Improvements in Portable Gas Generating Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1892-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portable Gas Generating Apparatus.
I, JACOB MORTIMER GOLDSMITH, Manufacturer, residing at the Monadnock
Building, 252 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, a Citizen of the.
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained.
in and by the following statement :-
1
The object of my invention is to make gas generating works which will be
portable and operate automatically to generate gas for fuel or illuminating purposes,
from crude petroleum or other oils containing gas, and supplying the same to the
place of use, together with various improvements in the parts and details of con-
struction of such works; and my invention consists in the features and details of
construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 represents my improved portable gas generating works, partly, in
elevation and partly in section ;
Fig. 2 represents a side elevation partly in section, of a somewhat different
arrangement of my improved gas works;
Fig. 3 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of a somewhat different form
of the same;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one form of retort or generator used in my gas
works, with the enclosing case or hood shown in section;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a horizontal section taken in line 5 of Fig. 4, looking in
the direction of the arrow;
Fig. 6 is a plan of my generator or retort, with a part of the covering plate.
broken away;
Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken in the line 7 of Fig. 6, looking in
the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of another form of retort, with a portion of the covering
or base plate broken away;
Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section taken through the line 9 of Fig. 8, looking
in the direction of the arrows;
Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical section of the superheating and deflecting cap
arranged immediately over the generator;
Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show details and modifications in the retort or generator;
Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18, show details of the automatic valve trip used with my
improved gas works;
Figs. 19 and 20 represent, respectively, longitudinal, sectional and plan views of
a compound air injector used by me in my gas works;
Figs. 21, 22 and 23 are details of the burner used by me in connection with my
gas works;
Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27, are details of the oil valve used by me in my gas works,
and Fig. 28 is a side elevation partly in section of a modified arrangement for
securing the flow of oil to the retort.
In making my improved portable gas works, I make them as shown in Figs. 1, 2
and 3 of the drawings, which I will proceed to describe. I arrange a tank or
reservoir A, adapted to hold the crude petroleum or other oil which it is intended
to convert into gas. This tank or reservoir is placed in any convenient position,
but preferably upon a stand or table B. In the drawings, I have represented this
stand as adapted to support and sustain the operative parts of my improved gas
works, with the oil tank and gas holder on different planes, but it is obvious that
the parts do not need to be arranged upon the same table or holding plate, and that

page_text: the oil tank, if desired, may be in a separate room from the other parts of the
works, without affecting the operation. In proper and convenient position, I locate
a generator or retort C, in which the oil is subjected to a high temperature and
vaporized or converted into gas. This retort may be of any desired kind, although
I have shown, and will presently describe, those forms which I prefer to use.
The retort preferably heated by a gas burner or jet D, arranged in proper
position under the same, so that the burning gas or jet will operate to heat
the retort to the required temperature to convert the oil into vapor or gas.
In convenient and proper position with relation to the gas generating retort,
I arrange a gas holder E. This holder is arranged in a water tank or receptacle E',
which is adapted to be filled, or partially filled with water, as may be desired. The
holder is open at the bottom, so that the water in the tank may rise in it to the
height that it stands in the tank.. The top of the holder extends a desired distance
above the water, so that a space will be provided above the water for the intro-
duction and accumulation of gas.
In order to supply oil to the retort for the generation of the gas, and to shut off
the same when the desired quantity of gas is accumulated, and to continue the
operation indefinitely as long as oil remains in the tank or reservoir, I arrange a
valve F in the oil supply pipe between the oil reservoir and the gas generating
retort. As this valve is turned in the one direction or the other, it admits or shuts
off the supply of oil to be generated into gas. As the oil is admitted into the retort
and converted into gas it passes up through a pipe F¹, into a chamber F.
This chamber is formed by arranging a receptacle E' under the bottom sus-
taining the water in the tank E', and providing it with a vertical partition E³,
so as to divide it into compartments. These compartments are again divided by
horizontal partitions E, which are preferably inclined toward holes E³, to enable
the particles from condensing, as is likely to occur in the case of all gases from
the gas or vapor admitted into the chamber F through the pipe F, or into the
chamber F, from the accumulation of gas in the holder, as hereinafter described,
to drop or pass down into the lower portions of the compartments F2 and F³. The
vertical partition E³ is arranged slightly above the bottom of the receptacle, which
is preferably depressed beneath it, so that as the oil or water condenses and passes
down into the bottom of the receptacle, a water or oil trap or seal will be formed
by the bottom of the partition, which will prevent the gas flowing into the
chambers F2 and F3 from escaping into the other compartment. As this trap is
formed either by water or oil placed in the receptacle at the commencement of
the operation, or by the accumulation of condensation, the gas admitted into the
chamber F will pass up through the pipe G, into the space G¹, above the
water under the top or dome of the holder E. As the gas is generated in
the retort and passes up into the gas reservoir G', its accumulation will cause
the holder E to be raised or elevated in the tank E. From this reservoir the
gas passes down through a pipe or outlet passage G2 into the receptacle F³,
whence it is carried through a pipe H to the place of use, where it may be
utilized for fuel or illuminating purposes, and also a portion of it through a
pipe H which leads to the gas burner or jet under the retort, to supply each
burner with fuel to keep the retort sufficiently heated to generate gas from the oil
flowing into it.
