IMPROVEMENTS IN CARBURETTING AIR AND GASES, AND IN THE MECHANISM OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Young, of Clippens, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, Oil Works Manager, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CARBURETTING AIR AND GASES, AND IN THE MECHANISM OR APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 28th October 1877, and dated the 11th August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Young at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th August 1876.
WILLIAM YOUNG, of Clippens, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Oil
Works Manager. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CARBURETTING AIR AND GASES, AND IN THE
MECHANISM OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
This Invention has for its object the regulating the quality or illuminating power
of gases made by diffusing the vapours of hydrocarbon fluids through permanent
gases, such as are known as hydrocarbon water gas, and pneumatic or air gas, and
other similar gases.
The hydrocarbon fluids generally employed for this purpose constitute the most
volatile portions of the hydrocarbons produced when coal or shale is subjected to
destructive distillation, or the most volatile of the petroleums. These fluids consist
of a series of hydrocarbons having very different boiling points, and consequently
diffusible through any permanent gas in very variable proportions. Change of
temperature also very much affects the amount of those fluids which may be diffused
in them in the form of vapour; the lower the temperature, the smaller the volume
of vapour diffusible through a given gas. This variableness in the diffusibility of
those hyprocarbon vapours through air or gases, has to a large extent interfered
with their practical application for illuminating purposes, for on first bringing the
air or gas and carburetting fluid into contact, the volume of vapour taken up by the
air or gas is more than sufficient to give the necessary quantity of light, and, on the
other hand, when the more volatile portions have been removed by the air or gas,
the remaining fluid becomes so heavy that it no longer yields the necessary amount
of vapours to the air or gas to afford the desired amount of light; and again, in
consequence of changes of temperature affecting the amount of vapours diffusible
through the air or gas during cold weather, the light is very deficient, and vice
versa, during warm weather the air or gas is over rich from the excessive quantity
of vapours of the hydrocarbon fluid diffused through it at high temperatures.
Dmine 871

page_text: This Invention has more particularly for its object, the regulating the amount of
vapours taken up from a hydrocarbon fluid to the extent which is desired, or which
is sufficient to give the desired amount of light. To accomplish that object I apply
or take advantage of three conditions relative to the diffusion of vapours through
gases; these conditions are,-
First. The change or increase of volume resulting from the diffusion of vapours
through a gas.
Secondly. The change of specific gravity resulting from the diffusion of hydro-
carbon vapours through a permanent gas.
And, Thirdly. The change or relative rate of effusion of gases which takes place
when a greater or less volume of vapours is diffused through thein.
To apply the first condition, I employ two mensuring vessels connected together
in such a manner that the one shall deliver a measured quantity of the air or gas
to be carburetted into the vessel containing the fluid hydrocarbon or carburetter,
the other measuring vessel takes delivery of the carburetted air and measures it
out. The carburetter consists of two or more compartments, so connected with
a valve or valves that the air or gases may be made to pass through one or
more compartments of the carburetter as may be desired. Attached to the-
carburetter there is a small gas holder connected to the valve or valvos.
Suppose that it is desired to have a gas consisting of 100 volumes of air and
15 volumes of hydrocarbon vapour, then the inlet meter is made to deliver 100
volumes of air or other gas in the same time that the outlet meter takes delivery of
115 volumes of mixed gas or air and vapour. Suppose that 100 volumes of the air,
by passing tlirough the whole of the compartments of the carburetter (which it does
when the small actuating gas holder is down) takes up 30 volumes of hydrocarbon
vapour, it will be evident that the surplus 15 volumes over what can be measured
out by the outlet meter must raise the gas holder to that extent, and in doing so
will close off successively the compartments of the carburetter till the air only
passes through sufficient to take up 15 volumes of vapour. Should the temperature
change, then if low, and a smaller volume of vapour is taken up by the air, the
small gas holder will fall and open successively more compartments of the carburetter
till the proper quantity of vapour is taken up by the air. The carburetter is also
so arranged that the denser spirit is always allowed to flow out, or be charged into
the compartment through which the air or other gas is first made to pass, and thus
the denser hydrocarbon fluid is always used to make the poorer gas, and the more
volatile portions are retained to bring up the illuminating power in cold weather.
