Improvements in Gas Generating Lamps.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Generating Lamps.
I, FRANK RIND, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States of America,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention refers to that class of lamps which are provided with generators
in which by chemical reaction between a solid, as calcium carbid, and a liquid,
as water, an illuminating-gas, as a hydrocarbon, is evolved. It particularly refers
to portable lamps, in which it is impracticable to provide a generator adapted to
withstand great pressure or a gas-holder of large capacity, for which reasons it is
desirable that the generation of gas should not greatly exceed the consumption
and that such generation should be under the control of the operator, or that such
generation should be automatically controlled. In any case it is essential to
provide against an undue accumulation of gas in the reservoir.
In the example of my invention shown in Figs. I and IV of the drawings the
liquid chamber or fout 1 is a flattened vertical cylinder. It is provided with a
filler opening 11 closed by an ordinary screw cap. It has a centrally placed
wick tube 12 and a packed opening through which a rod 4 passes. The inner bent
end of the rod 4 is secured to a wick sleeve 21 which carries a wick 2. At the
A suitable
upper end of the rod 4 is cut a rack 41 clearly shown in Figure IV.
guide supports the upper end of the rod 4 and an adjusting shaft 3 which has a
pinion 31 meshing with the rack 41 and a button or thumb-wheel 32 at its free
end. Above the font 1 is a solid containing chamber 5 shown as a horizontal
cylinder. It is adapted to contain a mass 52 of consumable substance as calcium
carbid in a holder 51 shown as a bag. Through an aperture in the bottom of the
chamber 5 the tip of the wick 2 may rise into contact with the holder 51. From
the top of the chamber 5 rises a gas emission tube 6 fitted with an ordinary plug
cock 61 the stem of which is a continuation of the shaft 3.
The operation of the device will be readily understood from an inspection of
the drawings. It will be seen that when the parts are in the position shown
the liquid in the font 1 is being carried by the wick 2 to the solid mass 52 in the
holder 51. The gas evolved passes from the chamber 5 through the emission
tube 6 the cock 61 being open. As shown a tip is provided at the free end of the
tube 6 at which the gas may be lighted. When it is desired to extinguish the
flame the cock 61 is closed by means of the shaft 3 and button 32. In doing this,
however, the wick is necessarily lowered out of contact with the holder 51 by
means of the pinion 31 on the shaft 3 and the rack 41 on the rod 4 to which the
wick sleeve 21 is attached. Thus any considerable pressure in the chamber 5 is
prevented as its emission orifice cannot be wholly or partly closed unless the supply
or liquid is at the same moment cut off or reduced.
In Fig. II of the drawings the chambers 1 and 5 are shown as occupying the
same relative positions as in Fig. I the filler 11 being within the chamber 5. The
rod 4 is here omitted the shaft 3 passing through the font 1 and its pinion 31
acting directly on the wick sleeve 21. The gas tube 6 is brought down to the sido
of the font 1 and reverted to a convenient position as for applying a burner tip,

page_text: not shown. The end of the shaft 3 passes out of the font 1 and as before carries
the plug of the cock 61. It is obvious that the operation of the device has not
been materially changed by this alteration of parts. The motion of raising the
wick to its operative position and of opening the gas cock, as well as the reverse
operations in each case, are synchronous.
In Fig. III of the drawings I have shown the wick as stationary and the holder 51
as a cylinder capable of longitudinal motion in the chamber 5. A spring tending
to raise the holder 51 may be provided if desired. The rod 4 is secured to the
holder 51, passes out through a stuffing box in the top of the chamber 5, and as in
Figure I has at its upper end a rack 41 cugaging with a pinion 31 on the adjust-
ing shaft 3. It is clear that when the solid 52 is forced into contact with the
wick 2 the cock 61 will be opened and conversely that the cock 61 cannot be closed
without also raising the holder 51 and contained solid 52 so as to modify or cut
off the production of the gas.
I have shown several of the various forms in which this part of my invention may
be embodied to indicate the scope thereof which I conceive to be the providing in
a lamp or gas generating apparatus of the type specified of means for making the
voluntary operations of causing, governing and stopping the generation of gas
necessarily simultaneous with those of opening, regulating and closing the gas
emission orifice.
