Improvements in Acetylene Generating Apparatus and in Lamps for Use in connection therewith.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1899-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1899
ARIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Generating Apparatus and in Lamps for
Use in connection therewith.
We, DAVID JOHN VAN PRAAG, of 3, Hardwick Place, Hampstead Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, and FREDERICK WILLIAM HARKER, of St. Mar-
garets, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the generation of
acetylene gas for illuminating or other purposes, and further, to improvements
in lamps for use therewith.
The first part of our invention consists in improvements in containers for cal-
cium carbide, to enable the calcium carbide to be more economically used for the
generation of acetylene gas, and to enable the make of gas to be started at once
when the water is turned on, and prevent waste of carbide when water is shut off.
This part of our invention consists more particularly in dividing up the carbide
into small portions by means of partitions in the container, in such a manner
as to prevent the carbide being attacked over the whole surface on account
of the water spreading by absorption: When the water is allowed to drip from
the usual nozzle it reaches the carbide contained in one section only. When in
use, this chamber gradually becomes caked with lime on the top. If the lamp
be now put out and laid aside for a few hours, when the water supply is again
turned on, some considerable time elapses before any make of gas begins, owing
to the water having to pass through the caked upper surface of spent carbide
which must be saturated before the water can reach the unattacked carbide. To
avoid this difficulty the lamp is provided with a water valve, having its delivery
nozzle so situated that when the top part of the lamp is turned, the water drips
on to another compartment of the carbide container. If now the lamp top be
turned partly round, the water supply drips on to the carbide in another com-
partment, gas is immediately generated, and the lamp can be lit at once.
These containers are more especially adapted for use with the apparatus
described in our previous Patent Specification No. 21691 of 1898.
In applying this part of our invention to a floating light such as a buoy, we
cause the water to be supplied centrally and from a point at some distance above
the carbide container. We then depend on the movements of the float supporting
the lamp to cause the water to be distributed to the different compartments of
the carbide container.
In carrying the first part of our invention into effect, according to one modifi-
cation, we provide a cylindrical or other suitable vessel, divided into a number
of compartments, so as to contain a comparatively small quantity of carbide
in each. These division plates do not reach the bottom of the cylindrical vessel.
This is to allow of a layer of carbide below the division plate, so that the water
can reach the carbide in all the compartments from below if the lamp is kept in
use for a considerable length of time. In the lower part of the cylindrical vessel
we provide a metal disc adapted to be pressed up by a spring so as to keep the
carbide pressed against the tops of the chambers. The top of the vessel has
a perforated cover plate, and the top and bottom parts of the container are
preferably attached to one another by means of a bayonet joint. The tube or
D

page_text: nozzle providing the water supply is arranged eccentrically to the axis of the
carbide so that water can only be supplied from above to one of the carbide
compartments at a time.
In another modification of our invention we provide separate springs and
pressing plates in the container,-one for each of the several compartments.
The second part of our invention consists in providing a series of carbide com-
partments round a central tube, and in providing perforations, at different
levels, into each of these compartments from this central tube so that when
water is supplied to the tube it attacks the carbide in each of the chambers one
by one as the level of the water rises in the central tube, on the exhaustion of the
carbide and saturation of the lime in each of these compartments by the water.
The third part of our invention consists in an improved construction of acetylene
lamps to enable them to be made cheaply and efficiently. In carrying this part
of our invention into effect we make the lamp consist of three main parts, a
bottom cylindrical or other vessel having an annular water seal provided to
receive a top cylindrical vessel to which is attached the pipe carrying the burner,
and inside which is provided a water chamber and regulating valve whose nozzle
is eccentric to the axis of the cylindrical vessel, for the purpose described in
connection with the first part of our invention. This valve is capable of regula-
tion by means of a screw on the outside of the upper vessel. A tube and cock
is also provided to allow of egress and ingress of air in putting on and taking
off the upper vessel.
Dated this 31st day of January 1899.
Improvements in Acetylene Generating Apparatus and in Lamps for
Use in connection therewith.
We, DAVID JOHN VAN PRAAG, of 3, Hardwick Place, Hampstead Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, and FREDERICK WILLIAM HARKER, of St. Mar-
garets, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, Gentleman, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the generation of
acetylene gas for illuminating purposes and further to improvements in lamps
for use therewith.
The first part of our invention consists in improvements in containers for cal-
cium carbide, to enable the calcium carbide to be more economically used for the
generation of acetylene gas, and to enable the make of gas to be started at once
when the water is turned on, and prevent waste of carbide when the water is shut
off.
