Improvements in or connected with Acetylene Gas Lamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
TROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Acetylene Gas Lamps.
I, EDWARD SAMUEL BOND, of Crown Works, Booth Street, Handsworth, in the
County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with acetylene gas
5 lamps and refers more particularly to improvements in connection with the
generator; also with the carrying of the reflector; the carrying of the burner;
and in the construction of the burner.
According to this invention, the body of the lamp is divided into two main
compartments, the one to contain the charge of carbide of calcium and the other
to contain the water supply, the latter being situated above the former thus per-
mitting all the water to be used for gas production. The water is conveyed to
the lower compartment by piping in which is a controlling tap or valve. The
charge of carbide of calcium is carried in a removable hollow cylinder whose
one end is closed, provision being further made at the open end whereby, (after
being slid into the body of the lamp) it may be secured in position with a water-
tight and gas tight joint by means of a screw cap &c.. This cylinder is further
perforated at certain points in its sides, and with a central gas outlet hole at
the top, and then covered with porous material such as linen, cloth or gauze &c.
The purpose of this linen &c. covering is to prevent the water attacking the
carbide too rapidly, and materially assists in keeping the generator cool. In
making up the charge, I make a cage or frame or band which diametrically
crosses the two ends and longitudinally down each side. In some cases the
charge of carbide of calcium is made in one piece moulded to the required shape,
while in others it may be made up of loose pieces of varying sizes, even to what
may be termed dust. In the former case such solid piece would be passed (side-
ways) into the frame when it may again preferably be surrounded with a
metallic or other suitable tube and an outer cover of porous material and then
passed into the hollow cylinder. Between the inner end of the frame and the
charge is a perforated disc, so that when the frame is subsequently withdrawn
all the contents are brought clean away.
particles, the frame and disc are first placed in the cylinder (which may be first
When the charge is made up of loose
interiorly lined with the tube and porous material) and then the said particles
fed thereinto past the sides of the frame. In either of these cases, but par-
ticularly in the latter, I further place a perforated disc at the end of the charge,
which said disc is fitted tightly upon the frame sides, or springwise acts thereon,
in such a manner, that at the outset it may be against the charge, but as the
gas is being produced and the charge expands, such accommodates itself thereto,
such disc also prevents any undue shaking or loosening of the charge, under
which conditions probably an excess of gas would be produced. The top end of
he frame is also covered with linen or the like, and thus prevents not only a
00 sudden rush of water to the carbide, but also prevents any particle of the
FD 077

page_text: charge escaping therefrom to the interference of the tubes or other part of the
apparatus.
Within the water chamber or adjacent thereto, is placed an elastic gas bag,
which serves as an automatic governor to the water supply and to maintain a
regular supply of gas. This bag is provided with an inlet and outlet, the inlet
being in communication with the gas producing chamber (generator) while the
outlet is in communication with the burner. A balanced lever is mounted in
such a manner that one end of it controls a piston or other valve, which opens
or closes the water supply, while the other end is acted upon by the expansion
or contraction of the elastic bag. Hence when too much gas is being generated
and the bag thereby expanded, the lever is made to cut off the supply of water
and thus reduce the production, and vice versa. This action may be further con-
trolled from the exterior, by means of an adjustable screw rod, so that the point
of cut off may be made earlier or later as desired. In some cases I may dispense
with the lever arrangement and operate the cut off valve device direct from the
pipe upon the gas bag. The gas is passed through a purifying chamber contain-
ing chloride of calcium and charcoal, or other suitable substances where it is
dried and purified ere it reaches the burner. The water chamber is filled through
an opening in a suitable position, into which said opening may be screwed a
hollow pillar in whose chamber may be placed charcoal, and cotton wool or the
like impregnated with a strong pleasant perfume. At the upper part of this is
an outlet for escape of gas. The cotton wool effectually prevents any back firing
of enclosed gas, should a light be brought near the escape outlet. Within such
pillar may also be placed a safety valve which prevents escape until a certain
pressure has been reached. Such gas passing through this chamber is caused by
over production in the generator, which forces its way backwards through the
water and thence through the said outlet. The charcoal and the perfume
neutralize the offensive smell of the gas and impart a pleasant fragrance instead.
In some cases I may attach a tube to such outlet and convey this gas to an
auxiliary burner or to some other more suitable outlet. To prevent any dangerous
increase of pressure between the water supply tap and the burner tap, I make a
break in the pipe leading from the water to the generator, and connect two such
parts by means of a (india-rubber) tube, which under great pressure would be
forced off and thus open a vent to the atmosphere.
