IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARBURETED AIR FOR LIGHTING, HEATING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: $$
LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co., Patent Agents Southampton Buildings London for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARBURETED AIR
FOR LIGHTING, HEATING AND OTHER PURPOSES Communicated to him
from abroad by Jules Blondel, Junior, of Neuville-Vitasse, France
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th January 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF CARBURETED AIR FOR LIGHTING, HEATING AND OTHER PURPOSES "
[A communication to him from abroad by Jules Blondel, Junior, of Neuville-
Vitasse, France]
This Invention relates to apparatus for carbureting air for heating or lighting
purposes or for the production of motive power; the gas thus obtained is composed
simply of hydro carbureted vapors and is similar to coal gas in its clearness and
purity, and can be advantageously and economically employed as a substituto
therefor especially in places situated at a distance from cities or towns.
The improved apparatus hereinafter described, permits the automatic and
constant production of illuminating and combustible gas under peculiarly advan-
tageous conditions, the chief of which are hereinafter enumerated. The apparatus
is always ready to furnish the necessary supply of gas; it is put in operation
automatically when the gas is lighted or when the carbureted air is allowed to
escape from the apparatus in order to be employed in any manner, and is stopped
automatically when the gas is extinguished at the burners or the use of the gas
produced is discontinued; the apparatus can, therefore, always be left under pressure
provided there is no leakage in the pipes
By reason of its simplicity and the smallness both of the net cost of the gas and
of the expense of installation of the apparatus this gas will be of iminense service
to various industries, to commerce, and even to private individuals who will find
its application for heating and lighting purposes easy, inexpensive and offering
every security. It can be used on railways, especially for Suburban Stations, and
even for passenger trains and will be found to effect great economy as compared
with other modes of lighting.
The means which I employ for bringing the atmospheric air into the carburetor
proper comprise two air bells or holders of a capacity variable according to the
quantity of gas to be supplied and which alternately force air under pressure into
[Price di

page_text: a carburetor hereinafter described. One of these air-holders descends to force air
into the carburetor, a cock on the upper part of the bell and connected to a pipe
being opened; when the said holder reaches the end of its stroke a similar cock is
opened to allow the other holder to descend in its turn, and the first holder is again
raised to refill it with atmospheric air; for this purpose a weight is raised by
suitable tackle and hooked onto the counter-weight of the said air-holder, after
having closed the first named cock and opened another cock on the top of the
holder; when the said holder arrives at its highest point, the latter cock is closed
and the said weight is detached, the other cock being again opened; the same
operation is performed with the second holder. A regular and continuous working
is thus obtained
In constructing the apparatus for the supply of air, I provide basins or receptacles
of masonry which are filled with water and in which the said air-holders are
immersed. The said tackle and the counterweights and the holders are suspended
from a suitable frame work, upon which the carburetor is placed. Pipes or tubes
of india-rubber connect the said air-holders with the carburetor, which is provided
with an outlet pipe for the gas and a cock for emptying the carburetor. I also
provide a reservoir for the hydro-carbon liquid
The same result can be obtained in a more simple manner by the employment of
a blowing or ventilating apparatus capable of supplying air at the pressure necessary
to introduce it into the carbureting apparatus.
I employ by preference an arrangement of apparatus comprising a receptacle for
water in which is immersed a kind of bucket-wheel formed of four or more sections
provided with peripheral and interior apertures, arranged in such a manner that at
every turn of the wheel, each of the buckets is filled with air at the moment when the
peripheral aperture rises above the level of the liquid, and causes this air to enter
the evacuation pipe, passing out at the centre of the apparatus while forcing it
back by the interior apertures. The forcing back of the air being thus effected by
the successive immersion of the buckets in the liquid contained in a tank open at
its upper part, it establishes at two sides of the apparatus a lowering of the level of
the liquid which determines the pressure under which the air is forced back in the
evacuation pipe.
The air supplied by the said holders or by the blower, passes into a carburetor
where it is converted into gas by means of a special arrangement of which the
chief characteristic is the employment of a woollen or other cloth arranged spirally,
offering to the evaporation a surface kept constantly moist by cotton suction
devices and by the cloth itself dipping in the liquid which it absorbs by capillarity.
This carbureting apparatus is composed of a number of small carburetors placed
one above another and communicating with each other, the union of which forms
the entire carburetor. The number of these superposed carburetors may be varied.
