Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation and Storage of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation and Storage of
Acetylene Gas.
I, ADOLPHE FELIX BOWERS, of 15 Rue de la Banque, Paris, France, Mechanic do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for regulating the generation
of acetylene or other gas by means of which I obviate the necessity of a gas holder
and consequent liability to explosions; while I regulate the production of gas from
the pressure attained by varying or stopping the admission of water required to act
upoù the calcium carburet when producing acetylene.
In carrying my Invention into effect I arrange a reservoir for water, of moderate
capacity, and I provide such reservoir with an inlet closed by a screwed plug, and
with a non-return valve for a purpose hereafter to be described. I provide a
descending tube secured to the bottom of the reservoir which passes through to'
another second reservoir disposed underneath the first, the tube passing to the
lower end thereof. From the upper part of this second reservoir I provide an
ascending tube from which the water supply is taken by a diverted descending pipe
leading. to the generator disposed underneath or on the side. The ascending pipe.'
from the second reservoir terminates in an enlargement receiving another tube, the
extremity of which descends to the bottom of the enlargement; such extremity
being closed but provided with an opening laterally and covered by a small rubber
pipe firmly secured at its upper part. This device forms a very sure valve for
preventing the water from the reservoirs to enter the tube taken from the
enlargement of the ascending tube from the second reservoir, which former tube
passes to the generator; while at the same time enabling the gas coming through
the entering tube to pass by raising the rubber pipe. Any other suitable
arrangement for the same purpose, may, however, be employed. The ascending pipe
from the lower reservoir is controlled by a valve so that the passage of gas into the
lower reservoir may be prevented when desired. It will be understood that the
water is admitted into the generator from the diverted descending tube extending
from the ascending pipe of the second reservoir, and a drip cock is provided thereon
for this purpose. When the pressure in the generator is sufficient the gas rises
through the tube secured in the enlarged portion of the ascending water pipe, and
lifts the rubber through and enters the water tube and forces the water gradually
before it. When the level of the water supply pipe is reached by the gas the water
can no longer be admitted to the generator and if the pressure of the gas increases
the water enters the second or lower reservoir which thereby performs the function
of a gas holder. The water displaced from the second reservoir is forced into the
upper reservoir where the air above the water is compressed, so that on the decrease
CD 017

page_text: of volume of the gas consequent upon consumption, the water is forced down and
the level of the liquid reaches past the supply pipe, when the supply of water to the
generator is resumed.
A suitable safety valve may be employed upon the upper reservoir.
I have assumed that the height of the upper reservoir containing the water is
sufficient for the pressure of the column of liquid admitted into the generator to
regularly supply the necessary quantity of gas.. I may, however, obtain the
necessary pressure by compressing air upon the water in the reservoir, and to do
this I employ a non-return valve upon the reservoir in conjunction with a suitable
air pump. This method of replacing the height of the column of liquid is
particularly advantageous for obviating the employment of a gas holder, which
beyond being cumbersome does not offer sufficient safety; moreover, it enables the
diameter of the tubes which conduct the water on the calcium carburet to be
diminished to a great extent even so far as to enable capillary tubes to be employed
which may in addition receive a wick of cotton or any other appropriato material.
The quantity of water contained in these tubes may accordingly be neglected and as
soon as the pressure of gas causes the level of water to fall below the supply pipe
the production of acetylene is completely stopped.
In carrying my invention into effect according to another manner, I way dispense
with the second reservoir and divert the end of the descending tube therefrom to
form an U tube, upon the ascending. arm of which I provide a series of outlets
controlled by cocks which supply water to the generator. I divert the upper end
of the U tube in an opposite direction and pass down into the generator so that the
gas may pass up such tube and, if the pressure increases, force down the water
level pass the several series of outlets which thereby diminishes the water supply
and forces the water up into the reservoir, so that on the consumption of the gas the
pressure gradually falls and the level thereupon becomes higher until the full supply
of water is passed to the generator.
Instead of regulating the water supply by forcing down the water by pressure of
the gas past the water outlets, I may employ an independent regulator by means
of which the gas and water do not come in contact, while at the same time
the supply of water is accurately controlled by the preasure of the gas.
