IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LEAD BURNING
Year: 1885

page_text: I, PHILIP JOHN DAVIES, of 78 Earls Court Road, Kensington, in the County
of Middlesex, Hydraulic Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LEAD BURNING" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for generating the
hydrogen gas and for pumping or forcing the air used in combination with such
gas for producing the blowpipe flame employed in the process for uniting lead to
lead known as "lead burning," by which improvements such apparatus is more
easily constructed, made more perfectly air or watertight, and is rendered less
liable to damage during transit from place to place than the apparatuses heretofore
in use.
My improvements in apparatus for generating hydrogen gas consist as follows:-
The apparatus is composed of two separate chambers, namely a gas generating
chamber at the bottom and an acid solution chamber at the top, which chambers
communicate with one another by means of two pipes, namely an, acid solution
pipe, one end of which is open to the bottom of the acid solution chamber, the other
end being open to a well or sumph formed in the bottom of the gas generating
chamber, and a pipe for leading away the gas from the upper part of the gas
generating chamber to the blowpipe or burner. The gas generating chamber is
provided with a perforated false bottom or strainer on to which the pieces of zinc
are placed through an opening in the side of the chamber fitted with an airtight
plug or cap. A similar opening is provided under the said false bottom for the
purpose of washing out the chamber.
The two chambers are constructed in the following manner. If the apparatus
is to be circular in plan, I take two cylinders of lead, one slightly smaller in
diameter than the other. Into the upper end of the larger cylinder I pass a disc
or plate of lead having the before mentioned two pipes attached thereto, and pro-
vided with a flange projecting upwards, the edge of which flange is placed slightly
below the top of the cylinder. The flange and the inner side of the top of the
cylinder are then connected together by burning, rivetting or other suitable means.
The bottom of the smaller cylinder is then placed on the edge of the before
mentioned flange, and the lower part of the smaller cylinder and the upper
projecting part of the lower or larger cylinder are also connected together, the
disc or plate thus forming, in a simple and efficient manner, a perfectly air tight
.
;

page_text: partition between the two chambers. Or the two cylinders may be of equal
diameter, one being supported on the other, and the joint made by a butt strap,
burnt on to or otherwise suitably connected to the adjacent ends of the two
cylinders The false bottom or strainer, also made of lead, is flanged downwards
and inserted from the bottom of the lower cylinder, the flange being burnt or
otherwise suitably fixed to the inside thereof. It may also be attached to the acid
pipe where the same passes through the false bottom or strainer. The leaden
bottom is formed with a flange, and the well or sumph is hammered or swaged out
instead of being separately attached; it is burnt in to the cylinder as before
explained with reference to the disc and false bottom, and is preferably supported
and strengthened by means of a wooden block forming a base for the apparatus.
In order to resist the pressure of the gas, the casing may be provided with stays
or ribs, or it may be fluted or corrugated as desired.
My improvements in air pumping or forcing apparatus consist as follows:-The
outer casing may be constructed as regards the partitions, casing, and so forth in a
manner similar to that above described in reference to the gas generating apparatus,
but it may be constructed of material other than lead, as it is not intended to
contain acid like the gas generator. It also consists of two chambers, the upper
one being a water chamber and the lower one a wind or air chamber. I arrange
the pump barrel (which may be single or double acting) inside the two chambers
so as to preserve it from damage in transit. It extends through the two chambers
.and is attached to the bottom of the lower chamber, and to the partition between
the two chambers, being provided with an air inlet valve and strainer. Above the
said inlet valve is a pipe leading from the pump barrel to the upper part of
the wind or air chamber, and governed by an air outlet valve. Water is admitted
to the wind or air chamber from the bottom of the water chamber by a sealed pipe,
and the necessary pipes and cocks are also provided for leading away the com-
pressed air from the wind or air chamber to the blowpipe or burner. In order to
prevent the bubbling of the air up the beforementioned sealed water pipe when
the pressure in the wind or air chamber is excessive, and to preserve the level of
the water in the water chamber at the same height as the level of the solution
in the acid solution chamber of the gas generator, and thereby to prevent the
unsteady delivery of the compressed air to the burner, I employ a relief valve
arranged so as to open communication between the wind or air chamber and the
outer air. This valve is operated by means of a float whenever the pressure of air
in the wind or air chamber has forced water from such chamber up the sealed
water pipe into the water chamber, in sufficient quantity to cause the said float to
rise. This float may also caused to operate an electric or other indicator or alarm
as an indication to the persons operating the apparatus that the pressure is
insufficient or excessive, and an electric or other indicator may likewise be
operated by a float in the acid solution chamber of the gas generator to indicate
when the acid solution has become too weak to act on the zinc so as to generate
gas to the required pressure.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Lead Burning.
I, PHILIP JOHN DAVIES, of 78 Earl's Court Road, Kensington, in the County
of Middlesex, Hydraulic 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying two sheets of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon :-
This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus for generating the
hydrogen gas, and for pumping or forcing the air used in combination with such
gas, for producing the blow pipe flame employed in the process for uniting lead to
lead know as "lead burning," by which improvements such apparatus is more
easily constructed, is made more perfectly air or watertight, and is rendered less
liable to damage during transit from place to place than the apparatuses heretofore
in use.
My improvements in apparatus for generating hydrogen gas are illustrated in
Figures 1 and 14 of the Drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 being a sectional.
elevation, and Figure 1ª a corresponding transverse or horizontal section on the
lines XX of Figure 1.
The apparatus is composed of two separate chambers, namely, a gas generating
chamber A at the bottom and an acid solution chamber B at the top... These
chambers communicate with one another by means of two pipes, namely an acid
pipe C, one end of which is open to the bottom of the acid solution chamber B, the'
other end being open to a well or sumph D formed in the bottom of the gas.
generating chamber A; and a pipe E for leading away the gas from the upper
part of the gas generating chamber to the blow pipe or burner. The pipe E is
shown of large diameter to enable it to serve for the introduction of the pieces of
zinc F into the gas generating chamber A, and is provided with a screw cap or
plug G (above the highest possible level of the acid solution) by which its upper
end may be closed airtight and the screw cap or plug G is also preserved from the
action of the acid; the gas being led away from the pipe E by a pipe H furnished
with a cock I. The gas generating chamber A is provided with a perforated false
bottom or strainer J, on to which the pieces of zinc F are placed, through the
pipe E. An opening K is provided under the false bottom for the purpose of
washing out the chamber. This opening K is closed with a screw plug L or other
suitable appliance.
The two chambers are constructed in the following manner. If the apparatus is
to be circular in plan, I take two cylinders of lead, A¹ and B', one slightly smaller
in diameter than the other. Into the upper end of the larger cylinder A¹ I pass a
disc or plate of lead M, having the beforementioned two pipes C and E attached
thereto, and provided with a flange projecting upwards, the edge of which flange
is placed slightly below the top of the cylinder. The flange and the inner side of
the top of the cylinder are then connected together by burning, or other suitable
means, The lower part of the cylinder B' is then placed over the upper part of
the cylinder A¹, and the two are connected together by burning or otherwise, the

