Improvements in or Applicable to Acetylene Generators.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Applicable to Acetylene Generators.
I, Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES, Baronet, of Castle Newe, Strathdon, N.B.,..
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
the
My invention relates more particularly to that form of acetylene generator in
which variations in the pressure of the gas formed by the action of water upon
calcium carbide is employed to regulate its production. With such apparatus I
employ a dripping tube and I may utilize the same or employ a separate tube if
more convenient for conducting the gas formed by the generator to an air or gas
vessel placed in a tank or cistern containing water and arranged so that the water
therein will rise or fall in said air vessel to a height depending upon pressure
therein. The dripping or gas tube is formed at a suitable point with a collar ring
or shoulder in which a dripping hole is drilled or formed, or I may tap this hole
and screw therein a dripping nozzle the head of which is slightly countersunk.
Over this collar is a sleeve, part of which is slotted out or cut away, the sleeve is
attached by a plate bar or rod to the interior of the air or gas vessel, which is sus-
So long as the
pended from or adapted to turn round with it upon the shoulder.
hole or slot in the sleeve is coincident with that in the tube or the nozzie replacing
it the water has access to the carbide. By turning round the air vessel the supply
of water may be exactly regulated to the requirements of the lights when such
are fed direct from the gas vessel or bell, or the supply to the gasometer when used
may be similarly regulated or stopped altogether.
A stop indicator, or similar device may be employed to shew the extent to which
the dripping hole is open or closed. I may modify the before described arrange-
ment of sleeve by forming it with a slot and a bayonet joint so that the bell fitted
therewith may be dropped over a guide pin or pins driven into the dripping tube
or collar thereon. By turning it round the supply of water to the carbide may be
regulated or stopped altogether.
1000
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Applicant's Agent.
I, Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES, Baronet, Castle Newe, Strathdon, N.B.,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
Price 811

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My invention relates more particularly to that form of acetylene generator in
which variations in the pressure of the gas formed by the action of water upon
calcium carbide is employed to regulate its production. With such apparatus J.
employ a dripping tube, and I may utilize the same or employ a separate tube
if more convenient for conducting the gas formed by the generator to an air or gas
vessel placed in a tank or cistern containing water and arranged so that the water
therein will rise or fall in said air vessel to a height depending upon the pressure
therein. The dripping or gas tube is formed at a suitable point with a collar, ring
or shoulder in which a dripping hole is drilled or formed, or I may tap this hole
and screw therein a dripping nozzle the head of which is slightly countersunk.
Over this collar is a sleeve, part of which is slotted out or cut away, the sleeve is
attached by a plate, bar or rod to the interior of the air or gas vessel, which is
suspended from or adapted to turn round with it upon the shoulder. So long as
the hole or slot in the sleeve is coincident with that in the tube or the nozzle
replacing it the water has access to the carbide. By turning round the air vessel
the supply of water may be exactly regulated.
A stop, indicator or similar device may be employed to shew the extent to which
the dripping hole is open or closed. I may modify the before described arrange-
inent of sleeve by forming it with a slot and a bayonet joint so that the bell fitted
therewith may be dropped over a guide pin or pins driven into the dripping tube
or collar thereon. By turning it round the supply of water to the carbide may, be
regulated or stopped altogether.
To enable my invention to be better understood, I will now proceed to describe
the same more particularly by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig 1 is a longitudinal section through the complete apparatus.
Fig 2 is a part plan shewing the means employed for closing the mouth of the
generator.
Fig 3 is an enlarged sectional view of dripping nozzle, cone and ring.
Fig 4 shews an enlarged view of bayonet joint.
Fig 5 is a plan of gas vessel, with indicator.
In apparatus for generating acetylene gas from calcium carbide for the supply
of a number of lights by the action of water, I prefer to employ a combined gas
and dripping tube, the latter being fitted with a removeable dripping nozzle, as
seo description in Specification No. 13070, 1898. My present invention relates to
an improvement upon the devices therein shewn, whereby I am able to more exactly
regulate the quantity of water admitted to the carbide without removing the air
vessel. I find this a very great advantage, as the quantity of water when once
determined for a given supply of gas can be so regulated as to avoid unduly heat-
ing the carbide and the consequent loss of gas evolved therefrom.
In the drawing 1 is the generating chamber; this is preferably a plain casting
of iron, it may however be built up, or otherwise made, in any suitable metal, and
fitted with feet 2. A tray or ledge is formed as shewn and on this is mounted
a tank 4. The combined gas and dripping tube 5 formed of cast or wrot iron
or other suitable metal, is screwed by means of a nipple or otherwise as at 5¹
through the base of the tank and into the top of the generator the joint inside
the tank being made with a rubber ring or equivalent packing 6 On this tube
is formed or mounted separately a coned collar 7, through which at a predeter-
mined height a hole 8 is bored this is tapped, and into it I screw a perforated
dripping nozzle 81, the head being countersunk and having a nick 8". Over this
collar I mount a sleeve or ring 9 formed of metal which is bored out and grooved
to fit the coned collar 7, a hole 91 being drilled therein so as to be in a line with
the perforation in the dripping nozzle 8. This ring or sleeve 9 is preferably
formed with a web 9" and flange 9111 or an equivalent such as a bar or rod replacing
it by which it is attached to the gas pressure vessel 10, which is thus supported by

page_text: the tube 5. but is free to turn upon it. The web 91 is cored out as at 9ª so as to
allow the water to rise and fall in the vessel 10.
The top of the air vessel is fitted with an air cock 10", and a handle 10b, and it
may be marked with arrows 10 a pointer 10 being placed upon the side of the
tank 4 to indicate the relative position of the slot 9 with the dripping nozzle S¹.
To prevent the air vessel from being lifted off the cone on tube 5, by the gas pres-
sure I form a T shaped slot or bayonet joint 18 which engages with a pin 19
driven into the cone, see detail Fig. 4.
The mouth of the generating chamber is fitted with a cover 11 fastened by a
cross bar 12 and a screw 121 fitted with handle 13, the two ends of the cross bar
being mounted in slots 12 in the lugs 12. The joint is made by a packing ring
of rubber or the like 14.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-The cover 11 being removed,
the carbide tray 15 is withdrawn by means of the handle 15", and the spaces each
side of the perforated slanting partition 151 filled with calcium carbide; it is then
replaced and the cover fastened on.
Water is next poured into the tank 4 until it reaches the level of the upper
tap 20. The air or main supply (17) cock is opened and the gas bell turned into
such a position that the hole 9 and dripping nozzle S are coincident; water can
now pass through the nozzle and fall in drops upon or between perforated plates
into the space 16 distributing itself either side, being absorbed by calcium car-
bide and thereby generating acetylene gas, which passes up the tube 5 to the
pressure chamber 10, and through the service main 1 to the lamps or other means
of consumption. A cock 21 is provided for emptying the tank 4 when required.
I lay no claim to the use of a removeable dripping nozzle except when usel
with a generator constructed as herein set forth.
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.) The combination in or with an acetylene generator having a superposed
water tank of a combined gas and dripping tube so constructed as that the air or
gas pressure vessel is supported by and turns thereon, thereby opening or closing
the aperture or nozzle through which the water is admitted to the carbide.
(2.) In apparatus constructed and operating as and for the purposes described,
the use and employment of a bayonet joint formed and operating as set forth.
(3.) In apparatus for generating acetylene gas substantially by the means and
in the manner shewn, the combination and particular arrangement whereby the
dripping tabe is employed for holding down or fastening the tank to the tray er
ledge.
Total this 90th day of Manah 1900
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for Applicant.
21, Finsbury Pavement, E.C.