Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
We HENRY BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, Engineer, and EDWARD RAWLINGS, Architect,
both of 3 Victoria Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
Our invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of gas by the vaporization
of gasoline or other volatile hydrocarbon, the said apparatus being specially designed
for manufacturing gas for lighting private houses and other buildings in towns or
villages where gas is not supplied from a common source.
The chief objects of our said invention are to provide apparatus which will operate
automatically, to produce gas more or less rapidly according to the rate at which it is
consumed; and to construct the said apparatus in such a manner that it requires little
attention and is not liable to get out of order.
To these ends our said invention comprises the improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the improved apparatus or machine for
vaporizing gasoline or other hydrocarbon, and mixing therewith atmospheric air to
produce gas suitable for lighting or heating purposes.
Figures 1 and 1 are views showing different positions which portions of the
apparatus assume during the operation of the same.
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the pump used with the said machine.
Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the general arrangement of the apparatus in
connection with the means for supplying the gasoline and delivering the gas.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a valve hereinafter described.
a is the base-plate of the apparatus, upon which are mounted the chamber b in
which the gasoline is vaporized, and the double-acting air-pump c for supplying
atmospheric air to form the combustible mixture.
The vaporizing chamber b, hereinafter termed the retort, is of cylindrical form, and
is heated, by means of the burners d, d', with gas made in the apparatus itself, and
supplied from the pipe d. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the burner d' surrounds
the retort, while the other is adapted to burn with a single jet of flame.

page_text: e is a piston sliding in the retort and provided with the valve e¹; and is a closed
chamber formed below the bed a. When the piston e is in its lowest position the
interior of the retort is in communication with the said chamber through the holes ¹,
and the channel 62 formed by the casing ³ surrounding the lower part of the said
retort.
is the pipe through which the. gasoline raised by the pump 7, hereinafter
described, is conveyed to the retort. This pipe communicates with the groove in
the cover of the retort, so that it enters the latter in a thin stream around the
lower edge of the said cover.
The air pump c, is of ordinary construction, and is provided with inlet valves c',
(one of which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2) and with the discharge valves c².
The latter valves open into the channel f¹ communicating with the chamber. The
piston rod of the said air-pump extends through both ends of the cylinder, and
is connected at its lower end with one end of a rocking lever i mounted in the
chamber. The other end of this lever carries the rod e of the piston e.
The rod e² is not connected with the piston e, so that the latter may be readily
removed from the retort b to clean or inspect it. The lower side of the said piston. is
provided with a conical opening to ensure the rod e² assuming its proper position
relatively to the piston e.
The upper end of the rod c³ is connected by the link k to an arm ¹, fixed upon a
shaft carried in standards l¹ on the base a.
m is a segment which is securely fixed to the shaft 7 ; and ท n are two other
segments, which are formed integral with each other and capable of rotating on the
said shaft. To the segment n is secured, by screws or otherwise, a hook n²; and to
the segment m is pivotted a hook m² adapted to engage with the hook n². One end
of this pivotted hook is arranged in connection with a pivotted lever m², also attached
to the segment m, so that when in the operation of the apparatus the lever m² strikes
an adjustable stop o, the end m³ of the lever m² will bear upon the adjacent end of the
pivotted hook m¹, and lift the same out of engagement with the hook n²..
p is a chain which is secured at one end to the segment m, and at the other to the
segment n. This chain passes around a pulley p attached to the upper end of a
spring p², which, at its lower end, is secured to the base or frame of the apparatus.
The length of this spring is such that when the segments m, n, are in the relative
positions shown in Figure 1 the said spring will be stretched and exert considerable
tension on the said chain, tending to draw the segments downwards. Instead of a
chain a weight or any other means suitable for imparting the desired tension to the
chain may be used.
is a chain which at its upper end is secured to the segment n' and at its lower
end to the rod of the pump for forcing the gasoline or other liquid to be
vaporized to the retort.
