Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
I, MARIE LOUIS JULES ROGER LABBÉ DE MONTAIS, of the Château de Beauvoir,
near Cloyes (Eure et Loir), France, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a system of acetylene gas generator in which a charge
of carbide of calcium falls automatically into the gas generator at each descent of
the gas holder.
The accompanying drawings illustrate an example of my improved generator
and also some modifications of certain parts. Figure 1 is an elevation of the
generator. Figure 2 is a plan of the carbide distributor. Figure 3 is a side
view of the generator. Figures 4 and 5 shew in elevation and plan a modification
of the generator. Figure 6 is a detailed view of one of the holilers for the charge
of carbide. Figures 7, 8, and 9, shew modifications of the mode of suspending
the charges. Figure 10 is a detailed view of the releasing mechanism for the
carbide holders. Figure 11 shews a guide for the gas holder bell. Figure 12
shews a modification of the releasing mechanism. Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16,
shew modifications of the gas generator. Figure 17 shews a combination of valve
mechanism controlling the feed pipe for the carbide charges. Figure 18 shews the
valve controlling the communication between the gas generator and holder.
Figures 19 to 37 shew various modifications of the distributor.
The improved system of acetylene gas generator comprises a gas holder or
hell a traversed by a central guide rod supported by standards e c¹. To this
holder a is attached the releasing mechanism consisting of a rod & terminating
in a finger e pivoted at f and abutting against a stop pin g (see Figure 10), the
effect of this device, when the holder is lowered, being to determine the release of one
of the carbide charges h from the distributor i. This distributor, which partially
surrounds the tank of the gas holder, comprises a series of chambers wherein are
pivoted at the carriers which let drop a charge of carbide when the finger e
comes in contact with an extremity m." The carbide may be placed directly in
the carriers or be contained in a wrapper which, of whatever form it may be,
would have orifices stopped or not with a soluble material. I may also use
cartridges of any form to hold the carbide or even place it on carriages variously
arranged side by side in quincunx or otherwise in the distributor.
Instead of using pivoted carriers for the carbide, spherical cartridges h may be
suspended directly from hooks, as shewn in Figure 7, the hooks resting in notches
of the distributor i from which they are successively released by the finger e in
descending acting as a wedge on the ends of the hooks from which the cartridge
being detached falls and rolls down. These spherical cartridges open at the
middle and are perforated by holes to allow the water to enter. But I may use
an agglomerated mixture of carbide to form the cartridges without metal casing,
I may also use cartridges of spherical or other form, unperforated at the lower
part but perforated at the upper part only. This perforated upper part is covered
with a perforated hemispherical cap which at the moment of release of the carbide

page_text: will remain suspended, the cartridge being detached and falling as illustrated in
Figure 8 so that the carbide will be hermetically enclosed until the cartridge
falls, whereupon the water will enter through the holes in the upper half which
were previously closed by the cap. The point of suspension is at the centre of
the cap and the rubber ring makes a tight joint between the cap and the cartridge.
Another form of cartridge consists of a cylindro-conical box suspended as shewn
in Figure 9 and closed hermetically by a removable cover rubber-packed or not,
the holder being so suspended that when the release occurs the case is inverted
and remains suspended whilst the contents alone fall into the generator.
Referring to the plan view Figure 2, the distributor, as will be seen, is provided
with a number of studs n between which the finger e enters at every descent of the
gas holder, the finger in rising yielding and straightening itself vertically and
then again resuming its oblique position immediately it is released. On the finger
again moving downward it enters between the succeeding studs and so on in suc-
cession, the gas holder thus receiving a uniform rotary movement. The gas holder
is retained when in its raised position by a detent which is fixed to the holder
and engages with teeth on the casing of the holder, the detent being bent
outwards at its upper end, as shewn, so that when the holder is in its lowered
position the detent is no longer in engagement with the teeth and the holder
is free to rotate. When the holder rises again, the detent engages the succeeding
teeth.
In lieu of the detent o I may employ the device shewn in Figure 11 which is
suspended freely from the upper edge of the holder so as to permit of its being
readily raised when the apparatus is returned to its first position. The device
consists of two bars q' connected by a bent part leaving an oblique passage
for the teeth 2, which have the form of small round pins. The part also carries
a latch s for a purpose hereinafter described. When the gas holder is rotated
by the finger e, the part o allows one of the pins p to pass between the strips q q¹.
