Improvement in Apparatuses for Making Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
[Communicated from abroad by LOUIS O. TRIEBEL & DELL WHITEIS, both of
Oconto, County of Oconto, State of Wisconsin, U.S.A.]
Improvement in Apparatuses for Making Gas.
I, JOHN LIDDLE, of 154, St. Vincent Street, in the County of the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 has relation to improvements in apparatuses for making gas,
pertaining more particularly to that class of apparatuses which are intended to be
set up for use in dwellings, office buildings, and the like, in order that gas may be
manufactured and supplied for particular premises.
Among the objects contemplated is the provision of an improved construction
to secure a uniform pressure of the gas in the distributing gas-holder.
A further object contemplated is the automatic regulation of the quantity of
gas admitted to the distributing gas-holder.
Furthermore, the invention contemplates as an object the arranging of the pump
mechanism and gas generator within the initial water tank, whereby compactness
in the arrangement is secured.
Furthermore, a provision for securing an even temperature of water within
the initial water tank.
A further object contemplated is the provision of an improved construction of
gas generator.
Furthermore, an improved combination between the pump mechanism and the
initial gas-holder.
Still further the invention contemplates as an object an improved form of con-
struction of the initial water tank wherein an interior wall is provided, forming an
annular chamber for the reception of oil.
With the above primary objects in view, the invention consists of the devices
and parts, or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the entire apparatus,
showing a fragment of the gasoline tank.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the carburetor.
Fig. 4 is a section through the gasoline valve-casing, and the valve mechanism
thereof, and
Fig. 5 is a section through the water valve mechanism.
Referring to the drawings the numeral 6 indicates a main storage tank for
containing gasoline, or its equivalent. The numeral 7 indicates a water tank,
which is partially filled with water, and 8 the distributing gas-holder consisting,
as usual, of an open bottom cylinder inverted into the tank. The holder is
advisably provided at its top with projecting arms carrying rollers 9 which work
against guides 10, 10 and serve to maintain the holder in true upright position,
and to also facilitate movement up and down of said holder. Extending through

page_text: the lower portion of the tank 7 and up into the gas-holder for a desired distance is
a gas distributing pipe 11. This pipe after leaving the tank is extended upwardly
so as to conduct the gas to the different rooms or apartments to be lighted.
The numeral 12 indicates another water tank which is formed or provided with
an inner wall 13 connected at its lower end to the outer wall of the tank, and
forming a space 14 for the reception of oil, or other suitable liquid 15, in order
to provide a seal against the escape of gas. The upper end of the inner wall 13
is of a truncated conical form, and to the lower edge of this truncated cone is
secured a packing 16 of leather, or other desirable material. The edge of this
packing projects for a desired distance beyond the conical surface. The numeral 17
indicates an initial gas-holder which is inverted in to the tank 12, and is adapted
to extend into the space 14 between the outer wall of the tank and the inner
wall 13 thereof. It will be noticed that the outer edge of the packing contacts
with the inner wall of the gas-holder 17, and consequently the upper end of the
space 14 between the inner wall 13 and the inner side of the gas-holder is thereby
closed. The top of the gas-holder 17 has also extending therefrom arms carrying
at their outer ends rollers 18, 18 which work against guides 19, 19.
Extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank 12 into the chamber confined
by the wall 13 is a pump cylinder 20. Within this cylinder is a piston 21, which
has a stem 22 extending upwardly therefrom and through the top of the cylinder.
The upper extremity of this stem is adjustably connected to the top of the gas-
holder 17, as indicated at 23. Extending through the water tank 12 and com-
municating with the lower portion of the pump cylinder is a water pipe 24. To
the outer end of this pipe is connected a coupling forming an interior valve
chamber 25. Within this chamber is a three-way valve 26, provided with two
radiating fingers which contact with the inner circular wall of the valve chamber.
This valve is provided with a stem 27 which projects laterally through the valve
chamber, and to the end thereof is connected a crank 28. To this crank in turn
is connected a vertical rod 29, which rod passes freely through an eye in an arm 30
projecting out from the top of the gas-holder 17. The rod carries thereon
adjustable contact collars 31, 311 located, respectively, above and below the arm 30.
The coupling forming the valve chamber 25 has depending therefrom a water
outlet pipe 32, which is extended to any suitable point for discharge. The outer
end of said coupling has connected thereto a nipple 33, which in turn connects
with an elbow 34, said elbow having extending from its lower end an inlet
pipe 35.
