IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENRICHING ILLUMINATING GAS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Livesey, of No. 2, Victoria Chambers, Westminster,
in the County of Middlesex, and Joshua Kidd, of Eglantine Road, Wands-
worth, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR ENRICHING ILLUMINATING GAS."
Sealed the 5th September 1879, and dated the 2nd July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Livesey and Joshua
Kidd at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1879.
JAMES LIVESEY, of No, 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, and JOSHUA KIDD, of Eglantine Road, Wandsworth, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENRICHING ILLUMINATING GAS."
In the Specifications to Letters Patent granted to J. Kidd, No. 2860, of 1877,
and to J. Livesey and J. Kidd on the 18th January 1878, No. 244, were described
means of enriching gas for illuminating purposes, by mixing with it the vapours of
hydrocarbons generated by the heat of the flame in carburetting vessels in
proximity thereto. Our present Invention relates to the construction and arrange-
ment of the vessels for this purpose in such a manner, that they can be readily
charged with the hydrocarbon even while the gas is passing through them, and
that they remain always sealed against escape of gas. For this purpose we provide
the carburetting vessel with a feeding tube which extends nearly down to the
bottom of the vessel, or it may extend quite down to its bottom, and have small
slits or holes through it close to the bottom. This tube is closed at the top by a
cap, plug, or stopper, which may or may not be an air tight fit. The hydrocarbon
is fed into this tube at the top. When it is in liquid form it seals the bottom
openings of the tube against passage of gas through them, or if it be in the solid
form such as the stick or rod of napthaline described in the latter Specification
above referred to, its lower part shortly melting formes the required seal while it is
liquid, and remains a permanent seal when it becomes solid again by cooling.
A portion of liquid hydrocarbon, such as paraffin, which does not volatilise at the
temperature to which the vessel is subjected may be in the first place poured into
the feed tube in order to provido before the napthaline is melted, or when that or
the other hydrocarbon used is exhausted, the liquid seal required. The feed tube
may be external to the carburetting vessel communicating with it at the bottom, or
Prine Bd1

page_text: instead of a tube an external feeding vessel of some size may be used, so that it
may hold a store of hydrocarbon sufficient for supplying the carburetting vessel for
a considerable period. Such feeding tube or vessel communicates with the
carburetting vessel by a pipe connecting their bottoms, this pipe being kept
sufficiently heated when solid hydrocarbon, such as napthaline is used, to enable
it to flow to the carburetting vessel. The gas pipe may have a branch leading into
the supply vessel, in which case a cock would have to be provided on such branch
to enable this vessel to be filled while the carburetting vessel is in operation. In
cases where it is required to charge the carburetting vessel of a high light, such as
& sunlight at or near the sealing of an apartment, we make the burners aud
carburetting vessel in one piece separate from the gas supply pipe in the ceiling,
balancing this piece by suitable weights with chains or cords passing over guide
pullies, and we provide at the mouth of the gas pipe a trumpet mouthed stuffing
box, so that when the carburetting vessel and its burners are raised to their normal
position, there is a gas tight joint connecting them to the gas supply pipe. On
shutting off the gas supply, the burners with their carburetting vessel can be
detached from the pipe, and are drawn bodily down to a convenient height for
feeding the vessel with hydrocarbon, and after the vessel has been charged they are
again raised to their normal position, becoming connected to the gas pipe by the
packed joint. Instead of a joint packed as above described by a stuffing box, the
connection may be made as a hydraulic joint in which mercury is used to form
the seal. In order to regulate the temperature of the carburetting vessel, we place
it in or around it a casing containing water or saline solution, which has a boiling
point nearly corresponding with the temperature required in the carburetting
vessel. From this casing we lead a pipe which by convolutions or otherwise is
made to present a considerably exposed surface. The vapour generated from the
water or solution becomes condensed in this pipe, and the water of condensation
flows back to the casing where it is again evaporated, absorbing the superfluous
heat of the carburetting vessel, and retaining its contents at or near the desired
constant temperature.