I form such independent regulator as a cylinder in which works a piston
controlled by a spring, such spring being secured to the piston and by tension
maintaining it in a position against a plug stop secured from one end of the
cylinder. The gas is admitted to one part of the cylinder and if of greater than a
certain predetermined pressure, forces the piston against the tension of its spring
and out of contact with the plug stop. The other end of the cylinder is provided
with a plug at the centre of which is formed an outlet, and at the contiguous side
of the cylinder is at the same time provided an inlet for water. On the increase of
pressure the piston is forced down against the action of the spring and reduces or
stops the flow of water from the inlet at the side of the cylinder to the outlet in the
plug. The water is conducted to the generator by a pipe secured to the plug upon
which is provided a controlling valve and also a non-return valve of the ordinary
type.
I may, however, provide my piston with a rod to which may be secured or
connected a system of linkage controlling the valve cock upon the water supply
pipe, so that on the outward movement of the piston due to increased pressuro of
gas, the water supply is cut off according to the degree of pressure.
Dated this 18th day of June 1806
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation and Storage of
Acetylene Gas.
I, ADOLPHE FELIX BOWERS, of 15 Rue de la Banque, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Mechanic, 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 improvements in apparatus for regulating the generation
of acetylene or other gas by means of which I obviate the necessity of a gas holder
and consequent liability to explosions; while I regulate the production of gas
from the pressure attained by varying or stopping the admission of water, when
required to act upon the calcium carburet when producing acetylene.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the carrying into effect of my invention
according to several modifications.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of an acetylene gas regulator according to
one modification.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of an acetylene gas regulator according to
a second modificatior.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of an acetylene gas regulator where a spring
piston operated by the gas pressure regulates the water supply.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a slight modification of the regulator shown on
Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a complete acetylene gas generating plant
constructed according to my invention.
34
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic elevation of a complete acetylene gas generating
plant constructed according to another modification.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating the application to a domestic lighting
lainp.
Referring to the modificatiou shown on Figure 1, I arrange a water reservoir A
of moderate capacity, and I provide such reservoir with an inlet B closed by a
screwed plug, and with a non-return valve C for a purpose hereafter to be described.
I provide a descending tube B secured to the bottom of the reservoir which passes
through to another second reservoir E disposed underneath the first, the tube
passing to the lower end thereof. From the upper part of this second reservoir. E,
I provide an ascending tube F from which the water supply is taken by a diverted
descending pipe G leading to the generator containing the calcium carburet,
disposed underneath or on the side; but not shown in this figure. The ascending
pipe from the second reservoir E terminates in an enlargement H receiving
another tube I, whose extremity J descends to the bottom of the enlargement; such
extremity being closed but provided with a lateral opening K covered by a small
rubber pipe I firmly secured at its upper part. This device forms a very sure valve
for preventing the water from the reservoirs A, E, when present in the
enlargement H, getting down the pipe J into the generator, while at the same time
enabling the gas coming through the entering tube J to pass by raising the rubber
pipe L through the lateral opening K for a purpose hereinafter referred to.
other suitable arrangement for the same purpose may, however, be employed. The
ascending pipe from the lower reservoir is controlled by a valve M so that the
passage of gas into the lower reservoir E may be prevented when desired. The
operation of the mechanism is as follows;--Water is admitted into the generator
from the diverted descending tube G extending from the ascending pipe F of the.
second reservoir E, and a drip cock N is provided thereon for this purpose. When
Any

page_text: the pressure in the generator is sufficient the gas rises through the tube I down to
its extremity J in the enlarged portion H of the water pipe F and blowing through
the lateral opening K lifts the rubber L and enters the water tube H forcing the
water gradually before it down the pipe F. When the level of the water supply
pipe is reached by the gas the water can no longer be admitted to the generator and
if the pressure of the gas increases the gas enters the second-or lower reservoir-E
which thereby performs the function of a gas holder. The water displaced from the
second reservoir is forced into the upper reservoir A where the air in the space O.
above the water is compressed, so that on the decrease of volume of the gas
consequent upon consumption, the water is forced down and the level of the liquid
reaches past the supply pipe G, when the supply of water to the generator is
resumed; and in Figure 1 the water level in the regulator is just shown at this
point.