The numeral 36 indicates a gas generator or carburetor, consisting, preferably
of a cylindrical tank which is partially filled with gasoline, or other gas producing
medium. This tank is located within the chamber formed by the inner wall 13
of the water tank 12, and rests on and is secured to the bottom of said water tank 12.
Extending up from the bottom of the gas generator is a cylinder 37. The cylinder
is not in communication with the chamber of the gas generator, so that an annular
chamber is thereby formed in the lower portion of the gas generator, which
chamber is filled with the gasoline. Surrounding the cylinder 37, and located in
the lower portion of the gas generator, is a perforated circular pipe or annulus 38,
to which an air pipe 39 connects, said pipe communicating with the external
atmosphere. Within a chamber at the outer end of this pipe is a flap-valve 40.
The air which enters the pipe 39 passes into the ring or annulus 38, and issuing
out of the perforations thereof passes through the gasoline, being thereby
impregnated with said gasoline and becoming
a gaseous vapor
which
line of the
the top of
enters the upper portion of the generator above the
gasoline, finally issuing out of a discharge pipe 41 at
the generator, and being discharged into the chamber formed by the inner
wall 13 of the water tank 12, from which chamber it is free to pass through the
top opening thereof and fill the space below the top of the initial gas-holder 17.
It will be seen that as the gasoline in the lower portion of the generator fills up
only a circular space in said generator, in which space the perforated air ring or

page_text: nulus is afforded an opportunity to pass through practically the full volume of
e gasoline or other gas producing medium.
From the gasoline storage tank 6 extends pipe 411 which pipe leads to a
asoline valve-casing 42. The pipe 41 extends into this casing and connects
ith a coupling 43. One end of this coupling is extended into the pipe 411 for
short distance to form a valve-seat 44. Against this seat is adapted to work a
alve 45, which is advisably pressed against by a spring 46, in order to assist in
ormally holding the valve against its seat. The valve is provided with an
wardly-extending valve-stem 47 which extends through the inner end of the
oupling and connects with the short arm of a bell-crank lever 48, said lever being
ivoted at the point 49. The long arm of this lever carries a float ball 50.
nother pipe 51 leads from the gasoline valve-casing 42 and extends through the
ater tank 12 and communicates with the gas generator 36, near the lower end
f said generator.
A pipe 52 extends from the top of the gasoline storage tank, and is thence
xtended through the bottom of the water tank 12, and upwardly for a desired
listance into the chamber confined by the inner wall 13. This pipe 52 is provided
nedially with a short branch pipe 53, which communicates with the gasoline valve
asing 42. The object of this pipe 52 and the branch pipe 53 is to secure at all
imes an equal pressure in the gasoline storage tank and in the gasoline valve
casing. It is obvious that the pressure of the gaseous vapor beneath the top of
the gas-holder 17 will cause said gaseous vapor to pass through the pipe 52
thence through the branch pipe 53 into the gasoline valve casing, and also flow
through that portion of the pipe 52 leading to the gasoline storage tank, thereby
producing equal pressures in said tank and in the gasoline valve casing.
Within the bottom of the chamber formed by the inner wall 13, and below the
water line is arranged a circular steam pipe 54. This pipe has an inlet pipe 55
communicating therewith and leading from any suitable source of steam supply,
and a discharge pipe 56 leading therefrom. The object of the circular steam pipe
is to provide as near as possible an equal temperature to the water.
The circular chamber confined by the wall 13 is connected with the terminal
gas-holder 8, by means of a pipe 57. The end of this pipe within the chamber
formed by the inner wall 13 is located therein above the water line, and is then
extended downwardly and outwardly through the tank 12 thence to and through
the water tank 7, and its discharging end is formed or provided with an elongated
conical portion 58, the upper extremity of said discharging portion extending a
distance into the gas-holder 8 at a point just above the upper edge of the water
tank 7. To the end of the pipe 57 which is located within the chamber formed
by the inner wall 13 is connected a coupling 59, which forms a valve chamber for
a flap-valve 60. Extending through the upper end of the conical portion of the
pipe 57, and into said conical portion for a desired distance, is a rod 61. The lower
end of this rod, within the conical portion, is formed with a ball-valve or enlarge-
ment (2. At the top of the gas-holder 8 is formed an upwardly extending tubular
boss 63, to which is adjusted a screw cap 64. The upper end of the rod 61 is
threaded and passes through a plain opening in the screw cap. Nuts 65, 65 are
turned on the threads of the rod and are located above and below the top of the
screw cap, as clearly shown. In order to adjust the rod, it is obvious that all that
is necessary is to turn the screw cap in the proper direction to either raise or lower
the rod as desired.
