which form a continuation of or lead
from the ascension pipes. enter the main, and we carry or prolong the lower
ends of such pipes into these chambers or recesses, of which there is one for
cach such pipe, so that each pipe dips and opens into such a chamber or
recess instead of into the body of the main, whereby the ends of the pipes are
kept submerged and the tarry or other liquids retained in the recesses even
when the vessel rolls. In respect of gas holders we steady the cylinder in its
descent by affixing thereto catches or teeth guided by rollers, and working
into racks formed on the pillars or standards of the frame of the holder.
When the cylinder is to rise these catches are disengaged from the racks.
This may be done by a hand lever working crank arms connected with the
catches. Or we effect a proper transmission of gas by a fan. screw, or wheel.
driven by clockwork or otherwise, and fitted in a box or chamber formed in
the outlet from the holder so that the gas may be duly propelled thence.
We also construct a gas holder of a flexible or partially flexible vessel
working in a close or air-tight casing or chamber mounted when for use at
sea on pivots or trunnions, or on a ball and socket or universal joints, from
which casing or chamber noxious emanations or escapes of gas are carried off
through a flexible telescopic or other tube to any desirable part.
We now proceed particularly to explain, with reference to the Drawings, in
what manner our Invention may be carried into effect.
Figure is a plan of a railway carriage roof fitted with our arrangements
for supplying gas thereto. a is the roof, on which is fixed a pipe or series of
pipes b, to which gas is pumped or admitted at high pressure through one or
other of two inlets c fitted with high-pressure cocks c'. From this pipe b.
which forms the reservoir or holder pipe, and which receives and stores
sufficient gas for a required distance, the gas flows into and expands in a
chamber e, in which is a regulator through which the pas passes, and its

page_text: pressure being thereby reduced, it flows from the chamber e through a pipe f¸
to burners arranged as usual under ventilators g: d is a spring valve for
controlling the flow of gas into the chamber e; Figure 1 is a view of an
arrangement similar to Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the chamber e, showing our improved
regulator, which by way of distinction we call the diaphragm regulator. his
a rod or stem capable of up-and-down travel through guides h', and carrying
two conical valves i, 12, which open and close orifices in the reservoir pipe b,
and work against seats attached thereto; the valve is rather larger
than is a flexible diaphragm fixed to the rod h: o¹, o, are spiral springs
fastened to the stem h. o' being also fastened to the cover, and o² to the
bottom of chamber e: 1. 1, are spiral or feather springs fitted between
the diaphragm and the cover of the chamber e. The gas presses on the
diaphragm . which carries the valves i. . upward, but the pressure of the
springs on the diaphragm k, and the action of the springs o', o, on the axis
or stem prevent the valves from closing, and thereby control the flow,
expansion, and pressure of the gas. Oscillation of the flame is also thus pre-
vented; the pressure of the springs 1, o', o, may be adjusted by nuts, or in any
ordinary manner; the diaphragm k may be faced with metal. Instead of using
springs, the rod h may be weighted with liquids or otherwise at its upper end,
and is in that case prolonged into a box surmounting the chamber e; or,
instead of the above regulator, we sometimes fit in the chamber e a regulator,
shown in Figure 3 (elevation partly in section), which we call a compensation
regulator; here the mouth of the pipe b is opened and closed by a valve m
attached by a stem m¹ to a lever n working on a fulcrum o fixed upon the
pipe b. p is a spring pressing on the lever n; q is a worm working against
one end of the lever n, and driven at a very slow rate by a train of wheels t, t,
(only a portion of which train is shown,) whereof the driving axis u passes
out of the chamber through a stuffing box, and is actuated by clockwork or
otherwise. The spring, by its pressure on the lever, tends to close the
valve m, being regulated for the required number of atmospheres, while the
worm exerts a very gradual upward pressure on the lever, and thereby tends
to counteract the pressure of the spring and to open the valve; thus the flow
and pressure of the gas are regulated as required. Instead of the above
regulators ordinary regulators may be employed.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 5 transverse vertical section
of our improved retort; Figure 6, inside elevation of the mouth-piece. A is
the retort, and B the mouth-piece; C (shown in inside elevation, Figure 6) is
the lid; D is a tubular passage formed at the upper part of the retort and

