Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Acetylene
Gas.
I, GEORGE ARTHUR GILMER, of 10, Rue de Malte, Paris, France, Manufacturing
Optician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas such
apparatus being readily transportable and is provided with a safety device pre-
venting the gas should it be produced in excess from escaping into the atmos-
phere and also preventing such excess causing excessive pressure whilst special
constructional features enable the various constituent parts of the apparatus to
be speedily assembled and dismounted.
In addition to this in this apparatus the carbide is or may be distributed
amongst several baskets or perforated receptacles which may be attacked either
successively or simultaneously in such a manner that the production may be
regulated at any moment so as to correspond or approximate to the consumption.
In the accompanying drawing I have represented by way of example one of
the constructional forms of carrying this invention into practice.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus as a whole taken upon the line 1-2
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 is plan thereof.
Fig. 3 is view in elevation of the support-carrying plate b in position in the
vessel a and Fig. is plan of said plate 6 removed from said vessel a.
Fig. 5 is view in elevation of the, fixed bells or domes g on the plate c in
position in the vessel a and Fig. 6 is plan of same removed from said vessel.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the annular movable bell or dome j.
Upon the bottom of a sheet metal vessel or other suitable receptacle a rests
a plate of slightly smaller diameter upon which are arranged (advantageously
adjacent to its centre) three or any other suitable number of closed cylinders
blocks or rests c which are of the same or of varying heights according to circum-
stances the object whereof is to support the carbide.
Upon the plate bare likewise arranged studs d to any desired number corre-
sponding or so as to register with apertures formed in a plate e in such a manner
that it is only necessary to insert keys in the studs d above the plate e-or other
suitable fastenings may be used-in order to rigidly connect the plates and e
one with the other; the two plates are however kept slightly apart for example
by means of projections arranged upon the plate b.
This assemblage of the two plates and e is effected after the latter has been
passed over the cylinders e the plate e being provided with apertures to permit
this.
The cylinders have open ends and sides perforated in accordance with any
design from the lower to the upper portion such perforations advantageously
starting from the upper end of the supports c.

page_text: There are thus formed by means of the walls f and the upper ends of the
supports c baskets so to speak in which is placed the carbide in the condition of
powder or in particles of larger or smaller size.
Each of these baskets is covered by a cylinder closed at its upper end or bell
which is securely attached (in any suitable manner) to the plate e and which is
provided internally above the carbide basket with a cross-piece h to resist any
tendency of the basket f to rise. At the lower portion of the fixed bells g are
arranged metallic capillary tubes rising vertically and opening within and at
the upper portion of a movable annular bell which is provided with an outlet
valve or cock k and rests upon the plates b and e.
The acetylene gas issues at the upper portion of the fixed bells g and before
passing to the gasometer or to the point of consumption traverses the cooling
coil m which is immersed in water contained in the small trough or holder
formed by or in the upper end gl of each fixed bell and the continuation of its
lateral walls. The various gas pipes which are furnished with cocks p unite
at a collector o upon which may be screwed or arranged a nipple or other
suitable fitting adapted for the attachment of a rigid or flexible gas pipe pro-
ceeding either to the gasometer or directly to the point of consumption. This
arrangement of pipes n forms a kind of handle which facilitates the transport
of the various parts constituting the apparatus which are connected one with
the other as above stated.
OPERATION.
The apparatus being mounted in the manner described above and the baskets f
being charged with calcium carbide the cock k of the annular bell j is opened
and the cocks & upon the pipes n for the issue of the gas are closed.
.
Water is then poured into the vessel a; it rises freely within the annular
bell and passes (between the plates and e) into the fixed bell g where its
level is depressed owing to the compression of the air at the upper portion of
these domes g. The heights of the supports c are so calculated that the vessel a
being filled the water does not reach the carbide contained in the baskets f
while in order to cause the water to reach the carbide in any one of these baskets
it is only necessary to open the cock p of the corresponding bell g-the water
then rises in this bell and attacks the carbide uniformly upwards its level being
higher in proportion as the pressure of the gas is less.
When the pressure of the gas in said bell g increases the level of the water
falls in the bell g; and the gas in excess when the water in the bell g reaches
the level of the mouth of the tube i passes through this tube into the annular
bell the cock of which has been previously closed.
The excess of gas is thus stored in this movable bell which is guided in its
vertical movement by the walls of the vessel a and those of the fixed bells g.
A flexible tube may be adapted to the cock k for the purpose of conducting
the gas contained in the annular bell to the consumption appliances.
The amount of the pressure which causes the bell to rise may be exactly
regulated by the quantity of water contained in the vessel a.
This safety device thus enables the gas produced in excess to be collected when
the pressure in the fixed bells g is too great and any escape of gas into the
atmosphere may be avoided in this manner.
When the carbide under one of the fixed bells has become carefully exhausted
the other carbide receptacles may be successively brought into operation by open-
ing its corresponding cock p.
It is thus possible merely by the operation of the cocks according to the
needs of consumption to cause the water to act upon each of the elements either
successively or simultaneously.
By closing one of the cocks p the operation of the corresponding bell may be
arrested the pressure of the gas produced causing the water to descend below
the level of the carbide.

