Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators.
I, EUGENE BOURNONVILLE, of No. 32, Beacon Avenue, in Jersey City, Hudson
County, New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:-
-
The invention relates to improvements in acetylene gas generators, and
embraces, among other features of novelty, an improved feeding means for
delivering the carbide to the tank containing the water and connected with the
gasometer.
In accordance with my invention, the carbide is fed in pre-determined quantities
to the tank by means which are automatically actuated by the falling or downward
movement of the gasometer; and the carbide thus fed from time to time, as
required, is delivered to the tank through a pipe or chute, and, owing to the form
of the bottom of the tank is deflected to a position from below the discharge end
of said pipe or chute so that the gas arising will pass upward through the water
to the gasometer and be prevented from passing upward through the aforesaid
pipe or chute through which the carbide is fed. The bottom of the tank will
be inclined and may be in the form of an inverted cone. The means for feeding
the carbide to the tank is important, and these means may vary in their details
in many respects, without departing from the general principles of the invention.
The carbide is supplied in the form of lumps and pre-determined quantities of this
carbide will be automatically carried in the form of charges to the pipe or chute
by which, at the proper time, said charges are, one after another, as required,
delivered to said pipe or chute and thence to the tank. The feeding devices for
supplying the carbide to the tank after being properly charged will be operated by
the reciprocating motion of the gasometer, and hence the carbide is fed auto-
matically to the tank and is not delivered to the tank until a fresh supply of gas
is required for the gasometer. My invention involves not only the above
mentioned new method of feeding the carbide to the tank of the generator, but
also embraces a novel treatment for the lumps of carbide.
In accordance with my invention the lumps of carbide are protected from the
influence of atmospheric conditions by dipping them in oil, the oil forming a coat-
ing over the lumps of carbide and protecting them against the action of the air
or liquid until said lumps have been fully immersed in the water contained within
the tank connected with the generator. The fact that I coat the lumps of carbide
with oil is of very great advantage also, in that after said lumps of carbide have
been introduced into the tank of the gas generator, the oil coating their surfaces
will ascend to the upper surface of the liquid within the tank and form a layer
through which the gas much pass on its way to the gasometer. The layer of oil
upon the water within the tank may be introduced, if desired, through the pipe
through which the carbide is fed, but this will be unnecessary when the carbide,
treated with oil according to my process, is employed, since the carbide thus
treated will carry enough oil into the tank to supply the layer which should
usually be upon the upper surface of the water into which the carbide is immersed.

page_text: It is obvious that various forms of mechanical devices may be utilized in carry-
ing my invention into effect, and hence, while not limiting the invention to the
special form of devices showa in the accompanying drawings, I illustrate in said
drawings a very satisfactory form of acetylene gas apparatus embracing the
features of my invention.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of a gas generator embracing my
invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the feeding wheel having segmental pockets charged
with carbide to be fed to the generator;
Fig. 4 is a section through the casing of this feed wheel, the wheel itself being
shown in elevation; and
Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the operation of the pawls controlling the
feed wheel.
The generator comprises the tank A having the conical or other inclined bottom
and closed at the top by a cover having a central opening containing the box B
which is filled with purifying substance through which the gas must pass on
its way to the gasometer, said substance acting as a filter to remove the impurities
from the gas.
The tank A will, as usual, contain a proper supply of water within
which the carbide is immersed.
A body of kerosene oil, indicated at a, in Fig. 1, may be fed to the tank A, or,
as hereinbefore described, the layer of oil a, may be formed from the coating of
oil previously applied to the lumps of carbide fed to the tank A. The carbide
in the form of lumps is preferably dipped in oil so as to protect it from atmospheric
conditions, and this oil coating when the lumps are fed to the tank A will rise to
the surface of the water in said tank and form the layer a. The coating of the
carbide thus protects the latter and renders it more efficient in use and at the same
time supplies the layer of oil a for the upper surface of the water within the
tank A. The carbide is delivered to the tank A through the pipe or chute I pro-
vided at its upper end with the funnel I' and connected to the generator tank A
at the upper part of the conical or inclined bottom thereof. The carbide is intro-
duced through this pipe I in small quantities or charges, as required, by an
apparatus hereinafter explained, which will be automatically set in motion to feed
the carbide by the movement of the gasometer. Each charge of carbide fed at
one time will be sufficient to generate a quantity of gas adapted to nearly fill the
gasometer.
The opening a¹ at the bottom of the generator tank is adapted to form a valve
seat, and to this opening is connected a discharge pipe L having a valve L'
through which the contents of the tank may be withdrawn whenever desired.
The ball A which is of a specific gravity less than that of the water, but greater
than that of the oil will float between the two liquids and at the proper time will
form a valve to close the outlet opening a¹ when it comes in contact therewith.
