Improvements in or relating to Apparatus used in the Generation of Acetylene.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus used in the Generation of
Acetylene.
I, JOSIAH KENDALL RIGBY, Chartered Accountant, of Mona Cottage, Weston
Green, Thames Ditton, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to apparatus used in the generation of acetylene, its
object being to effect an improved construction of retainer for the solid material,
say calcium carbide, employed. According to this invention the retainer for the
solid material is so constructed that when, by the continued generation of the
gas, a layer or mass of the residual product is formed over the surface of the
carbide, a fresh surface can be brought under the action of the liquid by which
it is decomposed.
One construction of retainer according to this invention will now be described
by way of example.
The retainer is conveniently formed of two cylindrical portions one end of
each of which is closed, one portion sliding telescopically within the other. This
telescopic construction allows, as is well understood, and commonly done, for
the expansion of the solid material undergoing decomposition. The two cylin-
drical portions when placed in their relative position form a cylindrical box and
one or more perforations are made in each of the closed ends and on all sides to
permit of the access of water or other liquid to the material contained therein.
The retainer may be, if desired, mounted pivotally so that when a layer of
lime has been formed upon the surface of the carbide at one end of the retainer,
it may be turned upon its pivots so as to bring the other end under the action
of the water.
The above construction is described by way of example and the invention is
not limited to that construction, the retainer may for instance be made poly-
gonal or spherical and arranged in any desired manner whereby a fresh surface
of carbide may when desired be brought under the action of the decomposing
liquid.
Dated this 4th of Man 1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus used in the Generation of
Acetylene.
I. JOSIAH KENDALL RIGBY, Chartered Accountant, of Mona Cottage. Weston
Green, Thames Ditton, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of
[Price Sd.1

page_text: this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention relates to apparatus used in the generation of acetylene, its
object being, to effect an improved construction of holder for thè material, say
calcium carbide, employed.
According to this invention the holder is so constructed that when, by the
continued generation of the gas, a layer or mass of the residual product is formed
over that portion of the surface of the carbide which is presented to the liquid
by which it is decomposed, the holder can be rotated or otherwise moved or
adjusted, either manuaily or mechanically so as to expose in succession fresh
surfaces of the carbide to the action of the liquid, suitable perforations or other
water-ways being made in the various surfaces of the holder at which the water
is, to act.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of one construction of carbide holder
according to this invention, mounted in the walls of an acetylene generator, and
Figure 2 is a plan also partly in section, of the same.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The holder comprises two cylindrical parts A, A', the part A' being capable
of sliding telescopically within the outer vessel A. This telescopic construction
allows in a manner well understood for the expansion of the carbide undergoing
decomposition. The two cylindrical portions A, A', when placed in their work-
ing position form a cylindrical box in which the carbide is placed.
Water is admitted to the carbide through funnel-shaped openings A² and
through the holes A³.
When one end has been exposed to the action of water and thus a quantity
of slaked lime formed, the holder when next used, is inverted and the other face
of the carbide presented to the water.
In the construction illustrated the outer part A is furnished with pivots B
which are supported in bearings C in the walls C of the generator so that the
retainer may be turned by means of a milled head D upon the extension thereof.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the construction
illustrated, which is only given by way of example. The holder may for instance
be made polygonal or spherical in shape and may be arranged in any desired
manner so that a fresh surface of carbide may when desired be brought under
the action of the water.
The water may be applied in any desired manner, for instance it may be
allowed to drop on to the carbide or may rise in a vessel in which the carbide
holder is placed and thus attack the carbide from the bottom.
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 generator a carbide holder which can be so adjusted as to
expose in succession fresh surfaces of the carbide to the action of the water.
2. In an acetylene generator a carbide holder which can be so adjusted as to
expose in succession fresh surfaces of the carbide to the action of the water and
is made in parts movable one upon the other to yield for the purpose described.
3. In an acetylene generator the adjustable carbide holder substantially as
and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated M18 27th day of February 169999).
Dated 1018 in day OI FCOPURULY IS9N
J. KENDALL RIGBY.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.
J. KENDALL RIGBY.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.