Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 25th May, 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
We, AUGUSTE EMILE THINAULT, Distiller, of Chinon (Indre), France, and MARIUS
DREYFUS, Lamp Manufacturer, of 5, Passage Maurice, Paris, France; do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
....
...
This invention has reference to acetylene lamps.
-4
3
..:
."
The improvements relate more particularly to the mode of feeding the water.
to the mass of carbide in the lamp with a view of insuring a continuous and pro-
gressive action-of the, water on the carbide so as..to obtain a constant production
of acetylene.
:
2.)
According to our invention-in place of the wicks. which. have been proposed.for
the purpose of-leading the water to the carbide..and which are of defective and.
uncertain action, we arrange in the water conveying tube a metallic rod, leaving.
between it and the interior of said tube an extremely limited space in which the
water rises-in seeking to bring itself to the level of the, water..which is in the
réservoir, outside of the cylinder in which the gas is generated.
".
This central rod is cylindrical. and we prefer that it shall have on its surface.
one or more screw threads up which. the water. rises...
The tube in which the central rod is arranged is especially, in the case of large
indoor lamps somewhat thick, in order to constitute a conducting medium capable
of absorbing the heat arising from the reaction of the water with the carbide, and
of thus preventing the interior heating of the carbide reservoir and the vaporiza-
tion of the water in the supply tube.
This thick conducting tube is formed with vertical diametrically opposite slots
through which the water raised by the screw threads leaks by reason of the
thickness of the tube these slots, are of such a depth that they prevent the residue.
of lime due to the decomposition of the carbide choking up the screw threads of
the threaded rod before referred to.
When large lamps have to be dealt with, the depth of immersion of the gas
generating cylinder in the water in the reservoir may be so regulated that the
layers of carbide can be brought successively in contact with the water from
bottom to top..
We will proceed to describe by. way of example two styles of lamp provided with
our improvements. Our invention will be fully understood from the description
of these examples:
As the first example we have selected a table lamp. This comprises a body or
outer container constituting the water reservoir, in which is inserted à metal
cylinder for containing the carbide and which we will call the gas generating
cylinder; upon this gas generating cylinder is mounted a cap carrying the burner
through which the acetylene gas issues, and if desired,this cap may also carry a
gallery for a globe or chimney.
In the axis of the gas generating cylinder is arranged a tube sufficiently thick
to absorb and store up the heat arising from the reaction of the water with the

page_text: carbide, without it being possible for this heat to become transmitted to the
water in this tube. This tube is further slotted for a certain portion of its height
with two diametrically opposite slots through which the water admitted by the
tube can penetrate to the heart of the mass of carbide.
A threaded rod passes down through the tube above referred to freely but
leaving only an extremely small annular clearance; this rod is screwed into a
collar formed at or carried by the lower end of the slotted tube. The threaded
rod is preferably formed with several threads and the water from the outer reservoir
rising up the threads of the threaded rod passes progressively up between this
rod and the slotted tube as in so many capillary helicoidal tubes.
In
The threaded rod carries at its lower end a disc terminating below in a square
or rectangular head which is seated in a socket of the same shape in the bottoni
of the outer or water reservoir. By turning the gas generating cylinder by its
head in the one direction or the other the threaded rod is screwed more or less into
the collar at the lower end of the slotted tube and the gas generating cylinder
is immersed to a greater or less extent in the water in the outer reservoir.
practice it is preferred to cause the gas generating cylinder to progressively
descend in proportion as the carbide is attacked during the action of the lamp.
The upper face of the disc at the bottom of the threaded rod is fitted with a
leather or other washer which forms a joint and which completely closes the
admission of the water when the gas generating cylinder is screwed down to its
lowest limit.
The gas generating cylinder is preferably made in two parts fitted one over
the other and united by means of a rubber band or ring or other suitable means.
We will now proceed to describe as the second example a lamp embodying the
improved method of feed but without means of regulation and which is suitable
for cycles.
