Improved Acetylene Gas Generator.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 1st Jan.,
1898
Improved Acetylene Gas Generator.
I, JULIUS HEINRICH SCHULKE of No. 94 Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement: —
This invention relates to an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, such
apparatus consisting of a generator, a pressure-regulator and a receptacle acting
as pressure-feeder and condensator. The operation of the apparatus is greatly
simplified and made reliable by the combination of these three devices. The
generator is provided with carbide receptacles which are constructed in such
manner that an obstruction of the supply of water may not take place and the
water being fed below so that the upper layers of carbide first remain indecom-
posed and effect a drying of the acetylene gas which passes through same. Several
of such carbide receptacles are preferably combined in one generator and the
water-supply-openings are arranged stepwise one above the other so that the
receptacles do not act simultaneously but in successive order. The carbide recep-
tacles are arranged in such manner that they float during the time that they have
not generated any acetylene gas. The weight of the carbide is to be conveniently
proportioned or the carbide receptacles are to be more or less weighted or rendered
floating in such manner that they move downwards only on an adequate decrease
of the inner pressure and then operate for generating acetylene gas. In this
manner, the various parts or apparatus within the generator can only operate
in successive order, the generation of acetylene gas thereby being considerably
restricted and the intensity of the development of acetylene gas being capable of
regulation by varying the depth of immersion of the various receptacles. The
carbide receptacles may be preferably provided with suitable marks indicating
the height of the water inlets so that it can be readily seen in which apparatus
the carbide is consumed.
In the accompanying drawings such an apparatus is shown as an example:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section and partly elevation of the apparatus,
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the generator and
Figs. 3-6 show constructive details.
In
The generator consists of a water receptacle B resting upon supports A.
this receptacle, a convenient number of generating vessels are inserted, each of
which communicates with a gas pipe D connected with a pipe E leading to a recep-
tacle acting as pressure-feeder. The latter consists of a vessel F filled with water
and a moveable bell G which is suitably weighted. In the vessel F, a
pipe in
the form of a condensing coil is provided which communicates with the pipe E
and is adapted to separate the steam which is carried along with the acetylene
gas. The end of the condensing coil terminates in the upper part of the
bell G above the surface of the water. On about the same level a gas outlet pipe I
also terminates which leads to a pressure regulator E of any suitable construc-
tion with which the pipe L leading to the burners and the like communicates.

page_text: The main pipe E may be controlled by a cock E¹ and each pipe D by a cock D¹.
The carbide receptacles consist of cylindrical casings a of sheet-metal which
are perforated and open at both ends. Each casing a is inserted into a cylinder b
closed at the bottom and open at the top, such cylinder being surrounded by a
bell which is open at the bottom and closed at the top. The water in the vessel B
passes from below into this belle but since the same is in communication with
the interior of the carbide receptacle a the water can only rise as high as the
pressure of gas in the receptacle a and the bell e allows.
C
The bell is also provided with a gas outlet d with which the pipe D com-
municates.
The cylinder b is provided at a suitable height with an inlet opening b¹ (fig. 3).
The cylinder b is preferably removably connected with the belle by springs f
(figs. 3 and 4) so that both may be removed together. A pipe 62 communicating
with the opening is attached at the inner wall of the cylinder b, such pipe 63
being provided with a vertical series of holes 63 so that the water is prevented
from passing directly to the carbide but is supplied from below; by this arrange-
ment a decomposition of the carbide from below to the top and a drying of the
drawn-off gas by the upper pieces of carbide is secured.
The inlet openings for the water are preferably arranged stepwise or at
different levels so that the various carbide vessels are operated in successive order.
It is recommended to keep the water level in the receptacle B higher than the
bells since it is of moment that on refilling the generator, all the acetylene gas
escapes in this case only as much acetylene gas can be lost as is contained in the
pipes D and E.
The apparatus operates as follows:-
Before the generating of the acetylene gas commences, the carbide receptacles
float in such manner that the water penetrating into the belle may still not reach
the lowest water inlet-openings of the cylinder b.
On opening the cocks E and D', the carbide receptacles are brought into com-
munication with the gasometer G, whereby the pressure is counterbalanced and the
carbide receptacles sink until the lowest water inlet opening immerses below the
water level within the corresponding bell c and consequently water passes into
the first carbide receptacle and acetylene gas is generated.
When the gas pressure increases the carbide receptacle ascends again until the
supply of water is stopped, whereas when the gas pressure decreases on account of
consumption of gas, water flows into the carbide receptacle.
As long as the first carbide receptacle is in operation, the remaining carbide
receptacles cannot be set in operation, since by means of the gasometer, a counter-
balance of pressure takes place in such manner that the carbide receptacles whose
openings are situated at a higher level than that of the operating carbide recep-
tacle, cannot sink to such an extent that their openings immerse below the water
level equal to all bells.
In case the first carbide receptacle is exhausted so that a development of gas
may no longer take place all the carbide receptacles sink until the subsequent
generating vessel begins to operate. The pressure prevailing in the gasometer G
may be varied as desired by means of a suitable weight or the pressure regulator K.
By increasing the pressure the carbide receptacles may be rendered inoperative
and by decreasing the pressure the carbide receptacles are set in operation. On
the apparatus acting automatically the pressure regulator also serves for equaliz-
ing the differences in pressure.
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. Improved acetylene gas generator characterized by the combination of a
generator, a pressure feeder, and a pressure regulator in such manner that by

page_text: decreasing the pressure in the pressure feeder the generator may be set in opera-
tion and by increasing the pressure the former may be rendered inoperative sub-
stantially as described and shown in the drawings.
2. In the acetylene gas generator as described in claim 1, the arrangement of
carbide receptacle which Hoat in a water vessel B and communicates with the
pressure feeder G in such manner that by a decrease of pressure they are set in
operation and on the pressure being increased they are rendered inoperative, the
water inlet openings of such receptacles being preferably arranged at various
heights stepwise in such manner that the carbide receptacles operate in succession
substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
J. H. SCHÜLKE.
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, Agent.
LOOK
Con