Improved Apparatus for the Production and Storage of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for the Production and Storage of Acetylene
Gas.
We, JAMES GRANT KERR, Telegraph Operator, and CHRISTOPHER FRY, both of
the Town of Niagara Falls, and County of Welland, Province of Ontario, Canada,
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 —
The object of the invention is :-
1st. To provide means for replenishing the carbide supply in the generator
without interfering with the generation of gas;
2nd. To provide simple and efficient means for automatically controlling the
supply of water to the generator;
3rd. To construct a simple and convenient gas holder;
And it consists, essentially :-
1st. Of a generator containing two or more carbide receptacles and so arranged
that one can be shut off and removed from the generator without affecting the
generation of gas from the carbide in one or all of the remaining receptacles:
2nd. Of a trap siphon of peculiar construction adapted to be raised and lowered
by the rise and fall of the gas holder so as to regulate the flow of water from a
supply tank to the generator;
3rd. Of a gas holder provided with a central guide, suitable inlet, outlet and
safety over-flow pipes, and an electric alarm to indicate the exhaustion of the
holder.
The invention further consists in such details of construction as are hereinafter
more specifically described and then definitely claimed.
Figure 1, is a sectional elevation of the machine.
Figure 2, is a sectional plan of the generator at the point X in Fig. 1.
Figure 3, an elevation of the siphon regulating the water feed.
Figure 4, is a perspective detail showing the means of holding the carbide
receptacle support so that one receptacle will be always in position for removal
and another below the water inlet.
In the drawings, like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the
different figures.
In Fig. 1, A, is the generator, and B, the gas-holder. The generator is prefer-
ably made in two parts C, and D, the connection between the two being formed
by means of the water seal E.
F, is a rod connected to the bottom of the generator and extending upwardly to
a point preferably slightly above the top of the same.
G, is a base plate, to which is connected the tube H, the tube and base plate
being slipped down over the rod F, which thus forms a bearing around which the
base plate may be swung.
I, is a large tube extending nearly to the top of the generator and adapted to

page_text: contain water. This tube is connected to the base plate G, so as to surround the
tube H.
J, is a tube extending upwardly from the centre of the top of the generator and
closed at its upper end.
K, is a tube extending downwardly from the top of the tube J, within the tube I,
and being open at either end.
L, and M, are concentric cylindrical walls enclosing an annular water space N.
Four pair of these cylindrical walls are preferably connected to the base plate G,
as shown in Fig. 2.
O, is a cylinder open at each end and extending through the top of the
generator. This cylinder is of such a size as to be adapted to enter the water
space N.
P, is a cylindrical wall connected to the top of the generator outside of and
concentric with the cylinder O, so as to form a water seal.
Q, is a sealing cover having double U-shaped walls R, R', the latter being
adapted to enter the water space between the cylinder O, and the walls P.
S, is a gas jet inserted in the cover Q, and communicating with the interior of
the generator.
•
T, is a pipe forming a communication between the inside of the cylinder O, and
the body of the generator. This pipe is provided with a tap U.
V, is a cylinder extending upwardly from the top of the generator and closed at
its upper end.
A¹, is a water supply pipe extending downwardly through the top of the cylinder.
B', is a short pipe connecting this water supply pipe with the downwardly ex-
tending pipe C, outside the cylinder. D', is an agitator rod extending down-
wardly through the water supply pipe A, and having an agitator connected to
its lower end. E¹, is a tube closed at its lower end, supported by the agitator and
surrounding the agitator rod D'. The water supply pipe A¹, enters the upper end
of this pipe B₁, and dips below the surface of the water contained therein.
F1, is a sleeve connected to the tube H, and provided with circular cogs G¹.
H', is a pinion suitably journalled and adapted to engage with the cogs G. This
pinion may be operated by a crank handle or in any other suitable manner.
11, is a guide pulley suitably journalled and adapted to hold the cogs in gear
with the pinion H¹.
J', is a pawl or dog pivoted upon the spindle of the guide pulley I, or in any
other convenient place, and adapted to engage with the cogs G³, to retain the
sleeve Fin any desired position.
K', are the carbide receptacles which are placed in the space within the
cylindrical walls L and M. The carbide could of course be placed directly, in
these spaces, but the removable receptacles are much more convenient. The
tube E may be supported above the level of the carbide receptacles by any suitable
means and the agitator and agitator rod dispensed with, if it be found that no
agitation of the carbide is necessary.
Before describing the construction of the gas holder, it will be well to describe
briefly, the operation of the generator.
Water entering the supply pipe A', enters the tube El, and overflowing at the
top of the same, falls upon the carbide in the receptacle K¹, below it, acetylene gas
being thus generated. When the carbide has become exhausted, the base plate
carrying the carbide receptacles may be swung through a quarter of a circle by
grasping the handle attached to the sleeve F, so as to bring a fresh receptacle
below the water supply pipe.
