Improvements in Portable Acetylene Generators.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portable Acetylene Generators.
I, AUGUST JOHANN MOTTLAU, of York's Passage, Copenhagen, Denmark,
Manager, 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 portable apparatus for producing acetylene gas. In
the accompanying drawing it is shown as applied to a bicycle lamp. It is evident
that it may be modified for application to a table lamp, to a railway carriage lamp,
or to any ordinary purpose.
An important feature of my invention is, that the calcium-carbide, which should
preferably be granulated or powdered, is in the upper part of the container, and
the generating water in the lower. The mixing of the carbide with the water takes
place through a valve 2, the opening and shutting of which is effected directly
by the pressure of the gas. In the drawing the container 1, is divided into two
parts, of which the lower is used as a water reservoir and the upper is used as
a reservoir for the carbide. The two parts of the container are screwed together
or joined by means of a bayonet joint or by any other convenient device so that
they can easily be taken apart, for the purpose of cleansing the water reservoir
from sediment or for the purpose of refilling it with water. The carbide chamber
is funnel-shaped, and has at the bottom a circular opening, in which the valve 2,
is seated.
The carbide chamber is provided with a lid or cover 3, of elastic material and
provided with any known means for securing an airtight joint where it joins the
upper edges of the reservoir. This lid or cover should be constructed preferably of
rubber, steel, aluminium or any other suitable elastic material. Through a
bushing 5, in the lid 3, passes the valve-rod 4. which is provided at its lower
end with the hereinbefore mentioned valve 2. The rod has at its upper end a
screw thread. The valve rod 4, is provided with a nut working on the screw
thread and by means of which the movement of the valve may be regulated, or
the valve held against its seat. An opening with a plug or cap or, suitable device
for filling the carbide chamber is provided at 7, and from the lower conical or
funnel-shaped portion of the upper carbide chamber a tube 8, leads up through the
carbide so as to ensue an even pressure of gas both in the lower and in the upper
container. Through another tube 9, the gas flows to the burner. The carbide
chamber is extended below in the form of a cylindrical tube 10, and the lower
part 11. of the tube is made of metallic network or is perforated. This prevents
the water being splashed up into the valve.
The operation of the gas generator is as follows:-
The nut 6, when the generator is not in use is screwed down into the face of
the bushing 5, so as to draw the valve 2, against its seating and retain it in that
position. The lower container is filled with water and the upper chamber is
filled with carbide. The nut 6, is turned on the rod 4, so as to leave the face of
the bushing and allow the valve to drop from its scating. The granulated carbide
now drops down into the water, and acetylene gas is generated in the lower

page_text: chamber forcing itself through the water, the tube 10 and the tube 8, into the
carbide chamber. As the pressure in the latter rises the elastic lid 3, is bent
upwards and pulls the rod 4, up with it at the same time, bringing the valve to
its seating and cutting off the supply of carbide, until the gas pressure falls again.
When it is desired to extinguish the flame, the nut 6, is screwed down as herein-
before described and the valve 2, is brought and held against its seat, the carbide
is prevented from falling into the water, and in a few seconds the generation of gas
will cease.
It is evident that the elastic lid may be placed in different positions without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
The gas as generated in my apparatus is cleaned by passing through the water
and the carbide, the latter in the upper chamber absorbs any moisture with which
the gas may be impregnated in the lower chamber.
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. In a portable acetylene generator the means for controlling or regulating
the production of the gas substantially as set forth.
2. In a portable acetylene generator the tube 10 with metallic network part 11
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination of valve and elastic lid substantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a carbide container, a water container, a valve between
said containers and an elastic lid actuating said valve substantially as set forth.
5. The arrangement and combination of parts set forth with reference to the
figure.
Dated this 27th day of July 1899.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.