Any suitable pump may be used for this purpose, but I prefer to use the pump
shown in Figure 3, which is adapted to force the liquid during its upstroke. This
pump is located in a casing h², communicating with the reservoir through the
pipe and is placed in such a position therein that it is immersed in the gasoline or
the like. The plunger h of this pump is fixed and has a longitudinal aperture
communicating with the supply pipe g and containing a valve h6 opening upwards.
Surrounding this plunger is a bucket h having an inwardly opening valve at its
lower end, and connected by the trunnions to the rod h¹. As the bucket moves
downwards owing to its weight, the valve opens and allows the entrance of liquid
into the said bucket. When the bucket is raised by the rod 2, in the manner herein-
after described, the valve 18 is closed and the valve his opened, so that liquid is
forced through the pipe g to the retort b.
The rod passes through a hole in the cover of the casing h³, the said cover being
above the level of the liquid in the reservoir, so that.no liquid can escape through the
said hole.
The operation of the apparatus herein before described is as follows.
Assume the gas at the burners d, d¹ to be burning, so. that the retort band the

page_text: piston e therein are heated to a sufficient degree to vaporize the hydrocarbon liquid
injected above the latter, and the various parts of the apparatus to be in the positions
shown in Figure 1. If now the arm ¹ be depressed slightly the shaft and with it
the segment m secured to the said shaft will be turned, sufficiently to cause the
lever m² to impinge against the stop o and disengage the hook m¹ from the hook n².
Immediately this takes place the spring p² will react, drawing down the segment n,
which is loose upon the shaft 7, and correspondingly raising the segment n¹, as shown.
in Figure 1". During this upward movement of the segment n¹ the rod ¹ is raised
and gasoline is injected into the retort 6, where, in consequence of the heat, it is
immediately vaporized. Owing to the expansion caused by the vaporization the
piston e is forced downwards, until the upper surface of the latter is below the level of
the holes. The vapor above the piston e then escapes through the said holes and
the passage to the chamber. The valve e' is also raised by contact with the
bottom of the cylinder. Simultaneously with the downward movement of the piston e
of the retort, the piston of the air-pump is lifted, forcing the air above the piston
through the upper valve c² into the channel, and causing the entrance of air through
the lower valve c' and the nozzle c* into the space below the air-pump piston. The
air which enters the chamber through the channel fl mixes with the gasoline vapor,
and forms therewith a combustible mixture which flows through the pipe to the
receiver, from whence it can be conducted through the pipe to the point where it
is to be used. This receiver serves to prevent the pressure of the gas in the pipes
being suddenly raised after each discharge of vapor and air into the chamber f, and
also to ensure a proper mixing of the same. To further ensure an uniform pressure
of gas in the delivery pipes, a pressure regulator of any ordinary or suitable
construction can be employed.
While the air-pump piston is being raised to the upper end of its stroke the shaft
with the segment m is turned to the position shown in Figure 1b, so that the hook m¹
again engages with the hook n². The end of the chain p attached to the segment m is
also simultaneously raised; whereby the spring p is again stretched.
As the gas is gradually used from the receiver, the air-pump piston, owing
chiefly to its weight, descends, forcing out the air from beneath into the chamber f
and raising the piston e through the medium of the lever i and the rod e². While the
piston e is being raised the valve e' is held open by means of springs e located in
grooves therein, between the valve and the piston. Any vapor above the said valve is
thus enabled to pass beneath the piston and enter the chamber f, so that compression
above the said piston e is avoided. The valve e¹ is closed by striking against the
cover l
As the arm moves downwards the segment n' also moves downwards, so that the.
pump bucket connected thereto drops and takes a fresh charge of gasoline. When
the piston of the air-pump has moved down the required distance the lever m² again
strikes the stop o and the operation hereinbefore described is repeated.
It will be understood from the foregoing description that two charges of air are
mixed with one charge of gasoline or other hydrocarbon vapor. The relative sizes of
the air-pump and retort cylinders must therefore be suitably proportioned to produce a
proper mixture.
