Apparatus for Automatically Delivering any Proportionate Quantity of Oxygen, Air, or other Gaseous Body or Bodies into Gas Purifiers or other Vessels, Pipes, or Conduits, irrespective of any Pressure there may be in such Gas Purifiers or other Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Automatically Delivering any Proportionate Quantity
of Oxygen, Air, or other Gaseous Body or Bodies into Gas
Purifiers or other Vessels, Pipes, or Conduits, irrespective of any
Pressure there may be in such Gas Purifiers or other Vessels.
I, CHARLES BUTTERWORTH NEWTON, Assistant Manager of the Gas Works,
Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct apparatus whereby a proportionate
quantity of oxygen, air or other gaseous matter may be delivered to the gas purifiers
or other vessels automatically, in order to revivify the purifying materials employed,
or to mix similar gaseous matter with ordinary illuminating gas in such proportion
as may render it suitable for various purposes.
In order to carry out this invention I make a gasholder to contain the gaseous
reagent weighted to give a greater pressure than the pressure in the gas purifier or
other vessels or pipes, an electric contact maker fixed to the index of the station
meter, a meter to measure the gaseous reagent (the drum spindle of this meter
projecting through the case),-a governor to maintain a constant difference of
pressure on the meter or regulating valves, and an arrangement of valves geared
to the spindle of the meter by means of wheels, levers, or pulleys and cords. By
varying the size of the wheels or pulleys which are interchangeable, the proportion
of gaseous reagent allowed to pass through the meter can be varied as required.
The side sheets of the gasholder containing the gaseous reagent are carried above.
the junction with the crown sheets so as to form a tank on the top of the holder to
contain water. By means of an adjustable overflow fixed to the side of this tank
the water contained therein can be maintained at any desired level, and by raising
or lowering the water level a greater or lesser pressure is given to the gaseous
reagent contained in the gasholder.
The electric contact maker is constructed in such a manner as to prevent any
danger arising from "sparking." It is formed of a tubular glass ring into which
two wires are fused a short distance apart. A small quantity of mercury is placed
in the tube for the purpose of connecting the ends of these two wires. This ring is
fixed to one of the spindles of the station meter index and revolves with it in a
vertical plane. The mercury within the tubular ring being by the force of gravity,
prevented from revolving with the ring, remains at the bottom, so that at every
revolution of the ring the ends of the wires pass through the mercury, thus closing
connected to the index finger
the circuit. One of the wires fused into the ring
thus forming a metallic connection to "earth" through the mass of the meter and
connecting pipes,-the other wire is connected to a metallic ring which encircles the
tubular glass ring. Against this metallic ring a metallic spring constantly presses
(this spring and metallic ring not being in metallic connection with the meter). An
insulated wire is carried from this spring to the place where the other part of the
apparatus is fixed, and there connected to the electro magnet. The contact maker
may be fixed to either finger of the index as required, and may have more than one
pair of wires fused into it.
The arrangement of valves before mentioned consists of four,-a pilot valve, a
main valve, a regulating valve, for regulating the quantity of gaseous reagent
which passes through the pilot valve, and a regulating valve for regulating the
quantity passing through the main valve.
The main valve is connected to a crosshead by means of a spindle working
through a stuffing box. This crosshead receives its motion from cranks fixed on a

page_text: shaft which derives its motion from another shaft, the two shafts being connected
by cog wheels (one of the wheels being half the size of the other) and so fixed that
the crank shaft revolves once while the other shaft revolves twice. One end of the
latter shaft is squared 'to receive a change wheel, which wheel is connected to another
change wheel fixed on the spindle of the meter, by a larger wheel which works
from a movable centre so as to admit of the before mentioned change wheels being
thrown into or out of gear. On the crank shaft is fixed two double cycloids or
cams for closing the pilot valve.
The pilot valve is connected to levers, the shorter ends of which are depressed
by the cycloids or cams, and the long ends are connected together by a crosspiece.
