IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION AND APPLICATION OF ILLUMINATING HYDROCARBON GASES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Carson, of Egremont, in the County of Chester,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION
AND APPLICATION OF ILLUMINATING HYDROCARBON GASES AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 1st April 1879, and dated the 5th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Carson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1878.
WILLIAM CARSON, of Egremont, in the County of Chester. IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION AND APPLICATION OF ILLUMINATING HYDRO-
CARBON GASES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
"
My Invention relates to the generation of illuminating hydrocarbon gases under
air pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure, and the application of illuminating
hydrocarbon gases so generated at such pressure and in such a way that the
pressure and the generation is regulated by the demand, and is uninfluenced by
extraneous independent agencies, such as the rising, falling, shaking, or other
agitation caused by the application on board navigable vessels, railway carriages, or
other structures liable to sudden shocks or movement.
In carrying my Invention into practice I use,-
1st. An aerometer being a receiver in which a supply of atmospheric air is
maintained at a pressure superior to that of the atmosphere, such pressure being
produced by an air pump or its equivalent and regulated according to circumstances,
the power for working such pump being derived by preference from the main
engines on board ship, and from the motion of the carriages or other moving
structures on land or otherwise.
2nd. A gas generator which is connected to the aerometer by means of an
automatically working equilibrium valve which may be of any known construction,
Drine Cr

page_text: but so arranged that it will automatically check the communication between the
nerometer and the gas generator, the instant that a back pressure arises in the gas
generator, and will only allow air to pass from the aerometer to the gas generator
according to the demand. The gas generator is provided with a series of
diaphragms or shelves arranged one over the other, and having openings alternately
at the centre and the sides. The diaphragmns or shelves support blocks made of
suitable fibrous material such as wood pulp used in paper making. These blocks
have a central core and are pierced with holes vertically and horizontally. The
bottom of the generator is supplied with a waste reservoir, a gauge glass, and a
draw-off cock. The form of the generator is by preference vertical cylindrical.
The communication with the aerometer being at the top and the supply gas pipe.
being through an up-take pipe or passage communicating with the generator near
the bottom thereof. The spirit used in the generator is by preference that known
as gasoline." It is supplied through a valve placed on the top of the apparatus
and communicating with an internal tapered pipe closed at its lower end, which
passes through the porous blocks and is pierced like a rose just above its juncture
with cach block. A communication is then opened between the aërometer and a
piston within this supply pipe, and the gasoline is fed under pressure into the
generator through the internal pipe, and is distributed thereby over the porous
blocks and absorbed, any surplus. or waste falling- into the reservoir below from
which it can be drawn off. The gas supply pipe or passage from the generator is
supplied with an automatic equilibrium valve in like manner to the passage, or
communication between the aerometer and the generator, so that the supply of gas
from the generator is automatically regulated by the number of burners requiring
supply.
tr
I would have it thoroughly understood that I am perfectly aware that hydro-
carbon gases have been generated from spirit absorbed in porous blocks, sponge,
cotton waste, and like substances prior to my Invention. I would also have it
understood that I am thoroughly aware that air under pressure has been used as a
medium for distributing and conveying hydrocarbon gases. I am also aware that
porous blocks saturated with hydrocarbon spirit and provided with an internal
core, through which atmospheric air passed, absorbing and inixing with in it's
passage the hydrocarbon gas from the porous block, such mixture descending
by means of its superior gravity to the point of combustion have been used.
Such latter arrangement being the subject matter of Letters Patent granted to
J. C. Peacock and C. W. Bradley, No. 3243, A.D. 1874. Peacock and Bradley's
arrangement is inefficient and defective in operation, as the pressure being supplied.
merely by the superior, weight of the gas generated is affected by agitation and
shocks. Further, it is impossible to abstract the hydrocarbon gas from the porous
block by the mere atmospheric pressure.
I define my Invention to consist in the production of hydrocarbon gases under.
air pressure, superior to atmospheric pressure from porous material saturated with
hydrocarbon spirit such as gasoline, such pressure being reduced in the passage of
the gas to its point of combustion, and regulated and equalized by the amount of
combustion, and in the arrangement of apparatus employed therefor.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Carson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd April
1879.
