Improvements in Acetylene and like Lamps and Generators.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Acetylene and like Lamps and Generators.
I, VICTOR POWERS, of 16, Saint Martin's Road, Stockwell, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows;-
―:
This invention relates to acetylene and like lamps and generators, and is
designed to avoid the variations in the pressure of the gas produced that are
experienced with ordinary lamps and generators. The said invention is also
designed to obtain a more even and gradual action of the water on the carbide,
and, generally, to provide a simple construction of lamp or generator which shall
be automatic in its action, shall require little or no attention when in use, and
shall provide a constant pressure without the use of a gasometer, simply by the
regular and equable generation of the gas.
Broadly speaking, the invention consists in the employment of a body of water
kept at a constant level and connected with the carbide receptacle in such a way
that drops of water will fall into the latter only as long as the pressure of the
gas is lower than the head of water, the water thus introduced being conducted
to a thick body or layer of sawdust, or other suitable material, through which it
penetrates and thus gradually reaches all parts of the charge of carbide.
In one form of lamp, the constant level of water is maintained in an inter-
mediate chamber, above which is the water reservoir, while below, is the carbide
container, which latter is surrounded by a water jacket communicating freely
with the intermediate chamber. Water is supplied to the latter from the reser-
voir on the "bird fountain" principle, an annular air space being left around
the outlet of the reservoir, which air space is open to the atmosphere through a
tube, or otherwise. A dip pipe leads from the bottom of the water jacket
through the top of the carbide container, and through this pipe water drips
into the latter as long as the gas pressure does not exceed the head of water in
the intermediate chamber. The dip pipe has a cock to enable it to be closed when
replenishing the container, while the outlet pipe for the gas is led up through
the water in the intermediate chamber, and then passes out to the burner,
which may be arranged inside a lamp body, or reflector of the usual kind.
The carbide charge is conveniently packed in cases consisting of an upper and
a lower portion fitting one into the other, and connected say by means of pro-
jections and inclined grooves. The charge may be formed of layers of carbide,
the lower of which rests between two layers of sawdust, and the upper of which
is also covered by saw dust. The top of the case is perforated for the escape of
the gas, and has a central tube for the drops of water to pass down. When the
case is to be used, the upper and lower portions are given say a half turn, which
moves them apart and brings the lower end of the said tube into the interme-
diate layer of saw dust, so that the drops of water do not fall directly on to
the carbide, but percolate to the same very gradually.
In another arrangement, the gas outlet pipe is carried upward through the

page_text: reservoir to the burner which is situated above the latter. The dip pipe, instead
of extending through the top of the carbide chamber, opens into the lower
enlarged end of an upright tube resting on the said chamber, but communi-
cating with the gas pipe. A narrow tube, opening into the carbide container,
extends a short distance into this upright tube, and the water ascending the dip
pipe flows over the narrow tube down into, the container. If, however, the gas
pressure should increase above the normal, it prevents the water rising to the
top of the said tube and so checks the formation of gas.
In this case the upright tube and the air tube for equalizing the air pressure
in the intermediate chamber, may be jointly controlled by a single cock situated
in the air space of this latter chamber.
Instead however of the cock being arranged in this way, it may be arranged on
the top of the water jacket, and the air pipe be led down ward through it. The
upright tube may, in this case, be dispensed with, and an arrangement of dip
pipe similar to that for the lamp first above mentioned be employed.
Moreover the lamp may be provided with two carbide containers one of which
can be used at a time. To this end, the passage for the water to the container
is controlled by a reversing cock or other like device, and the carbide cases
might be arranged to rest on their sides.
In a generator for lighting on a larger scale, the water reservoir is arranged
above a tank containing a gasometer, and the carbide containers are placed at
each side of the tank. The "bird fountain," or constant level device, is arranged
to supply either of the containers according to the position of a switch-cock
actuated by the falling movements of the gasometer, which latter is not intended
to regulate-the-pressure but simply to operate the switch cock, as explained.
To prevent escape of gas through either container during recharging, the gas
pipes are provided with downwardly bent ends so that the water in the gaso-
meter automatically seals the pipe from that container which is no longer supply-
ing gas. The gasometer has a narrow cylindrical extension or casing projecting
above it to accommodate the said downwardly bent ends.
Improvements in Acetylene and like Lamps and Generators.
I, VICTOR POWERS, late of 16, Saint Martin's Road, Stockwell, in the County
of Surrey, and now of 66, Lillie Road, West Brompton, in the County of London,
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 following statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
This invention relates to acetylene and like lamps and generators, and is
designed to avoid the variations in the pressure of the gas produced that are
experienced with ordinary lamps and generators. The said invention is also
designed to obtain a more even and gradual action of the water on the carbide,
and generally, to provide a simple construction of lamp or generator which shall
he automatic in its action, shall require little or no attention when in use, and