On this crosspiece is fixed a hook, and when the short ends of the levers are
depressed the long ends are elevated bringing the hook on to the top of the armature
of an electro-magnet. The cycloids, by depressing the short ends of the levers close
the pilot valve; and this valve remains closed so long as the hook on the long end
of the levers is hanging on the armature. From the crosspiece connecting the long
ends of the levers is suspended a small bell working in a tank of water (after the
manner of an ordinary gasholder). When the long ends of the levers are hanging
on the armature this bell is full of air drawn in through a small tube during its
upward stroke, but when the levers descend the weight of the levers and bell
pressing upon the enclosed air expels it through the same small tube. On varying
the weight of the bell and the size of the airway through the tube the time occupied
by the lever in descending can be varied. By causing the lever to descend slowly
a sudden rush of the gaseous. reagent into the governor is avoided.
The electric contact maker is so arranged that when a certain quantity of gas has
passed through the station meter the circuit is momentarily closed. This closing
of the electric circuit excites the electro magnet which attracts its armature, thus
releasing the lever of the pilot valve. The lever in its descent opens the pilot valve
and allows a small quantity of gaseous reagent to pass through causing the drum of
the meter to revolve. This movement being communicated to the main valve by
means of the wheels, cranks and connecting rods, which opens the valve and allows
the required quantity of gaseous reagent to pass through, then shuts itself off and
replaces the lever of pilot valve on to the armature ready for the next closing of
the electric circuit.
After the gaseous reagent has gone through the pilot and main valves it passes
through one or more regulating valves, which are actuated by hand. By means of
these regulating valves the time occupied by the gaseous reagent in passing through
can be lengthened or shortened as required. The gaseous reagent then passes into
the governor and from there into the gas purifier or other vessel or pipes. The
governor is so constructed and fixed as to maintain a constant difference of pressure
between the inlet and outlet of meter or regulating valves.
Another method of accomplishing the object of this invention by which the
proportionate quantity of gaseous reagent is delivered continuously irrespective of
any pressure there may be in the gas purifier or pipes is as follows:-
:-
gear a disc to the station meter by means of shafting and wheels in such a
manner that it partakes of the circular motion of the meter drum making one or
more revolutions for each 1000 feet of gas passing through the station meter.
.the face of this disc near the circumference I fix a projecting pin or stud.
On
By means of the changeable wheels before described I gear a disc to the drum
spindle of the reagent meter, such disc to make one or more revolutions for the
quantity of gaseous reagent required for 1000 feet of gas passing through the station
meter.. On the face of this disc near the circumference I fix a pawl, this pawl is
kept in position by a spring.
The disc geared to the station meter and the disc geared to the reagent
meter are fixed face to face a short distance apart and both revolve in the same
direction.
I propose to give sufficient pressure to the gaseous reagent to compel the reagent
meter to revolve its disc faster than the disc geared to station meter, this it

page_text: would do if not prevented, but the pawl coming in contact with the projecting pin
on station meter disc prevents it moving faster than the station meter disc, and so
the required percentage of gaseous reagent passes into the gas purifiers or pipes.
If from any cause the station meter disc should revolve faster than the disc on
reagent meter its projecting pin comes in contact with the other side, of the pawl
and so slips past without influencing the rate of reagent meter disc.
The reagent meter is not geared direct to the station meter nor is it bound by the
action of the station meter to revolve with it, but rather follows it by reason of the
pressure of the gaseous reagent urging it forward.
I fix the governor in such a manner as to maintain a constant difference of
pressure between the inlet and outlet of the reagent meter or regulating valve.
Dated thi 17th
M. 1000
W. H. BENNETT,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Automatically Delivering any Proportionate Quantity
of Oxygen, Air, or other Gaseous Body or Bodies into Gas
Purifiers or other Vessels, Pipes, or Conduits, irrespective of any
Pressure there may be in such Gas Purifiers or other Vessels.
1, CHARLES BUTTERWORTH NEWTON, Assistant Manager of the Gas Works
Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to so construct apparatus whereby a proportionate
quantity of oxygen, air, or other gaseous matter may be delivered to the gas
purifiers or other vessels automatically, in order to revivify the purifying materials
employed, or to mix similar gaseous matter with ordinary illuminating gas in such
proportion as may render it suitable for various purposes.
