Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators and in Lamps for Burning such Gas.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th July, 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators and in Lamps for
Burning such Gas.
We, RICHARD HENRY SUNDERLAND, of 55, Bull Street, in the City of Birming-
ham, Clothier, and GEORGE MARSHALL, of Byrōn Road, Small Heath, Birming-
ham aforesaid, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to generators for producing acetylene gas by the action
of water upon calcium carbide, and also to lamps for burning the gas so generated,
and has for its principal object, to provide means whereby the supply of carbide
to the water is automatically regulated and the generator is made self governing.
In carrying out one form of our invention as applied to a combination generator
and lamp for table and like uses, we take an outer casing or jacket supported
by a base having located within it, a water chamber which may be removable by
providing the said base with a detachable bottom. Situated above the water
container is an annular secondary chamber partly filled with water and constitut-
ing a water seal for an open bottomed bell or gas container located within the said
upper chamber and adapted to rise and fall with the generation and consumption
of gas, whilst located centrally within the said chamber and taking into the
rising and falling gas container, is a fixed carbide holder having a central opening
or outlet at its lower end which is closed by a conical or other valve operated
and controlled through a rod directed up the middle of the said carbide holder
and kept automatically up to its seating by a spring located between an enlarged
end or collar on the rod and a bridge or other fixed part of the carbide holder, or
against the closed top of the same. This holder is adapted to contain finely
granulated carbide whilst the orifice preferably has a knife edge which constitutes
the seating for. the outwardly-opening conical valve, thus preventing any
possibility of any of the material adhering to the opposed surfaces of the valve
and seating. The lower part of the interior of the carbide holder is formed into
a series of hopper-shaped compartments coming one above another and sloping
downwards towards the axial outlet and separated from one another by a series
of funnel-shaped partitions having coincident central openings to provide
clearances for the valve rod, which may be provided with a series of spurs adapted
to tease or free the carbide should it become clogged near the outlet. These
funnel shaped partitions prevent the upper part of the carbide from pressing
directly upon the lower parts which lie as it were in a series of oblique layers
relieved from the pressure of the material above by the partitions.
Intercommunication between the upper part of the gas holder and the upper
part of the water vessel, which also constitutes the generating chamber, is
established by one or more inside or outside pipes, whilst the gas delivery pipe
proceeds from the said generator upon either the inside or the outside of the
apparatus, with connection between it and the burner pipe being made through a
Borible tubular connection.

page_text: We also propose to cool the generated gas by passing the same through a coil
or worm pipe communicating between the gas container and the water generat-
ing chamber, whilst the outer casing or jacket may be surmounted by a hinged
lid (which may carry the burner) capable of turning outwardly, and with the
jet tube of the burner connected to the supply tube by a gas arm or other joint,
so as to admit of the burner turning with the lid when the latter is opened or
removed, in order to admit of the carbide chamber being refilled, the water seal
replenished or the like.
It is understood that the generation of gas in the water reservoir lifts the bell
and admits of the carbide supply outlet being automatically closed by the spring
operated valve and rod, but when the quantity of gas in the said bell is
diminished by consumption, then the same, falls and strikes upon the valve rod,
compresses the spring and opens the valve which admits of a further quantity
of carbide being fed to generate a fresh supply of gas.
An excess-gas escape tube is in inter-communication with the top part of the
inside of the casing whilst the lower part is directed through the apparatus and
opens to the atmosphere at or near the base, and should gas still continue to be
generated after the bell has been fully lifted, it then insinuates itself through
The water seal and into the crown of the casing, whence it is conducted away to
the open air through the pipe leading to the base.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1899.
RICHARD HENRY SUNDERLAND.
GEORGE MARSHALL.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators and in Lamps for
Burning such Gas.
We, RICHARD HENRY SUNDERLAND, of 55, Bull Street, in the City of Birming-
ham, Clothier, and GEORGE MARSHALL, of Byron Road, Small Heath, Birming
ham, Mechanic, 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 relates to the generators for producing acetylene gas by the
action of water upon calcium carbide, and also to lamps for burning the gas so
generated, and has for its principal object, to provide means whereby the supply
of carbide to the water is automatically regulated and the generator is made self
governing whilst the whole of the parts are rendered easily accessible for the
purpose of recharging, cleansing or the like.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a complete vertical section
of a table lamp for burning acetylene gas, together with its self-contained
generator, constructed and arranged in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the body part of the combined apparatus.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the base of the apparatus, which also constitutes
the generating chamber.
Figure 4 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the detachable
cap or top which fits onto the body of the apparatus and supports, the burner of
the lamp.
Figure 5 represents the gas holder or bell separately and in section..