In applying the increased specific gravity from the diffusion of hydrocarbons
through a gas or air to regulate the quantity of vapour to that desired, I employ a
carburetter similar in construction to that already described. The carburetter is
also provided with a small regulating gas holder controlling the valve arrangement.
The node of causing the increase of density in the carburetted gas to actuate this
gas holder is to take advantage of the increased weight of a column of carburetted
air or gas of considerable height, to act upon a supplementary governing gas holder
provided with a valve which is more or less opened as the column of carburetted
air or gas is heavier or lighter; that is to say, should the air or gas be carburetted
to a greater extent than is desired, then the extra weight resulting from this
over-carburation will relieve the supplementary governing gas holder, which will
cause an increased pressure of air to be admitted to the carburetter, which in turu
actuating the regulating gas, holder which is balanced to support a column of
carburetted air or gas of the desired specific gravity, closes successively the
chambers of the carburetter till the proper specific gravity is obtained, and con-
sequently the proper amount of vapour diffused through the gas.
Or, instead of the arrangement just described, a balloon or large chamber may be
delicately balanced. Ou the carburetter attached to this balance is the valve or
valves for regulating the current of gases through the carburetter. The carburetted
gases being made to pass through this balloon or largo chamber, causes it to sink or.
rise according to the amount of vapours suspended through the gases, and the

page_text: attached valves are actuated accordingly, closing or opening the chambers in the
carburetter as desired.
Or, instead of causing the gases to pass through the balloon or chamber, the
balloon or chamber may be filled with atmospheric air or other gas, and suspended
in a chamber through which the carburetted gas is made to pass. In this case the
balloon would be lifted by the surrounding gas when that gas becomes over
carburetted, and, on the contrary, sunk when the gas does not contain sufficient
vapours diffused through it, and of course in the former case the arrangement of
the valves is such as to shut off compartments in the carburetter, and in the
latter, to open up the compartments and increase the amount of carburisation of
the gas.
By the last arrangement, advantage is taken of the combined increase of volume
by the diffusing of the vapours of a hydrocarbon through air or gas, and the
lessened rate of effusion which takes place as the air or gas becomnes denser by the
carburisation. In this process the carburetter is of similar construction, and also
provided with the governing gas holder and valve arrangement already referred to,
the mode of actuating this gas holder being alone different, which in this case
consists of a governor having a small gas holder, to which is attached a rod
actuating two valves of similar construction. The gas or air to be carburetted is
admitted under this gas holder and allowed to enter through one of the valves into
the carburetter, and again allowed to escape through a similar valve over the outer
surface of the gas holder. As both valves are nearly of the same size, and as the
pressure on the inlet surface of the gas holder is so weighted that between the inner
surface of the holder and the outer surface after it has passed the two valves, the
pressure will be reduced say ten-tenths of an inch of a column of water.
It will be evident that as the gas is more or less carburetted, the greater or less
will be the amount of pressure exerted to pass the gas through the separate valves,
for, as the total reduction of pressure is ten-tenths were it pure air passing both
valves, then five-tenths would be expended in passing it through each valve; but
in the event of the air or gas being carburetted by being brought into contact with
a hydrocarbon fluid, its volume and specific gravity will be increased. The rate of
its effusion through the second orifice of the valve would therefore require to be
increased, and consequently the prossure on the carburetter side of the first valve.
This would actuate the valve gasholder according to the amount of vapours diffused
through the gas, and would open and shut the valves of the carburetter accordingly,
in the manner already described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Young in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th February,
1877.
WILLIAM YOUNG, of Clippens, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Oil Works
Manager.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN CARBURETTING AIR AND GASES, AND IN THE
MECHANISM OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR.
My said Invention has for its object the regulating the quality or illuminating
power of gases made by diffusing the vapours of hydrocarbon fluids through per-
manent gases, such as are known as hydrocarbon water gas, pneumatic or air gas,
and other similar gases.
