Improvements in Apparatus Suitable for Generating and Supplying Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 31st May, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus Suitable for Generating and Supplying
Acetylene Gas.
A communication from abroad by F. CORTEZ WILSON, Manufacturer, of Chicago,
State of Illinois, U S.A
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows;
1
This invention relates to improvements in gas generators of a type designed
for use in the manufacture or production of acetylene gas from metallic carbides
and water.
Among the objects of the invention are to provide a generator in which the
production of gas 18 automatically regulated to afford a supply at all times pro-
portionate to the consumption and at a pressure which varies only between such
nariow limits that the steadiness of the flame at the burners is not materially
aftected by such variations, to provide a generator which can be re-charged with-
out dimming or extinguishing the lights, and without permitting an objectionable
escape of gas or fumes into the apartment or place in which the apparatus 19
located, and to provide an apparatus in which the gas will be generated and
maintained at a comparatively low temperature and have its contained moisture
condensed and removed before passing to the supply pipes of mains
Further
objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus which is safe and economica!
in operation, cheap in construction, simple and serviceable in all its parts, and
capable of being readily understood and kept in order by an unskilled person
The main feature of the invention consists broadly in regulating the generation
of the gas according to the demands of consumption by admitting the water supply
to the generating chamber at a point below the carbide support under a pie-
determined head or water column acting in opposition to the pressure of gas
generated as influenced by an expansible gas receiver allanged to produce an
increasing pressure with increasing capacity and a decreasing pressure with
decreasing capacity, and it is to be understood that this invention comprises any
form of apparatus in which regulation is thus effected The means for providing
the increased and decreased receiver pressure may obviously be varied widely and
may include any arrangement of weights on springs or other pressure increasing
or decreasing devices found convenient, although the arrangement helemaftei
described is practically convenient, and effective
For these purposes a gas generator according to this invention is provided with
a gas generating or carbide chamber to which water is admitted at a point below
the charge of carbide under a predetermined head or water column, and from
which the gas resulting from the reaction of the water on the carbide passes to
the supply pipes or buiners through a receiver that increases and decreases in
capacity with the increase and decrease in gas pressure throughout the system
and serves to vary such pressure accordingly as the supply of gas generated 18

page_text: greater or less than the demands of consumption The extent to which the water
rises in the generating chamber, and hydrates the carbide, and consequently the
rapidity of gas generation, is automatically regulated by the pressure of the gas
at receiver pressure acting upon the surface of the water forced into the generating
chamber by the piedetermined head. When the generation of gas becomes more
rapid than 18 necessary to supply the burners, the receiver temporarily takes up
the excess, and by its increasing resistance affords an increasing gas pressure
which forces the water in the generating chamber away from the carbide and thus
checks the generation of gas When the generation of gas is insufficient for the
demands of consumption the gas within the receiver is forced out to supply the
deficiency, and the gas pressure decreases until the water rising in the gas genera-
ting chamber affects the carbide enough to finish the necessary increase in the
volume of gas generated.
"
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The gas receiver may advantageously comprise an ordinary gas holder or
inverted bell provided with a liquid seal within an enclosing tank and so arranged
with reference to one or more weights or other pressure increasing devices that a
considerable increase of pressure ou the contained gas is produced as the bell rikes.
The liquid seal for the bell is, as a further improvement, provided in an annular
chamber into which the sides of the bell dip, and the space enclosed by such
annular sealing chamber and beneath the bell constitutes a cooling, condensing
and mixing chamber for the gas, to which the sealing chamber thus affords a
water-jacket
h
The lower part of the gas generating chamber 18 connected with the water supply
chamber by a valved passage, and, in an approved form, is surrounded by the
water chamber and kept cool thereby A gas outlet leads from the upper part
of the gas generating chamber into the bell or gas holder, and a removable recep-
tacle oi drawer is conveniently provided in the said chamber to receive the charge
of carbide and retain the residuum or waste thereof, so that the generator may be
e-charged and cleaned at substantially a single operation, after the gas geneia-
ting chamber has been emptied of water through a suitable valved discharge pipe
During this re-charging operation a check or valve or equivalent seal in the gas
outlet pipe prevents the gas in the bell from being forced back through the gas
generating chamber into the apartment or building which contains the apparatus,
and the gas within is in the meantime fed out to the burners under normal pres-
sure and without disturbing their action
An auxiliary supply of carbide, arranged to be suddenly and independently
hydrated, may conveniently be provided to generate a volume of gas sufficient to
fill the gas holder or bell and supply the lights during the re-charging operation,
in cases where the normal supply in the bell would be liable to prove insufficient.
As a further unprovement means may be provided for forcing air into the gas
generating chamber, previous to re-changing, to insure the expelling of all gas
therefrom, so that no gas or odour will escape when the said chamber is opened,
and the gas holder is desirably aanged to secure a thorough mixing with a large
volume of gas of whatever air may thus be blown through into the receiver, or
may be contained within the gas generating chamber when the latter is again
closed after the recharging operation To carry off the gas thus expelled from the
gas generating chamber by forcing air therein, a relief on blow-off pipe leads
out of the gas generating chamber to, the open air or a suitable flue from a
point in the generating chamber below the normal water level so that it 18 nor-
mally sealed thereby. When the generator is to be re-charged, the water is first
drained off from the gas generating chamber sufficiently to expose the relief pipe
after which the gas is free to pass off through the said pipe The said relief
further serves an even more important function in limiting the pressure which
may arise within the gas generator, for when the pressure of gas becomes great
enough to force the water in the gas generating chamber below the mouth of the
release pipe it is thereafter free to escape through the said pipe, and any increase
of pressure beyond this point is prevented.
pipe

page_text: Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows in sectional side elevation, one
construction of apparatus according to this invention, the gas holder being shown
as only slightly raised.
Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, showing the gas holder in the
position it occupies when filled with gas to nearly its full capacity.
Figure 3 18 a horizontal acction taken on line 33 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detail view, to a larger scale, of the air pump showing the arrange-
ment of the air inlet and outlet pipes and their valves.
Figure 5 18 a vertical section of the gas outlet valve, and
Figure 6 18 a horizontal section thereof taken on line 66 of Figure 5
Figure 7 is a side elevation showing an adjustable vent for the water chamber.
Figures 8 and 9 are details in section and side elevation respectively showing
an alternative construction of vent or overflow device
A designates an outer casing or tank, the lower part of which is divided off
to provide a water supply chamber B and a gas generating chamber C The latter
is shown as arranged diametrically within the water supply chamber, and pro-
jecting at one end through the wall of the said chamber where it is provided with
a door or cover C, by removing which free access may be had to the interior of
the generating chamber
Any suitable fastening device may be used for securing the cover C₁ in place.
such, for example, as a voke e the ends of which are in-turned (see Fig. 3) to
catch behind a band that surrounds the end of the chamber C, and through
the centre of which a clamping sciew is passed A gasket c³ 18 provided between
the cover C and the end of the chamber, so that when the cover 18 clamped in
place by the yoke and screw, a secure and gas-tight joint is ensured
D18 a removable receptacle or drawer fitting loosely within the generating
chamber C and provided at a distance above its bottom with one or more screens
o gintings d and d, which are preferably supported on cleats d' that permit of
their ready removal The charge of calcic or other carbide is placed upon the
upper grate d, or it may be the only grate, and as the carbide becomes disintegrated
by the action thereon of the water, the waste or residuum will drop through the
meshes of the grating and be retained at the bottom of the drawer The second
and lower grating d, if employed, will be located slightly below the upper giating d,
and will be made of finer mesh, so as to catch any pieces of unexhausted carbide
which may fall through the apertures of the upper grating d, and retain them
until thoroughly hydrated by the further action of the water.
Water is admitted to the gas generating chamber C from the water supply
chamber B through an inlet pipe B controlled by a valve b, and an exhaust
pipe B controlled by a valve 6 permits the said chamber C to be drained when
desired Apertures in its side walls admit water to the drawer D at a point
slightly below the gratings d and , but high enough above the bottom of the
diower to normally prevent escape therethrough of the waste material which may
have collected in the drawer. The water chamber B is filled through any suitabl
supply passage or pipe B to the depth required to furnish the desired head. As
shown in Figures 1 and 2, the said filling pipe B³ enters at a point below the nor-
mal water level, and the height to which the chamber will be filled when water
18. poured freely into the said pipe is determined by an adjustable vent pipe B*.
The said vent pipe passes out of the wall of the chamber through a stuffing box be
and is free to rotate therein Its inner end is turned or bent at an angle, and to
its outer end is secured a pointer 6 that may also serve as a handle by which the
pipe can be turned The vent pipe enters the chamber B at a point just beneath
the top wall a thereof, and the open mouth 6 of its inner end will be closely adja-
cent to the said wall or at a greater or less distance below the same, according to
the position to which the pointer b' is turned A suitably graduated scale is pro-
vided on the outside of the casing in proximity to the end of the pointer and
enables the position of the vent to he readily adjusted with accuracy The depth
of the water within the chamber B will obviously be limited according to this

page_text: adjustment, since the air remaining in the chamber above the open end 6* of the vent
pipe will practically prevent further entrance of water after the said end 18 sub-
merged. A pipe 63 may, if desired, lead off from the outer end of the vent pipe
to a suitable Hue or other outlet to the outer air, so as to prevent any possible odour
of gas from the water chamber entering the apartment in which the apparatus
18 located, the coupling or connection between the pipe 65 and vent pipe B' being
such as not to interfere with the rotary adjustment of the latter.
The gas resulting from the action of the water upon the carbide within the gas
generating chamber C passes upwardly through an outlet pipe C into a gas holder E
located within the upper portion of the tank or casing A The said gas holder
18 usually made in the form of an inverted cylindric bell open at its lower end and
having its lower edges submerged within a suitable liquid, preferably water, 80
as to be sealed thereby The said liquid seal is furthermore herein shown as pro-
vided within an annular space formed between the wall of the casing A and an
inner cylindrical wall f, which extends upwardly nearly the full height of the
bell.
A top wall covers the inner cylinder f and forms therewith an inner
cooling and mixing chamber F of considerable capacity.