It will of course be understood that the pipe H leading to the gas burners in
the house or other place where the gas is to be used, will be connected with risers,
in the usual way. Any condensation that may have a tendency to be carried
through this pipe to the place of use, will therefore be caused to flow back into
the chamber F, and down through the holes E, to be caught or trapped with
other condensation. The pipe H leading to the burner under the retort, also
preferably opens into the chamber F above the horizontal partition E, so that
any condensation can be carried into it, and so that it will draw the gas for
supplying the burner under the retort direct from the gas reservoir, and thus
insure a supply of gas to the burner that shall constantly be of uniform quality

page_text: and applied under uniform pressure. This uniformity of quality and pressure is
also secured in the gas, which is carried through the pipe H to the place of use,
so that if it be applied to burners for illuminating purposes, a constant, steady
and uninterrupted flow of gas will be secured, and fluctuation or variation in the
quality of light will be avoided and prevented.
A hood G³ is preferably arranged over each of the pipes G and G³, to prevent
any condensed particles from passing down these pipes from the body of gas above
the hood in the reservoir. A pipe G is also preferably arranged in the bottom
of the gas reservoir G' that leads into the chamber F³. This pipe is arranged at
the lowest point in the bottom of the gas reservoir, so that particles of con-
densation will naturally flow into it and down into the chamber F³, and through
the holes E³ in the horizontal partition in such chamber, and drop to the bottom of
the receptacle E2, where it will add to the fluid forming the trap or seal between the
chambers in such receptacle. A pipe H also preferably leads from the bottom
of the receptacle E' to carry the condensed oil back into the oil reservoir A, where
it may be again carried through the generating retort and converted into gas.
By having a depression under the lower edge of the vertical partition E', only
sufficient oil need be retained in the receptacle E' to fill the depression and form
the trap or seal. In the absence of such chamber, the pipe H could be extended
up a desired distance above the bottom of the receptacle, so that a sufficient
quantity of oil would remain in it to form an effective trap. In Figs. 2 and 3,
I have shown an automatic drip from the chamber E² in which particles of con-
densation from the gas holder are collected. This drip I will designate by the
letter H³. At the bottom of the chamber E, in which the particles of condensation
collect, is arranged a cup H*, into which the drip pipe opens from the bottom of
the chamber, to permit the particles of condensation to pass or drop into the cup or
trap. The pipe H2, in Fig. 3, leads from the cup or trap near its top, and as the
trap is filled it leads the particles of condensation back into the oil tank, so as to
pass again through the retort and be converted into gas, as above explained.
In order to automatically and alternately shut off and admit the supply of oil to
the retort and the supply of gas to the holder, I arrange, as shown in Fig. 1, a
tube I, nicely balanced on a standard, and partly fill it with an unstable liquid of
any desired kind that will readily flow from one end to the other as the tube may
incline in one direction or the other. A rod I connects with the handle of the
valve F, located in the oil supply pipe, so that as the end of the tube I, to which
the rod is attached, is raised or lowered, such valve will be automatically opened or
closed.
On the other end of the tube I is arranged a rod I' connecting with the handle
of a valve I³ in the gas supply pipe F, so that as the end of the tube to which the
rod I is connected, is raised or lowered, the valve I will be opened and closed.
A rod I extends up from one of the tubes I at the side of the gas holder, and is
provided with stops I and I°. An arm I' extends out from the holder, and moves
up and down on the rod I, as the holder moves. As gas is generated and passes
into the holder, it will be raised, and the arm I will move up the rod 1 until it
comes into contact with the stop I, when it will raise such rod, and the end of
the tube I with which it is connected, until it brings such end slightly above a
horizontal line, which point is reached just as the holder is receiving its full supply
of gas. The unstable liquid in the pipe I will immediately flow to the other end
of the tube and cause it to fall to its lowest position. This will pull down the rod I
and push up the rod I, so that the valve F in the oil inlet pipe, and the valve I³
in the gas inlet pipe, will be simultaneously and automatically closed, and prevent
more oil from flowing into the retort or gas into the holder until such valves are
opened.
In Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown modified forms for automatically tripping the valves
to shut off or regulate the supply of oil and gas that shall pass through their respective
pipes. I have illustrated these forms of automatic trip in detail, in Figs. 15 and 18,
| inclusive, of the drawings.

page_text: These figures show two forms of trip, but they are both intended to be automatic,
as is the trip shown in connection with Fig. 1. In Figs. 15 and 16 I have shown a
nicely balanced tube I, intended to be partially filled with unstable liquid that will
run from one end to the other as one end or the other is depressed. Near one end
of this pivoted tube is the rod or link I, and near the other is the rod or
link I. Mounted above the pivoted tube I is a leverage bar J, which is
arranged to oscillate with it. At one end this bar is connected to the end of
the pivoted tube by means of an extension J', between which and the end of
the bar a rubber cushion may be arranged, and if desired, another rubber cushion
may also be arranged on the bolt connecting the bar J with the extension J¹ on
the end of the pivoted tube, and immediately beneath such connection.
These
rubber cushions, prevent any sudden jarring or movement, and insure an easy and
regular movement of the parts. At the other end of the bar J is the rod or
link I, which extends up by the side of the water reservoir, so as to be engaged
by the bottom 17 extending from the top of the gas holder, by which it may be
raised or lowered as the holder is raised or lowered, when certain limits in its
movements have been reached.