The hydrocarbon fluids generally employed for this purpose constitute the most
volatile portions of the hydrocarbons produced when coal or shale is subjected to
destructive distillation, or the most volatile of the petroleums. These fluids consist
of a series of hydrocarbons having very different boiling points, and consequently
diffusible through any permanent gas in very variable proportions. Change of tem-
perature also very much affects the amount of those fluids which may be diffused in
them in the form of vapour; the lower the temperature the smaller the volume of

page_text: vapour diffusible through a given gas. This variableness in the diffusibility of those
hydrocarbon vapours through air or gases has to a large extent interfered with their
practical application for illuminating purposes, for on first bringing the air or gas
and carburetting fluid into contact the volume of vapour taken up by the air or gas
is more than sufficient to give the necessary quantity of light; and on the other
hand, when the more volatile portions have been removed by the air or gas, the
remaining fluid becomes so henvy that it no longer yields the necessary amount of
vapours to the air or gas to afford the desired amount of light; and again, in conse-
quence of changes of temperature affecting the amount of vapours diffusible through
the air or gas during cold weather, the light is very deficient, and, vice versa, during
warin weather the air or gas is over-rich from the excessive quantity of vapours of
the hydrocarbon fluid diffused through it at high temperature.
This Invention has more particularly for its object to regulate the amount of
vapours taken up from a hydrocarbon fluid to the extent which is desired, or which
is sufficient to give the desired amount of light. To accomplish that object I apply
or take advantage of three conditions relative to the diffusion of vapours through
gases; these conditions are,-
First. The change or increase of volume resulting from the diffusion of vapours
through a gas.
Secondly. The change of specific gravity resulting from the diffusion of hydro-
carbon vapours through a permanent gas.
And, Thirdly. The change or relative rate of effusion of gases which takes place
when a greater or less volume of vapours is diffused through them.
To apply the first condition I employ two measuring vessels connected together
in such a manner that the one shall deliver a measured quantity of the air or gas to
be carburetted into the vessel containing the fluid hydrocarbon or carburetter; tho
other measuring vessel takes delivery of the carburetted air, and measures it out.
The carburetter consists of two or more compartments so connected with a valve or
valves that the air or gases may be made to pass through one or more compartments
of the carburetter, as may be desired.
In applying the increased specific gravity from the diffusion of hydrocarbons
through a gas or air to regulate the quantity of vapour to that desired, I employ a
carburetter similar in construction to that already referred to. The carburetter is
also provided with a small regulating gas holder controlling the valve arrangement.
The mode of causing the increase of density in the carburetted gas to actuate this
gas holder is to take advantage of the increased weight of a column of carburetted
air or gas of considerable height to act upon a supplementary governing gas holder
provided with a valve which is more or less opened as the column of carburetted
air or gas is heavier or lighter, that is to say, should the air or gas be carburetted
to a greater extent than is desired, then the extra weight resulting from this over-
carburation will relieve the supplementary governing gas holder, which will cause
an increased pressure of air to be admitted to the carburetter, which in turn
actuating the regulating gas holder, which is balanced to support a column of car-
buretted air or gas of the dosired specific gravity, closes successively the chambers
of the carburetter till the proper specific gravity is obtained, and consequently the
proper amount of vapour diffused through the gas.
Or instead of the arrangement just described, a balloon or large chamber may be
delicately balanced. On the carburetter attached to this balance is the valve or
valves for regulating the current of gases through the carburetter.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being bad to the
annexed Sheets of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, are respectively a plan, a front elevation partly in
section, an end elevation, and a horizontal section of one arrangement of the appa-
ratus as constructed in accordance with this Invention for regulating the carburetting

page_text: of gas or air by measuring the quantity of vapour added to a given volume of the
gas or air.