The
In the example of my invention shown in Figs. V and VI of the drawings the
liquid chamber or font 1, which may be of any desired form, is shown as a low
cylinder having a central, wick tube 11 and a filler opening 12. The wick 2 is
shown as cylindric and pointed at its upper end. It is enclosed in a sleeve 21
having a rack with which the pinion 31 of the wick shaft 3 engages. At the
free end of the shaft 3 and without the font 1 is a thumb-wheel or button 32.
locking device 33 is here shown as a segmental cam the function of which will
hereafter appear. Upon the font I is mounted the solid containing chamber 4
the bottom of which is a diaphragm 41 having a central aperture 42. The
chamber 4 is adapted to contain a consumable mass 43 as of calcium carbid. To
the chamber 4 is attached a gas valve or cock 5 which as shown has a plug 51.
The free end of the plug stem 52 carries a thumb button 54. On the stem 52
is also mounted a pinion 53 the teeth of which mesh with a rack 61 on a connecting
rod 6. The foot 62 of the rod 6 is preferably beveled to ride on the periphery of
the cam 33. On the rod 6 is a coiled spring which tends to force the rod 6
downward.
The operation of the device will be readily understood from an examination of
the drawings. These show the parts in their non-operative position, the cock 5
being closed and the wick 2 out of contact with the carbid or other mass 43 in the
chamber 4. To cause the generation of gas it is necessary to raise the wick 2
but this cannot be done because of the locking of the flat side of the segmental.
cam 33 against the foot 62 of the rod 6. I have shown in Fig. VI a. brace which
serves to prevent- the rod G being sprung or bent by the cam 33. It is therefore
necessary to first raise the rod 6 which is done by means of the button 54, the
pinion 53 engaging with the rack 61 at the top of the rod 6. This operation
through the stem 52 turns the plug 51 and opens the valve 5 or gas emission
orifice. The wick may then be raised to its operative position as shown in dotted
lines. The generation of gas begins at once and it may be lighted at the burner
tip shown. As the cock 5 is engaged through the pinion 53 and rack 61 with the
rod 6 it can only be closed by turning the cam 33 with which the foot 62 of the
rod 6 engages back to the position in which the wick 2 is lowered out of contact
with the mass 43. As the spring 7 acts strongly to lower the rod 6 it is in practice
only necessary to turn the button 32 so as to lower the wick when the cock 5
closes automatically.
It will be noted that the necessary regulation of the flame is readily secured by
increasing or diminishing the flow of liquid to the mass 43. As here shown this
is done by forcing the pointed end of the wick 2 with greater or less force against

page_text: the mass.
This of course can be done without altering the position of the cock
plug 51, the foot 62 of the rod riding on the are of the cam 33.
In Figs. VII and VIII of the drawings the construction and arrangement of
parts is as above described except as noted. The locking device 33 on the wick
shaft 3 is here shown as an ordinary double crank engaging with a pitman 62
which forms the foot of the connecting rod 6. At the upper end of the rod 6 is
an engaging device 61 in the form of a pawl which engages with a one-tooth
pinion 53 on the cock stem 52. The operating spring is in this construction
mounted on a stem 52 and tends to hold the plug 51 in its. open position.
As shown the cock 5 is closed and the wick 2 out of contact with the mass 43.
To raise, the wick so as to convey the liquid in the font 1 to the mass 43 it is
necessary to turn the button 32 which through the rod 6 trips the pawl 61 and
releases the pinion 53. The spring 7 then acts to open the cock 5 so that the gas
as fast as formed may escape through the emission orifice of the cock. By reason
of the action of the spring 7 the cock 5 will not remain in its closed position unless
the wick is first lowered thereby raising the pawl 61 to its operative position
where it may engage with the tooth on the pinion 53.
It will be seen that in both forms of my device last described the gas orifice
must be open when liquid is being conveyed to the consumable solid so that no
pressure can be produced in the chambers except by the gas generated by the
residual liquid in the waste product of the solid, as the hydrated lime from the
carbid. This is found in practice to be inconsiderable or at most easily controlled.
I am aware that many alterations may be made not only in the design and
appearance of this part of my device and in the form and arrangement of parts
but also in the means employed to interlock the generating and emitting portions.
