Improvements in Acetylene Lamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Acetylene Lamps.
I, FRANCIS MURRAY ROGERS, Fellow of the. Chemical Society and Member
of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Consulting Engineer, Electrician and
Patent Agent, of No. 21, Finsbury Pavement, in the City of London, (a com-
munication from Sir Charles Stewart Forbes, Baronet, of Castle Newe, Strathdon,
N.B., temporarily residing at Dinard, France,) do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in improvements in acetylene lamps and is carried out
as follows:
The body, generator, stem and foot of the type of lamp hereinafter described
may conveniently be spun or cast in brass or any other suitable metal, the
respective parts being joined up by soldering, screwing or in any other equiva-
lent manner. If brass or other metal or alloy containing copper or silver be
emploved, it is important that all parts thereof in contact with the acetylene gas
should be tinned.
The type of lamp hereinafter described is suitable for table use, or positions
similar thereto. The operative parts however are not confined to this particular
type of construction.
I form, by casting or spinning in metal, a chamber, and at a suitable point
thereon I secure, as by soldering, a metallic diaphragm which divides it into
two parts of suitable proportions. A central hole is bored in the diaphragm,
and into this is fitted and secured by soldering or the like means, a tube of sav
1 or 2 inches in diameter, more or less as the construction may demand. This
tube passes upwards to the top of the chamber, and is there secured and made
airtight by a screwed gland and packing. The top of the gland is preferably
dome shaped, fitted with wings, and tapped so as to permit an ordinary gas cock,
fitted with a burner, to be screwed into it on its upper side. A depending tube
connects the upper part of the chamber, which is charged with water through
an opening having a perforated cover, with the lower part. Into the base of the
chamber is screwed and packed a dripping tube, which rises upwardly nearly to
the top of the dome shaped gland. This dripping tube is perforated in a suit-
able position diagonally. The hole thus formed is tapped, and arranged so that
an inlet nozzle of any desired size may be inserted for the purpose of regulating
the supply of water more effectually.
To a boss cast or otherwise formed on the underside of this compound chamber
just described, is screwed an oval or cup shaped generator, the reverse or lower
end being mounted preferably upon a stout metallic foot, which may conveniently
be loaded with lead to further ensure stability.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
The generator is unscrewed, charged with calcium carbide, or an equivalent
compound capable of liberating acetylene under the action of water, and re-
placed. The upper part of the chamber is charged with water, and the gas cock

page_text: turned on.
The water descends through the depending tube, and rises in the air
chamber until it covers the small hole formed in the inlet nozzle mounted
diagonally in the dripping tube. Owing to the particular formation of the end
of this tube, or by means of a distributor attached thereto, the water is com-
pelled to flow in small drops upon the carbide, thereby inducing an even produc-
tion of gas, which rises through the dripping tube and flows over its upper end
into the air vessel.
If from any cause, such for instance as the insertion in error of too
large a nozzle, or inferior carbide, an undue liberation of gas takes place,
the increased pressure in the air vessel drives the water hack into the cistern
and the further supply of gas is arrested.
The dripping tube can be instantly removed for cleaning by unscrewing the
gland cover fitted with wings as described, or the dripping tube may be screwed
into the base of the chamber from beneath-thus dispensing with the gland.
Dated this 24th day of May 1898.
Improvements in Acetylene Lamps.
I, FRANCIS MURRAY ROGERS. Fellow of the Chemical Society and Member
of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Consulting Engineer, Electrician and
Patent Agent, of No. 21. Finsbury Pavement, in the City of London, (a com-
munication from Sir Charles Stewart Forbes, Baronet, of Castle Newe, Strathdon.
N.B., temporarily residing at Dinard, France,) 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:-
My invention consists in improvements in acetylene lamps, and is carried out
as follows:-
The body, generator, stem and foot of the type of lamp hereinafter described
may conveniently be spun or cast in brass or any other suitable metal, the
respective parts being joined up by soldering, screwing or in any other equiva-
lent manner. If brass or other metal or alloy containing copper or silver be
employed, it is important that all parts thereof in contact with the acetylene gas
should be tinned.
The type of lamp hereinafter described is suitable for table use, or positions
similar thereto. The operative parts however are not confined to this particular
type of construction, but will apply even to cases where the generating part is
wholly separate from the portion serving as lamp as in the case of large in-
stallations with a separate generator.