The operation of the improved apparatus is as follows:-
The liquid gasoline is free to enter the gas generator 36 whenever the valve 45
is away from its seat. The valve is moved away from its seat whenever the float 50
falls to such an extent by the lowering of the level of the gasoline in the generator
and in the gasoline valve casing as to act on the stem of the valve and force said
5 valve away from its seat against the pressure of the coiled spring. As soon as
the generator fills to a certain height the float is again raised to such an extent
as to force the valve against its seat and stop further inflow of the gasoline.

page_text: In the position of the three-way valve 26 water from the source of supply is free
to flow through the inlet pipe 35, thence through the passage of the valve
chamber 25 formed between the radial arms of the valve, thence into the pipe 24,
through which pipe it is conducted into the lower end of the pump cylinder in
the space beneath the piston 21. The pressure of the water against said piston
will cause the piston to rise, and with this upward movement the piston stem 22
by its direct connection with the gas-holder 17 will cause an up-movement of said
gas-holder. With the raising of the gas-holder, a vacuum is formed therein and
a suction is created through the pipe 39, which opens the flap-valve 40, and draws
the external air through said pipe into the annulus or ring 38, and thence out
through the perforations of said ring, and becoming thoroughly impregnated with
the gasoline issues into the space confined by the inner wall 13 in the form of
a gaseous vapor, which fills up the space above the water line, the oil forming
a seal against the escape of the gas. After the gas-holder 17 has moved a certain
distance upwardly, the arm 30 will contact with the collar 31, and cause an up-
movement of the rod 29. This rod will therefore turn the crank 28 so as to shift
the three-way valve 26, and put the pipe 24 into register with the discharge pipe 32
and at the same time close the inlet. The water is now free to pass out of the
pump cylinder.
In further explanation, it will be understood that if gas is permitted to pass out
of the pipe 11, the gas-holder will necessarily descend so as to move the ball-
valve 62 away from the contracted portion of the conical discharge 58. This will
at once permit gas in the holder 17 to flow through the pipe 57 into the gas-
holder S, so as to fill said gas-holder with a quantity of gas equal to that with-
drawn therefrom, and this operation takes place before any operation whatever of
the pump mechanism occurs, that is to say, the gas-holder 17 descends a certain
distance in order to force gas into the holder 8, and after said holder 17 has
descended a sufficient distance to cause the arm 30 to contact with the collar 31,
the valve 26 is turned back to the position shown in Fig. 5, when of course the
operation first explained again takes place.
It will be understood that if, after the outlet pipe is opened, and the water
beneath the piston flows out through this pipe, and the gas is turned off, or is not
being used, then the piston will remain at its adjusted position. It will be under-
stood that on the lowering of the gas-holder 17 the flap-valve 60 is opened and the
gas is forced into the pipe 57, and discharged through the conical portion 58 of
said pipe.
".
The rod 61 and the ball valve 62 at the lower end thereof are not only for the
purpose of governing the amount of gas entering the holder 8, but are also for
the purpose of controlling the distance the gas-holder 8 can be raised vertically,
that is to say, they prevent said gas-holder from being raised to such a vertical
height as to bring its lower edge above the water line, and thereby allow the escape
of gas. The rod is so adjusted that after the gas-holder has been raised to such
a height as to bring its lower edge nearly to the surface of the water, the valve 62
will have been raised sufficiently high to bring it into the contracted portion of
the conical discharge, and thereby close the piston against further flow of the gas
into the gas-holder.
From the above description, it will be seen that in the improved apparatus the
gas is forced from the initial gas-holder 17 into the distributing gas-holder 8 by
means of the descent by gravity of the gas-holder 17, while said gas-holder 17 is
raised by means of a pump, having its piston stem in direct connection with the
gas-holder. The ball-valve 62 necessarily produces an even feed of the gas into
the holder S, and consequently an even pressure of the gas in said holder.
In the invention the pump mechanism, and gas generator are located with-
in the initial water tank, and there is also provided within said tank a suitable
means for securing an even temperature of the water. Furthermore, an improved
construction of gas generator is also provided, and still further the piston rod of
the pump is connected directly to the top of the initial gas-holder. The form of

page_text: construction of the initial water tank is also improved in the provision of an
interior wall, forming an annular chamber for the reception of oil, as herein
before described.
