Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Generating, Storing, and Supplying Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Feb., 1898-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Generating, Storing,
and Supplying Acetylene Gas.
We, FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peter's Chambers, Bournemouth, in
the County of Hants, Solicitor, and WILLIAM HENRY MURCH, of 6, Spinner's End,
Cradley Heath, in the County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for use in generation or production, storage,
supply or application of gas known as acetylene, derived from carbide of calcium
or other carbide capable of yielding the gas by the action of water.
The main object of the said invention is to provide a simple, compact, safe and
reliable apparatus by the use of which acetylene gas can be produced in an
economical manner, automatically controlled, and supplied for illuminating pur-
poses in particular, under the most favourable conditions.
A simple form of apparatus according to our invention consists of a cylindrical
or other shaped vessel closed at one end and divided at about 1/3rd of its depth
by a diaphragm so that the upper part forms a cistern disposed immediately above
a displacement holder-by which latter is meant a compartment in which gas is
used to displace water which is conveyed by a syphon device to the cistern above
and can re-enter the displacement holder on drawing off the gas therefrom.
Outside the combined cistern and holder and at a suitable height is arranged a
generator in which is placed a liner or cage device for containing the material
(calcium carbide) from which the gas is produced.
The generator is preferably a cylindrical shaped vessel closed at one end with a
fixed, and at the other by a gas-tight removable cover. A small pipe attached
preferably to the lower end of an ordinary gauge-fitted to indicate by inspection
the contents connects the holder to the generator in such manner that on the
water in the holder rising above a certain level water passes through the pipes
and drips or pours upon the carbide in the generator. The gas thus evolved is
conveyed by a pipe preferably through a cooling device prior to its reaching the
point or points of consumption or into the holder. If more gas is generated than is
being consumed, the gas lowers the level of the water in the holder till the water
supply to the carbide and consequent generation of acetylene ceases. When gas is
drawn from the holder, the water rises till it reaches the level at which further
generation of gas takes place and then the water level automatically lowers thus
stopping any excessive production. The operation of the water rising or lowering
continuing as long as there is any life in the carbide.
Two or more generators may be fitted either in a vertical horizontal or inclined
position either on the exterior or disposed partly in the interior of an apparatus
and arranged so as to come into action in series, successively and automatically.
When the generator or generators are disposed on the exterior of the apparatus, a
water jacket device may be used to prevent overheating and dissociation of the gas
during the process of generation.

page_text: Suitable taps, valves or the like may be employed to facilitate the re-charging
of the generator or generators even when the apparatus is at work.
Agents or apparatus for drying or purifying the gas may be employed. The
apparatus when made on a small scale may be designed and arranged to serve as a
portable table or other lamp.
A cone or other shaped head is attached to the drip pipe for the purpose of
ensuring the even distribution of the water leaving it."
In some cases the drip pipe has a joint which enables it to be attached to the cover
of the generator in such manner that when the cover is turned up the drip pipe is
caused to turn up with it.
In order to secure that but a small area of the calcium carbide shall be exposed
to the action of the water at one time, the generators may be inclined, or the supply
pipe may be arranged with its openings, at different levels; by this means the
successive action is secured automatically.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Generating, Storing,
and Supplying Acetylene Gas.
We, FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND, of St. Peter's Chambers, Bournemouth, in
the County of Hants, Solicitor, and WILLIAM HENRY MURCH, of 6, Spinner's End,
Cradley Heath, in the County of Stafford, 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:―
This invention relates to apparatus for use in the generation or production, storage,
supply, or application of acetylene gas, which is derived from carbide of calcium or
other carbide capable of yielding this gas when it comes into contact with water.
The main object of the said invention is to provide a simple, compact, safe and
reliable apparatus by the use of which acetylene can be produced in an economical
manner, automatically controlled and supplied for illuminating purposes in par-
ticular under the most favourable conditions.
In order that this invention may be thoroughly understood and ascertained we
append drawings, in which is shewn a simple form of apparatus according to our
invention.
Fig. 1 is a plan, and
Fig. 2 is a corresponding elevation, partly in section, of apparatus according to
our invention, with only one carbide or generating chamber.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through centre of cistern, holder and carbide
chamber.
The vessel employed, which is preferably cylindrical, is divided into two com-
partments, the upper A of which forms a water cistern, and the lower B a gas
holder, the two being divided by a diaphragm a; the cistern and holder being
formed of sheet steel or other suitable material. Attached preferably to one side
of this, is the carbide chamber or generator C of cylindrical form, this in most cases
being surrounded by a water jacket c, which is in free communication through a
pipe with the interior of the gas holder B. 1) is a gauge glass, by means of
which it is possible to note the quantity of gas and water contained in the holder B.
E is a syphon shaped pipe through which the water passes to a point near the bottom
of the holder B, it being shewn in the present case as passing through the water
jacket c and pipe b.

