Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating and Burning Gas from Liquid Hydro-carbons.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1898-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating and
Burning Gas from Liquid Hydro-carbons.
A communication by ROBERT M. SNYDER, of Kansas City, in the County of
Jackson and State of Missouri, United States of America, Banker and
Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 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 invention relates to improvements in gas generating gas fixtures, in which,
in passage through the fixture the gas is generated from liquid hydrocarbons,
is mixed with a suitable quantity of air and delivered to the ignition tube without
the interposition of any of the usual forms of generators or burners, and the
invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described and pointed
out in the claims.
Figure I represents a gas fixture embodying the invention.
Figure II represents a longitudinal cross section of the generating tube and
its co-operative parts.
Figure III represents a cross section of the ignition tube.
Figure IV represents a modified form of tip for the generating tube.
Figure represents a view in cross section of a preferable means of forming
the tapering passage in the vaporizing tube, and
Figures VI, VII and VIII views illustrating modifications and variations here-
inafter referred to.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
1, 2, 3 and 4 represent the tubing or pipes forming the fixture connected by
the Ts 5, 6, 7 and 8. 9 represents a tube or pipe passing through the vessel 10
containing a supply of liquid hydro-carbon and connected with the fixture by
the T7. Within said vessel said tube is provided with one or more openings
covered by the gauze screen 11, for admitting the liquid to the tube and thence
to the fixture, the screen serving to prevent the admission of extraneous matter;
the sides of said vessel being partly broken away to show the same. Said tube
extending above said vessel may be attached to a wall or ceiling hanger, or other
convenient support.
The tubes 9 and 4 constitute the supply tube. (12) represents the vaporizing
tube connected with the supply tube (4) through the T (6), and provided with
the shut off valve (13). It will be observed as shown in Figure II, that the
passage through said tube diminishes from the inlet to the outlet thereof.
presents a gas tip connected with said vaporizing tube by the coupling 15, and
having the minute opening 16 therein. 17 represents a collar or sleeve formed
14 re-

page_text: within said tip surrounding said opening, the purpose of which is to intercept
the heavier or unvaporized particles and prevent clogging of said opening thereby.
The heavy or unvaporized particles naturally tend to adhere to the inner walls
of the tip 14, and to travel there along towards the discharge opening, but the
collar 17 arrests them and prevents their discharge. 18 represents a sleeve sur-
rounding said tip, provided with the openings 19, arranged to slide on the
tube 20 connected with the T (5), and adjustable thereon by the set screw 21,
the purpose of set sleeve being to regulate the air supply admitted to mix
with the vapor issuing from the tip. In operation the tube or sleeve 18 should
not come into direct contact with the tip for should such contact occur the heat
would be drawn from the tip and the tip thereby cooled. The pipe 1 forms the
mixing or diffusing tube, connecting through the T (8) with the tube 22 leading
to the burner 22". 23 represents a chimney holder formed with the sleeve 24
arranged to slide over the tube 22 and rest upon the shoulder 25 thereon; 26 re-
presents a cup formed on said sleeve. 27 represents a sleeve arranged
to be fitted within said cup and provided with the gauze screen 28,
forming the burner. 29 represents the chimney, the arrangements
of the parts being such that the vaporizing tube extends across the line
of the chimney support. 31 represents an envelope or mantle of refractory inean-
descing material arranged to surround the flame, and form an incandescent mantle
around the fame. 32 represents a support for said mantle. 33 represents a set
screw for adjusting the same.
In Figure IV is shown a modification of the coupling and tip shown in
Figure II, which is preferably used when a fixture with more than one light is
desired. In such case the coupling 15 is provided with the head 34, having
the openings 35 for the passage of the vapor from the vaporizing tube to the
tip, and having the needle point 36 set therein and extending through the open-
ing 16 in the tip, the arrangement being such that by adjustment of the tip upon
the coupling the flow of vapor through said opening will be regulated and
controlled according to the amount required by the number of lights with which
the fixture is provided.
As shown in Figure the tapering passage in the vaporizing tube is preferably
formed from a tube having a straight passage by placing therein a rod 37, filed
or dressed to form such tapering passage as shown. The rod is simply held in
place by frictional contact and may be readily with-drawn when it is desired,
or may become necessary to clean it. When a fixture with more than one light
is desired arms 38, shown in dotted lines Figure 1, may be supplied, provided
with burners similar to the one shown, all said burners being supplied from the
mixing tube 1.