A suitable safety valve may be employed upon the upper reservoir.
I have assumed that the height of the upper reservoir A containing the water is
sufficient for the pressure of the column of liquid admitted into the generator to
regularly supply the necessary quantity of gas. I may, however, obtain the
necessary pressure by compressing air upon the water in the reservoir A in the
space O, and to do this i employ a non-return valve C upon the reservoir in
conjunction with a suitable air pump. This method of replacing the height of the
column of liquid is particularly advantageous for obviating the employment of a gas
holder, which beyond being cumbersome does not offer sufficient safety; moreover,
it enables the diameter of the tubes which conduct the water on to the calcium
. carburet to be diminished to a great extent even so far as to enable capillary tubes
to be employed which may in addition receive a wick of cotton or any other
appropriate material. The quantity of water contained in these tubes may
accordingly be neglected and as soon as the pressure of gas causes the level of water
to fall below the supply pipe the production of acetylene is completely stopped.
Referring to the modification shown on Figure 2 of the drawings;-I dispense
with the second reservoir E and divert the end of the descending tube D therefrom
to form an U tube, upon the ascending limb F of which I provide a series of
outlets G¹ controlled by cocks N¹ which supply water to the generator. I divert
the upper end of the Ủ tube in an opposite direction and form a limb 11 passing
down into the generator so that the gas may pass up the said limb 1', and if the
pressure increases, force down the water level past the several outlets G¹ and
thereby diminish the water supply, finally-cutting it off altogether and forcing the
water np into the reservoir A. On the consumption of the gas the pressure
gradually falls and the level thereupon becomes higher until the full supply of
water is again passed to the generator. The water level indicated in the diagram
shows the maximum water supply to the generator.
Instead of regulating the water supply by forcing down the water by pressure of
the gas past the water outlets, I may employ an independent regulator by means of
which the gas and water do not come in contact, while at the same time the supply
of water is accurately controlled by the pressure of the gas, and Figures 3 and 4
illustrate two modifications to secure this end.
Referring to Figure 3; I form such independent regulator as a cylinder P in
which works a piston Q controlled by a spring R, such spring being secured to the
piston and by tension maintaining it in a position against a plug stop S secured
from one end of the cylinder P. The gas is admitted to one side of the cylinder P
by the port T and if of greater than a certain predetermined pressure, forces the
piston Q against the tension of its spring and out of contact with the plug stop S.
The other end of the cylinder is provided with a plug U at the centre of which is
formed an outlet V, and at the contiguous side of the cylinder is at the same time
provided an inlet W, for water. On the increase of pressure, the piston Q is forced
down against the action of the spring R and reduces or stops the flow of water
from the inlet W at the side of the cylinder P to the outlet V in the plug, also
reducing or closing that outlet. The water is conducted to the generator by a

page_text: pipe X secured to the plug U upon which is provided a controlling valve Y and also
a non-return valve Z of the ordinary type.
Referring now to Figure 4; here I make a slight modification of the last device
and provide the piston Qwith a piston rod Qcoupled by the bell crank Q and
link Q3 to a regulating valve cock Y¹ leading from the water supply to the gas
generator so that on the outward movement of the piston Q due to increased
pressure of gas, admitted by the port 'T', the linkage Q2 Q3 acts on the regulating.
valve Y' and cuts off the supply of water to the generator according to the pressure
of gas. The spring R in this case acting in compression instead of in tension as in
the previous modification.
.
On Figure 5 is shown a sectional elevation of a complete acetylene gas generator
plant having regulators of the type hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.
of the drawings. Upon a double compartment tank I mount two cylindrical carbide
holders with the water supply and gas production regulator. The carbide.
holders A and B' are similarly constructed. Referring therefore to A1, a
cylindrical casing a is fitted with a top cover b and a bottom cover c; the said
bottom cover having a division plate d carrying a cone e which projects into the
cylindrical casing a, and is suitably perforated at ff as shown in the drawings.
