Improvement in Gas Generators.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 1st May, 1877
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Gas Generators.
1, WILLIAM JORDAN, Patent Agent, of 120 Chancery Lane, in the City of
London, hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from The
Morley Acetylene Gas Company, a Corporation organized under the laws of the
State of West Virginia, and doing business at Wheeling, County of Ohio, State of
West Virginia, and at No. 40 Wall Street, in the City of New York, County of
New York, State of New York,) to be as follows:—
This invention relates to the generation of acetylene gas from carbide of calcium,
by the application of water to the latter, and it has for its object to provide
an apparatus which will automatically govern the quantity of gas generated
according to the quantity consumed; from the very lowest unit of light to the
highest; either with or without mechanical instrumentalities for regulating the
passage of the water.
To this end, the invention consists first, in an apparatus which embodies a
generating chamber in which the calcium carbide is located, a source of water
supply having its head above the plane of the carbide in said chamber, and a
conduit leading from said source of water supply to said chamber and having one
or more outlets within the chamber above the carbide.
By this construction the water issuing from the said conduit is caused to first
engage the upper portion of the mass of carbide the pressure of the gas then
generated operating upon the column of water in said conduit, and so governing
the level of the same, relatively to the said outlet or outlets, as to automatically
control the supply of water according to the quantity of gas generated.
In, practice, it is preferred to provide the water conduit with a
plurality of
outlets within the chamber located in different horizontal planes; and to employ
as such outlets brauch pipes extending in different directions and to different
distances horizontally; to thereby increase the area of diffusion of the water over
the carbide.
When commencing to generate the gas, the water issues from all the outlets; but
as the pressure of the gas commences and increases within the generator, it
gradually forces back the column of water in the conduit, below the outlet openings
successively, thus diminishing the supply of water, and when it falls below the
lowest outlet, stopping it altogether.
The gas is conducted from the generating chamber to the point of consumption,
and as the gas is consumed the reduction of the pressure within the generating
chamber permits the column of water within the conduit to rise again to the lowest
out et, and the supply of water from such outlet reuews the generation of gas, and
continues the same until the increase of pressure again arrests the flow of water
from said outlets.
Such automatic action goes on so long as the consumption of gas continues.
Lastead of employing the gas pressure to directly vary the level of the supply
column of water in relation to the outlet within the generating chamber, the
passage of the water to the generating chamber may be governed by positive
means, such as a valve inserted in the conduit, and a vertically movable gas

page_text: receiver to which the gas is conducted from the generating chamber, and having
means to close and open the valve, as the receiver rises and falls by variations in
the quantity of gas generated.
101
Improvement in Gas Generators.
1, WILLIAM JORDAN, of 120 Chancery Lane, London, W.C. Patent Agent,
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 generation of acetylene gas from carbide of calcium,
by the application of water to the latter, and it has for its object to provide
an apparatus which will automatically govern the quantity of gas generated
according to the quantity consumed; from the very lowest unit of light to the
highest, either with or without mechanical instrumentalities for regulating the
passage of the water.
To this end, the invention consists first, in an apparatus which embodies a
generating chamber in which the calcium carbide is located, a source of water
supply having its head above the plane of the carbide in said chamber, and a
conduit leading from said source of water supply to said chamber and having one
or more outlets within the chamber above the carbide.
By this construction the water issuing from the said conduit is caused to first
engage the upper portion of the mass of carbide, the pressure of the gas then
generated operating upon the column of water in said conduit, and so governing the
level of the same, relatively to the said outlet or outlets, as to automatically control
the supply of water according to the quantity of gas generated.
In practice, it is preferred to provide the water conduit with a plurality of
outlets within the chamber, located in different horizontal planes; and to envploy
as such outlets branch pipes extending in different directions and to different
distances borizontally; to thereby increase the area of diffusion of the water ver
the carbide.
