IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AND CONNECTED WITH THE MANU- FACTURE AND USE OF ILLUMINATING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Duric Fisher, of the City of Glasgow,
in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AND CONNECTED WITH THE MANU-
FACTURE AND USE OF ILLUMINATING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Durie Fisher
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 10th October 1872.
I, WILLIAM DURIE FISHER, of the City of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOB AND CONNECTED WITH
THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF ILLUMINATING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This said Invention has reference mainly to a new or improved
construction and arrangement of the parts of a gas making apparatus
A

page_text: for illuminating purposes, more particularly of the small compact class
suitable for private isolated purposes, as for country residences, public
works, lighthouses, ships, railway trains and vehicles, not capable of
being supplied by the large public gas works, many of which improve-
ments are applicable to other ordinary constructions of gas making
apparatus and other purposes, all which improvements give greater
simplicity, compactness, efficiency, and cleanliness, or saving in first
cost, or in time and labour in the production of the apparatus, and
working and maintaining the parts in an efficient state, over the modes
and means heretofore employed.
And the nature of the Invention consists all as follows:-Referring
to the first part of the Invention or improvements the retort, when
intended for producing the gas from liquid hydrocarbons, as mineral
oils, petroleum, rosin, or pitch, or the residues left in the refining of
these, has a new or improved construction of false bottom from end to
end, with two or more channels running in a straight (or it might be
undulating or zig-zag manner), longitudinally inclined, so that the
liquid will flow from the inlet end of one channel to the other, and
return through the second channel (and so on, when there are more
than two channels) to the outlet pipe, at the front or back end, where
any residue, when liquid, could be led into a residue liquid trap, the
outlet end of the pipe dipping a little into the liquid of the trap, or
receiving and surrounding outer overflow vessel, sufficient to maintain
the liquid at one level and prevent the escape of gas, which may be
conducted or led off through this trap, or a separate trap, all as will be
herein-after described.
For producing gas from coal, shale, or other solid gas giving materials,
a retort of any of the ordinary constructions may be used, but with the
bottom slightly elevated at the back and front ends to allow any liquid
or tarry matter or residue to fall or run to the middle or hottest part of
the retort to convert it into gas also.
When the door or cover of the retort is formed with a metallic joint,
it is, by another improvement, attached to and made to slide by and
with a lever, which is jointed at one side of the mouth piece, the
opposite arm or handle end of the lever being worked and inserted into
a bevelled hook, bar, or sueck, which is adjustable by any ordinary
mechanical means to the tightness desired. The said sliding action of

page_text: the door, in the act of closing, cleans or clears the face of the mouth
piece of any grit or tarry matter, and insures closeness of the joint; and
when the common luted door is used, it is rested on suitable snugs at
each side, and the jointed lever (which in this case is not attached to
the door) is brought down on an inclined plane feather fixed on the
back of the door, and the handle or opposite end of lever is forced into
the before-mentioned sneck
the door, in the act of closing, cleans or clears the face of the mouth
piece of any grit or tarry matter, and insures closeness of the joint; and
when the common luted door is used, it is rested on suitable snugs at
each side, and the jointed lever (which in this case is not attached to
the door) is brought down on an inclined plane feather fixed on the
back of the door, and the handle or opposite end of lever is forced into
the before-mentioned sneck
The interior of the outlet gas pipe of the retort is by another
improvement enamelled or glazed, or it may be tinned or lined with
any casily cleaned metal or glazed earthenware, or clay pipes may be
used instead, and whether the outlet pipe is placed vertically as usual
or at an angle upwards, it has a movable round scaper or cleaner fitted
within it, attached to a rod working out through a stuffing box at the
upper end furthest from the retort, and so connected by a link or lever
as to be reciprocated automatically by the said long hand lever, the
door being connected preferably by a link in the form of a togle joint,
so as to give increasing power to the scraper in the acting direction, or
it might be by any ordinary equivalent mechanical means, all so that
the same action that lifts the door will cause the scraper to traverse
within the outlet gas pipe and clear it of any condensed or tarry matter,
and so as also to form or act as a shut-off valve in this pipe when the
door is open, and when the door is again shut to draw or bring the
scraper back to the further end of the pipe past the branch inlet to the
conducting gas pipe herein-before referred to, to allow the gas a free
passage thereto and down it to the before-mentioned or other residue
liquid trap, into which the end of this cooling pipe dips sufficiently to
prevent the escape of the gas below the bend or entrance, leading the
gas up a vertical condensing pipe without passing through the liquid in
the trap or level luting vessel, from which the residue flows over by a
spout or duct at the said level into any final receiver. The said trap or
vessel is suspended by flexible or universal joints when used in a ship or
vehicle. The gas then rises up the condensing or refrigerating pipe
and down another, or it might be more such pipes, having an inverted
U shaped faneet or socket bent at top, joining these pipes for reversing
the gas through them (and at the bottom when more than two of these
condensing or cooling pipes are used) before letting it into the purifiers,
which is done by a bend or branch near the lower end of the last of
these conducting pipes, through an aperture in or near the bottom of
$ 2