The pin on coming into contact with latch's lifts the same and when the latch
drops the gas holder is prevented from retrograde movement, the same operation
being repeated for the next pin, and so on. Figure 12 shews a modification of
the latch. In this arrangement the gas holder remains stationary and the latch
mechanism rotates, the latter being fixed to the guide bar 6 by rod t guided in its
rotation by two rollers u u¹ running in contact with a flange von the upper part
of the gas holder. A spring and studs y upon the holder fulfil the same func-
tions as the detent o and teeth p in the preceding arrangement.
The carbide drops into the funnel-shaped container situated beneath the dis-
tributor and passes thence through the spout and inclined shoot 1 of the gas
generator into the water. The funnel-shaped container is made of open wire-work
to enable the number of cartridges contained to be readily seen, and it is made in
two parts so that by removing the upper part the cartridges may be easily
replaced. It will be seen that, by reason of its inclined position, the shoot 1
conducts the carbide into the water at such a point that the gas generated cannot
escape through the inlet; moreover the shoot does not touch the side of the gas
generator so that the gas is free to pass between the shoot and the wall of the
generator. The gas is stored at the top of the gas generator which is sur-
mounted by a union by which it may communicate with the gas holder. The gas
generator 2 is shewn as contained in the base of the apparatus. It is provided
with inclines for conducting the carbide to such part as will prevent the gas
generated from escaping through the carbide inlet. The generator is mounted in
rollers s and provided with handles for moving it and it is also provided at 3
with an opening closed by a rubber packed cover clamped by means of wing
nuts to enable it to be inspected, for removing the spent cartridges and for cleaning
it out, the lime which is deposited on a tray 4 being removed without the neces-
sity of running off the whole of the water. The gas generator may also be placed
at the front of, in the middle, or at the side of the gas holder and it may rest
upon a movable block operated by means of levers or cams. The generator is so

page_text: arranged that when in position the shoot 1 exactly corresponds with the delivery
spoutz and if the generator be provided with levers or other means for raising or
lowering it, the shoot 1 may be provided with a bend fitting on to the spout z
if necessary with an indiarubber packing joint.
Figure 13 shews a modified gas generator in which the tray 5 forms the base of
the generator and is independent of the dome 6 and of the inlet spout 1 and may
be removed for cleaning purposes.
Figures 14 and 15 shew another generator in which 7 is a plate which is made
removable to facilitate cleaning and to enable the tray 8 to be taken out. This
tray is placed at the bottom of the generator at the lower part of the incline 9
and receives the spherical carbide cartridges which are delivered to the trough
by said incline as well as the lime produced by the decomposition of the carbide.
The removable top 7 of the generator is supported upon a circular rim 12 on the
inside wall of the generator and the gas which is generated beneath it is caused
to pass up to the gas holder through the swan-neck 10 which terminates in a
union 11 for connection with the gas inlet cock in the base of the apparatus at
the foot of the tank. The rim 12 on which the inclined top 7 is supported is
grooved and attached to the inside wall of the generator and by its conformation
prevents the ascending gases from passing out anywhere except beneath the
removable top plate 7. The generator is placed in the base of the apparatus and
is mounted on wheels as before. The pressure of the gas upon the water is such
that the water can never descend beyond a certain level, which minimum serves
as a guide for determining the height at which the rim 12 is placed. In this
arrangement, as in that hereinafter described, it is impossible for air to enter
the gas holder as the water whch rises to about two inches above the removable
top passes into the swan-neck and fills it to about half the depth of the bend.
Moreover when the union is detached, and the generator is run out on the rails
the gas cannot escape into the atmosphere inasmuch as for the reasons above
stated the only gas present will be that contained between the union and the level
of the water at the middle of the bend of the swan neck which is quite
inappreciable.
Figure 16 shews another modification. The generator in this case consists of
a container formed of a sheet of metal rolled and then flattened so as to be of only
slightly greater depth than that of a cartridge of carbide, of a breadth equal to
three, four, or five cartridges, and of a length equal to six, seven, or eight cart-
ridges; consequently, adapted to receive from twelve to eighteen cartridges. The
container is mounted to oscillate in the base of the apparatus upon a centre 13
so that in order to empty or clean it, it needs to be simply rocked on its pivot so
as to discharge the residue into a portable receptacle or gutter. At the upper
part of the container is disposed a small recess 14 into which the gas naturally
Hows by reason of the inclination of the container and from whence it is conducted
to the gas holder by a pipe provided with a screw union, bayonet joint, or other
means of rapidly coupling and uncoupling the parts.