To insure a proper mixing of the gas, an inner cylindrical wall depends
within the chamber F from its top wall f¹ nearly to the bottom a thereof. The
gas entering the bell through the outlet pipe C passes into the mixing chamber F
through apertures located in the top wall within the circumference of the
cylindrical walls and passes thence downwardly beneath the lower edges of said
cylindrical wall into the surrounding annulai portion of the chamber and finally
out to the mains or buineis through a pipe that is preferably carried down-
wardly through the water chamber to effect a further cooling of the gas Any
suitable check valve C³, such, for example, as that shown in detail in Figures 5
and 6, 18 provided in the gas pipe (2 which leads to the gas holder, for the purpose
of preventing any escape of the gas from the holder to the generating chamber
when the latter 18 opened
E¹, E, E and E are weights so arranged as to be applied in succession to the
gas holder E as the latter rises As herein shown, the said weights are conveni-
ently located within the gas holder and are connected by chains e of different
lengths with the top wall or cover e¹ of the said holder, the arrangement being
such that as the holder 11ses they are picked up in succession and remain suspended
in the manner shown in Figure 2 until the holder sinks as it becomes emptied of
gas In the lower position of the holder, or when it contains but little gas, these
weights rest upon the top wall f¹ of the mixing chamber F and the holder 18 thus
relieved of their weight
The working of the apparatus thus described is as follows;-A charge of carbide
16 placed upon the supporting grating of the drawer D which is then pushed
into the gas generating chamber C and the cover C¹ fastened in place The water
supply chamber B is filled through the pipe B to the height permitted by the
vent pipe B, which is adjusted to limit the water level to the height desired. The
generator 18 now charged ready for operation, which will immediately proceed
upon the opening of the valve b to admit water to the gas generating chamber C.
As the water rises within the said chamber, it enters the drawer D through the
apertures and its contact with the carbide on the grating immediately starts
the generation of acetylene gas, which passes off through the pipe C and valve C³
into the gas holder E and thence through the mixing chamber F to the mains
and burners The rising of the water within the gas generating chamber, however,
18 speedily checked by the pressure of the gas developed, which pressure re-acts
on the surface of the water to force the latter downward in the gas generating
chamber against the head afforded by the water column in the supply chamber B
It will therefore be obvious that the normal gas pressure throughout the system
will be determined by the height of the said water column, and the latter will
depend upon the proper proportioning of the apparatus for the particular service
for which it is intended. variations within reasonable limits being however,

page_text: provided for by the adjustable vent pipe B or equivalent device for limiting
the extent to which the chamber B can be filled Foi example, if a pressure of gas
cqual to a water column of two and one-half inches is desired, the water chamber
will be so proportioned in its capacity as compared with the capacity of the gas
generating chamber that when the valve b 18 opened and the water i uns into the
generating chamber, the water level in the water chamber will stand substan-
tially two and one-half inches above the water level in the gas generating chamber
when it rises high enough to touch the charge of carbide. The tendency of the
head in the water chamber will be to force the water higher in the generating
chamber, but this tendency will be overcome as soon as the pressure of the gas
generated equals a water column of two and one-half inches, and any increase
of gas pressure beyond this amount will force back the water from the generating
chamber into the water chamber, and, by leaving the carbide unsubmerged, check
the generation of gas until the pressure of gas is again reduced to correspond to
that of the two and one-half inches desued
Obviously the gas holder or bell, which will be of such weight as to normally
balance the pressure of gas desued, will take up any excess of gas generated above
the demands of consumption without otherwise affecting the operation, until it
rises high enough to lift the first weight E¹, whereupon its increased resistance
will cause an increase in bach pressure upon the surface of the water within the
gas generating chamber, and, by lowering the water level, tend to check the gener-
ation of gas, until by the lowering of the bell and the decrease of pressure the
water again rises into contact with the carbide In case, however, the carbide
which has been previously wetted, should continue to give off a greater amount
gas then 18 being fed to the buineis, the bell will continue to use and gradually
take up the succeeding weights E, E, and E', thereby gradually increasing the
pressure to such an extent as to insure the lowering of the water in the generating
chamber to a point at which the carbide is completely out of contact therewith
of
To secure a more gradual action of the water upon the charge of carbide as the
water level changes, and consequently a better regulation of pressures throughout
the avstem, the screen or grating which supports the carbide is preferably, and
as herein shown, inclined slightly so that the water as it rises wets the carbide
gradually from one end to the other, and as gradually withdraws therefrom This
effect is increased by the presence of the second or lower grating d, the mesh of
which is finer than the mesh of the upper or main giating d As the carbide dis-
integrates under the action of the water, it falls through the upper grating in
pieces still large enough to lodge on the lower grating and as yet not completely
exhausted. and a certain amount of gas will continue to be generated as long as
these are submerged When, however, the pressure becomes great enough it forces
the water below the second screen also and thus cuts off the generation from this
source A choked outlet pipe for the gas as it leaves the generating chamber 18
provided by inserting a plug C, having a hore of small diameter, in the gas outlet
pipe Cat the point of its departure from the gas generating chamber and will
also aid regulation by retarding any sudden flow of gas and so increasing the
gas pressure and driving back the water from the carbide more quickly. At the
same time the presence of this choked outlet does not prevent the outlet pipe as
a whole from being made of ample cross-section not liable to become clogged by
fouling.