In order that the invention may be easily understood drawings are attached hereto,
of which the following is a brief description.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the reagent pressure holder, engine and pump, and
Fig. 2 a modified arrangement of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the meter for measuring the gaseous reagent, with
regulating valves and electric apparatus.
Fig. 4 a plan, and
Fig. 5 a part section of the same.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show a modified arrangement of Figs. 3, 4 and 5.
Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the governor and its appliances.
Fig. 10 is an elevation of the adjustable water overflow apparatus attached to the
tank on the top of the reagent holder, and
Fig. 11 is a plan of the handwheel and box.
Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the contact maker and breaker attached to the shaft
of the station meter index, and
Fig. 13 is a side sectional elevation of the same.
Fig. 14 is also another form of contact maker and breaker to be fixed to the
station meter index, and
Fig. 15 is a side sectional elevation of it.
To carry out this invention in reference to small or medium sized gas works I use
a gasholder both as a store for oxygen and for the purpose of giving the necessary
pressure, the gasholder working in a tank supplied with water, for containing the
reagent. The side sheets of the gasholder are carried above the crown sheets so as
to form a tank on the top of the holder to hold water, such as may be seen in
Figs. 1 and 2. The quantity of water held in this tank determines the pressure at
which the reagent is delivered, and is regulated by apparatus sbown in Figs. 10
and 11. On referring to these figs. it will be seen that the apparatus consists of a

page_text: box D fixed to the side of the tank C, holes E being made near the bottom by
which the water can flow from the tank C into the box D. Through a stuffing
box F in the bottom of the box D there works an overflow pipe G which is raised
or lowered by the screw H operated upon by the handwheel I, the boss of which
forms the nut corresponding with the screw H. Water is supplied to the tank C
by means of the pipe similar to that of J in Figs. 1 and 2.
In large gas works it may be desirable to store the gaseous reagent in an ordinary
holder and use a small one such as is shown in either Figs. 1 or 2 for giving the
necessary pressure. Referring to Fig. 1, the gaseous reagent may be pumped from
the storage holder into the smaller one A by the pump K which is worked by a
steam or other suitable power engine L, M being the suction, and N the delivery
pipe of the pump by which A is charged. If a steam engine is used, the steam
pipes are arranged as shown also in Fig. 1. O is the pipe coming from the boiler
with a valve P inserted, there being a branch pipe Q which has also a valve R at
the point shown. The valve R is opened only to start the engine, but as soon as it
is once set to work this valve is closed, the quantity of steam being regulated by
the rising and falling of the holder A which operates through a chain S upon a
lever T, thus opening or closing the valve P. Sometimes it may be found necessary
to give the lever Ta much shorter movement, and in that case I effect it by passing
the chain to which it is attached over and fixing it to a small pulley fastened to the
same spindle as that to which the wheel shown in the drawing is fixed.
A modification of the foregoing arrangement depicted in Fig. is shown in
Fig. 2.
In this case a pipe U connects the delivery N of the pump to the suction M.
On this pipe U, is fixed a regulating valve V. If the holder A rises the lever T
falls and opens the valve V thus allowing the surplus gaseous reagent to return to
be
the storage holder. A combination of these two modes of regulation may
desirable in some cases.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 14 and 15 illustrate one form of the apparatus for admitting
the gaseous reagent intermittently into the gas purifiers.
The gaseous reagent from holder A. Fig. 2 enters the reagent meter by W Fig. 3
and comes out by X. It then enters the valve box Y and leaves by Z and Z', and
passes on to the governor Fig. 9, to be further described hereafter.
