Year: 1898

page_text: I, CHARLES HENRY WORSNOP, 6, Carlton Place, Halifax, Yorks, Lamp Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of making an acetylene lamp
which can be used for cycles, carriages, railways or domestic uses.
In the lamps already in use it is found that the burner is often choked by a
certain dampness which passes along with the gas. To avoid this I insert a gas
purifier in the shape either of a round box on the top of the water chamber, or of
a tube down the side or along the bottom of the lamp: this compartment is filled
with chemicals or fabric.
Another draw-back to this class of lamp has been that it was almost impossible
to put a stop to the gas being generated when once started, even after the water
had been turned off; this was on account of the wet lime and clean carbide being
together in same compartment, the wet lime decomposing the carbide. To prevent
this I put an inner case to hold the carbide: this inner case is perforated with
holes of a scoop-shape pattern, the scoop mouth being turned upward so as to cut
against the carbide and scrape off the lime as it is formed. To obtain more out-
surface, I make the cylinder-shaped carbide holder with a cone in the centre, rising
from the base, which also has the scoop-shaped hole. I leave a good-sized space
under the carbide basket to receive the lime, so that when the lime falls away,
it no longer comes in contact with the clean carbide.
In lamps where I have sufficient room, I make my carbide basket spherical in
shape, with the scoop-mouths all turned the same way: I pass a spindle through
the poles, to form an axis on which the sphere revolves. The water is then dropped
a little on one side, the side on which the scoop-mouths turn upwards. This side
becomes heavier than the other, thus causing the sphere to revolve, and eventually
the side first receiving the water is turned round, so that the scoop-mouths are all
turned down and allow the lime to fall out. In this system the lime is deposited
as it is formed, and clean carbide is always presented to the water as it drops.
In this way an equal and regular flow of gas is obtained.
Another improvement I have made in this class of lamp is to have the water
chamber at the side, but near the top of the chamber which con-
tains the carbide, and to lead the water onto the carbide by means
of wicks bringing no metal tubing, but only the wick, into the carbide-
chamber, and still being able to stop the flow of water when required without in
any way disturbing the wick. To do this I make a small chamber in the top of
the water box, which does not open to the water box, but does open to the carbide
box. In this chamber the tube which leads the wick is made to terminate in such

page_text: a way that a screw turned down from outside will press the wick down tight, and
thus the water will cease to flow.
All these improvements apply to lamps in which the generator and burner are
combined
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Lamps.
I, CHARLES HENRY WORSNOP, of 6, Carlton Place, Halifax, in the County of
York, Lamp Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to an improved method of making an acetylene lamp,
which can be adapted for cycle, carriage, railway or domestic use.
In acetylene lamps already in use, it is found that the burner is often choked
up, by a certain dampness and glucy'substance which passes along with the gas
and lodges in the small outlet holes in the burner. To avoid this I insert a gas
purifier in the shape either of a round box above the gas chamber or of a tube
down the side of the lamp or generator. This box or tube is divided into thice
compartments, the floor of each being made of perforated zinc, or other suitable
metal. In the lower part of this box I put any chemical substance that will take
the dampness out of the gas: in the next compartment I put any chemical that
will abstract the hydrogen phosphates and other gaseous impurities that are present
in the gas in the top compartment I place some substance such as cotton wool,
sponge, felt or fabric that will intercept dust the whole thus forming a combina-
tion filter which proves very satisfactory and prevents the choking up of the
burners.
Another drawback to this class of lamp has been that it was almost impossible
to stop generation of gas when this had once begun, even after the water had been
withdrawn. This was on account of the wet lime and clean carbide being in close
contact in the same compartment, the wet lime causing the further decomposition
of the carbide. To prevent this, I use an inner case or basket to hold the carbide.
This inner case or basket is perforated with holes of a scoop-shape pattern, or made
of wire, like a sieve. It is placed high in the generator, thus giving the spent
lime ample opportunity to get away, and fall into the bottom of the generator, so
that it no longer comes in contact with the clean carbide.
For the better comprehension of my invention I enclose the attached sheets of
drawings, on which
Figure 1 shows the arrangement by which a pipe can be led from the top of the
generator. This apparatus is used for railway or other carriages, also for cycles
when reduced to smaller dimensions, and for domestic use where a few lights only
are required.
A is a cylinder which contains the water.
B is the basket containing the carbide.
CCCC are baffle-plates to prevent the rush of water, and the fall of small
lumps to the bottom; the upper two are perforated over the whole surface: the
lower two are each perforated on half the surface only, and on sides alternate to
one another.
DDD is a basket made of perforated zinc, and divided into three compartments.

page_text: E is a tap, having an extra outlet at the top, by which outlet the air may escape
without having to pass through the gas pipe.
Figure 2 shows a lamp constructed on the same principle, but in which the
generator and lamp are complete in one apparatus.
H is the body of a carriage lamp.
I is a tube which is a continuation of the bowl or vessel J; into these two
compartments, water may be poured at the feeder K.
L is an inner tube fixed to the top of the vessel J, and acts as a gas holder.
M is the basket into which the carbide is put.
N, N are the boxes made of perforated zinc, which hold the filter and purifier.
O is a tube which runs from the bowl J, and issues at the top of the body H;
this tube is fitted with a wire gauze at the top, and acts as a safety valve, should
there be too much gas generated at any time.
P P P P are baffle plates, which prevent the water from rushing up to the
carbide in the basket M too quickly.
G is a screw at an outlet whereby, when the carbide is exhausted, the water
and residual lime may be let out.
R is a tap for turning the gas on and off as required.
To trim this lamp, I recommend the following method:-
First unscrew the cap G, then take out the basket M: fill the said basket with
carbide and replace: then screw up the cap G, so that the joint will be water-
tight: then fill the vessel with water at the feeder-hole K.
When the tap R is turned on, the water rises up the tube L until it reaches the
carbide at the bottom of the basket M, when the gas will be made as required.
When the light is no longer wanted, the tap must be turned off the water will
then recede, and no further gas will be made until the tap is again turned on.
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:-
1. A small box of any shape, attached to the lamp or generator as described,
which may be filled with chemicals and fabric through which the gas must pass
before reaching the burner.
2. An inner case to contain the carbide, perforated with holes of a scoop-shape
pattern, or made of wire and constructed so that the lime will easily fall out,
and placed high in the generator to give the lime every opportunity of falling
away.
3. In lamps as herein described & claimed the use of one, two, three, four or
more baffle plates, placed under one another, beneath the carbide basket, and
perforated in the way already described.
4. The whole arrangement, construction and shape of the generator and lamp
as above described and shown in Figure 2.
Dated this 19th day of August 1899