As a further and practically important improvement, moreover, a relief or blow-
off pipe G leads out of the gas generating chamber at a point far enough helow the
normal water level to be ordinarily sealed by the water, and is conducted off to a
flue or to the outer air in the same manner as the pipe 63 The upward movement
of the bell is limited by a chain or other suitable stop, and if the pressure of gas
should not be checked by the lowering of the water within the chamber, but should
continue to increase, it will force the said water down until the mouth of the
relief pipe G is uncovered and thereupon the excess will be relieved through the
passage thus afforded The absolute safety of the apparatus is thus insured, since

page_text: by no possibility can the pressure of gas within the generator rise beyond the
point at which it will be relieved through the pipe
When the charge of carbide is exhausted, a new supply may be readily pio-
vided by removing the cover C¹ of the gas generating chamber C, withdiawing
the drawer D, and re-filling the same after emptying off the refuse During this
operation the supply of gas stored within the receiver will continue to pass to the
buiners under the same head as before and without disturbing then action in
any way
As a further improvement, moreover, to be used in case the supply of gas within
the receiver would be liable to become exhausted before the re-charging operation
is completed, means are provided for suddenly liberating a large volume of gas so
that the receiver can be filled just previous to the re-charging operation and the
contingency above referred to avoided H designates an auxiliary carbida recep-
tacle of small capacity, provided in the upper portion of the gas generating cham-
ber above the main charge of carbide, and herein shown as made in the form of a
small drawer removably supported upon cleats h at the upper outer end of the
said chamber. I 18 a small water tank placed above the gas generating chamber
and discharging into the latter through a pipe controlled by a valve
point of entrance of the pipe is duectly above the auxiliary cai bide support H, so
that when the valve & 18 opened a portion of the water in the tank I is immediately
discharged upon the carbide contained in the said auxiliary support and saturates
it, thereby producing almost instantly, a large volume of gas which serves to fill
the bell E, after which the recharging operation may be proceeded with.
T'he
A further improvement of great practical importance consists in the means pio-
vided for driving off all the gas which remains in the gas generating chamber at
the time the latter is about to be opened for re-charging Such means consists
of any suitable air pump arranged to force air into the gas generating chamber,
and is herein shown as provided in connection with the auxiliary tank I by pro-
viding a suitable bell I' within the said tank, together with suitable air inlet and
outlet pipes and The outlet pipe leads fiom the upper part of the bell I'
to a point in the generating chambei, below the normal water level. so that it is
ordinarily sealed thereby, and said pipe is also provided with a suitable non-
return valve, as shown in Figure 4, by which any back pressure and escape of
gas will be prevented when the pump is operated without regard to such seal.
The inlet pipe leads from the outer air to a point in the bell above the level
of the water in the tank I and is also provided with a non-return valve by which
any outflow through the said pipe is prevented With this arrangement it will
be obvious that when the bell is reciprocated an will be drawn in through the
pipe at each stroke and alternately therewith will be forced out through the
valved outlet pipe into the gas generating chamber When it is desned to re-
charge the apparatus it is therefore only necessary to drain off the water in the
gas generating chamber until the relief pipe G is uncovered and to then operate
the air pump until all gas remaining in the gas generating chamber has been
forced out through the said relief pipe, in order to completely prevent such gas
fiom escaping into the apartment when the generating chamber is opened.
The capability of thus being re-charged while in full operation, so far as supply-
ing gas to the burner is concerned, and without effecting in any way the lights
at said burners, without requiring any duplication of apparatus, and in a manner
avoiding all possibility of fouling the atmosphere of the room or building in
which the apparatus is placed, with the odour of acetylene gas, is a most impor-
tant practical feature of this improved generatoi
A further feature of practical importance is that the operation of replenishing
the carbide involves at the same time the removal of the waste or residuum so
that it is impracticable for the carelessness of an attendant to permit the generator
o become foul and clogged thereby Furthermore the construction is such that
hatever volume of an enters the gas generating chamber during the re-charging
peration, it is when fresh gas is generated, completely mixed with a much larger

page_text: volume of gas contained in the receiver and mixing chamber hereinbefore des=
cribed, and the buiners consequently do not show a blue flame after the re-charg-
ing operation, as would otherwise be the case, In passing from the gas generating
chamber to the mains the path of the gas is 60 circuitous that such thorough
mixing of the air and gas is insured, and, as the gas is removed from contact with
the water immediately upon leaving the generating chamber, and is exposed in
its passage to the mains to a large area of wall surface much of which is exposed
to the outer air and a large portion of which is water Jacketed, all moisture becomes
condensed as the gas is cooled, and the said gas, enters the mains in a dry condi-
tion and at a temperature but little above that of the surrounding atmosphere.
Additional devices for cooling and drying the gas may obviously be provided, but
in practice they have not been found necessary. The absolute safety of the gener
ator 18 insured by the relief pipe G leading from the generating chamber, which
limits the pressure ordinarily to but a few ounces per square inch The water
seal around the gas holder E should bo replenished from time to time as found
necessary, but 18 maintained in a large degree by the moisture which condenses
on the walls of the receiver and trickles down into the annular sealing chambei
In Figures 8 and 9 there is shown a modified arrangement of adjustable vent
for limiting the height of water in the water chamber B The overflow pipe J
is bent at its inner end at an angle to its main body portion which passes through
stuffing box
in the same manner as the vent pipe B herein before described
The said pipe J 18, however, located some distance below the top wall a of the
water chamber and its open inner end may be raised into the vicinity of the said
top wall or may be turned down into the horizontal plane of the stuffing box to
limit the level of water as desired, the position of the overflow being determined
as in the previous construction by the aid of an indicating pointer or handle J
and an adjacent scale The filling nozzle in this case conveniently consists of a
half funnel J soldered to the outside wall of a tank and opening into the water
chamber at its lower end or apex When water is poured into the funnel the
pipe J will obviously serve first as an au vent and then as an overflow after its
open end 18 submerged, so that no matter how much water 18 poured into the
chamber it will speedily run off to the level indicated by the pointer on the gauge
or scale
The outer end of the pipe is further herein shown as provided with a
whistle which will sound until the in-flowing water rises to the level of the over-
flow and fills the whistle, the cessation of its note being a warning to the attendant
that the proper supply of water has been reached.