A is the meter for measuring the air or gas into the carburetter, the other meter B
being used for measuring the carburetted air or gas as it leaves the carburetter;
these meters are essentially identical in construction with those in common use for
the measurement of ordinary illuminating gas, only in the present case instead of
being actuated by the pressure of the gas, they actuate or propel the gas or air,
being driven by the weight 1 attached to the block and tackle 2, the cord of which
is wound round the drum 3 placed on the shaft 4, which connects the drums of the
two meters. The carburetter is marked C, and consists of three chambers 5, 6,
and 7, as indicated by the dotted lines on Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawings. Each
chamber is subdivided into a tortuous passage by the partitions 8, alternately
extending from one side to within a short distance of the other, as shewn at
Figure 4, Sheet 1. The partitions are covered with woollen cloth or other absorbent
substance to draw up the hydrocarbon fluid, and present a large surface to the
passing air or gas. The pipes 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, which connect the three chambers
of the carburetter, are also connected to a pipe 15 provided with a tubular valve
consisting of a piston 14, which slides easily but as closely as possible within the
pipe or tube 15. There are also placed on the valve tube three openings 16, 17,
and 18; these openings and the connecting pipes are so arranged that the recesses
19, 20, and 21 made on the piston 14 allow of the air or gas passing either through
the whole of the three chambers successively, or by raising the piston the different
chambers may be successively closed till the air or gas passes only through the
lower or first chamber of the carburetter. The piston 14 is connected to the small
governing gas holder E, which is raised or lowered as herein-after. described.
The working of this arrangement is as follows:-Suppose it is desired to have
air or gas so carburetted that for each 5 cubic feet consumed per hour it shall give
a light equal to 20 sperm candles burning 120 grains per hour, and that to produce
this light it is necessary to add 20 volumes of the vapour of the hydrocarbon fluid
employed to each 100 volumes of the air or gas, then the meters A, B, are filled to
such a height' with water or other suitable fluid (such as glycerine) as to cause the
inlet meter A. to deliver into the carburetter C 100 volumes of the air or gas to be
carburetted at the same time that the outlet meter B takes delivery from the
carburetter of 120 volumes of the mixed air or gas and vapours of the hydrocarbon
employed. The meters being so arranged the carburetter is then charged with the
fluid, which is done by opening at first the tap 22 only, and filling the two upper
chambers or cells 7 and 6, the quantity thus charged being seen at the glass gauge
tubes 30, the lower chamber (5) being left empty. The meters are then set in
operation by winding the cord on to the bobbin or drum 3, which is effected by
drawing the endless chain 23. The air or gas to be carburetted is admitted into
the first meter at 24 in the case of air by a perforated sheet, as shown, but if gas,
by a pipe attached to the same place. The air or gas passes by the pipe 25 to the
lower cell or chamber 5 of the carburetter, thence by the pipe 9 through the valve
19 to the pipe 10, by which it is conducted to the second chamber 6, after
circulating through the tortuous passage of which it passes by the pipe 11 and
valve 20 to the pipe 12, and through the last chamber 7, and is thence conveyed by
the pipe 13 and valve 21 through the opening 18 into the gas holder_E, from
which the carburetted air or gas passes by the pipe 26 to the outlet meter B, and is
therefrom delivered for consumption by the pipe 27. Now suppose that by thus
passing through the whole of the chambers every 100 volumes of the air or gas are
capable of taking up in diffusion 50 volumes of vapour, it is evident that as the
outlot meter allows only 120 volumes of mixed air or gas and vapour to pass
outwards from the carburetter, the extra 30 volumes which the air or gas receives
must find space somewhere. This space is provided by the 30 volumes lifting the
gas holder E, which being (as before described) attached to the piston 14, closes off
by the valve 21 first the upper chamber 7, and should the gas or air still receive
more vapours than desired by passing through the second cell or chamber 6, then

page_text: the small gas holder E still continues to rise till it partly closes or shuts off the
second chamber, and at the same time opens the communication 16 of the lower
chamber with the gas holder E, so as to allow as much pure air or gas to pass into
the holder as will bring down the mixture to 100 volumes of air or gas and 20
volumes of vapour. Suppose that instead of 20 volumes only the air or gas takes
up 30 volumes of vapour in the second cell or chamber 6, then for every 100
volumes of air or gas which passes into the second cell or chamber and takes up in
diffusion 30 volumes of vapour 50 volumes of pure air or gas will pass direct from
the first chamber 5 into the holder E and take up the surplus 10 volumes of
