US841803A - Acetylene-gas apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

No'.841,803. A F. M. MOORE.

AGETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 19 05.

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No. 841,803. A PATENTED'JAN'. 22, 1907.

R M. MOORE. AGETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYl, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FRANK'M. MOORE, OF WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

ACETYLENE-GAS APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1 907.

Application filed July 1, 1905. Serial No. 26 7.879.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. MOORE, a citizen of the United States of America, re-

siding at WVestfield, in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Acetylene- Gas Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements. in

acetylene-gas apparatus; and it consists of a I generator of peculiar construction provided with what I term a water-feed device or water-grate and having other features which it is desirable to use. Among the latter may be mentioned the swivel fastening means for the cover, the special plug for the filling-hole, the ash receptacle or compartment and pan, and means for permitting all waste matter to pass by gravity into such compartment or pan. While some of the new features may be omitted from the generator or substitutes possibly employed in place thereof, the apparatus as a whole and embodying all such features is believed to possess whatever advantages may be necessary and to be free from any disadvantages.

The objects of my invention are, first, to

produce a neat, strong, durable, and compact acetylene-gas generator that is practically self-regulating or self-governing and will produce a steady, brilliant, and even light under the ordinary conditions incident to its use on automobiles, for which use this generator is particularly adapted; second, to produce such a generator which is economical in construction and operation; third, to provide an improved waterfeed beneath the carbid a water-grate controlled by manually-operated means from without and regulated automatically by gas-pressure from within the generator; fourth, to render all parts of the apparatus easily accessible; fifth, to furnish a vent for the water-reservoir, which while admitting air does not permit the water to escape; siXth, to produce a generator in which the gas-chamber and its connections are kept cool, and, seventh, to provide means for taking care of the ashes produced by the decomposition of the carbid and any dirt that may get into the governor-tube.

Other objects of more or less importance will appear in. the course of the following detailed description of my invention.

I attain these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a side view of my generator; Fig. 2, a plan view, the ash-pan being partially withdrawn; Fig. 3, a vertical section on lines at as looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2 Fig. 4, a vertical section through the governor and its stand-pipe; Fig. 5, a

plan view of the water-grate, the absorbent material and valve being omitted; and Fig. 6, a sectional view of the plug for the fillinghole.

Similar 'letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

While the apparatus shown in the drawings embodies my invention in a practicable and eflicient form,-it is to be understood that such variations may be made therein as justly fall within the scope of my claims.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an outer casing, divided horizontally by a diaphragm B into a water-reservoir'C above and an ash-receptacle D below. A cylindrical generator-casing or gas-chamber E is located in the center of the reservoir .0 and rises above the same, extending through the top of the casing A. The chamber E opens at the bottom into the ash-receptacle D and is closed at the top by means of a cap F. Access is had to the receptacle D through a frame G, let into an opening in the front of the lower part of the casing A. An ash-pan H is adapted to be received into the recepta cle D, and this pan has a substantial front H, which is in reality a door arranged to close the opening in the frame G. The ashpan is not shown in Fig. 3.

I is the water-feed device or water-grate, which is located in the bottom of the generator or gas-chamber E. A stand-pipe J for the governor is placed vertically in the reser voir C and rises above the top of the casing A, like the gas-chamber. The base of the governor stand-pipe J penetrates the diaphragm .B. An inclined tube a connects the gas-chamber E with the stand-pipe J.

K is a cap or plug for the fillinghole b, Fig. 2, in the top of the casing A, through which hole water ispoured into the reservoir C. A basket or carbid-holder L rests upon the water-grate I in the gas-chamber.

In order to render air-tight the joint be- F and that between the frame G and the and opening at its inner end front or door H heads 0 and c, of "live rubber or other suitable material, are employed, the head 0 being in said cap and the head 0 in said frame.