page_text: Figure 6 is a sectional view of the carbide container and Figure 7 a like view
of the stand or support by which the said container is carried.
Figure 8 represents the carbide-supply valve or regulator with its stem and
other accessory parts separately..
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the said Figures
to 8 of the drawings.
According to this form of the invention, the apparatus consists of an outer
casing or jacket a, mounted upon a detachable base b, which also constitutes the
generating chamber, with a cylindrical extension or foot a¹, of the said body
casing or jacket taking or socketting into the base chamber b, and with the
flange a³, on the former resting upon the edge , of the latter.
Situated above the generating chamber, and separated therefrom by the
partition 63,. is an annular secondary chamber c, partly filled with water and
constituting a water seal for an open bottomed bell or gas container d, located
within the said upper chamber and adapted to rise and fall therein with the
generation and consumption of gas, whilst located centrally within the said
chamber e and enclosed within the rising and falling gas holder, is a cylindrical
chamber e, whose bottom e', is open to the generating chamber whilst its top is
provided with a neck e², opening into the inside top of the gas holder. Within
this chamber, a detachable carbide container f, is fitted and is normally
supported therein by a stand g, resting upon the bottom of the generating chamber
and having a neck gl, at the top, into which a corresponding neck or sleeve fli
extending from the bottom of the carbide container takes, so that the container
may be removed from its stand when required.
The said container has an opening or outlet f2, at its lower end closed by an
conical valve h, operated and controlled through a rod h¹, directed up the middle
of the said carbide holder and kept automatically up to its seating by a
spring 3, located between an enlargement or collar ³, on the upper end of the
rod (which extends through the neck e, of the chamber e) and the closed top f³,
of the carbide container, which is adapted to contain finely granulated carbide
whilst the outlet f, preferably has a knife edge which constitutes the seating
for the outwardly-opening conical valve, thus preventing any possibility of any
of the material adhering to the opposed surfaces of the valve and seating. The
interior of the carbide holder is formed into a series of hopper-shaped compart-
ments f, coming one above another and sloping downwards towards the axial
outlet, by means of a series of funnel shaped partitions f, having coincident
central openings f6, to provide clearances for the valve rod ', which may be
provided with a series of spurs or collars f, adapted to tease or free the carbide
should it become clogged whilst the funnel shaped partitions prevent the upper
part of the carbide from pressing directly upon the lower parts which lie as
it were in a series of oblique layers 'relieved from the pressure of the material
above by the partitions.
Intercommunications between the upper part of the gas holder and the upper
part of the generating chamber, is established through the cylindrical chamber e,
sufficient space being left between it and the carbide container filled therein for
the purpose of permitting any gas that may be generated in excess of that
required by the burner to pass into the gas holder, whilst a delivery pipe i, pro-
ceeds from the said generator up the inside of the apparatus to the upper part,
where connection between it and the burner pipe j', is made through a length of
flexible tubing
The outer casing or jacket a, is surmounted by a detachable lid a³, carrying
the burner 7, which is removed with the lid when the latter is lifted off, in
order to admit of the water seal being replenished, or the like.
It is understood that excess gas evolved in the generator passes upwardly to
the bell and lifts the same to such an extent as to admit of the carbide supply
outlet being automatically closed by the spring operated valve and rod, but when
the quantity of gas in the said bell is diminished by consumption, then the same

page_text: falls and strikes upon the headed termination of the valve rod, compresses the
spring and opens the valve which admits of a further quantity of carbide being
fed to generate a fresh supply of gas.
An excess-gas escape tube (not shown in the drawings) may be provided in
intercommunication with the top part of the inside of the casing whilst the lower
part is directed through the apparatus and opens to the atmosphere at or near the
base, and should gas still continue to be generated after the bell has been fully
lifted, it then insinuates itself through the water seal and on to the crown of the
casing, whence it is conducted away to the open air through the pipe leading to
the base.
By this construction, the upper part of the apparatus comprising the outer
casing with its detachable lid and burner, the water seal chamber and gas holder
and the cylindrical inner chamber e, may be lifted bodily away from the base
and the supported carbide container for the purpose of re-charging the said
container through the screw-closed opening in the top or for re-filling the
generating chamber, removing the lime bye-products therefrom, or for inspecting
or cleansing any of the parts, whilst when the said parts are again assembled, the
escape of gas from the generating chamber is prevented by the water contained
therein acting as a seal for preventing leakage between the walls of the base and
the extension of the body part socketting therein.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of an apparatus for generating and storing
acetylene gas constructed according to this invention.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the body part separately and Figure 11 a
like view of the combined base and generating chamber.
This generator is of substantially the same construction as the generator part
of the table lamp illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, and comprises an outer casing or
body-a-supported by a flange a², resting upon the edge of a combined base and
generating chamber 6, with an extension-a-of-the said casing-dipping_into_the
water contained within the base, thus water-sealing the joint between the two
parts. The gas holder d, rises and falls as before within a water seal contained in
the annular chamber c, and works over the open ended middle chamber e, leading
from the top of the generator to the inside of the gas holder wherein the
removable carbide container f, is supported by the stand g, resting on the bottom
of the base, with the outlet to the said container being fitted with a spring
closed supply valve h, the opening of which is effected by the crown of the gas
holder or bell striking against the top of the rod and depressing it when the
said bell falls on the gas contained within it being consumed.
The generated gas passes out from the apparatus through a service pipe k,
closed by cock k¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
First: An acetylene generator for table lamps and other purposes, consisting
of a separate body part containing a water seal within which a gas holder rises and
falls, and a detachable generating chamber in communication with the said gas
holder, with the lower part of the said body extending and dipping into the water
contained within the generating chamber, whereby a second water seal is formed
for preventing the escape of gas from the generating chamber, substantially as
described and set forth.
Secondly In acetylene generators for table lamps and other purposes in
which the lower part, constituting the generating chamber is detachable from
the upper part containing the water sealed gas holder; the employment of a
removable carbide container supported within an open-ended chamber leading
from the generating chamber to the inside of the gas holder, substantially as
described and set forth.
Thirdly-In the acetylene generators for table lamps and other purposes, the

page_text: combination of a body casing containing a water seal, within which a rising and
falling gas holder works; a detachable base constituting the generating chamber
into which the walls of the body part extend with the joint between the base and
body sealed by the water contained therein, an open-ended compartment extend-
ing from the generating chamber into the inside of the gas holder; and a
removable carbide holder, supported within the said compartment and fitted with
a spring-closed supply-valve which is opened on the descent of the gas holder,
substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly: The combination with the body part of an acetylene generator, of
a detachable or hinged cap, carrying a gas burner which is connected to a gas-
supply pipe leading from the generating chamber by flexible tubing or its
equivalent, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1 to 8.
1
CT1800
RICHARD HENRY SUNDERLAND,
GEORGE MARSHALL.
By Henry Skerrett,
-
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.