IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AIR GAS FOR ILLUMINATING HEATING AND OTHER PURPOSES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1883

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to George Macaulay-Cruikshank of 135 Buchanan Street
Glasgow in the County of Lanark North Britain Consulting Engineer and
Patent Agent for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF AIR GAS FOR ILLUMINATING HEATING AND OTHER PURPOSES AND IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE communicated to him from
abroad by Relph Cunliffe Dixon of Sidney in the Colony of New South
Wales, Gentleman
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George
Macaulay-Cruikshank
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1883.
GEORGE MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK of 135 Buchanan Street, Glasgow in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting-Engineer and Patent Agent
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AIR GAS, FOR ILLUMINATING HEATING
AND OTHER PURPOSES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE." A
communication to me from abroad by Relph Cunliffe Dixon of Sidney in the
Colony of New South Wales, Gentleman,
This Invention relates first to producing or manufacturing saturated air gas by
passing a current of air over or through a heated volatile liquid or hydro-carbon
and thereafter cooling the gas to return any excess of hydro-carbon vapour so that
the air remains just saturated therewith and can be conveyed through gas pipes
and burned like ordinary illuminating gas from fish tail batswing argand or other
gas burners and can also be used in cooking or heating stoves and as the motive
force in gas engines.
The Invention relates secondly to producing the required current of air by an
apparatus set in motion by a portion of the air gas produced, which apparatus
works automatically and when no gas is being consumed for illuminating heating
or other purposes no more is produced than is required to keep the apparatus ready
to start.
In carrying out the Invention there is employed a gas engine cylinder or
cylinders a gas holder and an air holder gas from the gas holder being admitted

page_text: through a pipe and valve to the cylinder or cylinders when the air holder is nearly
empty so that the gas engine cylinder or cylinders being then set in motion the
air bolder is raised and filled. The valve is actuated by a chain or its equivalent
attached to the top of the air holder or other convenient place so that when the
air holder sinks the valve is opened. and when the air holder is raised the valve is
closed by a spring or weight. In one end of the cylinder is a small valve so
arranged as to keep open when no pressure is exerted on it from the interior of the
cylinder and at the valve is a gas jet controlled by a tap.
At or near the other end of the cylinder air holes are so placed that they are
below or on the pressure side of the piston when the latter is at one end of the
cylinder. These holes are to allow of the escape of the products of combustion
formed in the engine cylinder or cylinders as hereafter described. I prefer to place
the gas engine cylinder or cylinders directly over the air holder but I do not confine
myself to that position but place it where most convenient The piston of the
cylinder or cylinders is connected with the air holder by suitable rods straps or
levers.
The lower part of the air holder is filled with water and the weight of the
upper part is so regulated as to force the air into the gas holder through a pipe
and gas generator and air is admitted to the air holder through one or more valves
preferably in the bottom of the holder
The quantity of air passing from the holdr to the gas generator is regulated by
a valve which is rendered self acting by the chain connecting the top or other
convenient point of the gas holder with the lever of the valve which is so arranged
that when the holder is full the valve is closed and vice versa.
The generator for holding the hydro-carbon used for saturating the air with
vapour is so constructed that the hydro-carbon is heated by a gas jet regulated by
a tap. The hydro-carbon is filled into the generator by a pipe until it rises to the
level of a gauge tap in the side of the generator another tap being also provided
for drawing off the hydro-carbon when desired. The generator contains cylinders
of perforated sheet metal, wire gauze or equivalent material packed with wick,
pumice stone, asbestos or other suitable porous substance in or through which the
volatile hydro-carbon will rise by capillary attraction and thus expose a large
surface to the air or these cylinders may be omitted altogether by otherwise
extending the liquid surface.
From the generator a worm leads into the gas holder which worm is surrounded
by the water in which the gas holder floats in order to condense the excess of
hydro-carbon vapour in the gas.