In this case the cylindrical metal rod may not be threaded and is arranged
within a perforated tube, leaving very slight play between the rod and tube. The
water outside the gas generating cylinder rises up through the capillary space
thus constituted between the rod and the perforated tube, and penetrates by the
perforations to the heart of the mass of carbide, which reacts therewith, and gives
rise to the production of acetylene.
This lamp comprises a body or outer casing closed at its lower end and designed
to contain the water, which is introduced through a suitable aperture closed by
a cap or stopper.
The bottom of the outer casing has formed therein at one side an orifice from
which leads a small tube adapted to be controlled by a cock operated by a small
handle. The cock allows the water to pass to the interior of the acetylene generat-
ing cylinder by a suitable orifice, the generating cylinder being as before inserted
within the water reservoir constituted by the outer casing.
The gas generating cylinder is composed of a tube, preferably in two or more
sections fitted one within the other and connected by rubber rings or bands. This
tube is closed at the bottom by a plug or bottom piece on the lower face of which
is an annular channel in which is fitted a rubber washer adapted to form a joint
as hereinafter described with an upward annular projection carried by a disc or
plate secured to the bottom of the outer water reservoir.
The gas generating cylinder terminates at its upper end in a head. A threaded
cap or collar which is adapted to be screwed upon the upper end of the outer
casing of the lamp bears, when screwed in place, firmly upon the head of the
gas generating cylinder. By thus screwing this cap or collar firmly upon the
upper end of the outer casing, hermetic closure is effected by reason of the forcing
of the rubber washer in the annular channel on the under face of the bottom of
the gas generating cylinder against the annular projection before referred to;
direct communication of the water in the outer casing with the interior of the
acetylene generating cylinder is thus prevented, this communication, as above
explained being only possible by the intermediation of the cock above described.

page_text: Inside the head of the gas generating cylinder is fitted a lateral tube provided
with a hole for the passage of the acetylene gas which issues through the gas
delivery tube arranged at the centre of the reflector of the lamp. The reflector
may be directed as desired by turning the generating cylinder in the water
reservoir.
In the interior of the gas generating cylinder is arranged the perforated tube
above referred to, which is soldered to a collar screwed to the bottom of the gas
generating cylinder. A washer of leather or caoutchouc interposed between the
under face of the bottom of the gas generating cylinder and the upper face of
the said collar ensures hermeticity. Inside the perforated tube is the smooth rod
as before explained.
The calcium carbide is preferably contained in a cardboard cartridge, and this
cartridge is preferably provided at its upper part with a small wad of cotton, which
serves to purify the gas generated by the apparatus. When the charge of carbide
is exhausted and the lamp is taken apart the cartridge, which now only contains.
the lime resulting from the decomposition of the carbide, is thrown away and
replaced by a cartridge containing a fresh charge.
Doted this 4th day of Al 1900
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56. Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.
We, AUGUSTE EMILE TILINAULT, Distiller, of Chinon (Indre), France, and MARIUS
DREYFUS, Lamp Manufacturer, of 5, Passage Maurice, Paris, France, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has reference to acetylene lamps.
The improvements relate more particularly to the mode of feeding the water
to the mass of carbide in the lamp with a view of insuring a continuous and pro-
gressive action of the water on the carbide so as to obtain a constant production:
of acetylene.
According to our invention in place of the wicks which have been proposed for
the purpose of leading the water to the carbide and which are of defective and
uncertain action, we arrange in the water-conveying tube a metallic rod, leaving.
between it and the interior of said, tube an extremely limited space in which the
water rises in seeking to bring itself to the level of the water which is in the.
reservoir outside of the cylinder in which the gas is generated.
This central rod is cylindrical and we prefer that it shall have on its surface
one or more screw threads up which the water rises.
