Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1893-Accepted, 4th Feb.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Generating Acetylene Gas.
I, KARL GOSSWEILER, of Heilbronn, in the Empire of Germany, 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:-
The object of the present application consists of an improved apparatus for
the production of acetylene gas. This improved apparatus is distinguished by
the advantages that it not only prevents any escape of gas from the gas producing
chamber, but also at the same time it prevents any penetrating of air into the
said chamber, and this both during the replenishing thereof as also during
the discharging of the apparatus.
By this means on the one hand, the wellknown unpleasant smell, caused by
any escape of acetylene gas, is avoided, and on the other hand there is obtained
an acetylene gas perfectly free from air, which point is of very great importance
in view of the special properties of this gas.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 shews a vertical section of the apparatus before the discharging,
and
Figure 2 the same view during the discharging, whilst
Foures 3 to 5 illustrate constructional modifications.
In the generating chamber a is supported in any suitable manner the gas
holder b, which vessel is closed above and open below, and has its lower end
immersed in the generating water. This immersion, however, is only so far
that a given space 61 is left in which the acetylene can collect, and from which
the gas passes through the tube c to the gas main or gasometer. The vessel b
also contains a removable carbide holder e which holder is suspended by means
of the rod d from the upper end of the gas vessel. If the water contained in
the vessel a is to be changed during the process of cleaning or for other reasons,
air might enter into the vessel 6 or acetylene might escape therefrom. In
order to prevent this, however, the lower open end of the vessel b is closed by
a water-seal. As shewn in Figure 2 this is most simply effected by covering the
opening of 6 with a shallow vessel f which may be supported in the same manner
as the carbide holder e upon a rod t suspended by means of a hook from the
top of the holder. The vessel f must of course be suspended whilst the water
still seals the lower edge of the vessel b. Instead of this arrangement the con-
struction illustrated in Figure 3 might be made use of, in which the carbide
holder e and the vessel fl surrounding the base of the gas holder are formed in
one piece. In this arrangement, the carbide holder e remains with the vessel f¹
in the generator, whilst in the arrangement previously described the carbide
holder e is first removed and replaced by the vessel f.
It should further be remarked that during the working, not only the vessel f¹,
After the
but also the larger vessel a are filled to a suitable height with water.
removal of the water (see Figure 3) there only remains a small quantity of water

page_text: in the vessel f¹ whereby again the penetration of air, and the escape of acetylene
gas is prevented.
Instead of the vesself being suspended as described, it might, be hinged to
the gas vessel as shewn at p, Figure 4. In such a case the said vessel could be
drawn up or let down by means of a chain & secured by the hook or the like
device.
In the modification shewn in Figure 5 there is provided instead of the vessel f
a lid or bottom plate f which is arranged to pivot on the supports p¹ and which
can be caused to become a perfectly water-tight closing by being pressed down
firmly by the aid of the screw spindle g. The vessel 6 may be constructed
firmly attached to the generator apparatus or may be removably affixed thereto.
In the latter case there is attained the advantage that the vessel, together with
its seal, can be taken out, and thus the cleansing of the apparatus be rendered
more easy and convenient.
As will be seen from this, acetylene gas completely free from air can be
obtained by the use of this apparatus, because not only during the refilling,
but also during changing of the water used in the operation, no air can pass
into the vessel 61.
A further important advantage consists, as already stated, in that by reason
of the water-seal closure no gas can escape, so that there is not the slightest
loss of gas.
The mode of operation of the apparatus is as will be seen from the foregoing
extremely simple. After the consumption of the carbide, which may preferably
consist of the required quantity for one day, the container e or e¹ is simply
removed, and after it is refilled is again suspended in its place.
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 apparatus for obtaining acetylene gas perfectly free from air,
in which the generating vessel a contains a gas collecting vessel b, the onen lower
end whereof dips into the water in the generator, which vessel b serves to con-
tain an inserted carbide receptacle e, and the aperture of which is provided with
a vessel, such as f for f2 which closes the space with a water seal, and so that
during or after the discharge of the water for the decomposition of the carbide
neither air can pass into the space b¹ nor can acetylene gas escape therefrom.
2. A constructional modification of the acetylene generator set forth in Claim 1
in which the vessel holding the water seal of the space b' consists of the vessel f
removably suspended by means of the rod d and which vessel is placed over the
mouth of the collecting vessel b before the running off of the water used for the
decomposition of the carbide.
3. A constructional modification of the acetylene generating apparatus set
forth in Claim 1 in which the carbide holder e¹ is constructed in one piece with
the vessel fi so that when the water in the apparatus is let off no further opera-
tions are requisite for the maintenance of the water seal therein, substantially
as described.
U 17ecember 1000.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.