Improvements in Apparatus for Containing and Supplying Liquefied Gas for Lighting and other purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Containing and Supplying Liquefied
Gas for Lighting and other purposes.
I, JOSEPH BARBE FOURNIER of 3 Rue de Fournon, Paris in the Republic of France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improved apparatus for containing and supplying liquefied
gas such as acelyline for example for lighting purposes or for inflating the pneumatic
tyres of velocipedes. The said apparatus consists of a metal reservoir provided with a
single or compound regulating valve or cock for filling the apparatus and controlling
the flow of the gas and in some cases I employ in combination therewith an audible
signal for indicating the amount of gas contained in the reservoir or I may employ
other regulating or safety devices as hereinafter described.
In one form of apparatus according to my Invention the reservoir or receiver is
formed with a screw threaded neck provided internally with a shoulder in which fits a
bush or sleeve preferably correspondingly stepped and the lower part of which extends
into the receiver and terminates in a tube. Engaging with the bush or sleeve is a
cock terminating in a conical plug through the centre of which is a channel whose
lower orifice opens laterally into the lower part of the bush. The cylindrical body of
the said cock is preferably formed of different diameters the smallest being at the base
and closing the orifice at the end of the bush where it meets the tube; the next
portion of larger diameter is screw threaded and takes into the bush while the part
above may be of the same diameter or larger or if desired conical; the upper end of
the said cock is formed with an opening to which a supply pipe may be attached for
communicating with another apparatus. The cock is opened or closed by means of-a
milled head fitted to the upper part thereof or a handle or the like. The proper tight
fitting between the bush and the cock is secured by means of a leather washer on the
shoulder of the neck of the receiver and conical rings with their bases opposite each
other situated above the bush whose upper end is formed conical to correspond with
an intervening layer of lubricant such as glycerine, oil, or the like, which may be also
contained in a narrow channel cut round the inside of the neck. Another stuffing ring
fits above the conical rings all being kept in position by a cap screwing over the end
of the neck of the reservoir.
A small cock for use in filling the receiver and at the same time acting as a safety
device for preventing its rupture in case of an overcharge may be secured on the end
of the said receiver. The bushing of the cock terminates at its lower end in a tube
at the end of which is fixed a vibrating reed or the like. This reed is arranged so as
to sound in case of danger from overcharge.
In some cases when small receivers are used I employ regulators for regulating the
supply of gas therefrom. These may be formed with an internal elastic membrane to
which is attached a rod, the lower end of which is provided with a plug for closing the
channel through which the fluid flows, the upper end of the rod passes through a
screw plug and terminates in a stop and also serves as a guide for a coiled spring
situated between the upper side of the membrane and the base of the screw plug.
By screwing down the said screw any desired pressure may be placed on the membrane
while by moving it in the opposite direction the rod is raised and the orifice of the
channel closed. This regulator when used is screwed onto the neck of the receiver and
the supply of the fluid will take place therethrough.

page_text: Instead of employing a separate small cock as already described I may combine the
same with the aforesaid large cock so as to form a double or compound cock, which is
preferred in the case of small receivers when used for instance with velocipedes. In
one arrangement I employ a bush or sleeve extending a short distance into the receiver
and in another arrangement I dispense with the aforesaid sleeve altogether. In both
these last named cases the body or core of the large cock extends to the base of the
receiver where it acts as a plug for an opening formed therein, by which the said
receiver may be filled. The upper part of the core of the large cock is hollowed out
and receives the plug of the small regulating cock which screws therein. The audible
safety device may be fixed on the upper end of the small cock. An index is mounted
on a collar round the upper part of the ccre of the small cock and being made fast
thereon by a set screw so as to limit the amount through which the small cock may
be turned by coming into contact with a stop fixed on the head of the large cock which
is provided with a suitable indicating dial.
Inplace of the audible signalling device and the small cock on which it is mounted
I may employ one of the following devices. The reservoir is provided with a bent
tube forming a manometer, one end communicating with the interior of the said
reservoir and the other end being closed and free. In proximity to this end of the
tube is one end of a lever which may be provided with an adjusting screw while to the
other end a rod is jointed which passes into the receiver through a small cylindrical
passage and is provided with a stop for closing the same, a spring being provided for
causing the valve to remain normally in this closed position, or any other suitable
lever device may be empoyed. Instead of causing the free end of the manometric
tube to act on a lever operating the valve the said tube may be arranged to operate a
small cock similar to those already described. In this arrangement the head of the
cock carries a rod placee at right angles thereto through a hole formed at the end of
this rod, one end of an adjustable connecting rod can slide freely between two stops,
the other end thereof being connected to the free end of the manometric tube. By
these means any chance of explosion is avoided since the spiral tube elongates when
there is excess of pressure in the receiver, the end of the tube by means of the lever
device or the rod opening the valve or the cock so that the gas can escape and the
pressure fall: the spiral will then by its elasticity return to its original position at the
same time closing the cock, the valve in the first arrangement being closed by its
spring. In both cases the movements of the free end of the manometric tube may be
utilised for indicating the pressure in the receiver.
