Improved Method of Distributing Heating and Lighting Gas.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left 30th Anr. 1890 Accented 30th Aug. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of Distributing Heating and Lighting Gas.
BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE of 37 Victoria Street Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of distributing heating and lighting
gas whereby heating gas can be distributed in the day time and lighting gas can be
distributed at night in the same mains and in such a way that the cheaper or heating
gas can be utilised by the consumer without his having to pay for the dearer or
lighting gas, and also preventing the consumer from using the lighting gas without
the consumption of such gas being indicated as lighting gas.
1 effect this as follows. I provide two separate meters, one only allowing the gas
to flow through it at a pressure of from 3 to 6 or more inches of water, or at a
pressure above the maximum pressure limit of the lighting and dearer gas. The other
meter being the ordinary meter employed for registering the dearer and lighting gas,
and this allows the heating gas to flow through it at the ordinary pressure.
I provide the high pressure meter with an internal governor arrangement or with a
mercury seal, that will only allow the heating gas to enter after the high pressure
mentioned has been established, the internal governor is placed in the meter in such a
way as not to be tampered with by the consumer.
I fill the gas distributing mains in the day time with a preferably slightly luminous
heating gas at such a pressure as shall ensure this gas passing through the high
pressure meter.
The consumer will for his own interest see that this cheaper gas passes through the
high pressure meter-because if it were to flow through low pressure meter the
consumer would be charged for the dearer lighting gas.
I may provide an electric pneumatic hydraulic mechanical or mercurial device by
which when the heating and high pressure gas is turned on to the mains, the valve or
cock leading the gas into low measure meter will be closed and when the low pressure gas
is turned on to the meter, the same electric hydraulic pneumatic mechanical or mercurial
device will open the cock leading to the low pressure meter and allow the gas to
continue to flow to the place of use; or I may provide an electric device that will ring
when the high pressure gas is turned off or on.
During the time when the mains are being filled with lighting gas and displacing
the heating gas, I allow the pressure to be so gradually reduced as to enable the
consumer to open the cock of the pipe lealing to the low pressure meter so that the
supply will be maintained.
I fill at the place of manufacture separate holders with the different gases, one
holder being weighted for the high pressure making gas and the other holder for
the low pressure lighting gas, and when the gas manufacturing retorts are arranged
on my system, patent number 16970 1888. I may provide a separate hydraulic
main to lead away the heating gas from the retort into the high pressure gas
holder.
I may produce for the heating gas a gas technically known as water gas with which
I fill the bigh pressure holder, along with sufficient ordinary lighting gas as to give
the heating gas any degree of luminosity and odourousness desired.
Before the displacement of the heating by the lighting gas occurs ;
I reduce the
high pressure in the mains by allowing the gas to escape into a secondary low pressure
heating gas holder from which, afterwards, I abstract the gas and force it into the high
pressure gas holder.
Dated this 29th day of July 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of Distributing Heating and Lighting Gas.
BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE of 37 Victoria Street Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster Civil Engineer 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:-
My invention relates to an improved method of distributing heating and lighting
gas, whereby heating gas can be distributed in the day time and lighting gas can be
distributed at night, in the same mains and in such a way that the cheaper or less
costly heating gas can be utilised by the consumer without his having to pay for the
more costly or lighting gas, and also preventing the consumer from using the lighting
gas without the consumption of such gas being indicated as lighting gas.
I effect this as follows:-1 provide two separate meters, one meter only allowing
the gas to flow through it at a pressure of say from 3 to 10 inches or more of water or
at a pressure above the maximum pressure limit, of the lighting and more costly gas;
the other meter being the ordinary meter employed for registering the more expensive
and lighting gas, and this meter allows the lighting gas to flow through it at the
ordinary pressure.
I may provide the high pressure or heating gas meter with an internal governor
arrangement or with a mercury seal, that will only allow the gas to enter this high
pressure meter when the pressure mentioned has been established, the internal
governor is placed in the meter in such a way as not to be tampered with by the
consumer.
