An Acetylene Gas Lamp.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1900
An Acetylene Gas Lamp.
We, WILLIAM OTTERBEIN NELSON, Inventor, of No. 508, North Fulton Avenue,
Baltimore City, State of Maryland, United States of America, LOUIS STEDMAN
HOUGHTON, Capitalist, of No. 218, West Lanvale Street, Baltimore City, State of
Maryland, United States of America, and EDWARD MILLER, Manufacturer, of
Meridan, County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United States of America,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
-
This invention relates to a construction of portable acetylene gas generator
lamp, applicable with particular advantage to velocipedes and other vehicles,
which combines with compactness of construction, a very reliable action and
safety against excessive generation of gas, while at the same time it is easy
of manipulation for the renewal of the spent carbide and for supplying a fresh
charge.
The main features of the said lamp are as follows:-
Within a chamber forming the lower part of the lamp is a rotatable wire cage
mounted on horizontal trunnions in spring supports so as to be readily remov-
able, which cage contains a charge of carbide; above the said chamber is firstly
a water tank from which a pipe leads to above the cage where its nozzle is closed
by a valve; secondly there is a collapsable or bellows-like chamber which com-
municates by an opening with the lower chamber, so that when acetylene gas
is generated in the latter it enters and distends the upper chamber, while after
the generation of gas has been stopped, the upper chamber is collapsed by a
spring, thereby forcing the gas back into the lower chamber whence it passes
through a channel with regulating valve to the burner.
The movable part of the collapsible chamber is connected in such manner by
suitable mechanism on the one hand with the carbide cage, and on the other
hand with the valve controlling the water supply that on the distension of the
chamber it effects the partial rotation of the cage so as to bring a fresh portion
of carbide under the water supply nozzle, and at the same time it causes the valve
to close this nozzle, so as to stop the generation of the gas. On the then-
ensuing collapsing of the chamber it effects the reopening of the water supply so
that the water in falling in drops upon the fresh portion of carbide in the cage
which at that time is stationary, produces a fresh quantity of gas, and the above
described operation is repeated.
We will proceed to describe the said invention with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a lamp, constructed according to our inven-
tion Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view through the water-reservoir; Fig. 3 is a
front elevation of our improved collapsible gas-holder; Fig. 4 illustrates partly
in elevation and partly in section our improved carbide-container or cage, and
in a detached view a detail of a fastening device employed in connection there-
with and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate in edge and side views respectively, details
of the mechanism for controlling the supply of water to the carbide.

page_text: Referring to these drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the bottom, and 2 the
top portion of the lamp, these parts having a screw-threaded connection as at 3.
The top portion is composed of an inner casing 4, semi-cylindrical in cross-
section, surrounded by an outer casing 5 so as to afford an air-space 6 between
the two casings. This air space prevents the water or gas being unduly heated
by the burner. The outer casing is attached at its bottom to an annular flange
on the inner casing by bayonet joints, as indicated in dotted lines at 7. The
top of casing 5 also provided with an opening through which projects an
annular screw-threaded flange 8 secured to, the top, of the inner casing and closed
by a screw-cap 9. The inner casing 4 contains a water-compartment 10, having
in its top a filling orifice 11 located within the annular flange 8 so that by remov-
ing cap 9, water may be supplied to the water compartment. The flat side 12
of the inner casing, and an extended bottom portion 12" thereof, form; with the
surrounding outer casing 5, a compartment 13, in which is located the improved
gas-holder 14 and the mechanism for controlling the operation of the same. The
said gas-holder comprises a flat metal plate 15 secured in the compartment 13 in
any suitable detachable manner to the flat side 12 the said plate forming a
stationary side of the gas holder. Secured upon the said plate and extending
around the same to form an oval, is a flange or ledge 10. The numeral 17
indicates the movable side of the gas-holder, which is in the form of a flat metal
oval plate, of a size less than the oval formed by the flange 16. The plate 17
is provided around its edge with a flange 19. The numeral 20 indicates flexible
material which is wired or otherwise suitably connected at its edges around
the respective flanges 16 and 19, in a manner to form a collapsible, gas-tight
holder of the bellows type. By forming the movable side 17 of the gas-holder
smaller than the other, it will be seen that the flexible material connecting the
two sides will tend to fold inwards upon itself, thus preventing angular accor-
dion folds in said material such as have heretofore been used, and are liable to
crack and break. The flexible material used is preferably thin caoutchouc, but
any other suitable material that is gas-tight may be employed. The numeral 21
indicates a flat metal bar which is bent to form two arms 22, and is secured at
its lower curved end to the movable side 17 of the bellows. The two arms, 22
are pivotally mounted at their outer extremities upon a pin 23, upon which is
a disc 24, having notches in its periphery, and coiled about the pin 23 is a
spring 25, one end of which is connected with one of the arms 22 and the other
end with the disc 24. A pawl 26 mounted in an upper extension of the plate 15
engages the notches in the said disc. By turning this disc the tension of
spring 25 may be regulated, and the pawl 26 holds the disc in the position to
which it is turned. The spring 25 tends normally to move the bent arm 21' and
the movable side 17 inward toward the stationary side 15 as the gas escapes from
the holder, and said movable side and arm are moved outward against the resis-
tance of spring 25 by the pressure of the generated gas entering the holder.
