Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Carburetting Gas.
Year: 1889

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c., Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Chief Examiner of the 24th day of Angust 1896.
Date of Application, 12th Feb.. 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Sept., 1889-4ccepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Carburetting Gas.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Crayford Works, Crayford, in the County of Kent,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to carburetting-apparatus of the kind or class described in
the specification filed with my application for Letters Patent dated 14th January
A.D. 1889, No. 703, for enriching coal-gas, which apparatus is also applicable for
carburetting atmospheric air and other gases.
The main object of the invention described in the said former specification is to
provide for the production of carburetted coal-gas in proportion to the consumption
thereof, in such a manner as to ensure its being of equal or uniform density notwith-
standing any variations in the number of burners in use, the length of time during
which such burners are used, the quantity of the liquid hydrocarbon employed, or the
temperature of the air around the apparatus.
The said invention is further designed to provide for the use of gasoline or other
hydrocarbon of different qualities, in such a manner that this material is not deterio-
rated, that is to say, so that the heavy and light portions will be vaporized and will
pass together into a mixing-chamber, in which the vapour will be mixed with the
gas, and the residue of unvaporized hydrocarbon will not become deteriorated or
heavier.
The said apparatus is so constructed that no hydrocarbon vapour can pass into
the mixing-chamber except when gas to be carburetted is flowing into and through the
apparatus; there is no risk of condensation in the pipes; because the gas will not
be too strongly carburetted, any given quantity of gas passing through the
apparatus, allowing the corresponding quantity of hydrocarbon vapour to be mixed
with it.
In the said apparatus, moreover, the mixture is not made by exposing the liquid
hydrocarbon to the action of the gas; the hydrocarbon is first vaporized in one
chamber and the required quantity of vapour is mixed with the gas in another
chamber. 1am, therefore, enabled to make carburetted gas of much superior quality
as compared with that obtained by the method usually adopted for producing
the same; and, the hydrocarbon used is not deteriorated, as in the methods heretofore
adopted.
One feature of the said invention is the employment of a gasometer or equivalent
device which is suspended in, or acted upon by the carburetted gas and is so arranged

page_text: that it will regulate or control the flow of gas through the apparatus and also the
admission of the hydrocarbon vapour into the mixing-chamber, according to the amount
of carburetted gas consumed.
Another feature of the said invention is the arrangement of the vaporizing or hydro-
carbon chamber in combination with a tank for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon
thereto. in such a manner that no pressure will be produced in the said chamber
except by the vaporization of the hydrocarbon, and so that no liquid hydrocarbon can
pass through the aperture for the admission of the hydrocarbon vapour to the
mixing-chamber.
Now an important feature of my present invention is the provision which I make for
the employment of steam for vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon.
My present invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set
forth.
To provide for heating the vaporizing-chamber by means of steam, I enclose the
said chamber in a jacket or casing provided with inlet and outlet pipes, the latter of
which is preferably connected with a steam-trap if the temperature of the said chamber
is to be raised above 212° Fahrenheit.
I employ an improved form of valve for regulating or controlling the flow of
hydrocarbon vapour from the vaporizing-chamber into the mixing-chamber. This
valve comprises two perforated tubes one. of which is arranged within the other. The
outer tube is fitted to slide in an aperture in the upper end of the vaporizing-chamber,
and is connected with the gasometer or its equivalent so that it will be raised by the gas
flowing through the apparatus, and the required number of holes in the said valve
will thus be raised above the said aperture to permit the flow of hydrocarbon vapour
into the mixing-chamber.
It is advantageous to use steam for evaporating the liquid hydrocarbon for various
reasons. The temperature can be very accurately determined and easily maintained
constant or uniform. Any liability to overheating of the vapour is effectually obviated.
Moreover the apparatus can be..placed at a considerable distance from the boiler for
supplying the steam, and risk of fire is entirely avoided.
