Improvements in Gas Generating Lamps.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Gas Generating Lamps.
I, FRANK RHIND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, Fair-
field County, Connecticut, United States of America, Inventor do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what maner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention refers to that class of generators in which by chemical reaction
between a solid as calcium carbide and a liquid as water an illuminating gas as a
hydrocarbon is evolved. It particularly refers to portable lamps in which it is
impracticable to provide a generator adapted to withstand great pressure or a gas
holder of large capacity, for which reasons it is desirable that the generation of
gas should not greatly exceed the consumption, and that such a generation should
be under the control of the operator.
In the accompanying drawings Figures 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 represent partly in eleva-
tion, partly in vertical section, different forms of my device. Figures 4, 5 and 6
show further modifications of a portion of my device. The same letters refer to
like parts in the several views. A designates a liquid chamber or font provided
with filler opening a, wick tube a¹ and wick adjuster a³; B is a wick; B', a
wick sleeve; C, a solid containing chamber provided with cloture c, diaphragm cl
and outlet c; D, a mass of calcium carbide or the like; D', a container therefor;
E, a dome; F, a partition; G, a conduit; H, a spring; I, an adjusting screw;
J, an auxiliary wick; K, a plunger; L, an auxiliary water chamber.
In the example of my invention illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the
font A is of cylindric form, has an ordinary screw stoppered filler opening a, and a
central wick tube a'. A wick adjuster a consisting of an ordinary pinion or star,
shaft and exterior thumb wheel or button acts to raise and lower a wick sleeve B¹
surrounding and carrying a wick B. As shown the wick is cylindric and pointed
at its upper end. Tightly screwed into the upper end of the font is a second
cylindric chamber C, the cover c of which screws on so as to make a gas tight joint.
The lower end of the chamber C is closed by a diaphragm e, having a central aper-
ture. An outlet may be a conducting tube, preferably provided with a cock as
A mass of calcium carbide or
shown, or a gas burner as shown in dotted lines.
other gas evolving solid D, enclosed in a bag D' occupies the chamber C.

page_text: An inspection of the drawings will readily show the operation of the device.
The chambers A and C being separated, the font A is filled with water through the
filler opening a. By removing the cover c a bag D' of carbide D is inserted in the
chamber C, so that it rests on the diaphragm c. The parts are then assembled
as shown in the drawing, the wick B is raised so as to be in contact with the bottom
of the bag D', and by capillarity water is carried to the carbide D. Acetylene gas
is immediately evolved and should be consumed at once, either at a buruer or
burners (not shown) on the outlet tube c³, or at the tip in the burner shown in
dotted lines. The amount of water brought to the carbide, and the consequent
volume of gas produced, may be very accurately regulated by the wick adjuster a²,
the wick B being preferably coned at its upper end for this purpose. It is found in
practice, that the amorphous lime formed at the bottom of the bag D¹ has suffi-
cient capillarity to carry the water to the remaining carbide till all is exhausted
with no substantial increase of resistance, certainly none that cannot be overcome
by slightly raising the wick B.
In Figure 2 of the drawings, I have shown a form of lamp particularly adapted
to table use.
In this construction the font A is of annular form and surrounds
the carbide chamber C. This chamber C has a cloture c at its lower end by remov
ing which the bag D¹ of carbide D is inserted.
A plate connected with the cloture c by springs H acts to force the carbide D up:
against the diaphragm c¹. The wick tube a¹ is bent to a semicircular or goose-
neck" form at its upper end, passes through the side of the upper part of the
chamber C and terminates above the aperture in the diaphragm c. Within the
upper part of the chamber C is suspended a plate or dome E, of somewhat less
diameter than that of the chamber but of greater diameter than that of an annular
wall or partition F, which extends upward from the diaphragm c¹. A conduit G
shown as an aperture in the wall of the chamber C leads into the font A.
As in the former construction it will be seen that the contact of the wick with
the carbide mass D, and the consequent volume of gas evolved, may be varied by
the wick adjuster a³. Expansion of the mass in the bag D₁ is provided for by the
plate supported by springs H. The gas as evolved rises through the aperture in the
diaphragm o, carrying with it a certain amount of moisture. Where the gas is to
be burned close to the generator, as in the burner, this vapor in the gas is turned
to steam and may cause an annoying sputtering of the flame. I have therefore
placed below the outlet the done or umbrella E on the lower side of which the 3
moisture condenses and from the outer edge of which it drips into the annular
space or trap between the wall F and the shell of the chamber C. From this space
it is returned through the conduit G to the font A. Except for this trap and
conduit the water of condensation might pass through the aperture in the dia-
phragm c on to the carbide D, and cause a sudden increase of pressure and 4
disturbance of the flame.
Figure 3 of the drawings shows another form of my device somewhat similar to
that shown in Figure 1. In this construction, however, the wick B is non-
adjustable, the sleeve B' and wick adjuster as being omitted. As shown, a cake
of carbide D is held in a containing cylinder D' moving freely in the chamber C. 4
An adjusting screw I passes through the top of the chamber C and acts against the
spring H to vertically adjust the carbide D and hence to increase or diminish its
contact with the wick B. It is of course clear that the action of the lamp will
not be changed by this modification.
In Figures 4, 5, and 6 I have shown other means of regulating the volume of 5
water or other liquid delivered through the wick B to the solid mass D.
In Figure 4 is shown a non-adjustable cylindric wick B having a considerable
permanent contact with the mass D, and being encircled by an annular auxiliary
wick J adjustable on the wick B so as to bring to it a greater or less quantity of
liquid. Any well known means of adjustment, e.g., the sleeve, shaft ctc. shown in
Figure 1, may be applied to the auxiliary wick J.
In Figure 5 I have shown a wick B incapable of vertical movement but pro-

