IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Vincent, of Arborfield, in the County of
Berks, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING GAS."
Scaled the 24th December 1872, and dated the 23rd August 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Vincent at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd August 1872.
I, WILLIAM VINCENT, of Arborfield, in the County of Berks, Ma-
chinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS," to be as follows:―
My said Invention relates to apparatus which may be placed without
inconvenience or danger in houses, shops, warehouses, and other inha-
bited or occupied buildings for the production of gas for illuminating or
heating purposes.
The said Invention relates, first, to the novel construction of the
retort. The said retort is preferably made cylindrical, and is placed
within a portable furnace. It is provided on the under side with an
external shield to prevent its destruction by the heat. The said shield
is a curved plate attached to the furnace by a band or hoop, and when
its forward part, which is subject to the greatest heat, has been burned

page_text: .
away, the said plate may be reversed, and when completely worn out it
may be readily removed and replaced by another plate. I make the
mouth of the said retort conical, and provide the same with a cover,
which is fitted to the mouth so that it closes the same without sealing.
The said cover is jointed at its centre to an adjustable bar, which is
hinged or pivotted to one side of the retort. At the opposite side the
said retort has a recess, which receives the end of the said bar when the
cover is closed. A lever with an inclined piece on its end is arranged
to turn on a fulcrum and secure the bar in the said recess, the inclined
picce acting like a cam upon the said bar, and forcing the cover tightly
'down upon its seat.
Inside the retort I place a removable screen, constructed of cross bars
shaped to lic in the bottom of the retort for retaining the tar in the
same.
The stand pipe of the said retort is made taper, its lower end being 1
considerably larger in diameter than its upper end. This formation of
the said pipe prevents its corrosion and its filling up with the tar and
other substances from the retort. The said stand pipe is secured to the
upper side of the front of the retort, between the mouth thereof and the
front of the furnace, and is preferably made oval in transverse section to
permit its having a large area without requiring the retort to project a
great distance from the furnace.
The furnace is made with a casing of cast iron or other suitable metal,
and is provided with a grate, whose bars are curved transversely to con-
form to the shape of the under side of the retort. The said furnace is
preferably mounted on legs, and may be easily moved. At the top it has
a chimney and an aperture through which the fuel is introduced, the said
aperture being provided with a suitable cover. The front of the furnace
is also provided with a small door for stoking and regulating the supply
of air to the fire.
The condenser is a cast-iron box, which may also be mounted on legs
or standards. The top or cover of the said box is formed with a number
of division plates. When the condenser is in use these plates project
down nearly to the bottom of the box, which is partially filled with
water. The said plates are so arranged that the space above the water 3
line forms an indirect or winding passage from end to end of the con-
denser. The gas inlet pipe extends down into the water, and is provided

page_text: at its mouth with a balanced self-closing valve, which prevents any
return of gas from the condenser. Between the aforesaid division plates
I arrange agitating wheels, the same being mounted upon a bolt or
spindle, which extends through the box. As the gas passes from the
inlet to the outlet aperture it turns these wheels, and causes them to
agitate the water, and thereby effectually cleanse the gas, preventing the
entrance of any tar into the purifier.
I prefer to provide the said condenser with a floating tar pipe and with
a safety pipe, sealed by the water in the box.
The purifier is preferably made in one piece with the condenser, and
may be arranged at the side, end, or bottom of the same. The said
purifier contains lime, sawdust, or other suitable substance.
In my improved apparatus I obviate the necessity of bolts and nuts or
other expensive fastenings for the hydraulic main or condenser, and by
the use of the said apparatus I can manufacture gas more economically
than has heretofore been practicablo.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Vincent in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 17th February 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
VINCENT, of Arborfield, in the County of Berks, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Vincent, Her special licence
that I, the said William Vincent, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Vincent, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Chanuel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS in Apparatus

