Improvements in Apparatus for the Production and Storage of Acetylene Gas for Illuminating Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 29th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Production and Storage of
Acetylene Gas for Illuminating Purposes.
I, Dr. EMILE CLAUSOLLES, of 282 Cortés Barcelona, in the Kingdom of
Spain, Physician, 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 this invention is the production and storage of acetylene gas for
the purposes of illumination.
Since electrical furnaces which produce carburet of calcium at a comparatively
moderate cost, were invented, the application of acetylene gas to purposes of
illumination was immediately thought of, as this gas, which is a result of the
reaction taking place when carburet of calcium is brought into contact with water,
is especially suitable for private illuminating purposes, may be generated with a
small plant, is extremely convenient in use and is free from any danger. The
apparatus forming the subject of this invention comprises a receiver A for
containing the water necessary for the production of the gas, and another lower
receiver C to which the gas is conducted by means of a tube or pipe a. In the
said pipe a, and between the receivers A and C, there is arranged a valve or
cock B which is opened and closed by the weighted lever D. From the receiver C,
a bent tube E E, is led through the lower part of the gas holder H (to be
hereinafter described) and issues as shown at E, and extending upwardly,
terminates in a consumption chamber, not shown. With this tube or pipe E E',
another tube or pipe FF communicates as shown by dotted lines at E. This
tube F F is open at the top and communicates with the interior of the bell or
dome G G of a gas 'holder, the water luting for which is contained in the
tank H H. In the bell or dome of this gas holder there is attached a pressure gauge
pipe I, a discharge cock J and a metal piece K, which latter on being placed in
contact with another metal piece K' closes an electrical circuit and causes a bell L
to ring.
In the upper part of the gas holder bell or dome G there is fitted a ring M to
which is attached one end of a chain N N carrying a balancing or counter-weight P
to counterbalance the weight of the said bell or dome G, the other end of such
chain being attached to the lever D which, as before stated, operates the cock B.
The chain N N passes over grooved pulleys OO¹
Having thus described the construction of the apparatus, I will now state how
t operates.
After the receiver C has been supplied with a sufficient charge of carburet of

page_text: calcium, and the receiver A with a corresponding amount of water, the cock B is
opened so that water may pass gradually into the receiver C, where it acts on the
carburet of calcium to produce acetylene gas which leaves the receiver C by way
of the tube EE and passes on towards E and E¹ whence it is conducted to the
supply-reservoir. If the quantity of gas produced in the chamber C exceeds that
used at the "service" burners-or at any other place or places where the gas is
consumed the surplus gas generated passes through the pipe F F so as to fill the
bell or dome G of the gas holder which serves as a reserve vessel.
Where it is desired to produce and store up gas, prior to its consumption, the
cock P is closed, while the cock B is opened and the gas holder is allowed to fill.
The cock B, operated by means of the lever D, which in turn is actuated by the
chain N, serves as a regulator, or means of controlling the production of gas, since,
in proportion as the dome or bell of the gas holder rises, the cock B gradually
moves to its closed position, and vice versa.
In order to notify the attendant who controls the apparatus when the gas supply
in the gas holder is nearly exhausted, the small contact plates K K' are provided.
These, by making contact, when the bell or dome has descended a certain distance
close an electrical circuit which sets the signalling arrangement or bell Lin
operation. The position of the contact plate K', may be adjusted so that the
signal arrangement may be operated when the supply of gas is reduced to a
pre-determined minimum and so as to allow time for renewing the charges in the
receivers A. and C.
The dimensions of the parts constituting the apparatus just described may vary,
according to the gas consumption to be provided for, the rate at which gas is to be
generated, and the time during which each charge of the agents employed in
producing the gas is to act.
It will be understood, also, that any accessory parts or devices which may be
deemed desirable, for facilitating the operation of the lighting plant, as well as for
its preservation and safety, may be added to the apparatus described.
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 :-
Apparatus for the production and storage of acetylene gas for illuminating
purposes mainly consisting of two receivers located one above the other, the upper
part serving to contain water, and the lower, to contain carburet of calcium, the
receivers communicating with each other by means of a tube or pipe fitted with a
cock or valve which may be opened or closed according as the bell or dome of a
gas holder descends or ascends, the gas generated being stored in the said gas
holder, and other accessory arrangements; all substantially as herein described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of May 1896
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.