According to another arrangement for automatically regulating the heat supplied
to the carburetting vessel, this is enclosed in an outer casing open at top, and
having at bottom an opening through which the heat from a small gas jet can
enter. This opening has a valve or slide which is connected to a rod suspended in
a tube inside the carburetted vessel in such a manner, that when the rod sinks the
valve closes the opening. The said tube is filled with wax or other solid material
that melts when heated, so that if the rod be held in a raised position in such
material when cold, it will keep the valve open and allow the heat to enter the
casing until the material becomes melted by such heat; whereupon the valve will
be closed, and the carburetting vessel will only be heated by conduction and
radiation from the outer casing. This rod is connected by a chain to an arm on
the inlet cock of the gas pipe, so that when this is turned into the closed
position, it holds the rod suspended in the raised position described, but when
the valve is turned into the open position, the rod is only supported by the wax
in the tube. According to another arrangement we effect the automatic regulation
of the heat by causing the expansion or contraction of a confined fiuid, when more
or less heated to move a diaphragm or curved flat tube connected to the valve
or cock to the gas jet that heats the carburetting vessel, so that when this is
heated beyond a certain degroe, the heating flame is more or less reduced. The
closed tube or receptacle containing the confined fluid may either be situated partly
within the carburetting vessel, or it may be fixed or formed on the outer surface
thereof. Instead of employing a confined fluid for the above purpose, we in some
cases connect the said valve to a curved arm attached to the carburetting vessel,
and constructed of two different metals, the unequal expansion of which on being
heated by conduction cause the arm to move so as to close the valve, more or
less. According to another arrangement we fix to the carburetting vessel two
opposite arms, which may either be of two different metals combined, as above

page_text: described, or of a single metal that will expand by heat. The free ends of these
arms are formed so as to approach each other when expanded by heat, and are
connected to the ends of a curved piece of metal or spring, or to the ends of a
toggle joint, the middle of which curved piece of metal or toggle joint is connected
to the valve or cock of the heating gas jet, so that on the expansion of the said
arms when heated to a certain degree, the curved piece of metal or toggle joint will
be actuated thereby, so as to close the gas jet, more or less. In all the above
arrangements the heating flame may either be applied to the outer surface of the
carburetting vessel, which may or may not be surrounded by a casing; or it may
be situated inside a chamber or recess within such vessel, such chamber or recess
having if necessary a small pipe or flue leading through the carburetting vessel for
carrying off the products of combustion. According to another arrangement for
applying heat to the carburetting vessel, we enclose this within an outer casing into
which steam is admitted through a pipe from any convenient source. The pipes
connecting the carburetted gas to the burners may also be enclosed in outer pipes
communicating with the said steam casing, so as to keep the gas sufficiently warm
during its transit to the burners to prevent condensation.
For introducing the gas into the carburetting vessel, and conveying it thence to
the burners, we in some cases cause the supply gas pipe to pass vertically down
into the top of the vessel, and we surround such pipe with an outer pipe leading up
any required distance and connected to the burners, so that the gas, after entering
the vessel through the central pipe and becoming carburetted, passes thence
through the annular space between the inner and outer pipes to the burners.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Livesey and Joshua Kidd in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st January 1880.
JAMES LIVESEY, of No. 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, and JOSHUA KIDD, of Eglantine Road, Wandsworth, in the County
of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ENRICHING ILLUMINATING GAS."