Secured at its lower end to the outer casing 5 is a blade spring 27, 'the outer
free end of which has a hole through which and through an aperture in the outer
casing passes a rod 28, having a reduced screw-threaded end to receive an adjust-
ing-nut 29, and a shoulder against which bears the blade spring 27 as shewn in
Fig. 1. At its other end the rod 28 has a hook 30 which is adapted to engage
a bar 31 secured to the arm 22. The bottom 32 of the water-compartment '10
is relatively higher than that of the compartment 13. Extending through the
side 12 of the inner casing below the bottom 32, and also through the plate 15,
is an opening 33, a rubber packing ring 34 being interposed between the side 12
and plate 15, surrounding the opening 33 so as to form a gas-tight connection
at this point. Pivotally secured to the movable plate 17 is an arm 35, which
extends through the opening 33 and at its outer extremity is pivotally con-
mected to the upper end of a bent arm 36 which latter at its lower end is
secured to a fixed collar 37 on a rock-shaft 38, mounted at opposite ends in suit-
able bearings, (not shewn). Secured to the opposite end of the rock-shaft 38,

page_text: and extending in a downward direction is a lever-arm 39 carrying at its lower
end a segment-shaped plate 40 having studs 41 near opposite ends thereof and
projecting to its outer side. The numeral 42 indicates a curved, or segment-
shaped ratchet-plate, which is mounted on the said studs which pass through
apertures 43 formed in the ratchet-plate. These apertures are substantially
triangular in shape, that is, they each have an inclined lower edge 44. The
numeral 45 indicates the carbide-holder, which is in the form of a wire cage, of
the form shewn in Fig. 4, the wires 46 thereof being spaced a suitable distance
apart to permit the spent carbide to be sifted out of the holder in the revolution
thereof. Each of said wires 46 is provided on each side of the middle with an
indentation 46, the purpose of which is to prevent any water which may fall
upon a wire from running down the wire to either end of the cage. The said
cage is provided at opposite ends with a journal 47, by which means it may be
revolvably and removably mounted in the lower ends of spring-arms 48. One end
of the said cage is provided with a circular opening, at points around. which are
provided three or more headed studs 49. This opening is closed by a plate 50
having slots 51, corresponding in number to that of the studs 49. These slots are
enlarged at one end to permit the heads of the studs passing through, after
which the plate 50 is turned to cause the studs 49 to enter the narrow part of
the slots, through which the heads of the studs cannot pass. Thus the plate 50
is removably secured on the carbide cage and may be readily detached to permit
carbide to be placed in the holder. Rigidly secured on the opposite end of the
cage is a ratchet wheel 52, the teeth of which engage with the teeth of the
ratchet-plate 42. The operation of this mechanism is as follows:-
As the gas-holder 14 fills with gas the side 17 moves outward, carrying the
arm 35 with it. This movement of arm 35 through the medium of bent arm 36,
causes a part revolution of rock-shaft 38 which moves the lever-arm 39 carrying
the plate 40 in the direction indicated by the arrow. In this movement the
studs 41 ride up on the inclined edges 44 of the apertures 43 thus holding the
teeth of the ratchet-plate 42, in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-
wheel 52, and thereby revolving the latter and with it the carbide holder, so as
to sift the spent carbide therefrom. As gas is consumed the spring 25 actuating
the bent arm 21 forces the side 17 inward, which movement will cause the
lewer-arm 39 and the plate 40 to be moved in the opposite direction to that
indicated, whereby the studs 41 will be moved out of engagement with the
inclined edges 44 and the ratchet-plate 42 will be permitted to ride over the
teeth of the ratchet-wheel 52 to engage a fresh set of teeth. By this construction
and operation a fresh surface of the carbide is always presented to be attacked
by the water. The numeral 60 indicate a pawl successively engaging the wires
of the carbide-cage to prevent back turning of the same.
We will now describe the mechanism for admitting water to the carbide.