page_text: The apparatus which has been described is very portable owing to the arrange-
ments above stated.
The constitution of the baskets by means of perforated cylindrical walls which
are movable and open at both ends renders the operation of cleaning them very
easy and speedy to effect.
I expressly reserve the right to employ instead of the bells g surrounding
each element of the apparatus a single bell or dome (fixed down by any suitable
means) and covering several perforated receptacles for calcium carbide which
are constituted in the manner described but of which the supports c may be of
varying heights to permit of their being brought into action successively.
This improved generator for acetylene gas may be constituted by any desired
number of elements grouped in any suitable manner. I may modify according
to circumstances the forms dimensions and materials of the constituent parts
and I may also employ the generator for all applications of which it is capable
whether for lighting or heating of either an industrial or a domestic character.
Dated this 4th day of November 1898.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
on Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Acetyleně
Gas.
I, GEORGE ARTHUR GILMER, of 10, Rue de Malte, Paris, France, Manufacturing
Optician, 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:-
:-
This invention relates to apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas such
apparatus being readily transportable and is provided with a safety device pre-
venting the gas should it be produced in excess from escaping into the atmos-
phere and also preventing such excess causing excessive pressure whilst special
constructional features enable the various constituent parts of the apparatus to
be speedily assembled and dismounted.
In addition to this in this apparatus the carbide is or may be distributed
amongst several baskets or perforated receptacles which may be attacked either
successively or simultaneously in such a manner that the production may be
regulated at any moment so as to correspond or approximate to the consumption.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification in this case:-
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus as a whole taken upon the line 1-2.
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 is plan thereof.
Fig. 3 is view in elevation of the support-carrying plate in position in the.
vessel a and Fig. 4 is plan of said plate removed from said vessel a.
Fig. 5 is view in elevation of the fixed bells or domes on the plate e in.
position in the vessel a and Fig. 6 is plan of same removed from said vessel.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the annular movable bell or dome j.
Upon the bottom of a sheet metal vessel or other suitable receptacle a rests
a plate of slightly smaller diameter upon which are arranged (advantageously.
adjacent to its centre) 3 or any other suitable number of closed cylinders
blocks or rests c which are of the same or of varying heights according to circum-
stances the object whereof is to support the carbide.

page_text: Upon the plate bare likewise arranged studs d to any desired number corre-
sponding or so as to register with apertures formed in a plate e in such a manner
that it is only necessary to insert keys in the studs d above the plate e-or other
suitable fastenings may be used in order to rigidly connect the plates b and e
one with the other; the two plates are however kept slightly apart for example
by means of projections arranged upon the plate b.
This assemblage of the two plates 6 and e is effected after the latter has been
passed over the cylinders the plate e being provided with apertures to permit
this.
The cylinders f have open ends and sides perforated in accordance with any
design from the lower to the upper portion such perforations advantageously
starting from the upper end of the supports c.
There are thus formed by means of the walls f and the upper ends of the
supports c baskets so to speak in which is placed the carbide in the condition of
powder or in particles of larger or smaller size.
Each of these baskets is covered by a cylinder closed at its upper end or bell ย
which is securely attached (in any suitable manner) to the plate e and which is
provided internally above the carbide baskets with a cross-piece h to resist any
tendency of the basket f to rise. At the lower portion of the fixed bells g are
arranged (metallic) tubes i rising vertically and opening within and at
the upper portion of a movable annular bell which is provided with an outlet
valve or cock k and rests upon the plates and e.
The acetylene gas issues at the upper portion of the fixed bells and before
passing to the gasometer or to the point of consumption traverses the cooling
coil m which is immersed in water contained in the small trough or holder
formed by or in the upper end gl of each fixed bell and the continuation of its
lateral walls. The various gas pipes which are furnished with cocks punite
at a collector o upon which may be screwed or arranged a nipple or other
suitable fitting adapted for the attachment of a rigid or flexible gas pipe pro-
ceeding either to the gasometer or directly to the point of consumption. This
arrangement of pipes n forms a kind of handle which facilitates the transport
of the various parts constituting the apparatus which are connected one with
the other as above stated.
OPERATION.
The apparatus being mounted in the manner described above and the baskets f
being charged with calcium carbide the cock k of the annular bell is opened
and the cocks upon the pipes n for the issue of the gas, are closed.
Water is then poured into the vessel a; it rises freely within the annular
bell and passes (between the plates and e) into the fixed bell g where its
level is depressed owing to the compression of the air at the upper portion of
these domes g. The heights of the supports are so calculated that the vessel a
being filled the water does not reach the carbide contained in the baskets f
while in order to cause the water to reach the carbide in any one of these baskets
it is only necessary to open the cock of the corresponding bell the water
then rises in this bell and attacks the carbide uniformly upwards its level being
higher in proportion as the pressure of the gas is less.
When the pressure of the gas in said bell g increases the level of the water
falls in the bell g; and the gas in excess when the water in the bell reaches
the level of the mouth of the tube i passes through this tube into the annular
bell the cock k of which has been previously closed.
The excess of gas is thus stored in this movable bell which is guided in its
vertical movement by the walls of the vessel a and those of the fixed bells g.
A flexible tube may be adapted to the cock for the purpose of conducting
the gas contained in the annular bell ; to the consumption appliances.
The amount of the pressure which causes the bell to rise may be exactly
regulated by the quantity of water contained in the vessel a.

