Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
Apparatus for Generating and Storing Acetylene.
I, GEORGES DE ROUSSY DE SALES, of 133 Cours Gambetta, Lyons, (Rhone),
France, Captain of Cuirassiers, 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, reference being bad to the
accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say :-
My invention relates to a generating and storing apparatus for acetylene gas,
which I call "home-photogene," and which is illustrated, by way of example, in
the accompanying drawings in which :
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus taken on the line A, B, of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same, on the line C, D, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view..
Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a modified construction of the mechanism
for operating the valves for starting the apparatus.
The apparatus is constructed as follows:-
A cylindrical vessel or reservoir 1, provided with a hermetically closed cover 2,
having a central circular opening in which is fixed a bell 3 formed by a cylinder 4
whose upper end is closed by the plate 5, and lower end by a truncated cone 6 and
cylindrical part 7 of larger diameter, open at bottom.
To the sides of the cylindrical part 4 of the bell 3, are fixed one or more
cylindrical receivers 8 (one only being shown in Figs. 1 to 3) slightly inclined and
communicating with the interior of the said bell by a smaller tube 9, and supported
at their other ends in sockets 10 which enclose them, and which are connected to
the vessel 1. These receivers are strengthened at their outer ends by a collar on
which is screwed an internally screw threaded cap 11 provided with a leather ring
to form a tight joint. Each receiver has, near its inner end, a wire netting 12,
which forms a perforated cross partition against which rest the acetylene
cartridges 13. The latter consist mainly of a sheath or casing rendered impervious
and split longitudinally, and adapted to contain pieces of calcium carbide embedded
in bitumen or sand. The cartridges are placed in small wire baskets 14. To the
mouth of the tube 9 is hinged a valve 15 of tin, which is provided with a lever
arm 16 by which it is pivotally connected to a rod 17, whose other extremity is
similarly connected to the longest arm of a lever 18 turning on a pin 19. The
short arm of such lever is connected to a vertical rod 20 provided at its upper
extremity with a knob 21; the whole being so arranged as to close the valve 15
by pulling the knob 21.
On the vessel 1 is placed a cylindrical tank 22 in which the gas is washed. This
tauk is fixed by its lower rim to the cover of the vessel 1, and is provided at its
upper part with a central tube 23 (having an opening 24) leading at its upper end
into a hellow sphere 25. This sphere screwed to, and forms a tight joint with,
the tube 23, and serves to retain in place the dome 26 which forms a cover for the
parts mounted on the top of the vessel 1.
The hollow sphere is provided with one or more outlet cocks 27 and pipe
communications, through which the gas is drawn off for use in various apparatus
for lighting or other purposes, as may be desired.

page_text: The pipe 23 is surrounded by an indiarubber bag or pocket 28 firmly secured
at 29 and 30.
On the top of the vessel 1 are also mounted :-
(1.) A small vertical.tube 31, bent on itself at its upper part, and carrying an
india rubber bag or pocket 32 whose lower extremity is in communication with a
bent tube 33 secured to the vessel 1, and the purpose of which will be hereinafter
explained.
(2.) A cock 34 adapted to receive a funnel 35 for the purpose of admitting water
into the vessel 1. A test or gauge cock 36 enables one to ascertain when the
maximum water level has been reached, and serves at the same time, as an
overflow cock. The gas washer 22 is provided with a short tube 37, ordinarily
closed by a cap as shown; its purpose being the same as that just described.
At the upper part of the bell is arranged a syphon tube 38, the longest branch
of which dips into the water in the washer 22. A ball valve 39 at the interior
extremity of this syphon tube prevents the water from the washer 22 flowing back
into the bell 3 by rising in the tube 38. Lastly, the vessel 1 is provided at the
bottom with an outlet tube 40, closed by a screwed cap, for emptying and cleaning
the apparatus.
The working is as follows:-
To set up the apparatus the cock 27 is connected to the service pipes, and the
tube 33 to a lead pipe leading to the exterior of the dwelling in which the apparatus
is erected.
