NEW AND IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING ATMOSPHERIC AIR, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew George Hunter, of Flint, North Wales,
for the Invention of "NEW AND IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING
ATMOSPHERIC AIR, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER APPARATUS CONNECTED
THERE WITH.
"
Sealed the 29th May 1874, and dated the 13th March 1874.
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew George Hunter
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th March 1874.
I, ANDREW GEORGE HUNTER, of Flint, North Wales, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention of "NEW AND IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
CARBURETTING ATMOSPHERIC AIR, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention which relates to new or improved arrangements or
construction of apparatus for charging atmospheric air with the vapour
of hydrocarbons, for rendering such air capable of being used or burned
ön issuing through gas burners after the manner of coal or other
inflammable gas has for its object,-
First. To cause a more perfect admixture or combination of the

page_text: atmospheric air, and hydrocarbon vapour than is obtainable by
carburetting apparatus as hitherto constructed or in use.
Second. To prevent as much as possible atmospheric air so charged
with hydrocarbon vapour when kept stored for any length of time from
separating or diffusing itself into gases of different densities.
Third. To prevent the return or diffusion of the carburetted air from
the carburetter into the air supplying apparatus at times when the action
of such apparatus is suspended.
Fourth. The Invention relates to an improved air supplying apparatus.
The improved carburetter by which the two first objects of this
Invention are effected, consists in its simplest form of a horizontal box
divided into compartments by transverse partitions. At the upper part
of each of these partitions one or more openings are made which may or
may not be provided with tubes, whose lower ends terminate a short
distance above the level of the hydrocarbon in the several compartments..
The partitions may be formed of or coated with fibrous or porous
material, and the sides, top, and bottom of the box may be also so
coated; the tubes attached to the several partitions may or may not be
filled or partially filled with fibrous material.
The atmospheric air to be charged with the vapour of the hydrocarbon
is delivered into the first of the series of compartments, and by virtue
of the smallness of the apertures through which it has to pass through-
out the several partitions from compartment to compartment it is
maintained for a long time in contact with the carburetting vapour or
liquid in each compartment, and thus becomes highly carburetted. By
means too of this construction of carburetter the gases contained in it
become immediately agitated at any time when the air supplying
apparatus is set in action, so that the gases which may have separated
into portions of different density during the time the apparatus has been
out of operation become agitated and rapidly readmixed.
Under another form of the improved carburetter each alternate
partition terminates a short distance below the top of each compartment,
and the apertures in the other partitions forming the compartments are
situated low down or near the level of the hydrocarbon. In place of
forming the alternate partitions with a space above them as last described
the upper part of each such partition may be perforated, and the

page_text: partitions may be formed of or covered with fibrous material, also the
sides, bottom, and top of the compartments may be so covered.
Under the more complex form the improved carburetters consist of
several of the aforesaid simple carburetters combined, that is to say, they
are connected together either by being placed side by side or superposed,
or a convolute passage may be divided into compartments of the con-
structions herein-before described.
The improved apparatus by which the return or diffusion of the
carburetted air into the air supplying apparatus is prevented, consists
under one arrangement of a chamber furnished with inlet and outlet
pipes, and containing a leather or other flexible top carrying a valve for
the purpose of closing the air passage when the apparatus. is not in
action and allowing it to open when in operation.
Under another form this apparatus consists of a chamber furnished
with inlet and outlet pipes, and partly filled with water on which are
floats for sustaining one or more valves for regulating the passage of
the air and preventing its return or diffusion when carburetted.
The improved apparatus for supplying the air consists of a series of
moveable bells or chambers arranged round a vertical revolving shaft,
which is provided with cams for lifting the said bells or chambers and
allowing them to fall. These moveable chambers or bells dip into
water reservoirs so that their bottom edges are constantly sealed. As.
they are lifted a valve in their upper part allows the air to fill them
which is delivered to an air reservoir or to the carburetter by their
weight when falling. The air-forcing bells or chambers may also be
operated by a horizontal shaft with cams or lifters.
It is to be understood that the improved carburetters and valves for
preventing the return or diffusion of the carburetted air may be used in
conjunction with arrangements of air supplying apparatus other than
that herein-before described.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the 37th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Andrew George Hunter, Her special license
that I, the said Andrew George Hunter, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Andrew George Hunter, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at. all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"NEW AND IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING ATMOSPHERIC AIR, AND IM-
PROVEMENTS IN OTHER APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Andrew George Hunter, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Andrew George Hunter, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say:―
My said Invention, which relates to new or improved arrangements
or construction of apparatus for charging atmospheric air with the
vapour of hydrocarbons for rendering such air capable of being used
or burned on issuing through gas burners after the manner of coal or
other inflammable gas, has for its objects:-
First. To cause a more perfect admixture or combination of the
atmospheric air and hydrocarbon vapour than is obtainable by
carburetting apparatus as hitherto constructed or in use.
Second. To prevent as much as possible atmospheric air so charged
with hydrocarbon vapour when kept stored for any length of time.
from separating or diffusing itself into gases of different densities.