This
In Figs. 17 and 18 I have shown another modified form of this automatic valve
trip. In these figures I have pivoted the bar J at a central point, and "below
it I have pivoted a bar I, instead of using a pivoted tube containing an unstable
liquid, as in the other cases. These bars are connected together at one end and
provided with rubber cushions, as in the other case. The top of the bar J is
arranged to have a weighted roller J' mounted on it, adapted to roll toward one
end or the other, as the bars I and J tip in the one direction or the other.
roller J' rides on the bar J, and is balanced on it. By thus using the bar Jin
these different arrangements, movements may be transmitted from the gas holder
to the end of the pivoted tube or pivoted bar furthest from the holder, through the
medium of the long leverage afforded by the superimposed bar J, instead of by a
direct action on the end of the pivoted tube or pivoted bar 1. The object of this
is not only to prevent any sudden jar of the gas holder as it strikes the stop on
the rod I in its up or down movements, which would occasion a fluctuation in the
pressure of the gas supplied from the holder so as to affect the uniformity and
constancy of the lights or burners being supplied with gas from the holder, but also
to increase the leverage power by which the holder in its movements actuates the
pivoted tube or bar. The arrangement and operation of these automatic trips will
be fully understood from an inspection of Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, in connection
with their description above.
It is intended by the use of all of the automatic trips above described to shut off
the supply of oil from the retort whenever the gas holder has been raised by the
supply of gas to the predetermined limit of its upward movement.
As the gas
flows out of the retort through the supply pipes to the place of use, the holder
will immediately begin to sink, and presently the arm 17 will come into contact with
the stop I, when the rod I will be carried down with it. This will depress the elevated
end of the tube or bar I until just as the holder is about reaching its lowest position,
with the gas approaching exhaustion, but before this happens, the end of the tube
or bar to which the rod I is connected, will be depressed to a point slightly below
a horizontal. This will cause the unstable liquid or weights to flow or run toward
that end, and cause the tube or bar to drop immediately to its lowest position. This
will pull the rod 12 down, and push the rod I up, opening the valve 1' and F in
the oil inlet pipe and the gas inlet pipe, respectively, so that immediately oil will
begin to flow again into the retort and gas again into the holder. As the holder
rises again it repeats the operation above described so that, as it becomes filled the
oil and gas are again shut off, when it immediately begins to sink. As the gas is
exhausted for the purpose of use, and as the holder descends, it will again repeat
the operation by which the valves are opened to admit more oil and gas. In this
way the oil and gas valves will constantly be opened and closed, so that the
operation will proceed indefinitely, as long as oil is contained in the tank.

page_text: It may happen that the supply of gas for use would be turned off, and the burner
under the generating retort put out at a time when the gas holder is filled with
gas. In such a case if there should be leakage of gas from the holder, or material
foss therefrom arising from other causes, it might happen that the holder would
become exhausted and sink, but not to its lowest position, and as it descended open
the valves F and I³. This would permit the oil to flow into the retort and on
through the gas pipe without being converted into gas, so that the holder might
become wholly or partially filled with oil. In order to prevent any accident of
this kind, I provide an automatic safety cut off or attachment that will be put
into operation in case of the contingency above explained occurring, but not
otherwise. This emergency valve will be understood by reference to Fig. 1, which
particularly shows it. In this arrangement I arrange a pivoted lever J³, preferably
under the stand or table on which the operative parts are located, connecting by a
rod J at one end with the handle of a valve F in the oil supply pipe, which
valve is normally opened. The lever J³ is provided at the other end with a rod Jo
extending up by the side of the gas holder. This rod is provided with a stop Je,
which is engaged, as shown in Fig. 1, by a rod J', depending from the arm I7 of
the holder, when the holder has descended to a certain point.
The stop Je, however, is located at a point on the rod J' that will bring it below
the stop
on the rod 1, so that, in the normal operation of the parts, the arm I?,
as the holder descends, will engage the stop 15 and carry it down sufficiently to tip
the tube or bar I, and open the valves for the admission of oil and gas and together
to rise again before the rod J' has engaged the stop Je to carry the rod J³,
together with the end of the lever J³, to which it is connected, down, to operate
and close the valve F. But when the holder, in descending, has opened the
valve F and I, and no gas is generated and admitted to carry the holder up again,
it will continue its descent and engage the stop Je and operate the lever J³, so as to
close the emergency valve F4 in the oil supply pipe. In this way I am able to
prevent the admission of oil through the pipes when the retort is not heated
to convert it into gas and to automatically shut off the supply of oil when the
conditions do not exist for converting it into gas.
In case of a failure from any cause to shut off the supply of oil, in the normal
operation of my gas works, so that gas would continue to be generated, notwith-
standing the holder had been lifted to the limit of its intended upward movement,
I consider it desirable to employ means to prevent the passage of gas from the
retort into the holder. To effect this stoppage, I arrange an emergency valve K
in the gas inlet pipe, particularly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and have
carried a rod or link K' from the arm or handle of this valve up through the
outwardly projecting arm 1' from the top of the gas holder, and have provided
such rod or link with a stop or head at its upper end. If the gas should, for any
reason, rise above its intended limit, the arm I would come in contact with the stop
on the upper end of the rod or link K', and by carrying such rod up, turn the
valve K so as to shut the gas pipe leading from the retort to the holder and
prevent the passage of more gas into the holder, and the consequent lifting of the
holder beyond its intended limit, and the breaking of the water seal.
The arrange-
ment and operation of these parts will be easily understood from an examination
of Fig. 3 of the drawings.