As it is essential that there should be no entrance of air, or escape of gas, the
position of the union pipe is so calculated relatively to the level of the water in
the generator, that when the generator is coupled to the gas holder a pressure of
from about five to six centimetres will not reduce the level except in the union pipe.
Consequently the only volume of air present is that contained in these two inches
or so of pipe which contains only the same insignificant quantity of gas when the
generator is tilted after closing the cock. Thus with or without pressure, the
difference of level only takes place in the union pipe.
In order to extract the cartridges from this oscillating generator they are placed
in a kind of holder 15 of wire-work or perforated metal which conforms in shape
to, and projects upward at the mouth end of the generator so as to be readily
seized with the aid of lateral strips so that the holder 15 containing the cartridges
and residues can be readily removed from the generator without discharging the
water it contains. The holder may, if desired, occupy the whole interior space of

page_text: This
the generator so as not to impede the rolling of the spherical cartridges but simply
serve as a means of holding and withdrawing the same. Or the bottom only of
the container may be covered with wire-work provided with lateral handles by
means of which the whole of the cartridges may be drawn out of the water.
arrangement of generator offers the advantages of being lighter, of simpler con-
struction, more economical, and capable of being readily cleaned by an unskilled
person. 16 is the mouth at which the water is introduced into the generator.
gas
This system of generator offers all reasonable security but in order to obtain
a still further degree of safety and ensure the closing of the cock by which the
generator is placed in communication with the gas holder, the arrangement illus-
trated in Figure 18 may be employed, in which the joint between the holder
and generator is made by means of a bayonet fastening provided with the handle 17
which bears against an arm 18 which traverses the plug of the cock. In this
manner the breaking of the connection is rendered impossible, without closing
the cock inasmuch as the cock in the open position prevents the joint being
disconnected.
The cocks 19 and 20 (Figure 17) serve to cut off the gas in the gasholder and
that which may remain in the generator when the apparatus is out of action.
Between these two cocks is a union which is unscrewed when the generator is
removed. These two cocks may control a rod or rods 21 which passes through
the inlet spout for the carbide and serves to obstruct the passage and thus prevent
the accidental introduction of a charge of carbide when the apparatus is out of
action.
In the generator represented in Figure 4, 22 is a small cylindrical chamber
formed in the head of the bell, which is weighted with shot or other material in
quantity proportionate to the pressure which it is desired to obtain in the bell, 23
is the emptying cock, and 24 the gas outlet cock.
It will be seen from the foregoing that one of the principal characteristics of
this invention is the combination with the bell of the gas holder, of a carbide
distributor so as to automatically feed a charge of carbide at each descent of the
bell.
It will be obvious that the construction of the distributor may be modified
without departing from the invention and I have illustrated in Figures 19 to 37
in an elementary manner different arrangements of distributors, all of which
ensure the automatic delivery of a charge of carbide at each descent of the gas
holder Figure 19 represents a part sectional elevation of a generator in which the
carbide is in the form of spherical charges arranged in a vertical column. T is
the pipe through which the carbide is fed to the generator. In this pipe there
is fitted a valve serving to regulate the delivery of the charges h and consisting of
two horizontal sector-shaped plates mounted on a vertical axis A supported
upon the tank R by an arm t. The distance between these plates is slightly
greater than the diameter of the charge and the plates are each provided with an
aperture giving passage to the charges but arranged so as not to coincide with each
other, as seen in Figure 20. The tail end of the valves terminates in a fork which
embraces an arm e mounted on the bell a of the gas holder the arm being made of
the form shewn in Figure 21. The parts being arranged as described, immediately
the production of gas tends to slacken the gas holder a descends and with it the
arme carried thereby, which owing to its bent form acts on the forked end of
valve s so that the spherical charge of carbide which has passed through the
aperture 1 in the upper plate of the valve and rests on the lower plate, passes
through the hole D₁ in the latter, and drops into the generator through the
pipe T. Immediately the holder is raised by the gas generated the valve is
returned to its original position and a fresh charge of carbide drops between the
plates, in which position it is retained by a short tube T2 carried by the arm t¹ in
alignment with the pipe T.