page_text: Third. To prevent the return or diffusion of the carburetted air
from the carbureter into the air supplying apparatus at times when
the action of such apparatus is suspended.
And, Fourth. The Invention relates to improved air supplying
apparatus.
The improved carburetter, by which the two first objects of this
Invention are effected, consists in its simplest form of a horizonal box.
divided into compartments by transverse partitions. At the upper
part of each of these partitions one or more openings are made, which
may or may not be provided with tubes whose lower ends terminate a
short distance above the level of the hydrocarbon contained in the
several compartments. The partitions may or may not be coated with
fibrous or porous material, such as felt, woven fabric, or sponge, and
the sides and top of the box may be also so coated. Fibrous or porous
material placed at the interior of a carburetter is common to apparatus
of that class, its use being that by capillary attraction it lifts and
becomes to a certain extent saturated with the hydrocarbon in the
lower part of the box; so that a more extended carburetting surface
is presented to the atmospheric air under treatment. The tubes
communicating with the openings in the several partitions may or, may
not be filled or partly filled with fibrous material.
The atmospheric air to be charged with the vapour of the hydro-
carbon is delivered into the first of the series of compartments, and
by virtue of the smallness of the apertures in the partitions through
which it has to pass from compartment to compartment its passage
through the apparatus is so that it is maintained for a long time in
contact with the carburetting vapour or liquid in each compartment,
and thus becomes highly carburetted. Also by means of this con-
struction of carburetter the gases contained in it become immediately
agitated at any time when the air-supplying apparatus is set in action,.
so that the gases which may have separated into portions of different
density during the inaction of the air supplying apparatus become
agitated and rapidly readmixed.
Under another form of the improved carburetter each alternate
partition terminates a short distance below the top of each compartment,
and the apertures in the other partitions forming the compartments are
situated low down or near the level of the hydrocarbon.
In place of

page_text: forming the alternate partitions with a space above them, as last
described, the upper part of each such partition may be perforated.
1. Under the more complex form the improved carburetters consist
of several of the aforesaid simple carburetters combined, that is to say,
they are connected together either by being placed side by side or
superposed; or a convolute passage may be divided into compartments
of the construction. herein-before described. It is to be understood
that the currents of air do not pass through but over the surface of the
carburetting liquid.
The improved apparatus for supplying the air to the herein-before
described carburetters consists of a series of moveable bells or chambers
arranged round a vertical revolving shaft, which is provided with cams
for lifting the said bells or chambers and allowing them to fall. Theso
moveable bells or chambers dip into water reservoirs, so that their
bottom edges are constantly sealed. As they are lifted a valve in their
upper part allows the atmosphere to fill them, which is delivered to
an air reservoir or to the carburetter by the weight of the bells or
chambers in falling.
Another form of air supplying apparatus consists of a series of
chambers arranged in connection with a horizontal revolving shaft and
dipping into water reservoirs. The atmospheric air fills the chambers
when the cams on the shaft or the shaft itself in the act of revolving
lift them, and is forced therefrom into an air reservoir or into the
'carburetters when they fall or dip.
The improved apparatus by which the return or diffusion of the car-
buretted air into the air-supplying apparatus is prevented consists under
one arrangement of a chamber furnished with inlet and outlet pipes or
passages, and containing a leather or other flexible diaphragm carrying
a valve for the purpose of closing the air passage when the apparatus is
'not in action and allowing it to open when in operation.
Under another form this apparatus consists of a chamber furnished
with inlet and outlet pipes and partly filled with water, on which rest
floats for sustaining one or more valves for regulating the passage of the
air and preventing its return and diffusion when carburetted, or the same
result may be obtained by placing in the pipe or passage between the
air supplying apparatus and the carburetters one or more flap or
"Perreaux" valves, by which the air will be prevented from returning

