Improvements in Acetylene-Gas-Generators."
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1899-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
"Improvements in Acetylene-Gas-Generators."
I, GEORGE GREGORY SMITII of Villa Bel Riposo, San Domenico, Florence, Kingdom
of Italy, Lawyer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The present invention relates to acetylene gas generators and its object is to
provide an apparatus which will work continuously and with absolute safety,
producing consecutive even quantities of dry acetylene gas, without, intermediate
interruption and without any appreciable pressure variation the various organs of
the combination of parts being arranged and cooperating in such manner as to
enable the carbide holders to be recharged at any time whilst the apparatus is at
work.
Provision is also made for stopping the generation of gas in the event of any part
of the mechanism for bringing the carbide holders into action consecutively becoming
defective.
In order to render the present Specification easily intelligible reference is had to
the accompanying drawings in which similar letters and numerals of reference denote
similar parts throughout the several views :-.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus, Fig. 2 a sectional side elevation, Fig. 3
a similar side elevation showing the carbide tin or can punctured and all parts in the
corresponding position, Fig. 4 a detail end elevation showing means for arresting the
controlling shaft in its proper position, Fig. 5 is a plan of the whole apparatus, Fig. 6
a vertical section through an improved construction of the carbide box or tin,.which
is advantageously employed in connection with the present apparatus.. Fig. 7 is a
sectional plan of the tin or box and Fig. 8 shows a modified form of puncturing means.
Generally A represents the gasometer B the device for consecutively operating the
carbide holders C, D the mechanism for controlling the carbide operating device, E
the water tank one of which is provided for each carbide holder, F, the inechanism
for controlling the cocks for the water feed and G the carbide tin or box.
According to the system on which the present construction is based each carbide
holder C is provided with a certain quantity of carbide sufficient when developed to
fill the bell of the gasometer. When the gas in the bell has been almost exhausted
the downward movement of the said bell operates a weighted shaft, causing the water
to be admitted to the next carbide holder, by means of which sufficient gas is
generated to exactly refill the bell which rises again. Thus each complete descent of.
the bell brings another carbide holder into operation, whilst the previously exhausted
holder may be recharged, without in any way interfering with the working of the
apparatus and, if the holders are charged consecutively as they are exhausted, the
apparatus will automatically operate the first holder after the last of the series has
been exhausted.

page_text: The carbide holder C is constructed in the following manner :— The cylinder 1
is provided with the air tightly closed cover 2 at the top and a removeable bottom
plate 3, which is secured by means of the bow 4 which grips over the lower cylinder
flange and has the clamping screw 5 which holds the bottom plate securely in
position, a suitable packing ring being interposed between the plate 3 and the lower
Hange of the cylinder. At about the centre of the bottom plate an upwardly
projecting spike 6 having vertical grooves 13 is provided and surrounded by a coiled
spring 8 on which the cylindrical carbide holder G rests, the said holder or tin being
advantageously centred by means of inwardly projecting flanges 7. The spring 8 is
adjusted to support the charged carbide tin, with its bottom just above the top of the
spike 6. The cover 2 of the holder is provided with a stuffing box and gland 10 in
which a rod 9 having downwardly pointed puncturing spike for the top of the carbide
tin is provided. The rod 9 carries a flange or collar 16 fast thereon within the
holder, the said collar acting as a stop for the upward movement of the rod and also
to support a flauge 11, by means of its downwardly extending sleeve like part 17.
This rod is normally held with its flange against the inner surface of the cover 2 by
means of a spring 15, interposed advantageously between a collar on the spindle and
the top of the gland of the cover. The flange 11 is slightly larger than the exterior
diameter of the carbide tin so that if a sharp blow is dealt to the top of the rod 9, by
means hereinafter set forth, the spike on the latter will first puncture the cover of the
carbide tin G and, as the rod still descends, the flange 11 will force the whole holder
downwardly against the action of the coiled spring 8 on to the spike 6, which also
punctures the bottom of the said tin. As soon as the impact on the rod 9 ceases
and the latter is released, the spring 8 raises the tin from the spike 6 whilst the
spring 15 returns the rod 9 and with it the flange 11 to their normal positions
raising the spiked end of the rod out of the puncture in the top of the tin so
that water is free to enter the said tin and to generate gas in, the known
manner.
The water feed is operated by the downward movement of the rod 9 in a manner
which will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. As previously stated,
each carbide holder C is provided with a special water tank E, advantageously mounted
on a higher level than the holder and in .communication therewith by means of a
pipe 18 having stop cock 19 and leading through the cover 2. Each water tank con-
tains just sufficient water to fill the holder around the carbide tin, to a level slightly
above the top of the tin. The rod 9 is provided with a laterally extending pin or
notch 20, which when the rod descends under the influence of the blow, turns a
lever 22, pivotally mounted on the cover at 21 and tilts over the cock lever 23, the
weight 24 of which falls on the other side and completely opens the water cock,
allowing the contents of the tank E to flow into the holder. C.
