Improvements in Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
[Communicated from abroad by VICTOR ITALO COMUCCI of San Giovanni di Val
D'Arno in the Kingdom of Italy Doctor of Philosophy.]
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene
Gas.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and. 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present application for Letters Patent has for its object an apparatus for
generating acetylene gas. The apparatus is composed of two principal parts,
namely, of the generator and of the gas holder relating thereto.
The apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 shows the generator.
Figure 2 shows the gas holder connected therewith.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows the part known as the basket which receives the carbide and is
divided into four stages of which the three upper ones are formed funnel shaped
so that the carbide may come into contact with the water gradually.
Figure 5 represents the bucket in which the basket is placed.
The principal advantages possessed by the apparatus forming the subject of the
present application over all others known up to now consists
Firstly in that there is no perceptible smell neither from the generator which is
perfectly tightly closed, nor from the gas holder which is provided with a cover T
terminating in a tube for carrying off the gases which may be disengaged from
the water, and
Secondly that the apparatus requires no special care.
The generator, Figure 1 is composed of five distinct parts, namely, the con-
rainer A preferably of iron, coated with zine and varnished, strengthened by iron
bands; the bucket B of the basket C which carries the carbide; the cover or lid D;
and finally the tripod E. The container A is provided with a gauge glass i in
which is placed a black ball j for the purpose of indicating more distinctly the
level of the water. Two tubes both controlled by a single cock R place the upper
part of the gas holder in communication with the lower part of the same. The
gas holder is also composed of two containers M N the one of which is super-
imposed upon the other, the lower container N resting upon a cast iron support F
from which proceed four small columns which serve to support the two containers,
and which are at the same time guides for the upper container destined to receive
the supply of feed water, which it its turn is devised to exercise a certain
compensating pressure upon the gas.
A float P is connected to a contact lever articulated at point e which serves

page_text: to indicate by means of an electric bell when the level of the water sinks to its
lowest point. The bottom of the upper container M terminates in a funnel of
which the long tube a passes into the lower container N through the aperture b
almost down to the bottom thereof. As already stated the generator communicates
with the gas holder by means of two small tubes which tubes are in their turn
connected to two wormis h q. The coils of the worm q are placed for the most part
below the point of junction S and terminate in a free aperture a placed
above the said point S, whereas the other coil devised for the conduction of the
gas mounts regularly upwards so as to deliver the gas, by means of the aperture a
turned downwards into the upper end of the container, the shape of which is that
of a funnel reversed, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. A small
tube provided with a flange and capable of being prolonged as required, possesses
a tap which places in communication the upper part of the lower container N
with the lower part of the upper container M or with a coil placed in the upper
container which by means of pipes connected to g conducts the gas directly to the
burners or to another gas holder as may be required.
The upper container is the real water reservoir and on this account it is provided
with a gauge glass with a cover T for the emission of the gas in case of need as
already stated. The generator A as already described is provided with a tight
cover firmly secured with four screws so as to prevent escapes of gas. The her
metical closing is secured by means of an indíarubber washer inserted between
the upper edge of the outer container A and the flange or rim of the cover, D
itself.
In order to set the apparatus at work there is first placed in the container A
the bucket with its basket C charged with a fixed quantity of carbide correspond-
ing to the volume of gas which is required. There is then supplied to the
container M a quantity of water sufficient to completely fill the lower container N,
care being taken to leave the cock of the pipe t open in order that the air may be
completely displaced from the lower container, after which the cock is closed and
still more water is added so as to have an excess in N.
When this has been done there is added by means of a gauged bucket a quantity
of water corresponding to the capacity of the generator A. In order to develope
the gas it is only requisite to open the cock R, the water then penetrates into the
generator by the two tubes, descends into the annular space between the bucket
and the container and passing through the holes in the bottom of the bucket it
immediately reacts upon the flat or lowest stage of the basket causing an
immediate evolution of gas, the which, in consequence of the great resulting
pressure drives out on the one hand the water from the coil h and passes at a into
the upper part of the receiver M and prevents on the other hand in consequence
of the said pressure, any further quantity of water from descending by the lower
tube and coming into contact with the carbide. From this it results that the
introduction of water into the generator thus automatically regulates itself, so
that it proceeds in proportion to the diminution of the pressure of the gas, until
the carbide is completely exhausted. This exhaustion is communicated by the
electric hell as well as by the two gauge glasses . It is obvious that at the
moment when the gas commences to develope and the water of the reservoir N.is
driven back by means of the outlet into the container M, it will be necessary
also to arrange the cock to avoid the excess of pressure in N, and consequently
escapes of gas through the quantity of water contained in M. When the charge
of carbide is exhausted the discharge cock It is closed and the cock o is opened.