When the water is drawn off by opening the valve L¹ the ball A' will follow the
water level until finally it will pass into contact with the edges of the opening al
and stop or at least check the outflow of the water. When this result is obtained
the valve L is closed and thus nearly all of the water may be withdrawn fror
the tank A without permitting the oil a to follow it. The tank will then be re-
filled with water through the pipe I. A gauge glass M is attached to the pipe L
to indicate the level of the water within the tank A.
The generator tank A is surrounded by a tank D which forms a part of the
gasometer. The annular space between the tank 1) and the generator tank A is
filled with water and forms a seal for the upper part D¹ of the gasometer. This
gasometer is of usual form and provided with the rollers & bearing upon guides E
which guide the gasometer in its rise and fall. A rode is attached to the gaso-
meter and passes through guides in the horizontal bar E¹ of the frame. The
upper end of the rod e carries the pawl e adapted to engage the ratchet wheel F
when the gasometer descends to near its lowest position.

page_text: The ratchet wheel F is mounted upon the shaft F¹ passing through one side
of the casing G, having a cover G¹. Upon the inner end of the shaft F is secured
a pinion which engages a gear wheel J fixed to the bottom of the wheel H
mounted on the shaft g journaled in the casing G. The wheel H is for feeding the
carbide and consists of a rim having a series of radial partitions which form
segmental pockets h. These pockets are all of about the same size and each is
adapted to contain carbide to generate sufficient gas to nearly fill the gasometer.
The bottoms h¹ of the pockets or cells h are hinged at one edge and when released
will drop downward, one of them being shown in this position in Figs. 1 and 4.
The bottoms are normally held up to close the pockets or cells h by means of
pivoted hooks or catches H¹, which engage a pin upon the outer end of said hinged
bottoms. A pin h³, fixed to the casing G, projects inwardly to engage the lower
ends of the catches H¹ and release them when each cell or pocket is over the
funnel I of the feeding pipe I. These cells h are therefore, one after another,
discharged in succession. As the wheel H revolves the hinged bottoms h¹ will
engage the cam g¹ on the base of the casing G and be raised thereby into position
to be caught by the catch H¹. The pockets h are thus closed immediately after
being emptied. As the wheel H revolves the contents of the pockets h are
discharged one after another into the pipe I.
The carbide being heavier than water will pass down the pipe I and thence to
the bottom of the generator tank A. The bottom of the tank A being inclined the
carbide will be deflected from below the pipe I and hence the gas arising through
the water will not pass up through the pipe I but will go to the upper end of the
generator tank and thence to the gasometer. The bottom of the tank A may be
inclined either in the manner shown in the drawings or in any other manner lead-
ing to the waste outlet pipe L and when desired a deflector plate may be introduced
below the lower end of the pipe I so as to deflect the carbide passing downward
through said pipe in any direction desired; and said deflector may be utilized to
prevent the ascent of the gas into said pipe I. As the gasometer falls so as to
engage the pawl el with the ratchet wheel F, the latter will rotate the shaft Fi
and through the bevel gear connections turn the wheel H so as to release the
bottom of one of the pockets or cells h, whereby the contents of said pockets are
permitted to descend through the pipe I and into the tank A. The wheel F is
prevented from retrograding by a pawl f (see Figs. 2 and 5). As soon as the
carbide of a pocket h passes into the water, generation of gas commences.
will prevent any further drop of the gasometer, and in fact will soon cause it to
rise. The wheel F will therefore be rotated only one tooth at a time and then
rotation will occur only when the gas in the gasometer has been nearly consumed.
The generation of gas from the carbide will be somewhat rapid and will cease in
a comparatively short time.
This
The gasometer, however, is of sufficient storage capacity so that when it rises
it will furnish storage room for the gases. The pressure of the gas is therefore
maintained constantly and the consumption may be rapid or slow. A new charge
of carbide will not be added until the gasometer has fallen to near its lower position.
A gas supply pipe K passes up through the generator tank A and opens into the
gasometer. Through this pipe the gas is withdrawn for consumption. A pipe D³
is connected to the bottom of the annular space between the tank A and the tank D
so that the water forming the seal for the gasometer may be drawn off when
desired. A pipe A2 enters the bottom of the generator and has its open end close
to the upper end of the tank, said pipe being provided with a valve A³ outside the
tank. The purpose of this pipe is to admit and discharge air from the tank A
when the water is being drawn off and re-placed. This will prevent any gas from
being drawn back from the gasometer when the water is being drawn off and air
from being forced into the gasometer when the tank is being filled with water.
This pipe A is used only when the gasometer is empty; at other times the gas
is allowed to flow back into the generator.
The chamber B is provided for aiding in purifying the gas and consists of a ring
or box open at the top and bottom, whereat are provided layers of cloth 6, 61. These

page_text: cloths are held in place by rings B and B which clamp the edges of the cloth.