In the Specifications to Letters Patent granted to J. Kidd, No. 2860, of 1877,
and to J. Livesey and J. Kidd on the 18th January 1878, No. 244, were described
means of enriching gas for illuminating purposes by mixing with it the vapours of
hydrocarbons generated by the heat of the flame in carburetting vessels in proximity
thereto. Our present Invention relates to the construction and arrangement of the
vessels for this purpose in such a manner that they can be readily charged with the
hydrocarbou even while the gas is passing through them, and that they remain
always sealed against escape of gas. For this purpose we provide the carburetting
vessel with a feeding tube which extends nearly down to the bottom of the vessel,
or it may extend quite down to its bottom and have small slits or holes through it
close to the bottom. This tube is closed at the top by a cap, plug, or stopper which
may or may not be an air tight fit. The hydrocarbon is fed into this tube at the
top. When it is in liquid form it seals the bottom openings of the tube against
passage of gas through them; or if it be in the solid form, such as the stick or rod
of napthaline described in the later Specification above referred to, its lower part
shortly melting forms the required seal while it is liquid, and remains a permanent
seal when it becomes solid again by cooling. A portion of liquid hydrocarbon,
such as paraffin, which does not volatilise at the temperature to which the vessel is
subjected, may be in the first place poured into the feed tube in order to provide,
before the napthaline is melted, or when that or the other hydrocarbon used is
exhausted, the liquid seal required. The feed tube may be external to the carbu-
retting vessel communicating with it at the bottom; or instead of a tube an
external feeding vessel of some size may be used, so that it may hold a store of
hydrocarbon sufficient for supplying the carburetting vessel for a considerable
period. Such feeding tube or vessel communicates with the carburetting vessel by
a pipe connecting their hottoms, this pipe being kept sufficiently heated, when solid
hydrocarbon, such as napthaline, is used, to enable it to flow to the carburetting
vessel. The gas pipe may have a branch lending into the supply vessel, in which
case a cock would have to be provided on such branch to enable this vessel to be
filled while the carburetting vessel is in operation. In cases where it is required to
charge the carburetting vessel of a high light, such as a sunlight at or near the
ceiling of an apartment, we make the burners and carburetting vessel in one piece
separate from the gas supply pipe in the ceiling, balancing this piece by suitable
weights with chains or cords passing over guide pulleys; and we provide at the
mouth of the gas pipe a trumpet mouthed stuffing box, so that when the carburetting
vessel and its burners are raised to their normal position there is a gas tight joint
connecting them to the gas supply pipe. On shutting off the gas supply the
burners with their carburetting vessel can be detached from the pipe and are drawn
bodily down to a convenient height for feeding the vessel with hydrocarbon, and
after the vessel has been charged they are again raised to their normal position,
becoming connected to the gas pipe by the packed joint. Instead of a joint packed,
as above described, by a stuffing box, the connection may be made as a hydraulic
joint, in which mercury is used to form the seal. In order to regulate the tempe-
rature of the carburetting vessel we place in it or around it a casing containing
water or saline solution, which has a boiling point nearly corresponding with the
temperature required in the carburetting vessel. From this casing we lead a pipe
which, by convolutions or otherwise, is made to present a considerable exposed

page_text: surface. The vapour generated from the water or solution becomes condensed in
this pipe, and the water of condensation flows back to the casing, where it is again
evaporated, absorbing the superfluous heat of the carburetting vessel and retaining
its contents at or near the desired constant temperature.
According to another arrangement for automatically regulating the heat supplied
to the carburetting vessel; this is enclosed in an outer casing open at the top, and
having at the bottom an opening through which the heat from a small gas jet can
enter. This opening has a valve or slide which is connected to a rod suspended in
a tube inside the carburetting vessel in such manner that when the rod sinks the
valve closes the opening. The said tube is filled with wax or other solid material
that melts when heated, so that if the rod be held in a raised position in such
material when cold it will keep the valve open and allow the heat to enter the
casing until the material becomes melted by such heat, whereupon the valve will be
closed and the carburetting vessel will only be heated by conduction and radiation
from the outer casing,
The rod is connected by a chain to an arm on the inlet cock of the gas pipe, so
that when this is turned into the closed position it holds the rod suspended in the
raised position described, but when the valve is turned into the open position the
rod is only supported by the wax in the tube.
According to another arrangement we effect the automatic regulation of the heat
by causing the expansion or contraction of a confined fluid when more or less
heated to move a diaphragm or curved fiat tube connected to the valve or cock for
the gas jet that heats the carburetting vessel, so that when this is heated beyond a
certain degree the heating flame is more or less reduced. The closed tube or
receptacle containing the confined fluid may either be situated partly within the
carburetting vessel, or it may be fixed or formed on the outer surface thereof.
Instead of employing a confined fluid for the above purpose we in some cases
connect the said valve to a curved arm attached to the carburetting vessel and
constructed of two different metuls, the unequal expansion of which, on being
heated by conduction, causes the arm to move so as to close the valve more or less.