In order to gauge the supply or stream of oil that passes through the supply
pipe to the retort, I arrange a graduating valve K2, which may be of the usual
form and construction, and which should be set at the proper point at the com-
mencement of operations. To supply the gas with air as it is carried into the
holder, as shown in Fig. 1, I arrange a pipe K³, entering the gas inlet pipe, through
which air may be drawn or injected to commingle with the gas. Where it is
desired that this air should be heated, I enclose the retort in a jacket K, and carry
a pipe K, shown in dotted lines, through the top of the jacket to the air inlet
pipe. This enables me to utilize the heat of the retort, that would otherwise be
wasted, for heating the supply of air mingled with the gas. This insures an

page_text: equitable temperature for the gas, notwithstanding changes in the outside tempera-
ture resulting from change of season or change of climate. To cause oil to readily
flow into the retort, I prefer to subject it to air pressure, and to that end have
shown a pump K, for forcing air into the tank to secure the desired pressure.
In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3, I have employed a compound air
injector located in the gas pipe between the retort and the gas holder, which
injector is shown in detail in Figs. 19 and 20. I will designate this injector as L.
In Fig. 19 I have shown a longitudinal section through the injector, and in Fig. 20
a plan view. The injector is intended to be open at the top to admit the desired
quantity of air intended to be mixed or
mingled with the gas, and pass them into
the gas holder. Near the opening of the injector I have shown a cut-off plate L',
provided with a handle L, by which it may be slid or moved into position, either
to entirely close the opening to the injector or to leave enough opening to admit
the required quantity of air, as desired. Further down in the injector, I arrange a
valve L³ mounted on a rock shaft L, by which it may be raised or opened, to
admit air as desired in the operation of the works. This shaft has the rod I³ con-
nected with its end, whence it extends down to connect with the end of the
automatic trip valve heretofore described, so that the valve I will be automatically
opened and closed in the operation of the machine. After the air has passed the
valve L, a portion of it passes along the main pipe of the injector, as shown in
Fig. 19, and the remaining portion passes through an auxiliary pipe or pipes L',
shown in Fig. 20. The gas pipe F' leading from the retort, carries the gas into
the main injector pipe and discharges it at a point intermediate the place where
the auxiliary pipes depart from and return to the main injector pipe. As the gas
rushes through the gas pipe it is discharged into the main injector pipe through a
nozzle L, which creates a suction that draws the air along with it, and causes it to
commingle with the gas, to pass forward through a flat valve L', which opens
against the pressure of the gas in its forward course but which closes against any
back pressure of the gas, so that the gas and air mingled with it may pass forward
into the gas holder, but cannot pass backward out of such holder.
The air that passes through the auxiliary pipe or pipes L' again enters the main
pipe beyond the nozzle Le of the gas pipe, so as to be mingled with the gas and
carry it forward into the holder. There will thus he provided means for the
admission of air into the pipe to commingle with the gas at two places, one supply
coming from the main injector pipe, and the other entering from the auxiliary
pipes. The arrangement and operation of these parts will be apparent from an
examination of Figs. 19 and 20, in connection with the above description.
In connection with my improved gas works, I have invented certain improve-
ments in the retorts or channels, which I prefer to use, and which are shown in
detail in Figs. 4 to 14 of the drawings, inclusive. In making my retort, I preferably
cast the body of the retort with a series or set of channels arranged back and forth
across the body of the retort, as shown in Fig. 6, or spiral throughout its body,
as shown in Fig. 8. Whether the channels are arranged back and forth or spiral,
it is intended that all of the channels of the same set shall communicate with
each other, so as to form a continuous or connected passage from the commence-
ment to the end of the sets. In operation, it is immaterial whether the channels are
made one way or the other, so long as they afford an uninterrupted way or passage
for the fluid to be vaporized or generated into gas or steam, as for the gas or steam
rising from the vaporizing of the fluid from the beginning to the end of the series.
In making my generator or retort I preferably make two or more series of
continuous channels, one above the other, in the same retort, and prefer to have
them cast into the body of the retort while it is being made. In the drawings I
have illustrated two sets of channels M and M. I shall designate the one into
which the oil is first admitted as the primary set, and the other set or sets as the
secondary set. The oil or other fluid intended to be vaporized is introduced into
the retort from the tank A, as heretofore explained, and enters the lower set of
channels, although it is obvious that the retort could be arranged so that oil would

page_text: be admitted to the upper set of channels, if preferred in which case it would
become the primary set. After the oil or other fluid being vaporized has entered
the primary set of channels, it passes back and forth or around and around through
the channels, according to their direction, until it has reached the end of the
primary series or set. By this time, it has become partially vaporized or converted.
into gas or steam. At the end of the primary set of channels, a hole or opening M²,
shown in Fig. 6, is provided to afford communication between it and the secondary
set, so as to effect a continuous and uninterrupted circulation of the fluid or vapor
under treatment. By the time the oil or other fluid admitted into the primary
channels has reached the opening M2, it has been converted into gas or steam, and
enters, through the passage, into the secondary series or set of channels. Where
the channels are carried back and forth across the body of the retort, as shown in
Fig. 6, the end of the primary set of channels comes at the edge of the retort.
The opening M leading therefrom to provide a communication between the series
of channels is therefore arranged near the side of the retort. Where, however,
the channels are arranged in spiral form, as shown in Fig. 8, the end of the primary
set is near the center of the body of the retort, and the opening M² into the
secondary set of channels is near the center. After passing through the opening M'
into the secondary set of channels, the pressure for the vaporized fluid passes along
such channels until it reaches the outer side of the retort, near where it entered,
where it passes through a hole or opening M³ into a pipe or conduit M, on which
it passes to near the center of the retort, whence it passes through another hole or
opening M into a central chamber Ms of the retort. I may here say that in view
of the expansion that takes place as the oil or water becomes vaporized, so that it
forms a larger volume, I prefer to make the secondary series of channels of larger
size or dimensions than the primary series, so as to accommodate the increased
volume passing through them. As this is a feature that will be understood by
every one, I have not considered it necessary to show the channels actually
enlarged in size, but will simply say that prefer to so make them in order to
prevent undue friction or pressure in the passage of the gas through the channels.