page_text: FOR MANUFACTURING Gas," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Vincent, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should
particularly describe and' ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months. next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
;
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Vincent, do hereby declaro
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to bo
performed, to be particularly described and. ascertained in and by the 1
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing,
forming a part of this Specification.
My Invention relates to improved apparatus for manufacturing gas,
and which may not only be used in gas works, but may be placed
without inconvenience or danger in houses, shops, warehouses, and other 1
inhabited or occupied buildings wherein gas for illuminating or heating
purposes is required.
In practising the said Invention I use a retort, which is preferably
made cylindrical, and is placed within a portable furnace.
It is pro-
vided on the under side with an external shield to prevent its destruction 2
by the heat. I make the mouth of the said retort conical, and provide
the same with a cover, which is fitted to the mouth so that it closes the
same without scaling.
Inside the retort I place a removable grating, constructed of cross bars
shaped to lie in the bottom of the retort, and which allows the tar to flow 2
freely-along the bottom of the retort away from the charge..
The stand pipe of the said retort is made taper, its lower end being
considerably larger in diameter than its upper end. This formation of
the said pipe prevents its corrosion and its filling up with the tar and
other substances from the retort. The said stand pipe is secured to the 3
upper side of the front of the retort, between the mouth thereof and the
front of the furnace, and is made oval in transverse section to permit its
having a large area without making it necessary for the retort to project
a great distance from the furnace.
This furnace is made with a casing of cast iron or other suitable metal, 3
and is provided with a grate, whose bars are curved transversely to con-

page_text: form to the shape of the under side of the retort. The said furnace is
preferably mounted on legs, and may be easily moved. At the top it has
a chimney and an aperture through which the fuel is introduced, the said
aperture being provided with a suitable cover. The front of the furnace
is also provided with a small door for stoking and regulating the supply
of air to the fire.
The condenser is a cast-iron box, which may also be mounted on legs
or standards. The top or cover of the said box is formed with a number
of division plates. When the condenser is in use these plates project
down nearly to the bottom of the box, which is partially filled with
water. The said plates are so arranged that the space above the water
line forms an indirect or winding passage from end to end of the con-
denser. The gas inlet pipe extends down into the water, and is provided
at its mouth with a balanced self-closing valve, which prevents any
return of gas from the condenser. Between the aforesaid division plates
I arrange agitating wheels, the same being mounted upon a bolt or
spindle, which extends through the box.
I prefer to provide the said condenser with a tar pipe and with a safety

page_text: Figure 9 is a vertical section of the stand pipe.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
a is the furnace, which is mounted on the legs a¹, or is otherwise sup-
ported at a convenient height from the floor; c is the furnace grate,
consisting of curved bars, as above described; c³ is the door for regulating
the admission of air to the furnace; c' is the ash pan; c³ is the
chimney.
The retort d is placed in the said furnace in a slightly inclined
position, as shewn; d' is the conical mouth of the said retort; d' is the
shield placed at its under side. The said shield is supported by the band
or hoop passed around the retort. The forward end of this shield is
subjected to the greatest heat, and when it has been burned away the
said shield is reversed, and when the same is completely destroyed it is
readily removed and replaced by a new shield.
]
The cover d' is jointed at its centre to an adjustable bar d³, which is
hinged or pivotted to one side of the retort. At the opposite side the
said retort has a fixed arm d*, with a recess which receives the end of
the said bar when the cover is closed. A lever do, with an inclined piece
on its end, is arranged to turn on a fulcrum d. The said lever is formed 2
with an excentric d³, which when the end of the bar is in the recess and
the lever in the position shewn in Figure 2, covers the end of the said
bar, and locks it in the said recess, the inclined edge & acting like a cam
upon the said bar, and forcing the cover tightly down upon its scat.
The end of the bar is preferably provided with a small antifriction 2
roller d, to work in contact with the surface d. By turning the lever
into a vertical position the cover d' is released.
The taper stand pipe e, as shewn in Figure 1, is arranged as near as
practicable to the front of the furnace casing, and is secured to the top
of the retort by bolts or screws passed through the flange e¹, or by other 3
suitable fastenings. g is a safety cock at the top of the said stand pipe.
This safety cock prevents explosions in opening the said retort, and
renders the apparatus very safe and thoroughly under control.
The said cock is provided with a small outlet pipe g' for permitting
the escape of the vapor and carbonic acid gas from the retort when the 3

