Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1998-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1899
I, LUIGI TROUBETZKOY, residing at Via Canova 11, Milan, Italy, Civil Engineer,
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 follow-
ing statement:—
This invention relates to apparatus for generating acetylene gas, and the object
thereof, is to provide an improved apparatus of this class which is simple in con-
struction and operation, and wherein the calcic carbide which is employed for
the generation of the gas is sub-divided or placed in separate receptacles, one
above the other, whereby I do away with the great inconvenience of an undivided
charge of this material which can only with great difficulty be made to yield
all the acetylene gas it is capable of producing when not separated in this manner,
by reason of the fact that when subjected to the action of water a crust of lime
forms thereon, which tends to prevent further contact between the water and the
calcic carbide. By this arrangement an estimate may also be made with almost
absolute accuracy of the volume of gas produced from the calcic carbide, with
the result that the gasometer is invariably capable of containing all the gas
evolved without subjecting it to undue pressure, and by means of this arrange-
ment it is impossible that there should ever be production of gas for which
there would not be abundant room in the gasometer which is a serious objection
to apparatus of this class as usually constructed in which there is a constant
danger that the gasometer may become over charged.
A further advantage of my construction, consists in the automatic devices
which I employ for controlling the flow of the water which is admitted to the
calcic carbide in the generator, and in the use of a hydraulic scal for the
generator, which feature renders it possible to recharge the generator without
interfering with, or suspending the operation of illumination, it being merely
necessary to close a valve in a pipe which connects the generator with the
gasometer in order to recharge the generator.
A further advantage of my improved apparatus consists in the simplicity of
its construction whereby it is possible for any one to make and operate the
same, or manage it when constructed; and the invention is fully disclosed in.
the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part
in which the separate parts of my improved apparatus are designated by the
same numerals of reference in each of the views, and in which:-
Fig. 1, is a side view of said apparatus; and,
Fig. 2, a section on the line 2, 2, of Fig. 1.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a gasometer which consists of the
usual cylindrical casing or receiver 5, which is filled or partially filled with
water in the usual manner, and in which is placed a vertically movable pressure
drum 6, which is open at the bottom and closed at the top, and which is pro-
vided with the usual guide rollers 7, and one or more counter-balance weights 8,
which are passed over suitable pulleys 9, and connected with said drum as
shown at 10, all these features of construction however, are the same as those
usually employed and form no part of this invention.
"

page_text: In the construction of the generator I employ, a cylindrical casing 11, which
is provided near its lower end with a transverse partition plate 12, and in which
is placed a tubular receptacle 13, which is open at the top, and closed at the
bottom, and between which and the cylindrical casing 11, is an annular
chamber 14.
I also employ a supplemental tubular receptacle 15, which is closed at the
bottom and open at the top, and placed in the tubular receptacle 15. is a plura-
lity of small cylindrical boxes or receptacles which as shown in the drawing,
are four in number, and which are designated by the reference numerals 16, 17, 18,
and 19, and these boxes or receptacles decrease in size from the bottom upwardly,
and the box or receptacle 18, is so formed as to enter or rest upon the top of
the box or receptacle 19, the box or receptacle 17, in the top of the box or
receptacle 18, and the upper box or receptacle 16, in the top of the box
or receptacle 17, and each of these boxes or receptacles 16, 17, and 18, is pro-
vided near the top thereof, with an annular row of perforations 20.
The cylindrical casing 11, is enlarged at the top so as to form an annular
chamber 21, and the said casing and said annular chamber 21, are adapted to
be filled with water.
The second part of the generator consists of a tubular casing 22, which is
provided at or near the middle portion thereof, with a partition plate 23, by
means of which a water receptacle 24, is formed, and the lower end of the
casing 22, is open, and is adapted to enter the annular chamber 14, between
the tubular receptacle 13, and the cylindrical casing 11, and said water recep-
tacle 24, is provided with a removable cover 25, and at each side thereof, with
handles 26, and the casing 22, in which the water receptacle 24, is formed is
supported in the position shown in Fig. 2, by side arms or brackets 27, which
are secured thereto, and which rest on the bottom of the annular chamber 21.