In constructing this apparatus I provide a pipe for admitting liquid into the first
carburetor, pipes for permitting the flow of the liquid from one carburetor to
another, and a pipe for the admission of air. An aperture is formed to permit the
passage of air from the fourth carburetor into the third carburetor and a pipe for
permitting the passage of air from the third into the second carburetor, and also an
aperture for the passage of air from the second into the first carburetor. I provide
an outlet for the gas, a cock for regulating the level of the water, and a cock for
emptying the apparatus.
This carbureting apparatus is preferably supplied with benzine of a density 0.680.
For the proper working of the apparatus the liquid therein should be maintained
at the level of the said cock.
I can vary the form and dimensions of the improved carburetor and in certain
cases I can employ, instead of the means above described for the introduction of air
therein, an air-pump, a fan, or other suitable apparatus operated by a motor. And
I may employ suitable valves in place of the cocks above described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th July 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and C° Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
THE
PRODUCTION OF CARBURETED AIR FOR LIGHTING, HEATING, AND OTHER PURPOSES,"
a communication to me from abroad by Jules Blondel, jun., of Neuville-Vitasse,
France
This invention relates to apparatus for carbureting air for heating or lighting
purposes or for the production of motive power; the gas thus obtained is composed
simply of hydro-carbureted vapors and is similar to coal-gas in its clearness and
purity, and can be advantageously and economically employed as a substitute
therefor, especially in places where there is no gas supply.
gas
The improved apparatus hereinafter described, permits the automatic and constant
production of illuminating or combustible gas under peculiarly advantageous
conditions, as hereinafter described. The apparatus is always ready to furnish the
necessary supply of gas, it is put in operation automatically when the
is lighted
or when the carbureted air is allowed to escape from the apparatus in order to be
employed in any manner, and is stopped automatically when the gas is extinguished
at the burners or the use of the gas produced is discontinued; the apparatus is,
therefore, constantly ready for use provided there is no leakage in the pipes.
By reason of its simplicity and the smallness both of the cost of the gas and of
the expense of installation of the apparatus, this gas will be of immense service to
various industries, to commence, and even to private individuals, who will find its
application for heating and lighting purposes, easy, inexpensive and offering every
security. It can be used on railways, and will be found to effect great economy as
compared with other modes of lighting.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of apparatus constructed according to this
invention
Figure 2 is a view of a modification hereinafter described
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the carburetor, and
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the same
The apparatus which I employ for bringing the atmospheric air into the car-
buretor proper comprises two air holders A and B of a capacity which varies
according to the quantity of gas to be supplied, and which alternately force air
under pressure into a carburetor hereinafter described. As shewn in Figure 1, the
holder A descends in order to force air into the carburetor C, a cock 8 being
connected to a pipe and opened; when the said holder reaches the end of its course
the cock 8 is opened in order to allow the holder B to descend in its turn, and the
holder A again to rise to refill with atmospheric air; for this purpose the weight P
is raised by tackle M and hooked onto the counterweight p of the said holder A
after having first closed the cocks and opened the cock a. when the holder A
arrives at its highest point, the cock is closed and the weight P is detached,
cock 8 being again opened; the same operation is performed with the holder B. A
regular and continuous working is thus obtained.
the
In constructing the apparatus for the supply of air, I provide tanks or receptacles
FD of masonry which are filled with water and in which the said holders are
immersed and balanced by counter weights p p. The tackle M, the counter-
weights, and the holders are suspended from a suitable frame-work, upon which

page_text: the carburetor C is placed. Pipes or tubes ct, c' t¹ of india rubber or the like
connect the said holders with the carburetor, which is provided with an oulet pipe S
for the gas, a cock v for emptying the carburetor and a cock n which serves as a
gauge, I also provide a reservoir R for the hydro-carbon liquid.
Instead of using the air, holders hereinbefore described a blowing or ventilating
apparatus capable of supplying air at the pressure necessary to introduce it into
the carbureting apparatus may be employed.
I employ, by preference, an arrangement of apparatus shewn in figure 2, com-
prising a receptacle a for water in which is immersed a kind of bucket-wheel formed
of four or more hollow sections provided with peripheral apertures c, and interior
apertures d arranged in such a manner that, at every turn of the wheel, each of
the buckets b is filled with air at the moment when the peripheral aperture c rises
above the level n n of the liquid, and causes this air to enter the pipe e passing out
at the centre of the apparatus while forcing it back by the interior apertures d.
The forcing back of the air being thus effected by the successive immersion of the
buckets in the liquid contained in the tank a open at its upper part, it causes, at
two sides of the apparatus, a lowering of the level of the liquid which determines
the pressure under which the air is forced back in the pipe e.
