Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 15th Sept., 1900
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
I, DENNIE MARVIN DORMAN, of Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, County of
Broom, State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer and Dealer
in Acetylene Gas Machines, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to acetylene gas generators in which carbide cartridges
are fed from a chute or hopper by the rotation of a halt-round bucket, which
latter is actuated by a rack-bar and toothed segment or pinion worked by a
gasometer.
The arrangement is such that one of the cartridges always rests on the half-
round bucket, and as the bell of the gasometer descends, the engagement of its
rack bar with the pinion of the bucket revolves said bucket and thereby dis-
charges the cartridge contained therein into the generator.
Now, in order to prevent the bucket being turned accidentally or maliciously,
the pinion carries a brake-shoe secured somewhat towards one side thereof. This
brake-shoe has a flat face adapted to swing up vertically and rest against a
plain part of the rack after the bucket is rotated by the rack teeth, so that the
pinion is automatically locked as long as the rack is raised.
In one side of the rack is a recess or gap to allow space for the movement of
the brake-shoe, and at the lower end of this recess the metal of the rack is
rounded off to guide the brake into the recess. The pinion also has the last tooth
at one extremity elongated to ensure its properly engaging with the rack.
The chute containing the cartridges is hinged at its lower part so that it can
be turned back and filled from below, thus allowing of its upper end being
permanently closed.
To remove the empty cartridges the generator is provided with an aperture,
closed like a manhole, and has a perforated horizontal disc or tray inside it
carried by an axial spindle which passes out through a stuffing box and has a
handle at its upper end.
The empty shells of the carbide cartridges collect on this, and can be taken
out by drawing up the dise or tray and turning it (by means of the spindle and
handle) so as to bring the shells within easy reach of the aperture.
To enable any sediment that may accumulate in the bottom of the generator,
to be loosened and stirred up, the disc has a suitable scraper on its under side.
To keep the gas pipes free from moisture, they are carried up from the
generator in a loop or inverted U. The longer leg of this loop is formed by an
upright pipe connected with a horizontal pipe leading to the bottom of the
gascmeter. The shorter leg leads into the generator and the two are united
at the top of the loop. The longer leg terminates in a bent up portion forming
a trap for any water of condensation. This trap is below the bottom of the
generator, and also below the junction with the pipe leading to the gasometer.
The cartridges may each consist of a cylinder provided with perforated end

page_text: covers, whilst openings may be provided in the wall of the cylinder to afford
additional means for the escape of gas.
Dated this 19th day of December 1899.
I, DENNIE MARVIN DORMAN, of Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, County of
Broom, State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer and Dealer
in Acetylene Gas Machines, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in acetylene gas
generators of the type described and illustrated in my United States Patent
No. 634,401, dated 3rd October 1899.
In my said patent is shewn a chute communicating with the generator, and
laving mounted in its bottom a half round bucket, on the journal of which
is a pinion which is in engagement with a rack bar carried by the bell of the
gasometer. The chute is designed to hold a number of carbide cartridges, one of
which always rests in the half-round bucket. As the bell of the gasometer
descends, the engagement of its rack bar with the pinion of the bucket revolves
said bucket and thereby discharges the cartridge contained therein into the
generator.
The same general principle of operation is employed in the present case, and
in addition thereto I have provided means for preventing the bucket from being
turned either accidentally, or by some maliciously inclined person, after the
bell of the gasometer has risen to its extreme height. I have also provided
an improvement in the chute, which consists in hinging said chute to the casing
inclosing the bucket, whereby the upper end of the chute may be closed, and
the chute may be turned backward on its hinge when it is necessary to place
cartridges in the same. I have further provided an improved device for remov-
ing the empty cartridges or shells from the generator, and for stirring up the
sediment in the generator to allow it to be more readily expelled therefrom. I
have also provided an improved arrangement of piping for conducting the
generated gas to the gasometer. The above added features to what is shewn and
described in my patent aforesaid constitute the objects of the present invention.