page_text: to the air supplying apparatus after being carburetted, as herein-before
described.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I
now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or practically carried into
effect, reference being had to the annexed Sheets of Drawings, on which
corresponding parts are marked with similar reference letters, that is to
say:
-
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a transverse
section of my carburetter in its simplest form. It is composed as shewn
of an oblong box of metal or any other suitable material divided into a
series of compartments by partitions A. Each compartment contains"
the carburetting liquid B, which is passed thereinto from time to time
through openings provided with stoppers in the upper part of the car-
buretter, but not shewn in the Drawings, and floats, valves, cocks or
their equivalents are by preference provided for keeping the level of the
carburetting liquid at all times below the level of the lower orifice in
the compartments. At one end of the carburetter an inlet pipe C is
situated, and at the other an outlet pipe D. Near the top of each par-
tition are springs E, opposite to which are attached one or more pipes F
(one only being shewn at Figure 2). The lower extremities of these
pipes F terminate a short distance above the level of the carburetting
substance or liquid B. The sides, top, and partitions of the box may be
clothed with fibrous or porous material or fabric, such as cotton cloth,
cotton, or woolen flannel, and the pipes F may be filled or partly filled
with similar material. This use of fibrous fabric is not however essential.
although it is advantageous, and such use forms no part of my present
Invention.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal section of several of the car-
buretters shewn at Figures 1 and 2 superposed, Figure 4 being a
transverse section of the same. The inlet pipes C communicates with
the lowest set of compartments, and the several tiers of compartments
communicate with each other by means of the pipes G, G. After the
air has passed through the carburetter it escapes through the outlet
pipe D.
Figure 5, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal section of another arrangement of
my improved carburetter, Figure 6 is a plan of the same, and Figure 7:

page_text: is a transverse section at right angles to Figure 5. Under this arrange-
ment the carburetter consists of several rows of compartments placed
side by side, the air under treatment passing from one set of compart-
ments to another by means of the pipes G, G. The inlet pipe is
marked C and the outlet pipe D.
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 1, are respectively longitudinal and transverse
sections of my improved carburetter, in which the pipes F are shown
double. Communication between the two rows of compartments
forming the carburetter is effected by the double pipes G.
Figure 10, Sheet 1, is a longitudinal section of my improved car-
buretter, wherein the openings E and pipes F described in reference to
the foregoing Figures are dispensed with, and each alternate partition
extends to within a short distance only from the top of the box, thus
leaving an oblong aperture. H between the partition and the top of the
box, as seen more particularly at Figure 11, which is a cross section at
right angles to Figure 10 on the line a, b, Figure 10. Perforations
marked I are formed in the lower part of the other alternate partitions,
the said perforations being near to the level of the carburetting substance
or liquid B. The pipe G constitutes a passage for the air from the
under to the upper tier of compartments. The inlet pipe C is connected
to the lower and the outlet pipe D to the upper tier of compartments as
shewn. Figure 12 is a transverse section of my improved carburetter,
in which each alternate partition, instead of being stopped short of the
top of the box, as described and shewn at Figures 10 and 11, has a
number of perforations J, by which the air passes to the next com-
partment.
i
Figure 13, Sheet 1, is a transverse section, and Figure 14 a horizontal
section of my improved carburetter in the form of a convolute passage
divided into compartments by partitions A, the partitions are provided
with openings and pipes F, through which the air passes from compart-
ment to compartment. The inlet pipe C is placed at the centre of the
convolute passage, and the outlet pipe D at its termination. It will be
obvious that by virtue of either the tubes, openings, or perforations in
the partitions in the partitions in the several arrangements of carburetter
herein-before described the passage of the air from the lower to the upper
part of each compartment is ensured, so that a complete mixture of
the air and hydrocarbon vapour is at all times maintained, and thus
stationery strata of air or vapour are prevented, and in the event of

