Improvements in Apparatus for Measuring or Delivering Air or other Gases, and for Mixing Air with other Gases in Definite Uniform Proportions, and Delivering the Mixture under a Definite Uniform Pressure.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 21st Mar.,
1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Measuring or Delivering Air or
other Gases, and for Mixing Air with other Gases in Definite
Uniform Proportions, and Delivering the Mixture under a Definite
Uniform Pressure.
A communication from abroad by JOSIAS TAYLER, of 165, Broadway, in the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, 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, in general, to means for delivering air and other gases
from a source of supply to a place or places where it is to be used, as instanced in
gasometers, air and gas pumps, gas mixers, carburettors, etcetera, and the object of
this invention is to provide improved means whereby air and other gases may be
accurately measured and delivered at a definite uniform pressure, and thus also air
and another gas or gases mixed in definite uniform proportions and the mixture
delivered under a definite uniform pressure.
The invention, by which these ends are attained, comprises various novel features,
substantially as hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which:-
Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of a gas mixer embodying the invention.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the said gas mixer.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same on the lines X X, Figures 1
and 4.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on the line Y Y, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail cross-sectional view on the line Z Z, Figure 4.
Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures.
In the gas mixer thus illustrated to exemplify the invention, two of the improved
gas measuring and delivering devices, into which the air and gas or gases to be
mixed are respectively led, are connected with a common mixing chamber, in which
the air and gas or gases are thus delivered and mixed in predetermined uniform
proportions, and ordinary means are provided for operating the two measuring and
delivering devices at proper relative speeds, which determine the proportions in
which the air and gas or gases are mixed and the pressure under which the mixture
is delivered.
This gas mixer is more particularly designed for mixing air and illuminating or
hydrocarbon gas in definite uniform proportions to form a perfect fuel-gas, and for
delivering the fuel gas at a predetermined uniform pressure for consumption as
needed.
Each of the combined measuring and delivering devices shown comprises a closed
receptacle A, adapted to be partially filled with water or other suitable gas-sealing
liquid, the two receptacles being here united and mounted on standards B, and a
cylindrical drum C mounted with its axis horizontal in the liquid-receptacle A, and
adapted to be half, or slightly more than half, immersed in the sealing liquid, as
indicated in Figure 3.
Each drum C is fixed on an axial shaft D, the end D' of which projects through
a bearing E on the liquid receptacle A for connection with the driving mechanism,
as hereinafter described, and the other end of which terminates within the drum in

page_text: a gudgeon D². The gudgeon D2 is mounted to revolve in a bearing F, on the
elbow pipe G, one arm of which projects outward axially through the head C₁ of
the drum, forming a gas-tight bearing therefor, and through the wall A' of the
liquid receptacle A, forming an induction port G¹.
A short distance within the 'outer head C' of each drum C is an inner head C³
forming therebetween an isolated induction chamber H, into which the inner arm of
the elbow pipe C opens. When the induction ports G¹ are connected with respec-
tively sources of air and hydrocarbon gas supply, the air and gas will thus be led
into the respective induction chamber H.
A plurality of, in this instance, four equi-distant spiral partitions, J, extend from
the inner, and actual, head C2 of each drum C to the farther head C³ thereof,
making a right hand turn of, in this instance, 90 degrees or thereabouts, around the
shaft D, so that the opposite extremities of each spiral partition J will be about
90 degrees apart, and each drum will be divided into four isolated longitudinal
spiral compartments K.
The drums being adapted to revolve in a direction opposite to that of the twist
of their partitions, or, in this instance, to the left, as indicated by the arrows, in
Figure 1, in the head C2 of each drum is formed, close behind the corresponding
extremity of each spiral partition J, a radial slit-like port L, and, in the head C³ of
each drum immediately in advance of the corresponding extremity of each partition J,
is formed a similar port L'.