page_text: nouth-piece, and extending in a slightly inclined direction from the front of
he mouth-piece towards and nearly to the back part of the retort; it opens at
back into the interior of the retort, and the ascension pipe E opens into it at
ront, so that it forms the only communication or thoroughfare between the
pipe E and the interior of the retort; hence all the gas generated in the
retort is obliged to pass through the passage D on its way to the ascension
pipe, as indicated by the arrows, and will thus be carried to and through the
hottest part of the retort before it can flow away therefrom, by which means gas
will be generated rapidly and abundantly, and tarry and other impurities will
be prevented from reaching and choking the bottom of the pipe E, or from
dropping to the bottom of the mouth-piece B. The passage D is terminated
by a recess D' on the inner surface of the lid C, and it should be a little
larger at back than at front for convenience of inserting and withdrawing a
cleansing instrument. Figure 7 is a section of retort showing a similar
arrangement.
Although we have shown our passage D as applied to only two forms of
retort, we do not confine ourselves to those forms or shapes of retort, as
the passage may be used in otherwise shaped retorts; also, the shape of
passage D, in respect of its vertical section may be varied, though shewn in
the Drawings as nearly semicircular in vertical section.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal elevation, and Figure 9 end view, both partly in
section, of our improved hydraulic main; Figure 10 is a horizontal section
thereof; F is the hydraulic main, at the bottom or lower side of which are a
number of chambers or recesses G, G; E¹, E, are the dip pipes, that is to
say, the pipes which form the ends or continuations of the ascension pipes,
there is one such recess G for each pipe E. The pipes E' dip and open into
these recesses G, whereby the lower ends of such pipes are kept submerged,
and the tarry or other liquids or impurities retained in such recesses, and kept
out of the body of the main even when the vessel rolls or burches.
Figure 1 is an elevation, and Figure 12 plan, of a gas holder H, II', fitted
with our arrangement for steadying the cylinder in its descent, which is
exemplified on a larger scale in elevation, Figure 13; plan, Figure 14, and
end view, Figure 15. H is the moveable cylinder; H' the fixed cylinder,
and 1, I, the pillars or standards, between which the cylinder I rises and
descends. On the inner side of each pillar I is a vertical rack J; K, K. are
catches, teeth, or clicks, which engage the teeth of the racks J. Each tooth K
is cut away at its lower or inner end to receive a grooved guide roller L. which,
as also the tooth K, is supported in the cradle M. The rollers work against
the sides of the racks and keep the teeth to their work. As the cylinder H

page_text: descends the teeth K work in the racks J and steady it, and prevent it from
being displaced, notwithstanding the lurching of the ship. N, N, are crank
rods having at their outer ends oval slots v, v, which engage studs on the
teeth K; these rods N are all united at their inner ends to a lever handle O.
When the handle O is moved in one direction it will draw the rods N inward,
and thereby draw away or disengage the teeth K from the racks J (the outer
edge of the slots working against the studs w). This is done when the
cylinder H is to rise; but when the handle Ois worked in the reverse
direction it will drive the rods N forward, and thereby push the teeth K into
gear with the racks J.
Figure 16 is a vertical section, showing an arrangement for uniformly
delivering the gas from the holder in case the moveable cylinder should get
displaced at sea. 1 is a delivery pipe leading from a gas holder into one end
of a chamber W, from the other end of which leads a main or service pipe X
for supplying the burners; Y is a fan working in the chamber W, and driven
by clockwork or other power. When this fan is at work the gas will be
drawn from the holder and delivered with regularity; instead of a fan, a screw
or wheel may be fitted in the box W.
Figure 17 is an elevation, parily in section, and Figure 18 plan of an im-
proved gas holder, consisting of a flexible vessel S for receiving and holding
gas fitted in a close or air-tight chamber T, which, when for use at sea, is
mounted by trunnions or gimbals at x to hollow pillars 1, 1, and pipes J', J.
The pillar I communicates with the vessel S through the pipe J', and serves
for the inlet of gas from the retorts and purifiers: the pillar 12 communicates
with the vessel S through the pipe J, and serves for the outflow of gas from
the vessel S for consumption. The bottom of chamber T forms the bottom of
vessel S, and the pipes J, J, communicate with the vessel S through the
bottom (which is rigid). The vessel S of course expands and contracts with the
inflow and outflow of gas. V is a pipe furnished with a stop-cock, and con-
nected by an union joint with the casing T with which it communicates, and
whence it carries off the noxious emanations to any desirable point.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same may be performed, we declare that we claim,--
First, we claim the apparatus for supplying gas to railway carriages and
other moving structures, in so far as regards the employment of a pipe or
series of pipes acting as a reservoir or holder, and combined with a chamber
for expansion, a spring valve or other like controlling appliance and a regulator,
substantially as described, so that gas may be supplied and stored at high
pressure, and delivered for consumption at reduced or low pressure.

page_text: Second, we claim the improved diaphragm regulator herein-before described,
in so far as regards the employment of a spring or springs in combination
with the diaphragm and cone valves, in the manner and for the purpose
described.
Third, we claim the employment of the compensation regulator, arranged
as described in combination with the reservoir or holder pipe or pipes and
chamber for expansion for reducing the pressure of gas, as and for the purpose
set forth.
Fourth, we claim the employment in a retort of a passage or tubular way,
leading from the front towards the back and forming the communication or
thoroughfare between the interior of the retort and the ascension pipe, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
Fifth, we claim constructing a hydraulic main with recesses or chambers at
its bottom or under part to receive the ends of pipes, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose described.
Sixth, we claim the employment. of racks and teeth, catches or clicks, for
steadying the cylinder of a gas holder in its descent, as described.
Seventh, we claim the arrangement and combination of a lever and crank
rods with racks, rollers, and teeth, catches, or clicks, in the manner and for
the purpose described.
Eighth, we claim the employment in apparatus for holding gas, of a fan
screw or wheel in the passage or thoroughfare through which the gas flows
from the holder to be consumed, in the manner and for the purpose described.
Ninth, we claim the improved gas holder herein-before described, in which
a flexible vessel is combined with a close or air-tight casing or chamber fitted
with a pipe for carrying off escapes or noxious emanations, as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Malam and William Tice, have
hereunto set our hands and scals, this Twenty-sixth day of March in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
M. HENRY,
Patent Agent,
84, Fleet Street, London.
W. MALAM.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM TICE. (L.S.)