As a convenient and ready means for unfastening and removing the cap F from the chamber E and replacing and refastening it thereon I provide a swivel d, mounted on a stud d, rising from the center of said cap, said swivel having downwardly-extending arms with inwardly-extending lugs adapted to enter cam-grooves d in the sides of said chamber. Each cam-groove d has astraight vertical part d, which permits the corre sponding swivel-lug to enter or leave such groove. One of the swivel-lugs appears at d in Fig. 3. A screw 6 passes through one side of the hub of the swivel d to enter with its inner end an annular groove 6 in the stud (1, thus preventing the swivel from coming off of the cap F, but permitting the former to rotate freely upon the latter.

When the lugs on the swivel d are in the cam-grooves d and the swivel is turned to the left, the cap F is crowded down hard onto the chamber E and securely closes the same at the top. Further explanation of the operation of the swivel is believed to be unnecessary.

The ash-pan H may slide freely in and out of the ash-receptacle D except when the door H, to which such pan may be said to be at tached, is fastened to the frame G. This fastening is effected through the medium of boltsff, pivoted atff to earpieces f on the ends of the frame G, and thumb-nuts ff on said bolts, bifurcated lugsff on the lateral edges of the door H receiving such bolts and affording abutments for said thumb-nuts. When the door is thus fastened in place, no air can enter through the base of the casing A. In order to unfasten the door, so as to be able to remove the ashpan and dump the contents thereof, it is simply necessary to loosen the thumb-nuts f and swing the bolts f away from the lugsft.

4 Passing now to the consideration of the water-feed device or water-grate I in detail, it will be observed that the same comprises in part a central inverted cup 9, closed at the bottom with a screw-cap h and having a valve seat g in the top for a valve i. Arms g radiate laterally from the upper part of the cup 9 and support an inner annular flan ed seat and an outer concentric trough j, the outer ends of such arms beyond said ring being fastened to the base of the chamber E on the inside. A shallow annular channel j is formed in the cup 9 within the seat 7', or between such seat and the part j which surrounds the top of the valve 71. Passages 7c are formed in the arms 9, each of such passages extending beneath the seat 3' through the bottom of the channel 1. The outer end of each passage 7c opens through the floor of the trough y" at k.

A pipe Z opens at one end into the cup 9 and at the other end into the reservoir C, the end which opens into said reservoir being provided with a valve-seat Z. A valve rod or gate m is adapted to open and close the entrance to the pipe Z and is operated by means of a head m on the upper and outer terminal of said gate above the top of the easing A. The gate m below the head m is screw-threaded to engage the screw-threaded sides of an opening in the top of the casing. The tapered lower terminal of the gate m is removed from the valve-seat Z and seatedthereon by screwing said gate up and down.

A ring n, of cork or other suitable material, is placed on the seat within its flange, and this ring has a disk n, of felt or other suitable absorbent material, attached thereto, which rests upon and preferably overhangs said flange. The hole in the ring it is somewhat larger than the top of thevalve i. Within the trough j and projecting slightly above the same is a ring 0, of felt or other suitable absorbent material. bid-holder L rests solely upon the ring 0, there being no center to such bottom to rest upon the disk 17/; but the carbid in such holder comes in contact with both the bibulous membersthat is, the aforesaid disk and ring.

The stand-pipe J has a tapered mouth 19 at the base, which opens below the diaphragm B and is provided at the upper terminal with a two-way gas-outlet q. Connections may be made between the two outlet-nipples and the same number of burners or between only one nipple and a single burner, the other nip ple then being closed with a screw q or otherwise. Between the inner ends of the tube a and outlet g in the stand-pipe J is a governor consisting of two perforated diaphragmsrr, with a filling r, of asbestos or other suitable material, between. One (or both) of the diaphragms r is adjustable, so that the mass of filling material may be compressed more or less, as required, to properly strain the gas as it passes through the same and regulate the flow thereof. By preference provision is made for screwing the diaphragms 1" into place, and this allows me to secure whatever adjustment of the same may be needed. Ac cess to the stand-pipe J and the governor therein is had upon removing a screw-cap p at the top. Any dirt or water which may chance to get into the stand-pipe drops through the opening p into the pan H below.