I form, by casting or spinning in metal, a chamber, and at a suitable point
thereon I secure, as by soldering a metallic diaphragm which divides it into
two parts of suitable proportions. A central hole is bored in the diaphragm,
and into this is fitted and secured by soldering or the like means, a tube of say
1 or 2 inches in diameter, more or less as the construction may demand. This
tube passes upwards to the top of the chamber, and is there secured and made
airtight by a screwed gland and packing. The top of the gland is preferably
dome shaped, fitted with wings, and tapped so as to permit an ordinary gas cock,
fitted with a burner, to be screwed into it on its upper side. A depending tube
connects the upper part of the chamber, which is charged with water through
an opening having a perforated cover, with the lower part. Into the base of the
chamber is screwed and packed a dripping tube, which rises upwardly nearly to

page_text: the top of the dome shaped gland. This dripping tube is perforated in a suit-
able position diagonally. The hole thus formed is tapped, and arranged so that
an inlet nozzle of any desired size may be inserted for the purpose of regulating
the supply of water more effectually.
To a boss cast or otherwise formed on the underside of this compound chamber
just described, is screwed an oval or cup shaped generator, the reverse or lower
end being mounted preferably upon a stout metallic foot, which may conveniently
be loaded with lead to further ensure stability.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
The generator is unscrewed, charged with calcium carbide, or an equivalent
compound capable of liberating acetylene under the action of water, and re-
placed. The upper part of the chamber is charged with water, and the gas cock
turned on.
The water descends through the depending tube, and rises in the air
chamber until it covers the small hole formed in the inlet nozzle mounted
diagonally in the dripping tube. Owing to the particular formation of the end
of this tube, or by means of a distributor attached thereto, the water is com-
pelled to flow in small drops upon the carbide, thereby inducing an even produc-
tion of gas, which rises through the dripping tube and flows over its upper end
into the air vessel.
If from any cause, such for instance as the insertion in error of too
large a nozzle, or inferior carbide, an undue liberation of gas takes place,
the increased pressure in the air vessel drives the water back into the cistern
and the further supply of gas is arrested.
The dripping tube can be instantly removed for cleaning by unscrewing the
gland cover fitted with wings as described, or the dripping tube may be screwed
into the base of the chamber from beneath-thus dispensing with the gland.
To enable my invention to be more clearly understood I will now proceed to
explain the same more particularly by means of the accompanying drawings, in
which
.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a complete lamp.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of dripping tube and nozzle.
Fig. 3 is a plan of screwed cap.
Fig. 4 is a view of dripping tube and distributor.
Fig. 5 shews dripping tube screwed through bottom.
In the drawing, is the cistern; in this is soldered or otherwise secured a
diaphragm 1, which divides the lamp cistern into two parts of suitable propor-
tions. A central hole is bored in the diaphragm, and into this is fitted and
secured by soldering or like means a tube 4 of say 1 or 2 inches diameter,
more or less as the construction may demand. This tube passes to the top of the
chamber or cistern, and is there secured and made airtight by means of a screwed
gland and cap 2, engaging with a thread 5 formed in the cover 1b and rubber
or other packing 16. The top of the gland or cover 2 is preferably dome-shaped
and fitted with wings 3. It is moreover drilled and tapped so as to permit an
ordinary gas cock 6, nipple 7 and shade holder 8, to be screwed into it.
The cistern or chamber 1, cover 1b, base 1, generator 14, stem 1º, and foot 1'
may be cast in any suitable metal such as brass, or they may be spun: the respec-
tive parts being united by soldering, screwing, or equivalent means. I find it
desirable that all parts of the apparatus incontact with the carbide or the
acetylene gas evolved therefrom should be tinned.