The numeral 53 indicates a pipe communicating with the water-compartment
through the bottom thereof as shewn. This pipe is bent at right-angles to
extend beneath the bottom of the compartment 13 and immediately above the
carbide-cage 45 is provided with a bend 54 having a drop-orifice. The numeral 55
indicates a short shaft mounted in suitable bearings, at one end of which is
secured a bent arm 56 carrying at its outer end a rubber block 57 normally
closing the drop orifice in the pipe 53. From the opposite end of the shaft 55
depends an arm 58 the lower end of which is bent so as to form an angular
protection 59. The fixed collar 37 is provided with a peripheral notch 61, in
which works a pin 62 carried by a collar 63 which is revolvably mounted on the
shaft 38. In this loose collar 63 is provided an angular peripheral notch 64, and
a similar but larger notch 65 is formed in the fixed collar 37, as clearly shewn
in Figs. 6 and 7, and these notches may be brought opposite each other, to
permit the projection 59 to enter same, as also clearly shewn in Fig. 7.
The operation of these parts is as follows:-The parts being in the position
shewn in Fig. 1, the projection 59 rests upon the peripheries of the collars 37

page_text: and 63 and thereby the rubber block 57 is held firmly against the drop orifice of
pipe 53. In this position the gas-holder 14 is in a more or less inflated condition.
As gas is consumed, the gas-holder gradually collapses, the movable side 17 being
moved inward toward the plate 15 by spring 25 and carrying with it arm 35,
and through the medium of arm 36, turning the fixed collar 37 and rock-shaft 38.
In this movement the pin 62 rides in the slot 61 and the movable collar 63
remains stationary, the projection 59 resting now on the movable collar only and
still holding the drop orifice closed, this position of parts being clearly shown in
Fig. 6. It will further be seen from this figure that the respective edges of
recess 65 have been moved beyond the corresponding edges of recess 64, in a
manner to bring these recesses partly out of register. As the deflating move-
ment of the holder continues, the radial edge of slot 61 will engage the pin 62 on
the movable collar and thereby move said collar so that the edge of recess 64
therein will be moved beyond the apex of the projection 59. This will now
begin to enter the recess 64, owing to the force of gravity exerted upon the
lever-arm 56, and in this movement the upper angular side of the projection 59
in engaging the edge of recess 64 will operate to revolve quickly the movable
collar 63 upon the rock-shaft 38 so that the recesses 64 and 65 will again be
brought into register, and the projection 59 can instantly enter entirely into the
same, thus permitting the lever-arm 56 with its stopper 57 to fall suddenly from
the drop orifice of the water-pipe, so as to allow a sufficient quantity of water
to be discharged upon the carbide in the cage to generate the requisite volume
of gas, this position of the parts being shewn in Fig. 7. While the above con-
struction is advantageous, it may be modified by providing the rock-shaft 38 with
a cam surface suitably formed to operate on the end of lever-arm 58 in the above
described manner, so as to dispense with the loose collar 63. Referring again to
Fig. 7 it will be evident that as the gas generated as a result of the above
described operation enters the gas-holder, the side 17 will be moved away from
the plate 15, and will turn the rock shaft 38 in the direction indicated by the
arrow in Fig. 7. In this movement, the edges of the recesses 64, 65, in bearing
against the upper inclined side of the projection 59, will raise the stopper 57 so
as to close the drop orifice and shut off the water. It will be seen that the
peg 62 does not bear against the radial edge of notch 61, and as the notch 65
is larger or wider than the notch 64, this arrangement permits a limited move-
ment of the collar 37, and consequently of the movable side of the gas-holder,
before the projection 59 of lever 58 shall be again acted on to close the water
supply, thus further insuring that the proper amount of water shall be supplied
before the drop orifice is closed. In the reverse movement, the collar 37 will
be turned a given distance, regulated by the length of the slot 61, before the
loose collar 63 is acted upon to permit the lever-arm 56 to fall in the manner
above described. By varying the length of notch 61 and the size of notch 65
relative thereto, the distance the side 17 of the gas-holder can move in either
direction without affecting the water supply, can be suitably adjusted.
By providing an angular recess and an angular projection to co-operate there-
with, we secure the following additional advantage. In the position of parts as
shewn in Fig. 7 the gas-holder will not be entirely deflated, as in the normal
operation of the apparatus a fresh generation of gas will always ensue before the
gas previously generated has been entirely consumed. Should the gas-holder
from any cause become leaky the movable side 17, under the pressure of
spring 25, would be carried inward beyond the point it occupies in the normally
deflated condition of the gas-holder, or that point which it occupies when the
parts are in the position shewn in Fig. 7, and as this inward movement of
side 17 revolves the collar 37 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6, the edge of
the notch 65 will press against the under side of the angular projection 59 and
will thereby effect the closing of the drop orifice. Should the gas-holder be
accidentally ruptured, therefore only a slight amount of gas could escape, and
the generation of gas will be automatically stopped.

