An Improved Gasometer for Generating Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1898-Accepted, 30th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Gasometer for Generating Acetylene Gas.
MR. JOSEPHI BENJAMIN, Saddler, 8, Portland Street, Swansea, South Wales, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction and arrangement of a gasometer for
generating acetylene gas in a perfectly safe, economical, & easy way. Instead of
in the usual way having to have the gas compressed, my invention generates the
gas automatically as it is required & can be recharged when in use without
interfering with any lights which may be burning. My invention does away with
all unpleasant odour & indicates the amount of gas used.
My invention consists of a metal gasometer which rises or falls (according to
amount of gas manufactured or used) in the usual cylindrical water-tauk.
To the outside of this water tank are fitted one to six (or more) cylinders to
contain the carbide. These cylinders are specially closed by air tight covers with
thumb screws.
Affixed to top of gasometer are perpendicular rods of correct length which run
down the outside of the water tank by the side of the aforesaid cylinders. Thus
when the gasometer rises or falls, the rods are raised and lowered also. At correct
distances on these rods are teeth or points which by means of cranks open or shut
a tap, so as to allow some of the water in the water tank to pass through a suitably
arranged pipe into the corresponding cylinder, where it acts upon the carbide &
generates gas; this gas passes through another pipe into the gasometer, whence
it passes to the service pipe. As the gas passes from the cylinder into the gaso-
meter the water taps are again closed owing to the action of the rods rising with
the gasometer. The cylinders can be made to act alternately, either by altering
their position or by altering the rods. Coolers are fitted so as to purify and cool
the gas.
Dated this Seventeenth day of November 1897.
An Improved Gasometer for Generating Acetylene Gas.
JOSEPH BENJAMIN, 8, Portland Street, Swansea, Saddler, 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 object of my invention is to provide a simple, safe, effective and inexpensive
gasometer for generating acetylene gas by the use of carbide calcium. The way
I effect this will be better understood on reference to the drawings herewith. The
letters in these drawings refer to similar parts throughout the various views.
The gasometer consists of an outer water tank A, in which the gas-holder B,
077

page_text: is allowed to rise and fall. On the outside of A, are fixed one or more water-
jackets C, in each of which are cylinders H, containing the carbide baskets J.
Now to generate acetylene gas in the cylinders H, it is necessary for the carbide
(which is contained in the carbide-baskets J).to come into contact with water.
This water is supplied from the water-tank A, to the carbide by the pipe or pipes M.
The water enters pipes M at S and passes into the carbide cylinders at U.
The gas thus generated from the carbide by the contact of water, passes from
the cylinder at T through pipe N, and enters the gas holder B, at the bottom
by the well K. The gas thus entering forces the gas-holder B to rise.
To the top of gas holder B are fixed one or more rods D, which slide in a
grooved tube (or tubes) E, by the side of the carbide cylinders. When gas
holder B, rises or falls these rods rise or fall with it.
In certain positions on rods D) are points, projections or teeth R, which act on
the cogs of the cog-crank G. The cog-crank on being revolved opens or shuts
a water-cock in the water-pipe M.
When the gas-holder B contains sufficient gas to make it rise to a certain
height, the rods D rising with it. bring the points, projections, or teeth R into
contact with the cogs of cog-crank G, by which means (the rods D still being
rising,) the crank is partly revolved, which in its turn, shuts the water-cock
in the water-pipe M. The carbide being thus shut off from contact with the
water gradually stops generating gas.
When required for use the gas passes out of gasholder B, by the well L to the
outlet pipe V, from whence the gas may be used for various purposes.
As the gas passes out, the gasholder B & rods D gradually fall again by their
own weight the points R on rods D again coming into contact with cog-crank G,
but this time being the reverse motion it opens the water-cock in pipe M and
lets in fresh water upon the carbide, thus generating fresh gas, when a repetition
of the movements above mentioned takes place, thus ensuring a continuous and
automatic supply of gas.
When the carbide is worn out a fresh lot may be put in the cylinders by
undoing the cover 0. This cover is fastened by thumb-screws or some other
method.
The shape and size of gasometer may vary according to necessity.
In large sizes several carbide cylinders and the parts necessary thereto may be
added; the rods D being fixed so as to work alternately by bar F or in some
other manner.
P shows pipe & tap for outlet of water when necessary from wells K, L.
Qshows exhaust taps from generators to discharge residue.
W shows iron frames to support the generators fixed to tank A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The arrangement and combination of parts of an improved gasometer for
generating acetylene gas, in and through which the gas is generated in a safe
and efficient way.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts of an improved gasometer for
generating acetylene gas, whereby the production of gas is automatically con-
trolled entirely obviating over-production and consequent compression, waste and
danger also entirely doing away with the necessity of safety-valves.
3. The arrangement & combination of parts of an improved gasometer for
generating acetylene gas, whereby a continual supply of gas may be obtained.
Dated this Tmantinth don of Va.. 1000
JOSEPH BENJAMIN.