As the gas or steam passes through the channels and approaches and passes into
the central chamber M of the retort, it is desirable that it should be subjected to
a constantly increasing temperature, and I therefore prefer to have the gas or other
fluid for heating the retort arranged beneath the central chamber or cap M' of the
retort, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. This directs the heat into the central down-
wardly inclined portion of the retort, and causes it to spread out in every direction
under it. This causes the central portion of the retort, into which the gas is
admitted immediately before leaving it, to be the hottest portion of the retort, and
therefore gives to the vaporized fluid, as it leaves the retort through the opening,
the benefit of the greatest or highest temperature obtainable.
In order to heat the walls of the channels through which the fluid passes, and
keep them as hot as practicable, I provide the retort with a number of flues m,
extending up vertically through the retort between the channels. These flues or
openings are preferably cast as the body of the retort is made, and they permit the
heat and flames to pass up through the body of the retort in as many places as
flues are provided. As shown in the drawings, these flues occupy most of the
space between the channels, leaving thin walls between them and the channels,
through which the heat may readily and easily penetrate. In order to close the
channels, I provide caps or covering plates m', which are adapted to be fastened
securely to the body of the retort, either by screws passing through them and into
screw holes made in the castings, or in any other desirable manner. In Figs. 4
and 5 I have shown a number of such caps or covering plates screwed directly into
the body of the retort, so as to cover the ends of the channels, while in the other
figures have shown the ends of the channels covered by large plates fastened by
screws, as before suggested. These covering plates thus enclose the channels to
prevent the escape of air or steam, as shown in the drawings. The pipes M* may
be made as a part of the top covering, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9, or otherwise, as

page_text: may be desired.
The covering plates are of course provided with holes to
correspond with the flue openings cast in the body of the retort, so that the heat
and flames may pass up entirely through the retort when in use. By making the
caps removable, I secure easy access to the channels whenever it may be desirable
to clean them, should they become in any way clogged or obstructed. If desired,
a deflecting and superheating cap m² may be arranged immediately over the retort
having the pipe F', through which the gas, steam or vaporized fluid is conducted
to the gas holder. When this superheater is used the gas will pass from the
generator into the inside of the superheater, which is cast hollow for the purpose.
The superbeater is also preferably provided with flue openings m so that the heat
and flames coming up through the flues m of the retort will not only strike against
the bottom of the superheater, but also pass up through its flues or openings, so
as to make the superheater as hot as possible. In order to break and turn the
volume of gas passing up from the retort into the superheater, I arrange a cap m³,
with lateral openings in the pipe beneath the cap, as shown in Fig. 12, so that the
gas will be turned to the sides and bottom of the superheater, and thus brought
into as perfect contact with as great a heating surface as possible. After the gas
or vaporized fluid has thus been treated, it passes off through the pipe F¹, into the
gas holder, whence it is conveyed to the place of use. Of course after the gas or
steam is generated, it may be applied to any useful purpose desired, and any form
of apparatus for so applying it employed that the user may desire.
In Figs. 11 and 13 of the drawings, I have shown a modified form of retort, in
which the pipe leading to the retort carries the oil into a flat coiled pipe, which
contains or affords a tortuous passage to detain it in proximity to the heat until it
is converted into gas and passes up through the superheater, to be further
decomposed, as in the other cases. This form of retort will be found particularly
advantageous in connection with small works, while the retort shown in the other
figures is particularly adapted for larger works. In Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings,
I have shown one retort, while in Fig. 2 I have shown two. It is obvious,
however, that either one or more retorts may be used, as the amount of heat
required may render convenient or desirable.
To
In order that the heat employed for generating the gas or steam in the retort
may be utilized for heating the air introduced into the gas pipe through the
injector, or for other purposes, I prefer to provide it with a case or jacket K',
heretofore mentioned. In further description I will also say that I prefer to
provide this jacket with a perforated bottom that admits of air passing into the
same for the purpose of supplying oxygen to support combustion in the burner
which beats the retort. The air passes up through the flues in the retort, and
becomes heated to a high temperature. At the top of the jacket, or in any other
convenient place on the same, arrange a pipe m' of sufficient size to carry the
volume of heated air to the place where it may be desired to use the same.
reinforce and measurably purify this volume of air, I provide openings m' in the
pipe, that permits air from the outside of the jacket to be drawn into the pipe and
carried through the same to the place of use. To induct the air into this
pipe the
more fully, I arrange a cone-shaped outlet leading from the jacket into the pipe,
as shown in Fig. 4. This causes the heated air from the jacket to enter the pipe
at its center in a rapid and contracted volume, and at a point above the
openings m³. The bottom of the pipe m' is made preferably flaring over the cone-
shaped outlet, so that a space is provided between them, through which the
outside air is drawn up into the pipe by the rapid upward movement of the heated
air from the jacket. In this way, the heated air rising from the jacket heats the
volume of cold air drawn into the pipe from the outside, so as to bring it to the
proper temperature for the purpose intended. The arrangement of jacket and
pipes above described is particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.
Another jacket, shown in other figures, will be hereinafter separately described.
