Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Producing and Burning Acetylene Gas.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1898
Oncrifination Loft 27th Jan 1899 Accepted. 27th Apr., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Producing and Burning
Acetylene Gas.
We, MAX STRAкOSCH, Mechanical Engineer, of Malzgasse 18, and FRANZ SCHMID,
Manufacturer of Metal Goods, of Althangasse 9, both of Vienna, in the Empire
of Austria, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
These improvements in acetylene gas producing apparatus relate to the
provision of a perforating device in the interior of the same, in order to
afford means for opening the air and water tight cartridges of carbide of calcium
introduced unopened into the apparatus so that either water can penetrate into
The invention further relates
such cartridge or, the carbide can leave the same.
to the arrangement of a carbide drum in the interior of the apparatus and to
the special construction of the water escape valve and a device for cleaning
the burners.
It is a known fact, that carbide, of calcium perishes very quickly or loses at
To avoid
least a part of its efficacy when it comes into contact with damp air.
this inconvenience calcium carbide has been placed in air and water tight car-
tridges, which have been opened immediately before use, outside the gas pro-
ducing apparatus. The calcium carbide was thus still exposed to damp air,
if only for a short time, and a gas producing apparatus could receive only one
cartridge, or if several cartridges were introduced into the receiver it was necessary
to open the receiver before each use of a new cartridge, in order to open the
cartridge to be brought into use.
All these inconveniences are avoided by this invention, whereby the cartridges
are opened by means of a perforating device provided in a receiver, after they
are introduced into the receiver and the latter has been closed. In order that
all the cartridges in the receiver can be opened, without opening the latter,
they are placed in a drum which may be rotated from outside the apparatus.
The acetylene lamp and gas producer consists of a water receiver, a carbide
cartridge receiver and a reflector.
The device for regulating and stopping the water admission consists of a
valve which is arranged in a tube communicating by means of an opening with
the water chamber and by means of another opening with a tube which again
communicates with the carbide chamber. The valve is operated by a spindle
provided with screw threads. Against the back of the valve seat there is pressed
more or less firmly a capillary fabric which will let the water through, as for
instance felt. The pressure on the fabric is given by a pressure plate and screw,
whereby the permeability of the fabric is made to vary at pleasure and the
quantity of water passing through it can be regulated very exactly.
The device for perforating the cartridges is placed for instance in one of the
tubes and consists of a pressure rod projecting outside, and provided and its
under end with a point or edge and with grooves and made tight, by a suitable
0 packing in order to prevent the gas from escaping past the rod. The carbide

page_text: receiver contains a drum which can be turned from outside by means of a spring
crank. This drum reveives several air and water tight carbide of calcium car
tridges of card board or very thin tin plate or the like, and the revolution angle
required for the right adjustment of the cartridges with regard to the perforating
device is determined by a pin on the crank, which falls during such revolution
into holes on the wall of the carbide receiver. The chamber containing the drum
has a removable head, on the removal of which the cartridges can be inserted into
the drum, and after the chamber is again closed, holes are made in the part
of the cartridge lying opposite the perforating device. One of the holes serves
for the air circulation and another one for receiving the water, which runs in
the grooves of the point of the perforator.
When bringing another cartridge into action the pressure rod is first lifted,
the drum is then turned round the angle determined by the next hole, during
which revolution the two holes are made by pressure on the rod.
In another construction the movement of the pressure rod and the revolution of
the cartridges, that is to say, of the drum is effected by a single movement. The
pressure rod is connected with a hand lever, and is connected with a rod which is
guided in bearings and stands under the effect of a spring which tends to main-
tain the rod always in that position, in which the point of the pressure rod is
pressed into the cartridge. The rod carries at its end a pivoted dog, which the
spring tends to maintain in position. On the drum shaft there is fixed outside
the chamber a ratchet wheel which is held by a pawl against backward movement
and has twice as many teeth, as the drum has cartridges (for instance six teeth
for 3 cartridges) so that each cartridge receives two holes, the six holes corre-
sponding in three cartridges being displaced for a sixth of the circumference of
the group of cartridges.
Instead of the ratchet wheel as described there can also be provided one with a
large number of small teeth.
When a new cartridge is to be put into action, the lever is pressed down,
whereby at the beginning of the movement the dog passes through an inoperative
space, in order to let the point leave the cartridge. When this is done, the dog
operates the ratchet wheel, turns the latter and also the drum for a sixth of
the circumference, whereby the new cartridge passes with a part of the circum-
ference under the pressure rod. The hand lever is then let go, and returns into
its normal position in consequence of the pressure of spring. The point or edge
will have cut a hole into the cartridge (air hole which however is not uncondition-
ally necessary).