page_text: the purifiers, so as to pass up through the perforated trays of lime to the
top, from which it is drawn off at the top hood or bend of another
conducting pipe leading by a lateral branch and angled pipe rising to
and entering the central part of the gasometer or holder, this angled
pipe being controlled by a stop-cock beyond the branch leading from the
lower end of the vertical pipe, which, as well as the lower end of the
other vertical pipes dips into an overflow trough or vessel, with divisions
between the pipes, or it may be into different vessels with the before
named overflow spouts to cach, all to conduct the condensed residues
into the trap, and yet prevent the escape of the gas at the lower ends,
the top bends being made removable (or with plugs as usual) for
cleaning these vertical pipes at intervals, the joints being luted by the
water in the cistern through which these pipes pass for keeping them
cool, and in which the purifier is also placed, with a portable and
removable cover with deep edges dipping into and luted in the same
water, and covering in the top of the vertical pipe for conducting the
gas from the top of the purifier to the gas holder. On the opposite side
of the outlet gas pipe of the retort to that of the branch pipe where it
joins the angled conducting pipe leading to the condensing pipes, a
loaded hinged cleaning door is fitted, which also acts as a safety valve,
and the said angled pipe is also preferred to be kept cool by enclosing
it in a jacket or outer pipe, leaving a space between them, along which
a current of air is passed by connecting the outlet of the said space or
passage with the inlet air draught through the furnace.
Instead of using the simple overflow vessels or traps before described
for the lower ends of the vertical conducting and condensing pipes to
dip into, the angled conducting pipe, from the retort discharge pipe.
with the scraper and valve combined, is led so as to conduct the gas
into one branch of the inverted "breeches" or three-branched dip pipe
of an improved close trap, and from which it is led by the second of the
two upper branches through the first of the straight vertical condensing
pipes as before described (or it might be an angled, undulating, or zig-zag
pipe) over the surface of or without passing through the liquids in the
trapping vessel, into which the third and lowest vertical branch dips, so
as to prevent the escape of the gas and allow the condensed residues to
flow into the receiving vessel. The said first cooling pipe, after either
passing through the refrigerating or condensing cold water cistern before
described, or a surrounding casing having cold air passed through it by

page_text: connecting its outlet end with the up-take draught of the furnace, as
described in reference to the angled pipe leading from the outlet retort
pipe, is returned by a straight pipe to the before-mentioned improved
trap either direct or by a branch dip pipe below the branch and pipe
leading to the purifiers, either with or without a division dip plate
between it and the before-mentioned three-branched dip pipe, as may be
desired. The purifiers may be of any of the ordinary forms and con-
struction, with perforated trays erected over each other, but it is preferred
by these improvements to have the vessels formed of glazed earthenware
or fire-clay, or when made of iron, enamelled or glazed on their inner
surface, with the greater part of them immersed in the water of the
condensing cistern, through which the conducting pipes are also passed,
as before described.
By these improved arrangements of the pipes all the condensed liquids
or residues are or may be collected into the said trap and from one or
more outlet or overflow orifices of which they are drawn off to any final
receiver. There being no scaling or dipping pipes or hydraulic main as
heretofore in this improved arrangement of gas making apparatus there
is no pressure on the retort or obstruction, so that the gas passes right
on to the purifier, but which when used in ships or moving vehicles are
by these improvements suspended on swinging or universal joints, and
the inlet and outlet pipes or their junctions are made of flexible material
to allow of the oscillation, and instead of the ordinary water joint the
junctions of these vessels and purifiers are preferred to be made of india-
rubber or other elastic material at the joints, kept tight by screws or
other equivalent means, especially when used in ships or moving
vehicles.
Another improvement consists in applying to the gas holders (whether
of he common water, sealed, or dry collapsing bag kind) conical fusees
and pulleys (similar to those used in clockwork) for the balance chains
to wind or work over, and thus compensate for the variable weight of
these kinds of holders, but instead of counterbalancing weights springs
may be employed within the fusee or pulley, especially when the holder
is of the collapsing light bag kind, and particularly when used in ships
or vehicles, as it is plain that a dangling weight would be objectionable
when used in a moving vehicle, although in some cases both a weight
and a spring might be used; and the spring when used, or its spindle,
can have a suitable winding handle and ratchet for taking the pressure