A back pressure
valve may be provided between the cock and the receptacle 1, to prevent the flow of
gas back to the water tank, or as indicated at Fig. 2, the pipe 18 may be prolonged
downwardly into the holder and thus will be sealed by the water in the latter.
The mechanism for imparting a blow to each carbide holder rod 9 consecutively,
one holder receiving its blow at each descent of the gasometer bell, constructed
and arranged in the following manner:-
A rotary shaft 25 is supported in bearings 26 and carries at a suitable point in its
length a drum 34 having cord 37 with weight 35. The carbide holders C as indicated
at Figure 5 are advantageously disposed in a row in proximity to the said shaft 25.
Each rod 9 is provided with a cam surface 36 at the top adapted to be struck by an
arm 33 keyed to the shaft 25, when the latter is released and allowed to turn under
the pull of the weight 35. One striker arm 33 is provided above each rod 9 and the
cam surfaces are of such a nature that the striker arm after having delivered the blow
slides past the cam 36 as the rod 9 descends far enough. The striker arms 33 are
radially disposed around the shaft 25 at equal angles one from the other so that when
the striker arm of the first holder has delivered its blow, that of the next holder will
have come round in position to deliver its blow the next time the shaft is released, i.e.
the next time the gasometer bell descends, The intermittent partial rotation of the

page_text: shaft 25 is effected and controlled by means of the ratchet wheel 27 fast on the said
shaft and a balance-like ratchet or pawl device 28 pivoted at 30 and having an
upwardly moveable arm 29 extending into the path of movement of a trip-lug 31
suitably mounted on the gasometer bell and adapted to trip the pawl and release the
shaft for a moment, when the bell has just reached its lowest position or immediately
before the lowest point has been attained | Fig. 3. In practice this device would
have to be slightly modified, and a device may be advantageously employed which is
similar to the transporting device of a Remington typewriter. This invention is not
confined to the particular mechanism for releasing the shaft for a moment, as any
suitable known means may be employed.
In order to prevent accidents, which might arise in the event of the pawl and
ratchet mechanism breaking down and the shaft 25 being thus permitted to make a
complete revolution and discharge all the holders simultaneously, each rod 9 is pro-
vided with a protecting cap which wards off the striker arm and prevents the operation
of the rod 9 until the said protecting cap has been tilted out of the way by the
descent of the bell. Referring to Figure 5 a shaft or spindle 41 is mounted parallel to
the shaft 25 and in proximity thereto, the said shaft having mounted thereon a crown
wheel 42 the pins of which correspond in number to the number of carbide holders.
This shaft further carries a disc 46 having recesses in its periphery into which the
rounded head 45 | Fig. 4ª | of a pivoted lever is spring pressed, for the purpose of
determining the proper position of the shaft after each partial movement of the same.
A finger 47 on the bell acts on one of the pins of the crown wheel 42 at each descent
of the bell and turns the shaft a part of a revolution, A series of arms 43 are arranged
on the shaft 41 in a similar manner to the striker arms 33 of the shaft 25. The
tails 40 of pivoted levers 44 extend into the path of movement of each arm 43 and
are actuated by the said arms to tip back the protecting cap 38 so that it can fall
down on to the cover and leave the cam surface of the rod 9 free to be operated by its
striker arm. Thus each time the bell descends the finger 47 of the same will operate
the shaft 41 to tilt down the protecting cap immediately before the trip 31 releases the
shaft 25. Thus it will be seen that if the pawl mechanism of the shaft 25 were to get
deranged the shaft could only turn far enough to allow the next striker arm to strike
and remain on the protecting cap of the next holder, without, however, throwing the
same into operation.
The holders in which the carbide is sold in commerce consist of thin sheet metal
cases which are hermetically sealed or soldered up. This class of case is not well
suited for employment in connection with the present apparatus for the reason that
the punctures produced by the mechanism in the top and bottom of the case are not
large and, as the gas generation is slow at first in consequence, the small orifices
would easily get stopped up or partially stopped up by the lime formed by the gas
generation. In order to obviate this disadvantage, a case is provided for the carbide
by means of which free access of the water to all parts of the contents of the case is
attained even with very small punctures. This case is represented at figures 6 and 7
and consists of a case 48 having the top and bottom soldered in as usual and having
arranged throughout the central axis thereof, a collapsible tube 49 perforated
through out its length and supported loosely in position by means of spider arms 50.
The tube 49 is simply a piece of perforated metal bent round and having its longi-
tudinal edges laid loosely one against the other so that when the carbide expands on
gas being generated,-as it does to a very considerable extent, the tube will
The effect of the tube is to conduct
collapse, instead of the can or tin bursting.
water passing in at the small punctures, to all parts of the interior of the carbide
mass in the case and thus to insure rapid and complete generation.