I also provide a pipe 28, which is bent transversely of the casing 22, and both
ends of which are passed therethrough into the water receptacle 24, and one
end of this pipe is passed downwardly through the centre of the partition
plate 23, which constitutes the bottom of the water receptacle 24, and is pro-
vided with a discharge nozzle 29, which terminates directly over the box or
receptacle 16, and placed in the pipe 28, outside of the casing 22, is a valve 30,
with which is connected a lever 31, the outer end of which is weighted as shown
at 32, and the inner end of which is provided with a curved arm 33, which is
adapted to be operated by a rod 34, which is secured to the top of the drum 6,
and which is provided with an arm 35.
Extending from at or near the top of the receptacle 13, within the cylindrical
casing 11, of the generator is a pipe 36, which extends through the annular
chamber 14, and through the bottom 12, of the cylindrical casing 11, and out
through the side thereof, as shown at 37, and this pipe 36, connects with a con-
denser 38, of any preferred form, which is provided at one side with a pipe 39,
through which the water of condensation and other material may be drawn
off, and this pipe 39, is provided with a valve 40, and a pipe 41, is connected
with the end of the condenser 38, opposite that with which the pipe 36, com-
municates, and the pipe 41, passes into the bottom of the gasometer, and connects
with an upright pipe 42, placed therein in the usual manner, said pipe 42, being
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the pipe 41, is provided with a valve 43.
The pipe 42, constitutes the supply pipe of the gasometer, and I also provide
a discharge pipe 44, which is also shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and with the
lower end of which is connected a pipe 45, which extends through the bottom
of the gasometer, and in which is placed a valve 46, the pipe 45, being intended
as a supply pipe by means of which the gas is conveyed from gasometer to the
mains or pipes for use.
The boxes or receptacles 16, 17, 18 and 19. are supported one above the other
in the generator in any desired manner, and the tubular receptacle 15, is
removable, and whenever it is desired to charge the generator, the upper portion

page_text: which consists of the casing 22, is removed, and the tubular receptacle 15, is
also removed, and the boxes or receptacles 16, 17, 18, and 19, are separated and
filled or partially filled with calcic carbide, and whenever it is desired to operate
the apparatus, the casing 22, containing the water receptacle 24, is placed in
position, and said receptacle is filled or partially filled with water.
The valve 43, in the pipe 41, is then opened, and the water flows through the
pipe 28, into the upper box or receptacle 16, and this flow may be regulated
by the nozzle 29, as may be desired.
The gas is generated by the water coming in contact with the calcic carbide
in said box or receptacle 16, and passes through the tube 36, into the gasometer,
and the water will continue to flow through the pipe 28, until the drum 6, of
the gasometer rises so as to operate the lever 31, and cut off the flow of the water,
and when said drum sinks to a pre-determined position, said lever will be
operated, the valve 30, will be opened and the flow of water will be recommenced.
By the time the box or receptacle 16, is filled with water, the calcic carbide
therein, will have lost its strength or be exhausted, and the water will flow out
through the perforations 20, in the top thereof, or over the top thereof, and down
into the box or receptacle 17, and this operation will be continued until the
entire charge of the calcic carbide is exhausted.
As long as there is calcic carbide in the generator, the production of gas will
be uniform, and the top of the drum 6, will not fall more than about six inches
above the level of the water in the receiver 5, and when the drum falls more than
this amount, it is a very evident sign that the calcic carbide is exhausted.
In order to recharge the generator, the lever 31, is turned so that it will stand
vertical, and be free from the spring 35, of the rod 34, which is connected with
the drum 6, and this operation cuts off the flow of the water.
