IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUfacture OF GAS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Colson, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUfacture
OF GAS"
Sealed the 18th December 1877, and dated the 22nd June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Colson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1877.
ALFRED COLSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus, whereby greater
convenience in working, an increased yield of gas, a saving of wear and tear in
retorts (through the reduced deposition of carbon thereon, and the diminished liability
to the choking of. the ascension pipes) than is attained by the apparatus as at
present ordinarily employed.
The Invention consists of inserting in the usual socket attached to the retort
mouth-pieces, or at a convenient distance therefrom, so as to be within reach of the
workmen, a short spigot-and-socket piece, like a very short pipe, the spigot of the
latter going into the socket of the former, and the socket of the latter receiving
the common ascension pipe; or it may consist of a double flange piece, the lower
flange to be secured to the flange of the mouth-piece, and the upper flange to the
flange of the ascension pipe. In the space between the two sockets or flanges is
fitted a throttle valve supported by a spindle, which rests in a suitable bearing on
one side of the pipe, and passes through a stuffing box fixed to the other or opposite
side. At or near the extremity of the exterior end of the spindle is fixed a lever
with a handle at one end, and a bal! or weight at the other; and on the upper
socket or flange is cast a stud or stop. When the retort is charged, and the mouth-
piece closed, the lever is placed in an upright or nearly upright position, the valve
being then open, and a free way allowed for the gas to pass from the retort to the
ascension pipe; but as soon as it is necessary to draw the charge the workman will
change the position of the lever to a horizontal or nearly horizontal direction, when

page_text: the valve will be closed, and all communication between the retort and ascension
pipe will be cut off.
The introduction of a throttle valve is not new, but the arrangement and the
placing of it in the position above described, where it is more easily accessible and
likely to effect the objects in view, is new.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Colson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th December
1877.
ALFRED COLSON, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus, whereby greater
convenience. in working, an increased yield of gas, a saving of wear and tear in
retorts through the reduced deposition of carbon thereon, and the diminished liability
to the choking of ascension pipes than is attained by the apparatus as at present
ordinarily employed.
The Invention consists of inserting in the usual socket attached to the retort
mouth-pieces, or at a convenient distance therefrom, so as to be within reach of
the workmen, a short spigot-and-socket piece, like a very short pipe, the spigot of
the latter going into the socket of the former, and the socket of the latter receiving
the common ascension pipe; or it may consist of a double flange piece, the lower
flange to be secured to the flange of the mouth-piece, and the upper flange to the
flange of the ascension pipe. In the space between the two sockets or flanges is
fitted a throttle valve supported by a spindle, which rests in a suitable bearing on
one side of the pipe, and passes through a stuffing box fixed to the other or opposite
side. At or near the extremity of the exterior end of the spindle is fixed a lever
with a handle at one end, and a ball or weight at the other, and on the upper
socket or flange is cast a stud or stop. When the retort is charged, and the
mouth-piece closed, the lever is placed in an upright or nearly upright position, the
valve being then open, and a free way allowed for the gas to pass from the retort
to the ascension pipe; but as soon as it is necessary to draw the charge the work-
man will change the position of the lever to a horizontal or nearly horizontal
direction, when the valve will be closed, and all communication between the retort
and ascension pipe will be cut off.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto, of which the following is a description:-Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a
retort mouth-piece, between which and the ascension pipe the spigot-and-socket
piece containing the valve is placed; Fig. 2 is a section of this piece, and Fig. 3
is a front elevation of the same arrangement when a double-flanged piece is used.
In Fig. 1 A is the retort mouth-piece; B, the socket into which the spigot of
the spigot-and-socket piece C is fixed; and D, the socket for the reception of the
spigot end of the ascension pipe; E is the lever, by the handle F of which the
valve shown in dotted lines is opened or closed, G being a ball or weight attached
to the lever to ensure the complete closing of the valve.
In Fig. 2 the valve H is shown open, and supported by a spindle I, one end of
which rests in a recess J, while the other passes through a gland and stuffing box,

page_text: the extremity being keyed to the lever E; K is a projection against which the
lever E strikes and rests when the valve is opened, so as to prevent its being closed
by falling in the opposite direction.
In Fig. 3 L is a double-flanged piece in lieu of the spigot-and-socket piece; and
M, the lower part of the ascension pipe.
The introduction of a throttle valve is not new, but the arrangement and the
placing of it in the position above described, where it is more easily accessible and
likely to effect the objects in view, is new.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements which I have described or referred to, as variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention ;
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the construc-
tion of a spigot and socket or double-flanged piece having a throttle valve fitted
therein, and arranged as herein described, and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Colson, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
ALFRED COLSON. (L.S.)