An Improved Water Jacket for Acetylene Gas Generators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
An Improved Water Jacket for Acetylene Gas Generators.
WILLIAM SMITH, 11, Westbourne Terrace, Westham, Weymouth, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A water jacket attached to an acetylene gas holder, in which the carbide containers
are deposited, the object being not only to surround the sides of the containers with
water for cooling purposes but for also cooling the top of the carbide containers with
water, that part of the carbide containers being most susceptable to heat, in itself an
element of danger when excessive heat exists, besides operating against the
manufacture of pure gas. The water jacket is carried down to within a short distance
of the bottom of the carbide containers, which can easily be opened for the purpose
of recharging with carbide without interfering with the supply of water round and
above the top of the other containers.
WILLIAM SMITH, 11, Westbourne Terrace, Westham, Weymouth, Gas Engineer,
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 an improved method of water-jacketing the carbide
containers of acetylene gas generators.
According to my improved method I am able not only to surround the sides of the
carbide containers but also the top of same that part being most susceptible to heat
in itself an element of danger besides operating against the manufacture of pure gas.
I arrange for a large body of water to be kept constant around and above the
carbide containers and provide a means of cold water to be constantly flowing in, so
that the temperature of the water in the jacket is kept uniformly low enabling a
larger body of carbide to be placed in any one container and when this is subdivided
into layers one above another the heat generated in one layer is confined to that layer
and not accumulated in the layers above.
The lids for recharging being at the bottom of cylinders receive a covering of water
before generation sets up, thus protecting the india-rubber (or other material used
for making the lids gas tight) from heat.
In carrying out the said invention I use a trough or tank open at the top, and with
any number of openings at the bottom through which a like number of carbide
.

page_text: containers can be fixed in such a way that the operation of recharging is in no way
interfered with.
The carbide containers are passed through these openings in the bottom of the
trough and made water tight with either flanged joints, galvanizing or soldering, and
project sufficient only to allow the lids to be fixed which being only a small portion
and at the bottom end, does not require water-jacketing.
The water in the jacket is used to supply the carbide in the containers for the
manufacture of gas, cold water being admitted to the jacket from an independent
supply, through a ball valve to maintain an uniform level. By this means and by
using a trough open at the top and exposing a large surface of water to the cooling
influences of the atmosphere I am able to maintain an uniforn temperature throughout
the whole time of operation.
.
By referring to the drawings :-
Fig. 1 is a front view of jacket (of suitable shape to fix to gas holder).
Fig. 2 is a plan of the bottom with four openings to take a like number of carbide
containers.
Fig. 3 shows by dotted lines the carbide containers in position and the means of
opening at B. The water level at A.
The passages of water to carbide through pipes C or C¹, and the passages of
gas to holder through pipes D) or D¹.
The passages at E E E E E being sufficiently large to allow water to flow in and
gas to pass out at the same 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:-
1st. A water jacket open at the top, with water surrounding the sides and top of
the carbide containers.
2nd. A water jacket in which any number of carbide containers can be deposited
and the water taken therefrom to supply the carbide for the manufacture of gas, the
lowest or coldest part of the water being used for this purpose and fresh water
admitted to the upper or hottest part.
Dated this 6th day of May 1899.
WILLIAM SMITH,
11, Westbourne Terrace, Westham, Weymouth.