A New or Improved Apparatus for the Production and Automatic Distribution of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1895

page_text: · Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1895.
Complete Specification Left, 16th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus for the Production and Automatic
Distribution of Acetylene Gas.
We, WILLIAM SYNNOCK, Manufacturing Chemist, and GEORGE GOSLING, Gas
Engineer, both of 50 East Dulwich Road, Peckham, in the County of Surrey do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce acetylene gas for illuminating purposes
generally, by the decomposition of the carbide of calcium with water, and to
distribute the same automatically, that is to say by the prepayment system now
in common use.
For these purposes we employ apparatus of the following character:-A suitable
generator or retort is provided into which is introduced the carbide of calcium to
be decomposed. When water is admitted from an overhead tank, or other suitable
source of supply, into the generator or retort, the carbide of calcium is decomposed
and the acetylene gas thus produced is conveyed, when necessary, through a pipe
to a suitable condenser, where any moisture carried over with the gas from the
generator may be condensed. The gas then passes to a gas-holder of ordinary
construction, whence it is distributed to the burners in the usual way.
In order to vary the production of gas according to requirements we so connect
the gas holder, by suitable mechanical devices, with the tap or valve regulating
the supply of water to the generator, that as the said holder rises, it closes the
said tap or valve, thus reducing or stopping the supply of water, whereby the
production of gas is correspondingly reduced, or stopped entirely; and as the said
holder descends, it opens the said tap or valve, increasing the supply of water,
whereby the production of gas is correspondingly increased.
By these means the production of gas may be made to correspond to the
quantity being consumed, and when no gas is being consumed the production is
stopped altogether.
In order to effect the distribution of the gas automatically, that is to say the
supply of
certain quantity of gas on the prepayment of a contain coin, we
provide means whereby a measured quantity of water, only just sufficient or there-
abouts, to produce the required quantity of gas from the carbide of calcium is
admitted to the generator after the insertion of the prescribed coin into the
apparatus, and no more water can be introduced into the generator, and
consequently no more gas can be produced, until another coin is inserted.
Dated this 16th day of December 1895

page_text: A New or Improved Apparatus for the Production and Automatic
Distribution of Acetylene Gas.
...
We, WILLIAM SYNNOCK, Manufacturing Chemist, and GEORGE GOSLING, Gas
Engineer, both of 50 East Dulwich Road, Peckham, in the County of Surrey, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the saine is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is to produce acetylene gas for illuminating
purposes generally which we effect by the decomposition of the carbide of calcium
with water in the usual way and if and when required to distribute the same
automatically that is to say by the prepayment system now in common use.
For the purpose of obtaining the acetylene gas, we employ apparatus which is
applicable to both portable and fixed plants of all sizes, the mechanical details
remaining substantially the same in both cases. This apparatus is of the following
character
A suitable generator or retort is provided into which is introduced the carbide
of calcium to be decomposed, and water is then admitted, from an overhead tank
or other suitable source of supply, into the generator or retort, preferably in the
form of spray distributed over the carbide through a rose perforated with holes of
a size suited to the rate at which the gas is to be evolved; the carbide of calcium
is decomposed, and the acetylene gas thus produced is conveyed either directly
to a gas holder of ordinary construction or, firstly, to a suitable condenser, where
any moisture carried over with the gas from the generator may be condensed and
then to the gas holder, and from the latter the gas is distributed to the burners
in the usual way. So long as water is allowed to flow on to the carbide of
calcium acetylene gas is generated, but when the supply of water is stopped the
production of gas is stopped also.
In order to vary the production of gas automatically, according to requirements,
we so connect the gas holder, by suitable mechanical devices, with the tap or
valve regulating the supply of water to the generator, that as the said holder
rises it closes the said tap or valve, thus reducing or stopping the supply of water,
whereby the production of gas is correspondingly reduced, or stopped entirely ;
and as the said holder descends it opens the said tap or valve, increasing the supply
of water, whereby the production of gas is correspondingly increased.
By these means the production of gas may be made to correspond automatically
to the quantity being consumed; and when no gas is being consumed the
production is stopped altogether, whereby perfect safety in the working of the
apparatus is secured.
And in order that the said invention may be fully understood we will now proceed
to describe the same with the aid of the accompanying sheet of drawings in
which
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of an apparatus suitable for the practical
application of the invention, and
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of apparatus suitable for the
application of the prepayment system to gas-making apparatus of the kind
illustrated in Figure 1.
A is a generator or retort made of wrought iron, cast iron, or other suitable
material, provided with the necessary filling and cleaning out opening or openings,
such as the door B for example, which may be secured in place, when closed, by
means of a cross bar C and pressure screw, or other suitable fastening device;