page_text: shall provide a constant pressure without the use of a gasometer, simply by the
regular and equable generation of the gas.
A lamp or generator constructed according to this invention comprises a gene-
rator proper arranged in the lower part thereof, a water reservoir in the upper
part, and an intermediate space or chamber in which that portion of the water
for directly supplying the generator is maintained at a constant level by a device
acting on the well known bird fountain principle. This bird-fountain device is
enclosed in the apparatus and is provided with a double-acting cock which con-
trols the communication between it and the atmosphere necessary for its opera-
tion, and also controls the flow of water from or to the said device. Thus the
water and the air are cut off simultaneously, and the danger of the water being
allowed to fill up the air space or to overflow accidentally, when refilling, is
entirely obviated, which is an important feature.
In combination with this lamp or generator, I employ a special carbide con-
tainer, such as hereinafter described.
And in order that my invention may be readily understood, I will describe
the same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of one form of lamp constructed accord-
ing to the invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view of another form of such a lamp.
Figure 3 shews a similar view of a light portable generator, suitable also as a
lamp.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, Figure 5 a transverse section,
Figure 6 a side elevation, and Figure 7 a plan of a larger generator.
Throughout the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding or
similar parts.
Referring more particularly to the lamp or generator shewn in Figure 1, a is
the generator proper, 6 the water reservoir, and the intermediate chamber in
which the "bird fountain" device is arranged.
From the part b an outer cylinder extends downward and fits over the
generator a, being connected therewith by wire clips 63, whilst the chamber c
fits within the said generator. Thus when the whole is placed in a vase, or other
vessel, containing water, as shewn in the drawing, a water seal is formed. between
the cylinder 6' and the generator, and escape of gas from the latter is prevented.
The constant level device comprises a tube or mouth d depending from the
reservoir and provided around its lower edge with gaps d¹ to allow the water
to flow out gently, and without gush, from the upper reservoir into the water
space of the intermediate chamber so as to keep the level in the latter constant
e is the double-acting cock of the said device, This cock has an axial pas-
sage e leading to the atmosphere, and a passage e controlling a supply pipe f
by which the water flows to the generator.
g is the special carbide container, which consists of two parts fitting telescopi-
cally one inside the other, and connected by small bosses or pins gl working in
inclined grooves g³, so that whilst the container can be lengthened by a partial
tuin of its parts, it will, in its normal condition, hold its contents intact without
shaking and can be readily made airtight by a paper cover or seal.
This con-
struction provides a container which is convenient and cleanly for the user and
enables him to readily lengthen it before use, so as to allow room for the carbide
to expand during the reaction.
The container has a perforated central tube g³ adapted to receive a depending
tube h which surrounds the supply pipe f, and has a perforation h¹ for the water
to pass through to the generator, its lower end being closed by a pointed plug /³.
The tube f has, at its lower end, a plug with a fine perforation f¹ to partly
restrain the flow of water.
The tube g³ is itself surrounded by a sheath g of blotting paper, or the like,
which equalizes the diffusion of the water into the carbide, and which I have
found more satisfactory then the sawdust layers referred to in my Provisional

page_text: Specification. In this case the carbide is simply packed in a mass in the con-
tainer.
The water flows down the tube f and up the surrounding tube h, and overflows
through the orifice into the perforated tube g³, whence it percolates through
the sheath into the carbide.
i is the gas delivery tube which leads up to the burner. It passes through
the water in order to cool the gas, and has an enlarged opening where it meets
the dome-shaped base of the chamber c, to prevent risk of the pipe getting
choked by condensed moisture.
k is a filling and emptying orifice which is closed airtight by a screw plug.
The action of the lamp is as follows:-
:-
As long as the cock e is closed, no water will enter the generator, this being
the condition when a fresh container is being placed in position and the water
reservoir is being filled.
When, however, the cock is opened water will flow into the generator a and the
production of gas will commence instantly, the gas passing out through the blot-
ting paper sheath and the perforated tube g³, whereby it is filtered and finds
its way into the space above the container. The resulting back pressure of the
gas acting through the orifice h¹ will gradually diminish the inflow of water, and
under these conditions the generation of the gas will proceed in a perfectly even
manner, as the slightest excess of pressure will serve to further diminish such
inflow until the water which has already flowed into the generator begins to
be used up. Then, as soon as the pressure-falls slightly, the water will enter the
generator in increased quantity and the production of the gas will be corre-
pondingly-quickened until the normal pressure is restored and the entry of water
will be again checked. Thus the gas pressure is controlled-by-causing-it-to
counteract the head of water existing between the level at the bird fountain
device and the orifice h¹.
Referring now to the lamp shewn in Figure 2, this comprises substantially a
similar arrangement of parts, save that no vase is necessary, and the cock e here
controls the flow of water into the constant level chamber, instead of controlling
the flow therefrom, as in the first arrangement. To this end the cock is
arranged transversely of the reservoir mouth d whilst its axial air passage el
acts, as before, to open, or close, the communication between the bird fountain
and the atmosphere. Moreover, an air jacket 7 having ventilation apertures
is formed around the generator portion a and the carbide container I is secured
in place by a screw threaded joint near the base of the said generator portion,
a handle g being provided to facilitate manipulation during screwing in and out.
The carbide container g shown in this form of lamp differs from that previously
described in that it is not telescopic, and is designed so that the user of the lamp
can re-charge it when necessary. To this end it consists of a plain casing with
a central tube g³ and a removable cover g with an aperture corresponding to
said tube. The re-charging is effected by removing this cover, but care is to be
taken that the charge only occupies a little more than half the interior space
to allow room for expansion.
Referring now to the generator shewn in Figure 3, the construction of this
embodies the same features as found in the first arrangement, but in this case
the reservoir b and the constant level chamber c are made annular and surround
a cylindrical casing a¹ extending upward above the generator a which is also
cylindrical and has a false bottom a². The carbide, in this instance, is contained
in an annular casing 98, and the arrangement is completed by a gas-bell g
placed over the generator and immersed in a body of water surrounding the same
and serving both as a water seal and as a cooling medium.
Inside the gas-bell is a hollow metal casing 10 which is designed merely to
fill up the expansion space above the carbide and displace the air therefrom. It
should be understood that the purpose of this gas-bell is not so much to regulate
the gas pressure as to provide a cover for the generator which will rise auto-