When it is desirable, a number of these generators can be grouped together
and supplied with water contained in one chamber, a separate water and gas
cock is attached to each generator, and in this case the gas would pass into one
gas bag which would control the water as before mentioned. Either one or more
generators could be in use at the same time and the means employed would
permit of any of them being cleaned out and recharged with carbide without
discontinuing the entire gas supply.
I may also provide independent carbide holders ready for placing in the
removable cylinder as follows:-
Metallic or other suitable perforated tubes are provided with one end closed
and in the other end a central opening is made through which the gas may pass.
One or more holes are also made in the base through which are threaded pieces
or strings of wick or the like pervious material which are carried into the
interior and more particularly along the centre.
Short ends of these stand out
from the end. The tube is charged with carbide, and may also be covered with
linen &c., and hence when in action the water is also conveyed to the interior of
the charge by reason of the extended ends being in contact with the water, and
gas is produced in more regular quantities than is usual with arrangements now
in usc. By reason of the gas outlet hole in the one end being in the centre,
such accumulation of water that may take place in the generator would not be
sufficient to reach and enter it, should the apparatus be upset or made to assume
any other position consequently no sudden excess of production could take place
under such circumstances.

page_text: ir desired a compressible coil spring may be employed within the generator
behind the charge cylinder, so as to eject the latter when the front cap or other
fastening is released.
Upon the underside of the reflector, I form or attach a foot plate or bracket
which affords the means for carrying the reflector; adjustable means for carrying.
the burner; and of attachment to an adjustable clip. In this foot plate is a
screwthreaded hole into which a tubular screw socket may be screwed and adjust-
ably secured by a lock nut. In this tubular screw socket is carried the burner
and its tube. One or more of such burners may be removably carried in such
socket, suitable means such as set pins being used to adjustably hold them in
position. Upon this foot plate is further provided a projecting wing having a
central bolt hole for attachment to the adjustable clip beforementioned.
This clip is preferably made of sheet metal, suitably shaped to embrace the
body of the lamp and terminating at the front with its two ends having bolt
holes to coincide with that in the beforenamed wing of the foot plate, so that
it may be bolted thereto and in so doing to tightly grip the lamp body, so as to
carry the reflector &c. The rear part of this clip is formed as a socket to pass
on to a lamp bracket or the like, such socket being also provided with screw or
the like attachment to which a burner carrier may be readily connected, so that
when not required for riding, the lamp may still be used without the reflector
for general purposes.
My improved arrangement of burner is as follows:-It consists of a length of
glass tubing upon the one end of which is passed an india-rubber tube. This
is now passed into a metal tube, thus forming a means of firmly holding the
glass tube and also preventing any escape of gas thereat. This metal tube is
suitably connected to the gas supply, and is (as before mentioned) carried in
the foot plate socket. The upper end of this tube is split and contracted so as
to bind or clip the glass, and in the glass tube are formed a series of circum-
ferential grooves or nicks; hence when the burner becomes choked or faulty,
The glass tube is pushed forward until the next nick is gripped, when by a
slight tap the upper part may be knocked off and the new end may be used.
Dated this 31st day of March 1898.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements in or connected with Acetylene Gas Lamps.
I, EDWARD SAMUEL BOND, of Crown Works, Booth Street, Handsworth, in the
County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described.
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with acetylene gas
lamps, and refers more particularly to improvements in connection with the
generator; also with the carrying of the reflector: with the water supply; with
the purifying of the gas, and the carrying of the burner &c. &c.
In order to more clearly explain this my invention I have appended hereunto
illustrative drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference, in which:-
Fig. 1, is a general sectional view of a generator &c. explanative of the water
and gas chambers, charge frame, and safety outlet, and deodorizer &c.
Fig. 1, is an enlarged sectional view of the joint between the water cylinder
&c. and the generator.

page_text: Fig. 2, is a sectional plan view of the generator &c. on line A-B Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a detached sectional view of the generating or charge cylinder.
Fig. 4, is a detached side view of the charge frame."
Fig. 5, is a sectional view of a modified form of charge holder.
Fig. 6, is a general sectional view of a lamp illustrating the automatic con-
trol of water supply to the generator, also attachment of reflector &c. to lamp.
Fig. 7, is a sectional plan view of the lump on line C-D Fig. 6, showing
the clip attachment.
Fig. 8, is a sectional view of a modified arrangement of automatic control of
water supply to generator.
Fig. 9, illustrates the application of gas purifying chamber to the lamp.