To start the apparatus the gas generator is charged with the hydro-carbon or
volatile liquid until the hydro-carbon or liquid flows from the gauge tap. The inlet
is then closed and the air. holder is raised by band until the bottom of it comes
nearly to the top of water when the air passes into it through the valve or valves
in the bottom of the holder which being filled the valve closes and the holder by
its own weight forces the air through the air pipe and valve into the generator
where it passes over or through the volatile liquid or hydro-carbon and becomes
supersaturated with the hydro-carbon vapour. The supersaturated air then enters
the condensing and cooling worm which is immersed in the water of gas holder
where it parts with its excess of hydro-carbon vapour which is condensed and
flows back into the generator. The fully but not over supersaturated air gas is
then received into the gas holder which rises in the water trunk. The gas holder
by its own weight now forces the gas down the supply pipe. and a tap on a branch
of the said pipe being turned on, a portion of the gas is conducted to the jet or jets
for heating the generator where it is ignited. A portion is also conducted through
another branch to the jet at one end of the gas engine cylinder. The hydro-carbon
is heated by the flame in the gas generator and the supersaturation of the air by
hydro-carbon vapour is insured. The burners used for lighting are now lighted
and at first burn with a feeble flame which however becomes bright when the
liquid or hydro-carbon in generator becomes warm, As the gas becomes exhausted

page_text: the gas holder sinks and the valve in the air pipe opens by the action of its lever
and a fresh supply of air is admitted from the air holder through the generator
and again fills the gas holder with gas.
As the air holder becomes empty it sinks down carrying with it the piston of
the gas-engine cylinder and when it sinks so low as to open the gas valve the gas
enters the cylinder and is there exploded by the flame from the jet at the cylinder
end. This explosion causes the valve over the flame to close and raises the piston
to the top of the cylinder carrying with it the air holder which is filled with air
through the valve or valves at its lower end. From the cylinder the products of
combustion escape by the holes herein before referred to.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Macaulay-Cruikshank in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd November 1883.
GEORGE MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK of 135 Buchanan Street Glasgow in the
County of Lanark, North Britain. Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AIR GAS FOR ILLUMINATING HEATING
OTHER PURPOSES AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE.
A communication to me from abroad by Relph Cunliff Dixon of Sydney in the
Colony of New South Wales, Gentleman
AND
The Said Invention relates-Firstly to producing or manufacturing saturated air
gas by passing a current of air over or through a heated volatile liquid or hydro
carbon and then cooling the gas to return any excess of hydro-carbon vapour so
that the air remains just saturated with vapour in which condition it may be
conveyed through ordinary gas pipes and be burned like ordinary illuminating gas
at fish-tail batswing argand or other gas burners or used in cooking or heating
stoves or in gas engines or for other purposes in which such air gas is applicable.
The Said Invention relates Second to producing the current of air required in
the manufacture of such gas by an apparatus which works automatically and is
actuated by the motive force of a portion of the air gas produced and so that when
little or no gas is being consumed for illuminating heating cooking or other
purposes no more is produced than is required to keep the apparatus ready to start
And in order that the said Invention as communicated to me may be properly
understood I now proceed more particularly to describe the system mode or manner
in or under which the same is or may be used or carried out in practice reference
being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings and to the letters marked thereon
that is to say.
In carrying out the said Invention there is employed a gas engine to the cylinder
or cylinders A, of which gas from the gas holder N, is admitted through the pipe I,
and valve or cock G, when the air holder B, is nearly empty so that the piston or
pistons in the said cylinder or cylinders being then set in motion upwards the air
holder B, is raised and filled. The cock or valve G is actuated by a chain L, or its
equivalent so attached to the top or other convenient part of the air holder B, that
when the air holder sinks the valve is opened. When the air holder rises the
valve G is kept closed by a spring K, attached to the side of the cylinder A, or
other convenient part of the apparatus or instead of using a spring a cord and
weight may be employed or the lever of the cock or valve may be itself weighted
as at M.