I fill the gas distributing mains in the day-time with a preferably slightly luminous
heating gas, of say 8 candle power, at such pressure as shall ensure the gas passing
through the high pressure meter.
The consumer will for his own interest sake see that the heating gas passes through
the high pressure meter, because were it to flow through the low pressure meter, the
consumer would be charged for the more costly lighting gas.
I may provide an electric pneumatic hydraulic mechanical or mercurial device,
which shall automatically distribute the heating and lighting character of gas, to their
respective meters or by which, when the heating and high pressure gas is turned on
to the mains, the valve or cock leading the gas into the low pressure meter will he
closed and when the low pressure gas is turned on to the meter the same electric
hydraulic pneumatic mechanical or mercurial device, will automatically open the cock
on the pipe leading to the low pressure meter, and allow the gas to continue to flow
to the place of use, or I may provide an electric device that shall ring when the high
pressure gas is turned off or on.
During the time that the mains are being filled with lighting gas and displacing the
heating gas 1 allow the pressure to be so gradually reduced as to enable the consumer
to open the cock on the pipe leading to the low pressure or lighting gas meter, so
that the supply will be maintained-but by the use of an automatic device such as
that of Carnaby's, the heating and lighting gas is distributed automatically to the
respective meters from which the gas is distributed for heating or for lighting
purposes.
of
I provide separate holders for the storage of heating and lighting gas at the place
gas manufacture, and I fill the separate holders with the different gases, one being
weighted for the high pressure gas and one for the low pressure gas-when gas
generating plant is arranged on my own system I may provide a separate main to
lead away the heating gas from the gas generators or retorts into the high pressure
gas holder.
Before the displacement of the heating gas in the mains by the lighting gas occurs,
I may reduce the high pressure in the mains by allowing the gas to escape into a
secondary or supplementary heating gas holder, from which I afterwards abstract it
and force it into the high pressure, and main heating gas holders.

page_text: Referring to sheet 1 of drawings which it is intended shali accompany this
specification. A represents the low pressure and preferably lighting gas meter; whilst B
is the high pressure and preferably heating gas meter, but of course the lighting gas
can be made the high pressure, and the beating gas the low pressure gas.
Between the low and the high pressure meters is placed the automatic distributing
device by which the gas according to the pressure and quality is distributed to
one or the other meter. The cocks are provi led to regulate the rate of
distribution.
Referring to figure 2 on sheet 2 of drawings this figure illustrates more clearly the
apparatus required to effect my invention.
The gas from the street main enters by the supply pipe A and the distributor B.
Let us assume it is the ordinary low pressure lighting gas, this gas enters into the
chamber C of the distributor B, and as the gas is too low in pressure, to lift the
bell E. The valve F is therefore open, and uncloses the opening G, the gas escapes
through pipe H and enters the meter 1, flowing through this meter which registers
the flow of the low pressure gas.
When the high pressure heating gas is turned on to the mains the gas flows into
the distributor B by the pipe A and enters the chamber C its pressure lifts the bell D
closing the opening G and lifting the valve S. Opening the outlet J, the high pressure
gas then flows into the pipe K and passes through the meter L when its flow is
recorded and from which it flows to the heating apparatus.
I may adopt other forms of distributor-besides the one shewn-which is of the
Carnaby type.
It will be seen that by the use of my invention the existing gas mains can be used,
especially in summer, for the distribution of heating gas to the benefit alike of
producer and consumer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what I
claim is comprised in the following clauses.
1st. I claim the method of distributing heating and lighting gas in the same mains-
and at different pressures in such a manner, that the volume of both the heating
and lighting gas passing through the mains can be registered for the benefit of the
consumer and producer.
2nd. I claim the use of two meters-one of which will only allow the gas at high
pressure to pass through it, such high pressure gas being preferably heating gas.
3rd. I claim the use of contrivances for the automatic diversion of the flow of the
low pressure or lighting gas into the low pressure meter and for preventing the high
pressure gas from flowing through the low pressure meter.
Dated this 26th day of April 1890.