The bottom cover c thus.forms a separate compartment communicating on one side
by way of the cone e with the cylindrical casing and on the other side by way of the.
cock g with the double compartment tank. Pipe connections h and i are fixed on
the top and bottom covers respectively for a purpose hereinafter described.
carbide holder B1 similar parts are lettered similarly to A¹ with the addition of a
numeral. The water and gas regulator is precisely similar in construction and
action to that hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings,
similar parts being similarly lettered; and it has in addition an automatic ball
float valve j which when the water reaches a predetermined level in the reservoir A.
shuts off the initial supply.
On
The water supply to the carbide holders after reaching the point G on the pipe F
takes place through the small distributing pipes k to their respective holders A¹ B¹,
these distributing pipes terminating in valve spaces filled with porous material
all situated within the cones ee and having small non-return valves m m.
(preferably of the ball type) which allow the admission of the water. into the cone
and bolder while preventing its return; and upon the pipes I also fix the.
regulating cocks nn. The tank upon which the carbide holders and regulator
stand consists of two compartment o and p having the carbide holders A B¹
discharging by way of the cocks g g into compartment o which in turn.
communicates by the passages q, with the next compartment P; the said.
compartment p having a ball float valve r, discharge pipe 8, and gas delivery pipet,
all for a purpose hereinafter described. The operation of this plant is as follows:-
The carbide holders are worked alternately, so considering Al in operation and B'
shut down; then the cocks n g are open and n gi shut, thus water is sent under.
pressure from the regulator in a manner already described to the point G from.
where it passes along the pipe through the cock n, valves m and finally the upper
ring of perforations f, where it meets the calcium carburet packed into the casing a
of the holder A1. The calcium carburet immediately starts disentegrating and gas,
water, and lime, flow out through the bottom ring of perforations f in the cone e, .
into the bottom cover c passing by way of the cock g into the tank compartment o
where the lime and water fall to the bottom and the gas passed over into the next
compartment p making its final exit by the pipe t to the place of consumption. :
The lime and detritus settle to. the bottom of the compartment o from where it is.
withdrawn at intervals by suitable means through the sludge pipe u; while the.
water rising steadily flows over through the passages q into the compartment p being
here automatically discharged by the opening of the ball valve, allowing the gas,
pressure to force it up the pipe 8. When the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined
nount, as it is always in communication by the pipe. I with the regulator; the!

page_text: water is forced down below the point G and supply to the carbide holder is stopped,
all as hereinbefore described.
. Sometimes I use the carbide holder not in operation as a dryer for the gas, in
which case I connect the pipe t by another pipe v shown in dotted lines to the
connection, where it passes down through the holder B1 and makes its exit by
the connection il and pipe w. The pipes in the carbide holders A¹ B¹ act as
collectors for condensation throughout the carbide returning the same on to the
exterior surfaces of the cones e e¹.
On Figure 6 of the drawings another important modification of my invention is
shown in diagrammatic sectional elevation, and represents a complete acetylene gas
generating plant. The main portions of the apparatus consist of the upper and
lower water reservoirs A and E, regulating chamber H, carbide holder A with its
external regulating casings A3, A4, mineral oil tank C, and purifying chamber D',
'all constructed and operated as follows:-Water is admitted into the reservoir A by
way of the non-return rubber flap valve X3 and, passes down through the tube bend y
and cock Z into the bottom reservoir E, finally filling this up and rising into the
regulating chamber H where it overflows through the perforations down the
tube m' into and filling up the external regulating casings A3, A4, until it reaches a
perforated grid O' fixed on the bottom of the carbide holder A. Here gas is
immediately generated and rising to the top of the holder A1 passes up the pipe pl
down into the top of the regulator H; a branch pipe Q1 also taking the gas through
the purifier D1 previous to its exit for consumption by the pipe ; while
simultaneously with this the gas passes into the exterior casing A3 and acts upon the
water surface there presented. When the gas pressure exceeds that due to the head
of water in A, the gas drives the water from the regulating chamber H and thus
stops the supply and at the same time acting on the water in the exterior casing A³
and next the grid O' drives it downwards and up into the outer casing A' and away from
the calcium carburet. The whole process goes on until the carbide holder is
exhausted when the water will have filled to the top both the casing A³ and the
holder A' and when this occurs the water rises higher in the regulating chamber H
aud trickles down another pipe m² having similar perforations to m¹ and connected
to another carbide holder. Similarly when that is exhausted the water in H rises
still further and brings into operation a third carbide holder connected to m³ and
I may so arrange any number of pipes in the regulating chamber H that a similar
number of carbide holders may be brought into action in succession or all together
as may be required. From the reservoir A a pipe s¹ is carried up in lieu of a safety
valve and a similar pipe is carried to about the same height from the bottom of
the exterior casing A. The mineral oil chamber C¹, I use when it is desired to
restrict the rapid production of gas by having a layer of oil floating on the top of
the water to prevent its contact with the carbide, the pipe u admitting the oil
while the pipe v¹ collects it as the carbide holder becomes exhausted, however any
other suitable substance such as glucose, linseed oil or treacle may be used to retard
the production of gas.
