Improvements in and relating to Acetylene Gas Lamps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1899-Accepted, 30th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Acetylene Gas Lamps.
We, GEORGE G. SNYDER (Merchant) and MARCUS LAFAYETTE WEST
(Machinist), residing respectively at 200, South Third Street, and 303, Monroe
Street, in the City of Easton, County of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America, 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 folowing statement; -
Our invention relates to acetylene gas lamps, and its primary object is to
provide a lamp of the character named which will be specially adapted for use
upon bicycles and like vehicles.
The novel features of the invention will be fully described hereinafter, and
defined in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a lamp embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the plug or valve which controls tho
admission of water to the lamp.
The reference numeral 1 designates the water chamber of the lamp, which
may be of any desired shape, but we preferably make the lower end cylindrical
and the upper end globular.
Within the water chamber 1 is located the carbide holder or chamber 2. The
water chamber 1 is preferably screw threaded at its upper end to engage the
outer threads 3 of a flange 5 depending from the base 4 of the burner, and the
carbide chamber 2 is also threaded at its upper end to engage the inner threads of
the flange 5.
The carbide chamber is thus suspended within the water chamber so that the
water entirely surrounds the gas generating chamber, keeping the gas cool,
which is a matter of importance.
Within the carbide chamber is supported a perforated tube 6 internally
threaded at both of its ends, to receive screw plugs 7 and 8. The tube is pro-
vided with a number of holes 9, to permit of the flow of water and gas, and over
this tube is arranged a cylinder of wire gauze 10, which is supported removably
by the flanged head of the plug 8 and bottom of carbide chamber. The plug 7
at the lower end of the tube 6 is provided with a water passage 11 which extends
centrally through the plug from the lower end or head to a point near the upper
end where it communicates with a lateral opening 12, which constitutes the
water discharge opening.
Above the carbide chamber and communicating therewith by a suitable pipe 13,
is a burner, 14, provided with the usual cock 15.
The operation of the lamp as thus constructed will be readily understood by
those skilled in the art of generating acetylene gas.
A quantity of calcium carbide is placed in the chamber 2, before the latter is
screwed to place. The water chamber is then supplied with water, and screwed
to position. The water feeds through the passages 11 and 12 in the plug 7 and
mixes with the carbide to generate the gas. The flow of water is controlled
automatically by the gas pressure. When the burner is not being used the
[Price ST

page_text: pressure of gas within the carbide chamber exceeds that of the water, and
prevents the discharge of water through the opening 12. As soon as the burner
is lighted, the gas pressure is reduced and the water is permitted to flow.
We have found that supplying the water from the bottom of the carbide
chamber results in a steady and uniform flow of gas, and a consequent steady light.
It will be noted, that "the water supply plug is protected by the perforated
tube and its wire gauze covering, and that all of these parts are readily remov-
able for renewal and cleansing.
Inasmuch as the details of the burner employed, and the size and shape of the
chambers for water and carbide, may be varied to suit special conditions of use,
we do not restrict the invention in these particulars, but reserve the right to
make such changes as may properly fall within the scope of the following
claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a water chamber, of a
carbide chamber supported within the water chamber, a tube within the carbide
chamber, provided with openings, a gauze covering for said tube, a Hanged plug
at the upper end of the tube for closing the tube and supporting the gauze cover
in place, and a plug closing the lower end of the tube and formed with a vertical
and a lateral opening constituting a water passage, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a generator, having a cover adapted to fit the top of
the generator, said cover having a depending annular flange threaded externally
and internally of a water chamber threaded at its upper end to engage said flange,
a carbide chamber also threaded to engage said flange, a tube within the carbide
chamber, a gauze covering for said tube, a flanged plug for closing the upper end
of said tube and supporting the gauze covering in position, and a plug at the
lower end of said tube, provided with a vertical opening and a lateral opening,
said openings constituting a water passage substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of July 1899.
Dated this 18th day of July 1899.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.