It is to be assumed for the moment that the apparatus, except the steam pump, is
shut off and at rest. The contact maker attached to the station meter which is
shown in Figs. 14 and 15 may be described as follows.-a is the front of the station
meter, is the index spindle and c the pointer. d is an angular metallic ring and
e is a disc of glass fixed in d, a hole in the centre receiving the boss of e, and e and c
being fastened together. f is a glass tubular ring fastened to d and and y'is a
globule of mercury enclosed in f. is a platinum wire, one end of which is fused
into fand the other end fastened to b, while i is another platinum wire one end also
being fused into fand the other end fixed to d. j is a piece of insulating material
attached to the front of the station meter. k is a metallic spring secured to j at one
end, the other end pressing on d, and is an insulated wire from electro magnet
shown on Fig. 3. This contact maker on the station meter revolves with the
pointer, the globule of mercury g keeping at the bottom, and when the two wires h
and enter the mercury the electric current is closed. The electro magnet m
(Figs. 3, 4 and 5) then attracts its armature n when the hook o is released and the
lever p slowly descends and opens the pilot valve 9 thereby causing a small quantity
of reagent to pass on to the governor through pipes Z and Z. This flow of
gaseous reagent causes the reagent meter to move, the movement of the meter being
communicated to the shaft by toothed wheels s, t, u, v and w, the delineation of
the teeth being omitted in the drawings for the sake of clearness. The shaft r
revolves in a right hand direction and its revolution communicates a sliding motion
to a crosshead y by means of a crank z and connecting rod 1, the motion from y
being conveyed to the main valve 2 by the rod 3. The movement of the reagent
meter thus opens the valve 2, allows the required quantity of gaseous reagent to
pass on to the governor by pipe % and then closes. While the valve 2 is opening

page_text: the cycloids or cams 4 on the shaft » depress the ends 5 of lever p, raises the
lever P and with it the hook o and air vessel 6, thereby closing the pilot valve q,
when the hook o attaches itself to the armature n and holds the lever p up, thus
keeping the pilot valve closed until the next closing of the electric circuit.
The quantity of gaseous reagent passing through the apparatus during each
period of action can be varied as required by changing the wheels s and u.
The gaseous reagent after leaving the automatic apparatus passes on to the
regulating valve 7 of the governor Fig. 9 by the pipe Z. The use of the governor
is to maintain a constant difference of pressure between the inlet and outlet of the
regulating valve 7. Its action is as follows. A small pipe 8 Figs. 3 and 9 from
inlet of automatic apparatus is carried to the underside of the bell 9, while the
gaseous reagent is conveyed by the pipe Z to valve 7, from whence it enters.
chamber 10. The weights 11 on the valve 12 may be assumed to be so adjusted
that the weight of the bell 9 is equal to a pressure of half an inch of water. The
pressures in pipes Z and 8 are both alike (say twelve inches) and for the moment
it may also be assumed that the bell 9 is raised so as to close the valve 12 when the
pressure of twelve inches in pipe Z will extend into chamber 10 and space 13.
Now if bell 9 is free to descend it will do so because the pressure on its crown is.
equal to the pressure underneath, and its own weight being equal to half an inch
of pressure it will fall and open the valve 12 thus allowing the gaseous reagent to
pass on through pipe 14 to the purifiers. The opening of valve 12 allows the
gaseous reagent to pass and so reduces the pressure in 10 and 13 to the extent of the
weight of the bell. The bell therefore is in equilibrium, the pressure under bell 9
being twelve inches, and the pressure in chamber 10 and space 13 being twelve
inches minus the weight of the bell 9. The action of the governor is such that
whatever the pressure may be on the inlet side of the regulating valve 7, such
pressure is reduced on the other side of the valve 7 to the extent of the weight of
the bell 9. If the opening through the valve 7 is equal to the area of an inch pipe,..
and if there is a difference of half an inch of pressure between its inlet and outlet,
then the quantity of reagent passing per hour through the valve is equal to the
quantity that would pass through an inch pipe per hour at a pressure of half an inch
of water, notwithstanding any variation of pressure taking place in the pipe 14.
which conveys the reagent to the gas purifier. The valve 7 thus becomes an
efficient regulator. The variations of pressure in pipe 14 due to the gas in the
purifier have no effect upon the governor so long as the pressure in the pipe Z is the
greater. Although the valve 12 is shown as a conical one, a simple, or an
equilibrium valve may be substituted.
Figs. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13, illustrate a method of admitting the reagent to the:
purifiers continuously.
The gaseous reagent is delivered from the holder A. Fig. 1 as described in the
former arrangement and enters the reagent meter by W, comes out by X, passes
through the regulating valve 15 and from thence to the governor by pipe Z,
the regulation being effected by the valve 15 and not by the valve 7 of the
governor Fig. 9.