page_text: separation of the gas into strata of different densities in any or all of
the compartments during times when the gas is not being drawn from
the carburetter the agitation caused by the motion of the air through
the carburetter ensures its re-admixture by virtue of its having to pass
from the top to the bottom or vice versa of each compartment, and so the
air and vapour become uniformly re-admixed.
My improved air supplying apparatus is illustrated on Sheet 2 of the
annexed Drawings.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, is a transverse section of one form of the aforesaid
apparatus. Figure 2 is a plan of the same. As shewn by these Figures
the apparatus consists of any number (for example four) of moveable
bells or chambers A arranged round a vertical revolving shaft B. A
bevil wheel C secured to the upper end of the shaft B gears with and is
driven by a similar bevil wheel D, which is fixed upon and operated by
a shaft E driven from pulleys fixed on the end thereof. The shaft B is
supported at its upper end in a bearing formed in the top framing F, and
at its lower end in a step or socket in a boss formed for its reception on
the bottom sole G. The top framing and bottom sole are tied together
by the standards H. Upon the shaft B is fixed a disc I having cams on
its outer edge. On the upper part of the cambers A are fixed brackets
J, the upper part of each of which is provided with an antifriction
roller K, which bears upon the inclined or curved lifting surfaces
forming the cams on the outer edge of the disc I, so that as the disc I
revolves the rollers K run up the inclined or curved planes of the
cams, lifting with them the standards J and chambers or bells A to
which they are attached, and when the upper end of the inclined plane
forming each cam is reached the chambers A, with their attachments,
fall by their own weight. Water reservoirs L are situated on the sole
G, and into the water the moveable bells or chambers A dip, so that
their lower edge is always sealed. Pipes M are fastened to the bottom
of the water reservoirs and caused to project above the level of the water
contained in the reservoirs. These pipes M are provided with covers N,
through which pass guide bars secured to the interior upper portion of
the chambers A. Guide bars O (which are made square or polygonal to
prevent the chambers A from turning round and also to keep the rollers
K in proper position for being acted upon by the cams on the outer edge
of the disc I) are secured to the brackets J, and are passed through
correspondingly shaped openings in the top framing F.

page_text: Perforations are formed in the pipes M through which the air is forced
into the pipes or passages in communication therewith on the fall of the
chambers A. Flap or "Perreaux" valves a are applied to the upper
part of the moveable chambers A to allow the air to enter and fill the
chambers A on their upward stroke.
Another form of apparatus for supplying air is shewn at Figures 3
and 4, Sheet 2, Figure 3 being a longitudinal section, and Figure 4 a
cross section of the said apparatus. As shewn by these Figures the
apparatus consists of a circular water reservoir A. Through this
reservoir there passes a shaft B. Within the reservoir A, and fixed to
the revolving shaft B is a drum C divided into compartments by
partitions D. In the Drawings four such compartments are shewn.
One end of the drum O may be closed, but one or both ends is or may be
formed of four fan shaped blades marked respectively E, F, G, and `H.
At their peripheries these fan shaped blades are secured to the periphery
of the drum C, and, one of the straight edges forming their sides is
secured to the ends of the partitions D, the other straight edge over-
lapping and passing to a certain extent the partition and blade of the
next compartment. As these fan shaped blades are set at an angle this
arrangement has the effect of leaving an oblong space or aperture I at
the end of each partition, by which air and water can find entrance into
all the chambers or compartments into which the drum C is divided by
the partition D. At the same end of the drum C, where the apertures
I are situated, a well or recess J is formed in communication with a
portion of the apertures I. The upper ends of the stand pipes 6 are
above the level of the water in the well J, which may be provided with
a diaphragm x to guide the air current to pipe 6, and the outer ends of
which are in communication with a dry well or recess K situate upon
the end of the water reservoir A. To prevent the water in the reservoir
A from gaining access to the dry well K through the journal of the
shaft B, and also to prevent leakage at the other end, stuffing boxes and
glands are secured to the ends of the reservoir A, and through these the
shaft B is passed. The drum C is rotated by means of a weight acting
upon a rope L.coiled on the barrel M fixed to the shaft B. When the
weight is run down it may be again wound up by operating the handle
N fixed to the extremity of the shaft B. While the weight is being
wound up the drum C is held stationary by means of the ratchet pawl O
acting on the ratchet wheel P.