Figure 22 shews a similar arrangement of valve as applied to a generator of
the fixed type having an hydraulic seal. The same arrangement may be applied

page_text: to an inclined charging tube T provided or not with a hopper-mouth, as in
Figure 23; or to a horizontal charging tube, as in Figure 24, in which latter case
the feeding of the spherical charges is effected by a spring placed at one end of
the delivery tube, the valve S being the same as that before described.
Figure 25 shews a vertical charging tube in which the charges of carbide are
elevated for the purpose of supplying them to the generator. For this purpose a
lever pivoted at X engages at one end with the teeth of a rack rod C (Figure 26)
so that when the gas holder falls, a rod e fixed to the holder bears on the lever
and raises the rack together with the carbide charges h which are supported there-
by, and causes them to fall one by one into the generator. The lever is caused
to engage by means of a spring with the succeeding teeth of the rack rod as the
holder rises at each evolution of gas so that the rod is advanced step by step and
the charge of carbide successively fed to the generator.
Figure 27 represents an inclined charging tube provided with a horizontal
valve or distributor of the kind hereinbefore described. Figure 28 shews a
similar arrangement with the valve disposed perpendicularly to the inclination of
the plane. These several inclined tubes may be of any form in cross-section and
they may also be constructed of wire-work. Figure 29 shews a helical charging
tube surrounding the tank. The distribution is effected in the manner before
described, except that the valve or distributor is vertical. The helical charging
tube may be either circular in cross-section as in Figure 29, or of other appro-
priate form.
Instead of employing the conical hopper and valve or distributor of the kind
shewn, the said hopper may be provided with a helical distributor as in Figure 30.
Figure 31 represents a fixed wheel formed in compartments each containing a
charge of carbide. Beneath the wheel revolves a disc provided with an aperture
which is brought successively beneath each compartment for delivering the
charges to the generator. In Figure 32 the wheel revolves and, the bottom disc
is fixed while in Figures 33 and 34 the spherical form of the carbide charges is
utilized for bringing them successively over the aperture by means of rotating
vanes mounted upon a central shaft, the charge being either delivered through
apertures, as in Figures 31 and 33, or through a bent tube, as in Figure 32. The
chambered wheel instead of being arranged horizontally may be in the form of
a vertical or inclined barrel, the delivery of the charge being in all cases deter-
mined by the descent of the gas holder.
Figure 35 represents a means of distributing the charges by the rotation of a
screw within an inclined or horizontal trough. In Figure 36 the charges are
shewn as placed in carriers upon a travelling band by the rotation of which they
are discharged in succession into the delivery tube of the generator. The travelling
band may be in the form of a bucket chain and be disposed either horizontally,
vertically, or at an angle, or instead of an endless chain a bucket wheel may be
employed, as shewn in Figure 37, to which motion is imparted by the downward
movement of the gas holder.
Dated this 4th day of August 1898
I, MARIE LOUIS JULES ROGER LABBÉ DE MONTAIS, of the Château de Beauvoir,
near Cloyes, (Eure et Loir), France, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature

page_text: 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:.
1
1
My invention relates to an acetylene gas generator in which a charge of calcium
carbide is automatically caused to fall into the gas generator at each descent of
the gas holder.
Figures 1 to 11 and Figures 13 to 37 of the drawings filed with my Provisional
Specification, and Figure 12 of the accompanying drawing, illustrate an example
of my improved generator and also some modifications of certain parts. Figure 1
is an elevation of the generator. Figure 2 is a plan of the carbide distributor.
Figure 3 is a side view of the generator. Figures 4 and 5 shew in elevation and
plan, a modification of the generator. Figure 6 is a detailed view of one of the
holders for the charge of carbide.. Figures 7, 8, and 9 shew modifications of the
mode of suspending the charges. Figure 10 is a detailed view of the releasing
mechanism for the carbide carriers. Figure 11 shews a guide for the gas holder
bell. Figure 12 shews a modification of the releasing mechanism. Figures 13,
14, 15, and 16 shew modifications of the gas generator. Figure 17 shews a com-
bination of valve mechanism controlling the feed pipe for the carbide charges.
