rovements in Apparatus for Supplying Railway Carriages with
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1887
Complete Left, 14th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 18th May, 1888
[Communicated from abroad by MARC MAURICE ROTTEN, of Schiffbauerdamm,
29ª, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.]
rovements in Apparatus for Supplying Railway Carriages with
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for illuminating railway carriages by means of
gas, and it has for its object to prevent accidental setting fire to surrounding parts of
a carriage by ignited gas escaping from a fracture or leakage of any part of the
apparatus whether of the conduit pipes, gas holders or gas regulators. It is based
on the discovered fact that the flame from an escape of gas will not set fire to
short space
surrounding objects so long as such escape takes place suddenly for a very
of time. Thus if the gas holder be fractured and the escaping gas is ignited by
sparks from the skidding of the wheels on the rails, or otherwise, the entire volume
of gas remaining in the gasholder is made to burn out instantaneously so that the
flame, which exists only for an exceedingly short space of time, will not be capable of
igniting surrounding objects. Such ignition only takes place when the gas burns
slowly towards the point of escape where it may burn, so that the flame is continuously
fed with gas flowing at a moderate pressure.
The desired object is obtained according to the present invention by providing an
arrangement by which, in the case of a fracture occurring in any part of the
apparatus, the gas contained in the intact gas holder is retained in the same; or the
gas contained in a second gas holder is prevented from flowing into the first one, in
the case where two or more gas holders are connected together and one of these
leaks.
For the purpose of this invention an apparatus is combined with the gas holder a'
that point where the gas is introduced and where it also flows off to the regulator,
which apparatus
so arranged as to allow of the entrance of gas at higher pressure

page_text: from a filling reservoir through the filling valve into the gas holder, and also the out-
flow of the gas from the gas holder to the conduit pipes and regulator, if in the latter
case the same pressure exists in the gas holder and in the conduit pipes but which
apparatus on the occurrence of a fracture at any part of the conduit pipe or regulator
or at one of the gas holders, prevents the issue of gas from the intact gas holders.
The said apparatus consists of a valve or diaphragm arranged in a chamber formed
on the pipe leading from reservoir, or from each of the reservoirs, if there be more
than one, to the conduit pipe leading to the charging valves and to the regulator,
such valve or diaphragm being so arranged that when the gas holder is being charged,
in which case the pressure is less in the same than in the conduit pipes, or when, after
charging, the gas is flowing from the gas holder through the conduit pipes to the
regulators, in which case the same pressure exists in the gas holder and the conduit
pipes, the said valve or diaphragm will remain open, but as soon as any rupture or
leakage occurs in any part of the apparatus or in one of the reservoirs, in which case
the pressure in the conduit pipes will sink below that in the intact reservoir or
reservoirs the valves or diaphragms of the latter will be closed and thus prevent any
further flow of gas therefrom. Thus if the gas be ignited at the place of leakage,
only the quantity contained in that part of the apparatus can burn and the time it
takes to burn out this quantity is so exceedingly short that any danger of setting fire
to surrounding objects thereby will be obviated.
DL: 141
TI
1002
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Supplying Railway Carriages with
Illuminating Gas.
1, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, and Patent Agent, 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 relates to apparatus for illuminating railway carriages by means of
gas and it has for its object to prevent accidental setting fire to surrounding parts of a
carriage by ignited gas escaping from a fracture or leakage of any part of the apparatus
whether of the conduit pipes, gas holders or gas regulators.
It is based on the discovered fact that the flame from an escape of gas will not set
fire to surrounding objects so long as such escape takes place suddenly for a very short
space of time.
Thus if the gas holder be fractured and the escaping gas is ignited by sparks from
the skidding of the wheels on the rails, or otherwise, the entire volume of gas remain-
ing in the gas holder is made to burn out instantaneously so that the flame which
exists only for an exceedingly short space of time will not be capable of igniting sur-
rounding objects. Such ignition only takes place when the gas burns slowly towards
the point of escape where it may burn, so that the flame is continuously fed with gas
flowing at a moderate pressure.