By a suitable arrangement of levers the two arrangements of manometric tubes
may be employed in combination with the same cock both for regulating the feed of
gaseous fluid and acting as a safety valve.
Dated this 30th day of September 1896
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Apparatus for Containing and Suppyling Liquefied
Gas for Lighting and other purposes.
I, JOSEPH BARBE FOURNIER of 3 Rue de Tournon, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer, 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 :-
My Invention consists in apparatus for use in lighting with liquid acetylene or any
other combustible gas which has been previously liquified; pneumatic tyres of
velocipedes or other vehicles may also be inflated by these gases or by any other

page_text: or it may be provided on its circumference with one or more longitudinal openings
allowing of the passage of the gas. To obtain the same end, the regulator pipe may
he provided with either the axial opening device of the receiver valve or the device
shewn in Figure 14. In the latter case the rod 18 has an opening branching at
its two ends, and the regulator pipe then acts as the movable bush of the
cock.
This pipe may be placed at the centre of the regulator, the opening for it
being made in the upper part of the regulator rod as in Figure 19.
The upper part of this rod is of a suitable size and it is provided with a hollowed.
channel. In every case, an index or pointer 89 fixed on the stop at the upper part
of the rod enables, concurrently with the graduation shewn on the upper face
of the disc 36, the degree of tension of the flexible diaphragm 81 to be
ascertained.
Any one of the regulator devices may be secured permanently to the receiver after
removal of the valve and its accessories.
Lastly, besides the principal use for which the apparatus is intended, that is to say,
for lighting the receiver may be employed for containing any gas under pressure or
liquified. Where this fluid has to be withdrawn from the receiver in a liquid form
there may be substituted for the ordinary bush of the valve, the syphon bush
shewn in Figure 1, that is to say, a bush extending through a tube to near the end of
the receiver.
I do not limit myself strictly to the particular details of construction herein before
described or shown by way of example in the annexed drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An apparatus, for the purposes described, comprising a metallic reservoir, a device
with one regulating valve or two such valves for the charging and discharging of the
apparatus, and either a safety device fitted with a reed, siren or other sonorous
apparatus indicating the extent of the filling, or one of the regulating and safety
devices hereinbefore described with reference respectively to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In apparatus, such as herein before described, a valve or stop with a spherical or
circular bevel head acting in the same way as the valves claimed in the preceeding
claim, substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. In apparatus, such as hereinbefore described, the arrangement whereby the
pressure on the regulator diaphragm may be varied by varying the discharge orifice,
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 18 and 19 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus, such as hereinbefore described, the double regulator, substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 17 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting either of the devices
constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: liquified gas. I will describe my Invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through the axis of an apparatus constructed
according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the regulating device,
Figures 3 and 4'shew respectively in vertical sections two modified constructions of
the same apparatus more especially designed for use with velocipedes.
Figure 5 shews in plan a detail of construction hereinafter described.
Figure 6 shews in vertical section an apparatus according to my Invention provided
with a safety manometric tube.
Figure 7 is a plan of the upper end of the gas reservoir of the said apparatus.
Figures 8 and 9 shew the same safety device applied to a modified construction of
my apparatus.
Figures 10 and 11 shew in plan two modified constructions of the same safety device.
Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate three further modified constructions of the pointed
plug.
Figure 15 shews an axial section of modified form of the safety device.
Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the safety valve rod, and
Figures 17, 18 and 19 illustrate somewhat modified constructions of the regulating
device.
Apparatus constructed according to my Invention and which is applicable for
lighting generally in houses and especially in carriages and velocipedes as well as for
inflating pneumatic tyres consists of a receiver 1 made of steel or other suitably strong
material (Figure 1) and terminates in a neck 2 screw-threaded from its base to its end.
The opening of this neck 2 is narrowed at its lower end and provided with a shoulder 3.
in which enters a bush or gland 4 part of which fits exactly in the lower part of the
neck recess 2. The lower part of this bush which is of the smallest diameter, is
screw-threaded internally through a portion of its length and penetrates into the
receiver for any desired length; it is cylindro-conically shaped and extends to near
the bottom of the receiver 1 by means of a tube 5 which may be of any size. The
upper part of this bush terminates in a conical chamber 6.
In the bush 4 engages a pointed plug 7 having a central chamber 8, the lower end of
which opens laterally at 9 into the lower part of the bush. This device or cock consists
of four parts of different diameters, 1st the lower part of the smallest diameter termi-
nating at its lower end in the pointed plug 7; 2nd a part of larger diameter screw-
ing into the corresponding part of the bush 4, 3rd a part of the same diameter
or of a slightly larger diameter than the preceding, 4th an upper part of any desired
diameter terminating in an opening 10 to which the tube for communicating with
another apparatus can be screwed. This device constitutes a very strong valve which
is operated by means of a milled head 11 or a bar or handle or the like.
The proper tight fitting between the bush and the valve is secured on the one hand
by a leather washer 12 placed between the shoulder 3 of the neck 2 of the receiver 1
and a corresponding shoulder of the bush 4, and on the other hand by two cylindro-
conical rings 13, 14 of lead or tow surrounding the valve with their bases opposite.
each other and separated by a thin layer of lubricant such as glycerine, oil, fat or the
like. The joint may also have a narrow channel 15 formed round the inside of the
neck 2. The upper ring 14 fits into the conical chamber formed at the lower part of
a steel ring 16 held in position by a screw cap 17. By turning this screw cap on the
neck 2 of the receiver 1 in the desired direction, the ring 16 is forced against the lead
or tow forming the joint and by turning the bush 4 in the desired direction the
leather washer 12 will be compressed between the shoulder on the said bush and the
shoulder 3 thus securing the proper tight fitting of the bush and valve. In most
cases the leather washer 12 and the circular channel 15 made in the neck 2 may be
dispensed with, the other joint being sufficient to ensure perfect tight fitting.
A small valve 18 is placed either on the side or on the upper end of the receiver 1
for filling the latter and at the same time acting as a safety device for preventing
rupture of the receiver in case of an overcharge.

page_text: The bushing 19 in the interior of which the said valve screws terminates beneath
the conical part into which the end of the valve fits in a small tube 20 on the end
of which is mounted a vibrating or free reed 21 which enters the receiver for a certain
distance.
Daring filling, with the apparatus in a vertical position and the small valve 18 open,
the said reed remains silent or sounds according as the level of the liquid reaches it
or not. If during the filling the liquid rises above the reed 21, the valve 7 should be
opened so that the level of the liquid in the receiver 1.may drop, and when it descends
below the reed 21 the latter again begins to sound. A safe charge for the apparatus
is thus ensured and the valve 7 is then closed (the valve may be replaced by any
other device capable of operating in a similar manner).
For cases where only a small flow of gaseous fluid is required, the apparatus which
I have already described will suffice, but when the quantity of gas set free in a unit of
time exceeds a certain limit, the reheating of the encompassing medium (air in most
cases) no longer suffices to properly compensate for the lowering of the temperature
caused by the evaporation of the liquid, and the pressure in the apparatas will vary,
and consequently the supply of gaseous fluid, corresponding to a predetermined extent
of opening of the valve 7. The apparatas may then be provided with a regulator
shewn separately in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, which may be screwed
into the tapped orifice 10 of the receiver 1. The regulator may be of aluminium,
steel, or any other suitable substance in the form of a hexagonal prism and consists of
two nuts screwing onto each other. Between these two nuts is pressed on its edges
and held in position, a circular elastic membrane 24. Through the centre of this
membrane 24 passes a small rod 25, the movements of which are dependent on those of
the said membrane. This rod 25 passes through the whole regulating device and
terminates at both ends by stops 26, 27. The conically shaped stop 27 is provided on
its upper face with a small washer of rubber, leather, tin, lead, or other suitable substance
for stopping the lower aperture of the central channel of the regulator when the rod 25
has been raised by the pressure on the membrane 24; or the channel may terminate
at its lower end in a conical opening which stops or forms a seating for a conical piece
(not shown in the drawings) secured to the lower end of the rod 25. The rod 25 also
serves as a guide for a spring 28 whose lower end bears against a nut fixing the rod 25
to the membrane 24, the upper end of the said spring abutting against the base of the
set screw 29. By serewing down the set screw 29 the membrane can be subjected to
any desired pressure from atmospheric pressure to the maximum strength of the spring.
By turning the sot serew in the opposite direction the rod 25 is raised by the stop 26.
and the orifice of the central channel is closed by the plug 27. The form of the
regulator and its armngement are made to suit the apparatus described, and may be
varied as found desirable. In all cases whatever be the form of the regulator when
the apparatus is constructed of a small size, as for example when applied to velocipedes,
the regulator may be screwed directly onto the neck of the receiver. The introduction
of the liquid will then take place through the feed orifice of the regulator. I have
stated that the small valve 18 with its accompanying parts may be placed either on the
side or on the upper end of the receiver 1.
When my apparatus is applied to velocipedes and in other cases where its use.
necessitates that it should be of small size, I prefer to employ either of the arrange-
ments shewn in Figures 3 and 4. In this construction instead of the bush 4, extending
to the base of the receiver 1 as already described in the arrangement shewn in Figure 1
it only enters a short distance therein, or I may shape the lower part of the neck 2 to
the form of the bush as in Figure 4 and then dispense with the said bush altogether.
The larger valve 7 then extends to the base of the receiver 1 and closes an opening 30
which is used for filling it. The said valve 7 at its upper part is provided with a
central passage into which the small regulating valve 18 screws, this latter here
fulfilling the same functions as those already described with reference to the pointed
valve of Figure 1, and also serving to regulate the flow of gas. A stop fixed on the
head of the larger valve limits the amount through which the smaller one may be
turned so as to have the desired discharge of gaseous fluid always the same under the

page_text: various applications shewn. The audible signalling and safety device consisting of the
reed may be fixed on the upper screwed end of the smaller valve. A small circular
disc 31 mounted eccentrically on the base of the receiver 1 closes the opening 30 and
protects it from the dust. In apparatus so reduced to a small size the valve 18 takes
the place of the regulator already described. Tee stop device shewn in plan in Figure 5
consists of a stop 32 for limiting the rotation of the valve 18 and a collar 33 surrounding
that part of the body of the valve 18 situnted immediately above the head 36 of the
valve 7. This collar carries a set screw 34 for attaching it to the body of the cock 18,
and a pointer 35. The upper side of the head 36 of the valve 7 is marked with a
scale corresponding to each application so that the pointer 35 can be fixed once and
for all at a given point for limiting the rotation of the valve 18 and consequently for
obtaining the desired discharge of the gaseous fluid, the pointer 35 abutting against
the stop 32 and preventing the rotation of the valve 18 beyond any predetermined
point. The reed 21 constituting the signalling and safety device may he replaced by
any other instrument producing the same result. It may, for example, be replaced
by a bell, siren, or by the following arrangements shewn in Figures 6 to 11.
A tube 41 (Figures 6 and 7) bent like a metal manometer tube and whose curve
and section are sa arranged to give it a proper degree of sensitiveness, is fixed on one
of the ends of the receiver 1 at its end 42 which is in communication with the interior
thereof, the other end 43 of the said tube 41 being closed and free. On the side of
the receiver 1 and near the end 43 of the tube 41, is mounted a lever 44, 45 turning
on its pivot 46. The end 45 of the said lever carries an adjusting screw 47 and to the
other end 44 is jointed a steel rod 48 which passes through a small cylinder 49 screwed.
into the receiver 1. At the end of the rod in the receiver is a conical valve 50. A
bent blade spring 51 keeps the plug 50 against the opening which it thus closes.
desired a suitable arrangement of levers may be employed so as to enable the valve to
be placed in any desired position on the receiver 1. The screw 47 serves for
adjusting the distance between the upper arm 45 of the lever and the movable end 43
of the manometric tube 41.
Figures 8 and 9 shew the same safety device applied to another shape of
receiver 1.
Instead of causing the free end 43 of the manometric tube to act on a lever operating
a valve, the end may be arranged as shewn in Figures 10 and 11 to operate a valve
similar to the valve 18 already described, and it may be placed in any desired position
on the receiver.
In this case the head of the valve 18 carries an arm 52 placed at right angles to the
axis of the valve. Through a hole formed at the end of this arm, one end of a con-
necting rod 55 jointed at 56 to the end of the tube 41, is free to slide to an extent
limited by two relatively adjustable stops 53 and 54. The length of this rod 55 can
be adjusted by means of the set screw 58, whereby the relative positions of the
stops 53, 54 are varied. Figure 11 shows by way of example this arrangement placed
on the end of receiver 1. Either of these arrangements may be employed in place of
the valve 18 already described.
With both arrangements dangers of explosion arising from various causes are
avoided, since the manometric tube 41 expands or tends to straighten as the pressure
increases in the receiver 1 and the end of the tube 41, by means of the lever 44, 45
(Figure 6) or rod 55 (Figures 10 and 11) opens the valve 50 or 18. The gas will
then escape from the apparatus, the pressure drop and the manometric tube 41 retract
at the same time as the valve 18, on which it acts by elasticity, closes. In both cases
the movements of the free end of the manometric tube 41 may be utilised for indicating
the pressure at any time contained in the receiver 1. The arrangement of valves may
also be employed for regulating the feed of gaseous fluid. I have herein before stated
that the passage for the introduction and discharge of the gas is formed at the centre
of the valve 18. This passage may, as shewn in Figure 12, 13 and 14, be dispensed
with, the lower end of the neck of the Receiver 1 then being provided with a
lateral opening 8 formed centrally through a cylinder 60 screwed on the neck of the
receiver.1.

page_text: Under these conditions, everything being arranged as before stated, the movable
bush 4 may be either retained as in Figure 12 or dispensed with as in Figures 13
and 14.
Figure 14 shews an arrangement for reducing the friction produced by the valve 18.
against the side of the opening which it serves to close. For this purpose the stem
of the valve 18 is provided at its ends with two prolongations 61 and 62. The pro-
longation 61 carries at its end a spherical or other suitably shaped stop, whilst the
rod 62 is threaded and engages with a screw nut 11 worked by means of a milled rim
or flange 36. This screw nut 11 has at its lower end an enlargement or rib 63
engaging, with sufficient play, with an annular groove formed in a collar 64, fixed on
the nut 65. The stem of the valve 18 (Figure 14) carries two projections 90 capable
of sliding in corresponding vertical grooves made in the neck of the receiver 1. These
projections prevent the valve 18 from turning but leave it free to rise and descend. If
therefore the milled rim 36 is turned the stop 61 will open or shut the gas outlet
orifice according to the direction of the rotation.
Figure 15 shews a modified form of the valve and a special safety device which
allows the manometric tube to be dispensed with. This device consists of a corrugated
disc 66, fixed to the side of the receiver 1 by a screw plug 67, and capable of trans-
mitting its movements to the rod 68 of a valve 69 by means of a lever 70 to which the
said dise is jointed at its centre. A spring 71 with the help of a screw 72 admits of
the last described device being adjusted so as to enable the disc 66 and consequently
the valve 69 to operate at any predetermined pressure.
The valve 69 is mounted on the receiver 1 by means of two screws 73, 75 of which
the former (73) is screwed to the side of the said receiver and is connected with the
part 74 supporting the fulcrum of the lever 70 and the latter (75) is hollow at its
centre as shewn in the drawing, and threaded into the previously mentioned
screw (73).
The valve 69 is pressed against the valve opening by a spring 76 its movements
being regulated by the rod 68.
The valve 69 may, as before stated, be of conical form and adapted to engage with
a seating of the same shape, or, as shewn in Figure 15, it may have the shape of a
hollow cap with a star-shaped flange 68 as shewn in transverse section on an enlarged
scale in Figure 16.
For arresting dust which might hinder the perfect closing of the valve, I secure.
on the inner end of the cylinder 75 a cap 77 whose end is provided with a series of
small perforations forming a sieve. Between this perforated end and the end of the
cylinder, there is arranged a plug 78 of any suitable material for filtering the liquid
before it passes through the valve.
Figures 17, 18 and 19 shew several modified forms of the regulator before described
with reference to Figure 2.
Figure 17 shews two regulators coupled together. The box or casing 79 of the
first regulator is prolonged and its lower part is screwed onto the box or casing 80
formed by the lower screwed portion of the second regulator. The flexible diaphragm 81
of this second regulator is kept in position by a serew 82 which itself carries a smaller
screw 83 for carrying the tension on the plate 81. A third screw 84 closes the
compartment which is underneath this plate and one hole or two or more holes 85 is
or are made in the side of the lower chamber 80 of this regulator. The screw 86 for
fastening the latter on to the receiver 1 is slightly grooved internally. The valve 87
may be either a cone, a hollow cup as in Figure 17, or of flat disc shape as shewn in
Figures 18 and 19, this last named form being employed in conjunction with a bevel-
edged seating.
Figures 18 and 19 shew by way of example, a device for varying, as required, the
effective size of the outlet orifice of the regulator and the effects of pressure resulting
therefrom. In the escape pipe of the regulator is a screw 88 (Figures 18 and 19) pro-
vided with a valve which, more or less mised or lowered in the pipe, produces the
desired result. This screw 88 may be centrally perforated with a channel branching
laterally in the neighbourhood of the conical valve or end, as shewn in Figures 18 and 19,