The quantity of gasoline or other liquid raised at each stroke of the pump can be
varied by adjusting the stop s, against which the end of the segment n strikes when the
said hooks are disengaged, and which therefore regulates the extent to which the.
segment n¹ carrying the pump chain g can be rotated.
If the gas made by our improved apparatus is used very slowly only a small
flame is necessary to maintain the retort at the proper degree of heat. If, however, a
large quantity of gas is required the machine works much more quickly, so that the
oil is introduced into the retort rapidly, and necessitates the use of a larger flame in
order to prevent the retort from being too much cooled by the liquid.
In order to regulate the size of this flame according to the quantity of liquid to be
vaporized in a given time, I utilize the expansion and contraction which takes place in

page_text: the cover 6 or the upper part of the retort, owing to the more or less. rapid cooling of
the same by the said liquid.
To accomplish this I employ the levers t, t, the latter of which bears upon the
steni u of a valve u, Figure 5, and operates the same. The lever t is at one end t² in
connection with a rod v, attached to the base or frame of the apparatus, and, at a
point between its two extremities and near the end 2, bears upon a stud w attached to
the cover . The lever at its other end is connected to one end of the lever t
by the rod or link ', the said lever having its fulcrum near the end on a
standard on the bed-plate, its free end bearing upon the valve-stem u. With this
arrangement of rods and levers a very slight expansion of the cover , transmitted
through the said stud w, is multiplied to a sufficient extent to more or less close the
valve u, and vice versa.
The valve u' below its seat is in communication with the gas supply pipe d², and
above its seat in communication with the burner d' through the pipe d³. It will thus
be understood that by more or less depressing the stem the amount of gas passing
to the burner d¹ will be regulated.
The burner d is in direct communication with the gas pipe through the pipe d',
and is adapted to burn constantly except when the gas is shut off by the cock .
The regulation of the valve according to the amount of gas required is effected by
means of a screw t", in the lever t¹.
The operation of this heat regulating apparatus is as follows:-
When a large quantity of gas is required the cover is more or less cooled by the
gasoline; the said cover then contracts, whereby the end 3 of the lever drops and the
end of the lever t is correspondingly raised together with the valve stem under the
action of the valve spring 2. If less gas is required, the cover is less rapidly cooled,
so that it expands slightly and causes the valve to be correspondingly closed.
The valve should be so adjusted that when no heat except that for maintaining the
apparatus in its operative condition is requisite, the flame of the burner d' is
extinguished.
A thermometer y is placed upon the top of the retort, to enable the heat of the
same to be controlled; and a casing is placed around the retort to prevent the flame
of the burners from being affected by draughts.
We wish it understood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details of
construction hereinbefore described, as it is obvious that they may be modified in many
ways without departing from the nature of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
First. In a retort for-vaporizing liquid hydrocarbons for the manufacture of gas
and containing a piston operating as set forth, means substantially as hereinbefore
described for permitting the vapour to escape and mingle with atmospheric air when
the said piston has reached a certain point of its stroke.
Second. The combination with the piston of the retort, of a valve located therein
and adapted to be opened when the piston reaches the downward limit of its stroke,
and to remain open until the said piston is again returned to the upper end of the
retort, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Third. The piston e having a recess in its underside, and disconnected from its rod,
for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with the air-pump and the retort, of means comprising
the single and double segments and the hooks and tripping devices connected therewith,
for operating the pump for supplying gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbon to the
retort, substantially as described.
Fifth. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from liquid hydrocarbons, the
employment of a pump, arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, for delivering
the said liquid to the retort or vaporizing chamber.
Sixth. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas by the vaporization of liquid hydro-

page_text: carbons, the employment of means for enabling the heat necessary to cause such
vaporization to be automatically regulated through the medium of the liquid itself, as
set forth.
Seventh. The combination with a retort for vaporizing liquid gasoline or other
hydrocarbons, of two burners, one of which is in direct communication with the supply
pipe while the other is provided with a valve, of means substantially as described for
operating such valve by the expensive or contractive force of the metal of the said
retort, for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing and operating
as, and for the purpose, set forth.