Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation of Acetylene Gas.
I, SIR HOWARD GRUBB, Knight, of Rathmines, in the County of Dublin, Ireland,
Manufacturer of Astronomical Instruments, do hereby declare the nature of the
invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to apparatus for generating acetylene gas which I so con-
struct as to cause the generation to be automatically regulated.
According to my invention I connect a generator having baskets or compart-
ments to be filled with carbide of calcium or the like to a water supply such as an
elevated tank or cistern and preferably in such manner that the water will naturally
flow on to or into contact with the calcium carbide. The generator may either be
inside or outside of an enclosed tank or container with water therein and intended
to contain the gas evolved but at any rate in connection therewith in such manner
that as the volume of gas in the container increases water is displaced from the
container which is forced up by a pipe to the water supply tank, and as the level
of the water in the container is lowered the level of the water in the generator is
also lowered. Or there may be a separate water tank or cistern for supplying the
generator, the water from which is caused to flow into the generator, but on the
volume of the gas increasing in the generator the said water is forced out so as
to leave the generator comparatively dry. Or the tank last described may be
merely a tank for the waste water the supply or the principal part thereof coming
from the container or from the elevated tank so that normally the levels of the
water in the container and that in the generator will be equal. It is evident that
cocks or valves in the various pipes must be inserted where necessary 1or opening
and closing communication between the various parts and further there may be
a safety tube between the generator and the container to prevent undue pressure
in the generator if a valve or valves were accidentally closed.
The generator if outside of the container is conveniently provided with a water
jacket, and for domestic purposes or where unskilled labour is employed the various
valves for shutting off the water inlet the gas outlet and the pipe to the waste
tank if there be one and the valve for opening of a draining device may be operated
automatically by the removal of the cover of the generator when it is necessary
to recharge. The valves are preferably operated by springs to keep them off or on
their seats, as the case may be, but they may also be operated in any other
convenient manner.

page_text: The Generation of Acetylene Gas.
I, SIR HOWARD GRUBB, Knight, of Rathmines, in the County of Dublin, Ireland,
Manufacturer of Astronomical Instruments, 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 generating acetylene gas which I so con-
struct as to cause the generation to be automatically regulated.
According to my invention I connect a generator having baskets or compart-
ments to be filled with carbide of calcium or the like to a water supply such as an
elevated tank or cistern and preferably in such manner that the water will naturally
flow on to or into contact with the calcium carbide. The generator may either be
inside or outside of an enclosed tank or container with water therein and intended
to contain the gas evolved but at any rate in connection therewith in such manner
that as the volume of gas in the container increases water is displaced from the
container which is forced up by a pipe to the water supply tank, and as the level
of the water in the container is lowered, the level of the water in the generator is
also lowered. Or there may be a separate water tank or cistern for supplying the
generator, the water from which is caused to flow into the generator, but, on the
volume of the gas increasing in the generator the said water is forced out so as
to leave the generator comparatively dry. Or the tank last described may be
merely a tank for the waste water the supply or the principal part thereof coming
from the container or from the elevated tank so that normally the levels of the
water in the container and that in the generator will be equal. It is evident that
cocks or valves in the various pipes must be inserted where necessary for opening
and closing communication between the various parts and further there may be
a safety tube between the generator and the container to prevent undue pressure
in the generator if the valve or valves were accidentally closed.
The generator if outside of the container is conveniently provided with a water
jacket, and for domestic purposes or where unskilled labour is employed the various
valves for shutting off the water inlet, the gas outlet, and the pipe to the waste
tank, if there be one, and the valve for opening a draining device may be operated
automatically by the removal of the cover of the generator when it is necessary
to recharge. The valves are preferably operated by springs to keep them off or on
their seats, as the case may be, but they may also be operated in any other
convenient manner.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic view of my apparatus
for generating acetylene gas and
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are diagrammatie views of modified constructions of apparatus.
Figure 5 represents in sectional elevation a generator constructed according to
my invention.
Figure 6 is a similar view of a modified construction of generator and
Figure 7 is a plan section on the line XY Figure 6.