vapour whereby the mixture is reduced to the proper proportions. Suppose now ]
that in consequence of change of temperature, such as cold or frosty weather, or in
consequence of the carburetting fluid having given off its more volatile portions,
the second chamber or cell of the carburetter no longer gives off to the 100 volumes
of air or gas the necessary 20 volumes of vapour, it is evident that as the outlet
meter B continues to deliver 120 volumes of mixed air or gas and vapour for every 1
100 volumes of air or gas admitted by the inlet meter A, the gas holder E will fall
and admit the air or gas to pass into the third or last chamber 7 of the carburetter
till the air or gas receives the necessary volume of vapours. After the apparatus
has been at work for some considerable time, and the air or gas fails to obtain the
necessary quantity of vapours even by passing through the whole of the chambers
by reason of the hydrocarbon fluid having become more dense in consequence of
the more volatile portions having been first volatilized, then the stop-cock 28 should
be opened, when the fluid in the second chamber 6 will flow into the first or lower
one 5. On the second chamber becoming empty the stop-cock 28 is closed and the
stop-cock 29 opened, which allows the fluid in the third chamber 7 to flow into the
second chamber 6, and again, when the third chamber is empty, the stop-cock 29 is
closed and a fresh supply of hydrocarbon fluid is charged into the upper chamber
by the tap 22. The apparatus, on being started, will at once adjust itself to the
standard quality of gas desired.
Should it be desired to increase or decrease the illuminating power of the
carburetted air or gas then the measuring capacities of the meters A and B are
altered by adding or drawing off water or other liquid by the funnel pipe 31 and
stop-cock 32 till the meters measure in and out of the carburetter proper per
centages of air or gas and vapour, thus by drawing off the liquid from the inlet
meter A and charging it into the outlet meter B the volume of air or gas admitted
is increased, and the volume of carburetted air or gas reduced, and consequently
the illuminating power is also reduced; on the other hand, by drawing off liquid
from the outlet meter B, and charging it into the inlet one A the quality of the
gas is improved because less air or gas is measured in and more carburetted air or
gas measured out of the carburetter.
When the gases to be carburetted are produced under a pressure sufficient to
become the motive power and to drive the meters herein-before described the
arrangement is slightly modified, the block and tackle are dispensed with, and
the two meters or measuring drums are enclosed in a case, but kept separate by
a partition which is carried down to the level of the connecting spindle, and
considerably under the water line. By this arrangement no pressure is expended
in moving the measuring drums, indeed, when the gas or air is largely carburetted
considerable power is produced, because the air or gas passed into the carburetter
becomes much increased in volume by taking up in diffusion the vapours of the
hydrocarbon fluid, and as the increased volume of carburetted gas acts with a
pressure on the larger surface of the outlet meter equal to that which it exerts on
the smaller surface of the inlet meter it can be easily seen that there will be
produced a force or power equivalent to the volume of vapour added to the air or
gas acting on the large area of the outlet meter drum.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, illustrates another method of applying the increase of volume
resulting from the carburetting of air or gas to regulate the amount of vapours
diffused through the air or gas in order to give it the desired illuminating power.

page_text: The carburetter C in this case is identical in construction with that herein-before
described and shown on Sheet 1, having also the same valve arrangement and
actuating gas holder. The gas or air to be carburetted may be supplied to the
carburetter either by a meter driven by a block and tackle, such as that already
referred to, or by an equivalent arrangement, or the said gas or air may be supplied
direct from a large holder or from the retort in which it is produced, when a gas
such as hydrogen is the one employed, but however supplied it is essential that it
be delivered at a fixed pressure.
33 is a small
With the apparatus shown at Figure 1, Sheet 2, the air or gas to be carburetted
is supplied by the pipe 39, let it be supposed at a fixed pressure equal to a column
of water 2 inches or 20-tenths high, and that it is desired to take delivery
for consumption at an uniform pressure of 10-tenths of water. The governing
arrangement F effects this reduction and regulates the amount of vapour diffused
through the gas or air in the manner herein-after described.
governing gas holder, to which are attached the tapering valves 34, 35. These.
valves pass through orifices on the inlet and outlet pipes 36, 37, of the carburetter
C. The gas holder 33 is so weighted that it requires a pressure, say equal to a
column of water 10-tenths high to lift it. This governing gas holder is enclosed in
a casing, from which the carburetted gas or air for consumption passes outwards
by the pipe 38.