When commencing to generate the gas, the water issues from all the outlets;
but as the pressure of the gas commences and increases within the generator, it
gradually forces back the column of water in the conduit, below the outlet openings
successively, thus diminishing the supply of water, and when it falls below the
lowest outlet, stopping it altogether. The gas is conducted from the generating
chamber to the point of consumption, and as the gas is consumed the reduction of
the pressure within the generating chamber permits the column of water within
the conduit to rise again to the lowest outlet, and the supply of water from such
outlet renews the generation of gas, and continues the same until the increase of
pressure again arrests the flow of water from said outlets. Such automatic action
goes on so long as the consumption of gas continues.
Instead of employing the gas pressure to directly vary the level of the supply
column of water in relation to the outlet within the generating chamber, the
passage of the water to the generating chamber may be governed by positive
means, such as a valve inserted in the conduit, and a vertically movable gas
receiver to which the gas is conducted from the generating chamber, and having
means to close and open the valve, as the receiver rises and falls by variations in
the quantity of gas generated.

page_text: The apparatus is illustrated in the annexed drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section at the center line, where hatched, of an apparatus
having a flexible bag for the gas receiver. Fig. 2 is a similar section of an
apparatus having a metallic cylinder for the gas holder, with escape pipe for
the gas.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an elevation in perspective of the vertical conduit and water outlets
employed in the gas generator represented in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 5 shows another form of apparatus in which the flow of water and discharge
of surplus gas are regulated by valves.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of the cam lever connected with the water 'valve and
actuated by the movement of the gas holder; and
Fig. 7 is an elevation of the cam lever connected with the escape valve, and
actuated by the movement of the gas holder.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS.
In Figs. 1 and 2, 1 designates a water reservoir having the centrally disposed
generating chamber 2 supported within the same just above the bottom, the water
in said reservoir occupying the annular space 3 surrounding said chamber. The
chamber is wholly closed upon the sides, as well as at the bottom upon which the
carbide is placed.
4 is the removable bottom of chamber 2, which bottom is held water-tight to
the chamber. 5 is the conduit for water extending through the bottom 4 and
upwardly within the chamber 2. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are outlets in the form of branches
from the conduit, projected in various horizontal planes, and made of various
lengths, to secure a large area of diffusion of the water over the carbide; 10 is a
gas eduction pipe extending from a point near the top of the chamber 2 through
the conduit 5 to the gas holder, and 14 a cock in such pipe.
In Fig. 1 this gas receiver 13 is shown as a flexible bag located within a
receptacle 12. 15 is a service pipe leading from the holder 13 and containing a
valve 16. 17 is a head resting upon the holder 13 and having the vertical rod 18
guided by a bracket 19. 20 are studs of various lengths projected from the
rod 18 to engage the under side of weight 21 which have corresponding openings
of various sizes, so that the studs lift them successively from their support, to
automatically vary the back pressure exerted by the gas holder upon the gas
in the chamber 2.
22 and 23 are supply and overflow pipes for the reservoir.
In Figs. 2 and 3, the gas holder 24 is shown as a metallic cylinder vertically
movable in a receptacle 25.
26 is the gas inlet pipe connected with pipe 10.
27 is a pipe depending from the top of the holder 24, to guide the same, and
28 a valve by which gas may be drawn from the pipe 27, if desired. 29 is the gas
receiver pipe leading from the holder at its lower end. 30 is an escape pipe leading
from the receptacle 25 near its upper end, and 31 is a pipe surrounding the pipe 30
and connected to the top of the holder. 32 (in Fig. 2) are a series of weights
connected by chains of various lengths to a rod 33 on the holder.
OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS ABOVE DESCRIBED.
In the forms shown both in Fig. 1, and in Figs. 2 and 3, the carbide is placed in
the generating chamber 2, and the latter is inserted in the reservoir 3 with its
conduit 5 surrounding the pipe 10, and water is admitted to the reservoir to the
level of the overflow pipe 23. The conduit 5 being constantly open the water
rises therein to the outlets 6, 7, 8 and 9 and issuing from the latter drops upon the
carbide and the generation of gas begins.