Within the chamber B is placed first a layer of powdered charcoal and then a layer
of tannin, which preferably has been saturated with a solution of potash. This
acts as a filter to stop any impurities which may have passed through the oil float-
ing upon the surface of the water within the tank A, and also to dry the gas.
The tank A shown in the drawings is at its bottom in the form of an inverted
cone, but may be of other form if desired. I prefer, however, to supply the tank A
with an inclined bottom leading to a waste outlet. In the construction shown
in the drawings the gasometer is directly over the tank A and this is the preferred
form, except in large plants requiring a great many lights, and in these latter cases
I will have the gasometer at one side of the tank A but connected with said tank
by suitable piping.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. An acetylene gas generator, comprising a tank and a feeding pipe entering
said tank for the introduction of the calcium carbide into the tank, the said tank
being provided with an incline independent of the pipe, whereby the calcium
carbide introduced into the said tank will be deflected laterally from beneath the
open end of the pipe, as and for the purpose set forth.
2. An acetylene gas generator comprising a tank having a sloping bottom, a
carbide feeding pipe opening freely into the said tank above and at one side of the
bottom of the slope whereby the carbide after its introduction is conducted later-
ally from beneath the open end of said pipe, thereby preventing the generated gas
from passing into the carbide feeding pipe, a gasometer for receiving the generated
gas, and a carbide feeding device operated by the fall of the gasometer, substan-
tially as described.
3. An acetylene gas generator comprising a tank having a sloping bottom, a
carbide feeding pipe entering the tank above and at one side of the bottom of the
slope whereby the gas generating material after its introduction is moved laterally
from beneath the open end of said pipe, a gasometer receiving its gas from the said
tank, a charging wheel having a series of segmental pockets, and means operated
by the fall of the gasometer to successively discharge the contents of the pockets
into the carbide feeding pipe, substantially as described.
4. An acetylene gas generator, comprising a tank having a sloping bottom, a
carbide feeding pipe entering the tank above and at one side of the bottom of this
slope, a gasometer receiving its gas from this tank, a charging wheel having
segmental pockets with swinging bottoms, catches for holding the bottoms closed,
a trip for releasing the bottoms as they pass over the carbide feeding pipe, and
means for rotating the wheel by the fall of the gasometer, substantially as described.
5. An acetylene gas generator, comprising a tank having a sloping bottom, a
carbide feeding pipe entering the tank above and at one side of the bottom of this
slope, a gasometer receiving its gas from this tank, a charging wheel having
segmental pockets with swinging bottoms, catches for holding the bottoms closed,
a trip for releasing the bottoms as they pass over the carbide feeding pipe, a
ratchet wheel connected to the charging wheel to rotate it, and a pawl connected
to the gasometer and engaging the ratchet wheel to turn it by the fall of the
gasometer, substantially as described.
6. An acetylene gas generator comprising a tank, a carbide feeding pipe enter-
ing the tank at one side thereof, a gasometer receiving its gas from the tank, a
charging wheel having pockets with swinging bottoms, catches for holding the
bottoms closed, a trip for releasing the bottoms as they pass over the top of the
carbide feeding pipe, means for raising the bottoms into position to be caught by
the catches and means for rotating the wheel by the fall of the gasometer;
substantially as described.
7. An acetylene gas apparatus comprising a generator, a valve for drawing the
water from the same, a gasometer, a gas filtering device located in the top of the

page_text: generator and through which the gas passes to the gasometer, and a valved 'vent
pipe connecting the upper part of the generator with the outside air, substantially
as described.
8. An acetylene gas apparatus comprising a generator having a conical bottom,
a drainage outlet in the center of the bottom, and a carbide feeding tube opening
freely into one side of the generator at the top of the conical bottom, whereby the
material introduced is conducted laterally to the center of the bottom, as and for
the purpose set forth.
9. An acetylene gas generator comprising the tank and gasometer, combined
with a carbide feeding device operated from the gasometer and adapted to
discharge, in-succession, the charges of the carbide into said tank; substantially
as set forth.
10. An acetylene gas generator comprising the tank, the gasometer and the
carbide feeding pipe leading into said tank below the water level therein, com-
bined with a carbide feeding device operated from the gasometer and adapted to
discharge, in succession, the charges of the carbide into said pipe; substantially
as set forth.
11. An acetylene gas generator comprising means for feeding the carbide in
successive charges as required directly into the water within the tank, said charges
of carbide being discharged directly into the water and allowed to freely descend
therein; substantially as set forth.
12. The method of treating the lumps of carbide which consists in dripping or
coating the same with oil to protect them from the effects of atmospheric conditions,
and whereby also the carbide may become fully immersed in the tank of the
generator before the gas is formed and the oil coating from the carbide may rise
to the surface of the water in said tank and form an oil layer through which the
generated gas must pass on its way to the gasometer; _ substantially as set forth.
Dated this 13th day of January 1898.
EUGENE BOURNONVILLE,
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.