As stated the air or gas enters from the meter by the pipe 39, under the small
governing gas holder 33, and having a pressure of 20-tenths it will at once overcome
the weight of the gas holder (which is loaded to 10-tenths) and lift it, and as the
valves. 34 and 35 are attached to the gas holder they are thus opened and the air
or gas allowed to pass by the pipe 30 into and through the chamber C. After being
carburetted in the said chamber the air or gas passes by the pipe 37, through the
valve opening 35, and into the chamber 40, which is situate over or external to the
gas holder. Supposing no gas is drawn off for consumption from the said chamber
the pressure therein will accumulate till it reaches one inch or 10-tenths of pressure,
which pressure acting on the surface of the gas holder 33 will cause it to fall and
shut off a further supply of the carburetted air or gas; but should the stop-cock
38 now be opened a little, and the prepure thus slightly reduced, the gas holder will
again rise till it passes sufficient gas or air through the valves 34 and 35 to keep
up the pressure to 10-tenths in the chamber 40. It is thus evident that the greater
the supply required the higher will the gas holder rise, opening the valves 34, 35,
simultaneously to pass the amount of gas or air required.
Now as between the inlet and outlet valves 34, 35, attached to the governor,
there is a reduction of pressure of 10-tenths of an inch, it is evident that were pure
air or gas sent through the whole arrangement without being carburetted there
would be an equal reduction of pressure at each of the two valve orifices of
5-tenths, both orifices being of an equal size; therefore the pressure of the gas in the
carburetter would equal 15-tenths, the gas or air having passed through only one
valve orifice and lost 5-tenths of pressure, and consequently were the gas-holder E
actuating the carburetter valve loaded to just a little over 15-tenths pressure, it
would not rise. Suppose now that the carburetter is charged with volatile hydro-
carbon, and the air or gas in passing through the whole of the cells of the carburetter
becomes carburetted to such an extent as to take up 50 per cent. of hydrocarbon
vapour, being thus increased both in volume and in density, the carburetted gas or
air will no longer pass through the second governing-valve orifice 35 with 5-tenths
pressure, and consequently the governing gas holder 33 will rise until the valve
orifice 35 is sufficiently enlarged to allow the carburetted air or gas to pass and
keep up the 10-tenths of pressure on the upper surface of the gas holder, but in so
doing the other, or outlet orifice 34 from the holder 33, is also equally enlarged,
which brings on an extra pressure on the carburetter, and which also acting on the
valve gas holder E lifts it and shuts off the chambers or cells of the carburetter in
the manner herein-before described till the air or gas receives only as much vapour
as can be passed by the extra pressure over 15-tenths put on the gas holder E. If
•

page_text: a rich gas is desired extra weight is placed on the gas-holder E, to which is
attached the valve for shutting off or putting on the carburetting chambers or cells,
for thus the pressure is increased on the second valve orifice 35, and consequently a
large proportionate quantity of gas or air and vapour passed, or in other words,
pure air or gas would take five-tenths to pass it through each orifice. When the air
becomes more and more carburetted, it would take the greater a pressure to pass
through the second valve orifice, but as there is only 10-tenths to pass the gns
through both valve orifices, the governing gas holder would so regulate the size of
the valve orifice that the pressure would be (when the air or gas was not
carburetted, the loss by passing through each of the reducing valves) 5-tenths, or
when the air or gas was carburetted, say 6-tenths, to pass it through the second
orifice, and only 4-tenths to pass it through the first; when the air or gas was
still more carburetted it would take say 3-tenths to pass it through the first orifice
and 7-tenths to pass the highly carburetted gas or air through the second orifice,
and consequently the pressure inside the carburetter acting on the valve gas holder
would be respectively 16 and 17 tenths, and by weighting the gas-holder E
accordingly the gas or air would be more or less carburetted.