"
It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the several
features of construction herein shown as embodying the present improvements
without involving any departure from the underlying principles thereof, although
the particular devices shown are in each case convenient and serviceable for tho
purpose intended.
W LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC,
Chartered Patent Agent
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus Suitable for Generating and Supplying
Acetylene Gas.
A communication from abroad by F CORTEZ WILSON, Manufacturer, of Chicago,
State of Illinois, U S.A
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the

page_text: 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.-
This invention consists in improvements in gas generators of a type designed
for use in the manufacture or production of acetylene gas from metallic carbides
and water.
Among the objects of the invention are to provide a generator which can be
re-charged without dimming or extinguishing the lights, and without permitting
an objectionable escape of gas oi fumes into the apartment or place in which the
apparatus 18 located, and to provide an apparatus in which the gas will be gener-
ated and maintained at a comparatively low temperature and have its contained
moisture condensed and removed before passing to the supply pipes or mains, and
also one which is safe and economical in operation, cheap in construction, simple
and serviceable in all its parts, and capable of being easily understood and kept
in order by an unskilled person
In order that the nature of the invention and the manner of performing the
same may be clearly understood reference will be had in the following description
to the diawings filed with my Piovisional Specification.
Fig. 1 of the said diawings is a central vertical section of an example of appara-
tus according to this invention with its gas holder only slightly raised;
Fig 218 a front elevation, partly in section, showing the gas holder in the
position that it occupies when filled with gas to nearly its full capacity,
Fig 3 is a horizontal section conesponding to the line 3-3 of Fig 1,
Fig 4 is a detail view, diawn to a larger scale, of an an pump, showing the
arrangement of the air inlet and outlet pipes and then valves,
Fig 5s a vertical section of a gas outlet valve, and
Fig is a horizontal section thereof corresponding to the line 6-G of Fig 5;
Fig 7 is a side elevation showing an adjustable vent device for the water cham-
ber, and
Figs 8 and 9 are respectively a section and a side elevation of a vent or over-
flow device that may be used in lieu of the vent device shown in Fig 7
The apparatus comprises an outer casing or tank A, the lower part of which is
provided with partitions to form a water-supply chamber B and a gas-generating
chamber C The chamber C 1s aanged diametrically within the water-supply
chamber so as to be surrounded and kept cool by the water there, and one end
of the chamber C projects through the wall of the chamber B, where it is provided
with a dooi o cover C, by removing which fiee access may be given to the in-
terior of the generating chamber
Any suitable fastening device may be used for securing the cover in place,
as, for example, a yoke, the ends of which are turned in (see Fig 3) so as to
catch behind a band c¹ surrounding the outer end of the chamber C, and through
the centre of which a clamping sciew 2 is passed A gasket is provided between
the cover C and the end of the chamber, so that when the cover 18 clamped in
place by the yoke and screw, a secure and gas-tight joint is insured
A removable receptacle or drawer D fits loosely within the generating cham-
ber C and is provided at a distance above its bottom with one or more screens of
gratings d and d, which or each of which is preferably supported on cleats d
that permit of its easy and quick removal The charge of calcic or other carbide
18 placed upon the giating d, and as the carbide becomes disintegrated by the
action thereon of the water, the waste or residium drops through the meshes or
apertures of the grating and is retained at the bottom of the diawei The second
and lower grating d', if employed, will be located slightly below the upper
giating d, and will be made of finer mesh, so as to catch any pieces of unexhausted
carbide that may fall through the apertures of the upper grating d, and retain
them until thoroughly hydrated by the further action of the water
A
Water is admitted to the gas-generating chamber C from the water-supply f
chamber B, through an inlet pipe B₁ provided with a valve b, and an exhaust pipe B
furnished with a valve b¹ enables the chamber C to be drained when desired.

page_text: Water is admitted to the drawer D through apertures in its side walls, at a-level
slightly below the gratings d and d (or of the single grating when only-one is
used), but high enough above the bottom of the drawer to prevent normally the
escape therethrough of the waste material which may have collected in the drawer.
