Improved Apparatus for Producing, Storing, and Utilizing Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1895

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c., Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 20th day of May 1897.
Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1996
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Producing, Storing, and Utilizing
Acetylene Gas.
I, GUSTAVE TROUVÉ, of 14, Rue Vivienne, Paris, France, Electrician, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
This invention has for its object to enable acetylene gas, whether pure or mixed
with other gases, to be produced, stored, and utilized for lighting purposes in a.
continuous and practical manner.
The invention consists more particularly in the combination, with one or more
generators of small dimensions, of a holder of suitable volume for the storage of
the gas. The apparatus is easily managed and the stored gas leaves no residue in
the holder.
The generator for producing the acetylene gas by the decomposition of crystal-
lized calcium carbide by means of water, may also be adapted as a lamp for
lighting purposes.
The apparatus employed in carrying out my invention would be varied according
to circumstances, and I have illustrated by way of example in the accompanying
drawings, two arrangements which may be adopted for the purpose.
Figure 1 is an elevation, Figure 2 a vertical section, and Figure 3 a horizontal
section on line 1-2 Figure 2, of a generator applied to a lamp.
Figure 4 is a separate plan view of the globe holder.
Figure is a detached view of a modified arrangement of condenser for collecting
the watery vapours carried along by the acetylene gas.
Figure 6 shews a single generator combined with a gas-holder for storing a
sufficient volume of gas for lighting dwellings, factories, etc., for a given number
of hours.
Figure 7 is a part sectional elevation of a gas-holder combined with more than
one generator.
The same letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.
An acetylene generator of small dimensions for the continuous production and
storage of a volume of gas sufficient for lighting dwellings, workshops, etc., for a
given number of hours, is illustrated more particularly in Figure 2 and in
combination with the generator in Figure 6. It comprises a vessel 6 containing
water in which is immersed a bottle c whose mouth is closed by an india-rubber
stopper c', and having an aperture'd in the bottom for admitting water. Within
the bottle is suspended a wire cage e containing crystals of calcium carbide f
rranged in superposed layers resting on glass discs g. A glass disc would be
D

page_text: placed upon the bottom of the cage or the latter may be a solid plate to cause the
water to enter at the sides only and thus avoid sudden irruption of water into the
midst of the carbide and too violent evolution of gas. The separation of the layers
of calcium carbide has for object to render uniform the production of the acetylene
gas which if the cage contained a large quantity of calcium carbide would increase
from the commencement to the end of the operation, notwithstanding successive
well regulated immersions, by the moistening of the entire mass by the aqueous
vapour carried up by the gas. As the gas and aqueous vapour do not traverse the
whole mass of calcium carbide the bottom layer is first reduced to lime and then
the second and succeeding layers whereby uniformity of production is ensured
throughout.
The cock is connected by means of a flexible pipe 9 (Figure 6) with a hollow
column which communicates by a flexible pipe s with the upper part of a bell t
provided with a pressure gauge u and gas outlet pipe v. The bell t is guided by
rollers upon the columns counterbalanced by a weight and dips in the water
contained in tank y.
The acetylene gas generated by the decomposition of the crystallized calcium
carbide by means of water collects in the bell which is so weighted that the
pressure therein shall be for example one-half of that in the generator. A non-
return ball-valve is placed at 1 to prevent escape of gas from the holder when
charging the generator.
In Figure 7 the bell t has a central guide tube 2 which slides upon a guide
rod z, the bell being balanced in any suitable manner, and the gas is supplied to the
bell by two generators connected with a pipes rising through the bottom of the
tank into the bell t above the water level, the gas outlet pipe v being similarly
arranged. A stop cock k is provided for each generator so that one can be cut off
for re-charging whilst the other is in work. By thus employing several generators
a continuous production of acetylene gas can be obtained, either pure or mixed
with any other gas, carbonic acid gas for example, in regulated quantity.
The acetylene gas thus continuously produced and stored, alone or mixed with
other gases, leaves no residue in the gas holder, thus enabling the automatic
production and storage in a single holder of a large volume of gas without being
encumbered with the residues of the decomposition of the carbides, as in large
generators working intermittently. When the generator is combined with a lamp,
as in Figures 1 to 5, it is placed within the lamp body a.
The aquecus vapour carried off with the acetylene gas evolved occasions much
inconvenience especially when the burner and generator are combined in a portable
form. In order to condense these aqueous vapours two concentric tubes h, i,
bevelled at their lower ends are provided to conduct the gas to the cock k, as
indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, but immediately condensation takes place the
central tube becomes primed and acts as a syphon, the acetylene continuing to
rise in the outer tube i and passing to the cock k through orifices in tube h which
continues to syphon off the moisture condensed. A metal baffle disc m fixed on the
lower end of tube h serves to condense the first evolution of aqueous vapour and
also to enable the tube to be withdrawn for the purpose of inspecting or cleaning
the fittings.
In Figure 5 there is interposed in the gas outlet between cock and bottle ca
condenser n formed of a spiral metal strip exposing an extended surface upon which
the aqueous vapour will be deposited.
In order to ensure steadiness of the flame and prevent an ascending current of
air caused by the density of acetylene gas, the globe holder o is a solid disc in one
or not with the claws, whereby the lower part of the globe is closed, as in
Figure 2.
Dated this 7th day of December 1895.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Producing, Storing, and Utilizing
Acetylene Gas,
I, GUSTAVE TROUVÉ of 14, Rue Vivienne, Paris, France, Electrician, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :—
This invention has for its object to enable acetylene gas whether pure or mixed
with other gases, to be produced stored and utilized for lighting purposes in a
continuous and practical manner.
The means by which this is effected comprise more particularly one or more
sinall generators as herein described and the combination thereof with a holder of
suitable volume for the storage of the gas. The apparatus is easily managed and
the stored gas leaves no residue in the holder.
The generator for producing the acetylene gas by the decomposition of
crystallized calcium carbide by means of water, may also be adapted as a lamp
for lighting purposes.
The apparatus employed in carrying out my invention would be varied according
to circumstances and I have illustrated by way of example in the drawings accom-
panying my Provisional Specification two arrangements which may be adopted for
the purpose.
Figure 1 is an elevation, Figure 2 a vertical section, and Figure 3 a horizontal
section on line 1-2 Figure 2, of a generator applied to a lamp.
Figure 4 is a separate plan view of the globe holder.
Figure 5 is a detached view of a modified arrangement of condenser for collecting
the watery vapours carried along by the acetylene gas.
Figure shews a single generator combined with a gas-holder for storing a
sufficient volume of gas for lighting dwellings, factories, etc. for a given number
of hours.
Figure 7 is a part sectional elevation of a gas holder combined with more than
one generator.
The same letters of reference denote like parts in all the figures.
An acetylene generator of small dimensions for the continuous production and
storage of a volume of gas sufficient for lighting dwellings, workshops, etc., for a
given number of hours is illustrated more particularly in Figure 2 and in com-
bination with the generator in Figure 6. It comprises a vessel b containing water
in which is immersed a bottle e whose mouth is closed by an india-rubber stopper cl
and having an aperture d in the bottom for admitting water gradually so as to
prevent too large a quantity of calcium carbide being acted on at first and thus
avoid a too sudden evolution of acetylene gas at the commencement of the
operation. Within the bottle is suspended a wire cage e containing crystals of
calcium carbidef arranged in superposed layers resting on glass discs g. A glass
disc would be placed upon the bottom of the cage or the latter may be a solid plate to
cause the water to euter at the sides only and thus avoid sudden irruption of water
into the midst of the carbide and too violent evolution of gas. The separation of
the layers of calcium carbide has for object to render uniform the production of the
acetylene gas which if the cage contained a large quantity of calcium carbide
would increase from the commencement to the end of the operation notwithstanding