The tube in which the central rod is, arranged is especially in the case of large
indoor lamps, somewhat thick, in order to constitute a conducting medium capable
of absorbing the heat arising from the reaction of the water with the carbide and
of thus preventing the interior heating of the carbide reservoir and the vaporiza-
tion of the water in the supply tube.
This thick conducting tube is formed with vertical diametrically opposite slots.
through which the water raised. by the screw threads leaks; by reason of the.

page_text: thickness of the tube, these slots are of such a depth that they prevent the residue
of lime due to the decomposition of the carbide choking up the screw threads of
the threaded rod before referred to.
When large lamps have to be dealt with, the depth of immersion of the gas
generating cylinder in the water in the reservoir may be so regulated that the
layers of carbide can be brought successively in contact with the water from
bottom to top.
We will proceed to describe by way of example two styles of lamp provided with
our improvements. Our invention will be fully understood from the description
of these examples and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
As the first example we have selected a table lamp. This is shown in vertical
mid-section in Figure 1 and comprises a body or outer container A constituting
the water reservoir, in which is inserted a metal cylinder or receptacle B for
containing the carbide and which we will call the gas generating cylinder. The
gas generating cylinder is preferably made in, two parts, as shown, fitting one. over
the other, and connected together by means of a rubber band e or. other suitable
means. The charge of carbide is contained in a case, or, holder L of metal, or it
may be woven fabric, inserted within the generating cylinder B. Upon the gas
generating cylinder B is mounted a cap B carrying-the burner a through which
the acetylene gas issues, and if. desired this cap may also carry a gallery for a
globe or chimney as will be well understood.
In the axis of the gas generating cylinder B is arranged a tube C shown
separately in fragmentary vertical section in Figure 2 and in cross section
Figure 3. This tube is sufficiently thick to absorb and store up the heat arising
from the reaction of the water with the carbide, without it being possible for this
heat to become transmitted to the water in this tube. The tube is further
slotted for a certain portion of its height with two diametrically opposite slots b
through which the water which rises up within the tube can penetrate to the heart
of the mass of carbide.
A threaded rod D passes down through the tube C freely but leaving only an
extremely small annular clearance; this rod D is screwed into a collar E formed
at or carried by the lower end of the slotted tube C. The threaded rod I) is
preferably formed with several threads, and the water from the outer reservoir
rising up the threads of the threaded rod D passes' progressively up between this
rod and the slotted tube C, as in so many capillary helicoidal tubes.
In
The threaded rod D carries at its lower end a disc a terminating below in a
square or rectangular head which is seated in a socket c of the same shape in
the bottom of the outer or water reservoir A. By turning the gas generating
cylinder B by its head in the one direction or the other the threaded rod D is
screwed more or less into the collar E. and the gas generating cylinder Bis
immersed to a greater or less extent in the water in the outer reservoir A.
practice it is preferred to cause the gas generating cylinder to progressively
descend in proportion as the carbide is attacked during the action of the lamp..
The upper face of the disc a is fitted with a leather or other washer which forms
a joint and which completely closes the admission of the water when the gas.
generating cylinder is screwed down to its lowest limit, as will be readily under-
stood on reference to Figure 1.
We will now proceed to describe as the second example a lamp embodying the
improved method of feed but without means of regulation, and which is suitable
for cycles.
Figure 4 is a vertical mid-section of such a lamp.
In this lamp. the central cylindrical metal wick-supply. rod f. need not be.
threaded and is arranged within a perforated tube 9 leaving very slight play
between the rod and tube. A supply rod and surrounding tube of this kind are
shown respectively in Figures 5 and 6, Fig. 5 being an elevation and Fig. 6.
a vertical section. The water outside the gas generating cylinder rises up through
the capillary space thus constituted between the rod and the perforated tube, and

page_text: penetrates by the perforations to the heart of the mass of carbide, which reacts
therewith, and gives rise to the production of acetylene.