As the pressure of the gas increases in the chamber 2, it depresses the column

page_text: of water (in the conduit 5) below the outlets successively, thereby decreasing
the water supply and causing it to cease when it passes the level of the lowest
outlet 6.
The gas being admitted to the gas holder, the movement of the latter
successively raises the weights, and the augmented pressure produced by the
several weights operates to depress the column of water successively below the
corresponding outlets 6, 7, 8, 9.
The holder 13 raises the weights by elevating the head 17, while the holder 24
lifts the weights 32 by means of their connecting chains. If the valve 15 in
service pipe 16 be opened and the burner or burners supplied by said pipe be
lighted, the consequent reduction of the gas pressure in the holder and generating
chamber 2 causes the lowest weight to be deposited upon its support, and also
permits the water in the conduit 5 to rise to the level of the lowest outlet 6.
A fresh supply of water is thus introduced to the chamber, and dropping upon the
carbide again generates the gas, increasing the pressure until it again depresses
the level of the water in conduit 5 below the outlet 6. The level of the water-
delivering outlet, relatively to the level of the water in the conduit, is thus
automatically changed according to the amount and pressure of the gas within the
generating chamber. Such intermittent action continues so long as any gas is
consumed; the apparatus automatically proportioning the amount of gas generated
to the amount consumed; until the supply of carbide placed in the generating
chamber is exhausted, when a fresh supply is introduced.
The form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3 differs from that shown in
Fig. 1 chiefly in the forms of the gas holders, the means of raising the weights to
increase the pressure gradually, and in the provision, in the holder 24, of an escape
pipe 30 passed through the bottom of the receptacle 25 nearly to the upper end
thereof, with a pipe 31 extended from the top of holder 24 downward over
pipe 30.
Whenever the holder lifts the lower end of the pipe 31 above the level of the
water in the receptacle 25, the excess of gas which raised it to such height
escapes through the pipe 31 to the mouth of pipe 30, and through the latter to an
escape flue or any desired point; thus preventing any danger from an accidental
over-production of gas.
In both forms of the apparatus above described, it will be observed that the
regulation of the amount of gas generated by the amount of gas consumed is
secured by the direct action of the gas pressure itself upon the column of water
fed to the generating chamber and without the use of valves or other similar
governing agents.
The same automatic proportioning of the amount of gas generated to the amount
consumed may be secured by the use of a valve; as in the apparatus shown in
Figs. 5, 6 and 7, in which 1 is a water receptacle. 2 is the vertically movable gas
holder. 3' is a stand-pipe. 4' is a brace supporting said stand-pipe. 5' is an arm
projecting from the holder 2. 6' is the generating chamber.
7' is a pipe leading from the chamber to the stand-pipe.
8¹ is a pipe leading from the stand-pipe into the holder 2, 91 is a service pipe
leading from the holder 2, and 10' a valve in said pipe. 13¹ is the water reservoir
supported by a brace 121. 14 is a pipe leading from the reservoir 13' to the
generating chamber 61, and preferably formed with a siphon upon the upper end,
to be water sealed within the reservoir. 15¹ is a valve located in pipe 14. 161 is
the oscillating stem of said valve.
17 is a cam lever connected to the stem 16' and having the bent portion 18¹.
19 is an escape valve on the stand-pipe 3. 20' is a cam lever connected to the
stem of said escape valve, and having the bent portion 21'.
The arm 5' has two apertures fitted loosely to the cam levers 17' and 20¹ and
constantly controls the position of such levers and their attached valves. 221 is a
valve inserted in the stand-pipe between the pipes 7 and 81, and 23¹ is a drip valve
located at the bottom of said stand-pipe.

page_text: 31' is a device to permit the air to escape from the gas holder 2 when starting
the apparatus.
With this form of apparatus, the carbide is placed in chamber 61, and water is
placed in the reservoir 13', the valve 15' being held open by the position of the
gas holder 2.
The water passing from said reservoir 13' through the pipe 14' drops upon the
carbide in chamber 6', and causes the generation of gas, which passes through the
pipes 71, 31, 81, to the holder 2; thereby causing the holder to move upwardly.
until its arm 5 presses against the bent portion 18¹ of cam lever 17', which closes
the valve 15 and stops the supply of water and generation of gas.