WILLIAM CARSON, of Egremont, in the County of Chester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO THE GENERATION AND APPLICATION OF ILLUMINATING HYDRO-
CARBON GASES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
My Invention relates to the generation of illuminating hydrocarbon gases under
air pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure, and the application of illuminating
hydrocarbon gases so generated at such pressure, and in such a way that the
pressure and the generation is regulated by the demand and is uninfluenced by
extraneous independent agencies, such as the rising, falling, shaking, or other
agitation caused by the application on board navigable vessels, railway carriages,
or other structures liable to sudden shocks or movement.
In carrying my Invention into practice I use,-
1st. An aerometer being a receiver in which a supply of atmospheric air is
maintained at a pressure superior to that of the atmosphere, such pressure being
produced by an air pump or its equivalent and regulated according to circum-
stances, the power for working such pump being derived by preference from the
main engines on board ship, and from the motion of the carriages or other moving
structures on land or otherwise.
2nd. A gas generator which is connected to the aerometer by means of an
automatic working equilibrium valve, so arranged that it will automatically check
the communication between the acrometer and the gas generator the instant that a
back pressure arises in the gas generator, and will only allow air to pass from the
acrometer to the gas generator according to the demand. The gas generator is
provided with a series of perforated diaphragms or shelves arranged one over the
other. The diaphragms or shelves support layers of suitable porous material such
as wood fibre and sponge. These layers have perforated pipes passing through
them vertically having their tops closed up. The bottom of the generator is
supplied with a drip cistern, a gauge glass, and a draw-off cock. The form of the
generator is by preference vertical cylindrical. The communication with the
aerometer being at the bottom and the supply of gas being taken off from the top
thereof. The spirit used in the generator is by preference that known as
'gasoline." It is supplied through a valve placed on the top of the apparatus and
communicating with internal distributing pipes which pass over the layers of
porous material and discharge through roses at suitable intervals. The drip falls
into the cistern below, from which it can be drawn off or pumped up for re-use.
The gas supply pipe or passage from the generator is supplied with an automatic
equilibrium valve in like manner to the passage or communication between the
aerometer and the generator, so that the supply of gas from the generator is
automatically regulated by the number of burners requiring supply.
"
I would have it thoroughly understood that I am perfectly aware that hydro-
carbon gases have been generated from spirit absorbed in porous blocks, sponge,
cotton waste, and like substances prior to my Invention. I would also have it
understood that I am thoroughly aware that air under pressure has been used as a
medium for distributing and conveying hydrocarbon gases. I am also aware that
porous blocks saturated with hydrocarbon spirit and provided with an internal core,
through which atmospheric air passed, absorbing and mixing within its passage the
hydrocarbon gas from the porous block, such mixture descending by means of its
superior gravity to the point of combustion have been used. Such latter arrange-
ment being the subject matter of Letters Patent granted to J. C. Peacock and
C. W. Bradley, No. 3243, A.D. 1874. Peacock and Bradley's arrangement is inefficient
and defective in operation, as the pressure being supplied merely by the superior
weight of the gas generated is affected by agitation and shocks. Further, it is
impossible to abstract the hydrocarbon gas from a porous block by passing air

page_text: through tubes or spiral coils among it at atmospheric pressure. The porous
material must be loosely packed and the air driven through the whole mass, in
order to obtain a steady quality of light as well as to abstract the whole of the
spirit.
I define my Invention to consist in the production of hydrocarbon gases under
air pressure superior to atmospheric pressure from porous material saturated with
hydrocarbon spirit, such as gasoline, such pressure being reduced in the passage of
the gas to its point of combustion, and regulated and equalized by the amount of
combustion and in the arrangement of apparatus employed therefor.
The before-going being the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to describe how the system of generating and applying illuminating
hydrocarbon gases may be practically carried out, and to describe a form and
arrangement of apparatus suitable for being employed in carrying my Invention
into practice, and for that purpose I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings
illustrative thereof, which are marked with letters and figures of reference corre-
sponding with those in the following explanation. Like letters and figures are
used to denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various views.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an acrometer and generator arranged
according to my Invention, and such as may be used for the generation and
application of illuminating hydrocarbon gasos.
Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an outside view of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of an automatically working equilibrium valve
according to my Invention, and such as may be used for controlling pressure of air
and gas.
Figure 5 is an elevation illustrative of a method that I employ for connecting the
burners through their chimnies to an uptake such as the funnel of a steamer, or to
an air suction pump or its equivalent, the method being equivalent to and a
substitute for the aerometer.
Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that A is an aerometer or
receiver consisting of the bell B sealed by the water packing C in the casing D.