page_text: successive well regulated immersions, by the moistening of the entire mass by the
aqueous vapour carried up by the gas. As the gas and aqueous vapour do not traverse
the whole mass of calcium carbide the bottom layer is first reduced to lime and
then the second and succeeding layers whereby uniformity of production is ensured
throughout.
n
The cock k is connected by means of a flexible pipe 9 (Figure 6) with a hollow
column r which communicates by a flexible pipes with the upper part of a bell t
provided with a pressure gauge u and gas outlet pipe v. The bell t is guided by
rollers upon the columns counterbalanced by a weight and dips in the water
contained in tank y.
The acetylene gas generated by the decomposition of the crystallized calcium
carbide by means of water collects in the bell t which is so weighted that the
pressure therein shall be for example one-half of that in the generator. A non-
return ball-valve is placed at 1 to prevent escape of gas from the holder when
charging the generator.
In Figure 7 the bell t has a central guide tube 2 which slides upon a guide rod z
the bell being balanced in any suitable manner and the gas is supplied to the bell
by two generators connected with a pipes rising through the bottom of the tank
into the bell t above the water level the gas outlet pipe v being similarly arranged.
A stop-cock k is provided for each generator so that one can be cut off for
re-charging whilst the other is in work. By thus employing several generators a
continuous production of acetylene gas can be obtained either pure or mixed with
any other gas, carbonic acid gas for example, in regulated quantity.
The acetylene gas thus continuously produced and stored alone or mixed with
other gases, leaves no residue in the gas holder thus enabling the automatic
production and storage in a single holder of a large volume of gas without being
encumbered with the residues of the decomposition of the carbides as in large
generators working intermittently. When the generator is combined with a lamp
as in Figures 1 to 5 it is placed within the lamp bcdy a.
i
The
aqueous vapour carried off with the acetylene gas evolved occasions much
inconvenience especially when the burner and generator are combined in a portable
form. In order to condense these aqueous vapours two concentric tubes
bevelled at their lower ends are provided to conduct the gas to the cock k as
indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 but immediately condensation takes place the
central tube becomes primed and acts as a syphon the acetylene continuing to
rise in the outer tube i and passing to the cock k through orifices in tube h
which continues to syphon off the moisture condensed. A metal baffle disc m fixed
on the lower end of tube h serves to condense the first evolution of aqueous vapour
and also to enable the tube to be withdrawn for the purpose of inspecting or cleaning
the fittings.
In Figure 5 there is interposed in the gas outlet between cock k and bottle c
a condenser n formed of a spiral metal strip exposing an extended surface upon
which the aqueous vapour will be deposited.
In order to ensure steadiness of the flame and prevent an ascending current of
air caused by the density of acetylene gas the globe holder o is a solid disc in one
or not with the claws whereby the lower part of the globe is closed as in Figure 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination in a portable lamp for burning acetylene gas of means of
generating the acetylene as described and of two concentric and connected tubes
the one for conveying the gas to the burner and the other being adapted to syphon
off the water condensed in the gas tube and prevent it passing to the burner along
with the gas as described.
2nd. In a portable lamp for burning acetylene the combination with the generator,

page_text: of a surface condenser formed of a spiral metal strip exposing a large surface and
enclosed in a box through which the gas must pass so as to condense and collect
the water carried off with the gas in its passage to the burner, as specified.
Dated this 7th day of September 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.