Figure 18 shews the valve controlling the communication between the gas
generator and holder. Figures 19 to 37 shew various modifications of the
distributor.
The improved system of acetylene gas generator comprises a gas holder or
bell a traversed by a central guide rod 6 supported by standards c c. To this
. holder a is attached the releasing mechanism consisting of a rod d terminating
in a finger e pivoted at f and abutting against a stop pin g (see Figure 10), the
effect of this device, when the holder is lowered, being to determine the release of one
of the carbide charges h from the distributor i. This distributor which partially
surrounds the tank of the gas holder, comprises a series of chambers wherein are
pivoted at the carriers which let drop a charge h of carbide when the finger e
comes in contact with one extremity m. The carbide may be placed directly in
the carriers or be contained in a wrapper which, of whatever form it may be,
would have orifices stopped or not with a soluble material. I may also use
cartridges of any form to hold the carbide or even place it on carriages variously
arranged side by side in quincunx or otherwise in the distributor.
Instead of using pivoted carriers for the carbide, spherical cartridges h may be
suspended directly from hooks as shewn in Figure 7, the hooks resting in notches
of the distributor i from which they are successively released by the finger e in
descending acting as a wedge on the ends of the hooks from which the cartridge
being detached falls and rolls down. These spherical cartridges open at the
middle and are perforated by holes to allow the water to enter. But I may use
an agglomerated mixture of carbide to form the cartridges without metal casing.
I may also use cartridges of spherical or other form, unperforated at the lower
part but perforated at the upper part only and covered with a non-perforated
hemispherical cap which at the moment of release of the carbide will remain
suspended, the cartridge being detached and falling as illustrated in Figure 8,
so that the carbide will be hermetically enclosed until the cartridge falls where-
upon the water will enter through the holes in the upper half which were previously
closed by the cap. The point of suspension is at the centre of the cap and the
rubber ring makes a tight joint between the cap and the cartridge. Another form
of cartridge consists of a cylindro-conical box suspended as shewn in Figure 9
and closed hermetically by a removable cover rubber-packed or not, the holder
being so suspended that when the release occurs the case is inverted and remains
suspended whilst the contents alone fall into the generator.
Referring to the plan view Figure 2, the distributor as will be seen, is provided
with a number of studs n between which the finger e enters at every descent of
the gas holder, the finger in rising yielding and straightening itself vertically
and then again resuming its oblique position immediately it is released. On the
finger again moving downward it enters between the succeeding studs and so on

page_text: The gas
in succession the gas holder thus receiving a uniform rotary movement.
holder is guided by a rod o fixed to the holder which enters between teeth pon
the tank the guide rod being cranked at its upper end so as to clear the teeth p
when the holder is in its lowered position and permit the. holder to rotate. the
guide rod engaging the succeeding teeth when the holder rises again.
In lieu of the rod o I may employ the device shewn in Figure 11 which is
hinged to the upper edge of the holder so as to permit of its being. readily moved
out of action when the holder is returned to its initial position. The device con-
sists of two bars q q¹ connected by a bridge r and leaving an oblique passage
(having the same inclination as the finger e and situated at the, same height) for
teeth formed of small round pins on the tank of the holder, a pivoted latch s
closing the oblique passage. When the gas holder is rotated by the finger e
one of the pins passes through the oblique slot between the strips q q₁ and
the pin on meeting the latch s lifts it the latch then dropping behind the pin
whereby to prevent retrograde movement of the gas holder the same operation
being repeated for the next pin, and so on.
Figure 12 shews a modification in which the gas holder remains stationary
and the detaching mechanism rotates, the finger and the guide rod o being attached
to opposite ends of a cross bar t pivoted on the guide rod b, the bar t being pro-
vided with guide rollers u u¹ running on the top flange of the holder.