page_text: off the holder when required; and the chain wound round each fusee
would be coiled in the reverse direction to that of the chain round the
cylindrical pulley or drum on the same spindle, whichever chain is
attached to the gas holder or the counter weight, as it may be.
One form of an improved kind of collapsing gasometer or holder
consists of a box made of any desired shape and of gas-tight material
open at the mouth, which has fixed all round its upper edge one edge
of a band of flexible gas-tight material of the same depth as the box.
The opposite edge of the gas-tight cloth is also fixed all round the edge
of a rigid top or cover, which must work freely down through the mouth
of the said box, which forms a gas holder, one half the whole depth
being rigid, the other half being formed by the flexible cloth and the
rigid top, which is simply loaded to give the gas the proper pressure,
being invariable in its weight in all positions, and as it falls into the box
by suitable guides it presses out the gas at a uniform pressure, and the
may be guided vertically up and down by one or more rods fixed to
the bottom of the vessel, or outside to any overhead frame, and which
would work up through holes and guiding ducts fixed on the top of the
rigid lid or other suitable guides outside.
lid
When the gas is desired or required to be enriched in carbon it can be
passed or blown through naphthaline or any other carbonizing liquid
before entering the purifiers, or it might be the gas holder.
In some cases tlic gas within the holder when of a poor quality may
be so enriched by adding a certain proportion of carbonized air thereto,
and this may be done by using the rising forec of the gasometer itself
to work or raise the forcing pistons of one or more blowing cylinders, or
other equivalent blowers or injectors which in the downward action of
the gas holder would take in the air, and by the rising action would force
the air through pipes with roses of small holes up through a closc vessel
of naphthaline or other such liquid hydrocarbon, which would give the
carbon to the air so blown through it, from which close vessel the air so
charged with carbon would be led into the gasometer in the same manner
as the gas and so as to mix with it. The upward pressure of the top of
the gas holder may
also be made to shut the damper of the gas making
furnace, or set on an alarm bell when the holder is nearly full of gas.
Another improvement has reference to a new or improved mode and
means of forming a safety or fluid pressure tight joint at the junction of

page_text: the pipes and other such parts of gas making apparatus, which is also
applicable to the making of other fluid pressure tight joints such as those
of the pipes and conduits of water and steam; and this consists in
making the extreme ends of the pipes where they abut and are to be
jointed of a reverse truncated conical shape on the outside, with recess
and shoulder beyond, over which conical part and recess near the centro
or middle a sheet, ring, or layers of any ordinary suitable packing, such
as used for flanges and other joints, is placed over the double conical
part and joint, when a loose ring or metal collar or hollow truncated
cone is drawn over the packing and tightened up by percussion or by
bolts through suitable snugs, or other equivalent means, which will
squeeze the packing over the cones at the joint, the hollow conc-shaped
surfaces acting as a wedge presses the packing very tightly on to the
joint. This kind of joint admits of any pipe or part being removed and
replaced with great ease and without injury to itself or the other parts,
which is not possible with the common spigot or faucet joint, which
when used may be improved by casting a bead or strip on the large end
of spigot, and putting a ring or sheet of packing on to the spigot end in
front of the said collar, and then placing it in the faucet, and by per-
cussion or pressure on the opposite or open end of the pipe forces it
home until the joint is tight, thus saving the use of gasket, the melting
of lead, and the labour of staving or calking the joints all round.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Durie Fisher in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
DURIE FISHER, of the City of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Durie Fisher, Her special
licence that I, the said William Durie Fisher, my executors, admin-
istrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Durie

page_text: Fisher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
usc, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AND CONNECTED WITH THE MANUFACTURE
AND USE OF ILLUMINATING GAS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER
PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Durie Fisher, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Durie Fisher, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention has reference mainly to a new or improved con-
struction and arrangement of the parts of a gas making apparatus for
illuminating purposes, more particularly of the small compact class
suitable for private isolated purposes, as for country residences, public
works, lighthouses, ships, railway trains, and vehicles not capable of
being supplied by the large public gas works, many of which improve-
ments are applicable to other ordinary constructions of gas making
apparatus and other purposes, all which improvements give greater
simplicity, compactness, efficiency, and cleanliness, or saving in first cost,
or in time and labour in the production of the apparatus, and in working
and maintaining the parts in an efficient state over the modes and means
heretofore employed.
And in order that the nature of my said Invention and the manner
of performing the same may be properly understood, I shall now
proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the Sheet of
Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
the best modifications and means I am at prosent aware of for prac-