Figure 2, Sheet 2, shows an arrangement of apparatus whereby the change of
specific gravity produced when a gas is carburetted is employed to check or
regulate the illuminating power of the carburetted air or gas. The carburetter C
is provided only with two chambers or cells 5, 6, which are arranged similarly to
those already described with reference to Sheet 1 of the Drawings.
Placed on the top of the carburetter there is a chamber Ğ, and a balloon H
formed of thin sheet metal is suspended therein; this balloon is filled with any
convenient gas or with air, and is delicately balanced by the bar 41 and weights
42, 43, so as just to float on the atinosphere of gas when at the desired density.
Attached to the bottom of the balloon is a small double cone valve 44, suspended
between the outlet pipe 45, from the lower carburetting chamber 5, and the outlet
pipe 46, from the second chamber 6, in such a manner that when it falls it shuts the
opening from the chamber 5, and when raised it opens the chamber 5 and closes
the chamber 6.
The air or gas to be carburetted is supplied by the pipe 47 to the lower chamber 5
of the carburetter and passes by the connecting pipe 48 in the upper chamber 6,
and thence by the pipe 46 into the balloon chamber G. Suppose that air is being
carburetted and that the balloon is weighted to float in an atmosphere having a
specific gravity of 1,200 (air being 1,000), suppose now that the air by passing
through both cells is over charged with vapour and has a specific gravity of 1.500
it is evident that the balloon will at once rise, causing the attached valve 44 to
close or partly close the exit 46 from the second chamber 6 and admit through the
pipe 45 the much less carburetted air from the first cell 5 till the proper specific
gravity is attained within the chamber G. Thus the balloon will keep opening
and closing the different cells, always maintaining the gas at a similar gravity, and
consequently at a regular illuminating power, the gas passing away for consump-
tion by the pipe 49.
Figure 3, Sheet 2, illustrates another arrangement of apparatus whereby the
change of specific gravity produced when a gas is carburetted may be employed
to regulate the illuminating power of the carburetted gas or air. The carburetter C
is similar in construction to that described and shown on Sheet 1, and is similarly
provided with valve and gas holder arrangements. The air or gas to be carburetted
may be supplied as before from any convenient source, but as shewn on the Figure
under reference it is supplied by the meter or blowing arrangement A. H is a
governing arrangement which admits of a greater or less pressure of air or gas to entor
the carburetter C according as the gas or air becomes more or less carburetted. This
governing arrangement consists of a gas holder divided into two portions, a smaller
central one into which the pipes 25 leading from the meter or blower into the car-
buretter are made to pass, and an outer annular space of considerably larger
.dimensions through which the pipes 26, 27, leading from the carburetter supplying

page_text: the carburetted gas for consumption are made to pass. Attached to the roof in the
centre of this holder is a conical valve 50, which as the gas holder rises or falls
closes or opens the orifice 51 on the inlet pipe 25. This governing arrangement is
placed at as great an altitude as convenient, such as in the roof of the building to
be supplied.
Supposing again that ordinary atmospheric air is employed as the body to be
carburetted, the air is supplied by the meter or blower A through the pipe 25,
valve opening 51, and pipe 25¹ to the carburetter C, thence by the pipe 26 back
into the annular space 52 in the governing gas holder, and away by the pipe 27
to be consumed. The governing gas holder may be loaded with small weights 53 to
give any convenient pressure, say, 1 inch, or 10-tenths. It is evident that if the
carburetter were not charged with hydrocarbon fluid, and the air passing both
down the descending pipe 25 and the ascending pipo 26, that the pressure on every
part of the arrangement would be equal to 10-tenths; therefore if the valve gas
holder E were weighted to a little over 10-tenths it would not rise, but if the car-
buretter were charged and air passed through it then the pressure on all parts of the
apparatus would not be the same; for air on being carburetted becomes considerably
heavier, consequently the ascending column of heavy carburetted air in the pipe
will not act with 10-tenths of pressure in tho annular space of the gas holder 52,
which will accordingly fall till sufficient pressure has been put upon the descending
column of air in the pipe 25 to force the heavy carburetted air in the pipe 26 up
into the gas holder with 10-tenths of pressure; but as the valve gas holder E was
only loaded to resist 10-tenths pressure this extra pressure will cause it to rise and
shut off as much carburetting space as shall bring the specific gravity of the car-
buretted air to equal the load placed on the holder E. It is evident that the greater
the load placed on this holder the richer will the air require to bo carburetted to
enable the difference in the specific gravity of the rising column of carburetted air
and of the falling current of pure air to balance each other.