As in the former case, the reagent flowing through the reagent meter causes it to
move, the movement being communicated to shaft by wheels s, t, u, v and w. On
shaft are fixed two discs 16 and 17, which revolve in a right hand direction. The
regulating valve 15 is a wing valve and on its spindle 18 a toothed quadrant 19 is
fixed. A worm 20 fixed to the spindle 21 engages with the toothed quadrant and
at the other end of the spindle 21 a small wheel 22 is fixed. The spindle is so
supported by a hanger 23 that the wheel 22 hangs between the discs 16 and 17,
but does not touch them. The hanger is prolonged below 21 and an armature 24
which is a permanent magnet, is fixed to the bottom of it. Two electro magnets 25
and 26 are placed one on each side of the armature 24, and on the end of the shaft r
a commutator 27 is fixed. This commutator is similar to that attached to the
station meter and shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and may be described as follows. In
these figs. a is the front of the station meter, 28 is the index spindle and 29 is a

page_text: spindle attached to 28 that passes through a stuffing box 30. 31 is a case made of
vulcanite or other insulating material, and 32 is a glass front fitted air tight to
the vulcanite box. Fixed to the spindle 29 there is a pointer 33. Pieces of
metal 34, 35 and 36 are fixed in the vulcanite box, and 37 is a piece of metal fixed
to the end of the pointer 33 but insulated. 38 is a wire from battery connected to
plate 36, 39 is a wire connecting plate 35 to "earth," and 40 is a wire from plate 34
to electro-magnets in apparatus shown in Fig. 6.
The action of the apparatus may be stated thus. When the apparatus is working
correctly the pointer on the commutator shown in Fig. 6 and that drawn in Figs. 12
and 13 will revolve together and no electricity will pass, but supposing the station
meter increases in speed, the speed of the reagent meter should increase also. This
is effected automatically in the manner following. When the pointer of commutator
on the station meter moves faster it will reach plate 36 while the pointer of
commutator on reagent meter is still on plate 35. This will cause a current of
electricity to flow from 38 to 36, from 36 to 34 (through metallic block 37 on
pointer) from 34 through 40 to magnets in Fig. 6, from magnets through com-
mutator in Fig. 6 and from thence to earth through 39. The armature 24 is
attracted to magnet 25, and this movement presses the wheel 22 against disc 16
and the shaft 21 then revolves in a left hand direction. This motion of shaft 21
moves the toothed quadrant 19, opens the valve 15 and thus allows more reagent
to pass through the meter, when the commutators will again revolve in unison.
If the station meter goes slower the pointer on commutator 27 reaches plate 36
while the pointer of commutator on station meter is on plate 35. This causes a
current of clectricity to flow through the wire 40 and magnets 25 and 26 in the
contrary direction. The magnet 26 then attracts the armature 24 and the wheel 22
is pressed against disc 17. This communicates a right hand motion to wheel 22 and
the valve 15 is closed a little, the reagent meter goes slower and the commutators
again work in unison.
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
1.-The construction of electrical apparatus and the application thereof to a
station gas meter, as herein described and shown on the drawings Figs. 12
and 13.
2.—The construction of electrical apparatus and the application thereof to a
station gas meter, as herein described and shown on the drawings Figs. 14
and 15.
3. The adjustable overflow box as herein described and shown on the drawings
Figs. 10 and 11.
4. The combination of a weighted gasholder with a steam or other power
engine and pump, made and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 2, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
5. The construction of electrical apparatus and its attachment to a gas meter
before mentioned as the reagent meter, together with the appliances connected
therewith, arranged as herein described and shown on the drawings in Figs. 3, 4,
and 5.
6. The construction of electrical apparatus and its attachment to a gas meter,
before mentioned as the reagent meter, together with the appliances connected
therewith, arranged as herein described and shown on the drawings in Figs. 6, 7,
and 8, and
7. The construction of the governor as herein described and shown on the
drawings as Fig. 9.
"
Dated this 17th day of February 1891.
W. H. BENNETT,
Agent for the Applicant.