page_text: tically carrying the whole into clicct or practice, the same reference
letters and numerals indicating the same or like parts in all the
Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 are a transverse and a longitudinal vertical section,
respectively, of a retort A, as built in over its beating furnace placed
and fired at the back end much in a usual manner, but otherwise con -
structed in accordance with and illustrative of one modification and
arrangement of my impovements in the construction of retorts for
producing illuminating gas from liquid hydrocarbons, as from mineral
oils, petroleum, rosin, pitch, or the residues left in the treating or
refining of these. The liquid hydrocarbons would be supplied from a
cistern as a, placed some distance above the retort A so as to flow into
it at the top front end A' through the pipe a' regulated by a tap a", or
other equivalent; and the supply and level in the cistern a might bo
regulated by a ball float, valve, or tap as a fitted on the supplying pipe a³,
or other equivalent; and in cold weather, or when the material is too
thick to run, it could be heated by passing a flue from the retort on its
way to the chimney below the cistern a; or when there is hot water or
steam convenient, this could be passed through pipes within the bottom
of the liquid and cistern a to make it sufficiently fluent to flow into the
retort. The retort A, whether made of cast iron as shown, or of fire-
clay as is very common, is formed or fitted with a new or improved con-
struction and arrangement of false bottom B laid from end to end with
two, three, or more channels B', B", B", the two first or other number
running in a straight (or it might be undulating or zig-zig) manner,
longitudinally inclined or angled downwards to the back end A" from
the inlet end A', so that the liquid will flow from the back end of these
first channels B', B", into the other channel B, or it might be more
channels, and return to the front A¹ through these second channels Bu,
angled in the reverse direction for that purpose (or so on back and for-
ward when there are more than two sets of reversing channels) until
the liquid residue not distilled into gas reaches the outlet pipe C at the
front A, or it might be the back end A" of the retort, where it could
be let into the pipe C (cleaned from time to time by actuating the
improved reciprocating plug valve scraper G worked by the hand lever E,
all as will be herein-after more fully described in reference to F, Figures
3, 4, and 3), and then led into a residue liquid trap through the outlet
pipe C¹, continued so as to dip a little into the liquid of the trap I or

page_text: other receiving and surrounding outer overflow vessel, sufficient to
maintain the liquid at one level and prevent the escape of the gas from
the retort. The gas so produced is also conducted and led off through this
simple, vertical, or other outlet pipe C fitted with the said automatic
plug or valve scraper G (without the use of the ordinary hydraulic main)
direct through the said trap I or a separate or improved trap I, i, all as
will be herein-after more fully described in reference to the other
Figures 3, 4, 3, while the end door A' of the retort may be bolted or
otherwise fixed in a usual manner, or by the improved means to be
herein-after described.
For producing gas from coal, shale, or other solid gas giving materials,
a retort of any of the ordinary constructions may be used, but with the
bottom slightly elevated at the back and front ends as A', A", and angled
down towards the middle to allow any liquid, or tarry matter, or residue,
to run to this central and hottest part A³ of the retort, all to facilitate
the conversion of the most of the material into gas with as little
residue as possible, either with or without a residue drawing-off pipe C,
as may be preferred and shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Referring to my further Improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of the parts of gas making apparatus for general purposes from
the coal and shale now used for that purpose, which have to be charged
into the retort, and the solid carbon removed at intervals from time to
time, Figure 3 is a front elevation of such a gas producing apparatus
constructed in accordance with and illustrative of one modification of
several of my improvements as applied thereto; and Figure 4 is a 3
longitudinal vertical section through the retort in Figure 3; and
Figure 5 is a plan of the improved construction of purifier K and con-
denser J, L, corresponding to the elevation of the same in Figure 3; while
Figure 6 is a plan of the improved compensating
"fusce" or spiral
conical barrel P, P', for the raising and lowering balancing chains and 3
weights of ordinary gas holders, whether of the ordinary elastic bellows
class O, shown in Figure 3, or of the telescopic class, which get heavier
as they rise and lighter as they descend, and therefore require a corre-
sponding adjustment of the counterweights.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of a complete gas producing apparatus 3
constructed in accordance with and illustrative of another modifi-
cation and application of my said improvements as applied thereto:

page_text: Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the retort corresponding to
Figure 7 and Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed section of the joint of
cover j¹ on the condenser j, j, j", corresponding to Figure 7; while
Figure 10 is a side clevation of the improved spring compensating
fusee" or cone pulley applied for raising and lowering my new or
improved construction of gas holder, shown in Figure 7; and Figures 11
and 12 are an end view and section of the winding spindle and ratchet,
and the spring case or barrel respectively.
66
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, when the door or cover A' of the
retort A is formed with a flat metallic joint at the end of the retort, it
is by another improvement attached to and made to slide with and by
the action of a lever E, which is jointed at one side E¹ of the mouthpiece
of the retort in front, the opposite arm or handle end E" of the lever being
worked and pressed down into a bevelled hook bar or sneck E, which
is made or adjustable by any ordinary mechanical means to give the
proper tightness desired to the joint between the cover A¹ and end of
the retort A. This sliding action of the door A' in the act of closing
cleans or clears the face of the mouthpiece of any grit or tarry matter
and insures closeness of the joint; and when the common luted door is
desired to be used the cover is rested on suitable snugs E" at each side,
and the jointed lever E (which in this case, as seen in Figures 7 and 8,
is not attached to the door) is brought down on an inclined plane
feather A fixed on the back of the door A', and the handle or opposite
end E of lever is forced into the before-mentioned sneck E¹¹¹.
The interior of the outlet gas pipe F of the retort A is by another
improvement enamelled or glazed, or it may be tinned or lined with any
easily cleaned metal or glazed earthenware, or clay pipes may be used
instead, and whether this outlet pipe F is place vertically as usual or at
an angle upwards, it has a movable round scraper or cleaner G fitted
within it attached to a rod G¹ working out through a stuffing box at the
upper end furthest from the retort A (see Figures 3, 4, and 34, which
latter is drawn to a large scale to show the construction and working of
this scraping plug or valve G more clearly than it is in the other general
arrangements, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8,) and so connected by a link
and lever g' and rod g" to the lever E (or it might be directly, as seen in
the arrangement fitted to the residue discharge pipe C, Figures 1 and 2,)
as to be reciprocated automatically by the said long hand lever E of the
door, the whole forming therewith a kind of automatic togle joint

