Improvements relating to the Generation of Gas from Water, Steam, and the like, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Generation of Gas from Water, Steam,
and the like, and to Apparatus therefor.
1. WILLIAM GLENN BEDFORD, of 3925 Powelton Avenue, the City and County
of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Inventor, 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:-
My invention consists of a method of and means for generating gas, involving
the subjection of steam, water, and the like to the action of electrodes, as will be
hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a gas generator embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 represents a section of a portion of the same on the line xx,
Figure 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.
I will first describe my generator as made to produce its own electricity. A
designates a shell, at one end of which is a conical or stair-shaped cap or support B,
and at the other end thereof there is the conical or stair-shaped cap or support C.
Extending from the cap B are plates D of + metal, and from the cap Care
plates E of metal, the ends of the plates D being separated from the cap C, and
those of the plates E being separated from the cap B, and care being taken in all
cases that they do not touch each other, and communication only is effected by
means of the fluids supplied as hereinafter set forth.
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.
In the
The caps C, B, are connected with the shell in any suitable manner.
present case, the rim B³ of the cap B is bolted to a band or ring F, which is attached
to the shell A, and a bolt G is passed through the caps B, C, it being screwed or
otherwise attached to the cap B, and freely entering the cap C without contact
with the latter.
The plates are in the form of rings, but may be simply flat or other shape, being
separated to permit fluid to pass between the same, the cap C being provided with
openings H, to admit the fluid to the plates, and the cap B having openings J to
permit the discharge of the generated gas into the dome K.
The electricity may be brought from without, in which case the plates may be
of any substance suitable for electrodes.
The gas as generated, is directed from the dome K to a place of service, or it
may be carburetted, enriched or subjected to further treatment, either before or
after its passage through the generator.
Connected with the cap B is a wire L, and with the band F is a wire M, said
wires being connected respectively with the positive and negative poles of a battery
or other generator of electricity, when it is brought from without, whereby the
plates D and E become electrodes, it being noticed that the proper parts are
insulated for evident purposes..
The operation of this generator may be in several ways in accord with the several
materials supplied, some of which I will name, that is to say:—
1. Ordinary water only may be used, together with a large supply of electricity
produced within or without the generator.
2. Water and any electrolyte, such as sulphuric or other acid, salt, bi-chromate
of potassium, potassium iodide or anything containing sodium, magnesium, potassium

page_text: or zinc, either singly or in any suitable combination, together with the electricity
produced as above.
3. Either of the above may be much accelerated by using them with hot water.
4. Steam in any condition, superheated, exhaust or ordinary steam or as vapour,
together with a large supply of electricity.
5. Steam in any condition as above named, accompanied by the vapour of any
electrolyte as above described, together with electricity produced as above stated.
The operation is as follows:-
: Steam water or the like is admitted into the shell through a proper inlet, shown
in the present case at P, and directed to the plates D and E, which being electrodes
as above stated, and surrounded by an electrolyte, converts the steam into gas or
its elements, oxygen and hydrogen, by passing from one electrode through the fluid
to the other electrode, the oxygen chlorine and acids going to the + electrode, and
the hydrogen, metals, and the like to the electrode, and being subject to pressure
of the incoming material, the gas is forced to the dome K.
The utility of this gas hardly needs mention, the merits of the oxy-hydrogen
blow pipe as a producer of great heat is well known. The difference between this
gas and the gases of the blow pipe consists merely in the fact that here they pass
off together mechanically mixed, to be brought again to water with great heat
only, when in contact with a flame, an incandescent surface or an electrical spark,
while in the blow pipe they are made and kept separate until brought to the place
of combustion. With care they may be kept separated in this generator.
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 :-
1st. The method of generating gas from steam and the like consisting in
subjecting the same to the action of electrolysed plates, substantially as described.
2nd. A gas generator having a receiver with one or more plates for generating
electricity, and passages in the receiver leading to said plates, substantially as
described.
3rd. A gas generator consisting of a receiver, one or more electrodes therein,
supports for said electrodes, and openings respectively for directing a fluid to said.
electrodes and gas therefrom, substantially as described.
4th. A gas generator, having a receiver with plates therein, supports for said
plates, and connections with a generator, of electricity, whereby said plates form
electrodes, substantially as described.
5th. A gas generator having a receiver with plates therein, and connections
with a generator of electricity, whereby said plates form electrodes, said plates
being alternately connected with its supports, and the parts named being combined
substantially as described.
6th. A gas generator having a receiver with plates therein, and connections with
a generator of electricity, whereby said plates form electrodes and the parts
combined, substantially as described.
Dated this ofth T
от геотиту 1050.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..