This process is repeated, in order to pierce in the same cartridge a second hole
for water admission after the cartridge has been displaced for another sixth of
the whole drum circumference.
Another variation is distinguished only by the water receiver and the carbide
receiver being arranged next to one another and the pressure rod perforating the
carbide cartridge in order to let the powder like calcium carbide fall into the
water pipe through an opening.
The end of the pressure rod can be provided for instance with straight or screw
shaped grooves, and the rod itself or the carbide cartridge can be put into revolu-
tion by means of a clock work, in order to feed the carbide in a regulated manner.
An arrangement can also be made whereby the before said clock work, when the
water outlet valve is opened is disengaged, that is, put into operation and again
stopped when the said valve is closed.
It is well known that burners in acetylene gas lamps are obstructed rather
quickly, as line and carbon is deposited,, whereby the lighting power is consider-
ably injured and the burner may even become useless.
It is therefore necessary to clean the burner from time to time, which according
to the present invention is effected by means of a device, which is connected with
the burner.
The cleaning devices are divided into two groups, that is to say into such

page_text: which are arranged inside the burner and act to the outside and into such, which
re arranged outside the burner and clean inwards.
The principle of the first group is, that in the interior of the burner tube or
n a tube fixed on the same there are arranged one or more cleaning needles fitted
according to the escape opening of the burner, which needles can be operated fron
outside.
The principle of the second group is, that on the outside of the burner or on
the burner tube there are arranged one or more cleaning needles, which correspond-
ing to the form of the escape opening are introduced into the burner for the
purpose of cleaning the burner and return eventually into their original positions
by means of spring power.
In one construction the burner tube is prolonged downwards and into the
same as usual there is screwed the burner (point burner). In the burner tube
there is a cleaning pin, which carries the cleaning needle corresponding to the
cross section of the escape hole and which projects outwards through a closure
cap. A helical spring which presses on one side on a washer of the cleaning pin
and on the other side on a guide fixed in the tube, tends to maintain the cleaning
pin always in its lower normal position in which position a collar on the pin
lies on the packing disc and can be pressed against the latter by a screw nut on
the cleaning pin for the purpose of tightening.
When cleaning the burner the screw nut is run back according to the lift
height of the cleaning needle and the cleaning pin is pressed into the burner tube
so as to free the burner opening from dirt, as the latter is pressed outwards and
consumed partly by the flame and partly swept away.
The cleaning pin returns in consequence of the power of the spring into its
normal position where upon by screwing up the nut the tightening is again estab-
lished. With a correspondingly stronger spring its pressure, increased by the gas
pressure on the tightening disk is sufficiently great and the nut may be omitted.
When the burner head has for instance several escape openings there are arranged
also several cleaning needles on the cleaning pin.
For burners belonging to that class of butterfly burners, in which the butterfly
shaped flame is obtained by two escape channels lying at an obtuse angle to one
another, each of these escape channels possesses here the cleaning device as
above mentioned, which is however provided in special tubes fixed or screwed
on the burner tube.
In another form of construction there is fixed on the outside of the burner
tube a rod on which a socket is arranged in a displaceable manner, which by means of
an arm carries the cleaning needle. The socket is under the effect of a spring
by which it is maintained in its highest position. The socket has further a pin
which is guided in a groove of the rod, this groove being partly helical. When
for the purpose of cleaning the escape opening the socket is moved downwards, it
undergoes by means of the pin and helical groove a part revolution, until the
cleaning needle stands exactly over the burner opening. In the further course
of the movement the socket is guided straight by the axial part of the groove,
After the cleaning the socket
so that the cleaning needle passes into the burner.
returns by the power of the spring into its higher normal position while the
cleaning pin is turned automatically by the helical part of the groove out of
the reach of the flame.
In another variation the cleaning pin together with the cleaning needle is
50 pivoted, between guides on the burner tube and is introduced into the slot of
the butterfly burner for the purpose of cleaning. This cleaning rin can also
be under the effect of a spring which brings it out of the reach of the flame.
In these burners there can be arranged as usual air admitting channels.
11000

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Producing and Burning
Acetylene Gas.