A depending tube 9 connects the upper part of the chamber 1 which is charged
with water through an opening or filling hole 10 covered with gauze of small
mesh 11, and fitted with a screwed cap 12, in which is formed a small vent
hole 13, with the lower part. Into the base of the cistern or chamber is secured
by screwing as at 5, and a resilient washer 16, a dripping tube 14 which rises
upwardly nearly to the top of the dome-shaped gland or cover 2. For the ready
removal and replacement of this tube I prefer to form its upper end with a
hexagon shaped head 14", to which a spanner or key may be fitted. This dripping

page_text: tube is perforated in a suitable position diagonally, the hole thus formed being
tapped and arranged so that an inlet nozzle 15, threaded as at 5 and perforated
with a small hole of suitable size 15ª may be inserted for the purpose of regu-
lating the supply of water to the carbide more effectually. To a boss 17, cast
or otherwise formed, on the underside of this compound chamber is screwed
an oval or cup-shaped generator 1d, the lower end of which is mounted prefer-
ably upon a stem 1e stepped into a stout metallic foot 1', which may conveniently
be loaded with lead 18 to ensure stability.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
The generator 1 is unscrewed, charged with calcium carbide or an equivalent
compound or substance capable of liberating acetylene gas when acted upon by
water, and replaced. Water is poured into the upper chamber 1 through the
filling hole 10, and the gas cock 6 turned on so as to remove the air from the tube
and space beneath the diaphragm. The water descends through the tube 9 and
rises in the tube 4 until it covers the small hole 15 formed in the nozzle 15
mounted diagonally in the dripping tube 14. The end of this tube is preferably
cut away obliquely as at 19 or a distributor as at 20 Fig. 4 may be removably
attached to it by means of a split tube 20¹ so that the water is compelled to
flow in small drops upon the carbide, thereby inducing an even production of gas,
which rises through the dripping tube and flows over its upper end into the air
pressure vessel 4. If, from any cause such for instance as the insertion of a nozzle
having too large a hole or inferior carbide, an undue liberation of gas takes
place, the increase of pressure in the air vessel drives the water back through the
depending tube 9 into the cistern 1 and the water falling below the level of the
nozzle the further supply of gas is arrested.
Several very important advantages arise from the particular constructional
arrangement herein described, for instance all the operative parts of the lamp
are readily accessible for cleaning or replacement. The screwed nipple can be
instantly changed for a size adapted for admitting a greater or less amount of
water, and thus producing a greater or less amount of light, as may be required,
or I may employ more than one lateral aperture if required.
In some cases I may screw the dripping tube 14 in through the base of the
lamp, as shewn in Fig. 5 and thus dispense with the gland and screwed cover.
In adapting my invention for the construction of larger types of acetylene
plant where separate generators are used the relative position of the operative
parts of the generator are to be observed but a separate gas service pipe (pre-
ferably communicating direct with the generating chamber) and means for
readily introducing and removing the carbide will be required as will be under-
stood by those acquainted with the art.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1.) The combination in or with a lamp constructed so as to burn acetylene
gas, of a water cistern and a gas vessel communicating with the interior thereof,
a generator adapted to contain carbide of calcium and arranged below said
cistern, and a tube extending from said generator up into said gas vessel, and
provided with a removeable threaded dripping nozzle; the respective parts co-
operating in the way and manner and for the purposes specified.
(2.) The combination in or with a lamp burning acetylene gas formed by the
action of water upon calcium carbide as described herein of a dripping tube
screwed into the base of cistern and having a removeable dripping nozzle
threaded therein for the purpose of adjusting at will the volume of water passing
to the carbide, such dripping tube delivering the water at or about the centre of
the vertical tube so as to compel the water to fall in drops, all as described and
operating as set forth.
(3.) In an acetylene lamp constructed and operating as herein described, the

page_text: combination of the gas vessel mounted in the diaphragm, and fitting into the
screwed cap and gland, the tube fitted with a removeable dripping nozzle and
connecting the generator with said vessel and the depending tube opening com-
munication above and below the diaphragm, the respective parts co-operating
for the purposes specified.
(4.) In an acetylene lamp the combination of a dripping tube fitted with a
removeable nozzle and adapted to be screwed through the base of the lamp sub-
stantially as shewn in Fig. 5.
(5.) In a concentrically arranged acetylene generator a central tube opening
into the generator space through which the gas ascends, the said tube having
one or more lateral apertures through which water enters and drips into the
generator substantially as described.
(6.) In a concentrically arranged acetylene generator the herein described
symmetrical arrangement enabling the gas delivery tube, dripping nozzle, cap,
burner, and gas cock to be easily removeable as described.
(7.) The herein described improved acetylene lamp and generator.
Dated this 21th do. of Wah1000
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for the Applicant,
21, Finsbury Pavement, in the City of London, E.C.