In the lower end of the cylinder A, a valve h' is so arranged as to keep open
when no pressure is exerted upon it from the interior of the cylinder and at the
opening of the valve h³ is a small gas jet or burner h, terminating the end of a
branch from the gas pipe I, the said branch also having a cock or tap H, to regulate
the flame at the jet or burner h.
At or near the top end of the cylinder A, air holes or openings a are so made
that they are below or on the pressure side of the piston Y, when the latter is at
the top end of its stroke. These holes may conveniently be about one quarter of
an inch in diameter and five or six in number but the invention is not confined to
that diameter or number what is necessary being that the area of the holes a,
shall be sufficient to allow of the free escape of the products of combustion
formed in the cylinder or cylinders A as hereinafter more particularly referred to.
It is preferred to place the cylinder or cylinders A, directly over the air

page_text: holder B, but it may be placed where most convenient the connection between the
piston rod or rods Y, and the holder being effected by suitable rods straps levers
or their equivalents
The lower end of the air holder B works in a water seal and the downward
pressure of the holder is so regulated by weights or otherwise as to force the air
into the gas holder N, through the pipe D, and gas generator Q. The pressure
generally required is about sixteen tenths of an inch of water pressure but any
other pressure may be used according to the lengths of pipes for conveying the gas
and to the number of burners to be supplied.
The air passes into the holder B, through the valve C, or through several valves
to which the air is led through openings in the stand or sole X³, on which the
holder rests or the valves may be otherwise situated
It is preferred to arrange the air pipe D, as shewn but instead of the pipe
passing through the water seal F, a flexible pipe or tube may be connected to the
side or top of the holder. A screw plug E, is provided for drawing off any water
which may find its way into the pipe D, and a valve Z, is also so inserted as to
close when there is no pressure of air passing through the pipe.
The volume of air passing from the holder B, to the gas generator Q, is
regulated by a cock or valve M which is rendered self acting by the chain or
cord m, connecting the lever of the cock or valve with the top or other convenient
part of the gas holder N, the connection being so arranged that when the gas
holder is full and at its highest level the valve is closed. The cock or valve lever
is so weighted that when the gas holder N, sinks the cock or valve opens.
The generator Q, for holding the hydro-carbon used in saturating the air with
vapour is so constructed that the hydrocarbon is heated by gas issuing from the
jet or jets T, regulated by the cock or tap u. The hydro-carbon is filled into the
generator by a pipe S, until it rises to the level of the gauge tap V, another tap V₁,
being also provided for the purpose of emptying the generator when desired.
The generator contains cylinders R, of perforated sheet metal wire gauze or
equivalent material which are packed full of wick, pumice stone, asbestos or
other equivalent porous substance through which the volatile hydro carbons will
Of these
rise by capillary attraction and thus expose a large surface to the air.
cylinders it is preferred to use four but the invention is not confined to that
number nor to the cylindrical form of the vessels R, and such vessels may be
omitted altogether by otherwise providing an extended surface of hydro carbon
to the action of the air
From the generator Q, a worm P, leads into the gas holder N, which worm is
surrounded by the water F, in which the holder N, floats and by the water any
excess of hydro carbon vapour in the gas passing through the worm is condensed
out and returns to the generator Q.
The water in the holder N, becomes slightly heated but practically it is found
that this is sufficiently compensated for by the radiation from the external surface
so that the water does not require to be changed
The weight of the gas holder N, is generally so regulated that it gives a pressure
of about thirteen tenths of an inch of water to the gas so that while it can be
raised by pressure supplied from the air holder B, it possesses sufficient weight to
force the gas through the pipe O, W.
It is however to be understood that the Invention is not confined to this as the
pressure required may be greater or less depending on the length and diameter of
pipes through which the gas is conveyed and the number of burners to be
supplied
To start the apparatus constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described the
generator Q, is charged through the pipe S with the hydrocarbon or volatile liquid
to be used until the said liquid flows from the tap V, at which time the generator
is fully charged.