In order to generate the gas, the vessel or reservoir 1 is filled with water to the
required level by pouring the water through the funnel 35 and cock 34 (taking
care at the same time to open the cocks 36 and 27, and pull the knob or knobs 21,
so as to close the valve or valves 15), until it begins to flow from the gauge
cock 36. The gas washer 22 is then filled through the tube 37 by unscrewing the
cap therefrom, until the water reaches the level of said tube. All the openings are.
now closed. (The filling operation is effected about once a week, or once a
fortnight.) The cap 16 is opened to enable a carbide cartridge to be introduced
into the wire basket 14 of the receiver or receivers 8, after which such cap is
screwed on again. By now pressing down the knob 21, the valve 15 opens and
enables the water to act on the carbide. The gas gradually fills the bell 3, then
passes through the water in the washer 22, and thence into the bag 28, which it
expands. When this bag is filled to a certain degree, it resists further expansion,
and the water level in the bell then sinks and the reaction quickly ceases on
account of the small diameter of the bell at the part where the tube connection 9
is fixed. At the same time the water level rises in the vessel or reservoir 1, and in
the socket 10, and thus entirely surrounds the receiver 8, so that the latter, being
completely immersed in water, is prevented from becoming heated by the reaction
of the carbide on the water. If, notwithstanding this, the production of gas
continues, the enlarged part of the bell becomes filled and finally the gas escapes.
in bubbles into the vessel or reservoir 1, and passes up the tube 31 into the bag 32,
and thence through the tube 33 and its connections into the outer air. This
however is merely a safety arrangement which is not likely to be required.
If the gas is drawn off from the apparatus the water rises in the bell 3 until it
again comes into contact with the calcium carbide, whereupon the generation of
gas recommences.
The gasometer or bell 3 does not really act as such, that is to say, it only
becomes filled with gas when the consumption of the latter is stopped very suddenly.
As it is not in communication with the outer air, except through water, an explosion
is rendered practically impossible, but if one did occur it could only take place in
the bag or pocket 28, which, being made of indiarubber, presents no danger, as the
washer 22 and tube 38 would prevent the explosion from reaching the bell 3.
The bag 28 serves also to prevent flickering of the light.
In Fig. 4 is shown an arrangement for enabling the receivers 8 to be re-charged
during working.

page_text: The principal parts and the general disposition are the same as in the apparatus.
hereinbefore described, but in addition to these there are four suspension wires
hung from a crossbar 43 in the interior of the bell 3, and connected at their lower
ends to the centre of the valves 15. The latter are also connected by four short
links 41 to a common point 42 on a vertical rod 17; and it will be obvious that,
by depressing the rod 17, the links 41* will spread out and thereby press the
suspended valves against the mouths of the pipes 9, so as to close the inlet to the
receivers 8.
The valves 15, 15, are constructed of indiarubber discs firmly pressed between.
two plates of zinc pivotted and suspended at their centres, and so forming stoppers .
to the receivers 8.
The rod 17 is guided in a hole in a strip or bar of metal 44 fixed near the lower
end, across the bell 3, and forming, at the same time, a support or bracket to which.
is pivotted the lever 18. jointed, as in the previous case to the rods 17 and 20, and
provided with a spring 45 to restore it to position.
Whatever may be the arrangement adopted, my invention presents the following
advantages :-
1. The production of the gas takes place only in proportion to the consumption
thereof, whereby over pressure is avoided, while the reservoir is divided into two
portions, one of which (the main portion) is protected against back lighting, and is.
isolated from the outer air by the water in the washer, and the other (the portion.
from which the immediate supply is drawn) is contained in an elastic bag which is.
capable of expanding, and forming a safety device, which, if it should explode,.
would not cause any other accident nor allow the explosion to spread. The second
portion or volume of gas communicates with the main portion only in the direction.
of the consumption through the water in the washer, while a ball valve prevents
the return of the gases and also limits the internal pressure in the bell, lifting only.
through over pressure.
2. The arrangement of the valves, as herein before described, enables the water
to be cut off at any time, and the apparatus to be re-charged and used for any-
length of time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas in which the production
of the gas is automatically regulated according to the consumption thereof, and in
which the gas is stored in two separate portions which are in communication with
each other in the direction of the consumption only, and not in the return direction.
towards the interior of the apparatus, substantially as described.
2. An apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas consisting of a vessel
or reservoir adapted to contain water, a bell whose mouth dips into the water and.
whose upper part is fitted with a syphon tube provided internally with a ball valve
and with its exterior end dipping into the water contained in a washer mounted at
and surrounding the upper part of said bell, and fitted with a gas outlet tube
perforated so as to communicate with an elastic air tight bag or pocket for storing
a small volume of gas for immediate consumption, a receiver, (or receivers).
containing a carbide cartridge, and communicating with the interior of said bell by
a tube fitted with a valve adapted to be operated by hand from the exterior of the
apparatus so as to start or stop the generation of gas, a cap to enclose the receiver-
and separate the carbide cartridge both from the atmosphere and from the vessel
or reservoir, a safety device in connection with the upper part of said vessel or
reservoir to prevent over pressure therein, and suitable inlet and outlet fittings,
substantially as described and shown.
3. The improved apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas, substantially
as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 4. The modified form of apparatus for generating and storing acetylene gas,
substantially as herein before described with reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings.
Dated this 28th day of January 1897.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5^ Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.