The lamp is divided into two main compartments 12 and 13, after the usual
form, that is to say, the one to contain water &c., and the other to contain the
charge of carbide of calcium &c., the water compartment being situated above
the other, thus permitting all its contents to be used for gas production.
The water is conveyed to the lower compartment by the passage 14, in which
is the controlling valve 15, which is regulated by the screw rod 16. The water
passes thence down the pipe 17, and discharges itself at 18, at the bottom of
the chamber. The charge of carbide of calcium is carried in a removable hollow
cylinder or generator 19, whose one end 20, is closed. This generator is secured
in position by the joint as shown in Figs. 1, 1, 6 and 9, but enlarged in Fig. 1^,
in which it will be seen that at the upper end is formed the flange 21, whose
outer edge rests in a shouldered recess 21", in the upper end of the shell 13.
22, is an india-rubber, leather, or other suitable joint washer, so that when the
upper part 12, is secured to the lower part 13, by the union screw ring 23, a
water and gas tight joint is made thereat, the said washer impinging both upon
the end of shell 13," and of the flange 21. The cylinder 19 is perforated near
the top at 24, and I prefer that if more than one perforation be used, that all
should be in the same horizontal line, which openings, are then covered with
porous material 25 (indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 & 3) such as linen or
gauze, usually the latter. The purpose of this covering is to prevent the water
attacking the carbide too rapidly, and by holding the water about the cylinder,
materially assists in keeping it cool. Although I have only shown a small por-
tion of covering 25, I may if desirable increase it, even to covering the whole
of the cylinder 19. Thus it will be seen that the water supply is delivered at 18
into the bottom of the shell 13, in its coldest condition, but is not admitted
into the generator until it has again reached its upper end at 24; consequently
the cold water in its ascent tends to keep the generator &c. cool, while the water
is delivered in its thus heated state to the carbide.
I now make the frame 26, having the two sides and two ends. 27, is a disc
having cut away gaps 28 (see Fig. 2) which may interiorly and loosely embrace
the sides of the frame 26, and pipe 17. 29, is also a similar disc capable of
being slid along the frame to any desired position, and frictionally sustained by
spring 30, pressing against the frame or other suitable device. The frame 26,
and disc 27, are placed in the cylinder 19 (which latter may be if desired, first
interiorly lined with linen or the like). The carbide of calcium is now fed into
the interior according to quantity determined upon, when the disc 29, is pushed
down to the charge. It will be therefore readily seen that as the gas is generated
nd the charge expands, the disc 29 yields and accommodates its position
accordingly, and also prevents any undue shaking or loosening of the charge,
which latter conditions would usually cause a sudden excess of production of
gas. A linen or the like cloth (not shown) is preferably laid above the disc 29,
and spring 30, which not only prevents a too sudden rush of water to the car-
bide, but also prevents the particles of the charge escaping therefrom to the
interference of the tubes or other part of the apparatus. When it is desirable
to replace or remove the charge it will be seen that by withdrawing the
frame 26, the disc 27, brings away with it the whole of the refuse or other

page_text: contents, leaving the chamber clear and free for the fresh supply. A central
outlet hole is made in the plate washer 32, through which the generated gas
may pass into the discharge pipe 31, and thence to the burner 32.
When it is desirable, à number of these generators, may be grouped together,
5 and supplied with water from one common source.
In Figs. 6 and 8, I have illustrated means by which the supply of water may
be automatically controlled by the pressure of gas produced. Within the water
chamber 12, (or other suitable position) is placed an elastic gas bag 33, having
an inlet 34, from the generator and an outlet 35 (in the case of Fig. 1) to the
burner 32. A lever 36, is pivoted at 37, whose one end is in touch with the
bag 33, and its other end with the valve rod 16", which latter is pushed upward
by spring 38. This rod 16", may also be independently pushed downwards by
screw pin 39. Hence it will be readily seen that the expansion of the gas would
raise the lever 36, and thereby force downwards the rod 16", and close the
water supply. Hence when too much gas is being generated and the bag thereby
expanded the water supply is cut off and production checked, and vice-versa. As
before intimated the said cut off may be effected by screwing down the pin 39.
Fig. 8, shows a modified form of water passage in which it will be seen that
the gas bag 33, may have the valve stem 40 secured directly thereto, and
operate the supply without a lever 36.
In this case the inlet pipe 34, is in communication with the gas given off
from the generator, so that when the pressure exceeds a certain limit the bag 33
is expanded and thereby the rod 16b, is pressed downwards so as to cut off the
water. The arrangement however shown and described in Fig. 6 seems to
answer best.