The plug K, which is arranged to screw into the filling-hole b, is provided with a hollow base or chamber 8, having a vent-hole s in the bottom thereof, and with a vent-tube s, passingdownward from the top of said plug and being bent to one side within such chamber, so that its lower end is out of line with The bottom of the car-' ICC) cause an outrush of air has occurred, and then through the water-grate into the ash-pan.

said vent-hole. This device when screwed into place after the reservoir has been filled permits air to enter the latter through the pipe 8 and hole 8, but prevents water from slopping out of the same, owing to the presence of the chamber 8 and to the bend in said ipe. IVater may enter the chamber 3 through the hole 8 in small quantities, but immediately runs back into the reservoir, the bent tube 8 permitting none of the water to escape through the top of the plug.

Assuming that the carbid-holder has been filled and is in place and that all parts of the generator are tight and valves closed, including the valve or valves at the burner or burners, (not shown,) the conditions inside of the generator are as follows: The generator or gas-chamber E, ash-receptacle D, stand-pipe J and connections are securely sealed, and the air therein is under some compression, brought about by the sealing operationthat is, by the seating of the cap F, which should occur after the door H has been screwed up; but of course the water-reservoir O is open at the vent in the plug K. Now when the gate m is opened there is not enough water-pressure to affect the valve 71, owing to the pressure of air above said valve; but as soon as at least one of the burner-valves is opened said valve i is lifted from its seat, be-

commences the conversion of the carbid into gas. The operation from this time on is explained below.

Water flows from the tank O through the pipe Z into the cup g, lifts the valve "L from its seat into the ring a, overflows the part 1'', oozing beneath said ring into the channel 1, passes through the passages 1c to the trough j, and is taken up by both the bibulous disk n and ring 0, the ring a becoming saturated meanwhile. The carbid in the holder L re ceives moisture at the bottom and begins to decompose and generate gas. The gas, following the outgoing air, passes out of the chamber E by way'of the tube a into the stand-pipe J, forces its way through the governor in said stand-pipe, and finally escapes at the outlet q to the burner connections, be ing consumed by the flame or flames at the burner or burners. The residue from the decomposing carbid falls in the form of ashes The generation of gas may continue as long as there is any carbid left in the holder. To stop generation, simply close the gate m, thus cutting off the water-supply to the carbid. Very little more gas will now be made, since the carbid is never wet only moistened as it abstracts or takes up the vapor given off from the bibulous material below. This last feature is important, because overgeneration is entirely avoided thereby, overgeneration being a danger ever present when water is brought freely and directly into contact with the cari bid. It may be mentioned here, furthermore, that the water in the reservoir C serves to lower the temperature in the chamber E and keep it down, the mass of carbid decreasing as fast or faster than the column of water, so that the latter always surrounds the former, although in a separate compartment. The value of this feature will also be appreciated.

Ordinarily the water and gas pressures during generation are so well regulated in this construction that the flow of water is quite constant; but in the event of a sudden jar or because of some other reason more carbid than usual becomes molstened and the gas-pressure consequently increased.

The result is that such pressure being above the valve t overcomes the water-pressure and closes said valve, so that no more water can escape from the cup g. The shutting off of the water in this manner results in an almost instant lessening of the gas-pressure, which continues to decrease until the valve 'i can again be forced open by the water, and soon what may be termed the equilibrium of pressures is once more established.

It is a peculiarity of the water-grate that the valve i when lifted from its seat by the water is suspended, as it were, in the center of the stream forced upward from the cup 9 and has a constant rotary motion, sometimes in one direction and sometimes in the other. The rotation of the valve i prevents any unevenness in the wear of the seat 9. Conseuently perfect operation of said valve is insured and the life of the parts materially prolonged.

Occasion is here taken to call attention to the fact that it has been found not only expedient, but most practicable, to provide an enlargement, such as the, cup 9, at the inner end of the pipe Z. Otherwise the valve 4'. could be seated in an upturned end of said pipe like that in which the valve-seat Z is located. In the absence of such an enlarge ment the valve i will not yield to the water pressure under some conditions when it should yield in order that the apparatus operate successfully or at all.

