Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1898
Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene.
We, CARL HEINRICH PETER SCHLUTER, Hotel Proprietor, and CARL LOUIS
FRIEDRICH LUDEMANN, Engineer, both of No. 52, Sieldeich Strasse, Veddel, Hamburg,
Germany, 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 an improved apparatus for generating acetylene which is
entirely disconnected from the gasholder and in which the water is automatically
supplied to the calcium carbide.
The proportion of the calcium carbide to the water is very small, so that over
heating and consequent danger during the working of the apparatus are avoided.
The accompanying drawing shows one form of the generator in vertical section.
It consists of a container a provided with a sloping bottom b. In the centre of the
container is a rod c fixed to the centre point of the bottom and serving as a guide for
a float d which ascends with the level of the water admitted into the container. The
bottom b also carries an upright frame e constructed of angle-iron or the like and
having scoops or similar holders k pivotted by pins g in slots f in one of the sides of
the angle iron. These scoops contain the calcium carbide and are retained in a
horizontal position by means of spring or flexible engaging arms i made of wire or
metal strips. These arms are pivotted at the points h and have hooked shaped ends
which catch the oblique side of the scoops and hold the latter in the desired
position.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:- -The water enters the container through
and when risen to a certain height raises the float d; when the latter is passing the
lowest scoops the projection m which is fixed to the float raises the engaging arm i so
that the scoop kis liberated, and, falling by the weight of calcium carbide in it,
precipitates its contents into the water. Acetylene is thus evolved and passes
through the perforated or sieve covered portion u of the top of the container and
through a filter n to the gas holder by way of the pipe o. When the gas holder bell
is in its raised position water ceases to flow into the generator, but begins again when
the gas has been withdrawn from the gas holder so that the float is raised and further
portions of carbide are precipitated from the scoops.
A pressure gauge p shows the pressure, and an adjustable safety valve q permits of
escape of gas in case of over pressure. The water level in the container is shewn by
the gauge glass r. The cover s permits renewal of the filtering material and access
to the container for recharging the scoops k is afforded by the man-hole t.
It is advantageous to have two generators in connection with one gas holder, so that
the one may be recharged while the other is at work. The sludge cock x situated at
the lowest portion of the container serves for the removal of the residue from the
calcium carbide. By adding small quantities of calcium carbide to a large quantity
of water the danger of over heating, which may occur in generators where the water
I allowed to drop into the carbide, is avoided, and at the same time the evolution of
the gas proceeds quickly and uniformly.

page_text: The use of the separate scoops ensures a duration of working of any predetermined
length and adapts the apparatus on account of its simplicity particularly for places
where large quantities of gas are required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for generating acetylene wherein a float such as d in being gradually
raised by a water supply effects the successive liberation of a series of carbide vessels
such as k, that are held by catches, so that they discharge their contents into the
water, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for generating acetylene such as is referred to in the first claim, a
float such as d sliding on a guide rod c within a container a, which float is gradually
raised by the entering water and thereby effects the disengagement of catches i from
scoops k so that these in turning on their pivots discharge the carbide contained
therein into the water, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of March 1898.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.