Improved Automatic Apparatus for Supplying Gas Mains and Pipes with Gas under Pressure.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1897-Accepted, 10th July,
1897
CUMPLEIN OF EVITICATION.
Improved Automatic Apparatus for Supplying Gas Mains and Pipes
with Gas under Pressure.
I, FRANCOIS VAN DEN ABEELE, of 206-208 Rue Royale, Brussels, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, 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 :-
The automatic apparatus for compressing gas in the systems of mains and pipes
employed in feeding incandescent gas burners has for its distinguishing feature
a gasometer dome which, in descending, forces back the gas by its own weight in
the usual way, but which, in its upward motion, is assisted by motor-mechanism,
adapted to co-operate with the gas admitted, mainly in overcoming the load in
excess applied to the balancing weights, whereby the compression taking place a
the dome of the gas-holder descends is increased.
A number of compressing domes may, if desired. he coupled to one regulating
or controlling dome, common to them all in which case each compressing dome
would be seconded in its operation by the motive power above alluded to while
on the other hand the arrangement may be confined to one motor-dome only, in
combination with a second dome unprovided with any motor-mechanism-being
the compressing dome-and it is this form of apparatus which will be hereinafter
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing,
which shows a vertical section of the complete arrangement.
In the drawing. A is the main dome fed from the works through the mains U.
It is immersed in an annular water-tank R, centrally divided by a partition or
diaphragm forming the bottom of the movable dome A, integral with the top of
which is the inner cylinder C, into which is inserted a stirrup or yoke E carrying
the over-loaded weights P. A rod T secured in the cylinder axially serves to guide
the dome at the top, being, to this end, passed through a cross-piece Q. The top of
the main, rising above the diaphragm F. is closed by a valve s. subjected to
the pressure of a spring r of small power, and adapted to open under the pressure
normally prevailing in the main . The outlet pipe S, opening also above the
diaphragm F, is not fitted with any means for closing it and therefore at all times
remains open.
In juxtaposition with the main dome there is erected a secondary dome, in all
respects identical with the one first named as regards its shape, the only difference
being, that in this case the pipe S becomes the inlet pipe while the pipe S' is
connected with the mains supplying the burners with gas, with the interposition
of a small regulating reservoir R. Similar parts are indicated by the same
reference letters a dash being used in addition for the secondary apparatus.
In the centre of the tank R, and below the dome A, there is located the source
of motive power which, in the present instance, is assumed to be a single-acting
hydraulic engine M whereof the piston is secured to the rod T of the dome A ;
such rod being guided by a slightly compressed stuffing-box B. This engine-
of which there is no need to describe the construction and operation, both being
well known is connected through the medium of a distributing or supply cock,

page_text: say, to the water mains of the city where the apparatus is used a few atmospheres,
pressure being applied, so that even a piston of small area may raise a somewhat
considerable load (created by compression) with but an insignificant consumption
of water.
Now in view of the fact that the volume of the dome A is somewhat in excess of
that of the dome A', and that the sectional area of the pipe connection SU is a
little larger than that of the outlet pipe S', the operation of the whole may be
readily gathered from the foregoing remarks.
The dome A, loaded with the weights P, rises by the aid of the motor-engine M.
and fills with gas from the main U. When it has arrived at the highest point
it is capable of reaching, the engine reverses its distribution, the water is dis-
charged and the dome descends, in doing which it compresses the gas both by its
own weight and by the weight of the over-load P, and forces such gas into the
dome A weighted with a somewhat less load P, which in its turn will be raised
but without the assistance of the motor apparatus and merely by reason of the
increased pressure owing to the weight P and in re-descending the dome A¹
forces the gas into the gas mains under practically the same pressure, causing it
to pass first through the regulating chamber R2 whereupon the same cycle of
operations is repealed. It will be seen that the volume of A is greater than that
of A, and that S U is wider than S¹, inasmuch as the discharge through S¹ is
continued also during the ascent of A', and that these differences have to be
compensated for, or equalized.
Supposing now the improved apparatus to be connected to the ordinary gas meter
of a dwelling house or a commercial or manufacturing establishment it will be
understood that, this being so, the meter may at all times he left open, the supply
being cut off through the machinery becoming inoperative as soon as the burner
taps are turned off, so that all inconveniences and danger are effectively obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
:
(1) Automatic apparatus for supplying gas mains and pipes with gas under
pressure, mainly consisting of a dome receiving gas from the works and connected
with the piston of a single-acting hydraulic engine or of any other available
source of motive power so that the water-pressure co-operates with the pressure
of the gas in raising the overloaded dome to a pre-determined height, with a
view to subsequently allowing the same to re-descend,when the motive power
is cut off and forcing the gas admitted into a regulating dome and thence into
the mains.
:
(2) The form of apparatus substantially as described, mainly characterized by
the employment of the piston rod in conjunction with an internal cylinder integral
with the bottom of the dome and co-axial with such dome and serving also to
receive the charging loads and further the arrangement of the motor-mechanism
below the intermediate bottom wall or diaphragm of the annular chamber or tank
wherein the dome forms a water seal and constitutes a gas holder in combination
with another similar dome arrangement which however is unprovided with any
motor and which serves as a regulating dome.
Dated this 5th of 1907
:
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.