It will be obvious that in the improvements the gasoline storage tank, and the
gasoline valve casing may be located at quite a distance from the other parts of
the apparatus so that danger from explosion is reduced to the minimum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of initial and terminal
gas-holders, water tanks into which said holders are inverted and are movable, means
for supplying gas to the initial gas-holder, a pipe extending from the initial gas-
holder to and into the terminal gas-holder, a distributing pipe leading from the
terminal gas-holder, pump mechanism within the initial water tank, and having
its piston-stem extending up to and connecting directly with the initial gas-holder
and means for causing an up movement of the piston by pressure there against,
whereby the initial gas-holder is elevated on said up movement of the piston, and
for causing the initial gas-holder to descend as the actuating medium of the piston
is discharged beneath said piston.
2. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of initial and terminal
gas-holders, water tanks into which said holders are inverted and movable, means.
for supplying gas to the initial gas-holder, a pipe extending from the initial gas-
holder to and into the terminal gas-holder, a distributing pipe leading from the
terminal gas-holder, pump mechanism within the initial water tank, and having
its piston-stem extending up to and connected with the initial gas-holder, means
for causing an up movement of the piston of the pump mechanism by a pressure
against said piston, whereby the initial gas-holder is elevated on said up movement
of the piston, means for causing the initial gas-holder to descend as the actuating
medium is discharged beneath the piston, a rod for controlling the valve of the
actuating medium of the pump piston, contacts carried by said rod, and an arm
projecting from the initial gas-holder, and adapted to engage the stops of the rod
on the up and down movement of said holder, whereby a reversal of the valve
mechanism is secured.
3. The combination, of a generator, having a suitable discharge and provided
interiorly with a chamber formed by a wall of such less dimensions than the
generator as to leave a space around said inner chamber, a pipe located within the
generator and arranged around the chamber, and provided with a discharge
opening or openings, and means for conducting a gas producing medium to the
pipe.
4. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water tank provided
with an inner wall connected at one point to the outer wall thereof, whereby a
chamber is provided for the reception of a suitable fluid, and a gas-holder inverted
into the water tank and extending into the chamber formed between the two
walls of said water tank.
5. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water tank provided
with an interior wall connected at one point to the outer wall of said tank, whereby
a chamber is formed for the reception of a suitable fluid, a gas-holder inverted into
the water tank and extending into the chamber formed between the two walls
of the water tank, and a packing extending from the inner wall of the water tank
and bearing against the gas-holder.
6. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water tank and
telescoping gas-holder, a casing provided with suitable valve mechanism, a storage
tank for containing a suitable gas producing medium, a pipe leading from the
storage tank into the water tank and gas-holder, said pipe provided with a branch
5 pipe leading to the casing for the valve mechanism, a generator, a pipe leading
from the storage tank to the valve casing, and another pipe leading from

page_text: the valve casing to the generator, said generator being in communication with
the gas-holder.
7. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water tank and a
gas-holder inverted therein, pump mechanism within the water tank, and having
its piston stem extending to and connected with the gas-holder, means for causing
an up movement of the piston of the pump mechanism by a pressure against said
piston, whereby the gas-holder is elevated on said up movement of the piston,
means for causing the gas-holder to descend as the actuating medium of the pump
mechanism is discharged from beneath the piston, a carburetor also located within
the water tank, and adapted for discharging gaseous vapor therefrom into the
gas-holder, and means for forcing gas out of the gas-holder and tank, on the down
movement of said gas-holder.
8. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a water tank and a gas-
holder adapted to be inverted therein, of a steam pipe within the water tank, and
adapted for securing an even temperature of the water in said tank, and means
for supplying steam to and conducting the same from said pipe.
9. In an apparatus for making gas, the combination, of a distributing gas-holder,
provided at its upper end with a tubular exteriorly-threaded boss, a threaded cap
fitting said boss, a water tank in which the gas-holder is inverted a pipe leading
from the gas-holder, a pipe extending from the water tank and up into the gas-
holder, said pipe having its discharge end formed into an elongated cone, a rod
extending downwardly into the cone, said rod having its end within the cone pro-
vided with a ball-valve or enlargement, and the upper end of said rod being
threaded and passing freely through a plain opening in the screw-cap, and nuts
engaging the threaded end of the rod above and below the top of the screw-cap.
Dated this 25th day of March 1898.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.