In Fig. 9, I have shown how the gas may be purified in its passage from the
generator to the burner, in which a chamber 41, is formed exterior to the main
body of the lamp. It will be observed that the gas escapes from the generator
through aperture 31", and circulates around the water chamber and passes thence
through aperture 31b into the chamber 41, in
calcium and charcoal or other suitable substance, so that the gas passes through
which is placed chloride of
such substances on its way to the burner.
43, (Fig. 1) is a hollow pillar within which is placed charcoal and cotton wool
or the like, which may be further impregnated with a strong pleasant perfume.
At the upper part of this is an outlet 44, for the escape of gas. The cotton
wool effectually prevents any back firing of enclosed gas, should a light be
brought near such outlet. Such gas passing through this chamber is caused by
over production in the generator, which forces its way backwards through the
water and thence through the said outlet. The charcoal and the perfume neu-
ralize the offensive smell of the gas and impart a pleasant fragrance instead.
n some cases I may attach a tube to such outlet and convey this gas to an
uxiliary burner or to some other more suitable outlet.
In Fig. 5, I have shown how I may in combination with independent carbide
olders provide capillary acting wicks or their like, by which the water shall
nter and be conveyed simultaneously to various points inside the body of the
harge. 46, is the holder having central outlet at 47, and further having inlet
penings in which are placed wick like strings 48, through which the water in
n equable supply is delivered to the charge. Such a charge holder would be
sually placed within the cylinder 19, or in some cases may take its place.
If desired a coiled spring 49 (see Fig. 6) may be employed within the generator
ehind the charge cylinder so as to eject the latter when the front fastening
released, so as to facilitate the withdrawal of the said charge cylinder, but I
not claim such spring 49, as being new.
Referring again to Figs. 6 and 7. Upon the underside of the reflector 50, I
rm or attach a socket like bracket 51, which affords the means for carrying
e reflector; and for carrying the burner, and of attachment to an adjustable
p 52. In this bracket 51, is a screwthreaded hole into which a tubular

page_text: screw 53, may be secured. In this tubular screw is carried the burner &c.
Upon this bracket 51, is further provided a projecting wing 54, having a cen-
tral hole for attachment to the adjustable clip 52 before mentioned by means
of bolt 55. This clip is preferably made of sheet metal, suitably shaped to
embrace the body of the lamp and terminating at the front with its two ends 56
and 57, having bolt holes to coincide with that in the beforenamed wing 54 of
the bracket 51, so that it may be bolted thereto and in so doing to tightly grip
the lamp body, so as to carry the reflector &c. The rear part of this clip is
formed as a socket 58, to pass on to a lamp bracket or the like. It will be
observed that the arrangement of lamp illustrated and described in reference to
Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive may by means of the clip 52 be readily adapted for use
on cycles or other vehicles.
Although I have illustrated the various features of this my invention in the
particular manner shown, it will be obvious many of the details may be varied
without departure from the nature of the several improvements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In acetylene gas lamp apparatus the connecting of the water chamber to
the generator and lower water supply chamber by means of the flange 21, rest-
ing in recess 21", with the upper end of shell 13, india rubber washer 22, and
union screw ring 23, all substantially as shown and set forth.
2. The generator 19, consisting of metallic cylinder with perforations 24,
and gauze or linen covering 25 as set forth and shown.
3. Carrying the generator 19, in a well of water in shell 13, in which the
said water is delivered to the bottom by passage 17, and surrounds the same
between the walls of shell 13, and generator 19, and entering by inlet 24, all
substantially as set forth and shown, and for the purposes specified.
4. The combination with an over pressure outlet 44, of the deodorizing and
perfumery chamber 43, arranged and operating substantially as set forth and
shown.
5. The combination with acetylene gas lamp apparatus of an inflatable gas
bag device operating controlling valve rods 16, 16b, all substantially as set
forth and shown and for the purposes specified.
6. In a charge cylinder one or more inlets 24, situated in the side and near
the top and in one horizontal level as set forth and shown.
7. The employment in a generator of the frame 26. with discs 27, and 29,
and spring 30, all substantially as set forth and shown and for the purposes
specified.
8. The combination with a charge cylinder 46, of the string wicks 48, carried
throughout the interior, substantially as set forth and shown in Fig. 5.
9. The clip 52, combining the adjustable body for lamp shell 13 lamp bracket
socket 58, and jaws 56, 57, to receive reflector 50, with gripping bolt 55, all
substantially as set forth and shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
10. The combination with reflector 50, of the socket bracket 51, with wing 54,
and bolt attachment to clip 52, substantially as set forth and shown in Figs. G
and 7.
1000