Year: 1897

page_text: I, HENRI JOSEPII BARBIER of 28, Rue Saint Paul, Paris, France, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in means for the storage of compressed
gas.
The amount of damage which the bursting of a gas reservoir can occasion is
generally proportional to the capacity of the reservoir for the given pressure. There
is, then, an advantage to partition each reservoir in compartments in such a
manner, that the explosion of the reservoir is limited to that of a compartment and
in such manner that the explosion of the compartment is without danger even, to
the extent of its capacity.
It is based on this principle that I have devised the means whereby I construct
a reservoir, which is the object of my present invention. My invention consists
essentially in dividing into sections or otherwise a reservoir, (for example) of
cylindrical form, preferably along its length by diaphragms provided with holes
or by compressions in the reservoir presenting very small orifices.
These two modes of carrying out my invention may be effected by arranging
cylindrical horizontal reservoirs on a vertical collector or stand; several of these
collectors being able to be brought together so as to form an installation.
According to one mode of carrying my invention into effect the partitioning may be
effected by vertical diaphragms in one or some of which the hole is in the centre,
and in the other the hole is in the base. The diaphragms forming the partition
may be secured by suitable indentations in the cylinder itself.
According to another mode of carrying my invention into effect the indentation
in the cylinder itself may form the partition. These indentations may be from
one side or from both sides so that the communication between the various
partitions is at the centre or at one side.
The orifices in the diaphragms and the orifices made by the indentations are
arranged at the centre and at the side so to facilitate the withdrawal of the con-
densed liquid in case the gas in the reservoir should condense. There may result
from the setting of the diaphragm or from the indentations a local recess in the
reservoir which can be further strengthened by an external hoop or flange. As
can be readily understood, reservoirs so partitioned which can be in any metal or
alloy constitute by themselves harmless reservoirs. They can be combined in
various ways to form a battery, or placed in connection with one or more collectors
presenting individually only a reduced capacity united by small orifices.
The apparatus as a whole can assume any form which is deemed convenient
whether for its storage or for convenience of handling and transport, or for any
other reason.
In carrying out this invention if a burst happens at any place of the reservoir,
the gas contained in the compartments effected by the fracture will immediately
escape by the opening produced, but the gas contained in the rest of the reservoir

page_text: will take time to escape, the length depending on the area of the orifice, involving
more time as the orifice is reduced. There will be neither explosion nor danger.
Dated this 30th day of April 1897.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
Compressed was.
I, HENRI JOSEPHI BARBIER of 28, Rue Saint Paul, Paris, France, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
1
This invention relates to means for the storage of compressed gas. The amount
of damage which the bursting of a gas reservoir can occasion is generally propor-
tional to the capacity of the reservoir for the given pressure. There is therefore an
advantage in partitioning each reservoir into compartments in such a manner that
the explosion of the reservoir is limited to that of one compartment only, and in
such a manner that the explosion of the compartment is without danger by reason
of its limited capacity.
:
For the sake of greater safety it is also advisable to group reservoirs so
partitioned into a battery, and to connect the reservoirs to one or more collectors
which in their turn are composed of compartments or vessels of small capacities
communicating with one another through small orifices.
It is based on this principle that I have devised the improved means of storage
which form the object of my present invention.
My invention consists essentially in dividing into sections or compartments a
tubular reservoir or tube, for example of cylindrical form preferably along its
length by diaphragms provided with holes, or by contracting the reservoir so as to
form very small orifices or passages at those places.
As generally such tubular reservoirs or tubes are grouped in batteries connected
to collectors, I have had to devise a series of connecting devices which will be gas-
tight whilst allowing of easily taking apart the said tubes and collectors.
These connecting devices comprise:-
1. An arrangement for closing or shutting off each tube;
2. An arrangement for connecting each tube with the common collector of a set
of tubes, and
3. An arrangement for connecting a number of collectors together.
I shall now proceed to describe the several means and arrangements for carrying
out my invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,-
Figures 1 to 9 illustrate the application of my invention to reservoirs of large
capacity, whilst Figures 10 to 12 illustrate its application to reservoirs of small or
portable size.
RESERVOIRS OF LARGE CAPACITY. (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4).
Reservoirs of large capacity are composed of a comparatively large number of
tubes varying in length according to the space at disposal and the shape intended
to be given to the reservoir as a whole.
The elements or tubes A which make up the reservoir are divided into sections
or compartments as shown in Figure 1 by contracting the tube itself at intervals in
the manner shown by way of example at a, in which case a central orifice c is left
to afford communication between two adjacent compartments (see Figure 5), or in
the manner shown at b in which case a lateral orifice d is left close to the inner
surface of tube (see Figure 6).
i