The second part of our invention consists in providing a container with a series
of carbide compartments round a central tube, and in providing perforations, at
different levels into each of these compartments, so that when water is supplied
to the central tube it attacks the carbide in each compartment one by one, as
the level of the water rises in the central tube, due to the exhaustion of the carbide
and saturation of the lime in each of these compartments by the water.
The third part of our invention consists in an improved construction of acetylene
lamps to enable them to be made cheaply and efficiently.
Figure 1 is a section on the line of Figure 2 of a carbide container con-
structed according to our invention, Figure is a plan of the same,

page_text: Figure 3 is a section of a container as applied to an apparatus for the produc-
tion of acetylene on a large scale.
Figure 4 is a section of a modified form of carbide container, Figure 5 is a
plan of the same.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a lamp constructed according to our
invention.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of lamp.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 which illustrate the method of carrying the
first part of our invention into effect according to one modification A is a cylin-
drical vessel with its side wall preferably formed of perforated metal or wire gauze.
It is is divided radially in its upper part by partitions A¹ into compartments A³.
These compartments communicate with each other at the bottom, as the parti-
tions A3 only extend partially down the vessel. The lower part of the container
is provided with a pressing plate B and spring C which serve to keep the carbide
in contact with the moist pad of lime which forms on the top of the container
when it is in use in an acetylene generating apparatus. The bottom B₁ of the
container which may be perforated is fixed by a bayonet or other suitable joint
so that it may be readily removed for cleaning or charging purposes. The con-
tainer may if desired be provided with a removable perforated top held on in. a
similar manner, or the top may be fixed permanently.
The form of container just described may be applied to an apparatus for
the production of acetylene on a large scale as shown in Figure 3, or to a floating
beacon light such as a buoy. It is more especially useful however in connection
with table lamps such as are shown at Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
In Figure 3 which illustrates a container applied to an acetylene generating
apparatus such as is described in our Application for Patent No. 21691 of 1898,
E is a water seal, surrounding the container into which the cover F dips, and
which prevents escape of gas from said container. G is the water supply pipe
which is bent so as to cause the nozzle to deliver water eccentrically to the axis
of the container. 1' is the gas supply pipe which delivers gas to the gasholder
or bell through the valve H, and I is the pipe by means of which the generator
may be put in communication with the atmosphere through the valve H2. The
water seal E also serves to keep the container cool. In this form of container
the total charge of carbide is divided into small portions by means of the parti-
tions A so as to prevent the carbide being attacked over the whole surface, on
account of the spreading of the water by absorption. When water is allowed to
drip in the usual manner from the nozzle attached to the tube G it reaches the
carbide contained in one of the sections A2 only, and the top of this section
becomes gradually coated with a moist pad of lime. So long as the apparatus
continues in action the gas supply is continuous as the moist lime conveys
sufficient water to the undecomposed carbide on the pressing plate B and in the
lower parts of the remaining sections A2. When the apparatus has been out
of use for some time, however, the pad of lime in the section which has been
acted upon becomes dry, and generation can only take place after some consider-
able time has elapsed so as to allow the water to soak through to the undecom-
posed carbide. We avoid this difficulty by rotating the container and water supply
nozzle relatively to one another so as to cause the nozzle to drip on to a section
containing fresh carbide, and we thus secure instantaneous generation of gas. In
the apparatus shown at Figure 3 the container may be rotated by hand or the
rotation may be automatically effected by the motion of the gasholder in any
well known manner.
The carbide container which we have just described is especially useful in
connection with lamps for domestic use which contain their own generating
apparatus. In all the lamps of this class in which water is allowed to drip on
to carbide, unless the lamp is frequently charged it is impossible to ensure that
the gas generation shall be instantaneous owing to the accumulation of lime

page_text: which has become dry when the lamp has been out of use for some time. By
the employment of the carbide container above described in a lamp, as shown
in Figure 6, we are able to ensure instantaneous generation of gas.
It is only
necessary to adjust the position of the water supply valve by turning the upper
part of the lamp which carries said valve.
In applying this carbide container to a floating light such as a buoy we cause
the water to be supplied centrally from a point at some distance above the
carbide container. We then depend upon the movements of the float supporting
the lamp to distribute the water to the different compartments of the container.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate a modified form of carbide con-
tainer in which water is supplied to a central tube K' attached to the bottom of a
cylindrical vessel K, the space between the tube K¹ and the outer wall K is
divided radially into compartments K³ adapted to contain carbide, by parti-
tions which extend to the bottom of the vessel. The central tube K¹ is provided
with a number of perforations K arranged at different levels, each perforation
communicating with one of the compartments K". The water supplied to the
central tube K thus attacks the carbide in the compartments K³ successively as
the level rises in the tube due to exhaustion of carbide and saturation of the
lime in each of the compartments.