According to my invention I connect as shewn in Figure 1, a generator A having
a basket or compartment A¹ or baskets or compartments to be filled with carbide
of calcium or the like to an enclosed container L in such manner that the water
will naturally flow from an elevated tank K by way of the container L and by
means of the pipe connection C on to the calcium carbide, which pipe C
is situated at the normal level of the water in the container and
connects to the bottom of the generator. The pipe C is further pro-
vided with a valve C₁ for shutting off the supply of water when required. The
generator may be outside of the container L as shown or it may be inside the same

page_text: but at any rate it is arranged in such manner that as the volume of gas passing
into the container L increases, water is displaced from the container which water
is forced up by a pipe L' to the elevated water tank K, and as the level of the
water in the container is lowered, the level of the water in the generator is also
lowered until as shewn it is practically drained of water. The gas pipe D is
preferably provided with a valve D' for shutting off the generator from the container L
when required. Further there may be a safety tube L² between the generator A
and the container L to prevent undue pressure in the generator if a valve or valves
were accidentally closed.
i
The modification shewn in Figure 2 only differs from the construction just
described in that water is supplied to the generator A direct from the elevated
tank K by means of a pipe C having a valve C¹.
The modified construction shewn in Figure 3 only differs from that shewn in
Figure 1 in that water does not enter the generator A at the bottom but higher up
at the normal level of the water in the container L. Further the bottom of the
generator is connected by an inverted syphon E¹ to an independent tank E² which
is placed at such a height that when the pressure in the container L and generator A
is at its minimum the level of the water in the tube E¹ will be below the carbide
basket and when it is at its maximum the level of the water will be somewhere
lower down in the tube E¹ but never sufficient to blow through any gas under
ordinary circumstances. In this construction the water enters at the top of the
carbide basket A¹, filters through it and if there be any surplus it is discharged by
the tube E' into the waste water tank E².
Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that the generator is provided with a
pipe E' and a waste water tank E² as just described. The water supply pipe C is
for the purpose of regulation surmounted by a perforated conical tube C4 with an
increasing number of holes towards the top in order that when the level of the
water comes nearly to the normal, a less quantity of water will be supplied whereas
in the beginning of the operation a large quantity is supplied as a large quantity
of gas is required. The generator A is provided with a water jacket and this
water jacket is kept supplied with water by for instance the pipes F1 and F2 which
permit of the circulation of the water.
Referring to Figure 5 which clearly shows the construction of the generator A,
just above referred to, the latter contains a basket A¹ in which the calcium
carbide is contained and it is also provided with a lid or cover B capable of being
hermetically closed for instance by means of a screw B₁ working in a nut A³ in
a bridle A³ pivotted hinged or otherwise attached to the body of the generator.
The joint between the cover and the body of the generator is suitably made by
means of a packing ring B2. There are in the generator two conduits or con-
nections near the top, the conduit C being for the inlet of water and the
conduit D is for the exit of the gas evolved in the generator. The conduit C is
provided with a valve C¹ which is normally held open, the cover B pressing on
the shank C against the pressure of the spring C³. The conduit D is similarly
provided with a valve D' which is normally held open by the cover B pressing
on the shank 13 against the pressure of the spring 13. Water preferably passes
into the basket A by way of the passage or space B4, in the cover which space
for example extends all over the top of the generator except where the gas is to
pass off by the passage B5. The water may if desired be subdivided when it
reaches the carbide in the basket and I have shown for example, a plate B6
perforated for the greater part to cover the whole of the space B' with a hole
under the passage B5 and the pin B' divides the space B and channel
passage B³ thus preventing any rush of water at the start into the gas passage B5.
The cover B may also suitably operate the opening of another valve E which by
a pipe E suitably bent into the form of an inverted syphon communicates with
a waste water tank and this valve is also opened against the pressure exerted by
the spring Ea. The valve E is shown as being provided with a long stem E³
suitably guided and always in contact with the cover B when the latter is in
or

page_text: position. If the generator is not intended to be put bodily into a tank of water
it is made with a water jacket F having inlet F and outlet F2. If desired the
cover B also operates to close a valve G in the bottom of the generator, but when
the cover is removed the stem G of the valve is allowed to rise by means of the
spring G. The stem is made telescopic and is provided with another spring G³
to obviate the necessity of making the length of the valve stem microscopically
correct while it also allows for wear. This valve G is connected with a drain
pipe G whereby any water in the generator drains off when the cover is removed
while a fresh basket of carbide is being put in.
It is evident that any method of regulating the supply of water to this generator
may be employed.