The water chamber B is filled through any suitable supply passage or pipe B³ to
the depth required to furnish the desired head. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the
filling pipe B³ enters at a point below the normal water level, and the height to
which the chamber will be filled when water is poured freely into the said pipe
is determined by an adjustable vent pipe B. This vent pipe passes out of the
wall of the chamber through a stuffing-box b in which it can be rotated. Its
inner end is turned or bent at an angle, and to its outer end is secured a pointer 6³}
which may also serve as a handle by which the pipe can be turned. The vent
pipe enters the chamber B at a point just beneath the top wall a thereof, and
the open mouth 64 of its inner end will be close to the wall a or at a greater or less
distance below the same, according to the position to which the pointer 618
turned. A suitably graduated scale (see Fig. 7) is provided on the outside of the
casing in proximity to the end of the pointer and enables the position of the vent
to be easily adjusted with accuracy. The depth of the water within the chamber B
will obviously be limited according to this adjustment, since the air remaining
in the chamber above the open end 6 of the vent pipe will practically prevent
further entrance of water after the said end will have been submerged A pipe ³
may, if desired, lead off from the outer end of the vent pipe to a suitable flue or
other outlet to the outer air, so as to prevent any possible odour of gas from pass-
ing out of the water chamber into the apartment in which the apparatus 18 loca-
ted; the coupling or connexion between the pipe b and the vent pipe B must, of
course, be such as not to interfere with the rotary adjustment of the pipe Bt.
The gas resulting from the action of the water upon the carbide within the gas
generating chamber C passes upwardly through an outlet pipe C into a gas
holder E which is located within the upper portion of the tank or casing A and
18 made in the form of an inverted cylindrical bell open at its lower end and hav-
ing its lower edge submerged in a suitable liquid, preferably water, so as to he
sealed thereby. This sealing liquid occupies an annular space formed between
the annular wall of the casing A and an inner cylindrical wall f, which extends
upwardly to nearly the full height of the bell and to which is fixed a cover f¹
forming therewith an inner cooling and mixing chamber F of considerable
capacity.
To insure a proper mixing of the gas, an inner cylindrical wall ƒ³ depends with-
in the chamber F from its cover f nearly to the bottom a thereof. The gas enter-
ing the bell through the outlet pipe passes into the mixing chamber F through
apertures located in the cover fl within the circumference of the cylindrical
wall and passes thence downwardly beneath the lower edges of the said cylin-
drical wall into the surrounding annular portion of the chamber, and finally out
to the supply pipes, mains, or buiners through a pipe F¹ that is preferably carried
downwardly through the water chamber to effect a further cooling of the gas.
A suitable check valve C³, such, for example, as that shown in detail in Figs. 5
and 6, 18 provided in the gas pipe C that leads to the gas holder, for the purpose
of preventing any escape of the gas from the holder to the generating chamber
when the latter 18 opened
E, F, E³, and E are weights conveniently arranged within the gas holder and
connected by chains e of different lengths with the cover e¹ of the said holder Bo
that as the holder rises they are picked up in succession and remain suspended in
the manner shown in Fig. 2 until the holder sinks as it becomes emptied of gas.
When the holder contains but little gas, these weights rest upon the cover f¹ of
the mixing chamber F and the holder is thus relieved of their weight
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
A charge of carbide CC is placed upon the supporting grating d of the drawer D.
18

page_text: The drawer is then pushed into the gas-generating chamber C and the cover C
fastened in place The water-supply chamber B 18 filled through the pipe B to the
height permitted by the vent pipe B, which is adjusted to limit the water leve!
to the height desired The generator is now charged ready for operation, which
will immediately proceed upon the opening of the valve b to admit water to the
gas-generating chamber C. As the water rises within the chamber C, it enters
the drawer D through the apertures and its contact with the carbide on the
grating immediately starts the generation of acetylene gas, which passes off
through the pipe C and by the valve C³into the gas holder E and thence through
the mixing chamber F to the mains or supply pipe and burners. The rising of
the water within the gas-generating chamber, however, 18 speedily checked by
the pressure of the gas developed, which pressure reacts on the surface of the
water to force the latter downward in the gas-generating chamber against the head
afforded by the water column in the water-supply chamber B. It will therefore
be obvious that the normal gas pressure throughout the system will be determined
by the height of the said water column, and the latter will depend upon the proper
proportioning of the apparatus for the particular service for which it is intended
variations within reasonable limits being, however, provided for by the adjustable
vent pipe B or equivalent device for limiting the extent to which the chamber B
can be filled. For example, if a pressure of gas equal to a water column of two
and one-half inches is desired, the capacity of the water chamber is so propor-
tioned to the capacity of the gas-generating chamber that when the valve bis
opened and the water runs into the generating chamber, the water level in the
water chamber stands substantially two and one-half inches above the water level
in the gas generating chamber when it rises high enough to touch the charge of
carbide. The tendency of the head in the water chamber is to force the water
higher in the generating chamber, but this tendency is counteracted as soon as
the pressure of the gas generated exceeds that of a water column of two and one-half
inches, and any increase of gas pressure beyond this amount forces back the water
from the generating chamber into the water chamber, and, by freeing the carbide
from contact with the water, checks the generation of gas until the pressure of gaB
is again reduced to the two and one-half inches pressure desired.
Obviously the gas holder oi bell, which is of such weight as normally to balance
the pressure of gas desired, takes up. any excess of gas generated above the de-
mands of consumption without otherwise affecting the operation, until it rises
high enough to lift the first weight E', whereupon its increased resistance causes
an increase in back pressure upon the surface of the water within the gas geneia-
ting chamber, and, by thereby lowering the water level, tends to check the genera-
tion of gas, until, in consequence of the lowering of the bell and the decrease of
pressure, the water again ises into contact with the carbide If, however, the
carbide which has been previously wetted, continues to give off a greater amount
of gas than is being fed to the burners, the bell continues to rise and gradually
takes up the succeeding weights E, E, and I, thereby gradually increasing the
pressure to such an extent as to insure the lowering of the water in the genera-
ting chamber to a point at which the carbide is completely out of contact there-
with.