The carbide drops into the funnel-shaped guide beneath the distributor and
passes thence through the spout and inclined shoot 1 of the gas generator into
the water, the funnel-shaped guide being made of open wire-work to enable the
number of cartridges contained to be readily seen and its upper part being
removable in order that the distributor may be replenished with cartridges. The
shoot 1 by reason of its inclined position conducts the carbide into the water at
such a point that the gas generated cannot escape through the inlet and the
shoot does not touch the side of the gas generator so that the gas is free to rise
at either side of it. The gas is collected under the domed top of the gas generator
whence it is conveyed through a pipe coupling into the gas holder above, the gas
generator 2 being contained within the base of the apparatus and being provided
with inclines by which the carbide is conducted to such a point that the. gas
generator cannot escape through the carbide inlet. The generator is mounted
on rollers s and provided with handles for moving it and it is also provided at 3
with an opening closed by a rubber-packed cover clamped by means of wing nuts
to enable it to be inspected, for removing the spent cartridges, and for cleaning
it out, the lime which is deposited on a tray 4 being removed without the necessity
of running off the whole of the water. The gas generator may also be placed at
the front, in the middle, or at the side, of the gas holder and it may rest upon a
movable block operated by means of levers or cams. The generator is so arranged
that when in position the shoot 1 exactly corresponds with the delivery spout z
and if the generator be provided with levers or other means for raising or lowering
it, the shoot 1 may be provided with a bend fitting on to the spout if necessary
with an indiarubber packing joint.
Figure 13 shews a modified gas generator in which the tray forms the base
of the generator and is independent of the dome 6 and of the inlet spout 1 and
may be removed for cleaning purposes.
Figures 14 and 15 shew another generator of which the top 7 is an inclined
plate which is removable to enable the tray 8 to be taken out. This tray is
placed at the bottom of the generator at the lower part of the incline 9 and receives
the spherical carbide cartridges therefrom and the lime produced by the decom-
position of the carbide. The removable top 7 of the generator is supported by its
rim or flange being received in a channel 12 on the wall of the generator at such
height that it is always immersed so that the gas generated is confined beneath
the top 7 and can only pass up to the gas holder through the swan-neck pipe 10
having a union 11 for connection with the gas inlet cock at the bottom of the
holder tank. The generator is placed within the base of the holder and mounted

page_text: on rollers as before. In this arrangement, as in that hereinafter described, there
is practically no air to enter the gas holder as the water fills the swan-neck to about
half the depth of the bend. For the same reason when the coupling is discon-
nected and the generator is run out on the rails there is no appreciable quantity
of gas to escape into the atmosphere.
Figure 16 shews another modification. The generator in this case consists of
a container in the form of a flattened cylinder so as to be of only slightly greater
depth than that of a cartridge, of a breadth equal to three, four, or five cartridges,
and of a length equal to six, seven, or eight cartridges; consequently adapted to
receive from twelve to eighteen cartridges. The container is mounted to oscillate
upon an axis 13 so that it may be emptied by being rocked to discharge the
residue into a portable receptacle or gutter. This oscillating container may also
be made of a number of tubes receiving each a number of cartridges determined
by the number of sections in the wirework fuunel of the distributor. The gas
collects under a dome 14 at the upper part of the container from whence it is
conducted to the gas holder by a coupling pipe.
In order to extract the spent cartridges from this oscillating generator they are
received in a kind of liner 15 of wirework or perforated metal capable of being
easily removed through the mouth of the generator in order that the spent
cartridges and residues can be readily withdrawn without discharging the water.
The liner may line the whole generator so as not to impede the rolling of the
spherical cartridges. Or the liner may have a lower end of wirework and side
handles by means of which the spent cartridges may be drawn out of the water.
16 is the mouth at which the generator is filled with water.
In order to ensure the closing of the cock before the generator is disconnected
from the gas holder the arrangement illustrated in Figure 18 may be employed in
which a bayonet coupling is used provided with a handle 17 which is engaged
by a lever 18 that traverses the plug of the cock, so that the cock when in the
open position prevents the joint being disconnected.
The cocks 19 and 20 (Figure 17) cut off the gas in the gasholder and that which
may remain in the generator when action is stopped, the coupling being between
these two cocks. These two cocks may operate a rod or rods 21 passing through
the inlet spout for the carbide so as to obstruct the passage and prevent the
accidental introduction of a charge of carbide when the apparatus is out of action.
In Figure 4, 22 is a tray on the bell which is loaded with shot or weights
according to the pressure desired, in the bell, 23 is the emptying cock and 24
the gas outlet cock.
The invention resides mainly in the combination with the gas holder, of a car-
bide distributor so as to automatically feed a charge of carbide at each descent
of the bell, but it will be obvious that the construction of the distributor may
be modified and I have illustrated in Figures 19 to 37 in an elementary manner,
different arrangements of distributors all of which ensure the automatic delivery
of a charge of carbide at each descent of the gas holder.