The lamp shown in Figure 4 comprises a body or outer casing G closed at its
lower end by a bottom plate h, an enclosing casing G¹ being provided below same
by the downward continuation of the reservoir G as shown. This casing G
serves to enclose and protect the tube which conducts the water to the lower end
of the distributing tube y as hereinafter described.
The water is contained in the outer casing G and is introduced into same through
an aperture closed by a cap or stopper j.
The bottom of the water reservoir. has formed therein at one side an orifice k.
from which leads a small tube controlled by a cock m operated by a small handle
projecting through the casing G¹. The cock m allows the water to pass to the
bottom of the distributing tube g by an orifice o, the generating cylinder H being
as before inserted within the water reservoir constituted by the outer casing G.
The gas generating cylinder H is composed of a tube, preferably in two or
more sections fitted one within the other and connected by a rubber ring or band p.
This tube H is closed at the bottom by a plug or bottom piece q on the lower face
of which is an annular channel in which is fitted a rubber washer r adapted to
form a joint as hereinafter described with an upward annular projections carried
by the bottom h of the outer water reservoir G.
The gas generating cylinder H terminates at its upper end in a head t. A
threaded cap or collar u which is adapted to be screwed upon the top of the water
reservoir of the lamp bears, when screwed in place, firmly upon the head of the
gas generating cylinder H. By thus screwing the cap or collar u firmly upon thie
top of the water reservoir, hermetic closure is effected by reason of the consequent
forcing of the rubber washer r against the annular projections; direct com-
mmunication of the water in the reservoir with the interior of the generating
cylinder H is thus prevented, this communication, as above explained being only
possible through the cock m.
A lateral tube v is fitted in the head t, this tube being provided with a hole t
for the passage of the acetylene gas which passes through the tube and issues
through the delivery tube which is arranged at the centre of the reflector I of the
lamp. The reflector I may be directed as desired by turning the generating
cylinder H in the water reservoir.
In the interior of the gas generating cylinder H is arranged the perforated
tube 9 which is soldered to a collar y screwed into the bottom 7 of the gas
generating cylinder. A washer of leather or caoutchouc interposed between
and y ensures hermeticity. Inside the perforated tube g is the rod f (here shown
smooth) as before explained.
The calcium carbide is preferably contained in a cardboard cartridge J or it
may be a metal tube in one or more sections, and this cartridge or tube is pre-
ferably provided at its upper part with a small wad K of cotton, which serves to
purify the gas generated by the apparatus. When the charge of carbide is
exhausted and the lamp is taken apart the cartridge, which now only contains
the lime resulting from the decomposition of the carbide, is thrown away and
replaced by a cartridge containing a fresh charge.
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 :-
1. In an acetylene lamp, the combination of a tube, slotted or perforated to
allow of the passage of water through same to the carbide, and a rod inserted
in said tube in such manner as to leave a small capillary space between said tube
and rod up which space the water rises and passes through the perforations in
said tube to the carbide, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In an acetylene lamp of the kind specified in Claim 1, the employment of a
threaded red, said rod having preferably two or more different threads con-

page_text: stituting capillary helicoidal channels for allowing the water to rise slowly and
regularly upwards, and at same time serving to allow the gas generating cylinder
to be more or less raised or depressed in the water reservoir in order to regulate
the action of the water on the carbide, substantially as described.
3. In an acetylene lamp of the kind specified in Claim 1, the combination with
the threaded water distributing rod of a thick tube capable of absorbing the heat
arising from the decomposition of the carbide, whereby the water is maintained
at a temperature below that of vaporisation of the water, said tube having two or
more radial slots through which the water oozes, substantially as described.
4. In an acetylene lamp of the kind specified in Claim 1, the combination with
a smooth water distributing rod of a thin perforated tube through which the
water passes to the carbide, substantially as described.
5. An acetylene lamp, constructed and operating substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3.
6. An acetylene lamp constructed and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6.
Dated this 25th day of May 1899
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55, and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.