page_text: From the above description it will be observed that the arrangement of parts
is such that the water can only be supplied to the carbide at a time when a fresh
generation of gas is required. On the other hand, the carbide-holder is revolved
only in the expanding movement of the gas holder, so that a fresh surface of the
carbide will be presented when next the water is permitted to drop on the same.
In order to admit gas to the water-compartment 10 to permit the water to
pass freely therefrom, there is provided along the vertical partition 12, a pipe 70,
which extends through the bottom of the water-compartment and communicates
with the generating chamber just above the opening 33. At its upper end this
pipe 70 is provided with an open bend 71. The purpose of this construction is to
provide against water passing through the pipe 70 to the generating chamber in
case of the accidental overturning of the lamp.
When it is desired to prevent the generation of gas the adjusting-nut 29 is
turned to draw the rod 28 outward. In this movement the hook 30 engages the
bar 31 and draws the arm 22 and the movable plate 17 of the gas holder outward;
by this means the peripheries of the collars 37 and 63 are made to hold the pro-
jection 59, so that the block 57 closes the drop orifice and prevents water from
issuing therefrom. By turning the adjusting nut 29 in the reverse direction, the
spring 27 will push the rod 28 inward until the hook 30 will cease to engage with
the bar 31 and the above described operation of the apparatus will be resumed.
In the plate 17 is an aperture which is normally closed by a conical valve 72
carried by a spring-arm 73 secured to the plate 17. This valve has a projec-
tion 74 extending through the aperture in the plate 17, which projection, on any
undue generation of gas taking place and causing the gas-holder to be distended
beyond a certain point will come in contact with a stop 75 formed by the lower
end of spring 27 whereby the valve 72 will be moved away from the aperture, per-
mitting the surplus gas to escape.
The bottom part 1 of the lamp constitutes the generating chamber from which
gas passes through the opening 33 to the gas-holder. From the generating
chamber the gas passes through a filter 65 and pipe 66 to the burner 67 the
opening to which is closed by a needle-valve 68. By turning this needle-valve
to control the flow of gas to the burner the generation of the gas will be regu-
lated, and by shutting off the flow of gas to the burner the gas-holder will be
held in a distended condition and the further generation of gas is prevented, as
the wet lime is constantly sifted or shaken out of the cage in the revolution
thereof, so that only dry carbide is contained therein and consequently after the
flow of gas to the burner is cut off, there will be practically no after generation.
Although the invention is shewn as applied to a bicycle lamp this only serves
as an example, as it may be applied equally well to other forms of lamps. The
chimney 69 is preferably made of such a height that the products of combustion
may escape at a point above the water-compartment, so that the water may not
be heated thereby.
When it is desired to recharge the apparatus, the bottom 1 is unscrewed from
the top, the spring arms 48 are pressed outward to permit the carbide container 45
to be removed from engagement therewith, when the plate 50 can be removed to
uncover the opening in the end of the container as previously described.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-
1. An acetylene generating lamp wherein a gas generating chamber contains
a rotatable wire cage, or equivalent receptacle, for containing the carbide, and
communicates, on the one hand with a water reservoir supplying regulated
quantities of water to the carbide in the cage, and on the other hand with a col-.
lapsible chamber or gas-holder controlled by a spring and so connected to the
water supply and the rotatable cage that when acetylene is generated by the
admission of water to the carbide, such chamber in being inflated by the gas par-

page_text: tially rotates the cage, and at the same time cuts, off the water supply, the
chamber being afterwards collapsed by its spring--so as to force out the gas to
supply the burner of the lamp, and at the same time to open the water supply to
the carbide again, substantially as described.
2. In an acetylene lamp arranged and operating as set forth in the first claim,
connecting the movable part of the collapsible chamber by means of a link to
a lever on a rock shaft which is connected to the rotatable cage by means of
ratchet, gear, so arranged that when the chamber is inflated, the rock shaft is
turned so as to cause the ratchet gear to partially rotate the. cage, while on the
collapsing of the chamber the rock shaft and ratchet gear are moved back into
their original positions without actuating the cage, substantially as described.
3. In an acetylene lamp arranged and operating as set forth in the first claim,
connecting the movable part of the collapsible chamber by means of a link to
a lever on a rock shaft on which are cam devices acting upon a lever carrying a
valve adapted to close the nozzle of the water supply, the said cam devices being
so arranged that when the chamber is being inflated it turns the rock shaft and
cam devices so that the said lever closes the valve of the nozzle, while when the
chamber is being collapsed, the rock shaft and cam devices in being moved back
into the original position, cause the lever to open the valve again,, substantially
as described.