page_text: vided with an encircling band aª the diameter of which may be varied by any
convenient means to throttle the wick B and decrease its capillarity.
mass D.
Figure 6 shows a wick B permanently at a distance from the
Between the mass D) and the wick B is an auxiliary wick J, which may be of felt
or like material and is shown as oval or lozenge in cross section. This may be
mounted on a shaft a so that it can be rotated to the position shown, in which it
connects the wick B with the mass D, and acts as a continuation of the wick B.
As shown in dotted lines it may be rotated to break the contact or in a median
position between those shown the contact may be varied as desired.
In the form of construction shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the font A is a
relatively low cylinder surmounted by a chamber C of less diameter. The wick B
is non-adjustable as in Figure 3, the tip of the wick B reaching to or through the
aperture in the diaphragm c' in the chamber C and being in contact with the bag D¹.
A plunger K of annular form is supported in the font A by a draw bar or stem
passing through the top of the font. By depressing the plunger K the level of
liquid in the font A is raised and the immersion of the wick B increased. The
lifting of the plunger serves to diminish the capillary action and finally to cut off
the connection of the wick with the liquid, the wick B being preferably shortened
as shown for that purpose.
In Figure 7.I have shown a font A as supporting two similar cylinders, one the
chamber C, the other containing an auxiliary liquid chamber L. This chamber I,
is similar in construction and function to the oil pot used in the well known student
lamp. It acts to feed the font A and to maintain a constant liquid level therein.
The wick B is non-imovable and in constant contact with the solid D or its con-
tainer D¹. No means of regulating the flow of liquid to the solid mass is here
provided. As the duty required of the wick is invariable the production of gas will
be practically uniform. For some purposes this simpler form of construction may
be found convenient and valuable.
I have shown several methods of increasing, diminishing or discontinuing the
capillary action of the wick, to indicate that I do not wish to be limited in the
application of my invention to any particular arrangement of parts or mode of
construction. I have also indicated that my invention may be used wherever
it is desired to feed by contact any substance capable of being carried by capillary
action to a relatively solid consumable substance. By the term "wick" wherever
used in the specification or claims, I wish to be understood as including any suitable
article or material capable of capillary action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
First. In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass and a wick
in contact with said mass and adapted to carry liquid thereto, substantially as
described.
Second. In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a wick
normally in contact with said mass and adapted to carry liquid thereto, and means
for regulating the volume of liquid so carried, substantially as described.
Third. In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a wick
normally in contact with said mass and adapted to carry liquid thereto and means
for increasing or diminishing the contact of said wick with said mass, substantially
as described.
Fourth. In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, a solid containing chamber adjacent thereto, an aperture in
said second chamber, a wick in said first chamber having its free end normally at
or near said aperture and means for adjusting said second chamber and said wick
relatively to each other, substantially as described.

page_text: Fifth. In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, a solid containing chamber adjacent thereto, an aperture in
said second chamber, a wick in said first chamber having its free end at or near
said aperture and means for adjusting said wick to or from said aperture, substan-
tially as described.
Sixth. In a lamp in combination, means substantially as described for producing
a gas from the action of a liquid on a solid body, a gas chamber, a dome or plate
in said chamber adapted to condense moisture from said gas, and a trap in said
chamber adapted to receive the drip from said dome.
Seventh. In a lamp in combination, means. substantially as described for pro-
ducing a gas from the action of a liquid on a solid body, a gas chamber, a dome or
plate in said chamber adapted to condense moisture from said gas, a trap in said
chamber adanted to receive the drip from said dome and a conduit from said trap
to a liquid containing chamber.
Dated as it way of Aug.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birminghain, Agents.