We, MAX STRAKOSCH, of Malzgasse 18, Mechanical Engineer, and FRANZ SCHMID,
of Althangasse 9, Manufacturer of Metal Goods, both of Vienna, in the Empire
of Austria, 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:-
These improvements in apparatus for producing and burning acetylene gas relate
to the provision of a perforating device in the interior of the same, in order to
afford means for opening the air and water tight cartridge of carbide of calcium
introduced unopened into the apparatus so that either water can penetrate into
such cartridge or the carbide can leave the same. The invention further relates
to the arrangement of a carbide drum in the interior of the apparatus and to
the special construction of the water escape valve and to a device for cleaning
the burner or burners.
It is a known fact, that carbide of calcium perishes very quickly or loses at
least a part of its efficacy when it comes into contact with damp air. To avoid
this inconvenience calcium carbide has been placed in air and water tight car-
tridges, which have been opened immediately before use, outside the gas pro-
ducing apparatus.
The calcium carbide was still exposed to damp air,
if only for a short time, and a gas producing apparatus could receive only one
cartridge, or if several cartridges were introduced into the receiver it was necessary
to open the receiver before each use of a new cartridge, in order to open the
cartridge to be brought into use.
All these inconveniences are avoided by this invention, whereby the cartridges
are opened by means of a perforating device provided in the receiver, after they
are introduced into the receiver and the latter has been closed. In order that
all the cartridges in the receiver can be opened, without opening the latter,
they are placed in a drum which may be rotated from outside the apparatus.
In the annexed drawings Sheet I illustrates means for opening the cartridges
the arrangement of the drum and the water valve, and Sheet II shows various
devices for operating the cleaning of the burner or burners of the apparatus.
For the sake of clearness, we will first describe the parts illustrated by
Sheet I.
In Figs. 1 and 2 of this sheet there is shown in longitudinal and in cross section
respectively as an example a gas producing apparatus as applied to an acetylene
lamp in which for using the before mentioned carbide cartridges in the interior
of the lamp there is provided. the device for perforating these cartridges. Figs. 3,
and 5 show two other modifications of the perforating devices.
The acetylene lamp and gas producer as in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of a water
receiver 1, a carbide cartridge receiver 2 and a reflector 3.
The device for regulating and stopping the water admission consists of a
valve 5 Fig. 2 which is arranged in a tube 4 communicating by means of an
opening 13 with the water chamber 1 and by means of another opening 12 with
a tube 7 which again communicates with the carbide chamber 2. The valve 5
is operated by a spindle 27 provided with screw threads. Against the back of the
valve seat 28 there is pressed more or less firmly a capillary fabric 6 which will
let the water through, as for instance felt. The pressure on the fabric 6 is
given by a pressure plate 29 and screw 30 whereby the permeability of the
fabric 6 is made to vary at pleasure and the quantity of water passing through it
can be regulated very exactly.

page_text: The device for perforating the cartridges is placed for instance in the tube
nd consists of a pressure rod S projecting outside, and provided at its under end
vith a point or edge 9 and with grooves 10 and made tight at 11 by a suitable
acking in order to prevent the gas from escaping past the rod S. The carbide
eceiver contains a drum 14 which can be turned from outside by means of a
spring crank 31. This drum receives several air and water tight carbide of
calcium cartridges 15 of card board or very thin tin plate or the like and the
revolution angle. required for the right adjustment of the cartridges with regard
to the perforating device is determined by a pin 33 on the crank, which falls
during such revolution into holes 32 on the wall of the carbide receiver. The
chamber containing the drum 14 has a removable head, on the removal of which
the cartridges can be inserted into the drum, and after the chamber is again
closed, holes are made in the part of the cartridge lying opposite the perforating
device. One of the holes serves for the air circulation and another one for receiving
the water, which runs in the grooves 10 of the point 9 of the perforator.
When bringing another cartridge into action the pressure rod 8 is first lifted,
the drum is then turned round the angle determined by the next hole 32 during
which revolution the two holes are made by pressure on the rod S.
In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the movement of the pressure rod 8
and the revolution of the cartridges, that is to say, of the drum is effected by a
single movement. The pressure rod S is connected with a hand lever 16 pivoted
at 17 and is connected at 18 with a rod 19, which is guided in bearings 20, 21
and stands under the effect of a spring 22, which tends to maintain the rod 19
always in that position, in which the point of the pressure rod is pressed into
the cartridge. The rod 19 carries at its end a pivoted dog 23 which the spring 24
tends to maintain in the position as shown. On the drum shaft 34 there is fixed
outside the chamber a ratchet wheel 25 which is held by a pawl 26 against back-
ward movement and has twice as many teeth, as the drum has cartridges (in the
present case six teeth for 3 cartridges) so that each cartridge receives two holes,
the six holes corresponding to three cartridges being displaced for a sixth of the
circumference of the group of cartridges.