Figure 19 represents a part sectional elevation of a generator in which the carbide
is in the form of spherical charges arranged in a vertical column. T is the pipe
through which the carbide is fed to the generator. In this pipe there is fitted
a valve serving to regulate the delivery of the charges and consisting of two
horizontal sector-shaped plates mounted on a vertical axis A supported upon the
tank R by an arm t. The distance between these plates is slightly greater than
the diameter of the charge and the plates are each provided with an aperture
giving passage to the charges but arranged so as not to coincide with each other,
as seen in Figure 20. The tail end of the valve terminates in a fork which
embraces an arm e mounted on the bell a of the gas holder, the arm being made of
the form shewn in Figure 21. The parts being arranged as described, immediately
the production of gas tends to slacken, the gas holder a descends and with it the
arm e carried thereby which owing to its bent form acts on the forked end of
valve S so that the spherical charge of carbide which has passed through the

page_text: aperture D in the upper plate of the valve and rests on the lower plate, passes
through hole D¹ in the latter, and drops into the generator through the pipe T.
Immediately the holder is raised by the gas generated the valve is returned to its
original position and a fresh charge of carbide drops between the plates, in which
position it is retained by a short tube T2 carried by the arm in alignment with
the pipe T.
Figure 22 shews a similar arrangement of valve as applied to a generator of
the fixed type having an hydraulic seal. The same) arrangement may be applied
to an inclined charging tube T provided or not with a hopper-mouth as in
Figure 23; or to a horizontal charging tube, as in Figure 24; in
which latter case the feeding of the spherical charges is effectedl
by a spring placed at one end of the delivery tube, the valve S being the same
as that before described.
Figure 25 shews a vertical charging tube in which the charges of carbide are
elevated for the purpose of supplying them to the generator. For this purpose
a lever pivoted at X engages at one end with the teeth of a rack rod C (Figure 26)
so that when the gas holder falls, a rod e fixed to the holder bears on the lever
and raises the rack together with the carbide charges h which are supported
thereby, and causes them to fall one by one into the generator. The lever is
caused to engage by means of a spring with the succeeding teeth of the rack rod
as the holder rises at each evolution of gas so that the rod is advanced step-by-step
and the charges of carbide successively fed to the generator.
Figure 27 represents an inclined charging tube provided with a horizontal valve
or distributor of the kind hereinbefore described. Figure 28 shews a similar
arrangement with the valve disposed perpendicularly to the inclination of the
plane. These several inclined tubes may be of any form in cross-section and
they may also be constructed of wirework. Figure 29 shews a helical charging
tube surrounding the tank. The distribution is effected in the manner before
described, except that the valve or distributor is vertical. The helical charging
tube may be either circular in cross-section as in Figure 29 or of other appropriate
form.
Instead of employing the conical hopper and valve or distributor of the kind
shewn, the said hopper may be provided with a helical distributor as in Figure 30.
Figure 31 represents a fixed wheel formed in compartments each containing
a charge of carbide. Beneath the wheel revolves a disc provided with an aperture
which is brought successively beneath each compartment for delivering the
charges to the generator. In Figure 32 the wheel revolves and the bottom disc is
fixed while in Figures 33 and 34 the spherical form of the carbide charges is
utilized for bringing them successively over the aperture by means of rotating
vanes mounted upon a central shaft, the charge being either delivered through
apertures, as in Figures 31 and 33, or through a bent tube as in Figure 32. The
chambered wheel instead of being arranged horizontally may be in the form of
a vertical or inclined barrel, the delivery of the charge being in all cases deter-
mined by the descent of the gas holder.
Figure 35 represents a means of distributing the charges by the rotation of a
screw within an inclined or horizontal trough. In Figure 36 the charges are shewn
as placed in carriers upon a travelling band by the rotation of which they are
discharged in succession into the delivery tube of the generator. The travelling
band may be in the form of a bucket chain and be disposed either horizontally,
vertically, or at an angle, or instead of an endless chain a bucket wheel may be
employed as shewn in Figure 37, to which motion is imparted by the downward
movement of the gas holder.