In using this generator it is impossible for anybody to open or close any
particular valve at the wrong time. Assuming for instance that the water supply
pipe C of the apparatus is attached to the water space of a gas holder, the water
in the latter will as long as it is above the normal level enter from the space B
and trickle in through the perforated plate 136 on to the carbide of calcium. By
regulating the supply of water nearly all of this will enter into combination
with the carbide and there will be very little passing right through and escaping
by the pipe E¹ to the waste water tank.
In the simpler construction of generator shown in Figures 6 and 7, the
generator A for containing the basket for holding the carbide, is mounted in a
water tank I which also serves as a water jacket. The generator is provided
with a lid or cover B capable of being hermetically closed for instance by means
of a bail B8 having handles B B" said bail being pivotted in the middle to the
cover and near each end taking into lateral notches in lugs B10 fixed to the top
of the generator A and tank I. The joint between the cover and the body of
the generator A is suitably made by means of a packing ring B. There are in the
lower part of the generator two valves the valve C being for the inlet of the water
and the valve G for permitting of the drainage of the water from the generator
when the cover B is removed. The valve C¹ pushed off its seat by the cover B
coming into contact with the valve spindle C when the cover is in position
against the action of the spring C3. The valve G, when the cover is in position
is pushed on to its seat at the top of the draining pipe G4 by means of the
spring G fixed to the underside of the cover which presses against the valve
stem G and the spring G2 serves to lift the valve off its seat when the cover is
removed thus allowing the water to drain away by the pipe G which passes out
through the bottom of the tank I. The spindle 2 works in a tube C and the
spindle G¹ in a tube G5.
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-
ד.
1. Apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas consisting of a water tank K,.
a container L communicating with the said water tank by a pipe L', a generator A
connected at the bottom to the container at the normal level of the water and
at or near the top for the supply of gas to the container substantially as described
and shown with reference to Figure 1.
2. Apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas consisting of a water tank K
a container L communicating with the said water tank by a pipe L' a generator A
below the level of the water tank but connected at or near its bottom by a pipe
to the water tank and by another connection near its top to the container sub-
stantially as described and shown with reference to Figure 2.
3. In combination with apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas the
employment of a waste water tank E2 in connection with the generator sub-
stantially as described and shown.
4. Apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas consisting of a water tank K,
a container L connected by a pipe L¹ to said water tank a generator A connected at

page_text: the normal level of the water with the container and near the top for the supply of
gas to the container, and a waste water tank E connected with the generator by
a pipe E substantially as described and shown with reference to Figure 3.
5. Apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas consisting of a water tank K,
a container L connected by a pipe L' to the said water tank, a generator A provided
with a water jacket connected to the water space of the said container said generator
being connected at the normal level of the water with the container and near the
top for the supply of gas to the container and a waste water tank E2 connected
with the generator by a pipe E' substantially as described and shown with reference
to Figure 4.
6. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket, a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator, an opening for the exit of gas and a cover, said valve
being operated automatically when the cover of the generator is put on and taken
off substantially as set forth.
7. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket, a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator, a valve for opening and closing the exit of gas evolved
and a cover, both valves being operated automatically when the cover of the
generator is put on and taken off substantially as set forth.
8. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket, a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator, a valve for opening and closing the exit for the waste
water, an opening for the exit of gas evolved and a cover, both valves being
operated automatically when the cover of the generator is put on and taken
off substantially as set forth.
9. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator, a valve for opening and closing the exit for the waste
water, a valve for opening and closing the exit of gas evolved and a cover, all three
valves being operated automatically when the cover of the generator is put on and
taken off substantially as set forth.
10. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket, a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator a valve for opening and closing the exit of gas evolved,
a valve for opening and closing the exit for the waste water, a, valve for closing
and opening the exit for draining the water left in the generator during recharging
and a cover, all four valves being operated automatically when the cover of the
generator is put on and taken off substantially as set forth.
11. A generator for acetylene gas consisting of an enclosed chamber with or
without a water jacket, a valve for opening and closing the water supply to the
interior of the generator, a gas outlet, a valve for closing and opening the exit
for draining the water left in the generator during the recharging and a cover, both
said valves being operated automatically when the cover of the generator is put
on and taken off substantially as set forth.
12. In a generator for acetylene gas, a cover provided with a spring for making
contact with and operating a draining valve substantially as set forth.
Dated this Thirtieth day of August 1898
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.