I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an acetylene generator constructed accord-
ing to my invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional detail view of a portion of the chute and of the casing
upon which it is hinged;
Figure 3 is a detail view illustrating the position of the segment gear and
break carried thereby, relative to the rack bar carried by the bell of the gaso-
meter when the gasometer is in its lowest position;

page_text: Figure 4 is a similar view showing the position of these parts after the bell
of the gasometer has risen some distance;
Figure is a detail perspective view of the rack bar, and
Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the device for removing the empty
shells from the generator and for stirring up the sediment therein.
Figure is a perspective view of a carbide shell.
The numeral indicates the generator, 2 the gasometer, 3 the pipe for con-
ducting gas from the generator, and 4 a pipe connected with the pipe 3 and
leading into the gasometer. I have shewn a form of gasometer which I have
adopted, but as the principle of operation of this gasometer does not differ
materially from other well-known forms of such apparatus, and as I do not claim
herein any novelty for this form of gasometer, I have not considered it necessary
to describe the same in detail. The numeral 5 indicates the bell of the gasometer
riveted to one side of which is a bracket arm G, projecting at right-angles to the
side of the gasometer and secured to the outer end of which is the upper end
of a rack bar 7.
A
The said rack bar is provided throughout a portion of its length and toward
its upper end, with a series of teeth 8 and its upper end is bifurcated as indicated
at 9, to provide a convenient means of securing it to the bracket arm 6.
portion of one side of the rack bar is cut away to provide a recess or opening 10,
extending through the rack bar from its front to its rear side, and the bottom
of this recess is inclined upwardly, and curved as indicated at 11.
The purpose
of this construction will presently appear.
The numeral 12 indicates the bucket for supporting the cartridges, and for
discharging them one at a time into the generator. This bucket is journaled by
means of a stud 13 and the journal shaft 14 in the sides of a casing 15 which is
securely bolted or otherwise fastened on the upper side of the generator adjacent
to the gasometer. On the outer end of the journal shaft 14 I secure a segment
gear 16, the teeth of which are adapted to mesh with the teeth of the rack
bar 7.
On the upper side of the bucket casing 15 are provided lugs 17, one of which
is shewn in Figure 2, in which is journaled, by means of a pin 18 passing
through said lugs 17 and similar lugs 19, a chute 20. The lugs 19 are secured
to or cast integral with the bottom of the chute 20. In the upper edge of the
bucket casing 15 is provided a groove 21 which is adapted to receive a bead or
tongue 22 extending around the bottom edge of the chute 20, and preferably
provided on the under side of the lug or projection 19, which is continued
around the bottom of the chute for this purpose. A rubber gasket may be inserted
in the bottom of the groove 21. Suitable means, such as a hinged bolt and
nut, as indicated at 23, in Figure 1, may be provided for clamping the bottom
of the chute firmly to the upper side of the bucket casing 15.
Cast integral with the segment gear 16, is what I will term a break 24, having
a flat side 25. The segment gear 16 normally occupies the position shewn in
Figure 1, and referring to the parts in this position, the break 24 is cast on the
lower end of the segment gear, its flat side 25 normally lying in a horizontal
plane, as shewn. A little space or offset is provided between the segment gear
and the break 24 so that when the former is in engagement with the teeth S
of the rack bar, the break will lie opposite, or a least in the path of, the recess
or opening 10.
The operation of this part of the device is as follows: The parts being in
position indicated in Figures 1 and 3. as the bell rises carrying the rack bar
with it the break 24 will be carried thereby inward so that its forward end 26,
As the rack con-
will ride over the curved bottom 11 and into the opening 10.
tinues to move upward, the front end 26 of the break will move in the arc of a
circle through the opening 10 and will finally emerge therefrom and lie parallei
with the rack bar, as indicated in Figure 4, resting against the upper plane
surface 27 of said rack bar. As the rack ascends, the break will be held in the

page_text: position it is shewn to occupy in Figure 4, sliding along the plane surface 27 of
ne rack and being constantly in engagement therewith, even after the bell
has reached the limit of its upward movement. It will thus be seen that it will
be impossible to revolve the segment gear 16 until the bell again descends.