By dividing up the carbide into small portions as described with reference
to Figures 1 to 5, we avoid entirely the excessive waste which obtains when
carbide is in large quantity in a single vessel, and which is due to the spreading
of the water by absorption of the large surface of carbide and consequent genera-
tion of gas in an apparatus after the water has been shut off.
Referring to Figure 6, which illustrates our improved lamp according to one
modification, the carbide container A is supported on the bottom of the lower
cylindrical part L of the casing. An annular water seal M is provided upon
the inside of the casing L adapted to receive the top cylindrical vessel L'. This
top vessel L¹ carries inside of it the water reservoir M' in the base of which
the water regulating valve O is fixed eccentrically to the axis, P is the gas supply
pipe which carries the burner and which is provided with a tap P¹ to allow egress
and ingress of air in putting on and taking off the top L'. The water regulating
valve is similar to that described in our Application for Patent No. 21691 of
1898 and consists of a cylindrical collar O provided with a conical tapering
base Q upon which is formed a seat for the valve plug R. It terminates in a
small opening or nozzle Q¹ through which passes the water feed controlling
wire W attached to the apex of the conical pointed valve plug R. The holes Oi
in the collar O admit the water to the valve. The stem S attached to the plug R,
terminating in a milled head T is provided so that the valve may be regulated by
hand.
The top L of the lamp merely rests on the lower part L at L³ so that it may
be easily turned by hand so as to cause the valve 0 to supply water to any one
of the sections of the carbide container. The casing is graduated as shown
at I, II, to facilitate this adjustment of the position of the water supply valve. It
is thus possible to secure instantaneous generation of gas, and the lamp can be lit
at once even after it has been out of use for some time. The generation will be
continuous without subsequent adjustment to the nozzle 0¹, until the water or
carbide is exhausted as the water has free access to all the sections of the con-
tainer from beneath the partitions A¹ as already described. When the lamp is
used intermittently, however, instantaneous lighting may be effected each time
by simply turning round the top part L'. This construction of lamp is exceed-
ingly simple and can be very cheaply manufactured. It can be very easily and
quickly taken to pieces for cleaning and charging and assembled again as the top
part L merely rests on the lower part, the water seal M maintaining a perfectly
gas-tight joint.
In Figure 7 which shows a modification of the lamp above described, M¹ is a
water reservoir supported in the upper part L' of an ornamental casing, the

page_text: water being supplied through a tube B₁ and regulating valve F¹ to a nozzle N°
from which it drips on to carbide in the container A. The upper part L' of the
lamp casing is supported at L2 upon the lower cylindrical part L so that the two
parts may be turned by hand relatively to one another. The nozzle N2 is provided
with a feed regulating wire W, and it is arranged eccentrically to the axis of the
container by bending the tube B₁ as shown so that the water may be supplied
to any one of the sections of the container by turning round the upper part L'
of the lamp body relatively to the lower part L. The gas which accumulates
in the generator casing G₁ is conveyed to the burners P by the tube I¹ which
surrounds the water supply tube B¹. The tube I¹ is provided with a tap I'
carried on the same stem as the water regulating valve F. The tap 12 and the
valve F¹ are arranged so that they are opened and shut by hand simultaneously,
by turning the milled head I³.
A small gasholder G2 provided with a water seal M¹ and sliding upon the
tube I stores the after make of gas when the water and gas taps F and I are
shut. The base of the lamp is detachable so that the carbide container may
be removed for cleaning and charging.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1.) In acetylene generating apparatus, constructing the carbide container with
a number of separate compartments communicating at the bottom with each other,
said compartments being arranged relatively to a water supply so that the water
may be caused to attack carbide in any one of the compartments substantially
as and for the purposes herein before described.
2.) In acetylene generating apparatus a carbide container such as A divided
at its upper part into a number of separate compartments such as A2 by radial
partitions such as A¹ its lower part being provided with a spring C and pressing
plate B, said container being arranged relatively to a water supply so that the
water may be caused to attack carbide in any one of the compartments sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
3.) In acetylene generating apparatus, a carbide container provided with a
central tube adapted to receive water said tube communicating with compart-
ments adapted to contain carbide substantially as hereinbefore described.
4.) In combination with a lamp, acetylene generating apparatus comprising an
eccentrically-arranged water supply nozzle, a carbide container divided in its
upper part, and provided with spring and pressing plate in its lower part, said lamp
being arranged so that relative rotation may be effected between the container
and water supply nozzle substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
5.) An acetylene lamp comprising, an upper part such as L' carrying the
water reservoir and supply regulating valve, and a lower part such as L provided
with a water seal forming a gastight joint between the parts and a removable
carbide container, substantially as described.
6.) Acetylene lamps constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore
lescribed and illustrated.