The cover is then removed and a new charge is prepared, there being added at
the same time by means of the graduated bucket a fresh quantity of water in the
container M. In consequence of this fresh addition of water the float will return
to its first position and the apparatus will be again ready to act. To prevent any
escape of gas at the point where the end of the funnel of the container M is in-
serted into the aperture 6 this latter is provided with a connecting screw acting
as a compressing device, which by pressing upon a washer of indiarubber hold's

page_text: tightly against the end of the funnel and consequently effects an air tight coup-
ling. In practice it may occur that the gas has a certain pressure more than
usual, in this case it is only necessary to unscrew the little tube above and to
attach the prolonging piece which will increase the column of water and the
corresponding pressure. A similar prolongation is adaptable to the outlet z of
the funnel but this may conveniently be of rubber.
The apparatus which forms the subject of the present invention may be made
of various dimensions according to the number of burners supplied and the time
during which the same are required to be alight. The inventor also reserves
the right of introducing in the details of the apparatus any modifications found to
be desirable therein.
Duted this 18th day of Santambon 1906
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene
Gas.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil 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:-
The present application for Letters Patent has for its object an apparatus for
generating acetylene gas. The apparatus is composed of two principal parts,
namely, of the generator and of the gas holder relating thereto.
The apparatus is illustrated in the drawings filed with the Provisional Specifi-
cation in which :-
Figure 1 shows the generator."
Figure 2 shows the gas holder connected therewith.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows the part known as the basket which receives the carbide and is
divided into four stages of which the three upper ones are formed funnel shaped
so that the carbide may come into contact with the water gradually.
Figure 5 represents the bucket in which the basket is placed.
The principal advantages possessed by the apparatus forming the subject of the
present application over all others known up to now consists
Firstly in that there is no perceptible smell neither from the generator which is
perfectly lightly closed, nor from the gas holder which is provided with a cover T
terminating in a tube for carrying off the gases which may be disengaged from
the water, and
Secondly that the apparatus requires no special care.
The generator, Figure 1 is composed of five distinct parts, namely, the con-
tainer A preferably of iron, coated with zinc and varnished, strengthened by iron
bands; the bucket B of the basket C which carries the carbide; the cover or lid D;
and finally the tripod E. The container A is provided with a gauge glass i in.
which is placed a black ball for the purpose of indicating more distinctly the
level of the water. Two tubes both controlled by a single cock R place the upper
T

page_text: part of the gas holder in communication with the lower part of the same. The
gas holder is also composed of two containers M N the one of which is super-
imposed upon the other, the lower container N resting upon a cast iron support F
from which proceed four small columns which serve to support the two containers,
and which are at the same time guides for the upper container destined to receive
the supply of feed water, which in its turn is devised to exercise a certain
compensating pressure upon the gas.
A float P is connected to a contact lever articulated at point e which serves
to indicate by means of an electric bell when the level of the water sinks to its
lowest point. The bottom of the upper container M terminates in a funnel of
which the long tube z passes into the lower container N through the aperture 6
almost down to the bottom thereof. As already stated the generator communicates
with the gas holder by means of two small tubes which tubes are in their turn
connected to two worms g. The coils of the worm 7 are placed for the most part
below the point of junction S and terminate in a free aperture a placed a little
above the said point S, whereas the other coil & devised for the conduction of the
gas mounts regularly upwards so as to deliver the gas, by means of the aperture al
furned downwards into the upper end of the container, the shape of which is that
of a funnel reversed as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. A small
tube provided with a flange and capable of being prolonged as required, possesses
a tap which places in communication the upper part of the lower container N
with the lower part of the upper container M or with a coil placed in the upper
container which by means of pipes connected to conducts the gas directly to the
burners or to another gas holder as may be required.
