Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 18th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
I, ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON, Marine Superintendent, Glasgow and South
Western Railway, Princes Pier Station, Greenock, Renfrewshire, 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:-
This invention, which relates to acetylene gas generators, has for its object to
provide such a generator which when charged with carbide will generate the gas
in volume corresponding approximately to what is consumed whilst the maximum
pressure attained in the gas holder may be easily regulated.
As represented in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a vertical
section and Figure 2 a horizontal section on the line the improved acetylene
generator is composed of a cylindrical or other vessel A. divided into compartments
one of which serves as a carbide of calcium chamber or chambers B, a second sur-
rounding or enclosing the carbide chamber serving as the water and gas supply
chamber C and the third serving as a water overflow chamber 1).
The carbide chamber B is preferably of tubular form extending across the
vessel A and has a central partition dividing it into two (or more) compartments
so that it may be conveniently charged from either end and that the compartments
may be alternately used as gas generators. Over each compartment of the tubular
carbide chamber B is fitted or formed a water inlet tube E normally closed by a
valve which is preferably made in the form of a rubber disc F extending over
the inlet tube E and fitted with a central spindle f depending through the tube E
and terminating in a splash disc f¹ which serves to scatter the water entering by
the inlet E over the carbide placed within the chamber B.
Each end of the carbide container is closed by a gastight door G hinged thereto
or to the outer vessel A and fastened by any convenient device such as the screw-
threaded stud g and wing nut g¹. On the inner face of this door G is pivoted
or otherwise secured a light rod or arm H which, just as the door is tightly closed
by the final turn of the wing nut after charging the chamber B with carbide,
comes into contact with and slightly raises the valve spindle f. Thereupon water
enters by the inlet E and mixes with the carbide so that acetylene gas is generated
and rises through the inlet tube E into the water and gas supply chamber C. Part
of the water with which said chamber is filled is displaced and forced by the gas
pressure through a dip tube or trap I into the overflow chamber D until equili-
brium of pressure of the gas and water within the chamber C is established. A
gas outlet pipe J is connected to the upper end of the chamber C through which
the gas generated is drawn off for consumption.
As the gas is consumed and the pressure within the chamber C reduced the
water from the overflow chamber D descends by the pipe I into the chamber C
until the level of the inlet E is attained whereupon more water is admitted to the
carbide chamber B and more gas generated. The gas flowing into the chamber C
again displaces part of the water and forces it under the level of the inlet tube E

page_text: so that further admission of water to the carbide chamber is prevented until that
generated has been drawn off for consumption.
When two or more carbide chambers B are used one valve F may be left closed
whilst the other is opened merely by the closing tight of the door G on the com-
partment wherein the gas is to be generated.
Should access to the carbide chamber be required for stirring up the carbide or
for cleaning out and recharging, outflow of gas is prevented through the water
inlet tube E by the automatic closing of the valve F on the opening of the door G
and consequent freeing of the valve spindle f from the pressure of the arm H.
The cover A¹ of the outer vessel A is fitted loosely so that the pressure of gas
may not exceed that due to the head of water in the overflow chamber D and risk
of explosion or damage to the apparatus is avoided. A handhole opening K may
be formed in the side of the vessel A to provide for convenient access to the valves F.
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. An acetylene gas generator constructed and arranged to operate substantially
in the manner hereinbefore described.
2. An acetylene gas generator composed of a water and gas supply chamber or
holder surmounted by an overflow chamber connected to it, the said supply
chamber enclosing a carbide chamber or chambers furnished with an inlet or inlets
through which water is automatically admitted to the carbide chamber to generate
and supply gas proportionate to the consumption, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of Annil 1000
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents. 62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agent for the Applicant.