Improved Apparatus for the Generation and Supply of Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for the Generation and Supply of Acetylene Gas.
I, Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES, Balouct, of Castle Newe, Strathdon, Aber-
deenshire, NB, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows. -
My invention consists in "Improved apparatus for the generation and supply of
acetylene gas," the object I have in view being the construction of apparatus
which shall after charging be automatic or nearly so in action, and capable of
management by an unskilled attendant The apparatus hereinafter described;
may be used in combination with a gasometer, or this may in some cases be dis-
pensed with, and the burners supplied direct.
The construction and operation is as follows-
The generating chamber may take the form of an iron casting, or it may be
built up in metal, but in either case it is provided with feet or a suitable base.
A plain or compartmented drawer formed of metal slides within this chamber,
and in this is placed the calcium carbide or its equivalent for producing the gas.
The open end of this generating chamber is fitted with a cover which may be
hinged or otherwise, the joint being made with a rubber ring or other suitable
packing, and a cramp screw, screws, or the like Above the generating chamber
supported by brackets or columns formed thereon, secured thereto or independent
therefrom, is a water tank of suitable size In some cases I prefer to cast the
generating chamber and tank in one piece In the base of this tank are ports
which admit water to a jacket surrounding the generator, or I may admit water
in any suitable manner to a jacket surrounding or partly surrounding the gener-
ator, for the purpose of keeping the same cool Within the tank is a gas chamber
80 constructed or arranged as that the water surrounding it has access to its
interior A gas pipe is conducted from the generator upwards, and extends
nearly to the top of the gas chamber. This tube, which is open at both ends,
18 perforated at a suitable point In some cases the dripping hole thus formed
18 screwed and fitted with a nozzle, which may be readily changed or removed
for cleaning The water tank is fitted with two cocks, the upper determining
the head or height of water required for efficient working of the apparatus, the
lower cock being placed a little below the level of the dripping hole formed in
the gas pipe as described A ball cock or equivalent may also be placed in the
tank for maintaining the water supply An independent gas pipe is fitted to
the generator and connected to a gasometer when such is employed. I may use
two or any number of generators and tanks, so combined or arranged and con-
nected up as to aupply one gasholder or more than one, or to be capable of separate
working. I may also employ a conical tubular or other form of spreader, or like
device. for distributing the water employed for the decomposition of the calcium
carbide or other equivalent chemical."
The operation of my invention is as follows -
The cover of the generator is removed, the drawer withdrawn, charged with
calcium carbide and replaced. care being taken to effectually scal the cover or

page_text: hid of the generator. Water is next poured into the tank until it runs out of
the uppermost cock, which 18 then closed. The gas service cock or that connect-
ing the generator with the gasometer is now opened, and the pressure in the
gas chamber being thereby reduced, water rises therein, flows through the small
hole in the gas pipe and falls upon the carbide in the generator beneath, thereby
liberating the gas. If this be produced in excess, the pressure in the gas chamber
increases and forces the water back to a level beneath the dripping hole or nozzle,
so cutting off the further generation of gas When a gasometer is employed
it is balanced against the head of wator in the tank.
FRANCIS M ROGERS,
Agent for Applicant,
1, Finsbury Pavement, London, E C.
Improved Apparatus for the Generation and Supply of Acetylene Gas,
I, Sir CHARLES STEWART FORBES, Baronet, of Castle Newe, Strathdon, Aber-
deenshire, N.B, 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.
