An Improved Generator for Acetylene Gas
Year: 1899

page_text: An Improved Generator for Acetylene Gas,
I, CHARLES JAMES WATTS, of 3, Doyle Terrace, Guernsey, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more particularly to the chamber which is used as a
receptacle for the carbide of calcium.
My improved chamber consists of an open porous or partly porous pot, cell or
cylinder within which is placed the carbide.
It is made wholly or partly of porcelain or earthenware of similar nature to that
used in the manufacture of the porous cells in common use in electrical batteries
These pots or cells can be made of varying porosity so as to admit of the perco-
lation of water through the walls of the chamber, in a greater or lesser degree as
desired, thus controlling the amount of gas generated by the action of the water
upon the carbide contained within the chamber
The pots or cells are provided with caps or plugs screwed or otherwise for clos-
ing the mouths or openings of the cells which caps are made easily detachable
for the ready admission of carbide or removal of waste products, and yet are suff-
ciently tight to exclude the admission of water to the carbide within the chamber.
A tube connection is provided to the cell or more conveniently to the cap of
the chamber to remove the gas generated from the carbide, by the action of the
water percolating through the walls of the chamber, pot or cell as herein
described.
The chamber may be impervious to water for say half its height if preferred
and may be immersed in or surrounded by water to near the level of its porosity.
Or it may be entirely porous as aforesaid, and be so arranged as to be temporarily
submerged, and then again withdrawn from the water, when gas is no longer
required. This immersion and its contrary may be caused by raising or lowering
the level of the water around it, or by raising or lowering the chamber itself in
the water, such action being either automatic and controlled by the pressure of
gas in the gas-holder, or if preferred regulable by hand, or in both ways.
Dated this 11th day of Felnory 1890
1, CHARLES JAMES WATTS, of 3, Doyle Terrace, Guernsey, Channel Islands,
35 Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
Prie S11

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates more particularly to the chamber or container which is
used as a receptacle for the carbide of calcium in apparatus for producing acety-
lene gas.
My improved container consists of an open porous or partly porous pot, cell or
cylinder of any preferred size or shape within which is placed the carbide.
It is made wholly or partly of porcelain or earthenware of similar nature to that
used in the manufacture of the porous cells in common use in electric batteries.
These pots or cells can be made of varying porosity so as to admit of the
percolation of water through their walls or sides in a greater or lesser degree as
desired, thus controlling the amount of gas generated by the regulated inflow of
the water which acts upon the carbide in the container.
The pots or cells are provided with covers, caps or plugs screwed or otherwise,
for closing the mouths, or openings of the cell, which caps are made easily
detachable for the ready admission of carbide or removal of waste products, and
yet are sufficiently tight to prevent the admission of water by the mouth or top
of the container.
A tubular or other suitable connection is provided to the cell, or more con-
veniently to the cap of the container to form an outlet for the gas generated
from the carbide, by the action of the water percolating through the walls of the
container.
The chamber may be impervious to water, for say half its height if preferred,
and may be immersed in, or surrounded by, water to near the level of its polo-
sity. Or it may be entirely porous as aforesaid; and be so arranged as to be
temporarily submerged, and then again withdrawn from the water when gas 18
no longer required This immersion and its converse may be caused by raising
or lowering the level of the water around it, or by raising or lowering the con-
tainer itself in the water, such action being either automatic and controlled by
the pressure of the gas in the gasholder or if preferred, regulable by hand or in
both ways.
When used as a generator without a gas-tight external chamber, the cap of the
container can be fitted with a burner for ignition of gas directly from the cell.
By preference therefore, I employ a pot which is entirely porous throughout, of
plain construction, and of the same diameter that the cap will fit closely over.
The joint between the cell and cap is secured by an elastic or other suitable
band which may be of any convenient depth, thus forming a non porous zone
around the cell thereby rendering it impervious to to water to the depth of the
elastic band.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which,
Fig. 1 shews a sectional view of one form of my improved generator partly
submerged in water ready for use.
a is the receptacle for the carbide and is formed with a porous ring or zone
as shewn where dotted in section and is glazed or otherwise non-porous where
shewn in lined section; is the carbide of calcium, c is a flat cover fitting into
a metal or other suitable ring c¹, cemented or otherwise securely fitted round the
opening of the receptacle, said cover being held in position by bridge d worked
by thumb screw e and resting on rubber washer for other suitable material to
form an air-tight joint; g is the outlet for the gas fitted to cover c and 18 pro-
vided with tap or cock g¹. In the drawing, the water level h is shewn above the
porous ring or zone and the water is thus free to percolate into the receptacle a
and onto the carbide of calcium.
Fig. 2 shews another form of my improved generator. In this pattern, the
whole generator is of candle shape and the cover is fitted with a burner so that
the gas can be ignited directly from the receptacle. is the porous pot k, the

page_text: carbide of calcium. is a metal or other suitable cover which fits closely over
the receptacle 3, and the joint between the two is made air-tight by means of the
rubber or elastic ring m. The cover is fitted with any suitable burner as n.
This form of generator is particularly designed for small domestic purposes, or
for lighting cycle, carriage or other lamps and for any purpose where a portable
and convenient light is required.
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. A porous or partly porous generator or container for holding the carbide of
calcium employed in the production of acetylene gas, as herein described and set
forth.
2. In a generator for acetylene gas, a porous or partly porous container for
receiving the carbide of calcium, as herein described and set forth.
3. In a generator for acetylene gas, the porous or partly porous container for
receiving the carbide of calcium in combination with a movable cover, either the
cover or the container being provided with an outlet for the gas, said cover being
held in position upon or over the container by means of a bridge piece with thumb
Screw, or by any other suitable fastening as herein described and set forth.
4. In a generator for acetylene gas, especially designed as a domestic portable
light for cycle, carriage and other lamps, the combination of a porous or partly
porous container fitted with cover held in position by an elastic or other suit-
able band which is waterproof, said cover being provided with one or more
burners so that the gas can be directly ignited from the generator, as herein
described and set forth.
Dated this 4th dow of Contraban 1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Agent for Applicant, 33, Cannon Street, London, E.C.