Improvements in Acetylene Gas Bicycle and like Lamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 16th July,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Bicycle and like Lamps.
I, HENRY WILSON WELLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 1525,
Clearfield Street, in the City of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia and
State of Pennsylvania, Mechanical and Electrical 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:-
My invention has relation to an acetylene gas lamp; and in such connection
t relates particularly to the construction and arrangement of the generator of
the gas adapted to be burnt in the lamp and to means for automatically control-
ing by the generated gas the flow of the fluid to the calcic carbide adapted to
generate the resultant gas and to prevent undue generation of the gas.
The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple, reliable or effective
gas generating appliance for burning the gas resulting therefrom in the lamp of
a bicycle or other similar appliance and an appliance in which the gas generated
controls the supply of fluid to matter adapted to develop the gas and further in
which the appliance is provided with means, whereby the supply of fluid is
regulated so as to prevent undue generation of gas, and an acetylene gas lamp
for bicycles or similar purposes being provided, which can be used with safety.
My invention stated in general terms, consists of an acetylene gas lamp, when
constructed and arranged substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing is illustrated in side elevation and in section a.
lamp embodying the particular features of my invention.
Referring to the drawing A, represents a headlight or suitable bicycle lamp.
a, is a generator chamber adapted to contain a charge b, of calcic carbide or
similar matter removably secured to the base a¹, of the headlight or lamp A..
Within said chamber a, is provided a vertically perforated tube c, in which is
mounted a sponge or other absorbent material c¹, for a purpose to be presently
more fully explained. d, is a funnel-shape circular deflector plate loosely fitting
into the tube c, and the outer edge of the same resting upon the upper edge of
a fluid reservoir located in the rear of
e, is
the wall of the generator chamber a.
the lamp A, provided with an opening e¹, at the top closed by a perforated
threaded cap. f, is a pipe connected with the reservoir e, for supplying fluid
therefrom onto the absorbent material c¹, in the perforated tube c, and which by
the capillary attraction of the carbide in the chamber a, for the absorbent water
by the material c¹, is brought into the presence of the carbide resulting in a burn-
The pipe f, is provided with a manual
ing gas being generated from the same.
key f, and with a ball check valve g, as shown. Above the ball check valve is
provided an extension f², into which is secured a branch pipe i, preferably
encircling the wall of the reservoir e, and extending therefrom into the upper part
of the generator chamber a, and through which the gas is adapted to freely
circulate. The generation of gas from the calcic carbide in the generator
chamber a, is afforded by the supply of fluid from the reservoir through the
pipe f, when the ball check valve 9, is raised from its seat g¹, onto the absorbent
material c', and then through the perforations of the tube c, into the carbide. If

page_text: the generation of the gas becomes excessive, the pressure of gas generated and
passing through the branch pipe i, will cause the ball check valve g to be forced
against its seat g¹, and thereby to prevent further flow of the fluid to the carbide
until the excessive generation of gas has been relieved through the consumption
or blow-off of the same through the burner a³, when the key a6, of the lamp is in
its open position, as illustrated.
The operation of a lamp provided with an acetylene gas generator of my inven-
tion as herein before described is as follows:-
:-
The manual key f¹, in the supply pipe f, from the reservoir e, is turned to an
open position, as illustrated, and the fluid will thereby flow through the said
pipe f, raising the ball of the check valve g, from its seat g¹, and pass then down-
ward onto the absorbent material c¹, and by capillary attraction of the calcic
carbide or similar matter in the chamber a, for the absorbed water in the tube c,
is the water absorbed by the carbide to generate a gas which rises therefrom and
passes to the burner a5, in the headlight of the lamp and burnt from the same,
when the key a6, is in its open position, as illustrated.
to the carbide become excessive or greater than is required, this undue generation
Should the supply of fluid
can be relieved by the gas generated in the chamber a, rising through the branch
pipe i, and pressing down upon the ball of the check valve g, to cause the same to
be firmly seated, thereby preventing further supply of fluid to the carbide, until
the quantity of generated gas is reduced to the point to permit the volume or
weight of the water from the reservoir flowing through the pipe f, to raise the ball
of the valve g, when further generation will again proceed and furnish a requisite
supply of gas for being consumed by the burner a5, of the lamp A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:
1. An acetylene gas lamp, comprising a lamp provided with two chambers, one
for fluid and the other for carbide, a pipe connecting said chambers with each
other, a ball check valve located in said pipe and a branch pipe from said ball
check valve with said carbide chamber, whereby is controlled by the difference
in pressure between the generated gas in one of said chambers the flow of fluid
from the other of said chambers, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. An acetylene gas lamp, comprising a lamp provided with two chambers, one
for fluid and the other for carbide, a pipe connection with said chambers and
provided with a check valve and a branch pipe from said valve with said carbide
chamber, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. An acetylene gas lamp, comprising a lamp provided with two chambers, one
for fluid and the other for carbide, a perforated tube provided in the latter chamber
with an absorbent material, a deflector plate connected with said tube and
supported in required position by said carbide chamber, a pipe connection from
said fluid chamber with said carbide chamber and having a ball check valve
therein and a branch pipe from said valve with said carbide chamber, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Dated at Philadelphia, Penneulon
1
May A.D. 1070.
HENRY WILSON WELLS.
Per J. G. Lorrain, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent.