An Improved Acetylene Gas Generator, chiefly designed for appli- cation to a Portable Lamp but also applicable for other purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1897
Complete Sponification Loft 20th an
4000
104
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Acetylene Gas Generator, chiefly designed for appli-
cation to a Portable Lamp but also applicable for other purposes.
We, CORNELIUS. CRASTIN. of 16, Tollington Road, Engineer, and GEORGE BALDWIN,
of 9, Electric Parade, Seven Sisters Road, Herbalist, both in Holloway, in the
County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-:
Our invention relates to an acetylene gas generator chiefly designed for use in
conjunction with a portable lamp but also applicable for use in connection with
fixed lamps or with motors either fixed or applied to cycles, motor-cars or the like.
The chief objects of our invention are to construct an apparatus in which the
capacity of the storage space and the quantity of water required are reduced to a
minimum and from which the atmospheric air is as far as possible excluded, so that
the quantity of air to be discharged from the apparatus when starting or introducing
a new charge is also reduced to a minimum.
According to our invention we provide a suitable reservoir into which project a
number of generator chambers adapted to be hermetically closed, and to receive
pots for containing charges of calcium carbide. Openings are formed in these
generator chambers establishing communication between the interiors of the same
and the reservoir, which openings are closed by valves adapted to be independently
operated to permit of admitting water into them in succession. In practice the
charges of carbide are so proportioned to the capacity of the storage space that the
quantity of gas given off by each charge shall only be sufficient to fill the said
space.
Each generator chamber is connected with the upper part of the reservoir (which
is preferably isolated from the lower part thereof containing the water by a
partition, so that the upper part of the reservoir serves as a gas holder or storage
space) by a pipe having a non return valve so that the gas as it is generated will
flow into this gas space. This gas space has in communication with. it an upward
extension advantageously forming a pedestal for the lamp proper, and containing
an extensible bellows which when no gas is in the apparatus is contracted and
which as the gas is generated expands and drives out the air in the space above it
which communicates with the atmosphere.
Similar bellows are also advantageously arranged in the generator chambers to
force out the air therefrom, as the gas is generated and to prevent it from mixing
with the gas.
To avoid the liability of accident in case more gas is generated than the apparatus
is designed to hold, I provide a supplemental chamber into which the water will
be displaced through a pipe in case of excessive generation.
As in practice some water will remain in the generator chambers after the valves
controlling the openings into the reservoir are closed, we provide for allowing the
escape of this water when the carbide pots are removed by seating the said pots
upon flexible seatings around openings in communication with a waste water tray,
in such a manner that when the pots are lifted the water will escape.

page_text: To afford an indication when the gas generated from one charge is nearly
exhausted we advantageously attach to the bellows in the pedestal an indicator rod.
Dated this 20th day of April 1897.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.
An Improved Acetylene Gas Generator, chiefly designed for appli-
cation to a Portable Lamp but also applicable for other purposes.
We, CORNELIUS CRASTIN, of 16, Tollington Road, Holloway, in the County of
London, Engineer, and GEORGE BALDWIN, formerly of 9, Electric Parade, Seven
Sisters Road, Holloway, but now of 5, Clive Road, West Dulwich, in the County of
Surrey, Herbalist, 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 an acetylene gas generator chiefly designed for use in
conjunction with a portable lamp but also applicable for use in connection with
fixed lamps or with motors either fixed or applied to cycles, motor-cars or the like.
The chief objects of our invention are to construct an apparatus in which the
capacity of the storage space and the quantity of water required are reduced to a
minimum and from which the atmospheric air is as far as possible excluded, so
that the quantity of air to be discharged from the apparatus when starting or
introducing a new charge is also reduced to a minimum.
According to our invention we provide a suitable reservoir into which project a
number of generator chambers adapted to be hermetically closed, and to receive
pots for containing charges of calcium carbide.
Openings are formed in these generator chambers establishing communication
between the interiors of the same and the reservoir, which openings are closed
by valves adapted to be independently operated to permit of admitting water into
them in succession.
In practice the charges of carbide are so proportioned to the capacity of the
storage space that the quantity of gas given off by each charge shall only be
sufficient to fill the said space.
Each generator chamber is connected with the upper part of the reservoir (which
is preferably isolated from the lower part thereof containing the water by a
partition, so that the upper part of the reservoir serves as a gas holder or storage
space) by a pipe having a non-return valve so that the gas as it is generated will
flow into this gas space.
This gas space has in communication with it an upward extension advantageously
forming a pedestal for the lamp proper, and containing an extensible bellows
which when no gas is in the apparatus is contracted and which as the gas is
generated expands and drives out the air in the space above it which communicates
with the atmosphere.
•
Similar bellows are also advantageously arranged in the generator chambers to
displace the air therefrom and thus prevent it from mixing with the gas as the
same is generated.
To avoid the liability of accident in case more gas is generated than the apparatus
is designed to hold, we provide a supplemental chamber into which the water will
be displaced through a pipe in case of excessive generation.
As in practice some water will remain in the generator chambers after the
valves controlling the openings into the reservoir are closed, we provide for allow-
ing the escape of this water when the carbide pots are removed by seating the

page_text: said pots upon flexible seatings around openings
water tray, in such a manner that when the pots are lifted the water will escape.
To afford an indication when the gas generated from one charge is nearly
axhausted, we advantageously attach to the bellows in the pedestal an indicator rod.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily.
carried into effect we will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a vertical section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2 representing
an acetylene gas generator constructed according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a plan thereof.
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 1-2 of Figure 2, and showing
some of the parts in different position.
Figure 4 is a front view of part of Figure 1 showing more particularly the
indicating device and adjacent parts.
Figure 5 is a side view thereof.
Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a separate view of part of Figure 1 showing more particularly the
generating chamber and co-acting parts.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of the generating chamber separately.
Figure 10 is a vertical section of the pot separately.
Figure 11 is a similar view of the perforated basket separately.
Figure 11 is an elevation of part of Figure 7, but drawn at right angles thereto.
Figure 12 is a vertical section of the valve apparatus controlling the supply of
water to the generating chamber showing the valve open.
Figure 13 is a vertical section of the device for filling and emptying the water
chamber and showing the water gauge employed in connection therewith.
Figure 14 is a plan of the gas valve.
Figure 15 is a vertical section thereof taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 14.
Figure 16 is a similar view to Figure 1, but taken on the same line as Figure 3
and representing a modification applicable for use with motors.
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference, Figures 4 to 15 are drawn to an increased scale with respect to the other
figures of the drawings.
In the example given at Figures 1 to 15, a represents the case or body of the
apparatus which is constructed of sheet metal and supported upon legs a¹, la³
represents a downward extension thereof which constitutes a drainage chamber
and a represents an upward extension thereof or pedestal hereinafter more fully
referred to.
The lower part of the interior of the case or body a is by a horizontal annular
partition b¹ separated into two chambers bb*, the lower one 6 of which constitutes
the reservoir of water whilst the upper one 6* constitutes a supplemental or
displacement chamber.
The reservoir b is filled with water through a tubular fitting c communicating
near its upper and lower ends with the reservoir b by pipes c¹ and at its ends closed
by screw caps 2 by removing the upper one of which the reservoir is filled an.
by removing the lower one of which it is emptied.
Passing through the annular displacement chamber * and projecting into the
reservoir bare arranged a number of generator chambers d which at their lower
ends communicate by a normally closed way hereinafter more fully referred to
with the drainage chamber a and these generator chambers d are adapted to be
hermetically closed by means of covers held in place by screws * which screw
through bails or bridges ³ formed to hook onto studs or pivots ** carried by a
ring or collar surrounding the upper part of the generator chambers d, so that by
turning back the screws * and unhooking the bails or bridges the covers

page_text: and displacement bellows de may readily be removed from the generator chambers d
thus permitting the lifting out of the pots d hereinafter referred to.
Within the generator chambers d are arranged removeable pots d for containing
the calcium carbide, and which pots are perforated at 4* to admit water thereto
from the generator chamber d, and these pots are similarly closed by means of the
cover whilst within the pots are provided perforated baskets which serve to
contain the charge of calcium carbide and to withdraw the residual matter after
the charge has become spent.
Within the perforated baskets d are provided air displacing devices consisting of
bellows do which at one end are fixed with a downward extension * of the
cover, and at the other end are fixed with a travelling piston or. plunger do*
which is fixed with a hollow piston rod which extends upwardly through the
screw *, so that when starting the apparatus and before closing the generator
chamber d the piston or plunger do* may be depressed by the aid of the rod thus
extending the bellows and approximately forcing out the greater proportion of the
air contained within the perforated basket and generator chamber d which finds
an exit at the mouth thereof so that the gas produced by the calcium carbide will
be substantially free from air, whilst in order to provide for the admission and
escape of air to and from the bellows do as the same is extended or collapsed a small
air way is provided in the hollow piston rod which latter is at its upper end
open to the atmosphere.
It will be obvious that a similar effect may be obtained by substituting a cylinder
for the bellows de hereinbefore described provided the piston or plunger (* is
capable of travelling within the cylinder.
through a pine e
placed at such an
in the reservoir b
The water is supplied to the calcium carbide within the pot
controlled by a screw valve e¹ and the opening in such pipe is
elevation that it is necessary for the water to be at a high level
in order to flow thereinto but the height of this pipe may be varied according to
circumstances.
The water passing into the pipe e flows into a valve box e beneath which is an
outlet closed by a screw cape to provide for the removal of accumulated matter
and within the valve box e³ is a valve which seats against the lower end of a
pipe which by a way of communicates with the generator chamber d and the
valve is fixed with the lower end of a rod e* which extends upward through a
guide e, and near its upper part is fixed with a block e and between the guide e?
and the black es is arranged a coiled spring the whole being enclosed in a
rubber sleeve elo and which spring normally tends to force the block upward and
consequently keep the valve et against its seat upon the pipe e as indicated by the
full lines in Figure 1, and the dotted lines in Figure 12, and thus exclude water
from the generator chamber d.
When it is required to admit water from the reservoir b to the generator
chamber d the valve is depressed into the position indicated by the full lines in
Figure 12 by the aid of a key f the barrel of which receives the upper end of the
valve rod and engages the block 8 and the bit f¹ of which passes through a key
hole slot in the upper part of the case a and by engaging a part thereof beyond
the slot a* holds the valve e depressed thus permitting the water to flow to the
charge of carbide in the pot of the generator chamber d until the same is
exhausted.
The key may then be removed and similarly applied to a like valve of another
of the generator chambers so that each may be brought into operation in succession,
and as required.
The height of the pipe e controlling the admission of water to the valve box e
and consequently to the generator chamber d may be so arranged that the calcium
carbide within the pot d will be at once flooded upon the opening of the valve ª
and in practice the charges of carbide may be so proportioned with regard to the
storage capacity of the gas holder hereinafter more fully referred to that the

page_text: quantity of gas given off by each charge shall only be sufficient to fill such storage
space.
The valve e in addition to the uses above named also serves as a relief valve in
the event of the gas outlet hereinafter referred to, failing from any cause.
Each generator chamber d is by means of pipes de ds opening into the generator
chamber at different elevations so as to avoid any accumulation of water in the
pipes, connected with the upper part of the reservoir b which consists
of the lower end of the pedestal or trunk a³ which is more
isolated from the lower part of the reservoir containing the water
by a partition a perforated at a**, so that the upper part of the reservoir, or rather
the trunk or pedestal a³ serves as a gas holder or storage chamber.
or less
The gas pipe * is provided with a non-return valve consisting of a disc do
covered by a leather or other suitable diaphragm d held in position by a screw
one of such valves serving for the whole of the gas pipes 8* of the several
generators d so that the gas generated therein will flow into the storage
chamber a³.
The trunk a³ which may advantageously form a pedestal for a lamp has arranged
therein an expansible bellows g which when no gas is in the apparatus is collapsed
as indicated at Figure 3, but which as gas is generated is distended and drives out
the air from the trunk a³ which passes away by a vent hole a to the outer air.
In order to afford an indication of the quantity of gas in the storage chamber
but more particularly when the gas generated from one charge of carbide in one
has fixed
of the generator chambers d has become exhausted the top of the bellows
therewith an indicator rod g¹ which passes up through a tubular standard a" formed
with a slot a therein, and the indicator rod g' has fixed on the upper cranked end
thereof a hand or pointer g² which traverses the outside of the tubular standard as
and indicates the extent of inflation or the collapse of the bellows upon the
exhaustion of the gas.
Upon the top of the tubular extension a is a cock or fitting 'h adapted to receive
a suitable burner for the gas, and the gas is supplied to the fitting through a
pipe which near to its lower end connects by a branch h² with the bellows storage
chamber g whilst the pipe h' is carried down through the reservoir b to the outer air
where it is provided with a cock h³ for the purpose of draining off any moisture of
condensation therefrom, or for the purpose of connection with other burners.
In order to avoid any liability to inconvenience or accident in case more gas is
generated than the bellows g is designed to hold the supplemental or displacement
chamber by means of a downwardly extending pipe 61 communicates with the
reservoir b and admits of the displacement therefrom into the chamber b* of water
to afford space for any excess of gas accidentally generated by the improper
manipulation of the apparatus and passing into the gas holder.
The length of the pipe 6*1 must be regulated according to the pressure desired in
the gas holder g.
As in practice some water will remain in the generator chamber d after the
valves e controlling the pipes e communicating with the reservoir b are closed it is
necessary to provide means for allowing the escape of this water when the carbide
pots d are removed in order that they may be cleansed and re-charged and for this.
purpose the bottoms of the pots are provided with conical or tapered projec-
tions which seat in openings formed in rubber or other suitable discs or
seatings ** arranged at the bottom of the generator chambers d and which
openings communicate with the waste water tray a² in such manner that when the
pots dare lifted the contained water will escape into said drainage or waste water
tray a whence it may be drawn off through an opening closed by a screw cap a²*
and thus the possibility of introducing a freshly charged carbide pot into a generator
chamber containing water is avoided.
A safety outlet pipe for gas b** is connected with the upper part of the displace-
ment chamber 6 and is fitted with several gauze diaphragms 6*3 so that any excess
of gas will escape thereat into the open air, and the diaphragms will prevent the

page_text: flashing back of the flame in the event of a light being inadvertently and
improperly applied thereto.
In the example given at Figure 16 which represents the generator intended for
use more especially with motors the device is substantially the same as that herein-
before described except that the tubular extension of the standard a³ is dispensed
with and the indicator 92 is carried directly by the upper part of the bellows g
and the gas is taken off by a descending pipe h and branch h² from a point imme
diately below the bellows g and the pipe by a branch in turn communicates
with the motor. It will be obvious that for cycle lamps or the like a small
generator may be combined with a lantern.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A generator for acetylene gas comprising a water reservoir, a supplemental or
displacement tank, a gas holder a number of generator chambers arranged around
the gas holder and adapted each to receive a charge of carbide, a gas pipe fitted
with a non-return valve connecting the upper part of each generator chamber with
the gas holder a way connecting the lower part of each generator chamber with the
water reservoir a spring actuated disc valve for normally closing the water way and
a single key adapted to hold each valve open in turn and thus put in operation each
generator chamber in succession substantially as herein shown and described.
2. A generator for acetylene gas comprising a water reservoir, a supplemental
or displacement tank, a gas holder, a generator chamber adapted to receive a charge
of carbide, a gas pipe connecting the upper part of the generator chamber with the
gas holder, a way connecting the lower part of the generator chamber with the
water reservoir, a spring actuated disc valve for normally closing the water way and
means for holding open the valve at the times required substantially as herein
shown and described.
3. A generator for acetylene gas comprising a water reservoir a supplemental
or displacement tank, a gas holder, a generator chamber fitted with a pot adapted
to receive a charge of carbide, a gas pipe connecting the upper part
of the generator chamber with the gas holder, a valve controlled way
connecting the lower part of the generator chamber with the water
reservoir, a drainage opening in the bottom of the generator chamber, a disc of
rubber or the like covering the bottom of the generator chamber and perforated to
correspond with said opening and a conical projection upon the bottom of the pot
adapted to seat in said opening substantially as herein shown and described and for
the purpose stated.
4. A generator for acetylene gas comprising a water reservoir, a supplemental or
displacement tank, a gas holder, a generator chamber adapted to receive a charge.
of carbide, suitable valve controlled connections between the water reservoir and
the generator chamber and between the generator chamber and the gas holder, and
an air displacing device consisting of a bellows or the like introduced into the
generator chamber and acting in manner substantially as herein shown and
described.
5. A generator for acetylene gas constructed, arranged, and operating
substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 20th day of Tono 1808
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Rooms 221-225, Birkbeck Bank Chambers,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.