In a small generator the trough j and bibulous ring 0 may be omitted, the passages the channel j then not being required. In such a case the carbid-holder might either be supported by the arms g or upon the bibulous disk n, or by and upon both. In the absence of the above-mentioned parts the same results are obtained as before, only in a less degree, since not so much carbid can be moistened, and the operation is practically the same-is the same, in fact, so far as the remaining parts are concerned.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a casing, a partition B arranged ICO therein dividing the interior into a water-reservoir and an ash-receptacle, a gas-chamber in said reservoir, such chamber opening above said casing, a cap E to close said chamher at the top, a stand-pipe in the reservoir, such stand-pipe having a gas-outlet, and a tube connecting said stand-pipe with the gaschamber.

2. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, with a casing divided by a dia phragm into a water-reservoir and an ash receptacle, of a gas-chamber and a standpipe in said reservoir, said chamber and said stand-pipe opening into said receptacle, the standpipe having a gas-outlet, a connection between said chamber and said stand-pipe, and a removable ash-pan in said receptacle.

3. A water-feed device, for an acetylenegas apparatus, comprising a pipe constructed to be connected with a water-supply and provided with an enlargement at its delivery end, such enlargement opening at the top and having a valve-seat, a Valve on said seat, and a flanged seat surrounding the valveseat, a channel being formed around the top of the valveseat and between it and said flanged seat.

4. A water-feed device, for an acetylenegas apparatus, comprising a pipe constructed to be connected with a watersupply and. provided with an enlargement at its delivery end, such enlargement opening at the top and having a valve-seat, a valve on said seat, a flanged seat surrounding the valve-seat, a channel being formed around the top of the valve-seat and between it and said flanged seat, a trough outside of the flanged seat, and means of support for such trough, passages being formed in such means of support between said channel and said trough.

5. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, with a casing divided by a horizontal diaphragm into a water-reservoir above and an ash-receptacle below, such diaphragm having an opening therein, and a gas generating chamber in said water-reservoir over such opening, of a watenfeed device comprising a pipe entirely within said casing under said diaphragm provided with an enlargement at its delivery end, said pipe opening at its inlet-end above the diaphragm into the water reservoir and said enlargement opening into said gas-generating chamber above, and a valve for said. inlet end of the pipe having a stem extending through to the outside of the casing.

6. A water-feed device, for an acetylenegas apparatus, comprising a pipe constructed to be connected with a water-supply and provided with an enlargement at one end, such enlargement having a valve-seat, a valve for said seat, a bibulous ring mounted on said enlargement, and a bibulous disk on such ring,

communication with the water-supply pipe.

the latter being in enlarged end of the 7. A water-feed device, for an acetylenegas apparatus, comprising a pipe constructed to be connected with a water-supply and provided with an enlargement at one end, such enlargement having a valve-seat, a valve for said seat, a flanged seat outside of the valveseat, a ring of absorbent material on said flanged seat, and a bibulous disk on said ring, the latter being in communication with the enlarged end of the water-supply pipe.

8. A water-feed device, for an acetylenegas apparatus, comprising a pipe constructed to be connected with a water-supply and provided with an enlargement at one end, such enlargement having. a valve-seat, a valve for said seat, a flanged seat outside of the valveseat, for absorbent material, a trough outside of said flanged seat, also for absorbent mate rial, and suitable supporting means for the flanged seat and trough, passages being formed in such supporting means to convey water from the valve-seat opening to said trough.

9. A water-feed device or water-grate, for an acetylene-gas apparatus, comprising a cup having a valve-seat in the top, a valve for said seat, a flanged seat surrounding the valve-seat, for absorbent material, arms extending laterally from said cup, a trough supported'by said arms, also for absorbentmaterial, passages being formed in the latter to convey water from the valve-seat opening to said trough, and a pipe adapted to be connected with a water-supply and opening into the cup.

10. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, with a gas-generating chamber opening at the bottom, of a water-feed device, at the base of said chamber, comprising a chambered member 9 provided with a valve-seat and valve and with a support for absorbent material, a clean-out plug 72 for such member, and a pipe opening into said member and constructed to be connected with a water-supply.

11. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, with a gas-generating chamber open at the bottom, of a water-feed opengrate device, at the base of said chamber partially closing the opening, comprising a cup provided with a valve-seat and valve and arms projecting therefrom to support absorbent material, and a water-conduitarranged substantially parallel with the base of said cup opening into said cup and constructed to be connected with a water-supply.

12. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, with a water-reservoir, and a gas chamber therein opening through the bottom thereof, of a water-feed device, at the base of said chamber, comprising a cup provided with a valve-seat and valve and arms projecting therefrom, with openings therebetween to permit theresiduum to fall to the ash-receptacle, constructed to support absorbent material, a pipe communicating with both the cup and reservoir, and means for admitting water from said reservoir into said plpe.

13. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir, a gas-chamber therein opening through the bottom thereof, an ash-receptacle below the gas chamber, a water-feed device, at the base of said chamber but not completely closing or filling the opening, comprising a cup provided with a valve-seat and valve and having projecting -members constructed to support absorbent material, a pipe oommunicating with both the cup and reservoir, and means for admitting water from said reservoir into said pipe.

14. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir, a gas-chamber therein opening through the bottom thereof, a water-feed device, at the base of said chamber, comprisin a cup provided with a valve-seat and a va ve, constructed to support absorbent material, and having arms extending therefrom to be fastened to the sides or edges of the bottom opening of the gas-chamber, a chambered member be low the valve-opening, a clean-out plug in the lower face of said member, a conduit connected at one end with the wall of the chambered member and at the other with the reservoir, and means for admitting water from said reservoir into said conduit.

15. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir; a gas-chamber in said reservoir, opening'through the bottom thereof; an ash-chamber below the gas-chamber; a water-feed device, at the base of said gas-chamber, comprising a grid having a cup and arms projecting therefrom, the cup provided with a valve-seat and valve, all constructed to support absorbent material, and a pipe connected at one terminal with said cup and at the other terminal with the reservoir and located in the upper portion of the ash-chamber, a valve-seat being provided minal; and a valve or gate adapted to open and close said opening. I

16. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir; a gas-chamber therein opening through the bottom thereof; a water-feed device or water-grate,

at the base of said chamber, comprising a cup in said pipe at the reservoir-ter- 1 having a valve-seat in the top, a valve for said seat, a flanged seat surrounding the valve-seat, absorbent material on said flanged seat, arms extending laterally from said cup, a trough supported by said arms, absorbent material in said trough, passages being formed in the arms to convey water from the valve-seat opening to the trough, and a pipe communicating with both the cup andreservoir; and a carbid-holder supported by the trough.

17. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a waterreservoir, a gas-chamber and a stand-pipe in said reservoir, said stand-pipe opening at the base through the bottom of the reservoir and having a gas-outlet above, and a tube connecting said chamber with the stand-pipe.

18. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir, a gas-chamher and a stand-pipe in said reservoir, said stand-pipe having a gas-outlet, a tube connecting said chamber with the stand-pipe, and a governor in the stand-pipe between the gas inlet and outlet.

19. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a water-reservoir, a gas-chamstand-pipe having a gas-outlet, a tube connecting said chamber with the stand-pipe, and a governor in the stand-pipe between the gas inlet and outlet, such governor comprising two perforated diaphragms with a filling between which will permit gas to pass through.

20. The combination, in an acetylene-gas apparatus, of a suitable casing, a water-reservoir and gas-chamber therein, a fillingopening leading to the water-reservoir, a plug, for the filling-opening in the water-reservoir, having a vent-passage in the top thereof and provided with a bottom chamber having a vent-hole therein in line with such passage, and a vent-pipe in said passage opening through the top of the plug and having its lower terminal turned to one side and arranged out of line with said vent-hole.

name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK M. MOORE.

Witnesses:

F. A. CUTTER, l O. E. MOORE. 1

ber and a stand-pipe in said reservoir, said In testimony whereof I have signed my k

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