IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING AIR WITH NAPHTHA OR OTHER HYDROCARBONS FOR USE IN LIGHTING OR HEATING
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Gaston Ragot, Manufacturer, of Ixelles (Belgium), for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING AIR WITH
NAPHTHA OR OTHER HYDROCARBONS FOR USE IN LIGHTING OR HEATING."
Scaled the 19th March 1880, and dated the 5th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Gaston Ragot at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th November 1879.
GASTON RAGOT, Manufacturer, of Ixelles (Belgium).
APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING AIR WITH NAPHTHA OR OTHER HYDROCARBONS
FOR USE IN LIGHTING OR HEATING."
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN
This Invention relates to the combination of apparatus, which by preference
unites the conditions of a combined meter and aspirator with that of an air
carburetter, and in which naphtha or other hydrocarbons replace the water usually
introduced into meters.
The apparatus is constructed to retain the fluid at a uniform level, so that the
naphtha or other fluid is supplied regularly as it is used up by evaporation. This
level is kept by utilising the physical properties relating to a fluid retained in a
close vessel, the orifice of which dips below the surface of the liquid level required,
and which on a slight abasement of the level allows air to enter and the fluid to
escape till the level is again restored. A tube is provided from the bydrocarbon
reservoir, placed in any convenient place and above the required level of the liquid
which enters into the meter at the usual ordinary level of the fluid in the meter.
When the level falls below the orifice of the tube, the air entering into the tube
and thence into the reservoir, a small quantity of the fluid will escape and supply
the meter, so as to maintain the proper level automatically.
The ordinary palettes or compartments of the meter are divided by partitions of
metallic gauze, which vary in number and arrangement according to the size of the
apparatus and its requirements. These partitions are fixed across the compartments
of the meter, and are carried each revolution below the surface of the naphtha.
Air is supplied by a syphon to the meter, and then traversing the metallic gauze
when above the surface of the naphtha, and still saturated with the naphtha, passes
on charged with the vapours by a pipe to the supply of the burners.
Any regulator may be employed if required, and the meter may be driven by any
of the usual methods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Gaston Ragot in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th April
1880.
GASTON RAGOT, Manufacturer, of Ixelles (Belgium).
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CARBURETTING AIR WITH NAPHTHA OR OTHER HYDROCARBONS
FOR USE IN LIGHTING OR HEATING."
This Invention relates to a combined apparatus uniting the conditions of
an aspirating meter with that of an air carburettor, and in which naphtha or
other hydro-carbons replace the water ordinarily employed with the gas water
meter.
The apparatus is constructed to maintain the fluid at about one constant level,
and which thus supplies the naphtha in the ratio of its evaporation. This level is
maintained by utilizing the physical properties possessed by a liquid contained in
a closed vessel with only one aperture, the orifice of which dips below the surface
of another liquid, viz., that the liquid will not escape till the lowering of the surface
of the liquid below the orifice of the upper vessel allows air to enter it.
This effect
is obtained by a tube from the reservoir of naphtha placed at a height above the
air-meter in some convenient place, the tube entering into the fluid in the meter,
which is filled with the liquid to the ordinary level, as usual in gas meters.
When the level of the liquid falls below the orifice of the tube the air enters the
reservoir by the pipe, and an equal quantity of naphtha is supplied to the meter or
carburetted to replace the portion evaporated. Thus the level of the liquid is
constantly maintained, and automatically, till the reservoir is emptied.
The arrangement of the apparatus will be understood by the Drawings accom-
panying and forming part of this Specification, the like letters indicating like parts,
and in which Figure 1 is a part section of the improved aspirating meter transformed
into a carburetter, with gearing, etc.; Figure 2 is a vertical section through the
line A, B, Figure 1, showing the arrangement of the chambers a, with tube for
entry of air b, plunger tube c forming the constant level; Figure 3 is a perspective
view of the drum part removed to show the interior; Figures 4 and 5 showing
modification showing cap surrounding the open and cylindrical portion of the
drum.
a are the usual chambers of a meter, which are divided by the partitions of
metallic gauze e, which may vary in number and arrangement according to the
requirements and size of the apparatus. These partitions are fixed across the :
chambers and descend with them at each revolution into the naphtha; it follows
from this that the air entering by the syphon ƒ passes through the metallic gauze
thus covered with naphtha, and becomes saturated with vapour of naphtha before
passing into the pipe g serving to feed the burners.
For regulating the pressure of the outlet of gas any regulator may be employed. 4
Instead of using partitions of wire gauze in the inside of the compartiments d, I
reserve to myself the right of surrounding the open and cylindrical portion of the
drum with a calotte or cap h, Figures 4 and 5, knitted or woven of cotton or woollen
threads, or of wire gauze.
This cap is supported by a number of ribs i consisting of small metallic bands
having the section indicated, Figure 5, and being soldered upon the cylindrical
portion of the drum parallel to its axis.
The cap is fixed to the closed side k of the drum by introducing a small metal
strip in the aperture of the rib after having passed it through one of the meshes
of the knitted cap, and in then upturning and soldering the other end of the
cover k.
The space between the cylindrical portion of the drum and the knitted cotton
cap is thus divided by the ribs in a number of small compartments, which are

page_text: regularly filled with liquid during the revolution of the drum. As this liquid can
only flow off along the side of the cap, the latter is maintained always in a uniformly
saturated condition.
Instead of maintaining the constant level of the liquid in the manner before
stated, I reserve to myself the right of using a small cock to which a lever and float
is attached, so that when the liquid falls below the normal level, the float will also
descend and open the cock, through which a fresh quantity of liquid will pour into
the chamber a till the float has again arrived at its former position.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
The general arrangement of the apparatus, and particularly the application of a
cap or cover of knitted or woven cotton, or woollen threads or metallic gauze,
enclosing the drum so as to form a number of compartments, by which the tissue of
the cover is incessently maintained in the same state of saturation with the object
of obtaining a uniform carburation of the air by its passage through the so saturated
tissue, substantially as set forth with reference to the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gaston Ragot, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
GASTON RAGOT. (L.S.)