In operation, the improved apparatus is exceedingly simple. The liquid hydro-
carbon passing from the vessel 10 through the tubes 9 and 4 to the vaporizing
tube 12 is there vaporized by the heat from the flame concentrated through the
chimney arranged in close proximity under said tube. The tube 9 being larger
than the tube 4, and the tube 4 larger than the vaporizing tube, and the passage
in the vaporizing tube decreasing in size from inlet to outlet, it is apparent
that by reason of the constant decrease in size of the passage from the inlet of
the liquid into the pipe 9 to the exit of the vapor from the vaporizing tube
any back pressure in the tubes generated during the process of vaporization
meets the last possible frictional resistance, and the exit of the vaper will be
steady and cannot puff and blow and cause uneven pressure. In other words,
by the arrangement and construction of the passages as shown, but leaving them
otherwise clear of any packing or filling material, the particles or molecules of
the liquid as they expand or are converted into gas, may exert their pressure in
a rearwardly direction and not tend as in the usual burners to force the gas out
through the tip under uneven impulses.
The vapor passing from the vaporizing tube passes through the opening in the

page_text: tip 14, into the air supply chamber formed by the sleeve 18, the expansion of the
vapor in the coupling tending further to promote a continuous and steady flow
of the vapor from the tip, the collar 17 within the tip preventing foreign matter
from reaching the opening and clogging the same. By adjustment of such
sleeve 18 on the tube 20 the amount of air admitted is regulated and controlled,
the air entering through the holes 19 and at the space between the sleeve and
coupling as shown by the arrows in Figure II. Thence the air and vapor passing
through the tubes become thoroughly mixed in passage and passes to the burner
through the tube 22, and by surrounding the flame with the incandescing mantle
by this simple und cheap apparatus a very brilliant and powerful light is
obtained.
Among the advantages gained by the improved apparatus may be mentioned
the simplicity of its construction. A constant and even pressure from the source
of supply to and through the vaporizing tube. A constant and even heat upon
the vaporizing tube resulting in constant and even vaporization. The perfect
control of the air supply, and the constant and perfect mixing and diffusion of
the air and vapor before reaching the point of ignition. And there being few
parts and all simple and easily accessible it is little liable to get out of order,
and any failure of the parts can be easily remedied.
My correspondent has preferably arranged the vessel and tube in the relation
shown in Figure I, but it is apparent that the vessel may be put on the side of
the pipe, as shown in Figure VI.
Or as shown in Figure VIII, the vessel may be supported and arranged in any
convenient manner, and have a pipe 40 run along the ceiling or other place, and
one or more fixtures connected to the same without departing from the principal
construction shown.
The fixture can be varied in construction in many ways, as for instance, as
shown in Figure VII, pipes 1 and 3 could be left out and an L put in at 8
in place of the T, letting the tube 12 pass over and back across the chimney,
and discharge the generated gas and air into pipe 2, making a mixing chamber of
it the same as with pipe 1.
So too, instead of passing the vaporizing pipe 12 directly over the chimney, it
may be placed lower down and passed around the chimney, such construction
being shown in the burnar upon the left of Figure VIII.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention 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. In a device for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons, the
combination of a suitable supply pipe; a gas generating pipe connected thereto
and provided with a gradually decreasing internal bore toward its discharge
end; a discharge outlet for said generating pipe; a burner; a mixing chamber
intermediate said burner and outlet; and means for admitting air into said
mixing chamber.
2. In a device for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons; the
combination of a suitable supply pipe; a gas generating pipe connected thereto
and provided with a gradually decreasing internal bore toward its discharge
end; a restricted discharge opening for said generating pipe; a burner; a mixing
chamber intermediate said burner and discharge opening; and means for admitting
air into said mixing chamber.
3. In a device for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons, the
combination of a suitable supply pipe; a gas generating pipe connected thereto
and provided with a gradually decreasing internal bore toward its discharge
end: a restricted outlet for said pipe; a burner located in proximity to said pipe:
a mixing chamber intermediate said burner and the generating pipe; an air
inlet into said mixing chamber; and means for controlling the admission of air.