I think it right to state that the three last described forms of apparatus are not
so reliable in their action as that shewn on Sheet 1, and that the various parts of
the said last set forth apparatus require to be very accurately made, and con-
sequently are much more easily deranged. I therefore give preference to the first
described form of apparatus, more particularly when the air or gas to be carburetted
has to be blown or forced through the carburetter and to the point of consumption.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be
carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to
arrange the apparatus precisely as described and delineated, as the same may be
considerably modified without departing from the main or essential features of
my said Invention; for example, the carburetter or chamber for carburetting and
presenting the carburetting fluid to the air or gas may partake of any of the well-
known forms, provided that the arrangement be such as to allow of the carburetting
surfaces being increased or decreased in the manner set forth. And again in lieu of a
wet meter being employed any of the other ordinary forms of meters may be
substituted; and instead of the governing gas holder E being used a leather
diaphragm may be employed, such as is at present used for regulating or governing
the supply of illuminating gas to street lamps; and further, the valve arrange-
ment 14 for lessening and increasing the carburetting surface to the air or gas may.
partake of a great variety of forms; what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,--
First. The general arrangement and construction of the apparatus herein-before
described and shown on Sheets 1 and 2 of the appended Drawings, or any mere
modification thereof, and the employment of the same, substantially as set forth.
Second. Regulating the amount of hydrocarbon vapour diffused through air or
gas by measuring the air or gas at A before it enters the carburetter, and again
measuring it at B with the desired amount of vapour diffused through it when it

page_text: leaves the carburetter; and the employment of a small governing gas holder E or
a flexible diaghragm attached to a valve 14, whereby the carburetting surface may
be increased or diminished to that necessary to give to the air or gas the proper
per-centage of hydrocarbon vapour, substantially as herein-before described with
reference to Sheet 1 of the Drawings horeunto annexed.
Third. Regulating the amount of hydrocarbon vapour diffused through air or
gas to to the quantity desired by causing the air or gas as it enters the carburetter,
and again as it leaves the carburetter, containing the desired per-centage of hydro-
carbon vapour to pass through valvular orifices, the sizes of which are regulated
by a governing gas holder or diaphragm actuated by the pressure as the air or gas
enters and leaves the carburetter, and applying the differential pressure produced
by the increase of volume caused by the diffusion of the proper per-centage of
vapour to actuate a gas holder or diaphragm attached to valves for regulating the
carburetting surface to that necessary to give to the gas or air the desired per-
centage of hydrocarbon vapours, substantially in the manner herein-before described
with reference to Figure 1, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. Regulating the amount of hydrocarbon vapour diffused through air or
gas by causing the increase or decrease of specific gravity resulting from the greater
or less diffusion of vapour to act upon a delicately balanced balloon, to which is
attached a valve arrangement for regulating the carburetting surface to that
required for giving the air or gas the desired amount of hydrocarbon vapour,
substantially as herein-before described with reference to Figure 2, Sheet 2, of
the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fifth. Regulating the amount of hydrocarbon vapour diffused through air or gas
by causing the difference in weight between a column of air or gas and a column
of air or gas after being carburetted to regulate the pressure at which the air or
gas is admitted to the carburetter, and which in turn actuates a gas holder or
flexible diaphragm attached to a valve which regulates the carburetting surface to
that required to bring the column of carburetted air to the desired specific gravity,
substantially as herein-before described with reference to Figure 3,5 Sheet 2, of the
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Young, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Sixth day of February. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-