page_text: matically to allow for the expansion of the carbide, besides which it serves to
store up the after make of gas consequent on turning off the light. The cock e
1s in this instance situated outside the casing of the generator and controls an air
communication from its axial passage c through a casing e³ and orifice e lead-
ing to the bird fountain. It also controls a water pipe 7, leading into a larger
bent tube f, which latter extends up into the annular space in the generator and
is provided with perforations through which the water percolates to the carbide
through apertures f in the inner wall of the container. The gas delivery pas-
sage i, in this instance, extends downward to near the bottom of the apparatus,
then horizontally, and finally upward through the water so as to effectually cool
the gas, which flows in the direction shewn by the arrows.
The connection between the water reservoir and the constant level device is
effected through apertures d', whilst the water around the generator communi-
cates by a tube m with a filling mouth m¹.
It will be obvious that lamps or generators such as above described may bu
readily adapted for use on cycles.
In the larger generator for household and other like purposes, shewn in
Figures 4 to 7, a pair of generators a with gas bells, such as just described, are
employed, and are arranged to operate alternately. The space around these
generators forms the constant level chamber, the bird fountain being constituted
by a tube d above the filling-mouth m'. Or the level may, in this case, be kept
constant by a ball cock arrangement.
means
The generators are brought into action alternately, or successively, by
of a gas bell n into which the gas delivery pipes from the generators are led.
These pipes open into a small space n' surrounded by a filling casing n² in the
upper part of the gas bell, and the gas is led away from this space for use by a
pipe n³. When a generator is working normally, the gas bell is kept raised up
against a ring-shaped weight n which acts then as a stop, but yet allows of a
further rise of the bell to take up the after-make when the delivery is stopped.
Upon a generator giving out, the gas bell begins to sink, and in doing so operates
a switch cock o, as hereinafter described, and thus shuts off the water supply from
the exhausted generator and switches on the other one, the supply to these gene-
rators being conducted through a pair of pipes f¹ from the space c.
Obviously, instead of only two generators, three or more may be used, and
allowed to act in succession, or if desired only a single container may be used.
The means whereby the switch cock is operated, is as follows: Mounted on
the cock stem is a weighted arm p carrying a pawl padapted to engage
toothed wheel p³ also mounted on the cock stem. Each time this arm descends,
its pawl engages one of the teeth of the wheel p2 and gives the cock a partial
rotation so as to reverse the connections of the pipes f,i. The arm, in its turn,
is operated by a pawl q, on a lever q' which is connected by a chain q² with a
weight hanging above the gas bell. As the latter rises, the weight is raised,
and consequently allows the lever to descend into its lowest position so that the
pawl thereon will engage the arm p. When, however, the gas-bell sinks, the
weight being no longer supported, pulls the lever q¹ up to a stop q* and simul-
taneously the said lever lifts the weighted arm p. Just before the lever q¹
reaches the stop however, its pawl slips off the arm (owing to said arm and lever
working on different centres) and the latter falls into its lowest position. In
this movement its pawl pl engages a fresh tooth of the wheel p² and again operates
the cock.
a
The water supply pipe f¹, and the gas delivery pipe i of each generator, are
led to a cock r which controls them both, so that they can be opened, or closed,
simultaneously when a generator is to be re-charged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is:
1. An acetylene lamp or generator in which a constant water level is main-

page_text: tained on the bird fountain principle for the purpose of balancing the gas.
pressure and so ensuring an equable production of gas without the use of water.
regulating valves, said bird fountain device having a double-acting cock control-
ling simultaneously its communication with the atmosphere and the flow of water
to or from it, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A carbide container having its parts connected telescopically
by small
bosses or pins working in inclined grooves, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. An acetylene lamp or generator having its carbide container provided with
a cover arranged to rise and fall like a gas-bell, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 3, and for the purpose set forth.
4. The arrangement for causing two or more acetylene generators to be auto-
matically thrown into action alternately, or succesively, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings.
5. My improved acetylene lamps and generators, substantially as described with
reference to any of the forms shewn in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 20th day of November 1899.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, & 54 Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent-for-the Applicant..