In case any of the water cocks leading to the carbide holders should leak some-
what, it is advisable to provide means for allowing any water which might enter the
carbide holders to pass off at the bottom. This is effected by means of a drip
cock 53, having plug lever 54 which is connected to a lever 51 of the cock 19 by
means of a connecting rod 52 so that when the water feed cock is opened the pet
cock 53 will be closed to prevent the escape of gas. The gas generated in the holder

page_text: passes off through the cover along a pipe 55 having a check valve 56 to the
gasometer, which it enters above the water level. In order to be able to feed the
gas to the points of consumption in as dry a state as possible the water underneath
the bell is provided with a layer of oil 57 thereabove, thus preventing the contact of
the gas with the surface of the water.
Although I have described in detail one form of the apparatus I wish it to be
understood that many of the details of construction could be varied in many ways
without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus for instance the pawl
device for controlling the movement of the shaft 25 might be of any other suitable
construction, as also, in connection with the carbide case, the arms or spiders 50 might
be omitted, the collapsible tube being retained in position by means of the carbide
within the case. The shaft 25 might be actuated by means of a tortional spring
instead of the weight and many other constructive alterations might be made. As at
Fig. 8 the spindle 9 might be actuated by cams 59 and returned by a weight 60.
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/ In-an-acetylene--gas generator-the-combination-of-a-gasometer and-bell, a
series of separate-carbide-holders, each containing sufficient-air-tightly--enclosed
earbide,-when-generated,-to-fill-the-bell;-and-means netuated-by-the-bell for supply-
ing water to the said chambers consecutively one-at-the time-and-once-nt-each
deseent-of-the-bell-substantially-as-described.
1. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination of a gasometer and bell, a
series of separate carbide holders, a hermetically sealed carbide containing case,
within said holder, means for puncturing the same, when the holder is to be
developed, and means operated by the gasometer bell for operating the puncturing
device of each holder consecutively and for feeding water to the said holder each time
the gasometer bell sinks below a certain level substantially as described.
2. In an acetylene gas generator the combination of a gasometer and bell, a
series of separate carbide holders containing hermetically sealed up carbide, means
in connection with each holder for puncturing the carbide case within the same and
feeding water to the said holder, the said puncturing and water feed being effected
at and by each fall of the gasometer bell, in each carbide chamber consecutively, and
means. for actuating the first chamber of the series--if refilled-after the last has
been exhausted without interrupting the gasmaking process substantially as
described.
3. In an acetylene gas generator the combination of a gasometer and bell, a
series of separate carbide holders to contain hermetically sealed carbide and means for
puncturing the same, a separate water tank to each holder to contain the proper
quantity of water to develope said holder and means actuated by each fall of the
gasometer bell below a certain point, to puncture the carbide case in and supply
water to the next consecutive carbide holder substantially as described.
4. In an acetylene gas generator the combination of a gasometer and bell and a
series of separate carbide holders each to contain sufficient hermetically sealed carbide
to fill the bell, when generated, a removeable bottom plate having inward upwardly
turned spike therein a spring to normally hold the carbide case just above said spike,
a spring retained upper spike, and, a stuffing box to guide the same through the
holder cover, a flange supported on said upper spike just above the carbide case and
means operated at each fall of the gasometer bell below a certain level to impart a
downward movement to the upper end of said spike and to supply water to the said
holder substantially as described.
5. In an acetylene gas generator the combination of a gasometer and bell a row
of separate carbide chambers mounted in proximity thereto, a rotary shaft mounted
along the row of holders, a puncturing device as specified to each holder, a series of
striker arms on said shaft, one for each holder, mounted radially equi-distant from
each other on the shaft, and means for rotating said shaft a part of a turn at
each descent of the bell and imparting a blow to the next consecutive puncturing

page_text: device, said striker shaft being actuated by the bell, and means in connection with
the puncturing rod for opening the water supply to the said carbide holder substan-
tially as described.
6. In combination with a gasometer and bell, a series of separate carbide
holders and sealed carbide cases therein, means, actuated by the gasometer bell
for puncturing said cases in each holder consecutively as specified a protecting cap
to cover each puncturing device and means for removing the said cap immediately
before the puncturing mechanism is operated substantially as described.
7. S-In an acetylene gas generator, the combination of gasometer and bell, a series
of carbide holders having sealed carbide, puncturing device, and each a separate water
tank as specified, means for consecutively operating each holder at each fall of the
bell beyond a certain point, a pet cock at the bottom of each holder normally open,
and means in connection with the puncturing device for closing said pet cock as
soon as the puncturing device is operated substantially as described.
8. In an acetylene gas generator having a gasometer and bell, a series of
separate carbide holders with separate water tanks and puncturing devices and
means, actuated by the gasometer bell to operate the said holders consecutively,
as specified, the combination of a sealed carbide case having therein a collapsible
perforated tube extending approximately down and around the central axis thereof
substantially as described.
10. In-an-acetylene-gas-generator-of the-class-specified having a series of separate
enrhide chambers-and-water-tanks, puncturing apparatuses-and-means;-actuated-by
the-gasometer-bell,-for-operating said-holder-consecutively as specified, the-com-
bination of a-layer-of-oil-on the water within-the-gusometer-bell-substantially-as
described.
Dated this 21st day of November 1899
CASTLE SMITH
"Invention " Office, Mitre Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.
Agent for the Applicant.