page_text: arrangement, so as preferably to give increasing power to the scraper G
in the acting or scraping direction; or this might be effected by any
ordinary equivalent mechanical means, so that the same action that lifts
the door will cause the scraper G to traverse within the outlet gas
pipes C, F, and clear it of any condensed or tarry matter, and also close
it to form or act as a shut-off valve in the pipe at C², F, when and while
the door is open, and when the door is again shut to draw or bring the
scraper G back to the further or stuffing box end F of these pipes (or
vice versa, direct by a lever E of its own for the residue escape pipe C,
Figures 1 and 2), past the branch outlet C', F", to the conducting gas
pipe H to allow the gas a free passage thereto and down it to the
before-mentioned residue liquid trap I, i, or other ordinary trap as I, into
which the end " of this cooling pipe H dips sufficiently to prevent the
escape of gas below the bend or entrance H' leading up the vertical con-
densing gas pipe J without passing through the liquid in the trap or
level luting vessel I, from which the residue flows over by a spout or
duct at the said level I' into any final receiver. The trap or vessel I is
shown as set on the ground level at 1 -1, but when used in a ship or
moving vehicle it would be suspended by flexible bands or universal
or gimbal joints. The gas as produced in the retort thus, as stated,
flows down the dip H and then rises up the first condensing or refri-
gerating pipe J, over the connecting and inverted U shaped branch J',
and down another or second conducting pipe J" to the branch J. The
inverted Ushaped pipe J' being water jointed by long faucet for the
convenience of removal and of cleaning the pipes J, J", and when more
of these condensing pipes are used they would have reversing U shaped
pipes at the bottom also. The lower end J of the last condensing
pipe J also dips into the water sealing and condensed residue receiver I
below the lateral bend or branch J™, which is directly connected to the
bottom of the purifier K and the water cooling cistern L connecting this
and the condensing pipes J', J".
The gas
then passes from the
branch J, up through the apertures at the bottom of the purifier K
and several compartments and perforated trays of purifying lime placed
therein to the top, scaled and covered by an inverted cap-shaped
cover from which it is drawn off at M³ (through a bend) or the upper
end of another straight conducting pipe M, leading down to and then up
through the lateral branch N and angled pipe N', rising to and entering
the central part N" of the gasometer or holder O; this angled pipe N'
may be controlled by a stop-cock N' beyond the branch N, so as to close

page_text: it through the lever N and rod N³, by the act of raising the lever E
and opening the door A', closing the connection with the vertical
pipe M, the extreme lower ends M" of which, as well as that of the other
vertical pipes J, J", dip into the overflow trough I either with or
without divisions between the pipes, or it might be into separate
vessels I with the before-named overflow spouts I' to each, all to conduct
and collect the condensed residue in the trap or traps I, and yet
conduct the gas through all from the retort to the receiver without
allowing any of it to escape at these lower ends or traps, or the top
bends and cover J' and K' made movable in a simple improved manner
for cleaning them at intervals, and the deep edges of these are jointed
and kept tight by dipping into the water (within the cistern L) which
also surrounds the pipes J, J", and the purifier K immersed therein.
The red arrows in the several Figures indicate the course or direction in
which the gas flows from the retort A to the gas holder O.
By another improvement a door F is fitted on the opposite side of the
outlet gas pipe C, F, to that on which the branch pipe C₁, F", joining
and leading down the angled pipe II, which, besides answering as a door
for cleaning that pipe, fixed by a screw f, or wedge and lever f¹, as shown
in Figures 1 and 7, may also be formed with a weight f", and act as a
safety valve to the apparatus when preferred. The angled pipe I may,
when desired, be kept cool by enclosing it in an outer jacket or pipe k,
with an annular space between them, through which a current of air is
made to pass, by connecting the outlet end at H' with an inlet air duct,
as l, leading into the close ash-pit of the furnace Z, Figures 7 and 8,
where this duct is shown as led from the bottom of such a refrigerating
air chamber, encasing the condensing pipes J, J", J, in Figure 7,
shown open at the top for the air to enter and pass down and cool them
on its way to the duct and furnace Z, as indicated by the blue arrows
in that Figure.
By another improvement indicated in red lines in Figure 3, the upward
pressure of the gas and action of the top O' of the gas holder O is made
to shut the damper S, by the lever S', S", fulcrummed at S", having its
long arm S linked to the damper, and its short arm counterweighted
at S', so as always to open the damper S, except when the striker O"
raises the weighted end S₁ of the lever, and shuts the damper of the gas-
making furnace before the cover O' of the holder O reaches its extreme
height to prevent accidents, or more gas being made; and the same