4. In an acetylene lamp arranged and operating as set forth in the first claim,
constructing the collapsible chamber with a movable side such as 17 to which is
attached an arm 21 pivotted on a spindle 23 and acted upon by spring 25 with
adjusting device 26, which spring tends to collapse the side of the chamber, a
catch being provided whereby the chamber can be held in the distended position
in order to keep the water supply nozzle closed when the lamp is not in operation,
substantially as described.
5. In an acetylene generating lamp arranged and operating as set forth in the
first and third claims, the combination with a rock-shaft 38 of a disc 37 fixed
thereon having notches 61 and 65 and connected by an arm 36 with the movable
part of a collapsible chamber, a disc 63 loose on the rock-shaft having a pin 62
engaged with the notch 61 of the disc 37, and a notch 64 somewhat smaller than
the notch 65, and a lever 56, 58 carrying the valve of the water supply nozzle and
having an angular part 59 adapted to enter the notches 64 and to, the arrange-
ment being such that the lever 36 can be moved by the collapsible chamber to
a certain extent in either direction without causing the water supply nozzle to be
either opened or closed, while in the event of the collapsible chamber becoming
leaky, the water supply nozzle is automatically held closed by the disc 37, sub-
stantially as described.
6. In an acetylene generating lamp arranged and operating as set forth in the
first and second claims, the combination with the rock-shaft 38 of a disc 37, con-
nected by an arm 36 with the movable part of a collapsible chamber, and having
an arm 39, 40 with studs 41 on which is loosely mounted a toothed segment 42
adapted to engage with a ratchet wheel 52 on the carbide cage, such toothed
segment being provided with slots having inclines in which the said studs: 41
work, so that as the arm 39, 40 moves in one direction the studs force the
toothed segment into engagement with the ratchet wheel so as to carry this along
with it, while when moving in the contrary direction the segment is free to move
out of engagement with the ratchet wheel, substantially as described..
.
7. In a portable acetylene lamp, the combination with a flexible or collapsible
gas-holder having a movable side, of a revolvable carbide cage having a ratchet
wheel, a rock shaft, a water-feed controlled thereby, a lever-arm secured thereto,
and carrying ratchet-mechanism engaging the said ratchet-wheel, and an arm
secured to said rock-shaft and connected to said movable side, the combination
operating to turn the carbide-cage as the gas-holder is inflated, as set forth.
8. In combination with the mechanism referred to in the seventh claim a water
compartment with. discharge nozzle, and mechanism carried by the rock-shaft

page_text: for alternately closing and opening the discharge nozzle as the gas-holder is
inflated and collapsed, substantially as described.
9. In an acetylene generating lamp, the combination with a flexible or collap-
sible gas-holder having a movable side of a pivotally mounted, spring-controlled
arm secured at its outer end to said side and tending normally to collapse said
gas-holder, a revolvable carbide-cage, and means operatively connecting said
movable side and said cage, whereby to revolve said cage in the movement in
one direction of said side, substantially as described.
10. In an acetylene generating lamp, the combination with a flexible or col-
lapsible gas-holder having a movable side, of a pivotally-mounted, spring-con-
trolled arm secured at its outer end to said side and tending normally to collapse
said gas-holder, a water compartment, a pipe leading therefrom having a drop
orifice, a revolvable carbide-cage, means operated by said movable side to revolve
the carbide-cage in the movement in one direction of said side and to open the
drop orifice in the movement in the opposite direction of said side, and means for
holding the gas holder in a distended position whereby to maintain the drop
orifice closed, substantially as described.
11. In an acetylene lamp, the combination with the bottom 1 affording a gene-
rating chamber and having a carbide-cage 46 revolvably mounted therein and the
top 2 removably secured to the bottom and having two compartments, one of said
compartments affording a water chamber 10, a collapsible gas-holder 14 mounted
in the other compartment and having a movable side 17, an opening 33 affording
communication between the generating chamber and the gas holder, an arm
carried by the movable side and working through the said opening, a pipe lead-
ing from the said water chamber and having a drop orifice and means operated
by said arm in the movements of said movable side to revolve said cage and open
and close said orifice, substantially as described.
12. In an acetylene generating lamp a carbide-cage having its wires indented
for the purpose, in operation, of preventing water which may fall upon the wires,
from running along them, substantially as described.
13. An acetylene generating lamp combined and operating as herein described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1899.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.