To secure a more gradual action of the water upon the charge of carbide as the
water level changes, and consequently a better regulation of pressures throughout
the system, the grating which supports the carbide is preferably inclined slightly,
as shown, so that the water, as it rises, wets the carbide gradually from one end
to the other, and as gradually withdraws therefrom This effect 18 increased by
the presence of the second or lower grating d, the mesh of which is finer than
the mesh of the upper on main grating d. As the carbide disintegrates under the
action of the water, it falls through the upper grating in pieces still large enough
to lodge on the lower grating and as yet not completely exhausted, and a certain
amount of gas continues to be generated as long as these are submerged When,

page_text: however, the pressure becomes great enough it forces the water below the second
grating also and thus cuts off the generation from this source. The outlet pipe C¹
for the gas leaving the generating chamber is choked by inserting therem, at its
Junction with the gas-generating chamber, a plug C having a bore of small dia-
imeter, which aids iegulation by retaiding any sudden flow of gas and so increasing
the gas pressure in the gas-generating chamber and driving back the water fron
the carbide more quickly At the same time the presence of this choked outlet
does not prevent the outlet pipe as a whole from being made of ample cross-sec-
tion so as not to be liable to become clogged by fouling
A relief or blow-off pipe G leads out of the gas generating chamber at a point
far enough below the normal water level to be ordinarily sealed by the water, and
18 conducted off to a flue or to the outer air in the same manner as the pipe b³.
The upward movement of the bell E is limited by suitable means such as a chain,
and if the pressure of gas is not checked by the lowering of the water within the
chamber, but continues to increase, it forces the said water down until the mouth
of the relief pipe G 18 uncovered and thereupon the excess is relieved through the
passage thus afforded The absolute safety of the apparatus is thus insured, since
by no possibility can the pressure of gas within the generator ise above the point
at which it will be relieved through the pipe G
When the charge of carbide is exhausted, a new supply may be easily and
quickly provided by removing the cover of the gas-generating chamber C, with-
drawing the drawer D, and 1c-filling the same after emptying it of the refuse
During this operation the supply of gas stored within the receiver continues to
pass to the burners under the same head as before and without disturbing their
action in any way
As a further improvement, to be used in case the supply of gas within the re-
ceiver would be liable to become exhausted before the re-charging operation 18
completed, means are provided for suddenly liberating a large volume of gas so
that the receiver can be filled just previously to the re-charging operation and
the contingency above referred to avoided Such means comprise an auxiliary
carbide receptacle H of small capacity, provided in the upper portion of the gas-
generating chamber above the main charge of carbide, and shown as made in the
form of a small diawei removably supported upon cleats h at the outer end of the
said chamber. I is a small water tank placed above the gas-generating chamber
and discharging into the latter through a pipe a controlled by a valve 2¹
point of entrance of the pipe is directly above the auxiliary carbide support H,
so that when the valve 18 opened a portion of the water in the tank I is imme-
diately discharged upon the carbide contained in the auxiliary support H and
saturates it, thereby producing almost instantly, a large volume of gas, which
serves to fill the bell E When this has been done the recharging operation may
be proceeded with.
The
A further improvement of great practical importance consists in the provision
of means for driving off all the gas that remains in the gas-generating chamber
when the latter is about to be opened for re-charging, by forcing air into the gas-
generating chamber. In the example shown, the auxiliary tank I has within it a
suitable inverted bell I' and is provided with suitable au inlet and outlet pipes Z
and The outlet pipe 3 leads from the upper part of the bell I' to a point in the
generating chamber C, below the normal water level, so that it is ordinarily sealed
thereby, and the said pipe 18 also provided with a suitable non-return valve (see
Fig. 4) for the purpose of preventing the escape of gas when the pipe ³ 18 no
longer sealed by the water in the chamber C. The inlet pipe leads from the
outer air to a point in the bell I' above the level of the water in the tank I and
18 also provided with a non-return valve for preventing any outflow through
the said pipe With this arrangement it will be obvious that on the reciprocation
of the bell, air will be diawn in through the pipe 18 at each stroke and alternately
therewith will be forced out through the valved outlet pipe into the gas-generat-

page_text: ing chamber C When it is desned to re-charge the apparatus it is necessary.
therefore, only to diain off the water in the gas-generating chamber C until the
relief pipe is uncovered and then to operate the bell I¹ until all gas remaming
in the gas-generating chamber has been forced out through the said relief pipe,
in order completely to prevent such gas from escaping into the apartment when
the generating chamber is opened
The capability of thus being re-charged while in full operation (so far as supply-
ing gas to the burners 18 concerned), without affecting in any way the lights at
the said burners, without requiring any duplication of apparatus, and in a manner
avoiding all possibility of fouling the atmosphere of the 1oom or building in which
the apparatus is placed, with the odour of acetylene gas, is a most important prac-
tical feature of this improved generator.