I have shown several methods of increasing, diminishing, or discontinuing
the capillary action of the wick to indicate that I do not wish to be limited in
the application of my invention to any particular arrangements of parts or mode
of construction.
I have also indicated that my invention may be used wherever it is desired to
feed by contact any substance capable of being carried by capillary action to a
relatively solid consumable substance.
By the term wick" wherever used in the Specification or Claims, I wish to
be understood as including any suitable article or material capable of capillary
action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
First In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas
emission orifice and, means substantially as described for simultaneously regu-
lating the flow of liquid to said mass and the flow of gas from said orifice.
Second In a lamp or other. gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a wick
a gas emission orifice and means substantially as described for simultaneously
regulating the flow of liquid through said wick to said mass and the flow of gas
from said orifice.
Third-In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a wick
normally in contact with said mass, a gas emission orifice and means substantially
as described for simultaneously regulating the flow of liquid through said wick to
said mass and the flow of gas from said orifice.
=
Fourth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, a solid containing chamber adapted to contain a consumable
mass and adjacent, thereto, an aperture in said second chamber, a wick in said
first chamber having its free end normally at or near said aperture and means

page_text: substantially as described for simultaneously regulating the flow of liquid through
said wick to said mass and the flow of gas from said orifice.
Fifth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
containing chamber, a wick, a solid containing chamber, a gas emission tube, a
cock in said tube, a pinion on the stem of said cock and means substantially as
described whereby the opening or closing of said cock operates through said
pinion to regulate the flow of liquid through said wick.
Sixth-In a lamp in combination, a liquid containing chamber, a wick, a solid
containing chamber, a gas emission tube, a cock in said tube, a pinion on the
stem of said cock, a rod provided with a rack engaging with said pinion and means
substantially as described, connected with said rod to regulate the flow of liquid
through said wick.
Seventh-In a lamp in combination, a liquid containing chamber, a wick sleeve
adapted to carry a wick, a rod on said wick sleeve and extending out of said
chamber, a solid containing chamber, a gas emission tube leading from said
chamber, a cock in said tube, a pinion on the stem of said cock engaging with a
rack on said rod whereby the rotation of said stem operates to open and close
said cock and to raise and lower said wick sleeve, substantially as described.
Eighth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission
valve, manually operated means for causing and discontinuing the flow of liquid
to said mass and means for automatically retaining said valve in its open position
during the flow of said liquid, substantially as described.
Ninth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission valve,
valve, manually operated means for causing and discontinuing the flow of liquid
to said mass and means for automatically preventing the causing of such flow of
liquid except when said valve is in its open position, substantially as described.
Tenth-In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission valve,
a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass, manually operated means for
causing and discontinuing the flow of liquid through said wick and means for
automatically retaining said valve in its open position during the flow of said
liquid, substantially as described.
Eleventh In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission valve,
a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass, manually operated means for causing
and discontinuing the flow of liquid through said wick and means for automati-
cally preventing the causing of such flow of liquid except when said valve is in
its open position, substantially as described.
Twelfth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a liquid
chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission valve,
a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass, manually operated means for
bringing said wick and said mass into and out of contact and means for automati-
cally retaining said valve in its open position during such contact, substantially
as described.
Thirteenth In a lamp or other gas generating apparatus in combination, a
liquid chamber, means for retaining in position a consumable mass, a gas emission
valve, a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass, manually operated means for
bringing said wick and said mass into and out of contact and means for auto-
matically preventing the causing of such contact except when said valve is in its
open position, substantially as described.
Fourteenth In a lamp in combination, a liquid chamber, a second chamber
adapted to contain a consumable mass, a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass,
a shaft by which said wick is manually adjustable, a manually adjustable gas
valve, and means for automatically retaining said valve in its open position when
said wick is in contact with said mass, substantially as described.

page_text: Fifteenth In a lamp in combination, a liquid chamber, a second chamber adapted
to contain a consumable mass, a wick adapted to convey liquid to said mass, a
shaft by which said wick is manually adjustable, a gas valve and means for
automatically preventing the bringing of said wick and said mass into contact
except when said valve is in its open position, substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of Avoust 1897
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.