The air supplied by the holders A and B or by the blower passes into a
carburetor C where it is converted into gas by means of a special arrangement of
which the chief characteristic is the employment of a woollen or other cloth
arranged spirally, offering to the evaporation a surface kept constantly moist by
means of cotton suction devices and by the cloth itself dipping in the liquid
which it absorbs by capillarity. This carbureting apparatus is composed of a
number of small carburetors placed one above another and communicating with
each other, the union of which forms the entire carburetor. The number of these
superposed carburetors may be varied.
In constructing the apparatus as shown in the drawing I provide four
carburetors A, B, D, E, connected together by pipes 6, 61, c, c¹ and d d' respectively,
so that the liquid which enters the carburetor A through the pipe a, a¹ should flow
to the other carburetors. A pipe is provided for the admission of air, into the
carburetor E from whence the said air passes through an aperture 00' to the
carburetor D thence through a pipe i, i to the carburetor B, and thence through
an aperture e el to the carburetor A. From the carburetor A the air which is
charged with the hydro-carbon vapor passes through a pipe S to be consumed.
This carbureting apparatus C is preferably supplied with benzine of a
density 0.680. For the proper working of the apparatus the liquid therein should
be maintained at the level of the cock n.
I may vary the form and dimensions of the improved carburetor, and in certain
cases I may employ, instead of the means above described for the introduction of
air therein, an air-pump, a fan, or other suitable apparatus operated by a motor.
And I may employ suitable valves in place of the cocks above described."
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that Claim.
The improved apparatus, hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying
drawing, for the production of the carbureted air for heating, lighting and other
purposes, the said apparatus being essentially characterized by the following
points, viz :-
First, The above described arrangement for the supply of air by the employment
of two equilibriated holders immersed in water and provided with flexible pipes
and suitable cocks or valves, the alternate movement of these two holders being
effected by means of an additional weight which is successively adapted thereto
in the manner and by the means above described.
Second. The above described blowing apparatus consisting of a kind of bucket-
. wheel partly immersed in a receiver full of water, and the buckets of which are
provided at their periphery and at their centre with apertures arranged as shewn

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th July 1883.
THE
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co Patent Agents,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
Southampton Buildings, London.
PRODUCTION OF CARBURETED AIR FOR LIGHTING, HEATING, AND OTHER PURPOSES,"
a communication to me from abroad by Jules Blondel, jun., of Neuville-Vitasse,
France
This invention relates to apparatus for carbureting air for heating or lighting
purposes or for the production of motive power; the gas thus obtained is composed
simply of hydro-carbureted vapors and is similar to coal-gas in its clearness and
purity, and can be advantageously and economically employed as a substitute
therefor, especially in places where there is no gas supply.
The improved apparatus hereinafter described, permits the automatic and constant
production of illuminating or combustible gas under peculiarly advantageous
conditions, as hereinafter described. The apparatus is always ready to furnish the
necessary supply of gas, it is put in operation automatically when the gas is lighted
or when the carbureted air is allowed to escape from the apparatus in order to be
employed in any manner, and is stopped automatically when the gas is extinguished
at the burners or the use of the gas produced is discontinued; the apparatus is,
therefore, constantly ready for use provided there is no leakage in the pipes.
By reason of its simplicity and the smallness both of the cost of the gas and of
the expense of installation of the apparatus, this gas will be of immense service to
various industries, to commence, and even to private individuals, who will find its
application for heating and lighting purposes, easy, inexpensive and offering every
security. It can be used on railways, and will be found to effect great economy as
compared with other modes of lighting.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of apparatus constructed according to this
invention
Figure 2 is a view of a modification hereinafter described
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the carburetor, and
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the same
The apparatus which I employ for bringing the atmospheric air into the car-
buretor proper comprises two air holders A and B of a capacity which varies
according to the quantity of gas to be supplied, and which alternately force air
under pressure into a carburetor hereinafter described. As shewn in Figure 1, the
holder A descends in order to force air into the carburetor C, a cock 8 being
connected to a pipe and opened; when the said holder reaches the end of its course
the cock & is opened in order to allow the holder B to descend in its turn, and the
holder A. again to rise to refill with atmospheric air; for this purpose the weight P
is raised by tackle M and hooked onto the counterweight p of the said holder A
after having first closed the cock 8 and opened the cock a. when the holder A
arrives at its highest point, the cock is closed and the weight P is detached, the
cock 8 being again opened; the same operation is performed with the holder B. A
regular and continuous working is thus obtained.