A further feature of practical importance is that the operation of replenishing
the carbide involves at the same time the removal of the waste or residuum, so
that it is impracticable for the carelessness of an attendant to permit the genera
tor to become foul and clogged thereby Furthermore, the construction is such
that whatever volume of air enters the gas-generating chamber during the re-
charging operation, it is, when fiesh gas is generated, completely mixed with a
much larger volume of gas contained in the receiver and mixing chamber here-
inbefore described, and the buiners consequently do not produce blue flames after
the re-changing operation, as would otherwise be the case In passing from the
gas-generating chamber to the mains or supply pipes, the path of the gas 18.80
circuitous that such thorough mixing of the air and gas 18 insured, and, as the
gas is removed from contact with the water immediately upon leaving the genera-
ting chamber, and is exposed in its passage to the mains to a large area of wall
surface much of which is exposed to the outer au and a large portion of which is
water jacketed, all moisture becomes condensed as the gas is cooled, and the said
gas enters the mains in a dry condition and at a temperature but little above that
of the surrounding atmosphere Additional devices for cooling and drying the
gas may obviously be provided, but in practice they have not been found neces-
sary The absolute safety of the generator is insured by the relief pipe & leading
from the generating chamber, which limits the pressuie ordinarily to but a few
ounces per square inch The water seal around the gas holder E should be re-
plenished from time to time as found necessary, but is maintained in a large
degree by the moisture which condeuses on the walls of the receiver and trickles
down into the annular sealing chamber A draining cock 18, in practice, provided
for diawing off condensed moisture from the chamber F
In Figs 8 and 9 there 18 shown a device for limiting the height of water in the
water chamber B, that may be used in lieu of that shown in Fig 7
The over-
flow pipe Jis bent at its inner end at an angle to its main body portion which
passes through a stuffing box in the same manner as the vent pipe B herein-
before described The pipe J 18, however, located some distance below the cover a
of the water chamber B and its open inner end may be raised into the vicinity
of the said cover or may be turned down to the horizontal plane of the stuffing
box to limit the level of water as desired, the position of the overflow being deter-
mined as in the case of the device shown in Fig. 7, by the aid of an indicating
pointer or handle J¹ and an adjacent scale. The filling nozzle in this case con-
veniently consists of a half funnel J soldered to the outside wall of the casing or
tank A and opening into the water chamber at its lower end or apex
When
water is poured into the funnel the pipe J, as will be obvious, first serves as an
air vent and then as an overflow after its open end 18 submerged, so that no matter
how much water 18 poured into the chamber it will speedily run off to the level
indicated by the pointer on the gauge or scale. The outer end of the pipe 18
shown as provided with a whistle which sounds until the in-flowing water rises
to the level of the overflow and fills the whistle, the cessation of its note heing a
warning to the attendant that the proper supply of water has been reached.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same 18 to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1 In apparatus suitable for generating acetylene, the combination, with a
generating chamber, of a relief pipe normally sealed by the water in the said
chamber, means for lowering the water to open the relief pipe, and means for
foicing air into the chamber to displace the gas therein and expel it through the
relief pipe, substantially as set forth
2 In apparatus suitable for generating acetylene, the combination of a genera-
ting chamber, a removable receptacle which is provided in its upper part with a
grating adapted to support carbide and is closed in its lower portion so as to retain
waste from such carbide, apertures in the receptacle above the bottom thereof
below the said grating, and means for supplying water to the said chamber at a
point below the said grating, substantially as set forth
3. In apparatus suitable for generating and supplying acetylene, the combi-
nation, with a generating chamber and an expansible gas receiver adapted to give
an increased pressure with increased capacity, of an openwork device adapted to
support carbide within the said chamber, and means for supplying water to the
chamber at a point below the said device, which 18 inclined to the horizontal so
that water admitted to the said chamber will, on 118ing therein, wet Buch carbide
giadually from one end to the other, and, on being forced down therein by the
pressure of gas, will withdiaw gradually from such carbide
4 In apparatus suitable for generating acetylene, the combination with a
generating chamber, of an uppei giating adapted to support a charge of carbide
and a lower grating of finer mesh than, beneath, parallel with, and in close prox-
imity to, the upper grating, substantially as set forth
5. In apparatus suitable for generating acetylene comprising a generating
chamber and a water chamber opening into the lower portion of the generating
chamber, and a device suitable for supporting carbide within the generating chan-
bor above the water inlet, the combination of an auxiliary device suitable for
supporting carbide within the generating chamber above the aforesaid support
and a water receptacle provided with an outlet furnished with a valve whereby
carbide supported by the said auxiliary device can be independently hydrated
at will, substantially as set forth
6 In apparatus suitable for generating acetylene gas having a generating
chamber, a water-supply chamber communicating with the generating chamber
below a device suitable for supporting a charge of carbide therein, and an expan-
sible gas receiver adapted to give an increase of gas pressure with increase of
capacity, means for adjustably limiting the height of water in the supply chamber
comprising an outlet pipe passing out of the chamber through a stuffing box in
which it is mounted to rotate, the inner end of the pipe being deflected out of its
axis of rotation, and an indicator enabling the position of the pipe to be accurately
adjusted, whether the inner end of the pipe be arranged to project upwards to-
wards the top of the supply chamber according to Fig 7 or downwards therefiom
according to Figs. 8 and 9
7 The improved apparatus suitable for generating and supplying acetylene gas.
constructed, arranged, and operating as hereinbefore described with reference to
and shown in Figs 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawings filed with my Piovisional
Specification and the same as modified according to Figs 8 and 9 thereof.
11
1
1000
W LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC,
Chartered Patent Agent