The desired object is obtained according to the present invention by providing an
arrangement by which, in the case of a fracture occurring in any part of the apparatus
the gas contained in the intact gas holder is retained in the same; or the gas contained
in a second gas holder is prevented from flowing into the first one, in the case where
two or more gas holders are connected together and one of these leaks.
For the purpose of this invention an apparatus is combined with the gas holder at
that point where the gas is introduced and where it also flows off to the regulator,
which apparatus is so arranged as to allow of the entrance of gas at higher pressure
from a filling reservoir through the filling valve into the gas holder, and also the
outflow of the gas from the gas holder to the conduit pipes and regulator, if in the
latter case the same pressure exists in the gas holder and in the conduit pipes, but
which apparatus on the occurrence of a fracture at any part of the conduit pipe or
regulator or at one of the gas holders, prevents the issue of gas from the intact gas
holders.
At Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying drawings is shewn the general arrange-
ment of the said apparatus in combination with the gas holder and conduit pipes of a
vehicle.
Fig. 1 shews'a side view, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 an end view. Figs. 4 and 5
shew the application in the case of a vehicle with two gas holders.
The general arrangement of the gas apparatus is well known; A or A' A³ is or
are the gas holders, B is the regulator, from which the gas passes at a to the separate
burners. C¹ Care the charging valves which are temporarily connected to a fixed
main gas reservoir for filling the gas holders A, to which the gas passes through the

page_text: pipes b¹. The gas passes from the gas holders A through the pipe c to the regulator B,
whence it is conveyed to the burner in the usual manner.
The above described safety apparatus is introduced at Z.
This apparatus consists either of a disc valve, with or without a spring or of a ball
valve or of a flap valve, or of a pivotted slide valve; in both the last named cases
the apparatus being also used either with or without a balance weight or spring.
Various constructions may be employed for this purpose, such as those shewn at
Figs. 6 to 17. Figs. 6, 7 and 8, and Figs. 11 to 14 shew constructions applicable for
a vertical arrangement of the apparatus, while Figs. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 shew arrange-
iments applicable in any position. In each of these constructions the apparatus
inserted at Z Figs. 1 to 5 must fulfil the following functions exactly and with
certainty.
1. The valve must open automatically to allow of the inflow of gas at a higher
pressure from any filling reservoir, through the filling valve C¹ or C² into the gas
holder A or A¹ A³.
2. The valve must open automatically for allowing the gas to issue from the gas
holder A through the pipes to the regulator B, when the same pressure exists in the
gas holders A or A¹ A2 and the conduit pipes.
3. The valve must close automatically when any part of the conduit pipes or of the
regulator or one of the gas holders when two are used, becomes broken or leaky, in
order to prevent the escape of the gas from the intact gas holder.
In the arrangement shewn at Figs. 6 to 8, in which the lower vertical pipe r is
connected with the gas holder A at Z Fig. 1, the valve is constructed of a hollow
cup with spherical surface, which, when the gas holder A is being filled, rests with its
lower edgo on the seat formed at g in the part G of the valve chamber, as shewn at
Fig. 6, as the greater pressure of the gas coming from the fixed reservoir holds it
down in this position.
When in this position, the openings or notches s s formed at the base of the valve S
allow the gas to flow from the filling reservoir past it to the gas holder A.
When any part of the conduit pipes or regulator breaks the greater pressure on the
side of the valve next the gas holder will cause this to be raised so as to seat against
the seating g' of the upper part G₁ of the valve box and thus to automatically close
the outlet a from the gas holder as shewn at Fig. 8.
When the same degree of pressure exists in the conduit pipes and the gas holder A,
the valve S falls by gravity on to the seat g, thus allowing the gas to pass from the
reservoir through the openings ss and outlet a¹ as at Fig. 6.
The valve apparatus shewn at Figs. 9 and 10, which may be used in any position,
consists of the disc valve T having stems tt which slide in guides ff having openings,
and situated in the valve casing G G¹. Between the faces of the valve T and tho
guides are placed helical springs F F¹.