page_text: This safety device thus enables the gas produced in excess to be collected when
the pressure in the fixed bells g is too great and any escape of gas into the
atmosphere may be avoided in this manner.
When the carbide under one of the fixed bells has become
exhausted
the other carbide receptacles may be successively brought into operation by open-
ing its corresponding cock pi
It is thus possible merely by the operation of the cocks 2 according to the
needs of consumption to cause the water to act upon each of the elements either
successively or simultaneously.
By closing one of the cocks p the operation of the corresponding bell may be
arrested the pressure of the gas produced causing the water to descend below
the level of the carbide.
The apparatus which has been described is very portable owing to the arrange-
ments above stated.
The constitution of the baskets by means of perforated cylindrical walls which
are movable and open at both ends renders the operation of cleaning them very
easy and speedy to effect.
I expressly reserve the right to employ instead of the bells surrounding
each element of the apparatus a single bell or dome (fixed down by any suitable
means) and covering several perforated receptacles for calcium carbide which
are constituted in the manner described but of which the supports may be of
varying heights to permit of their being brought into action successively.
This improved generator for acetylene gas may be constituted by any desired
number of elements grouped in any suitable manner. I may modify according
to circumstances the forms dimensions and materials of the constituent parts
and I may also employ the generator for all applications of which it is capable
whether for lighting or heating of either an industrial or a domestic character.
It will be obvious that if desired the herein described apparatus for generating
acetylene gas may be mounted in combination and arranged to act in conjunction
with any suitable lamp so that such apparatus and lamp as a whole may be
adapted to be applied to the bodies of optical lanterns etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas, consisting of a main outer vessel
or receptacle, means to support the carbide at a distance above the bottom of the
vessel, perforated enclosing walls-open at the top and bottom end-surrounding
each said carbide support, an inverted bell enclosing the latter and fixed down
to the bottom of the vessel in suchwise as to permit the water to enter such
bell at the bottom, a pipe to lead the acetylene gas from the upper part of the
said bell with means to open or close said pipe, an annular or other suitably
shaped movable bell adapted to float in the water in said receptacle, a pipe leading
from the lower part of said fixed bell to the upper part of the interior of said
floating or movable bell and a cock or valve controlling an outlet from the upper
part of said movable bell, all combined arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
2. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas, consisting of a main outer
vessel or receptacle such as a, a rest or rests such as c to support the carbide at
a distance above the bottom of the vessel, a perforated cylinder with open ends
such as surrounding each said carbide support e, a cylinder closed at its upper
end or inverted bell such as y fixed down to the bottom of the receptacle in such-
wise as to permit the water to enter at the bottom with a pipe such as leading
from the upper part of said bell g with a cock or valve such as p to open or
close said pipe n, an annular floating or movable bell such as surrounding
said bell or bells g, a pipe leading from the lower part of said fixed bell g to
the upper part of the interior of said movable bell, and a cock or valve such

page_text: as controlling an outlet from the upper part of said movable bell j, all com-
bined arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described with reference to and as illustrated in the aforesaid drawings.
3. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas, in which the carbide is divided
among several perforated receptacles formed by perforated tubes open at both
ends and adapted to fit over supporting cylinders or columns of equal or graduated
heights each one of these carbide receptacles or several of them being placed
under a bell fixed in the receptacle in such wise as to permit the water to enter
at the bottom of said bell, an outlet for the acetylene gas to pass out at the top
of said fixed bell, and means to control said outlet, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described.
4. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas, in which the carbide is divided
among several perforated receptacles formed by perforated tubes open at both
ends and adapted to fit over supporting cylinders or columns of equal or graduated
heights each one of these carbide receptacles or several of them being placed
under a bell fixed in the receptacle in suchwise as to permit the water to enter
at the bottom of said bell, an outlet for the acetylene gas to pass out at the top
of said fixed bell and means to control said outlet, and an annular movable bell
into which the acetylene gas is automatically led in the case of excess of produc-
tion all escape of gas into the atmosphere being thus prevented, substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
5. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas having a bell such as gover
the perforated receptacle such as cf for the carbide-the arrangement and com-
bination with such bell g of a tube such as i leading from near the bottom of
said bell to the upper part of the interior of a movable bell such as whereby
any excess of gas produced in the fixed belly is led into the movable bell so
that any escape of gas is avoided and the pressure is kept uniform under the fixed
bell g, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
6. Acetylene gas generating apparatus the several parts of which are con-
structed combined and arranged to act substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described with reference to the aforesaid drawings.
Dated this 4th day of August 1800
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
31, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.