page_text: action, by the striker O", is made to set on an alarm bell 8 when the
holder O is nearly full of gas by raising the pall lever 8 to let go a
ratchet wheel of an alarm spring or weighted spindle and pulley 8', which
actuate the hammer 8" and strikes the bell & until it winds down, and
the downward action of the holder O, by the cord &, winds up the
weight again ready for its next action, all to automatically warn the
attendant when the gas holder is full.
Referring to the modification shown in Figures 7 to 12, the parts of
which are more particularly constructed and arranged as suitable for use
on board of ships, or on railway carriages, or other vehicles for long
journeys, instead of using the simple open overflow vessels or traps I,
before described, for immersing the lower ends of the vertical conducting
and condensing pipes J, J", or j, j", Figures 3 or 7, into the lower end
II of the angled conducting pipe H. From the retort discharge pipe F
is, by the improved arrangement shown in Figure 7, jointed to one side
of a new or improved construction of two chambered trap i, so as to
conduct the gas into one branch or chamber of this V or inverted
"breeches" close trap or three-branched dip pipe i, from which the gas
is led by a second opening in the upper part of the first branch
or chamber up through the first pipe j and round over the top,
and down the second of these vertical condensing pipes j" into a
second branch or chamber without passing through the liquids in
the lower open port or branch of this trap i, or the vessel I into
which it is placed or immersed, so as to prevent the escape of the
gas, and allow the condensed residue to flow into the receiving or over-
flow vessel I, I'. In this case the pipes j, j", are shown as undulatory
to give more cooling surface; but they might be laid at an angle, when
preferred, whether made straight or undulatory. The said first cooling
pipes J,j, (after either passing up through the refrigerating or condensing
cold water cistern L, before described in reference to Figure 3, or the
surrounding air casing, having cold air passing through it by con-
necting its outlet end with the up-take draught of the furnace ash-
pit, as described in reference to Figure 7, either with or without the
casing round the angled pipe H,) may be connected to and returned by
the pipe direct to the before-mentioned improved trap i, with the dip
plate between them, as shown in Figure 7, or only by a branch or dip
pipe below the branch and pipe leading to the purifier k, either with
or without a division dip plate between it and the before mentioned
branches entering the trap i, as may be desired.

page_text: The purifiers K, k, may be of any of the ordinary forms and con-
structions, with their successive divisions and perforated trays erected
over each other; but it is preferred by these improvements to have the
vessels formed of glazed earthenware or fire-clay, or when made of iron
enamelled or glazed on their inner surface with the greater part of them
immersed in the water of the condensing cistern L, through which the
conducting pipes are also passed, as before described.
By these improved arrangements of the pipes all the condensed
liquids or residue are made to run or gravitate and be collected into
the said traps I, from one or more overflow orifices I' of which they
they are drawn off to any final receiver, so as to maintain the trapped
and luting liquid at the same level. The gas not having to pass
through sealing valves, dip pipes, or hydraulic main in these improved
arrangements of gas-making apparatus, as heretofore, puts little pressure
on the retort and passes freely on to the purifier K or k. But the water
vessels, condenser, and purifier, when used in ships or moving vehicles
are by these improvements suspended on swinging links b, flexible
bands, or universal joints to the ceiling or walls, and the inlet and
outlet pipes, m, or their junctions connecting them to the large
stationary or fixed parts, such as the retort or the gas holder, or made
of flexible material to allow of the consequent oscillation, and instead
of using the ordinary water joint it is preferred to form the junctions
of these vessels and purifiers with india-rubber or other clastic material
c, h, kept tight by screws or rings h¹¹, ², as at H³, c", c³, of the pipes
|H, j, j", ¡¹¹¹, m, 'leading to the purifier k and holder O, or other equi-
valent means, as at the cover j³, by a groove and packing tightened
by a curved feather f on the back with a tightening hand, swivelling
lever, or link f³, the pipes m, n, in this case being shown fitted with a
U shaped trap pipe n¹ and cock n³.
Another improvement consists in applying to the gas holder, as O or o
(whether of the common water sealed or dry collapsing bag kind) conical
"fusce
drums P and pulleys P¹ (like those used in clockwork and
derrick cranes) for the balance chains P" and P² to wind or work over,
so as to compensate for the variable weight of these kinds of holders,
as O, Figures 3 and 6, the chain P" from the centre of the holder
passing over a plain pulley Q, so as to wind on to the couc P, or it
might be the cylindrical pulley P¹ in the opposite direction to the
chain P on the pulley or cone respectively, as the case may be, so that