page_text: same is first charged, and for preventing the passing of any impurities
with the gas into the condenser. The said stand pipe also has two
gratings e, e³, for preventing the passage of the tar with the gas from
the stand pipe. The lower grating e' is preferably made coarse, and the
upper grating e³ very fine.
A pipe extends from the said safety cock to the condenser, as clearly
shown in Figure 1.
-
The body of the said condenser, as before stated, is a cast-iron box.i,
mounted on standards or other suitable supports. is the top.or cover
of the said box; provided with the partition plates 3, which project down
nearly to the bottom of the box i. j is the balanced valve at the end of
the inlet pipe h, immersed in the water, as shewn. k, k, are the agitating,
'wheels. is the tar pipe, which extends down into the tar pot, as shown
in Figure 1.
m is the purifier; n is the pipe for conducting the gas therefrom to.
the gas holder o; p is the pipe for conducting the gas from the said gaṣ
holder to the pipes, from which the same is supplied to the burners.
The condenser may also be constructed without a purifier, as the latter -
will very seldom be required.
With my apparatus as above described I obviate the necessity of bolts
and nuts or other expensive fastenings for the hydraulic main or con-
denser, and by the use of the said apparatus I can manufacture gas more
economically than has heretofore been practicable..
The gas may be produced from any material suitable for the purpose.
As it passes through the condenser from the inlet to the outlet' aperture
it turns the aforesaid wheels, and causes them to agitate the water, and
thereby effectually cleanse the gas, preventing the entrance of any tar
into the purifier. From the latter or the condenser the gas passes to the
gas holder, whence it is taken and used in the ordinary manner.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing, the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The retort constructed and arranged within the furnace, as
herein specified.
Second. The peculiar construction of the mouth of the retort and the

page_text: "
Third. Providing the said retort with an internal grating, as hercin set.
forth and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The peculiar construction of the said furnace, with grate bars
curved to correspond with the form of the under side of the retort, and
with contrivances for regulating the admission of air, as herein set
forth.
Fifth. The oval and taper stand pipe attached to the retort immc-
diately in front. of the furnace, and provided with the gratings
and with the safety cock, as herein set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Sixth. The condenser, constructed as. herein described (either with or
without the purifier), and provided with partition plates dipping into
water contained therein, and with agitating, wheels arranged between
the said partition plates, as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. Providing the end of the gas inlet pipe below the surface of
the water in the said condenser with a balanced valve, as hercin set forth.
and for the purpose specified.
"
Eighth. An apparatus for manufacturing gas consisting of the afore-
said furnace, retort, stand pipe, condenser (either with or without the
purifier), and other novel and peculiar contrivances herein described,.
constructed and arranged in combination with cach other and with a gas
holder, as hercin set forth.
In witness whereof, I; the said William Vincent, have hereunto
:
set my hand and scal, this Seventeenth day of February Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three. --
Witness,
WN. ROBT. LAKE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
WILLIAM VINCENT. (L.s.).
a

page_text: En the Matter of the Letters Patent granted to WILLIAM
VINCENT, of Arborfield, in the County of Berks, Machinist,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAanufac-
TURING GAS,” bearing date the 23rd August, A.D. 1872.

page_text: Instal
^
the tar and other substances from the retort. Tho said stand pipo is
secured to the upper side of the front of the retort between the mouth
thereof and the front of the furnace, and is made oval in transverse
section to permit its having a large area without making it necessary
6 for the retort to project a great distance from the furnace. This furnace
is made with a casing of cast iron or other suitable material, and is
provided with a grate whose bars are curved transversely to conform to
the shape of the under side of the retort. The said furnace is preferably
mounted on legs, and may be easily moved. At the top it has a
chimney and an aperture through which the fuel is introduced, the said
aperture being provided with a suitable cover. The front of the furnace
is also provided with a small door for stoking and regulating the supply
of air to the fire.
The condenser is a cast-iron box, which may also be mounted on legs
3 or standards; the top or cover of the said box is formed with a number
of division plates. When the condenser is in use these plates project
down nearly to the bottom of the box which is partially filled with
water. The said plates are so arranged that the space above the water
line forms an indirect or winding passage from end to end of the condenser.
The gas inlet pipe extends down into the water, and is provided at its
mouth with a balanced self-closing valve which prevents any return of
gas from the condenser. Between the aforesaid division plates I arrange
agitating wheels, the same being mounted upon a bolt or spindle which
extends through the box.
I prefer to provide the said condenser with a tar pipe and with a
safety pipe sealed by the water in the box.
I also prefer to use a purifier made in one piece with the condenser.
It may be arranged at the side, end, or bottom of the same. The said
purifier contains lime, sawdust, or other suitable substances.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 shews my improved apparatus partly in elevation and partly
in section.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the aforesaid furnace and retort, and
parts connected therewith.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section of the same on the line