page_text: D is an overhead water tank, preferably provided with a cover to exclude dust,
and with a filling opening E, which may be closed with a screw cap F when
water is not being introduced. The tank D may also be provided with a gauge
glass G for indicating the water level in the tank. H is a pipe connecting the
bottom of the water tank with the generator or retort A. I is a tap or valve in
the pipe for regulating the quantity of water passing to the said generator.
J is a pipe leading from the upper part of the generator A to the condenser K.
L is a pipe leading from the condenser K to the interior of a gas holder M arranged
to rise and fall in the tank N containing water, in the usual way; and which tank
is preferably provided with a gauge glass 0 to indicate the level of the water in
the said tank. P is the service pipe which leads the gas from the gas holder to
the burners where the gas is to be consuined. Qis a tap for regulating the
supply of gas to the burners, and for shutting off the supply thereto when required.
The gas holder M may be counter-balanced to the required extent by weights R,
and chains S, in the usual way. T is a lever arm forming the handle of the tap
or valve I. This lever arm is provided with a friction roller T¹, which rests on a
lever arm T 2 pivottel at T 3, and having attached to it a chain or cord T 4, which
passes over guide pulleys T 5, and is attached at its other end to the gas holder M.
The lever arin T2 carries a weight T6 at its outer end, which draws down the
said lever arm as the gas holder M rises.
1
It will now be understood that when carbide of calcium is charged into the
generator or retort A, the charging door B closed and secured, and water in the
proportion of about one gallon to every 20 lbs. of carbide is allowed to flow slowly
from the tank D through pipe H, tap or valve I, and a suitable spraying rose
inside the retort or generator A on to the carbide of calcium, acetylene gas is
produced in the generator or retort A by the decomposition of the carbide of
calcium, and passes off by the pipe J to the condenser K, where any aqueous vapour
carried over along with the gas is condensed, and may be drawn off through the
tap U in the bottom of the condenser. The gas so dried is passed by the pipe L
to the gas holder M, and thence by the pipe P to the burners.
In order to vary the production of gas according to requirements, the tap or
valve I, for regulating the supply of water to the generator A, is opened and
closed automatically by the vertical movements of the gas holder M, that is to
say, as the holder M rises it allows the lever arm T2 to fall, and with it. the
lever arm T, which closes the said tap or valve I, thus reducing or stopping
the supply of water to the generator, whereby the production of gas is corre
spondingly reduced, or stopped entirely; but as the holder M descends, it draws up
the lever arms T and T2 and opens the tap or valve I, thus increasing the supply
of water to the generator, whereby the production of gas is correspondingly
increased.
By these means the production of gas may be made to correspond to the quantity
being consumed, and when no gas is being consumed the production is stopped
altogether.
V is a tap or valve by means of which communication between the condenser K
and the gas holder M. can be closed or opened at pleasure. The entire apparatus.
may be enclosed in a suitable casing W, or it may be employed without such casing
if preferred. When the casing is employed its front may be provided with
suitable doors to enable access to be had to the various parts of the apparatus. In
some cases the condenser K may be dispensed with, but we generally find it
desirable to employ it as otherwise the water carried over with the gas is liable to
be deposited in the pipe leading from the generator or retort A to the gas holder M,
and to interfere with the proper steady working of the apparatus. In some cases the
secondary lever arin T2 may be dispensed with, and the chain T 4 and weight T6
be connected directly to the end of the lever T. The object of the secondary
lever T2 is to maintain the chain or cord T 4 in a state of tension when the gas
holder continues to rise after the tap or valve I has been closed, which it is liable
to do, because the production of gas in the generator or retort A does not generally