T
The upper container is the real water reservoir and on this account it is provided
with a gauge glass with a cover T for the emission of the gas in case of need as
already stated. The generator A as already described is provided with a tight
cover firmly secured with four screws so as to prevent escapes of gas. The her-
metical closing is secured by means of an indiarubber washer inserted between
the upper edge of the outer container A and the flange or rim of the cover D
itself.
In order to set the apparatus at work there is first placed in the container A
the bucket with its basket C charged with a fixed quantity of carbide correspond-
ing to the volume of gas which is required. There is then supplied to the
container M a quantity of water sufficient to completely fill the lower container N,
care being taken to leave the cock of the pipe open in order that the air may be
completely displaced from the lower container, after which the cock is closed and
still more water is added so as to have an excess in N.
When this has been done there is added by means of a gauge bucket a quantity
of water corresponding to the capacity of the generator A. In order to develope
the gas it is only requisite to open the cock R, the water then penetrates into the
generator by the two tubes, descends into the annular space between the bucket
and the container and passing through the holes in the bottom of the bucket it
immediately reacts upon the flat or lowest stage of the hasket causing an
immediate evolution of gas, the which, in consequence of the great resulting
pressure drives out on the one hand the water from the coil h and passes at a into
the upper part of the receiver M and prevents on the other hand in consequence
of the said pressure, any further quantity of water from descending by the lower
tube and coming into contact with the carbide. From this it results that the
introduction of water into the generator thus automatically regulates itself, so
that it proceeds in proportion to the diminution of the pressure of the gas, until
the carbide is completely exhausted. This exhaustion is indicated by the
electric bell as well as by the two gauge glasses . It is obvious that at the
moment when the gas commences to develope and the water of the reservoir N is
driven back by means of the outlet into the container M, it will be necessary
also to arrange the cock to avoid the excess of pressure in N, and consequently
escapes of gas through the quantity of water contained in M. When the charge

page_text: of carbide is exhausted the discharge cock R is closed and the cock o is opened.
The cover is then removed and a new charge is prepared, there being added at
the same time by means of the graduated bucket a fresh quantity of water in the
container M. In consequence of this fresh addition of water the float will return
to its first position and the apparatus will be again ready to act. To prevent any
escape of gas at the point where the end of the funnel of the container M is in-
serted into the aperture 6 this latter is provided with a connecting screw acting
as a compressing device, which by pressing upon a washer of indiarubber holds
tightly against the end of the funnel and consequently effects an air tight coup-
ling. In practice it may occur that the gas has a certain pressure more than
usual, in this case it is only necessary to unscrew the little tube t above and to
attach the prolonging piece which will increase the column of water and the
corresponding pressure. A similar prolongation is adaptable to the outlet of
the funnel but this may conveniently be of rubber.
The apparatus which forms the subject of the present invention may be made
of various dimensions according to the number of burners supplied and the time
during which the same are required to be alight. The inventor also reserves
the right of introducing in the details of the apparatus any modifications found to
be desirable therein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. An apparatus for the production of acetylene gas consisting essentially of a
generator (Figure 1) connected by a suitable tube to a gas holder (Figure 2)
formed of two receivers, the one placed above the other, the upper receiver being
provided with a float connected to an electric bell and provided with a cover in
which the bubbles of gas accumulate which may traverse the water, and terminates
in a tube communicating with the outer atmosphere substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings..
2. In the apparatus claimed in Claim 1 the method of hermetically closing
characterised by the use of an indiarubber ring and pressure screws on the
generator, substantially as hereinhefore described and shown.
3. In a generator A claimed in Claim 1 the arrangement, the basket, the bucket
and the gauge provided with a black ball substantially as herein before described
and shown.
4. In a gas holder such as claimed in Claim 1 the arrangement of the coils in
the lower and upper receivers and the method of air tight junction of the said
receivers in such a manner as to prevent escape of gas substantially as above
described.
5. In the apparatus claimed in Claim 1 the method of connection between the
generator and the gas holder and between the receivers of the gas holder M N,
so that these latter can be raised or lowered by adding other tubes substantially
as hereinbefore described and shown.
6. In a gas holder such as claimed in Claim 1 the cover T provided with a
tube for the escape of surplus or dangerous gas substantially as above described
and shown.
7. In the apparatus set forth in Claim 1 the supports of the gas holder with the
columns and guides for the upper container M all substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this
T
100%
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.