A plug is then screwed into the top of the pipe S, and the air holder B, is
thereafter raised by hand until the bottom of it comes nearly to the surface of the

page_text: water F, when the air passes into it through the valve or valves C. The holder
being thus filled the valve or valves C, closes or close and the holder by its own
weight forces the air through the pipe D, and valves Z, and M, into the generator Q.
where it passes over or through the volatile liquid or hydrocarbon and becomes
supersaturated with the hydrocarbon vapour. The supersaturated air then enters
the condensing and cooling worm P, immersed in the water F, of the gas holder N,
where it parts with its excess of hydrocarbon vapour which is condensed and flows
back into the generator Q, and the fully but not over supersaturated air gas is
then received into the gas holder N, which rises in the water tank. The gas
holder N, by its own weight now forces the gas down the supply pipe O, W, and
the tapu, on the branch of the said pipe being opened a portion of the gas is
conducted to the jet or jets T, and ignited whereby the hydrocarbon in the
generator Q, is heated and the supersaturation of the air with hydrocarbon vapour
is ensured
Another portion of the gas is also conducted through the branch pipe I, to the
gas burner or jet h, and ignited
The gas is or may now be ignited at the burners used for lighting cooking
heating or other purposes. At first it will burn with a feeble flame which however
becomes bright when the liquid or hydrocarbon in the generator becomes warm.
As the gas in the holder is exhausted the holder sinks and the valve M, is
opened by its weighted lever whereby a fresh supply of air is admitted from the
holder B, through the generator and again fills the holder N, with gas.
As the holder B, becomes empty it sinks carrying the piston Y, of the gas
engine with it and when it sinks so low as to open the gas valve or cock G,
through the medium of the chain or cord L, gas enters the cylinder A, and is
there exploded by the flame from the jet or burner h. This explosion causes the
valve h², to close and the gases being thereby confined between the piston and the
bottom of the cylinder their expansion raises the piston to the top of the cylinder
carrying upwards with it the air holder B, which is thereby again filled with air
through the valve or valves C.
From the cylinder A, the products of combustion escape through the holes a,
which as before set forth are under the piston when at the upper end of its stroke.
On the escape of the said products the valve h¹, springs open and the operations of
manufacturing and supplying the air gas go on as hereinbefore described
The invention is not confined to any size or capacity of apparatus but for
supplying six burners each giving a light equal to sixteen candles the following
proportions have been found to give satisfactory results vizt. The air holder B,
fourteen inches in diameter and eighteen inches high. The gas engine cylinder A
four inches in diameter and about fifteen inches stroke. The gas generator Q,
twelve inches in diameter and twelve inches high The gas holder N, ten inches
in diameter and ten inches high.
A smaller machine by a more frequent working of the gas engine will supply
the same number of lights whilst a larger machine will not require the gas engine
to be worked so frequently.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the system mode or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or carried out in practice as communicated to me by my Correspondent-
in conclusion it is to be understood that for the purposes of the said Invention
the use is not claimed of any particular volatile liquid or hydro-carbon, any such
liquids or hydrocarbons as are sufficiently volatile to saturate the air being
applicable nor is it desired to claim any particular disposition of the several parts
of the apparatus-the arrangement shewn on the drawings being only that which
it is preferred to adopt nor is it desired to claim the use of wick or like material
to expose a large surface to the air passing through the generator Q, but what is
considered to be novel and original and is therefore claimed as the Invention
secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is
First. In the manufacture of air gas, the application of heat, obtained by the

page_text: combustion of a portion of the gas produced, to the generator in order to ensure
the supersaturation with hydro carbon vapours of the air passing therethrough
substantially as herein before described
Second. In the manufacture of air gas the employment of a cooling worm to
condense out or remove any excess of hydro carbon vapours which might otherwise
be deposited in the service pipes, substantially as described.
Third. In the manufacture of air gas the use or employment of a gas engine,
worked by a portion of the gas produced in the apparatus, to supply air for the
manufacture of the gas substantially as herein before set forth.
In Witness Whereof I the said George Macaulay-Cruikshank have hereunto
set my hand and seal the twenty-first day of November in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty three
GEO. MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK (L.S.)