My present. invention is conveniently and advantageously carried into practice as
hereinafter described, that is, to say: The perforated gasometer or gas-holder is
provided at its lower end with a strengthening ring, which may also serve to regulate
the buoyancy of the said gasometer in the, mercury contained in the annular space in
which the said gasometer is partially immersed. The vaporizing or hydrocarbon
chamber is provided with a tubular part extending upward within the mixing-chamber
and having screwed upon,,its, upper end a cap. or bearing, in which is fitted to slide a
tube firmly attached at its upper end to the gasometer. This tube is closed at its
upper end and is open at its lower end, which, is provided with a distance-piece whereby
it is kept central within the, tubular extension of the vaporizing-chamber whilst free
to move up and down therein. A collar or valve is fixed on the said.tube and is fitted
to a seat formed in the cap, so that, when the gasometer is in its lowest position, it
will shut off all communication, between the vaporizing chamber and the mixing-
chamber, and will also serve as a support, for the gasometer. The said tube is pierced
with one or more vertical series of, holes, which holes appear successively above the cap
or bearing as the gasometer rises.,
By this simple arrangement,, I provide for the enlargement or reduction of the
passage for the flow of hydrocarbon vapour from the vaporizing-chamber into. the.
mixing chamber, according to the rate at which, the gas is being consumed.
To provide for more effectually regulating the flow of hydrocarbon. vapour. into the
mixing-chamber, another tube is fitted, to. slide in the aforesaid tube and is pierced
with one or more vertical, series of, holes, corresponding in, size, with those in: the
outer tube. The, inner, tube is closed at its upper end by a plato or disc formed withva
screw-threaded hole,, into which, is fitted an adjusting-screw. This screw is passed
through the cap or cover on the upper end of the outer tube. A spring is placed.
between the said cap or cover on the outer tube and the end-plate of the inner tube..
The holes in the inner tube. can. be justified, or made to coincide with those in the

page_text: outer tube or can be made to overlap them more or less, by adjusting the inner tube
relatively to the outer tube by means of the said set-screw. The flow of hydrocarbon
vapour from the vaporizing-chamber into the mixing-chamber can thus be very
accurately regulated. I can dispense with the said spring and provide means for
preventing end wise movement of the adjusting screw whilst permitting its rotation
in the said cap or cover.
The head of the said screw is countersunk in the said
cap or cover and is enclosed by another cap screwed upon the said cover, so as to
prevent leakage of the hydrocarbon vapour through the hole in the said cover for the
said screw.
The vaporizing-chamber is provided with internal strengthening plates, which are
firmly attached to the wail of the said chamber in any suitable manner and are formed
with apertures to permit the free passage of the hydrocarbon through them. The
apertures in the said plates are preferably so arranged that those in one of the said
plates are not opposite those in either of the adjacent plates, the effectual and uniform
heating of the hydrocarbon is thus ensured.
The steam-casing or jacket which surrounds the vaporizing-chamber is made strong
enough to withstand a high internal pressure. The said casing or jacket is closed at
its lower end by a cover which fits upon a tubular extension of the vaporizing-
chamber, and is provided with a stuffing-box for ensuring tightness of the joint around
the said extension. By this arrangement, the vaporizing-chamber is held truly central
within the said casing or jacket. The said casing or jacket is provided with an inlet
pipe for the admission of steam, and with another pipe for the escape or discharge
of the water of condensation. The outlet pipe may, if desired, be provided with a
suitable steam-trap. The pipe for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon to the vaporizing
chamber is connected with the extension of the said chamber.
The tank for containing the liquid hydrocarbon is connected by the last-named pipe
with the vaporizing-chamber. The said pipe is provided with a valve for shutting
off communication between the said tank and the vaporizing-chamber. The said
pipe is, moreover, connected by another pipe with the top of the supply-tank, so
that, should heat be applied to the vaporizing-chamber while the said valve is closed,
the liquid hydrocarbon may still flow from the said chamber into the said tank.
When the supply-tank is closed at the top, I connect the said tank with the pipe for
the carburetted gas, and thereby ensure a balance of pressure throughout the
apparatus.
Steam at a pressure say of One hundred pounds (100 lbs.) per square inch is
admitted into the heating chamber or jacket through the inlet-pipe, and evaporates
the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the vaporizing-chamber. The vapour thus formed
passes up the tubalar valve and through such of the holes as may be raised above the
valve-seat in the cover into the mixing-chamber, where it mixes with the gas to be
carburetted, and the mixture passes thence through the holes in the gasometer.
The inner tube of the aforesaid valve is sometimes provided with means for
adjusting it by partially rotating it about its axis, instead of moving it vertically or
end wise as above described, to cause its holes to coincide with or overlap those of the
outer tube.
If the valve is not required to be adjustable for the purpose above specified, the
inner tube can be dispensed with.
1000

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Carburetting Gas.