-
My invention consists in "Improved apparatus for the generation and supply of
acetylene gas," the object I have in view being the construction of apparatua
which shall after charging be automatic or nearly so in action, and capable of
management by an unskilled attendant The apparatus hereinafter described
may be used in combination with a gasometer, or this may in some cases be dis-
pensed with, and the burners supplied direct
The construction and operation is as follows,
The generating chamber may take the form of an iron casting, or it may be
built up in metal, but in either case it is provided with feet or a suitable base
A plain or compartmented drawer formed of metal slides within this chamber,
and in this is placed the calcium carbide or its equivalent for producing the gas
The open end of this generating chamber is fitted with a cover which may he
hinged or otherwise, the joint being made with a rubbe ring or other suitable
packing, and a cramp screw, screws, or the like. Above the generating chamber
supported by brackets or columns formed thereon secured thereto or independent
therefrom, is a water tank of suitable size In some cases I prefer to cast the
generating chamber and tank in one piece In the base of this tank are ports
which admit water to a jacket surrounding the generator, or I may admit water
in any suitable manner to a jacket surrounding or partly surrounding the gener-
ator, for the purpose of keeping the same cool. Within the tank is a gas chamber
80 constructed or arranged as that the water surrounding it has access to its
interior A gas pipe is conducted from the generator upwards, and extends
nearly to the top of the gas chamber This tube, which is open at both ends,
is perforated at a suitable point. In some cases the dripping hole thus formed
is screwed and fitted with a nozzle, which may be readily changed or removed
for cleaning The water tank is fitted with two cocks, the upper determining
the head or height of water required for efficient working of the apparatus, the
lower cock being placed a little below the level of the dripping hole formed in
the gas pipe as described A ball cock or equivalent may also be placed in the
tank for maintaining the water supply An independent gas pipe is fitted to
the generator and connected to a gasometer when such is employed. I may use

page_text: two or any number of generators and tanks, so combined or arranged and con-
nected up as to supply one gasholder or more than one, or to be capable of separate
working. I may also employ a conical tubular or other form of spreader, or like
device, for distributing the water employed for the decomposition of the calcium
carbide or other equivalent chemical.
The operation of my invention 19 as follows. -
The cover of the generator is removed, the drawer withdrawn, charged with
calcium carbide and replaced, care being taken to effectually seal the cover or
lid of the generator Water is next poured into the tank until it runs out of
the uppermost cock, which is then closed The gas service cock or that connect-
ing the generator with the gasometer 18 now opened, and the pressure in 'the
gas chamber being thereby reduced, water rises therein flows through the small
hole in the gas pipe and falls upon the carbide in the generator beneath, thereby
liberating the gas If this be produced in excess, the pressure in the gas chamber
increases and forces the water back to a level beneath the dripping hole or nozzle,
so cutting off the further generation of gas When a gasometer 18 employed
it is balanced against the head of water in the tank.
To enable my invention to be better understood, I will now proceed to describe
the same by the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which ;-
Fig. 1. is a cross section.
Fig. 2. is an elevation.
Fig 3 is a part plan
Fig. 4 is a plan of the lid or cover for generator mouth.
Fig. 5. is a cross section on line A B Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 18 a plan of compartmented carbide drawer
Fig 7. 18 'a section of dripping nozzle
Fig 8 shews a combined tank and generator.
Fig 9 a bank of generators coupled to a gasometer
In the Drawing 1 Fig. 1 18 an ordinary casting, preferably of iron, fitted with
feet or a footing 2 suitable for bolting down to a plank or like foundation 3.
This 18 cored out as at 4 and a projection 5 formed on each side, to keep the
drawer or tray 6. which contains the carbide of calcium, in position A platform 7
3s formed upon the top of the casting, and upon this is mounted a plain galvanised
tank 8 The door of the generating chamber 9 is preferably hinged as at 10,
and is secured by means of a fly nut 11 threaded upon a pin 12 pivoted on the
holt 13, the joint being made by means of a rubber ring 14 surrounding the
flange or ring 15, see Fig. 4.