page_text: The top of the holder B is perforated at a point 6' through which the gas passes
to the pipe 62 which forms the supply pipe, the escape of the gas being controlled
by a cock b³.
The pipe 62 is also connected by a tee piece with one end of a coil
pipe G which is helically wound inside the cistern A, and submerged in the water
contained therein, thus serving to cool the gas. The other end of the coil pipe
communicates through a pipe 9 with the interior of the carbide chamber.
In apparatus for generating acetylene gas as heretofore used it has been found"
that the vapour formed condenses upon the interior of the carbide chamber and
coming into contact with the carbide continues the generation of the gas at a
period when this is not required. In order to prevent this we construct our carbide
chamber in the following manner:-The outer chamber H has inside it an inner
cylindrical perforated or reticulated vessel which contains the carbide, an annular
space being left between the vessels H and I, and a space i¹ between the bottoms
of the two. By this disposition of parts any moisture which may condense upon the
upper end or walls of the interior of the vessel H will flow down inside the annular
space, without contact with the carbide, and may be drawn off by the cock 2³
provided for that purpose.
The carbide chamber C has a hinged cover K which is caused to make a joint
with the upper end of the vessel by any convenient means preferably by employing
the hinged lever, screw, and fly nut shewn. In a pocket O, forming part of or
attached to the generating chamber H, is disposed a swivel P, one end of which is
connected to a water supply pipe L, communicating with the holder B at a point
which is about level with the meeting surfaces of the water and body of gas it
is desired to maintain in the holder. To the other end of the swivel is attached a
pipe M shaped so as to form a preferably horizontal coil m, which is disposed above
the surface of the carbide, and perforated in such manner that any water entering.
the pipe L from the holder B will pass through the swivel P, pipe M, and coil m,
and drip upon the carbide contained in the perforated vessel I. The coil m being
supported in a guide strap R connected at each end by distance pieces or lugs r
attached to or forming part of the cover K, on opening the latter the pipe M turns
on the swivel P to allow of the perforated vessel termed a "liner" being with-
drawn for cleaning. A cock is provided so as to allow of the flow of water in the
pipe L being regulated or shut entirely off when desired; this movement may also
be arranged in such manner that it prevents any water passing from the holder B
to the coil m while the cover is open.
The operation is as follows:-
The cistern A is filled with water, all the taps, except gauge, being turned off.
On opening the vent plug or tap T (see Fig. 1) water from the cistern A syphons
into the jacket c; when this is quite full, the tap or plug T is shut and the cover K
and cock g opened; water will then flow from the cistern A and be seen to rise in
the gauge D till the holder B is quite full of water and consequently free from the
air it contained. The "liner" I is now about half filled with carbide, inserted in
the chamber C, and the cover K screwed down tight. The water supply tap / is
gently opened, when water from the holder B will pass through the pipe L, swivel P,
pipe M and drip from the perforated coil pipe m on the carbide contained in the
chamber C. Gas is thus generated, which passes off through the pipe 9 and the
coil G to the pipe 63, and thence to the point of consumption.
When the gas is
being generated faster than it is being consumed, the excess gas passes through the
opening 61 into the upper part of the holder B, where its pressure lowers the level
of the water, which is returned to the cistern A, and prevents further supply of
water to the pipes L and M and coil m, and thus prevents further generation of
gas. In practice it is found that any water contained in the coil m, pipes M, and L
and swivel P, is blown back into the holder as soon as the water is forced down to
the level of the pipe L.
When the gas produced has been consumed, or allowed to pass off, to such an
extent that the pressure is reduced so that the water rises again to the level of the
pipe M, the action again commences, and a further supply of gas is generated,

page_text: Two or more carbide chambers may be fitted in one or more jackets attached to
one cistern and holder, and arranged to come into operation successively. If neces
sary this can be arranged in such manner that the exhaustion of the carbide
contained in one chamber may automatically bring into operation other chambers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
-
1. In apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the cistern, A,
the holder B, the syphon pipe E, the carbide chamber C, the perforated vessel I, the
pipe L, and the coil pipe G, substantially as described and shewn.
2. In apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the cistern A,
the holder B, the syphon pipe E, the carbide chamber C, the perforated vessel I, the
cover K, the pipes L and M, the swivel or water tight joint P, the perforated coil m
and the coil pipe G, substantially as described and shewn.
3. In apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination of the cistern A,
the holder B, the syphon pipe E, the water jacket c, the carbide chamber C, the
perforated vessel I, the pipe L, and the coil pipe G, substantially as shewn and
described.
4. In apparatus for generating acetylene gas the combination of the cistern A,
the holder B, the syphon pipe E, the water jacket c, the carbide chamber C, the
perforated vessel I, the cover K, the pipes L and M, the swivel or water tight joint P,
the perforated coil m and the coil pipe G substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 28th day of January 1898.
FREDERICK HENRY HAVILAND.
WILLIAM HENRY MURCH.