Thus the accidental discharge of a cartridge into the generator, is rendered
impossible. The lowermost tooth on the segment gear projects outward a
short distance beyond the other teeth, as shewn at 28, so that when the bell
descends, the lowermost tooth on the rack may strike the projecting tooth 18
and start the revolution of the segment gear. In this reverse movement the
break 24 turns backward in the opening 10, its flat side bearing on the curved
bottom 11, and this engagement of the break 24 with the bottom 11 of the rack
bar prevents the segment gear 16 from being turned too far by the contact
of the end of the rack bar with the projecting tooth 28, so that I thereby insure
that the teeth on the rack bar shall always be in a position relative to the
tooth of the segment gear to engage therewith.
In the position shown in Figure 1, the bell has descended and turned the
bucket 12 so that it has discharged a cartridge 29 into the generator.
When all
of the cartridges 29 have been used, the fastenings 23 may be removed, and the
chute 20 turned backward on its hinge 18 and new cartridges be supplied to the
chute through the bottom thereof, after which it may be again secured in
position. The rack bar 7 is guided in its movement by an upright casing 7"
rectangular in cross section, and closed on three sides, its fourth side being open
for the reception of the rack. This casing as will be understood would be pro-
vided with an elongated slot to permit the movement of the break 24 through
the same this slot coinciding with, but being longer than, the opening 10.
In the top of the generator I provide a hand-hole which is normally covered
by a suitable removable closure 30 of any preferred description, that form of
closure shewn in Figure 1 being of the general character of those employed for
closing the man-holes of boilers and the like.
In order to remove the empty shells from the generator, I provide a per-
forated disc 31 secured to the upper side of which is a rod 32, which projects
upward through a suitable stuffing box 33 on the upper side of the generator,
and is provided at its upper end with a handle 34. The disc 31 is very nearly of
the circumference of the bottom of the generator, so that the shells discharged
into the generator will rest upon said disc. When it is desired to remove
these shells from the generator, the closure 30 is removed, the handle 34 is
grasped and the shaft 32 lifted upward through the stuffing box 33. By turning
the shaft 32, the disc 31 may be revolved to bring the empty shells beneath the
opening in the generator when they can be readily removed by hand, after
which the parts may be returned to the positions shewn in Figure 1.
On the bottom of the disc 31 I secure an angle iron 35. The sediment or
spent carbide frequently cakes in the bottom of the generator and is difficult
to remove. By revolving the said disc 31 by means of the handle 34, the angle
iron 35 will operate to stir up the sediment in the generator, whence it may be
readily discharged through the ordinary pipe for that purpose.
Extending upward from the top of the generator is a pipe 36 connected by
a suitable coupling 37 with the upper end of the pipe 3. The lower end of the
pipe 3, beneath the point of its connection with the pipe 4, is curved or bent
upward to provide a trap 38, the discharge end of the pipe from this trap occupy-
ing a plane lower than that of the pipe 4, as shewn at 39. The discharge end 39
of the trap 38 is supposed to lead to the outer air. By extending the pipe 36
upward, a considerable distance above the generator, I thereby provide against
water being carried through pipe 3 to the gasometer. Any moisture that s
carried away by the gas will trickle down into the trap 38. The trap 38 will,
of course, be filled with water and it will be apparent that before any water
can pass into the pipe 4 it will overrun at the discharge end 39 which is beneath
the pipe 4.