Within the tank 8 is an air or gas vessel 16 or if the generating chamber be
of exceptional length more than one may be employed, this may be a metal
casting or built up in sheet metal, in either case part of the base is cut away by
coring or drilling as at 17, so that the water in the tank has ready access to the
intelor The base of this air or gas vessel fits into three or more projections 35
formed on the platform 7 and is kept in its seat by a metallic strip 34, fastened
to the walls of the tank 8 At the top of the generator 1 a hole 18 cored or
drilled out and tapped as at 18, and into this is screwed a pipe 19, over which
the air or gas vessel 18 placed The gas pipe 19 is preferably cast in metal and
formed with a flange 191, hexagonal boss 20, and at a certain fixed height depend-
ing upon the pressure required a projection 21 19 formed as shewn
This pro-
jection 21 is drilled from the outside obliquely, and in a downward direction, and
tapped. and into this is screwed a dripping nozzle 22, the head being countersunk
and nicked at 23, said nozzle being drilled with a small hole 24, varying in
diameter from a sixteenth of an inch upwards, depending upon the amount of
carbide acted upon, the end of nozzle 18 shaped as shewn for the purpose of com-
pelling the water passing through it to fall in drops upon the carbide
beneath
I preferably form the platform 7 with a lip 25, and within this lip and upon

page_text: the platform I mount by screws, bolts, set screws or the like 26 passing through
angle iron, the tank sides 8, the joint being made watertight by means of a
rubber or like packing 14 In the platform 7 are formed preferably by coring,
ports 27, through which the water stored in the tank 8 passes to the jacket 28,
which is formed by either coung out the metal surrounding the generating
chamber 4, or by boring out a cylindrical hole and forcing a liner therein in
the manner well understood thereby keeping down the heat engendered by the
too rapid decomposition of the carbide or other causes.
An
The tank 8 is fitted with two cocks 29, 29¹, the upper one for maintaining a
constant head and the lower 291 for partially emptying it, when required To
empty the remaining water and that in the jacket I employ a cock 201
independent service pipe 30 18 screwed into the end of generator 1, and secured
by a back nut 30¹ bedding on a pap formed on the casting. I also mount an
air cock on the gas vessel. The carbide tray 6 18 fitted with a handle 61 and
divided into compartments by means of partitions 31, the water flowing from
the one to the other. I sometimes employ a spreader 32.
In some cases I may conveniently cast the tank and generator in one piece,
as see Fig. 8, this is a very useful form for a generating station as it can con-
veniently be built into or adapted to sit upon masonry, or be ranged side by side
with others, and combined with a cooling and drying tank and gasometer, as
shewn in Fig. 9, the tanks being replenished from a water service pipe governed
by a ball and cock or like device
The operation of my invention 18 as follows.-
1
The carbide tray 6 18 removed and charged, the generator mouth closed, and
the tank filled with water. Upon opening the air cock 291 upon the air vessel
or that controlling the supply of gas passing through the service pipe or pipes 30
as the case may be, coupled direct to the generator, the water will rise in the
gas bell 16 until it covers the dripping nozzle, through the small hole in which
some of it will pass, falling upon the carbide in the tray beneath, and liberating
acetylene gas by its action thereon, the supply of which will continue so long
as the demand is maintained. If, however, some of the lights are turned out
or the main supply cock is closed the pressure of the gas will increase in the
dome, and drive the water out of the bell, the supply of gas will first of all be
diminished, and then cease altogether Although the main supply pipe 30 18
coupled direct to the generator, the supply of gas passing through it is perfectly
controlled by the action of the gas pressure vessel, and the removeable tube and
nozzle therein, so that the burners can, if desired, be run direct; or the gas
may be passed into a gasometer
I lay claim to the dripping nozzle only in the combination shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim 18:
(1) In apparatus for generating and regulating the supply of acetylene gas
formed by the action of water upon calcium carbide or its equivalent, provided
with an undivided superposed tank and a main gas delivery pipe connected direct
to a jacketed generating chamber beneath the same, the combination and use
of a removeable pressure chamber and a combined gas and dripping tube fitted
with a removeable nozzle 22 such parts operating in the manner described for
the purposes specified.
(2) The combination and use with a jacketed generator supplied with water
through ports from a superposed tank of a compartmented drawer for holding
the carbide and the ribs for keeping the same drawer in position substantially
as described.
(3) In apparatus for generating and regulating the supply of acetylene gas
constructed and operating substantially as claimed in the first claim, the com-
bination and use of one or more than one jacketed generating chamber cast with

page_text: or separate from said tank, and supplied with cuculating water therefrom or
independently, and the use therewith of one or more than one gas holder
(4.) An apparatus for generating and regulating the supply of acetylene gas
constructed substantially as described and shewn in the accompanying diawings.
Dated this 11th day of March 1899
FRANCIS M ROGERS,
Agent for Applicant, 21, Finsbury Pavement, EC