I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, of Crayford Works, Crayford, in the County of Kent,
Mechanical Engineer, 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 relates to carburetting-apparatus of the kind or class described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent dated 14th January A.D. 1889, No. 703, for
enriching coal-gas, which apparatus is also applicable for carburetting atmospheric
air and other gases.
In the said apparatus, the hydrocarbon is vaporized in one chamber and the
required quantity of hydrocarbon-vapour is mixed with the gas in another chamber.
The said apparatus, moreover, comprises a gasometer or equivalent device which is
suspended in, or acted upon by the gas and is so arranged that it will regulate or
control the flow of gas through the apparatus, and also the admission of the hydro-
'carbon-vapour from the vaporizing-chamber into the mixing-chamber according to the
amount of carburetted gas consumed. Now an important feature of my present
invention is the provision of improved means for the employment of steam for
vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon.
My present invention, moreover, comprises improved means hereinafter described
for regulating or controlling the flow of hydro-carbon-vapour from the vaporizing-
chamber into the mixing-chamber.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of one form of my improved carburettor.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section drawn to an enlarged scale, and
Figure 3 a vertical central section on the line a, r, Figure 2, illustrating details of
construction.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section illustrating another arrangement of the said
carburettor.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is a chamber or casing which is closed at its upper end by a cover a, and to the
lower end of which is firmly secured the mixing-chamber b. The part of the
chamber extends upward within the chamber a, thus forming an annular space c
which is filled, or partly filled, with mercury or other suitable liquid. is the gaso-
meter or gas-holder, which is partially immersed in the mercury or other liquid in the
said space e, and which is provided with suitable perforations. e is the inlet-pipe for
the gas to be carburetted. is the outlet-pipe for the carburetted gas. y is the
vaporizing-chamber; is the pipe for connecting the said vaporizing-chamber with a
reservoir or tank containing the liquid hydrocarbon.
The gasometer or gas-holder d is provided at its lower end with a strengthening
ring d, which may also serve to regulate the buoyancy of the said gasometer in the
mercury contained in the space c. The vaporizing-chamber g is provided with a
tubular part extending upward within the mixing-chamber and having screwed
upon its upper end a cap or bearing in which is fitted to slide a tube j firmly
attached at its upper end to the gasometer d. This tube is closed at its upper end and
is open at its lower end; it is provided with a distance-piece which keeps it central
within the tubular extension y¹ of the vaporizing-chamber, whilst permitting it to
move freely up and down therein. A collar or valve 2 is fixed on the tube and is
fitted to a seat formed in the cap 93 so that, when the gasometer is in its lowest
position, it will shut off all communication between the vaporizing-chamber g and the
mixing-chamber b, and will also serve as a support for the gasometer. The tubej is

page_text: pierced with one or more series of holes j³, which holes are brought successively
above the cap or bearing gas the gasometer rises.
By this simple arrangement, I provide for the enlargement or reduction of the
passage for the flow of hydrocarbon-vapour from the chamber ? into the mixing-
chamber according to the rate at which the gas is being consumed.
To provide for more effectually regulating the flow of hydrocarbon-vapour into the
mixing-chamber, a tube.j is fitted to slide in the tube and is pierced with one or
more series of holes corresponding in size with those in the outer: tube. The
tube is closed at its upper end by a plate or disc jo formed with: a screw-threaded.
hole into which is fitted an adjusting-screw. This screw is passed through the cap
or cover on the upper end of the tube j. A spring is placed between the cap or
cover and the end-plate of the tube . The holes in the tube j* can be justified
or male to coincide with those in the tube j, or can be made to overlap them more or
less, by adjusting the tube j relatively to the tubej by means of the set-screw j'. The
flow of hydrocarbon-vapour from the chamber g into the mixing-chamber ₺ can thus ·
be very accurately regulated or determined.
It is obvious that 1 can, if desired, dispense with the spring and provide
means for preventing endwise movement of the adjusting-screw whilst permitting its
rotation in the cap or cover j¹..
The head of the said adjusting screw is countersunk in the cover and is enclosed
by a cap screwed upon the said cover, so as to prevent leakage of the hydrocarbon-
vapour through the hole in the said cover for the said screw.
B
The chamberg is provided with horizontal strengthening plates g which are firmly
attached to the wall of the said chamber in any suitable manner and are formed with
apertures to permit the free passage of the hydrocarbon through them. The
apertures in the said plates are preferably so arranged that those in one of the said
plates are a considerable distance from those in either of the adjacent plates, the
circulation and effectual and uniform heating of the hydrocarbon are thus ensured.