The valve 43, is then closed, and the valve 40, opened in order that the air
may pass so as to fill the vacuum which is caused by lifting or removing the
casing 22, said casing 22, is then lifted or removed and the generator is again
recharged as herein before described after which the separate parts of the generator
are again connected, and the apparatus is ready for operation, the valves 39, 43, .
and 46, being manipulated as will be readily understood.
My improved apparatus is simple in construction and operation, and it will
be apparent that the apparatus may be made of any desired capacity, the capacity
of said apparatus depending entirely on the size of the generator.
It will be apparent that many changes in, and modifications of the construction
herein described may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention
or sacrificing its advantages, and my invention is not therefore limited to the
construction, combination and arrangement of the separate parts thereof, as
herein shown and described.
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. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination with a
gasometer, of a generator, consisting of a casing which is open at the top, a
receptacle placed therein which is also open at the top, a plurality of boxes
placed in said receptacle, one above the other, and each of which is open at the
top said boxes being each adapted to receive a charge of calcic carbide, and
means for feeding water into the upper box, and for conveying the gas into the
gasometer, substantially as shown and described.
2. In apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination with a gaso-
meter, of a generator consisting of a casing which is open at the top, a receptacle
which is placed therein, and also open at the top, a plurality of boxes or recep-
tacles mounted in said first named receptacle, one of which is placed above the
other, and said boxes or receptacles decreasing in size from the bottom upwardly,
a water receptacle, consisting of a casing which is provided with a transverse

page_text: partition and the lower end of which is open, said open lower end being adapted
to be inserted into said casing, and to enclose said receptacle, and devices for
feeding the water into said boxes or receptacles, and for conveying the gas into
the gasometer, substantially as shown and described.
3. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination with a
gasometer, of a generator consisting of a casing which is open at the top, a
receptacle which is placed therein, and also open at the top, a plurality of boxes
or receptacles mounted in said first named receptacle, one of which is placed
above the other, and said boxes or receptacles decreasing in size from the
bottom upwardly, a water receptacle, consisting of a casing which is provided
with a transverse partition and the lower end of which is open, said lower end
being adapted to be inserted into said casing, and to enclose said receptacle, and
devices for feeding the water into said boxes or receptacles, and for conveying
the gas into the gasometer, the devices for feeding the water being operated
by the vertically movable drum of the gasometer, substantially as shown and
described.
4. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination with a
gasometer, of a generator connected herewith by means of a pipe a condenser
placed in said pipe, said generator consisting of a bottom casing, and a removable
upper portion, in which is formed a water chamber the lower end of the remov-
able upper portion being open and adapted to enter said bottom portion, a
removable receptacle which is open at the top, and adapted to be inserted into
said bottom portion, and a plurality of boxes which are placed in said receptacle
one above the other, and each of which is open at its upper end, and means for
feeding water into said boxes or receptacles successively, substantially as shown
and described.
5. In an apparatus for generating acetylene gas, the combination with a
bottom casing, which is open at the top, and an upper casing which is provided
with a transverse partition, and which is open at the bottom, and adapted to
enter said bottom casing, said bottom casing being also provided with a recep-
tacle which is open at the top, a supplemental receptacle which is placed therein,
and also open at the top, and a plurality of boxes placed in said supplemental
receptacle one above the other, each of said boxes being open at the top and
being adapted to receive calcic carbide, and means for feeding water into the
upper box, and for allowing it to flow into each successive box, substantially as
shown and described.
C. In a gas generator, the combination of a bottom receptacle which is open
at the top, an upper receptacle which is open at the bottom and provided with
a transverse partition whereby a water chamber is formed in the upper part
thereof, a receptacle which is placed in the bottom portion of the generator, and
open at the top, and a supplemental receptacle, placed. therein, and open at the
top, and a plurality of boxes which are adapted to receive calcic carbide said
boxes being placed in said supplemental receptacle, and means for feeding water
successively into said boxes, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 15th day of November 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.