With this arrangement when the same pressure exists on either side of the valve,
this is held in its middle position as at Fig. 9, in which it leaves the outlet a¹ open,
but when there is excess of pressure in the gas holder A this forces the valve against
the seat g¹ so as to close the outlet a', while when there is greater pressure at a than
in the gas holder, as in charging the latter, the valve will be in an intermediate position,
establishing the communication between a¹ and the gas holder. Figs. 11 and 12
shew an arrangement in which a ball valve K is used which when there is equal
pressure in the gas holder and conduit pipes, falls by gravity on to the support k so
as to open the outlet a¹ and it will also assume this position when there is greater pressure
at a' than in the gas holder; when however the pressure in the latter is the greater, the
ball valve will be raised so as to seat against g¹ and thus close the outlet. Figs. 11° 11°
and 11 shew an arrangement in which a cone valve K¹ fits with a stem into the
outlet a¹ and has on its underside a rib k¹ by which it rests on the bottom of the
chamber when in the open position, so as to leave a free passage beneath it into
the pipe A.
As above stated, the valve may also be arranged as a flap valve or pivotted slide;
these constructions are shewn at Figs. 13 and 14 and at Figs. 15 to 17. The first

page_text: named arrangement can only be used in a vertical or slightly inclined position the
gas holder being situated above the valve, and the outlet below it, while the arrange-
ment at Figs. 15 to 17 can be used in any position.
The flap valve L of known construction has its seat on the lower part G¹ of the
valve casing; but in order to keep the valve open when the pressure is equal in
the gas holder and the conduit pipes, it is pressed upwards by a pin guided in the
casing and acted upon by a spring while when a greater pressure exists in the gas
holder A, the valve is closed."
In the arrangement shewn at Figs. 15, 16, and 17, the opening leading to the gas
holder at A is provided with a slide valve D pivotted at d and actuated by means of a
lever H connected by a rod i to a piston J. This piston effects the opening of the
slide valve D when the pressure is greater in the conduit pipes, on account of its
being forced by such pressure into the position shewn at Fig. 15, in which the slide D
is open and the gas is enabled to flow from a¹ past the piston J through the small
channels formed in the sides of the casing J, into the gas holder. .
When the greater pressure exists in the gas holder, this will force the piston J
outwards, thereby closing the slide D and also closing the channels i¹ ª. The move-
ment of the piston is limited by the pin with which the lever H comes in contact.
When the pressure is equal in the conduit pipes and the gas holder, the spring f³ acts
on the lever H so as to hold the slide D and piston J in the open positions.
It will be readily understood that various other arrangements besides those above
described might be devised whereby the essential feature of this invention can be
carried into effect, that is to say whereby the communication between the conduit
pipes and the gas holder or gas holders, is automatically kept open when the pressure
in the former is greater than in the latter, or when the pressure in both is equal, but
whereby such communication is closed as soon as the pressure in the gas holder is
higher than that in the conduit pipes, so that no gas can escape from the former when the
conduit pipes or the regulator or one of the gas holders, when two are used, is or are
broken. As proved by experience, should the gas escaping from such fracture or leak
become ignited, it will on account of the comparatively small volume of gas at
moderate pressure contained in the leaky parts, burn only for such a very short time
that there is practically no risk of the fire being communicated to surrounding parts
as by the escape the gas will be so rapidly reduced to atmospheric pressure that the
supply to the flame will cease almost as soon as this is kindled.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
The use in combination with apparatus for illuminating railway carriages with gas, of an
automatic safety appliance arranged at the junction of the gas holder or gas holders with
the conduit pipes and regulator and with the branch for charging the gas holder or gas
holders from a stationary gas reservoir, which apparatus is constructed and operates
in such manner that when there is equal gas pressure in the gas holder or gas
holders and the conduit pipes or when there is greater pressure in the conduit pipes than
in the gas holder or gas holders, the communication between the former and the
latter is kept open thereby, but when the pressure in the conduit pipes is less than in
the gas holder or gas holders or when the pressure in one gas holder is less than in the
second one owing to breakage or leakage, the said appliance automatically closes the
communication, substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.