page_text: as the gas holder rises its chain is wound on, while the chain P by its
weight P is wound off, and vice versa; thus giving the weight its
maximum power when the gas holder is up, and least power when
down, to balance its weight in all positions as nearly as practically
necessary without requiring to take off or add weights.
Instead of a counterbalancing chain P² and weights P³, a spring and
spring box as R., R', Figures 7, 10, and 12 may be employed, having its
one end fixed to the fusee or pulley R', and the other to the winding
spindle R", furnished with and fixed by a holding ratchet wheel R*,
especially when the holder o is of my new or improved light collapsing
bag construction, shown at Figure 7, for use in ships or vehicles where a
dangling weight would be most objectionable, although in some cases.
both a weight and a spring might be advantageously used.
When the spring arrangement is used the barrel R' or its spindle R"
can have a suitable handle R' for winding it up and regulating the strain
at first, with a spring pall for holding the ratchet wheel, so that the
spring would have a mean power sufficient to nearly balance the weight
of the moving parts of the holder o, the chain Pu would wind round the
"fusee" as usual in the reverse direction to the spring R, so that as the
top of the gas-holder rose the spring R would wind up the chain Pu
towards the small end of the conical barrel R', and the weight of the
moving parts of the holder when lowering would wind up the spring R
by pulling round the barrel R'.
One form and construction of my new or improved collapsing
gasometer or holder, as shown in Figure 7, consists of a hollow round
wooden case o (but this might be made rectangular or of any other
shape, and of gas-tight rigid material as sheet metal), of rather more
than half the height of the entire holder, open at the mouth o", which
has fixed all round its upper edge o" the one edge of a case or band o'
made of flexible gas-tight material of nearly the same depth as the
box 0;
the opposite edge of this gas-tight flexible case o³ is also fixed
all round the edge of a rigid top or cover o' with a round edge which
must work freely down and double the case o down into the said box o,
which together form the gas-holder, one half o being rigid, and the
other half flexible, thus forming a simple collapsing gas-holder for
small apparatus and portable purposes, the rigid top o' being loaded to
suit the pressure at which it is desired to discharge the gas through
the exit service pipe N. This weight being always the same at all

page_text: heights and positions, the lid o' is easily counterbalanced by the arrange-
ment of single chain P and spring fusee R, R', as before described in
reference to Figures 7, 10, and 12, or by a simple counterweight over
plain pulleys, and guided vertically in its motion up and down by the
central rod o³, and one or more sets of guide pulleys q, the one q¹ of
which may have a deep groove in the centre for the chain Pu to pass
over without touching the guide rods o³. But other equivalent arrange.
ments of guides may be used as one or more rods fixed to the bottom of
the vessel, or outside to any overhead frame which might work through
close hollow tubes, stuffing box, guide holes, or guides fixed on the top
of the lid o' or equivalent guides outside.
When the gas produced is deficient in carbon and illuminating power
it is enriched in carbon by passing or forcing it through naphthaline or
any other good carbonizing liquid before entering the purifiers K, k,
or after passing through these and before entering the gas holder as
○ or o.
In some cases this carburetting or enriching of the gas may be done
within the gas holder by forcing in or adding a certain proportion of
carburetted air thereto, and this may be done by an improved mode and
means of making the descending or rising force of the gasometer O itself
effect this, all as shown in the transverse section, Figure 13, of a gasometer
fitted with one modification of these improvements, and which consists
in arranging and fixing two or more blowing cylinders T round the
outer case of the gas holder O, over a close vessel U, into which the
naphthaline or other light liquid carbon is fed to a uniform level by the
fountain branch U', supplied by the regulating tap and float U and U².
The discharge ports and valves T', in this case placed at the bottom,
being directly connected to a long rose pipe Us immersed in naphthaline,
the downward action of the pistons T" and the gas holder O (to which
they are connected by their actuating rods and cross heads T, T³,) would
force the air in them into and through the rose pipe and liquid, so as to
become carburetted and be forced up the pipe U into the gas holder O,
so as to be mixed with the gas direct from the retort and purifiers
entered by the pipe N*, and drawn off by a similar pipe not shown.
The top ends of the cylinders T are either made open or with valves for
the admission of the air to fill them during the down stroke of the
pistons T, but which during the up stroke pass through valves & in them,
and fill the lower ends of the cylinders ready for being forced through
R
.

page_text: the naphthaline into the gas holder O on the next down stroke of the
pistons T, as before described, and all as indicated by the arrows in
Figure 13.
It will also be seen that these cylinders T could be made to force the
air on the up stroke of the pistons T", and be made double acting when
desired, according to the arrangement of inlet and discharge valves, and
that although blowing cylinders alone have been described and shown
for forcing the carburetting air or gas through the naphthaline into the
gas holder, it is to be understood that other equivalent ordinary con-
structions of blowing or injecting apparatus may be employed for this
purpose, either worked by the gas holder or, when convenient, by other
motive power.
And while these several improvements have been described mainly as
applied to the production of illuminating gas, it will be understood that
they are equally applicable for producing such-like hydrocarbon gases.
for heating and other purposes.
Another improvement of my said Invention consists of a new or
improved mode and means of making tight, simple, and efficient joints
at the junctions of the pipes and other such parts of gas making
apparatus, and which is applicable to the making of other fluid pressure
tight joints, such as those of the pipes and conduits of water and steam,
two modifications of which are shown in detached section to a large scale
in Figures 14 and 15. And referring to Figure 14, this modification
consists in making the circumference at the extreme end of the
pipes H, I, where they are to be jointed with reverse angled or
truncated conical recesses, largest where they abut with a small shoulder
beyond, to retain a roll, band, or ring, formed of layers of any ordinary
compressible or elastic substance used for packing flanged and other
joints placed over this duplex conical recess h, h, near the centre or
middle of an outer loose conical compressing metal ring " drawn over
it by a flange or ears h³, and screw bolts passed through these, and a
flange or corresponding cars, or snugs cast on one of the pipes as H',
so as to draw the conical ring 4" over the packing h³, which compresses
and tightens it and the joint all rigid and fluid tight by the action of
the screw bolts, or it might be assisted or wholly done by driving on the
ring", or other equivalent means, which would push the conical
ring over the packing to squeeze it over the packing and cones h³, h,
which act as wedges, also to draw the abutting ends of the pipes and

