A New or Improved Acetylene Generator.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
A New or Improved Acetylene Generator.
I, EMIL HILBERG, Ph. D., of Schellingstrasse 16, Berlin, in the German
Empire, Chemist, 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 a new or improved acetylene generator of that type
in which the carbide is automatically supplied in varying quantities according to
the rate or amount of consumption of the gas.
The object of the present invention is to provide means or devices for effecting
the exact regulation of the gas pressure and the supply of the requisite amount
of carbide. All the mechanism employed is very simple in construction so that
it cannot possibly get out of order, and is easily accessible through suitable
openings, doors or the like.
The capacity of the generator increases or decreases according to the consump-
tion or production of the gas, in such a manner as to maintain a constant pressure.
This is effected by means of a piston contained within a suitable cylinder one end
of which opens into the generator. One side of the piston is acted upon by the
gas; the other side is acted upon by a helical or other spring. When the volume
of gas within the generator decreases, the piston is forced inwards by its spring
until a rod or projection upon it comes into contact with a sliding valve at the
bottom of the carbide container. This valve is then opened and carbide falls
into the generator. As fresh gas is produced and the volume increases the
piston is forced back by the pressure and releases the carbide supply valve,
which is then returned to its closed position by means of a spring.
The accompanying drawings, to which reference is hereinafter made, illustrate
the construction of the improved generator.
Figure 1 represents it in vertical cross section. Figures 2 and 3 show in
longitudinal section and end elevation respectively the carbide supply valve and
a stirring or agitating device.
Figure 4 illustrates in section a modified form of carbide supply valve.
Referring to the drawings e indicates the gas generator and reservoir closed
by the cover d. kis the receptacle or magazine for the carbide, furnished at the
top with an inlet closed by the cap or screw f, and at the bottom with a sliding
valve n, indicated in its closed position in Figure 1. h is a suspended cone by
means of which the valve is relieved from some of the weight of the carbide con-
tained within the magazine. The valve n is normally maintained in its closed
position by means of the spring e, one end of which is contained within or abuts
against an extension i¹ of the reservoir.
Opening into the reservoir is a cylinder i containing a piston z which is com-
bined with a spring g having a tendency to force the piston inwards. The gas
has free access to the other face of the piston, but not to the face against which
the spring abuts. When a large volume of gas is contained within the reservoir
the piston is forced, against the pressure of the spring, into the position indicated
in Figure 1, or, even still further to the right. As the volume decreases, owing

page_text: either to consumption of the gas or a decrease in the production, the pressure
tends to decrease and the piston z is forced inwards by its spring and decreases
the capacity of the reservoir. This inwards movement may continue. until the
rod or projection s¹ on the piston comes into contact with the valve n and moves
it to the left so as to allow some of the carbide contained in the magazine to fall
into the generator. As the production of gas increases and the pressure tends
to rise, the piston z is forced outwards, thus increasing the capacity of the reser-
voir, and the carbide valve is returned by its spring to its closed position.
In order to prevent the carbide becoming caked, and to ensure that it is fed
into the generator when the valve is opened, the latter is provided with stirring
or agitating devices. The valve carries a projection or finger t, and is formed or
provided with an external rack, which engages with the pinion v secured to
a shaft carrying arms w. The reciprocation of the valve thus effects the rotation
of the arms w.
The carbide which passes through the valve n falls through the cone or
funnel o into the water at the bottom of the generator. The water inlet and
outlet are marked respectively p and a. o is an opening for the passage of
the gas.
The cylinder and the piston are of such a size as to very considerably in-
crease or decrease the capacity of the reservoir according to the position of the
piston.
On its way to the burners the acetylene passes through the filter z³ and pipe l,
an additional filtering or drying device being provided at u if desired. The
pipe may be formed at its lowest point with a trap or branch m for the collec-
tion of water. Access may be easily gained to the filter by means of the cover
or cap r.
The piston rods which projects through the casing of the reservoir serves, by
its position as an indicator of the amount of gas contained, and may be furnished
with a nut by means of which the piston may be held in its outward position
when it is desired to put the generator out of action.
b indicates the bottom plate of the reservoir and generator.
In the modification illustrated in Figure 4 the valve n is in the form of a grid
or grate, and a pinion or wheel y engages with the spaces between the bars of the
grid. Upon the reciprocation of the valve the teeth of the wheel force out any
carbide which may have become lodged in the spaces and a clear passage is kept
for the carbide.
Should a still more exact regulation of the pressure be desired than can be
obtained with the single cylinder and piston described and illustrated, then two
or more such spring or weight controlled pistons contained within suitable
cylinders may be combined with the generator.
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. In an acetylene generator, the combination with the gas reservoir of a
spring or weight controlled piston which moves as the volume of gas varies and
effects the operation of the carbide supply valve and stirring devices, all con-
structed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
2. In an acetylene generator, the combination with the carbide container or
magazine of a suspended cone by means of which the pressure upon the valve is
relieved, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated in Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
3. In an acetylene generator, a carbide supply valve consisting of a sliding grid
or grate with the spaces of which are geared the teeth of a suitable wheel or
piston, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and as illus-
trated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 4. An acetylene generator constructed arranged and operating substantially
as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth and as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
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