The said plates gt effectually prevent collapse of the chamber g under the pressure of
the steam used for heating the said chamber as hereinafter specified.
kis a casing or jacket which surrounds the vaporizing-chamber g and which is made
strong enough to withstand a high internal pressure. The said casing or jacket is
closed at its lower end by a cover which fits upon a tubular extension 9 of
the vaporizing-chamber, and is provided with a stuffing-box ³ for ensuring tightness
of the joint around the said extension. By this arrangement, the vaporizing-
chamber g is held truly central within the casing or jacket. The said casing or
jacket is provided with an inlet-pipe k for the admission of steam, and with a pipe
for the escape or discharge of the water of condensation. The pipe k may, if desired,
be provided with a suitable steam-trap. The pipe for the supply of liquid hydro-
carbon to the chamber y is connected with the extension of the said chamber.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows, that is to say :-Steam is admitted into
the heating chamber or jacket k through the inlet-pipe and evaporates the liquid
hydrocarbon contained in the vaporizing-chamber g. The vapour thus formed passes
up the tube j and through such of the holes j³ and as may be raised above the valve-
seat in the cover g³, into the mixing-chamber 6, where it mixes with the gas to be
carburetted, and the mixture passes thence through the holes in the gasometer.
Should the consumption of the carburetted gas be increased or diminished, the
gasometer will descend or rise by reason of the .difference between the pressure in.
the mixing-chamber and that in the chamber a, and will thus automatically regulate
or control the flow of carburetted gas into the chamber a and the flow of hydrocarbon-
vapour into the mixing-chamber b. If the gas is found to be too highly carburetted
when the holes j in the tube coincide with the holes in the tube j, the said tube
is adjusted by means of the screw so that the holes will overlap the holes j³ and
thus diminish the area of the apertures for the flow of hydrocarbon-vapour to the
mixing-chamber. The said tube * may be adjusted in the reverse direction, should.
gas be found to be insufficiently carburetted.
the
The inner tube of the aforesaid valve is sometimes provided with means for adjusting

page_text: it by partially rotating it about its axis, instead of by moving it vertically or
end wise as above described, to cause its holes to coincide with or overlap those of the
outer tube.
If the valve is not required to be adjustable for the purpose above specified, the
inner tube can be dispensed with.
In Figure 4, I have shown an arrangement of my improved carburettor wherein I
employ, for regulating the flow of hydrocarbon-vapour from the vaporizing-chamber
into the mixing-chamber, a grooved spindle j, substantially as described in the said
former Specification, working in a hole in the cap 93 at the upper end of the extension g¹
of the vaporizing-chamber.
If desired, provision may be made for varying the density or quality of the gas by
raising or lowering the level of the mercury in the chamber e as described in the said
former specification.
It is advantageous for various reasons to use steam for evaporating the liquid hydro-
carbon. The temperature can be very accurately determined and easily maintained
constant or uniform. Any liability to overheating of the vapour is effectually
obviated. Moreover, the apparatus can be placed at a considerable distance from the
boiler for supplying the steam, and risk of fire is entirely avoided.
It is obvious, however, that, instead of using steam, 1 can cause hot water
to circulate through the jacket or casing for the purpose of vaporizing the
hydrocarbon. I am aware that both steam and hot water have been heretofore used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim —
First. A carburettor wherein the hydrocarbon is vaporized in one chamber and
mixed with the gas in another chamber, and which is provided with means for
heating the vaporizing-chamber by steam or hot water, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The combination, with the gasometer or its equivalent, of a perforated tube
fitted to slide in an extension of the vaporizing-chamber, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Third. The combination, with the gasometer or its equivalent and a perforated tube
fitted to slide in an extension of the vaporizing-chamber, of an inner perforated tube
which is fitted with a capability of adjustment within the other tube, so as to cause the
holes in the said tubes to coincide with, or to overlap each other, substantially as, and
for the purpose, above specified.
Fourth. The combination of parts comprising the cap or bearing, the perforated
tubes fitted one within another and arranged to slide in the said cap or bearing, the
collar or valve formed or fixed on the outer tube, and means for adjusting one of the
said tubes relatively to the other tube, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The improved carburettor consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and operating
as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated this 18ih dare of Sandamation 1000
HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.