IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFAC- TURE OF GAS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Thomas Livesey, of the South Metro-
politan Gas Works, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFAC-
TURE OF GAS."
Sealed the 2nd December 1873, and dated the 6th June 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Thomas Livesey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th June 1873.
I, GEORGE THOMAS LIVESEY, of the South Metropolitan Gas Works,
Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GAS," to be as follows :-
This Invention has reference to improvements in dip pipes with a
view to relieve the retorts from pressure caused by the seal of the dip
in the hydraulic main, and consists in using an ordinary dip pipe of such
length as shall dip into the liquid to the usual depth. At or about the
level of the water a horizontal slot is cut in the dip and of sufficient

page_text: size to permit the whole of the gas as it is made to pass freely
from the retort to the hydraulic main. The slot may be of any con-
venient length and width, and is covered by a plate or flap so sus-
pended from the upper part of the pipe that it falls by gravitation over
the opening. A valve is thus formed which when the retort is charged
will be raised by the pressure of the gas, or the action of the exhauster,
and allow the gas to flow through it freely, but as soon as the retort is
opened the pressure ceases, the valve falls, and the liquid rising in the
dip will effectually seal the opening, thus cutting off the escape of gas
or admission of air.
In case the valve from any cause becomes closed and ceases to act,
no danger need be apprehended as the dip is then merely converted into
one of the present form and the gas will escape in the usual way.
If considered advantageous the bottom of the dip may be permanently
closed and no exit allowed but through the valve. The Inventor
however gives preference to the plan first described although the latter
is equally part of his Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Thomas Livesey in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 6th December 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
THOMAS LIVESEY, of the South Metropolitan Gas Works, Old Kent
Road, in the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Thomas Livesey, Her special
licence that I, the said George Thomas Livesey, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Thomas Livesey,
my executors, administrators, and 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,

page_text: In case the valve from any cause becomes closed and ceases to act
no danger need be apprehended as the dip is then merely converted into
one of the present form, and the gas will escape in the usual way.
If considered advantageous the bottom of the dip may be permanently
closed and no exit allowed but through the valve. The Inventor 5
however gives preference to the plan first described, although the latter
is equally part of his Invention :-
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood Drawings
are attached hereto of which the following is a description
Fig. 1 represents the hyhraulic main and part of the dip pipe in 1
transverse section.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the hydraulic, the dip pipe being in
elevation and shows the valve closed.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the hydraulic with the dip pipe in
front elevation and the valve closed.
Fig. 4 shows the dip pipe in section but closed at bottom, the valve
being open.
Fig. 5 exhibits the dip pipe in front elevation and with a number of
openings instead of a single slot. In this view the valve is removed.
1
Fig. 6 illustrates a method by which the valve, if made heavy, may 2
be counterpoised and rendered more delicate in its action.
In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the hydraulic is depicted in the form preferred
by me, but this Invention is equally adapted to hydraulic mains of the
usual shape, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
In Fig. 1, A is the hydraulic main; B, the dip pipe; C, the slot or 2
opening; and D, the valve which is open and attached to arms hung
or suspended by a hook or eye from pins inserted in the dip pipe at or
near the point E.
In Fig. 6, the valve is hung by an eye at E, the counterpoise G being
adjusted by turning a nut placed beneath it. Similar letters indicate 3
the same parts in each of the Drawings.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine

page_text: or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
described or referred to, as variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention, but
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the construction of dip pipes with valves, substantially as
In witness whereof, I, the said George Thomas Livesey, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of December, in the
year our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.