In order to ensure that the base plate turns exactly through a quarter circle,
grooves a are formed in a boss surrounding the rod.F (see Fig. 4). Upon the
bottom of the generator are formed ribs b, adapted to fit the grooves. From this
construction it follows that the ribs engaging with the grooves will hold the base
plate exactly in position and that it may be swung through a quarter of
a circle
by lifting it slightly and turning it till it again drops into engagement with the

page_text: ribs. After two carbide receptacles have become exhausted and the third is
swung into position for use, the first used receptacle is below the cylinder O, then
by revolving the pinion H', the base plate may be raised till the receptacles are
raised to the top of the generator and the cylinder O, dips into the annular water
space N, thus effectually sealing the receptacle below the cover Q, from the body
of the generator. As the cylinder is raised, the tap U, is opened and most of the
acetylene gas within the tube is forced out into the generator. As soon as the
receptacles have been raised as far as possible, the tap U, is closed. Then, to
consume what small amount of acetylene gas remains within the cylinder O, the
jet S, is opened and lit, and most of the gas still remaining is consumed. When
it ceases to burn, the cover Q, may be lifted and air enters through the jet and
mingles with the traces of acetylene gas remaining. By again applying a light
to the jet, the mixture of gas and air is consumed till at length scarcely a trace of
gas is left to escape into the air when the cover is raised. When the cover has
been removed off the carbide receptacle below, it may be lifted out and a receptacle
full of fresh carbide inserted in its place. The cover is then replaced and the tap
U, again opened. The base plate and receptacles are then lowered to their normal
position, the gas from the pipe T, serving to fill the cylinder till the water seal is
withdrawn from it and the gas enters freely at its lower end. The cylinder V,
serves to receive the upper ends of the diametrically opposite carbide receptacle
and cylindrical wall M, at the same time that the similar parts of the opposite
wall M, and receptacle are raised through the cylinder O.
The gas holder B, consists of the water tank L', and the gas dome M¹.
N', is the gas supply pipe extending from above the level of the water in the
tank through the bottom of the holder and thence to the generator.
O', is the gas exit pipe extending from above the level of the water in the tank
through the bottom of the holder and thence to the place of consumption.
P, is a gas overflow pipe extending through the bottom of the holder nearly to
the top of the tank.
Q, is a large pipe extending from the top of the gas dome well down into the
water within the water tank L. If more gas be forced into the holder than can
be consumed, the bottom of the pipe Q, is raised above the surface of the water
and the surplus gas passes through the pipe Q', and into the overflow pipe P¹, to
the open air, thus avoiding all damage of smashing the apparatus.
R, is a guide rod extending from the bottom of the water tank to a frame S¹,
supported by the rods T', from the base of the water tank.
U, is a guide sleeve extending from the top of the gas dome almost to its lower
end, the lower end of the sleeve being held in position by suitable stay rods. The
gas dome will thus be guided in its rise and fall without the use of grooved rollers
and guides at the sides of the holder.
V₁, is a water tank supported by the rods T. This may, if desired, be provided
with a water supply pipe and valve controlled by a float as in an ordinary flushing
tank.
Au (Fig. 3) is a siphon, the leg d, of which reaches almost to the bottom of the
tank (see Fig. 1). The leg e extends within the pipe C. The legs f and g
form a U-shaped water-seal, the upper end of the leg f being open to the air and
the surface of the water in the tank being above the point at which the leg e is
connected with the leg f. Once the siphon has been filled, a continual flow is
maintained into the pipe C, and thence to the interior of the generator. If the
siphon be raised so that the point of connection between the legs e and f is above
the surface of the water within the tank, the flow through the siphon will of course
cease. With a simple siphon, this would mean that the column of water within
the siphon would break, and the siphon would not act again until re-filled, but
the water seal formed by the legs ƒ and g holds sufficient water to counter-
balance the water in the leg d, and thus prevent the water column from breaking.
Instead of connecting the leg c, to the leg f, a small spout might be formed at
the point of connection, but we find the present construction most convenient.

page_text: B, is a cord, one end of which is attached to the siphon A", and the other to the
top of the gas dome M¹. This cord passes from the siphon over the pulley h,
thence down and round a weighted pulley i, thence over a pulley j, thence round
a pulley k, thence over the pulley m, to the top of the gas dome. These pulleys
are all suitably journalled upon the frame S¹.
n, and o, are knots or other enlargements formed on the cord B". The knot n,
is so located that when the gas holder is down, the knot will be jammed against
the pulley, the weight of which is thus taken by the gas holder and the siphon
permitted to sink so as to cause a flow of water to the generator. As the gas
holder rises, the weighted pulley i moves away from the knot n, and the weight on
the pulley being greater than the weight of the siphon, raises the latter in the tank
so as to decrease and finally stop the flow of water, the knot o preventing the siphon
being drawn up too far by becoming jammed in the pulley h. This construction
affords a very simple and convenient method of regulating the water flow to suit
the consumption of gas, but other devices might be arranged to operate the
siphon.