page_text: cease immediately the supply of water is cut off by the tap or valve I. The lever
arm T is preferably prevented from descending further after the tap I is closed, by
coming to rest on a top provided for that purpose, not shown in the drawing, but
the lever T2 is free to descend further if the gas holder continues to rise. The
roller T is to prevent undue friction between the levers T and T 2.
In the event of the production of gas in the retort A continuing after the gas
holder M has risen to a certain height, such gas may be allowed to escape, by a
pipe T 7, into the atmosphere outside of the building, or at some point where no
danger can arise from its escape. For this purpose the pipe T7 is provided with a
tap or valve T 8 which is kept normally closed by a counter weight T9 on one end
of its lever handle T 10. When, however, by reason of the continuance of the
gas production in the retort A, after the water tap or valve I has been closed, the
gas holder M rises beyond a certain point, the lever arm T2 descends, causing "
the connecting rod T 11 to press down the other end of the lever handle. T 10 Fo
as to open the tap or valve T8, and allow the gas to escape through the pipe T 7
without entering the holder M. When the holder M again descends the lever
arin T2 and connecting rod T 11 are raised, allowing the counter weight T9 to
close the tap or valve T8, thereby preventing the escape of the gas through the
pipe T7, and causing it to pass into the gas holder M. The slot in the lower end
of the connecting rod T 11 allows the latter, and the lever arm T 2, to rise when
the holder M descends, without acting on the tap or valve T8, the counter weight
of which is prevented from descending beyond a certain point, when the tap or
valve is closed, by means of a stop not shown in the drawing.
It is obvious that instead of the water tank D being filled by hand through the
opening E, it may be connected with some other source of water supply, and be
provided with a ball valve which regulates the delivery of water from such source
so as to maintain a constant supply to the tank D. And in some cases the tank D
may be dispensed with altogether, the supply of water being brought, under
sufficient pressure, from any suitable source by a pipe in which would be placed a
valve or tap I for regulating the supply to the generator or retort.
In order to effect the distribution of the gas automatically, that is to say the
supply of a certain quantity of gas on the prepayment of a certain coin, we provide
any of the well known and suitable coin-freed mechanisins to deliver a measured
quantity of water to the generator or retort, only just sufficient, or thereabout, to
produce the required quantity of gas from the carbide of calcium, the insertion of
the prescribed coin into the coin-freed apparatus enabling the supply of such
measured quantity of water to be commenced and continued until the whole of
such quantity has been delivered, and preventing the supply of any more water to
the generator or retort, and consequently the production of any more gas, until
another coin is inserted in the coin-freed apparatus.
Figure 2 illustrates diagrammatically how an automatic liquid-delivering
apparatus, such as that known as Everitt's for example, may be applied to an
acetylene gas-making apparatus of the kind herein before described.
D is a water
tank corresponding to that shown in Figure 1. X is a pump of a capacity equal
to the volume of water, which, when brought into contact with the carbide of
calcium in the retort or generator A, will produce the quantity of gas corre-
sponding in value to the coin or coins to be inserted into the apparatus. The
piston Xof this pump X is caused to make one up and down stroke by the
revolution of its crank X 2 through the intervention of clockwork, or other suitable
mechanism liberated by the introduction of a coin into the apparatus in the well
known manner. This up and down stroke of the piston X¹ draws a pump full of
water from the tank D through the pipe 1, and forces the same through the
pipe H 2 into a secondary tank D¹, from the bottom of which a pipe H leads to
the generator or retort A shown in Figure 1. The speed at which the measured
quantity of water is supplied from the tank D¹ to the generator or retort A is
regulated by the tap or valve I operated by the lever T, as described in reference
to Figure 1. When the measured quantity of water in the tank D¹ has been

page_text: exhausted the production of gas ceases, and no more can be produced until another
measured quantity of water has been supplied to the tank D¹, and as the latter is
so arranged that water can only be placed in it by the pump X, it follows that no
more gas can be made until a fresh coin is placed in the apparatus so as to release
the clockwork, and so enable the pump piston X to make another up and down
stroke. The quantity of gas generated for a given value of coin or coins intro-
duced into the apparatus is of course determined upon by previous arrangement,
and the stoppage or continuance of the supply is optional on the part of either
party to the agreement.
The clockwork for operating the pump, and the mechanism for releasing the
clockwork by the introduction of a coin are not shown in the drawing, as they may
be constructed and applied in any of the well known ways.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
First. Apparatus for the production of acetylene gas, which consists of a
generator or retort for containing carbide of calcium, an elevated tank or other
suitable device for supplying water to the said generator or retort, a gas holder for
receiving the gas produced in the generator or retort, and devices for regulating
automatically, by the rising and falling of the gas holder, the supply of water to
the generator or retort in proportion to the actual consumption of gas at the
burners, combined and operating substantially as described.
Second. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas by the decomposition of
carbide of calcium with water, the use of devices operated by the rise and fall of
the gas holder for the purpose of automatically regulating the supply of water to
the generator or retort containing the carbide of calcium, in proportion to the
actual consumption of gas at the burners, substantially as described.
Third. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas by the decomposition of
carbide of calcium with water, effecting the automatic distribution of the gas made,
that is to say the supply of a definite quantity of gas by the prepayment of a
certain coin, by means of devices connected with any suitable coin-freed apparatus
whereby a definite quantity of water, and no more, can be delivered to the carbide
of calcium by the insertion of the prescribed coin into the coin-freed apparatus,
substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination of apparatus for producing acetylene gas with
automatic devices adapted to deliver a measured quantity of water on the insertion
of a coin into the apparatus, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 16th day of September 1896.