page_text: joint close and tight. This kind of joint admits of any pipe or part
jointed in this manner as the pipes H, in Figures 3 and 7, being
removed and replaced for cleaning or repairs with great ease and without
injury to it, or the other pipes or parts as F and H, which do not
even require to be moved as other pipes generally have to be, such as
spigot or faucet joints, which however when used may be jointed more
simply than heretofore by the improved mode and means shown in
Figure 15, which consists in forming a conical faucet H* on the end of
the one pipe as H³, and an abutting collar ¹ a little back from the point
of the spigot end H", with a ring h* of soft metal or other packing on
the end of the spigot H in front of the collar ", and then inserting
it into the faucet H', when it is then forced home until the joint is
tight, as shown in Figure 15, by percussion or pressure on the opposite
or open end of either pipe, while the other is held stationary, thus dis-
pensing with the use of gasket, the melting of lead, and the labour
of staving or calking the joints all round in the ordinary way in which
spigot and faucet joints are made.
Having thus described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The construction and arrangement of the parts of gas producing
apparatus or mechanism, distinguished as separate modifications or
adaptations of my said Invention or improvements, all substantially in
the new or improved manner, and for the purposes herein described, and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and use of retorts for the making of gas
from liquid hydrocarbons with inclined undulatory channels, substan-
tially in the new or improved manner herein described and shown in
reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The construction of gas making retorts with a slanting sole or
bottom to conduct the liquid residues to the lowest and hottest part,
substantially in the new or improved manner herein described and shown
in reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The construction of the conducting gas pipes and purifiers of
gas producing apparatus with tinned, glazed, or enamelled internal
surfaces, or made wholly of glazed porcelain, or fire-clay ware, all

page_text: substantially in the new or improved manner and for the purposes
herein described.
Fifth. The construction and use of a combined reciprocating scraper
and valve within the conducting pipes of gas making apparatus, worked
simultaneously with and so as to close the inlet to the said pipes when
the doors of the retorts are open to the atmosphere, substantially as
herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. The new or improved modes and means of constructing,
jointing, and fixing the doors of gas making retorts, and construction
and arrangement of the parts of mechanism for automatically opening
them simultaneously with the actuating of a scraper and closing valve
combined with the discharge gas pipe, or other cocks or valves in the
conducting pipes, all substantially as herein described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Seventh. The enclosing of the conducting and condensing pipes of
gas making apparatus, within air chambers or ducts through which the
cold air is made to pass leading to the up-take draught of the ash-pit or
furnace of the retort, all substantially in the new or improved manner
and for the purposes herein described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Eighth. The construction and arrangement of the parts of residue or
tar traps at the ends of the conducting and condensing pipes of gas
making apparatus, substantially in the new or improved manner and
for the purposes herein described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Ninth. The hanging of the liquid traps and purifiers, or other parts of
gas making apparatus by flexible bands, chains, rods, or universal joints,
all substantially in the new or improved manner and for the purposes
herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Tenth. The new or improved modes and means of fixing the cleaning
doors of the ducts and valves of gas making apparatus by a wedge or
eccentric feather and link, substantially as herein described and shown
in reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eleventh. The constructing of the conducting pipes between the parts.
of gas making apparatus by clastic branches or joints, all substantially
as and for the purposes herein described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.

page_text: Twelfth. The construction and use of the "fusec
"
or cone pulleys to
the suspending mechanism of gas holders, substantially as and for the
purposes herein described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirteenth. The construction and arrangement of the parts of a new
or improved collapsing gas holder, substantially as herein described and
shown in reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourteenth. The new or improved modes and means of carburetting
gas or carburetting air, and mixing it with gas, for giving the said
carburetting gas greater illuminating power, substantially as herein
described, or shown in reference to Figure 13 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifteenth. Improved modes and means of jointing pipes for the con-
ducting of gas, steam, water, and other fluids by conical rings and
conical faucets, substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shown in reference to Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Durie Fisher, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
JOHN THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
62, Buchanan Street,
Glasgow.
W. D. FISHER. (L.S.)