According to another arrangement we fix to the carburetting vessel two opposite
arms, which may either be of two different metals combined as above described, or
of a single metal that will expand by heat. The free ends of these arms are
formed so as to approach each other when expanded by heat, and are connected to
the ends of a curved piece of metal or spring, or to the ends of a toggle joint, the
middle of which curved piece of metal or toggle joint is connected to the valve or
cock of the beating gas jet, so that on the expansion of the said arms, when heated
to a certain degree, the curved piece of metal or toggle joint will be actuated
thereby so as to close the gas jet more or less.
In all the above arrangements the heating flame may either be applied to the
outer surface of the carburetting vessel, which may or may not be surrounded by a
casing; or it may be situated inside a chamber or recess within such vessel, such
chamber or recess having, if necessary, a small pipe or flue leading through the
carburetting vessel for carrying off the products of combustion.
According to another arrangement for applying heat to the carburetting vessel
we enclose this within an outer casing into which steam is admitted through a pipe
from any convenient source. The pipes conducting the carburetted gas to the
burners may also be enclosed in outer pipes communicating with the said steam
casing, so as to keep the gas sufficiently warm during its transit to the burners to
prevent condensation.
For introducing the gas into the carburetting vessel and conveying it thence to
the burners we in some cases cause the supply gas pipe to pass vertically down
into the top of the vessel, and we surround such pipe with an outer pipe leading
up any required distance and connected to the burners, so that the gas after
entering the vessel through the central pipe and becoming carburetted passes thence
through the annular space between the inner and outer pipes to the burners.
'

page_text: Fig. 1 is a vertical section of carburetting apparatus according to our Invention.
A is the carburetting vessel supplied with sticks of naphthaline N, introduced
into a tube B which extends nearly down to the bottom of the vessel A, and is closed
at the top by a screw plug G. C is the gas supply pipe, and D is the pipe con-
veying the enriched gas to the burner E. The flame keeps this pipe hot, and also
heats the plate F which conducts heat to the carburetting vessel and its contents.
Fig. 2 shews an arrangement in which the carburetting vessel A is supplied from a
larger vessel B containing a considerable store of naphthaline. Parts in Fig. 2 corre-
sponding with those in Fig. 1 are marked by similar reference letters. Fig. 3 is a
general view of a suspended carburetting apparatus shewn drawn down, so as to
give convenient access for feeding with naphthaline. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of
means of forming the junction of the moveable gas pipe C with the stationary pipe
H. The pipe is coned at its end, so as to enter freely a trumpet mouth I attached
to the pipe H, and containing packing J. Fig. 3b shows a hydraulic joint for this
purpose. The pipe C has a cup shaped flange K containing mercury, into which
dips the end of the pipe H, which is expanded to give freedom for the entrance of
the end of the pipe C. Fig. 4 is a section of a carburetting vessel A, with an internal
vessel or casing L containing liquid that vaporises at the temperature suitable for
the carburetting action of the naphthaline in A; from this vessel extends a pipe M,
which may be straight or convoluted, so as to expose a considerable cooling surface,
whereby the vapour generated from the liquid in L is condensed. Fig. 5 is a section
of a carburetting apparatus in which the carburetting vessel A is heated by a sepa-
rate gas flame O, and is provided with means for restricting the heat when the
temperature has been sufficiently raised. For this purpose a tube P closed at the
bottom is immersed in the naphthaline; it contains a substance such as wax or
paraffin, which remains solid up to the temperature required. In this substance is
immersed a wire or rod Q, which is connected by a crosshead with a rod R. sustaining
a plate or cover S immediately over a hole through which the heat from the flame
O can pass up to the carburetting vessel. When the heat of the naphthaline is such
that the substance in the tube P melts, the rod or wire Q, being no longer supported,
sinks, and the plate S is thereby made to cover the opening below it, thus preventing
the direct heat of the flame O from reaching the carburetting vessel. The rods Q
and R have their crosshead connected by a piece of chain with a lever arm T on the
gas cock, so that when the gas is shut off, extinguishing the light, these rods are
raised. The substance in the tube P, thereupon solidifying, sustains the rod Q until
the gas being again lighted it is allowed to descend as above described, as shewn in
Fig. 6. The heating of the carburetting vessel A containing the naphthaline N may
be effected by steam admitted to a casing surrounding the vessel A by a pipe T.