As it is desirable to have some warning when the gas in the holder is becoming
exhausted and it is necessary to bring a fresh carbide receptacle below the water
supply pipe, it is preferable to use an electric attachment for ringing a bell, as
illustrated in Fig. 1.
A rod C is connected to the top of the gas holder and passes through a hole
formed in the frame S¹. Upon the upper end of this rod are screwed the nuts Du
so that their position may be varied in order to give a warning at any desired
time.
E is an insulated binding post carrying a spring p, which is so placed as to
come in contact with and be pressed down by the nuts D, when the gasometer
falls low enough.
F is a binding post in electric contact with the frame. Suitable wires are
carried from these binding posts to a battery and bell so that when the spring is
pressed down against the frame, a contact is made and the bell rung.
From the above description it will be seen that a very simple and effective
apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas from calcium carbide has been
devised and that the supply of carbide may be renewed at any time without
permitting the gas in the generator to escape.
Many of the parts described in this specification as cylindrical, could be made of
other shapes in cross-section, but such modifications would of course fall within
the scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what is
claimed is -
1. In a machine of the class described, a generator having one or more carbide
receptacles therein, in combination with means for isolating one of the receptacles
from the gas space of the generator so that its contents may be renewed without
permitting the gas in the generator to escape, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
2. In a machine of the class described, a generator having a carbide receptacle
therein, in combination with a water chamber surrounding the carbide receptacle,
and a cylinder connected to the generator and adapted to enter the water chamber
so as to isolate the said receptacle from the gas space of the generator, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a machine of the class described, a generator having a carbide receptacle
therein, in combination with concentric walls enclosing an annular water chamber
about the said receptacle; a cylinder extending through the top of the generator
and adapted to enter the said water chamber, and a removable cover for said
cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 4. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable
cover for the said cylinder; a base plate; means for raising and lowering the
said base plate; and concentric walls carried by the base plate so as to form an
annular water chamber surrounding a carbide space, the said cylinder being of
such a size and so located as to be adapted to enter the said annular water space
when the base plate is raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top: a removable
cover for said cylinder; a base plate; means for raising, lowering and turning
the said base plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base plate so as to
form two annular water chambers surrounding two carbide spaces; and a water
supply pipe so located as to be above one carbide space when the other is below the
aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable
cover for said cylinder, provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls
connected to the top of the generator to form an annular water chamber within
which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a base plate; means for raising,
lowering and turning the said base plate; two sets of concentric walls carried
by the base plate so as to form two annular water chambers surrounding two
carbide spaces;
and a water supply pipe so located as to be above one carbide
space when the other is below the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
7. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable
cover for said cylinder, provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls
connected to the top of the generator to form an annular water chamber within
which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet or cock connected with an
opening through the cover; a base plate; means for raising, lowering and
turning the said base plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base plate
so as to form two annular water chambers surrounding two carbide spaces;
a water supply pipe so located as to be above one carbide space when the other
is below the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
and
8. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable
cover for said cylinder provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls
connected to the top of the generator to form an annular water chamber within
which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet or cock connected with an
opening through the cover and a pipe provided with a stop cock and connecting
the interior of the cylinder with the gas space of the generator; substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
9. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having
an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable
cover for said cylinder, provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls
connected to the top of the generator to form an annular water chamber within
which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet or cock connected with an
opening through the cover; a pipe provided with a stop cock and connecting the
interior of the cylinder with the gas space of the generator; a base plate; mean-
for raising and lowering the said base plate and concentric walls carried by the
base plate so as to form an annular water chamber surrounding a carbide space;
the aforesaid cylinder being of such a size and so located as to be adapted to enter
the said annular water space when the base plate is raised, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
10. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber; a
base plate contained therein, and adapted to carry carbide receptacles; a sleeve or
rod connected to the said base plate, and extending upwardly through the top of

page_text: the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the top of the generator and
surrounding the said rod or sleeve; and a tube extending upwardly from the base
plate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
11. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber;
a base plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbide receptacles; a sleeve
connected to the said base plate and extending upwardly through the top of the
generator; à rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending
upwardly through the said sleeve; a tube extending downwardly from the base
plate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
-
12. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber;
a base plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbide receptacles; a sleeve
connected to the said base plate and extending upwardly therefrom to the outside
of the generator; a rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending
upwardly through the said sleeve; a large tube with a closed top extending
upwardly from the top of the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the