page_text: One form of the improved apparatus, whereby the carburetted air is
prevented from diffusing or returning to the air supplying apparatus is
shewn applied at Figure 3. A. branch pipe Q puts the camber Rin
communication with the dry well K. Secured in this chamber.is a
diaphragm S composed of leather or other flexible material, which
supports a disc, or it may be a conical valve T. A little above the disc
valve T the camber R is divided by a plate U, which has a circular
aperture less in diameter than the valve T, so that when the valve T is
lifted by the action of the diaphragm S the overlapping edges of the
valve T pass against the plate U and thus cut off communication
between the upper and under parts of the chamber R and the pipes or
passages connected therewith, and to still further prevent diffusion of
the carburetted air a "Perreaux" valve V or a flap valve or other self-
acting valve may be placed in the pipe or passage leading from the
chamber R to the carburetters, through which valve V the air is allowed
freely to pass in its progress from the air supplying apparatus to the
carburetters, but through which it cannot return in the event of back
pressure or diffusion taking place.
Any desired number of flap or "Perreaux" valves may be placed in
the pipes or passages leading from the air supplying apparatus or the air
reservoir to the carburetters. Figure 6 represents a portion of the above
pipes or passages in which two "Perreaux" valves A, A, are shewn,
the air being supposed to travel in the direction of the arrows on said
Figure, the valves A, A, preventing a return of the air in a direction
contrary to that indicated by the arrows..
:
Another form of apparatus for the prevention of back diffusion of the
carburetted air is shewn at Figure 5, and consists of a chamber A, in
which there is a sufficiency of water to support the floats B, B¹, to the
former of which is attached the inlet valve C, and to the latter the.
outlet valve D. The valve spindles E, E, fixed to the floats B, B, and
to which the valves C, D, are attached slide in guides F, F, furnished
for them in the inlet and outlet passages G and H. Circular apertures
in the upper part of the chamber A, and which are made less in diameter
than the disc, or they may be conical valves C, D, permit of the ingress
and egress of the air to and from the chamber A.
By the arrangement of the valve C below the inlet aperture, and of
the valve D above the outlet aperture, as shewn, the pressure of air

page_text: coming in the direction indicated by the arrows is free to pass into and
from the chamber A, but should back pressure or diffusion arise in a
direction contrary to that of the arrows it will act upon the valve D,
sink the float B, and cause the valve D to cover and close the aperture
in communication with the passage H, thus preventing the diffused gas
from entering the chamber A, or should such diffused gas accidentally
gain entrance into the chamber A it is prevented from leaving the said
chamber by the action of the valve C, which in that case would rise and
close the aperture in communication with the passage G.
The apparatus now set forth operates as follows:-The requisite
pressure of air is raised by either of the air supplying mechanism
described and shewn on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, in all
of which Figures the supply and delivery of air is clearly indicated by
the arrows shewn thereon. The air pressure thus produced is directed
by suitable pipes or passages to the carburetters described and shewn on
Sheet 1 of the Drawings, on issuing from which it is conveyed by pipes
to burners, on or from which it is burned after the manner of coal gas.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe
in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and there-
fore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement and combination constituting the gas producing
apparatus, substantially as herein-before described and shewn on the two
annexed Sheets of Drawings.
Second. The arrangement and construction of carburetters divided by
partitions into compartments, and having pipes, perforations, or openings
so situated as to cause the air in travelling through the carburetter to
ascend and descend, or vice versa, throughout each compartment without
passing in any case under the surface of or through the carburetting
liquid occupying the bottom of each compartment, substantially as and
for the purposes herein-before described.
Third. The arrangements of self-acting valves for preventing the
return or diffusion of the carburetted air, as herein-before described,
and the employment of self-acting valves generally for the said
purpose.

page_text: Fourth. The arrangement and construction of air supplying apparatus
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew George Hunter, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
ANDREW GEORGE HUNTER.、
(L.S.)