Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators for Lamps and other Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators for Lamps and other
Apparatus.
I, DAVID THUBRON, of 41, Columbus Ravine, Scarborough, in the County of
York, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention relates to a simple form of portable or fixed lamp, which also
contains the generator for producing acetylene gas, and to a generator with
governor for supplying the gas to a system of pipes.
The portable lamps consist mainly of two chambers which are by preference
either of a cylindrical or a spherical form, the upper chamber contains water,
the flow of which is regulated by an external stopcock to the lower chamber in
which is placed the supply of carbide of calcium. This carbide is placed in a
metal cage which can be withdrawn and re-filled by unscrewing a metal plug
fitting into the base of the lower chamber. A pipe passes from the upper part of
the lower chamber and through the upper or water chamber, to a stopcock and
burner where the gas is ignited.
A screw cap is provided in the upper chamber to admit a supply of water, and
a vent-tap in the lower chamber which is opened for the outlet of air.
The fixed or semi-portable lamp is constructed in a similar manner, but of
larger dimensions, and is more suitable for open air lighting.
The generators for supplying a system of pipes for lighting houses and the like
are constructed by preference in cylindrical form, with inlet pipes for the admis-
sion of water which is allowed to flow into them from an elevated tank and is con-
trolled by means of a tap or valve. Near the bottom of the cylinder a wide screw
plug is provided to enable the cage or cell to be withdrawn for charging with
carbide of calcium.
The acetylene gas, as it is generated in the cylinders, passes out of a pipe at
the top thereof, and into a gas holder suspended in water, and furnished with
counterpoise weights, which regulate the pressure of the gas, which then passes
from the gasholder, at a suitable pressure, to the pipes and burners.
Dated this 29th day of November 1808
WILLIAM J. BAKER,
Agent for the Applicant, Peasholme House, Scarborough.

page_text: Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generators for Lamp and other
_ Apparatus.
I, DAVID THUBRON, of 41, Columbus Ravine, Scarborough, in the County of
York, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to simple forms of generators for acetylene gas, some
of which are either portable or adapted for floating, and others of larger size for
supplying several lights. In each form of generator a device is attached for
adjusting the supply of water admitted to the calcium carbide and thereby regula-
ting the production of gas.
In order to enable the various items in this invention to be fully understood,
I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure 1 represents a sectional clevation of a gas generator and holder for
supplying several lights.
Figure 2 represents a plan of the gas holder and
Figure 3 represents a sectional plan of the same gas-holder with circular tank
and generator.
Figure 4 represents a transverse sectional elevation of the gas generator form-
ing part of the apparatus Figure 1.
Figure 5 represents a sectional elevation of a smaller gas-holder and generator
than that represented at Figure 1.
Figure 6 represents a floating light for use in trawling and other methods of
fishing, and for signal buoys.
.
Figure 7 represents a hand or table generator, and
Figure 8 a larger or standard generator and lamp.
Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts.
In Figure 1 the gas-holder AA works in water contained in the circular
tank B B the holder being steadied in its rise and fall by means of the three
rods which are fixed to the top flange of the holder and which work in tubes
or channels at the sides of the tank A A. The tank is filled with water at the lip b
Across the bottom of the tank is fixed the generating retort C which consists
of a horizontal tube, the inner end of which is permanently closed,, and the outer
end is closed by the cover D when gas is being generated, the said cover being
held in position by the screw clamp e.
A scoop or sliding receptacle E which contains the charge of calcium carbide
is pushed into its place before the cover D is screwed up.
When in operation and gas is being produced by the contact of water with
calcide in the scoop, the gas rises up the tube F lifting the valve 9 and escaping
into the holder A. A which rises. When the gas in the holder is reduced in quan-
tity until the holder falls so that its lower edge presses upon the lever H the
valve Jopens admitting water from the tank B to the inner perforated tube K
from whence it issues in fine streams upon the carbide contained in the scoop E
immediately generating gas which collects sufficiently to lift the gas-holder A A
which rising releases the lever H, closes the valve J and stops the ingress of water
until a further supply is required.
The gas in the holder A. A which is under slight pressure passes into the outlet
pipe L through saw cuts in the upper bend of the pipe at L and passing downward
deposits any excess of moisture in the trap or pocket M and then upwards is

page_text: filtered through suitable material in the strainer or chemical filter N from whence
it passes to the service pipe and burners through the pipe O. An outlet tap for
air is represented at k.
In the apparatus represented at Figure 5 the main features of the gas holder,
water tank and delivery pipe are similar to those described in relation to Figure 1
but the tube P which contains the calcium carbide is perforated, and as soon as
it enters the water gas is generated and raises the holder A but as soon as
sufficient gas has been formed the holder rises, withdraws the carbide tube from
contact with the water and stops the formation of gas.
In the floating light Figure 6 used for fishing purposes, the floating body or
buoy m is supplied with a charge of carbide through the aperture n, which is at
other times closed by a screw plug. At the bottom of the buoy small holes are
pierced which admit minute streams of water until sufficient pressure of gas is
obtained by the contact of water with the contained calcium carbide. When the
required pressure is obtained the further ingress of water is automatically stopped
by the pressure itself. The gas passes up the pipe o to the burner which is en-
closed in a globe or shade. The buoy is kept in a nearly vertical position by
means of the weight p, the bridler which is anchored, and the sliding knot at g,
which is adjustable upon the upright pipe of the buoy.
In the portable lamps represented at Figures 7 and 8 the charge of calcium
carbide is contained in cells ss which screw into the bottom of the generating
chamber the water being supplied from the reservoir B₁ B'₁ and regulated by the
cock or valve t. The gas rises through the pipes uu to the burners ww.
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 is:
(1) The generator for acetylene gas represented at Figures 1, 2 and 3 with its
automatic valve for admitting water to the calcium carbide and the outlet pipe
with water trap and filter all arranged, constructed and operating in the manner
described and as represented.
(2) The floating light with automatic admittance of water through small aper-
tures, all constructed arranged and operating in the manner described and as
represented.
(3) The portable lamps represented at Figure 7 and 8 constructed and operating
in the manner described and as represented.
Dated this Tonth dose of Aumust 1900
WILLIAM J. BAKER,
Peasholme House, Scarborough, Agent for the Applicant.