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:-
1. An acetylene generating apparatus wherein the fall of a charge of carbide

page_text: into the gas generator is brought about automatically at each descent of the
gas holder by a finger mounted on the gas holder acting on a distributor arranged
about the gas holder tank substantially as specified:
2. In an acetylene gas generating apparatus as specified in the foregoing claim,
the movable oblique finger attached to the gas holder and acting to release the
carbide charges from the distributor and also to impart to the holder a step by
step rotary motion, by engaging on its descent between studs the passage of the
finger between successive studs being automatically brought about by the move-
ment of the finger from the oblique to the vertical position when the holder
rises and conversely, substantially as specified.
3. In an acetylene gas generating apparatus of the kind specified the combina-
tion with the distributor of carbide charge carriers, consisting of tipping carriers
or hooks to which the charges are suspended, these carriers or hooks
being caused to tip under the action of a finger attached to the bell so as to
let fall a charge of carbide into a funnel shaped wire-work receiver located
beneath the distributor and conducting the charge to the generator, substantially
as specified.
4. In an acetylene generating apparatus of the kind specified the employment
of carbide charges either of agglomerated carbide or of carbide enclosed in
spherical metallic or other cases perforated with holes stopped or not with a
soluble substance, or in cases adapted to automatically open on falling, or in cases
perforated only at the upper part, this part being covered by a protective cap
until the moment of falling, or placed in containers which turn over at the
moment of release, substantially as specified.
5. In an acetylene generating apparatus of the kind specified the rotating and
guiding mechanism comprising a finger acting as described and a rod for guiding
the holder and engaging pins on the holder tank, the rod being adapted to give
passage to the pins and permit the rotation of the holder when the finger is acting,
substantially as specified.
6. In an acetylene generating apparatus as herein specified the modified guide
mechanism consisting of an obliquely slotted guide bar, the slot having the same
inclination and being at the same height as the finger, said slot being combined
with a latch adapted to give passage to a tooth in the one direction but to close
the slot in the other direction and ensure rotation of the holder always in one
direction and vertical motion thereof until its next step in advance, substantially
as specified.
7. In an acetylene generating apparatus as herein specified the modified com-
bination of the holder and finger in which the step-by-step rotation
is imparted to the releasing device instead of to the holder, the
said device being pivoted on the central guide of the holder and provided
with guide rollers running on the flange of the holder and combined with a spring
and studs on the tank to ensure rotary motion always in one direction, sub-
stantially as specified.
8. In an acetylene generating apparatus as herein specified the provision in the
tank of an inclined shoot conducting the carbide charges to such a position that
the gas generated cannot pass out through the carbide inlet and the provision
for cleaning out the generator by the removability of the generator wholly or
in part or by the tipping motion of the shoot, substantially as specified.
9. In an acetylene generating apparatus as describe the combination of a
screw coupling provided with a lever handle on the pipe connecting the generator
and holder, with a stop-cock on the same having a lever arm traversing the plug
of the cock and adapted to be engaged by the lever handle of the coupling, so as
to ensure the closing of the stop-cock before the coupling can be unscrewed, and
the combination with the stop-cocks of the generator and holder of rods adapted
to obstruct the carbide passage, so as to prevent the accidental supply of a charge,
substantially as specified.
10. In an acetylene generating apparatus as specified, the modification of the

page_text: distributor wherein the delivery of the carbide charges is governed by a double
valve formed of two apertured plates controlling the thoroughfare through a
vertical, horizontal, spiral, or other tubular passage for the carbide, the double
valve being actuated by the finger carried by the holder so as when the holder
descends to permit the delivery of the charge contained between the plates and its
replacement by another charge on the ascent of the holder, substantially as
specified.
11. In an acetylene generating apparatus as described, the modification of the
distributor in which the carbide charges are elevated and fed successively into
the generator by means of a rack combined with a lever actuated by the finger
on the gas-holder, substantially as specified.
12. In an acetylene generating apparatus of the kind specified, the several
modifications of the distributor of the carbide charges wherein an aperture in a
disc is caused to coincide in succession with the compartments of a wheel so as to
permit the successive escape of the contained charges, by revolution of the wheel
or of the disc, or by the rotation of a winged spindle; or wherein the distribution
is effected by the rotation of an Archimedian screw within an inclined or horizontal
trough, or by the operation of an endless chain of buckets, or by the rotation of
a bucket wheel, the operation depending in each case on the descent of the gas-
holder, substantially as specified.
Dated this 4th doy of M 1800
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered' Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.