In the use of generators or retorts where crude petroleumns and other oils are
converted into gas, it is very important that the supply of gas for heating the

page_text: retorts shall be properly regulated, and the next part of my Specification will
explain the means used for such purpose. It is necessary in some cases to have a
greater supply of gas than in others, as affected by variations of climate and the
amount of heat required in the retorts. To effect this regulation, I employ means,
as illustrated in Figs. 21, 22 and 23 of the drawings. At the entrance of the
burner I arrange a disk N, provided with a number of holes which are adapted to
register with holes in the bottom N' of the burner. By moving the disk in the
one direction or the other, these holes may be opened for the admission of air, or
closed to exclude it, either in whole or in part. The gas passes into a chamber N³,
and along through the holes, preferably three of them, shown particularly in
Fig. 21, to the nozzle of the burner. These holes are constantly opened. In order
to increase the supply of gas beyond what will be furnished through these three
holes, I arrange a pin valve N³, which passes through the plate N and through the
bottom of the burner N1, and protrudes into the burner through the larger central
opening, shown in Fig. 21. This pin is tapered at the point, so that by screwing it
back, a space will be left around the point for the admission of gas, and by
screwing it forward, the space will be diminished or entirely filled by the pin,
thus making the hole variable in size of opening. By the use of the disk N with
its holes registering with the holes in the bottom of the burner, I can regulate the
supply of air admitted to the burner, and by screwing the pin valve further in or
out I can increase or diminish the quantity of gas that shall be admitted to the
burner over and above the regular supply that constantly passes through the three
holes around the pin. The arrangement and number of these parts will be readily
understood from an examination of Figs. 21, 22 and 23, in connection with the
above description.
It is
It is also important in the use of retorts or generators for conveying crude
petroleums and other oils into gas, to regulate the supply of oil admitted to the
retorts, and my Specification will now describe the means which I use for this
purpose. These means will be found particularly illustrated in Figs. 24 to 27,
inclusive, of the drawings. There are two valves shown in these figures, one of
which may be termed the service oil supply valve, and the other the emergency
valve. The service supply valve is the one which is used under ordinary
circumstances to supply the oil to the retort to be converted into gas.
particularly shown in Figs. 24 and 25 of the drawings. The service valve is the
one heretofore designated by the letter F. The oil coming in, as indicated by the
arrow, passes into a chamber O. Before it can pass out and into the retort, it
must come into the chamber 01. Arranged between these chambers is a disk O',
provided with a hole adapted to register with a hole passing through the partition
into the chamber 01. As the disk is turned, however, its hole will pass away
from the hole leading into such chamber, and cut off the supply of oil. The holes
register when the oil is intended to pass from the oil tank into the retort, and do
not register when the oil supply is cut off. This valve disk is provided with a
stem, and is held against its seat by means of a spring O³, which in turn is held in
a sleeve provided with a stem O, which may be turned, and with it the valve
disk 0%, by means of an arm connecting with the rod or link I¹ on the pivoted
tube or bar. In this way, as the pivoted tube or bar rises or falls, the valve
disk O will be turned, so as to have its hole register or otherwise, wholly or
partially, with the hole leading to the chamber O', to admit or shut off the supply
of oil, either wholly or partially. The emergency valve is particularly shown in
Figs. 1 and 27, in the latter of which its details of construction are shown. It has
heretofore been designated by the letter F¹. It differs from the service valve only
in the form of the disk O', which is unprovided with a hole, but which is adapted
to pass back and forth across the hole through which the oil from the oil tank or
reservoir passes, so as to shut off the supply when the exigency requiring its use
arises. By dispensing with the hole in the emergency valve disk, a slower and
graduating effect is secured in shutting off the supply of oil than by the use of the
hole, as in the service valve disk. This is the principal reason for using. a valve
B

page_text: disk of this form, instead of taking one provided with a hole, as shown in Fig. 24.
The valve disk (%, in both of the valves shown, is provided with a stop pin 0°,
protruding into a notch 08 in the edge of the valve disk, to insure the proper
location and limit the movements of the valve disk. The construction, arrange-
ment and operation of both of these valves, and all their parts, will be easily
understood by an examination of Figs. 24 to 27 of the drawings, inclusive, in
connection with my description above.
In the use of my portable gas works, it is important that some means should be
used to indicate the amount of oil contained in the tank or reservoir from time to
time, and I have, in Figs. 2 and 3, arranged an oil gauge for this purpose.
In
providing this gauge, I arrange a float P, connected with a rod, so that it rests on
the surface of the oil contained in the tank under pressure, and moves up and
down with it. This rod P¹ extends up into a glass or other transparent pipe P³,
preferably enclosed in a slotted tube, to prevent its becoming broken, and
through which the end of the rod as it moves up and down, may be observed from
time to time, to note the consumption of oil in the tank, so that the supply may be
replenished as required. I employ this kind of a gauge or indicator in preference
to a glass tube at the side of the tank, in which the oil may rise and fall as in that
case the breakage of the tube would permit the oil which is under pressure to flow
out, and cause liability to fire and other damage.
In the use of petroleum or other oils for the generation of gases, it is desirable
to have the oil heated more or less before it passes to the retort, and I will now
describe the means that I use to raise and maintain the temperature both of the oil
and of the air in the oil tank, by which the pressure on the oil to make it flow, is
secured. The means used for this purpose are particularly shown in Fig. 2 of the
drawings. In this case I surround the retort with a jacket, heretofore 'designated
as K. I add to this jacket, when desiring to utilize the heat to raise the
temperature of the oil and air in the oil tank, a hood, marked Q in Fig. 2. This
hood communicates with an annular case or jacket Q₁ around the oil supply tank.