4. In combination with an elevated reservoir; a discharge pipe leading there

page_text: from a gas generating chamber connected to said pipe and provided with a
gradually narrowing passage toward its discharge end; a restricted discharge
opening for said chamber; a burner located in proximity to said generating
chamber; a mixing chamber intermediate said burner and the discharge opening
of the gas generating chamber; and means for controlling the admission of air
to said mixing chamber.
5. The combination with a gas fixture for generating and burning gas from
liquid hydro-carbons, having a supply pipe and mixing pipe forming part of
the fixture, a suitable burner connected with the mixing pipe, a chimney holder
mounted below said burner, and a chimney supported thereon; of a vaporizing
tube having a gradually decreasing bore toward its discharge end and connected
with the supply pipe arranged over said chimney; a tip mounted upon the dis-
charge end of the tube and having a minute opening therein; and an air supply
regulator surrounding said tip connected with said mixing pipe, substantially
as set forth.
6. In a gas fixture for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
the combination with a supply pipe and a mixing pipe forming part of the fixture;
and a burner connected with the mixing pipe and provided with a suitable
chimney; of a vaporizing tube provided with a shut off cock connected with the
supply pipe arranged to be heated from the burner; a tip having a minute
opening therein; and a coupling connecting said tip with said vaporizing tube,
arranged to form an expansion chamber between said tip and said tube; and a
sleeve surrounding said tip provided with openings in the sides thereof, adjustably
connected with said mixing pipe, and arranged to regulate the air supply, sub-
stantially as set forth.
7. In a gas fixture for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
the combination with a supply pipe and a mixing pipe forming part of the fixture;
of a vaporizing tube connected with the supply pipe; a tip having a minute
opening and provided with an internal collar surrounding said opening; a coupling
connecting said tip with said tube arranged to form an expansion chamber between
said tip and tube; and a sleeve surrounding said tip provided with openings in
the sides thereof, adjustably connected with said mixing pipe, and arranged to
regulate the air supply, substantially as set forth.
8. In a gas fixture for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
a vaporizing tube; a tip having a minute opening and provided with an internal
collar surrounding said opening; and a coupling connecting said tip to said tube
and arranged to form an expansion chamber between said tip and tube, sub-
stantially as set forth.
9. In a gas fixture for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
a vaporizing tube; a tip having a suitable opening and provided with an internal
collar surrounding said opening a coupling connecting said tip with said tube;
and a needle point connected with said coupling arranged to pass through said
opening in said tip to control the flow of vapor therethrough, substantially as
set forth.
10. In an apparatus for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
the combination with a suitable burner and a supply pipe leading to a source of
supply of a vaporizing tube having a tapering longitudinal opening arranged
between said supply pipe and the burner, said opening gradually diminishing
toward the discharge end of the tube, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
11. In an apparatus for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
the combination of a generator provided with a gradually diminishing area
toward its discharge end; a minute discharge opening; a burner: a mixing
chamber intermediate the burner and said discharge opening, said chamber being
of a relatively large area and an air inlet for said chamber.
12. In an apparatus for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
a gas generating chamber comprising a tube of gradually diminishing area toward

page_text: its discharge end; a minute discharge opening; and an enlarged chamber inter-
mediate the opening and the end of the tube.
13. In an apparatus for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons,
a gas generating tube having a bar or rod mounted therein, said rod being provided
with an inclined flat face upon one side and so arranged within the tube as to
gradually decrease the area thereof toward the discharge end; and a discharge
tip mounted upon the tube.
14. A fixture for generating and burning gas from liquid hydro-carbons, com-
prising in combination a tube or pipe 9 having a reservoir connected thereto;
supply pipe 4; a gas generator 12 connected to pipe 4, provided with a suitable
valve; a mixing and conducting pipe 1 into which the gas is discharged; an air
inlet for said mixing pipe and means for controlling it; a pipe 3 connecting pipe 9
and pipe 1; a pipe 22 communicating with the mixing pipe; a chimney mounted
on said pipe 22 below the generator 12; and a mantle of incandescing material
mounted in said chimney.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.