IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF GAS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Cutler, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF GAS.”
Sealed the 29th October 1878, and dated the 2nd May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Cutler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1878.
SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex.
APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus whereby the
pressure on the retort during the manufacture of gas, now usually caused by the dip
in the hydraulic main, may be removed.
The Invention consists in interposing and fixing between the top of the ascension
pipe, which is curved or otherwise suitably formed, and the pipe leading to a con-
ducting gas main a chamber or vessel divided by a partition into two compart-
ments. This partition extends from the top to about two-thirds the depth of the
chamber. At the bottom of the chamber is fixed a three-way valve, one way being
always open to the chamber before mentioned, one way leading to a connection
with the conducting gas main, and the other way leading by means of a connection
to a water pipe arranged parallel to the range of retort benches and the conducting
gas main. This water pipe has attached to it at one extremity, or in any other
suitable place, a supply pipe, which is in communication with a cistern, and is so
arranged that the level of the liquid within it shall be constant and of a height
somewhat above the bottom of the partition in the chamber before alluded to. The
three-way valve is operated upon by a lever to which a rod or chain is attached,
and this rod or chain in its turn is attached to the cross bar, screw, or lid of the
retort in such a way that the opening or closing of the lid actuates the valve in the
necessary direction.
Instead of a three-way valve two separate cocks may be used, both being con-
nected to the same lever or arm.

page_text: The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The cistern being furnished with
water or other liquid, the valve is adjusted so as to permit the flow of liquid passing
into the chamber and rising to a little above the bottom of the partition, and level
with the gas conduit leading to the conducting gas main.
When the retort is charged the closing of the lid will move the lever, close the
communication between the water supply and the chamber, and open a communi-
cation between the chamber and the conducting gas main, down which the liquid
contained in the chamber will be immediately discharged through the lower part of
the conducting gas main, leaving the passage between the ascension pipe and the
gas couduit free for the gas to pass to the conducting gas main. On the re-opening
of the retort lid the lever will be moved in the opposite direction, and the way
opened for the introduction of water to the chamber to a height sufficient to reseal
the partition, and thus cut off the communication with the conducting gas main.
The passage, down which the tar and other liquid products pass to the conducting
gas main may also at times serve as a passage for the gas.
By the adoption of this apparatus the pressure attendant upon the use of the
ordinary dip is entirely avoided.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Cutler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st November
1878.
SAMUEL CUTLER, of Millwall, in the County of Middlesex.
APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus whereby the
pressure on the retort during the manufacture of gas, now usually caused by the
dip in the hydraulic main, may be removed.
The Invention consists in interposing and fixing between the top of the ascension
pipe, which is curved or otherwise suitably formed, and the pipe leading to a con-
ducting gas main, a chamber or vessel divided by a partition, either circular or
otherwise, into two compartments. This partition extends from the top to about
two-thirds the depth of the chamber. At the bottom of the chamber is fixed a
three-way valve, one way being always open to the chamber before mentioned, one
way leading to a connection with the conducting gas main, and the other way
leading by means of a connection to a water pipe arranged parallel to the range of
retort benches and the conducting gas main. This water pipe has attached to it at
one extremity, or in any other suitable place, a supply pipe, which is in communi-
cation with a cistern, and is so arranged that the level of the liquid within it shall
be constant and of a height somewhat above the bottom of the partition in the
chamber before alluded to. The three-way valve is operated upon by a lever to
which a rod or chain is attached, and this rod or chain in its turn is attached to

page_text: the cross bar, screw, or lid of the retort in such a way that the opening or closing
of the lid or the fastening thereof actuates the valve in the necessary direction.
Instead of a three-way valve two separate cocks may be used, both being con-
nected to the same lever or arm.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto of which the following is a description:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the apparatus, a part of it being also in
section.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation, showing one arrangement for fastening the rod to the
cross bar of the retort mouth-piece.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modification of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a front elevation
of the same. In this Figure the rod is attached to the cross bar in a different
manner, and in Fig. 5 the rod is shown as terminating in a screw which is operated
upon by a hand wheel, thus dispensing with the handle as exhibited in the previous
Figures.
In Fig. 1, A is the retort stack; B, the retort mouth-piece; C, the ascension
pipe; and D, the dip pipe or circular partition dividing the chamber E into two
parts; F is the three-way valve with its connection G to the chamber E, its con-
nection H to the conducting gas main I, and the other connection J is fitted to the
water pipe K.
It will be observed that the three-way valve F has a lever L that is operated
upon by the rod M through the intervening lever N.
It will be seen further that the lower part of the rod M is jointed, as at O, and
its attachment to the cross bar P is formed by a swivel joint at Q, the end of the
rod that passes through the bar being free to turn horizotally. By these means the
closing of the retort lid pushes the rod up and opens the valve so as to allow of
the escape of liquid from the chamber E, and the gas to the conducting gas main,
while the opening of the retort lid draws down the lever and opens the valve so
as to permit water or other liquid to flow into the chamber E, seal the dip pipe,
and thus close the passage for gas.
In Fig. 3 the same general arrangement exists. The position of the partition
constituting the dip pipe D is however altered, and the arrangement of the lever N
intervening between the rod and the lever of the valve is modified. In this Figure,
and that of Fig. 4, it will be seen that the handle R of the rod M on being drawn
down will thrust the pin S through a hole in the ear and cross bar, which forms
part of the fastening for the retort lid.
Fig. 5 is a modification of the latter form of fastening, and consists in making
the rod M itself pass through the ear and cross bar, the rod being raised or lowered
by turning the hand wheel T.
Similar letters refer to the same parts in all the Figures.
The dotted lines in Fig. 3 indicate the position of the lever when the retort is
open and the chamber E supplied with water.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The cistern being furnished with
water or other liquid the valve is adjusted so as to permit the flow of liquid passing
into the chamber E, and rising to a little above the bottom of the partition D and
level with the gas conduit U leading to the conducting gas main.
The gas conduit can be dispensed with if thought desirable, and is introduced
more especially on the ground of safety.
When the retort is charged the closing of the lid or fastening thereof will move
the lever L, close the communication between the water supply and the chamber,
and open a communication between the chamber and the conducting gas main,
down which the liquid contained in the chamber will be immediately discharged
into the conducting gas main, or a separate main provided for the purpose, leaving
the passage between the ascension pipe and the gas conduit free for the gas to pass
to the conducting gas main. On the re-opening of the retort lid the lever will be
moved in the opposite direction, and the way opened for the introduction of water

page_text: or other liquid to the chamber to a height sufficient to reseal the partition D, and
thus cut off the communication with the conducting gas main.
The passage, down which the tar and other liquid products pass, will also serve
as a passage for the gas.
By the adoption of this apparatus, the pressure attendant upon the use of the
ordinary dip is entirely avoided.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements which I have described or referred to, as variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention;
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction of apparatus whereby the passage for the gas is opened
and closed by the introduction or withdrawal of liquid, for the purposes herein set
forth, and as herein-before described and shown on the Drawings.
And, Secondly. The arrangement of the various parts whereby the opening or
closing of the retort lid or the fastening thereof causes the simultaneous opening or
closing of the valve, and consequent introduction or withdrawal of liquid, as herein
described, and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Cutler, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
SAMUEL CUTLER. (L.S.)