Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Freezing of Water in the "Cups" or "Lutes" of Gasholders, and for other similar purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st Nov., 1892-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Freezing of Water
in the "Cups" or "Lutes" of Gasholders, and for other similar
purposes.
I, GEORGE THOMAS LIVESEY, of the South Metropolitan Gas Works, Old
Kent Road, in the County of London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction of a contrivance for preventing
the freezing of the water in the cups or lutes of gasholders, and for other similar
purposes.
The object of the invention is attained by the use of an ordinary Bunsen or other
gas flame being kept burning, at such intervals as may be necessary, beneath the
surface of the water, thereby imparting sufficient heat to and at the same time
causing a gentle circulation of the water in the "cup" of the gasholder or other
apparatus.
The apparatus consists of an oval or other shaped vessel about 5 inches by
3 inches, more or less, its depth being rather more than that of the "cup" of the
gasholder (into which it is placed vertically) so as to project above the water line,
thus preventing the water entering the vessel. The vessel is closed at the bottom,
and the top is provided with a moveable cover for excluding rain snow, etc. This
cover is however suitably perforated in order to admit air to the burner. A little
above the bottom of the vessel, and on one side of it is an orifice into which is
inserted (from the outside of the vessel) a tube preferably of copper, and about
1 inches diameter. This tube is placed at such an angle, that, in a length of
say 5 or 6 feet, or even longer, its end farthest from the vessel will rise above the
surface of the water in the cup. This end of the tube may be bent towards
the water, or otherwise protected from the wind. This same tube is encircled by
another tube or "jacket" of sufficient diameter as to allow an annular space between
the two. One end of the outer tube or "jacket" although close to, is not in contact
with the vessel, while the end farthest from the vessel is even with, or slightly
below, the water level in the cup.
Into that end of the inner tube fixed to, and near the bottom of the vessel is
inserted the Bunsen or other burner, the flame and products of combustion from
which ascend the inner tube, which thus becomes heated; while the water enters
that end of the tube or "jacket" nearest the vessel, and, flowing over, and around
the inner heated tube makes its exit from the outer tube or "jacket" at or slightly
below the water line.
By placing a number of these contrivances, at equal distances apart, in the
cups of gasholders, and pointing the tubes in one and the same direction the water
in the "cups will be warmed and kept in gentle circulation, thus preventing
freezing.
"
The use of the vertical vessel is to afford access to the burner, which is
supplied with gas by means of flexible gas tubing; or by any other convenient
method.
I do not confine myself either to the dimensions hereinbefore mentioned, or to
the materials from which the various parts of the apparatus are made, as both may
be varied to meet different circumstances.
Dated this 1st day of February 1892.
W. H. BENNETT,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Freezing of Water.
in the Cups" or "Lutes" of Gasholders, and for other similar
purposes.
I, GEORGE THOMAS LIVESEY of the South Metropolitan Gas Works, Old
Kent Road in the County of London, 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 following statement :-
This invention has for its object the construction of a contrivance for preventing
the freezing of the water in the cups or lutes of gasholders and for other similar
purposes.
The object of the invention is attained by the use of an ordinary Bunsen or
other gas flame being kept burning at such intervals as may be necessary beneath
the surface of the water thereby imparting sufficient heat to and at the same time
causing a gentle circulation of the water in the cup of the gas holder or other
apparatus.
In the accompanying two sheets of illustrative drawings
Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus constructed
according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section and.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same.
The apparatus consists of an oval or other shaped vessel a about 5 inches by 3 inches.
more or less, its depth being rather more than that of the cup of the gasholder (into
which it is placed vertically) so as to project above the water line, thus preventing,
the water entering the vessel. The vessel is closed at the bottom and the top is
provided with a movable cover b for excluding rain snow and the like. This cover
is however suitably perforated or open at its ends as shown in order to admit air
to the burner. A little above the bottom of the vessel and on one side of it is, an
orifice into which is inserted (from the outside of the vessel) a tube c preferably of
copper and about 1 inches diameter. This tube is placed, at such an angle that
in a length of say 5 or 6 feet, or even longer, its end farthest from the vessel will
rise above the surface of the water in the cup. This end of the tube may be bent
towards the water or otherwise protected from the wind. This same tube is
encircled by another tube or jacket d of sufficient diameter to allow of an annular
space e between the two. One end of the outer tube or jacket although close to,
is not in contact with the vessel a while the end farthest from the vessel is, slightly,
below the water level in the cup.
Into that end of the inner tube fixed to and near the bottom of the vessel a is
inserted the Bunsen or other burner f the flaine and products of combustion.from
which ascend the inner tube c which thus becomes heated while the water enters
that end of the tube or jacket d nearest the vessel, and flowing over, and around
the inner heated tube c makes its exit from the outer tube or jacket d at or slightly
below the water line.
By placing a number of these contrivances at equal distances apart in the
cups of gasholders and pointing the tubes in one and the same., direction, the
water in the cups will be warmed and kept in gentle circulation thus, preventing
freezing.
The use of the vertical vessel is to afford access to the burner which is supplied
with gas by means of flexible gas tubing g or.by any other convenient method.""
I do not confine myself either to the dimensions herein before mentioned or to the
materials, from which the various parts of the apparatus are made, as both may be
varied to meet different circumstances.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An apparatus for preventing the freezing of water in the cups or lutes of
gasholders comprising a Bunsen or other burner supplied with gas from the
gasholder and placed in a vessel inserted in the cup or lute, the products of
combustion ascending and heating a tube surrounded by a tubular jacket or casing
so as to both heat and circulate the water in the said cup or lute substantially as
described.
2. The combination of a vessel a burner heating tube c and circulating jacket d
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
3. The arrangement and construction of apparatus for preventing the freezing of
water in the cups or lutes of gasholders and for other similar purposes substantially
as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 1st day of November 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.