In constructing the apparatus for the supply of air, I provide tanks or receptacles
FD of masonry which are filled with water and in which the said holders are
immersed and balanced by counter weights p p¹. The tackle M, the counter-
.weights, and the holders are suspended from a suitable frame-work, upon which

page_text: the carburetor C is placed. Pipes or tubes ct, c¹¹ of india rubber or the like
connect the said holders with the carburetor, which is provided with an oulet pipe S
for the gas, a cock v for emptying the carburetor and a cock n which serves as a
gauge, I also provide a reservoir R for the hydro-carbon liquid.
Instead of using the air, holders hereinbefore described a blowing or ventilating
apparatus capable of supplying air at the pressure necessary to introduce it into
the carbureting apparatus may be employed.
I employ, by preference, an arrangement of apparatus shewn in figure 2, com-
prising a receptacle a for water in which is immersed a kind of bucket-wheel formed
of four or more hollow sections provided with peripheral apertures c, and interior
apertures d arranged in such a manner that, at every turn of the wheel, each of
the buckets b is filled with air at the moment when the peripheral aperture c rises
above the level n n of the liquid, and causes this air to enter the pipe e passing out
at the centre of the apparatus while forcing it back by the interior apertures d.
The forcing back of the air being thus effected by the successive immersion of the
buckets in the liquid contained in the tank a open at its upper part, it causes, at
two sides of the apparatus, a lowering of the level of the liquid which determines
the pressure under which the air is forced back in the pipe e.
The air supplied by the holders A and B or by the blower passes into a
carburetor C where it is converted into gas by means of a special arrangement of
which the chief characteristic is the employment of a woollen or other cloth
arranged spirally, offering to the evaporation a surface kept constantly moist by
means of cotton suction devices and by the cloth itself dipping in the liquid
which it absorbs by capillarity. This carbureting apparatus is composed of a
number of small carburetors placed one above another and communicating with
each other, the union of which forms the entire carburetor. The number of these
superposed carburetors may be varied.
In constructing the apparatus as shown in the drawing I provide four
carburetors A, B, D, E, connected together by pipes b, b¹, c, c¹ and d d' respectively,
so that the liquid which enters the carburetor A through the pipe a, a¹ should flow
to the other carburetors. A pipe his provided for the admission of air, into the
carburetor E from whence the said air passes through an aperture 0 0' to the
carburetor D thence through a pipe i, i to the carburetor B, and thence, through
an aperture e el to the carburetor A. From the carburetor A. the air which is
charged with the hydro-carbon vapor passes through a pipe S to be consumed.
This carbureting apparatus C is preferably supplied with benzine of a
density 0-680. For the proper working of the apparatus the liquid therein should
be maintained at the level of the cock n.
I may vary the form and dimensions of the improved carburetor, and in certain
cases may employ, instead of the means above described for the introduction of
air therein, an air-pump, a fan, or other suitable apparatus operated by a motor.
And I may employ suitable valves in place of the cocks above described.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I Claim.
The improved apparatus, hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying
drawing, for the production of the carbureted air for heating, lighting and other
purposes, the said apparatus being essentially characterized by the following
points, viz —
First, The above described arrangement for the supply of air by the employment
of two equilibriated holders immersed in water and provided with flexible pipes
and suitable cocks or valves, the alternate movement of these two holders being
effected by means of an additional weight which is successively adapted thereto
in the manner and by the means above described.
Second. The above described blowing apparatus consisting of a kind of bucket-
wheel partly immersed in a receiver full of water, and the buckets of which are
provided at their periphery and at their centre with apertures arranged as shewn

page_text: in the drawing so as to enclose, at each emersion of the bucket, a certain volume
of air which is evacuated through the outlet pipe placed in the centre of the
apparatus, when the said bucket dips into the liquid.
Third. The carburetor above described and comprising a number of superposed
receivers containing a certain quantity of volatile liquid and in which the air
enters under a pressure applied alternately to the centre and to the periphery, each
of the said receivers or elementary carburetors having a considerable evaporating
surface obtained by the employment of a woollen or other fabric twisted
vertically into the form of a spiral, the lower part of which dips into the liquid
which it continuously raises by reason of its capillarity, augmented, if desired, by
the addition of cotton wicks, substantially as described and shown in the
accompanying drawing.
In Witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty-fifth day of July in the year of Our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
TAKT