page_text: The cartridges which I employ with this apparatus may have the construction
shewn and described in my United States Patent No. 634,402, dated 3rd October,
1899; or I may employ a construction such as shewn in Figure 7, in which a
cylinder 40 for containing the carbide is closed by covers 41 inserted over the
ends thereof, said covers being provided with a number of perforations 42. I
may also provide several openings 43 in the wall of the cylinder 40 to afford
additional means for the ready escape of the gas and the spent carbide.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber,
of a gas-holder having a movable bell, a chute having communication with
said generating chamber and adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges,
a bucket journaled in the bottom of said chute, a pinion secured on the journal
of said bucket, a rack bar carried by said bell and meshing with said pinion, and
means for preventing the movement of the pinion independent of the movement
of said rack bar, substantially as described.
2. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber,
of a gas holder having a movable bell, a chute having communication with said
generating chamber, and adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges, a
bucket journaled in the bottom of said chute, means operated in the movements
of the bell of the gas-holder to revolve said bucket, and means operating to pre-
vent the revolution of the pinion independently of the movement of said bell,
substantially as described.
a
3. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber.
of a gas-holder having a movable bell, a chute having communication with said
generating chamber and adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges,
bucket journaled in the bottom of said chute, a pinion secured on the journal of
said bucket, a rack bar carried by said bell and meshing with said pinion, and
means carried by the pinion and operating automatically to prevent movement
of said pinion independent of the movement of the rack bar, substantially as
described.
4. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber,
of a gas-holder having a movable bell, a chute having communication with
said generating chamber and adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges.
a bucket journaled in the bottom of said chute, a pinion secured on the journal
of said bucket, a break 24, carried by said pinion, a rack bar carried by the bell
and meshing with said pinion, and provided with an opening through which said
break can turn in the revolution of the pinion and below its toothed portion with
a plane surface over which said break can slide substantially as described.
5. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber,
of a gas holder having a movable bell, a chute having communication with said
generating chamber and adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges, a
bucket journaled in the bottom of said chute, a pinion secured on the journal of
said bucket, a break carried by said pinion having a straight side, a rack bar
carried by the bell and meshing with said pinion and provided with an opening
through which the break can turn in the revolution of the pinion, said opening
having its bottom rounded to form a guide for the straight side of said break and
having below its toothed portion a plane surface over which the straight side of
said break can slide, substantially as described.
6. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a generating chamber,
of a casing mounted thereon having a bucket journaled therein, a chute hinged
to the upper side of said casing and adapted to contain a number of carbide
cartridges, a gasometer having a movable bell, and means operated in the move-
ment of said gasometer to revolve said bucket, substantially as described.
7. In an acetylene gas generator, in combination with the generating chamber,

page_text: a hinged chute (adapted to contain a number of carbide cartridges) having an
upper closed end, a gasometer having a movable bell, and means operated in the
movement of said bell to deliver the cartridges one at a time into said generating
chamber substantially as described.
8. In an acetylene gas generator in combination with a gasometer a generat-
ing chamber, a pipe 4 leading from the bottom of the gasometer, an upright pipe
connected with the pipe 4 and extending a good distance above the generating
chamber, and at its lower end extending below the pipe 4 and being curved
upward to provide a trap, the discharge end whereof is below the level of the
pipe 4, and a pipe leading out of said generating chamber and connected at its
upper end with said upright pipe, substantially as described.
9. In an acetylene gas generator, a generating chamber having a closable
opening in its upper side, a disc in said generating chamber and a rod secured
to said disc and projecting upward through the top of the generating chamber,
substantially as described.
10. In an acetylene gas generator, in combination with a generating chamber
having a closable opening in its upper side, a perforated disc in said chamber, and
a rod secured to said dise and projecting through the top of the generating
chamber, substantially as described.
11. In an acetylene gas generator, in combination with the generating cham-
ber, a disc in said chamber having on its under side a scraping device, and a
rod secured to said disc and projecting upward through the top of the generating
chamber, said rod having means for turning the same, substantially as described.
12. My improved acetylene gas generator having its parts arranged and com-
bined to operate substantially as herein before described and as shewn in the
annexed drawings.
Dated this 14th day of August 1900.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, & 5*, Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.