The enriched gas may be led from the vessel to various burners E, and when these
aro distant from the vessel A. the pipes leading the enriched gas to them are steam
jacketted to prevent condensation of the naphthaline vapour. Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive
shew various means according to our Invention for regulating the temperature of
the carburetting vessel A and its contents N, the vessel being in each case heated by
separate flames O acting on the interior surface of a fire box. The supply of gas
to the flames is regulated by a valve V which can be set by an adjusting screw.
The rod of the valve V in the arrangement shewn in Fig. 7 is supported on a flexible
diaphragm covering a vessel W, which, as well as a pipe extending from it into the
naphthaline, is filled with oil or other expansible liquid that boils at a temperature
above that required in the carburetting vessel. As the heat in the vessel A. increases
the liquid expanding raises the diaphragm, and by means of the valve V more or less
throttles the gas supply to the flames O; and, conversely, if the heat in Adecreases,
the diaphragm sinking permits a larger supply of gas to the flames O. According
to the arrangement shewn in Fig. 8 the valve aperture V is more or less throttled

page_text: by the expansion of a rod X and of the gas tube Y. An internal rod a squared at
the upper end to enter a square socket of the rod X serves to screw that rod upwards
or downwards, so as to adjust the opening at the valve V. In the arrangement
shown at Fig. 9 the valve V forms the cap of a rod X within the gas pipe Y, which
is made of metal more expansible by heat than the rod X, the greater or less
throttling of the valve opening resulting from the difference of the expansion of the
rod X and the pipe Y. In the arrangement of which Fig. 10 is an elevation with
the valve box shewn in section, and Fig. 10° is a plan, the stem of the valve V is
connected to a strap Z which is bent round the vessel A. This strap consists of two
strips of different metals, such as copper and iron, brazed or otherwise secured
together, the more expansible metal being inside, so that it tends, when heated by
conduction and radiation from A, to become less curved, and so moves the valve V
towards its seat. Instead of a strap consisting of two metals, Z may be a pipe
charged with a liquid. In the arrangement shewn in Fig. 11 the stem of the valve
V is linked to two bent strips Z, Z, each consisting of two different metals, tending
when heated by conduction from A to become more curved at their lower ends, and
so to move the valve V towards its seating.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, we claim in respect of apparatus for enriching illuminating gas
by mingling with it naphthaline vapour,
First. The combination of a feeding tube B with the carburetting vessel A. as
herein described with reference to Fig. 1.
Second. The arrangement herein described with reference to Figs. 3, 3ª, and 3b for
jointing and disjointing the supply pipe of a pendant carburetting apparatus.
Third. The combination with the carburetting vessel of an internal vessel con-
taining liquid and a tube exposing extensive surface, so as to absorb excess of heat
by vaporisation of the liquid, as herein drscribed with reference to Fig. 4.
Fourth. The combination of a steam casing with the carburetting vessel and the
pipes leading therefrom, as herein described with reference to Fig. 6.
Fifth. The combination with the carburetting vessel of apparatus herein described
with reference to Fig. 5, whereby the direct heat of a flame is diverted from the
carburetting vessel when its contents have attained sufficient heat.
Sixth. Regulating the temperature of the carburetting vessel by throttling more
or less the supply of gas to the flame which heats the vessel, by means of an
adjustable valve V acted on by the expansion and contraction of a liquid exposed to
the heat in the vessel, as herein described with reference to Fig. 7.
Seventh. Regulating the temperature of the carburetting vessel by throttling
more or less the supply of gas to the flame that heats the vessel, by means of an
adjustable valve acted on by the relative expansion and contraction of a rod and
pipe, as herein described with reference to Figs 8 and 9.
Eighth. Regulating the temperature of the carburetting vessel by throttling more
or less the supply of gas to the flame that heats the vessel, by means of an adjustable
valve acted on by the change of curvature of compound metal strips or of a pipo
charged with liquid resulting from change of temperature, as herein described with
reference to Figs. 10, 10, and 11.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Livesey, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirty first day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
JAMES LIVESEY. (LS.)