The heat passes from the hood into the jacket or chamber surrounding the oil
supply tank, so as to heat such tank, and thereby heat the oil and air contained
in the tank above the oil, which had been pumped in to secure the necessary
pressure on the surface of the oil. As the oil in the tank diminishes, the heat
causes the air within the tank to sufficiently expand, and thus to maintain
a pressure on the surface of the oil without frequent replenishment of air from the
pump. This improvement will be understood from an examination of Fig. 2, in
connection with the description above, and need not be further described in detail.
I also provide, in my improved gas works, for means for supplying carburetted air
to the burner when the fire is started. These means are also particularly shown in
Fig. 2 of the drawings. A pipe R is arranged within the oil tank, with its top'
open up above the highest surface of the oil in the tank. This pipe extends down
and along preferably beneath the bed plate, and opens into the same chamber that
the gas is supplied to from the gas holder. It is provided with a suitable cock or
valve, so that it may be opened or closed as required. When it is desired to start
the fire to heat the retort, the requisite quantity of air is pumped into the oil tank
to create the desired pressure, and after it has become carburetted the valve or
cock in the pipe R is opened, so that carburetted air passes along such pipe and
into the chamber which communicates with the gas holder. It passes up into the
holder and raises it until the pressure is equalized in the oil tank and in the gas
holder. By then swinging the burners into place under the retort, the pipe
conveying gas from the gas holder to the burners is opened, and the carburetted
air passes to the nozzle of the burners. When the fire is lighted, the retorts
become heated, and the operation of manufacturing gas is carried on as intended.
The cock in the pipe R, should be closed after a sufficient quantity of carburetted
air has been supplied, so that there will be no further passage of air from the oil
tank to the gas holder. By taking the carburetted air from the oil tank to the gas
holder in this way, an even pressure is secured, which would not be the case if the

page_text: carburetted air were taken from any other source, and alcohol or other liquids are
dispensed with in starting the fire. The arrangement and operation of this
improvement will be understood by a reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, in
connection with my description above.
It is also important in my improved gas works, to employ means of compelling a
flow of oil to the retort. I have illustrated these means in Fig. 28 of the drawings,
and by their use I am able to dispense with the pump and compressed air on the
surface of the oil in the tank, and in their place to employ a receptacle or chamber
arranged above the retort, into which the gas, as it is generated, passes. A
pipe S leads from this receptacle back, around and into the oil pipe intermediate
the oil tank and the retort. By opening a valve S2 in this pipe, a portion of the
gas from the receptacle or chamber passes around and into the oil pipe, where it is
delivered through a nozzle S³, pointed in the direction of the flow of oil. The
gas from the receptacle and under pressure rushing around to this plate, enters the
oil pipe with sufficient force to cause a suction in the direction of the retort, so as
to draw or lift the oil to the retort, thus acting as an injector, and producing the
same effect as a body of compressed air on the surface of the oil in the tank.
Another pipe S leads from the receptacle along toward the air injector and gas
holder. A valve S' is located in this pipe, and a valve S is located at the
entrance to the receptacle opening by the pressure of the gas from the retort.
The valve S and the valve L' in the injector, open and close automatically and
simultaneously in the operation of the machine, to prevent the gas from passing
from the receptacle S, when pressure in such receptacle is entered, or to permit the
gas to pass therefrom when desired. An examination of Fig. 28, in connection
with the description above, will make this improvement plain. The object of this
improved form of construction is to relieve the oil tank from pressure. The
balance of the gas from the receptacle passes along the gas pipe into the holder,
in the usual way, or in the same way as in the other form of construction.
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. In a portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a receptacle filled with fluid, a gas holder arranged therein and
constructed to rise as it is filled with gas, and to sink as the gas is exhausted there-
from, a safety shut-off valve in the oil supply pipe, and means for automatically
operating the same, comprising a lever J, a link J, directly connecting one end of
such lever to the stern of the shut-off valve, a rod J, extending from the other end
of the lever to a point where it may be acted upon by the gas holder when it sinks
beyond the desired point, and pipes conveying the oil from the tank to the gas
generator, and gas from the generator to the gas holder, substantially as described.
2. In portable gas works, the combination of a receptacle filled with fluid, a gas
holder arranged therein aud constructed to rise as it is filled with gas, and to sink
as the gas is exhausted therefrom, a pipe G for conveying gas into the gas holder,
a pipe G for conveying gas out of the gas holder, a pipe G opening into the gas
holder on a lower plane than that of the openings of the gas inlet and outlet pipes
to carry off particles of condensation, means for carrying particles of condensation
to such pipe, a chamber F into which the pipes G and G₁ which carry the gas and
the particles of condensation from the gas holder open, a pipe or pipes leading from
such chamber to convey the gas to the place of use, and pipes conveying oil from
the tank to the gas generator and gas from the generator to the gas holder, substan-
tially as described.
3. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, a chamber Fintermediate the retort and the holder, into which
the
gas is introduced from the retort and from which it passes to the holder, a pipe
leading from the retort to such chamber, and a pipe leading from such chamber to
the holder, a chamber F' intermediate the holder and the place of use, partitions E
in said chambers F and F³, cutting off portions thereof, for the reception of

page_text: particles of condensation, and pipes conveying oil from the tank to the gas generator
and gas from the generator to the gas holder, substantially as described.
4. In portable gas works, the combination of a pipe leading from a source of
supply of fluid to be vaporized, a cast integral retort into which the pipe leads,
provided with a primary set of connected channels in which the fluid is subjected to.
partial vaporization, and with a secondary set of connected channels communicating
with the primary set, and in which the partially vaporized fluid is subjected to
further vaporization, such retort having a chamber located at the point of greatest
heat and at the exhaust passage of the retort, and a delivery pipe for the gas, sub-
stantially as described.