Instead of the ratchet wheel as described there can be provided one with a
large number of small teeth.
When a new cartridge is to be put into action, the lever 16 is pressed down,
whereby at the beginning of the movement the dog 23 passes through an in-
operative space, in order to let the point 9 leave the cartridge. When this is done,
the dog operates the ratchet wheel, turns the latter and also the drum for a sixth
of the circumference, whereby the new cartridge passes with a part of the circum-
ference under the pressure rod. The hand lever 16 is then let go, and returns into
The point of
its normal position in consequence of the pressure of spring 22.
edge 9 will have cut a hole into the cartridge (such being an air hole, which
however is not unconditionally necessary).
This process is repeated, in order to pierce in the same cartridge a second hole
for water admission after the cartridge has been displaced for another sixth of
the whole drum circumference.
Another variation shown in Fig. 5 in central vertical section is distinguished
from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 only by the water receiver 1 and the carbide
receiver 2 being arranged next to one another and pressure rod 8 perforating the
carbide cartridge 15 in order to let the calcium carbide fall into the water pipe 36
through the opening 35.
The end of the pressure rod 8 can be provided for instance with straight or
screw shaped grooves, and the rod itself or the carbide cartridge can be put
into revolution by means of a clock work. in order to feed the carbide in a
regulated manner. An arrangement can also be made whereby the before mid
5 clock work, when the water outlet valve 5 is opened, is disengaged, that is,
put into operation and again stopped when the said valve is closed.

page_text: We will now describe the improvements relating to the cleansing of the burner
or burners and illustrated in Sheet II of annexed drawings.
It is well known that the acetylene gas burners are obstructed rather quickly,
as lime and carbon is deposited, whereby the lighting power is considerably
injured and the burner may even become useless.
It is therefore necessary to clean the burner from time to time, which we
effect by means of a device, which is connected with the burner.
The cleaning devices are divided into two groups, that is to say into such
which are arranged inside the burner and act to the outside and into such, which
are arranged outside the burner and clean inwards.
The principle of the first group is, that in the interior of the burner tube or
in a tube fixed on the same there are arranged one or more cleaning needles
fitted according to the escape opening of the burner, which needles can be operated
from outside.
The principal of the second group is, that on the outside of the burner or on
the burner tube there are arranged one or more cleaning needles, which corre
sponding to the form of the escape opening are introduced into the burner for
the purpose of cleaning the burner and return eventually into their original
positions by means of spring power.
On Sheet II above referred to of the annexed drawings. Fig. 1 is a section
of a point burner with cleaning device arranged in the burner tube. Fig. 2
is a section of a duplex point burner with two cleaning devices provided in
special tubes. Figs. 3 and 4 show a point burner with cleaning device arranged
on the outside, which returns automatically into its normal position
Fig. 5 is a single flamed butterfly burner with cleaning device arranged on the
outside.
In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the burner tube 1 is prolonged downwards
and into the same there is screwed as usual the burner 2 (point burner). In
the burner tube 2 there is a cleaning pin 3, which carries the cleaning needle 4
corresponding to the cross section of the escape hole and which projects outwards
through a closure cap 5. A helical spring 6 which presses on one side on a
washer 7 of the cleaning pin and on the other side on a guide 8 fixed in the tube
tends to maintain the cleaning pin in always its lower normal position, in which
position the collar 7 lies on the packing disk 9 and can be pressed against the
latter by a screw nut 10 on the cleaning pin for the purpose of tightening.
When cleaning the burner the screw nut 10 is run back according to the raising
height of the cleaning needle and the cleaning pin is pressed into the burner, tube
so as to free the burner opening from dirt, which is pressed outwards and partly
consumed by the flame and partly swept away.
The cleaning pin returns in consequence of the power of the spring 6- into its
normal position whereupon by screwing up the nut 10 the tightening is again
established. With a corresponding strong spring 6 its pressure increased by
the gas pressure, on the tightening disk 9 being sufficiently great the nut 10 may
be omitted. When the burner head has for instance several escape openings,
there are arranged also several cleaning needles on the cleaning pin.
For burners shown in Fig. 2 belonging to that class of the butterfly burners,
in which the butterfly shaped flame is obtained by two escape channels lying at
an obtuse angle to one another.
Each of these escape channels 11, 12 possesses here the cleaning device as
above described which is however arranged in special tubes 13 14 fixed or screwed
on the burner tube; the cleansing devices in these tubes are shown in the drawing
in the normal position.