On Figure 7 of the drawings a complete acetylene gas production plant as applied
to an ordinary household lamp is shown in sectional elevation. The main features
are similar to the last modification and consist of an upper water reservoir A, lower
reservoir E, carbide holder A1, external casings A3, A', and the necessary connecting
pipes and valves all constructed and operated as follows:-Water is admitted into
the upper reservoir A through the valve ³, it then passes down the pipe y through
the cock and pipe y' into the bottom reservoir E and finally filling it up reaches the
perforations in the regulating pipe m² and overflows into the casing o² rising
up and flowing through the openings o³ down between the outer tube o and the
tube 02 on to and through the grids o' finally filling up the exterior and bottom
casing A³ and attacking the carbide in the holder A through the grids o' and thus
starting the generation of gas. The air displaced from the reservoir E by water
passes up the pipe y² into the larger containing pipe K¹ upon which the reservoir A

page_text: is fixed, and finally passing up the pipe 3 makes its exit through the supply gas
cock K2 of the lamp. The gas generated in the carbide holder passes up the pipe y
into the larger pipe K' and from there through the pipe y³ and gas cock K2 to the
burner, and it also fills up the pipe y2 exerting pressure on the surface of the water
in the regulating chamber H while pressure is also being exerted upon the surface
of the water in A immediately underneath the grids o¹, so that if the pressure of
gas exceeds that due to the head of water in the reservoir A the supply through
the holes is stopped, and that already in contact at the grids o' is driven in the
direction of the arrows up and round into the exterior casing A thus regulating the
pressure and supply of gas. If the cock should be shut and an excessive pressure
of gas take place accidentally, the water in the lowest reservoir E would be blown
up the pipe y1 and through the bye-pass pipe y' back into the upper reservoir A.
A device to regulate the air pressure in the upper part of the casing A' such as the
ball x may be employed.
I may also construct the cover with a bayonet joint, so that upon rotation I
may pull the surface of the grids o¹ out of contact with the water by raising it
vertically a short distance.
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 the production of acetylene gas by the action of water upon calcium
carbide, the regulation of generation by the pressure of the generated gas causing
the level of the water from which the supply is taken to be depressed past the
inlet or inlets to the generator substantially as described.
2. In acetylene gas generators in which the generation of gas is regulated by
pressure upon a column of water in communication with the water reservoir, a
regulating chamber into which the extremities of the water supply pipes of each of
the generators or holders constituting the plant project to varying degrees so that
as the water level rises owing to depressed pressure of gas the succeeding generator
or holder may be set in operation substantially as described.
3. In acetylene gas generators in which the generation of gas is regulated by
pressure upon a column of water in communication with the water reservoir, the
provision of a return bye-pass pipe from a carbide holder to the water reservoir so
that in event of excessive pressure being attained even after the water supply is cut
off the remaining water is returned to the top of the water reservoir substantially as
described.
4. In an acetylene gas generator means for effecting the regulation of gas
generation substantially as described with reference to Figure 2, and also with
reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
D
11
י
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and.
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.