page_text: connected with the same on the line y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the same on the line, z, Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a plan, and Figure 7 a transverse section of the aforesaid
grating to be placed in the retort.
Figure 8 is a plan of the front end of the retort.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of the stand pipe.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
"
a is the furnace which is mounted on the legs a³, or is otherwise sup-
ported at a convenient height from the floor; & is the furnace grato.
consisting of curved bars, as above described; c is the door for
regulating the admission of air to the furnace; c is the ash-pan; c³ is
the chimney. The retort d is placed in the said furnace in a slightly
inclined position, as shown. is the conical mouth of the said retort;
is the shield placed at its under side. The said shield is supported by
the band or hoop d³ passed around the retort. The forward end of this
burned away
boen
shield is subjected to the greatest heat, and when it has
the said shield is reversed, and when the same is completely destroyed it
is readily removed and replaced by a new shield. The cover d' is jointed
at its centre to an adjustable bar d³ which is hinged or pivotted to one
side of the retort. At the opposite sido the said retort has a fixed arm d*
with a recess which receives the end of the said bar when the cover is
closed. A lever do with an inclined picce on its end is arranged to turn
on a fulcrum ď. The said lever is formed with an excentric d³ which,
when the end of the bar is in the recess, and the lever in the position
shewn in Figure 2, covers the end of the said bar and locks it in the
said recess, the inclined edge de acting like a cam upon the said bar, and
forcing the cover tightly down upon its scat. The end of the bar is
preferably provided with a small antifriction roller to work in contact
with the surface d. By turning the lever into a vertical position the
cover d' is released.
'
The taper stand pipe e, as shown in Figure 1, is arranged as near as
practicable to the front of the furnace casing, and is secured to the top
of the retort by bolts or screws passed through the flange e¹, or by other

page_text: suitable fastenings. 7 is the safety cock at the top of the said stand pipe;
this safety cock prevents explosions in opening the said retort, and
renders the apparatus very safe and thoroughly under control. The
said cock is provided with a small outlet pipe g¹ for permitting the
escape of the vapor and carbonic acid gas from the retort when the
same is first charged, and for preventing the passing of any impurities
with the gas into the condenser. The said stand pipe or the mouth-piece
also has gratings for proventing the passage of the tar with the gas from
the stand pipe. The lower grating e² is preferably made coarse, and the
upper grating e³ very fine.
A pipe h extends from the said safety cock to the condenser, as clearly
shown in Figure 1. The body of the said condenser as before stated is
a cast-iron box i mounted on standards & or other suitablo supports;
is the top or cover of the said box provided with the partition plates i³,
which project down nearly to the bottom of the box i; j is the balanced
valve at the end of the inlet pipe & immersed in the water, as shown;
k, k, are the agitating wheels; is the tar pipe, which extends down
into the tar pot, as shewn in Figure 1; m is the purifier; n is the pipe
for conducting the gas therefrom to the gas holder o; p is the pipe for
conducting the gas from the said gas holder to the pipes, from which the
same is supplied to the burners.
The condenser may also be constructed without a purifyer, as the latter
will very seldom be required.
With my apparatus as above described I obviate the necessity of bolts
and nuts or other expensive fastenings for the hydraulic main or con-
denser, and by the use of the said apparatus I can manufacture gas more
economically than has heretofore been practicable.
The gas may be produced from any material suitable for the purpose.
As it passes through the condenser from the inlet to the outlet aperture
it turns the aforesaid wheels and causes them to agitate the water, and
thereby effectually cleanse the gas, preventing the entrance of any tar
into the purifier. From the latter or the condenser the gas passes to the
gas holder, whence it is taken and used in the ordinary manner.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-

page_text: WILLIAM VINCENT. (L.S.)
Witness,
WN. ROBT. LAKE.

page_text: To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-named William
Vincent, to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification
to which the same relates, the above-written Amended Memorandum of
Alteration.
Dated this Fifth day of August One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-three.
G. JESSEL,
Solicitor-General.