In the form of construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 there is fixed on the outside
of the burner tube 1 an arm or rod 15 on which a socket 16 is arranged in a
displaceable manner, which by means of an arm 17 carries the cleaning needle 4.
The socket is under the effect of a spring 18 by which it is maintained in its
highest position. The socket has further a pin 19 Fig. 4 which is guided in a

page_text: roove 20 of the rod 15, this groove being partly helical. Fig. 3 shows the
ormal position of the socket together with the cleaning needle 4. When for the
purpose of cleaning the escape opening the socket is moved downwards, it under-
goes by means of the pin 19 and helical groove 20 a part revolution, until the
leaning needle 4 stands exactly over the burner opening. In the further course
of the movement the socket is guided straight by the axial part of the groove 20
After the cleaning the socket
so that the cleaning needle passes into the burner.
returns by the power of the spring 18 into its higher normal position while the
cleaning pin is turned automatically by the helical part of the groove out of the
reach of the flame.
In the variation shown in Fig. 5 the cleaning pin 3 together with the cleaning
needle or blade 4 is pivoted between guides 21 on the burner tube 1 and is intro-
duced into the slot of the butterfly burner for the purpose of cleaning. The
position of the cleaning needle shown in full lines is the normal one, the dotted lines
show the working position. This cleaning pin can also be under the effect of a
spring 22 which returns it out of-the reach of the flame.
In these burners there can be arranged as usual air admitting channels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In apparatus for producing and burning acetylene gas the combination of
a closable vessel for receiving unopened cartridges of calcium carbide and having
an opening for the passage of a perforating device with a device comprising a
pressure rod 8 (Sheet I) with cutting edge or point 9 and grooves 10, this rod
being adapted to be operated from outside the vessel in order to let water enter
into the cartridge or to let the carbide of calcium leave the same.
2. The combination with a closable chamber 2 (Sheet I) of a drum 14 in the
interior of the same to receive the carbide cartridges 15 means for turning drum
from outside the vessel and a perforator adapted to be thrust from outside into
the vessel through suitable entrance, for the purpose of perforating the cartridges.
3. The combination with a closable vessel and cartridge receiving drum therein
of a perforating device wherein the pressure rod 8 (Sheet 1) is connected with a
hand lever 16, which in its turn is in connection with a rod 19 influenced by a
spring 22 and carrying a dog 23 adapted on movement of the hand lever to turn
a ratchet wheel 25 on the shaft 34 of the said drum 14 and to operate the per-
forator, substantially as set forth.
4. A device for regulating and stopping the water admission, comprising a
valve 5 (Sheet I) and a compressible capillary fabric 6 arranged on the back of
the valve seat thereof.
5. The combination with the water admission valve and valve seat, of a
capillary fabric closing the water delivery outlet from said valve and means
for giving adjustable compression to said fabric for the purpose set forth.
a
6. In apparatus for producing and burning acetylene gas, a burner having
cleaning device characterized by the arrangement inside or outside the burner 2
5 (Sheet I) or the burner tube 1 or of a separate tube or tubes 13 14 fastened on
the burner, of a cleaning pin 3 which can be pushed or turned, provided with one
or more cleansing needles 4 suitable to the form of the gas outlet opening.
7. A form of the cleansing arrangement as in Claim 6 characterized by the
Sheet II or in the hereon
arrangement in the prolonged burner pipe 1 Fig.
0 fastened pipes 13, 14 Fig. 2 of a cleansing pin 3 with one or more cleansing
needles which pin 3 passes through a tightening disk 9 and closing cap 5 of
the tubes or tube to the outside and is under the influence of a spring 6 which
returns it after it has been operated always to its normal position.
8. A form of the cleansing arrangement as in Claim 6 characterized by a rod
55 or arm 15 fastened on the burner pipe 1 having a groove 20 cut partly helical
and partly in the axial direction and carrying a movable socket 16 which by

page_text: means of an arm 17 carries the cleansing needle or needles 4, said socket being
under the influence of a spring 18 which returns it always in its normal position
a pin 19 of the socket moving in the mentioned groove 20 for automatically turn-
ing or guiding the socket when pressure is brought to bear upon the same.
9. A form of the cleansing arrangement as in Claim 6 characterized by a
cleansing pin 3 pivoted on the burner pipe 1 Fig. 5 and carrying one or more
cleansing needles or blades 4 which pin is guided in its movement between plates 21
and may be under the action of a spring 22 for returning it to its normal position.
Dated this 27th day of January 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicants, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London,