A supply of atmospheric air is maintained in the bell B through the supply pipe E,
the pressure being regulated by the safety valve bon the bell B. The supply of
atmospheric air is produced and maintained by an air pump in connection with the
supply pipe E, or the pressure of atmospheric air may be produced periodically by
lifting or raising the bell B and weighting the same as will be understood; B₁ is a
coil of piping within the casing of the water packing through which steam from a
boiler may be circulated in order to heat the air before entering the gas maker or
generator. The heat is kept up by a jet of gas from the gas maker when the gas
has been started, which jet of gas is equivalent to the coil of steam pipe; F is the
supply pipe communicating with the gas generator G and provided with the
automatic equilibrium valve Z berein-after referred to. The gas generator G is
thus connected to the aerometer A by the pipe F and the valve Z, which latter is
so arranged as herein-after described that it will automatically check the communi-
cation between the aerometer A and the gas generator G the instant that back
pressure arises in the gas generator G, and will only allow air to pass from the
aerometer A to the gas generator G according to the demand. The gas generator
G is provided with a series of perforated diaphragms or shelves H arranged or
placed one over the other, and supporting the porous material I which is arranged
by preference of outside layers, top and bottom of wood, paper stock, and a central
packing of sponge clippings. The blocks I have a central core J through which
passes the perforated pipe K. The blocks are also provided with the vertical
perforated pipes L; M is a drip cistern placed at the bottom of the generator G and
provided with a gauge glass N; O is a force pump in connection with the
reservoir M for drawing the drained spirit therefrom, and forcing it through the
pipe P and the rose distributors Q over and through the blocks I. The pressure is
supplied to the pump O through the piston rod R and weight S. The pipe T is

page_text: the supply for gas from the generator G and is provided with an automatic equi-
librium valve Z. The generator G is filled or supplied with spirit through the
supply pipe V closed by the screwed plug V. The automatic equilibrium valve Z
will be understood upon reference to Figure 4. It will be seen that Y is the inlet
pipe, and X the exit pipe, the communication being through the saw cut or slot e
in the sliding pipe W. In connection with the sliding pipe W there is a flexible
air or gas bag g, the interior of which is open to the sliding pipe W through the
saw cut f. The sliding pipe W is controlled by the adjustable helical spring h,
which can be set to automatically control the amount of air or gas passing through
the valve Z, and check the supply altogether when requisite.
The action of the valve is, the amount of gas to pass through the valve being
fixed by regulating the spring h should a burner or a number of burners be put
out, the surplus pressure caused by the extinguishing of the lights will inflate
with gas the bag g, and thus raise the sliding pipe W and shut off the saw cut e
from communication with the pipe Y, and thus diminish the supply. The valve Z
thus automatically regulates the supply of gas and air according to the demand.
Upon reference to Figure 5 it will be understood that is a gas burner such as
may be used in carrying out my Invention. The novelty consists in connecting
the glass chimney m of each burner to a pipe n common to all the burners
supplied from the gas apparatus, and leading the pipe n to a chimney of a steamer
or other like place or to an air suction pump, whereby a suction draught can bo
created through the pipe n. By the application of this arrangement in some
instances the aerometer A may be dispensed with, and ordinary atmospheric air
may be introduced or drawn into the gas generator G through a spring inlet
valve.
Having now described and ascertained the nature, object, and purposes of my
Invention and shown the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is
or may be used or carried out into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion
that I do not claim the mixing of hydrocarbon gas with air under pressure, nor
do I claim the use of porous blocks for holding and retaining hydrocarbon spirit,
nor do I claim the precise details and dimensions of the apparatus shown in the
Drawings annexed hereto, as it will be evident the same may be altered without
departing from my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and secured to me
by Letters Patent as aforesaid is,
Firstly. The improved system of generating and applying illuminating hydro-
carbon gases by means of the direct application of air under pressure superior to
atmospheric pressure, the gas being supplied from porous material saturated with
hydrocarbon spirit and the pressure of the air, and the supply of the gas being
regulated and equalized by the amount of consumption, substantially as herein
described.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of parts of the aerometer A,
generator G, the valves Z, and the combination of these parts, together forming an
apparatus for the generation and supply of illuminating hydrocarbon gas, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and as illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Thirdly. The improved system of applying illuminating hydrocarbon gases by
means of suction or induced draught applied to the burners supplied with gas from
the gas apparatus, snbstantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Carson, have hereunto set my hand
T
WILLIAM (L.s.) CARSON.