page_text: The division of the tube into compartments may also be effected by means of
discs e orf fixed for instance by being nipped between contracted parts of the shell
of the tube, in the tube and provided either with a central orifice g (Figure 7), or
with a notch h (Figure 8) for the purpose of affording communication between the
several successive compartments of one and the same tube A.
The lateral orifices such as d in the diaphragms or such as h in the contracted
parts of the tube, are more particularly adapted in those cases where the gases
cnclosed in the reservoirs are liable to become condensed, in which case the said
lateral orifices will facilitate the discharge of the condensed liquid when the reser-
voirs are, arranged in those positions in which the orifices d'or h are situated at
the lower part of their respective tubes.
The fixing of the diaphragms and the contracting of the shell of the reservoir at
intervals constitute a local strengthening of the reservoir which may be further
strengthened by the provision of an external hoop i (Figure 9).
It will be readily understood that reservoirs partitioned into compartments as
hereinbefore described, and which may be made of any suitable metal or metallic
alloys, constitute of themselves reservoirs without danger. Such reservoirs
may be
grouped together in batteries and may be connected with one or more collectors which
are also divided into compartments of small capacity communicating only through
small orifices.
The general arrangement of the apparatus may be of any suitable kind either as
regards its mounting or situation, or as regards the convenience of manipulation
and transport, or for any other reason.
With the arrangements hereinbefore described, it will be readily understood
in the case of a rupture at any part whatever of a reservoir of this kind, that the gas
contained in the compartment affected by the rupture will escape at once through
the opening produced by said rupture, whilst the gas contained in the other com-
partments of the reservoir will take a much longer time to escape, the length of
time being dependent upon the smallness of the passage way of the orifices con-
necting the compartments. There will therefore be no explosion and no danger.
The tubes or elements A A are connected in sets with primary collectors B
which in their turn open into a main collector C. The primary collectors B
consist of hollow bars formed with transverse holes for the passage of screw plugs ])
which are screwed into metal plug nuts G over and around which the shell of the
tube is fixed and soldered as shown by way of example in the case of the tube A¹.
By this means the several tubes are fixed to and communicate with the collector B.
The communication is effected through a small passage & extending to the centre of
the screw plug and terminating in a contracted portion of the latter which leaves
a sufficient space between it and its casing. The tubes may also be screwed with
their necks into or on to the collector B as shown in the case of the tubes A A
Figure 1.
k
The main collector C consists likewise of a hollow bar formed with transverse
holes for the passage of the screw bolts which serve to connect the main collector
to the flanges E of the primary collectors B.
A gas-tight joint is obtained either directly by contact of metal to metal, or by
the interposition of washers I of any suitable material.
All the heads of the connecting screws and bolts are situated outside the
apparatus, and the connecting and disconnecting of single tubes or of entire sets of
tubes, does not present any difficulty; the same remark applies to the making and
inspection of the joints.
SMALL OR PORTABLE RESERVOIRS. (Figures 10, 11 and 12).
Reservoirs of small capacity are composed of any suitable number of tubes K
partitioned into compartments as herein before described, and mounted on a plate L
which also serves as a cock. This plate is provided in its thickness with passages o
which communicate with one another and with the tubes and with the cock.

page_text: The tubes are fixed to the plate L either by means of plug-nuts M nipped and
soldered in the ends of the tubes and then tightened forcibly on to the special
unions N of the plate; or by means of their necks O OI which are screwed (and
soldered if necessary) into the unions P provided for their reception.
The cock R cast or forged on the plate communicates with all the tubes through
the passages o formed in the thickness of the plate.
This cock may be of any suitable type, with needles with double or multiple cone.
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. A reservoir for compressed gases constructed with the object of obviating the
dangers of explosion in the case of rupture, consisting substantially of a number of
tubes or elements arranged singly or in sets connected with collectors, each tube or
element being divided into compartments so as to sub-divide its capacity, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a reservoir of the kind specified in the preceding claim, sub-dividing the
tubes or elements therein referred to, by contracting the shells of the said tubes or
elements at suitable intervals, so as to form small orifices or passages of communica-
tion between the successive compartments of one and the same tube or element,
substantially as described and shown.
3. In a reservoir of the kind specified in Claim 1, sub-dividing the tubes or
elements therein referred to, by the insertion of discs or partitions fixed in the
said tubes and formed with orifices or ways of communication between the
successive compartments of one and the same tube or element, substantially as
described and shown.
4. In a reservoir of the kind specified in Claim 1, the mode of closing the tubes
or elements therein referred to, the mode of connecting each tube with the collector,
and the mode of connecting the collectors with one another, all for the purpose of
making tight joints, substantially as described and shown.
Dotad this 14th day of Janu1898
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.