opening in the top of the tube through which the said sleeve passes; and a tube
extending upwardly from the base plate around the said tube to form with it a
water seal, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
13. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber;
a base plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbide receptacles; a clogged
or toothed sleeve connected to the said base plate and extending upwardly therefrom
to the outside of the generator; mechanism for raising, lowering and holding said
toothed sleeve; a rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending
upwardly through the said sleeve; a large tube with a closed top extending
upwardly from the top of the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the
opening in the top of the tube through which the said sleeve passes; and a tube
extending upwardly from the base plate around the said tube to form with it a
water seal, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
14. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber
having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a remov-
able cover for said cylinder; a base plate; means for raising, lowering and
turning the said base plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base
plate so as to form two annular water chambers surrounding two carbide spaces;
and a water supply pipe so located as to be above one carbide space when the other
is below the aforesaid cylinder, and a cylinder with a closed top extending up-
wardly from an opening in the top of the generator of such a size as to permit of a
carbide receptacle rising through it when the base plate is raised, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
15. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber and
a carbide receptacle contained therein, in combination with a water supply pipe
extending through the top of the chamber, and a suitably supported tube with
closed bottom, into which the said supply pipe dips to form a water seal,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
16. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber and
a carbide receptacle contained therein, in combination with a water supply pipe
extending through the top of the chamber, a tube with closed bottom into which
the said supply pipe dips to form a water seal; an agitator connected to the bottom
of said tube, and an agitator rod connected to the agitator and extending through
the water supply pipe to the outside of the generator, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
1. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber,
and a carbide receptacle contained therein, in combination with a water supply
pipe extending through the top of the chamber, and a suitably supported tube with
closed bottom, into which the said supply pipe dips to form a water seal; a down
pipe outside the generator with closed lower end and a cross-tube connecting the

page_text: upper ends of the water supply pipe and down pipe, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
18. In a machine of the class described, a generator; a suitably-supported
water tank and a gas holder, in combination with a siphon dipping into the
water in the tank, and provided with an extra upwardly turned leg to form a
water seal; a tube or spout adapted to convey the water from the upper end of the
water seal to the water inlet of the generator; and means for raising and lowering
the siphon by the rise and fall of the gas dome of the holder so as to automatically
control the water supply, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
19. In a machine of the class described, a generator; a suitably-supported
water-tank and a gas holder, in combination with a siphon dipping into the water
in the tank, provided with an upwardly turned leg to form a water seal and a
downwardly extending tube connected to the upper end of the said leg, an opening
being formed above their junction; a down pipe communicating with the interior
of the generator and adapted to receive the downwardly extending tube of the
siphon and means for raising and lowering the siphon by the rise and fall of
the gas dome of the holder so as to automatically control the water supply,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
20. In a machine of the class described, a siphon comprising the following
elements the leg d; the leg g; and the leg f, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
21. In a machine of the class described, a siphon comprising the following
elements the leg d; the leg g; the leg f; and the leg e, an opening being
formed above the junction of the legs e and f, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
22. In a machine of the class described, a generator and a base plate journalled
therein so. as to be capable of rotary and vertical movements, in combination with
one or more ribs formed on the bottom of the generator, one or more grooves
being formed in the under side of the said base plate to engage with the said
ribs, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
23. An agitating mechanism for an air tight chamber comprising a pipe
extending through the top of the chamber; a tube with closed bottom into which
the said pipe dips to form a water seal; an agitator connected to the bottom of
the said tube, and an agitator rod connected to the agitator and extending through
the pipe to the outside of the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
24. In a machine of the class described, a water tank in combination with a gas
dome;
a pipe extending downwardly from the top of the gas dome within the
water in the tank when the dome is lowered; and a gas overflow pipe extending
through the bottom of the tank and reaching to a point within the aforesaid tube
above the water level in the tank, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
25. In a machine of the class described, a water tank a frame suitably supported
above it, and a guide rod extending from the bottom of the tank to the frame, in
combination with a gas dome and a guiding sleeve connected thereto so as to
surround the said guide rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
26. In a machine of the class described, a gas dome, in combination with a
siphon adapted to control the water supply; a cord attached at one end to the gas
holder and at its other end to the said siphon; a frame; suitable guide pulleys
arranged thereon; a weighted pulley hung in a bight of the cord between two
of the guide pulleys; a knot formed in the cord between the siphon and the
guide pulley through which the cord next passes; and a knot formed in the cord
between the said pulley and the weighted pulley, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
27. In a machine of the class described, a gas dome, in combination with a
frame supported above it; a rod connected to the top of the gas dome and adapted
to move through the said frame; a binding post electrically connected with the
frame; a binding post connected to said frame, but insulated therefrom; a spring

page_text: supported by the binding post and adjustable nuts upon the said rod adapted to
press the spring in contact with the frame when the gas holder falls too low,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated thin Oth daw of In 1907
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.