Each spiral compartment K of each drum will thus have opposite end ports LL
approximately 180 degrees apart, so that, as the drums revolve as indicated, the
liquid maintaining a constant level and filling the lower halves of the comparted
drums, immediately as the induction end port L of each compartment in turn
emerges from the liquid, the opposite eduction port L' of said compartment will be
instantly sealed by the liquid, so that, as the said compartment rises from the liquid,
the liquid will run out of the said eduction port L' and draw in the air or gas from
the induction chamber H, through the said induction port L, until the same again
enters the liquid, when the said compartment will be completely filled with the air
The said eduction port L' will then emerge from the liquid, and, as the
compartment descends into the liquid, the liquid running in through the induction
port L drives out the contained air or gas through the eduction port L' into the
outer portion of the liquid receptacle A which forms the eduction chamber M.
or gas.
The plurality of the spiral compartments of each drum insures the constant
maintenance of at least one induction port and one eduction port above the liquid,
so that the delivery of the air and gas will be uninterrupted, while, from the
described form and degree of separation of the two end ports of each compartment,
with the liquid at the described height, always one at least of said ports will be
sealed, so that each compartment in turn will be completely filled and emptied and
backdraught prevented.
To mix the air and gas delivered into the respective eduction chambers M, the
latter are both connected by ports N with a common mixing chamber having
finely perforated or reticulated partitions P to perfect the mixture, and an eduction
pipe to lead off the mixed gases.
The compartments K of each drum C are made of a definite capacity, and the
drums revolved at certain relative speeds, so that the proportion of the component
air and gas and the pressure under which the mixture will be delivered will be as
required.
In this instance, a well known form of weight, rope and drum mechanism R is
used for revolving the drum C, the required pressure being obtained by adjusting
the actuating weight R'; and provision for winding up the weight being made by
connecting the winding drum R with the shaft D of one of the drums by a ratchet
and pawl mechanism S, shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5. The adjustment of
the relative speeds of the two drums is here accomplished by means of a well
known differential gear comprising graduated sprocket wheels T', chain T' and
idler T.

page_text: It is evident that, when the outlet of either measuring and delivering device is
closed, the same will automatically cease to operate, and delivery of gas will be
automatically regulated by the consumption, the air or gas in front of each drum
opposing that behind said drum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A. gas-measuring and delivering device, comprising a closed liquid receptacle,
having separate induction and eduction ports, isolated induction and eduction
chambers, a drum mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis in the liquid receptacle,
to or slightly above which axis the drum is to be immersed, and formed with a
plurality of longitudinal spiral compartments, each of which spiral compartments
has end ports, to communicate respectively with the said induction and eduction
chambers, approximately 180 degrees apart, so that always one at least thereof will
be sealed by the liquid, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A gas-measuring and delivering device comprising a closed liquid receptacle
having separate induction and eduction ports, isolated induction and eduction
chambers, a drum mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis in the liquid receptacle,
to or slightly above which axis the drum is to be immersed, said drum being
divided, by longitudinal spiral partitions, into a plurality of longitudinal spiral
compartments, each of which has slit-like radial end ports, to communicate
respectively with the said induction and eduction chambers, approximately
180 degrees apart, the induction end-port of each spiral compartment being close
behind the forward spiral partition thereof, and the eduction end-port immediately
in advance of the rear spiral partition thereof, substantially as herein before
set forth.
3. Apparatus for mixing gases in predetermined uniform proportions and
delivering the mixture at a predetermined uniform pressure, comprising a closed
liquid receptacle having separate induction ports and an eduction port, isolated
induction chambers and an eduction chamber, a mixing chamber communicating
with the eduction chamber, separate drums mounted to revolve on horizontal axes
in the liquid receptacle, to or slightly above which axes the drums are to be
immersed, each drum being formed with a plurality of longitudinal spiral compart-
ments, each of which has end ports to communicate respectively with the said
induction and eduction chambers, approximately 180 degrees apart, so that always
one, at least, of the end ports of each spiral compartment will be sealed by the
liquid, and means for revolving the two drums at predetermined relative speeds,
substantially as herein before set forth.
Dated this 9th day of February 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.