page_text: disc or plate M thus forming, in a simple and efficient manner, a perfectly airtight
partition between the two chambers. Or if preferred the two cylinders may be of
equal diameter, one being supported on the other, and the joint made by a butt
strap burnt on to, or otherwise suitably connected to, the adjacent ends of the two
cylinders as shown for example at N in the Figure. The false bottom or strainer J,
also made of lead, may be flanged downwards and inserted from the bottom of the
lower cylinder A, as shown in Figure 4 for example, the flange being burnt or
otherwise suitably fixed to the inside thereof. It may also be attached to the acid
pipe where the same passes through the false bottom or strainer. The leaden
bottom may be formed with a flange, as shown in Figure 4, and be burnt in to the
cylinder as explained with reference to the disc and false bottom, and the well or
sumph may be hammered or swaged out of it, or be separately attached thereto.
In Figure 1 the false bottom or strainer J is made in one piece with the well or
sumph D which latter also forms the bottom of the gas generating chamber A.
In order to resist the pressure of the gas, the casing may be provided with stays A²
(see Figure 2) or it may be fluted or corrugated as shown in the horizontal sections,
or both stays and corrugations may be employed."
The action of the apparatus is as follows: pieces of zinc F are placed on the
false bottom or strainer J through the pipe E, the cap or plug G is screwed into
place so as to close the pipe E, airtight, and the cock I is closed. A solution of
sulphuric acid P is then poured into the chamber B and finds its way, by the
pipe O, to the underside of the false bottom or strainer J, and rising through the
perforations therein, comes in contact with the pieces of zinc F, which it begins to
dissolve, and hydrogen gas is disengaged in the manner well understood. When
sufficient gas is generated, pressure is produced in the chamber A, which, acting on
the surface of the acid solution therein, forces such solution down through the
perforations of the false bottom J, up the pipe C, back into the chamber B, until
the acid solution falls below the level of the zinc pieces F, when the generation of
When the cock I is opened to draw off gas for use, the pressure in the
chamber A is reduced, the acid solution rises again into contact with the zinc, and
more gas is produced. By these means the quantity of gas produced is regulated
accurately to the requirements, too much gas forcing the acid solution away from
the zinc, and too little gas allowing it to return into contact with the zine. In order
to indicate to the workman when there is a sufficient pressure of gas in the
chamber A to warrant him in commencing to use it or that there is not sufficient
pressure, the float Q, which rises and falls with the level of the acid solution in the
chamber B, may be connected with any suitable signalling or alarm apparatus,
such as a bell, for example.
gas ceases.
Figures 2 and 2 show a modification of the apparatus, in which the pipe C of
Figure 1 is dispensed with, and the communication between the gas generating
chamber A and the acid solution chamber B is effected by leaving a space between
the bottom of the casing A¹ forming the chamber A and the bottom of the
chamber B, the gas generating chamber A being merely stood loosely in the
casing B composing the acid chamber B.
Figures 3 and 34 show a modification in which an opening at the side of the gas
generating chamber A with an airtight cap, is substituted for the large tube E,
Figure 1, for the introduction of the pieces of zinc; and the opening K at the
bottom for clearing out, with a plug L, having a rod and handle L³, are substituted
for the side opening K and plug L in Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 44 show a modification in which the pipe C communicating
between the acid chamber B and the space below the false bottom J is placed
outside the apparatus.
Figures 5 and 5ª show a modification in which an acid supply cistern R is
employed for the purpose of keeping up a proper supply of raw or undiluted acid
to the acid chamber B by means of a Wurtemburg or other syphon S.
Figures 6 and 64 show the two chambers A and B connected together, by a
flanged joint. In this case the pieces of zinc are introduced into the gas generating