The withdrawal of gas from the holder permits it to descend, and thereby open
to a greater or less extent the valve 15¹ and renew the supply of water.
In this manner there is secured an exact proportioning of the supply of water,.
which is necessary to regulate the generation of the gas by its rate of consumption.
With this apparatus, the generation of gas may be regulated even down to the
lowest unit of light, with which a single drop of water every ten seconds is
sufficient. Any undue excess of gas which may be accidentally generated, is
permitted to pass off through the valve 19' by the action of the arm 5' upon the
bent portion 21 of the cam lever 20', when the holder reaches an extreme upward
position.
An important feature of the invention herein described, is the capacity of the
apparatus to limit the quantity of water applied to the carbide in a very exact
degree, even down to a single drop, so as to avoid any such production and
accumulation of gas as to render possible any harmful result therefrom, by explosion.
or otherwise. Another important feature of the invention is the simplicity of the
apparatus and the cheapness with which it can be produced and operated.
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. In a gas generator, the combination, with a generating chamber for holding
calcium carbide, of a constantly open conduit leading from an exterior source of
water supply to an outlet in said chamber above the carbide therein, and means.
for automatically changing the level of the delivering orifice of said conduit and
the water level in said conduit relatively to each other, according to the amount
or pressure of gas within the chamber.
2. In a gas generator, the combination, with a generating chamber, of a water
reservoir, a conduit leading from said reservoir through the bottom of said chamber-
and upwardly within the latter above the normal level of the water in said
reservoir, and provided with an outlet below such normal level, a vertically
movable gas receiver or holder having pipe connection with said generating
chamber, and meaus (as a series of successively acting weights) for automatically
increasing and diminishing the back pressure exerted by said holder upon the
gas generated in said chamber, and upon the water column in said conduit.
3. In a gas generator, the combination, with a generating chamber having the
sides and bottom wholly closed, of a water receptacle communicating with said
chamber by a pipe passing through the bottom of the chamber to a point near the
upper end thereof, and provided with a plurality of outlets located in various
horizontal planes.
4. In a g..s generator, the combination, with a generating chamber, of an open
water receptacle having open communication with said chamber at a point slightly
below the normal level of the water in said receptacle, a water holding tank or
reservoir containing a vertically movable gas-holder water-sealed on its lower ead
by the water in the reservoir, a pipe leading from said generating chamber to said
gas-holder, a gas service pipe leading from said holder, and a gas escape pipe
connected with said movable holder, the end of such pipe being normally sealed

page_text: by the water in the receptacle and adapted to be opened by an extreme upward
movement of said holder, substantially as described.
5. In a gas generator, the combination, with a generating chamber, of an exterior
source of water supply and a pipe leading from said water supply through the
bottom of said chamber to an outlet near the upper end of the water, said pipe
being provided near its upper end with a plurality of radially disposed vent tubes
of various lengths and located in various horizontal planes, as and for the purpose
set forth.
6. In a gas generating apparatus, the combination, with a suitable tank and
water-sealed gas receiver vertically movable within said tank, of a gas generating
chamber having pipe connection with said receiver, a water reservoir located above
said chamber and having pipe connection therewith, and a valve having oscillating
stem and governing the passage of water from said reservoir to said chamber,
a cam lever projecting from one side of said valve stem and provided with a bent
portion and an arın upon said receiver with aperture loosely embracing said lever
and pressing alternately against the opposite sides of such bent portion in the
upward and downward movements of the receiver to close and open the said
valve.
7. In a gas generating apparatus, the combination, with a gas receiver adapted
for vertical movement, of a gas generating chamber having pipe connection with
said receiver, a reservoir for water having pipe connection with said chamber,
a valve governing the passage of water to said chamber, valves governing the
escape of gas from said receiver, and said generating chamber, and means for
transmitting the movements of said receiver to both of said valves to open and
close the same.