5. In portable gas works, the combination of u retort of cast metal, containing a
multiple series of connected tortuous or winding ducts for detaining a combustible
fluid in proximity to a source of heat, and having vertical heat tubes or passages
extending through the same, and a superheater located above the retort and
containing a baffle-plate or other device for breaking up the currents from the retort,
substantially as described.
6. In portable gas works, the combination of a pipe leading from a source of
fluid to be vaporized, a cast integral retort into which the pipe leads, provided with
a primary set of connected channels in which the fluid is subjected to partial
vaporization, and with a secondary set of connected channels communicating with
the primary set, and in which the partially vaporized fluid is subjected to further
vaporization, said retort having a partition chamber with a dished bottom forming
a flame spreader, located at the point of greatest heat and at the exhaust passage
of the retort, and a delivery pipe for the gas, substantially as described.
7. In portable gas works, the combination of a pipe leading from a source of
fluid to be voporized, a cast integral retort into which the pipe leads, provided with
a primary set of channels in which the fluid is subjected to partial vaporization, and
with a secondary set of channels communicating with the primary set, and in which
the partially vaporized fluid is subjected to further vaporization, said retort having
a chamber with a dished bottom forming a flame spreader located at the point of
greatest heat and at the exhaust passage of the retort, and a delivery pipe for the
gas, substantially as described.
8. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, an air
injector opening into the pipe between the retort and the holder, provided with an
air inlet and with a valve automatically openable and closable as gas is generated
or otherwise, the pipe from the retort to the holder being provided with a discharge
nozzle opening into the main injector pipe between the valve and the holder, sub-
stantially as described.
9. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort, and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, an air injector
provided with an air inlet and with a valve automatically openable and closable as
gas is generated or otherwise, and with an auxiliary pipe or pipes opening at the
ends into the main injector pipe, the pipe from the retort to the holder being
provided with a discharge nozzle opening into the main injector pipe between the
points where the ends of the auxiliary pipe or pipes enter the main injector pipe,
substantially as described.
10. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, a burner
provided with holes constantly open for the admission of gas to the burner and with
a hole variable in size of opening to regulate an additional quantity of gas admitted,
and a pin valve entirely or partially closing the hole variable in size of opening as
it is moved in or out, substantially as described.
11. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
.

page_text: retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, an
automatic valve trip comprising a pivoted member, and a leverage bar connected to
the pivoted member at the end furthest from the gas holder, and with a rod or link
at the end nearest the gas holder movable up and down by the holder as it reaches
the limits of its movements, substantially as described.
12. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder, and gas from the holder to the place of use, an
automatic valve trip comprising a pivoted member, a leverage bar connected to the
pivoted member at the end furthest from the gas holder and with a rod at the end
nearest the gas holder movable up and down by the holder as it reaches the limits
of its movements, and means shiftable by the tipping of the pivoted member and
bar from one end of the trip to the other, substantially as described.
13. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, a valve
comprising chambers separated by a partition provided with a hole, a valve disk
fitted against the partition, and means for automatically turning the valve disk to
open and close the hole in the partition as turned in the one direction or the other,
substantially as described.
14. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, a valve
comprising chambers separated by a partition provided with a hole, a valve disk
fitted against the partition, mechanism for automatically turning the valve disk to
open and close the hole in the partition as turned in the one direction or the other,
and means for limiting the extent of movement of the valve disk, substantially as
described.
15. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas generating
retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort and gas
from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, a drip
comprising a trap extending below the bottom of the chamber into which the
particles of condensation fall, a pipe extending down from such chamber to near the
bottom of the trap, and means for piping off the contents of the trap or carrying
them to the oil tank without loss of gas, substantially as described.
16. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort
and gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use,
an oil gauge comprising a float resting on the surface of the oil, an indicating rod
leading from such float to the outside of the tank and to a point above the level of
the oil, and a glass or transparent tube enclosing a portion of the rod outside of the
tank and in which it may move as the supply of oil varies in the tank, substantially
as described.
17. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort
and gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use,
the oil tank being provided with a hot air surrounding jacket, and a hood enclosing
the retort and communicating with the interior of the oil tank jacket, substantially
as described.
18. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort
and gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use,
the oil tank containing air under pressure on the surface of the oil, a pipe opening
into the oil tank above the oil and leading to the gas holder, and a valve or cock
in such pipe to permit or prevent the passage of carburetted air from the oil tank
to the gas holder, substantially as described.
°

page_text: 19. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort
and gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use, a
gas pressure receptacle intermediate the retort and the gas holder, a pipe leading
from the receptacle and entering the oil pipe intermediate the oil tank and the
retort, and a valve in such pipe automatically operated to permit or prevent the
passage of gas from the receptacle to the oil pipe to facilitate the flow of oil, sub-
stantially as described.
20. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the retort
aud gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the place of use,
a flat coil of pipe containing a tortuous passage for detaining a combustible fluid in
proximity to a source of heat, and a superheater located above the coil and
containing a baffle plate or other device for breaking up the currents from the
retort, substantially as described.
21. In portable gas works, the combination of an oil supply tank, a gas
generating retort, a gas holder, pipes for conveying oil from the tank to the
retort and gas from the retort to the holder and gas from the holder to the
place of use, a gas pipe leading from the retort to a gas holder, an emergency
valve in such pipe intermediate the retort and the holder, and means actuated by
the holder when it rises above its normal limit for automatically operating the
valve to close the gas pipe, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of June 1892
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.