page_text: chamber 'A by removing the screws Irom the connecting nanges and taking on the
upper chamber B.
:
Similar letters refer to like parts in all the figures above described.
My improvements in air pumping or forcing apparatus are illustrated in
Figures 7 to 84, figures 7 and 8 being vertical sections, and Figures 7ª and 84
horizontal sections on lines Y Y of Figures 7 and 8. The outer casing may be
constructed as regards the partitions, casing, and so forth, in a manner similar to
that above described in reference to the gas generating apparatus, but it may be
constructed of material other than lead, as it is not intended to contain acid, like
the gas generator. It also consists of two chambers, the upper one A being a
water chamber, and the lower one B a wind or air chamber. I arrange the pump
barrel C inside the two chambers, so as to preserve it from damage in transit. It
extends through, the two chambers, and is attached to the bottom D of the lower
chamber, and to the partition E between the two chambers, being provided with
an air inlet valve F and strainer G. Above the inlet valve F is a pipe H leading
from the pump barrel C to the upper part of the wind or air chamber and governed
by an air outlet valve I. Water is admitted to the wind or air chamber B from
the bottom of the water chamber A by a dip pipe J, and the necessary pipes and
cocks K are also provided for leading away the compressed air from the wind or
air chamber B to the blow pipe or burner. In order to prevent the bubbling of.
the air up the beforementioned dip pipe J when the pressure in the wind or air
chamber is excessive, and to preserve the level of the water in the water chamber
at the same height as the level of the solution in the acid solution chamber of the
gas generator, and thereby to prevent the unsteady delivery of the compressed air
to the burner, I employ a relief valve K' (see Figure 7) which is opened by means
of a float L whenever the pressure of air in the wind or air chamber B has forced
water from such chamber up the dip pipe J into the water chamber A in sufficient
quantity to cause the said float L to rise. A float L' (see Figure 8) may also be
caused to operate an electric indicator or alarm by closing an electric circuit M
when it reaches a certain height in the water chamber, and an electric circuit N
when it falls to a certain depth therein, whereby an indication is given to the
persons operating the apparatus that the pressure is excessive or insufficient. Or
instead of an electric indicator the float L' may be arranged to operate a mechanical
one, such as a bell, for example. The pump is shown in both Figures 7 and 8 as
single acting, and with a plunger O fitted at its lower end with a cup leather P,
but it is obvious the pump may be double acting if preferred, or of any other
suitable construction.
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:
First. The construction of apparatus for generating hydrogen gas, with the sides
corrugated or strengthened with stays, substantially as hereinbefore described, and
illustrated in the drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The use in connection with the acid solution contained in the gas
generating apparatus, or with the water in the air pumping or forcing apparatus,
of a float, for the purpose of giving signals by electric, mechanical, or other
suitable apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the
drawings hereto annexed, and for the purposes specified.
Third. The various constructions and arrangements of apparatus for generating
hydrogen gas for the purposes of lead burning, as hereinbefore described, and
illustrated in Figures 1, 14, 2, 24, 3, 34, 4, 44, 5, 5ª, 6 and 6ª of the drawings
hereto annexed.
Fourth. In apparatus for pumping or forcing air for use in the aero-hydrogen
blow pipe used in lead burning, the arrangement of the air pump barrel in the
interior of the vessel or chamber containing the water for regulating the pressure

page_text: of the wind, substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 7,
74, 8, and 8 of the drawings hereto annexed..
Fifth. In apparatus for pumping or forcing air for use in the aero-hydrogen
blow pipe used in lead burning, the employment of a valve actuated by a float
operated by the rise or fall of the water for the purpose of relieving undue pressure
in the air reservoir or wind chamber, substantially as herein before described, and
illustrated in Figures 7 and 7A of the drawings hereto annexed.