US1161675A - Acetylene-gas generator. - Google Patents

Description

J. M. HOOVER.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.9, 1914.

A Patented Ndv. 23, 1915.

. J5) SHEETS-SHEET I. 93 (92 .9 34' 7 J45 g4 L97 a Z 67 v 2a,? L94 0 I. lhll'liNIc 76 Witnesses I Inventor,

I by I I 7 I J Attorneys,

J. M. HOOVER.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. APPLICATION FILED NOV.9. 1-914;

" 1,161,675. Patented NOV. 2 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. .9 J7 J4 Witss%\ lnv'en Q I Q r I I 1 1 Attorneys,

J. M. HOOVER.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.-

APPLICATION FILED NOV.9. 1914.

Inventor;

Attorneys.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHE;T 3.

a'rns PAENT ornrcn. f

JOHN M. HOOVER, OFISEDALIA, MISSOURI.

ACE'IYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

To all whom, it may concern Be it'known that I, JOHN M. Hoover, a citizen of the United States, residlng at Sedalia, in the county of Pettis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to acetylene gas generators especially designed for use in connection with welding apparatus, although it is to be understood that the same can be employed wherever it is desired to generate acetylene gas for any purpose.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a generator having locking mechanism whereby it becomes impossible to generate gas during the refilling process and whereby the generation of gas cannot take place until all necessary closures are completely shut.

A further object is to provide means whereby any gas'c'o'ntained within the generator will be discharged therefrom when ever the parts are set for the purpose of refilling, so that danger of explosion is eliminated.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the pre ferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus,"the partsbeing shown in the positions held thereby during the gen eration of gas. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 4 isa vertical section through the carbid hopper. Fig. 5 is a'section through the feed controlling diaphragm and adjacent parts. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the filter. Fig. 7 is a section through a portion of thefeed mechanism. Fig. 8 is a section on line A B Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the keeper used in connection with the gear shifting member. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a spring strip utilized in the locking mechanisrn.

Referring to the figu'rsby 'charaetrs of I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 9, 1914.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

Serial No. 871,162.

gular head 5 and with an annular flange 6,

this flange being adapted to bear downwardly upon a 'springstrip -7 constituting a stop. This strip is'secured at one end upon the head 2 and is provided, at its other end, with an upstanding b'eveled'liead 8. When the plug 4 is in its closed position, the flange '6 bears downwardly on the spring strip 7 and serves to clamp said strip upon the head 2 and to hold head 8 out of active position. When, however, the plug is partly or en tirely unscrewed, the spring strip 7 will bend upwardly so as to move its head 8 to active or obstructing position as hereinafter pointed out.

Mounted within the casing or tank 1 is a carbid holder 9, the top of which is formed by the cap or head 2 hereinbefore referred to, while the bottom of the holder has an outlet spout 10 in which is arranged a rotary valve 11 having segmental pockets 12, this valve being secured to a transverse shaft 13. An agitating shaft 14 -may be extended transversely through the lower portion of the hopper and tea point outside of the tank or casing 1, this shaft being formed Located outside of but supported by the tank or casing lis a supplemental casing 17 constituting a trap or washer adapted to be partly filled with; water. The bottom of this cylinder 17 is provided with an outlet normally closed by a screw plug'18 which is similar to the plug 4 and is adapted, when completely closed, to bind upon a spring latching strip 19 similar to the strip 7 hereinbefore referred to. said strip being formed with a. beveled head 20.

Extending downwardly into the cylinder 17 from the interior of the tank or casing 1 is a gas pipe 21, the discharge end of which is disposed close to the bottom of the cvlinder 17 "so that the lower portion'of the pipe is normally submerged. This pipe is Extending from the upper portion of the cylinder 17 is a gas pipe 25 opening into the bottom of a filter 26, this filter containing a central core of filtering material such as shown at 27, the same being inclosed within a fine mesh screen 28. An outlet A pipe 29 extends from the filter and opens into a valve casing 30from which extends a distributing pipe31.v

Extending. from. the top of the tank or casing 1 is an outlet pipe 32 discharging into the lower portion of a trap including a cylinder 33 from the upper portion of which extendsa vent pipe 34. This vent pipe may extend to a point outside of the inclosure in which the apparatus is located. The trap 33 is adapted to be partly filled with water and a screw plug 35 normally closes a filling opening in the top of the trap while another screw plug 36 normally closes a drain opening in-the bottom of the trap. These screw plugs 35 and 36 are of the same construction as the plug 4 hereinbefore de scribed and each of them normally clamps upon a spring strip such as shown in detail in Fig. 10. these strips being indicated generally at 37 and 38. A branch pipe 39 extends from the pipe 32to a safety valve 40.

Pipe 32 has a valve 41 the stem of which is formed with a radially extending arm 42.

The. shaft 13 of valve 11 is extended through the side of tank or casing 1 and is provided upon its outer end portion with a gear 43 and with a wheel 44 from which a grip or handle 45 is preferably extended.

- A locking stem 46 is supported above the gear 43 and is slidably mounted within the lower portion of a casing 47 in which is disposed a diaphragm 48. The upper end of the rod '46 is secured to the diaphragm and a spring 49 is mounted on the p n 46 and bears at one end against the diaphra m such as thus yieldingly support the diaphragm and pin. The diaphra m constitutes the bottom of a pmssure chamber'50 within the casing 47 this pressure chamber communicating. through a pipe 51, with the interior of the tank or casing 1, there being a pressure gage 52 mounted on the pipe 51 for the purpose of indicating the pressure within the tank or casing 1. Under normal conditions, pin 46 is supported out of engagement with the gear 43. 'VVhen, how ever, the pressure oflthe gas becomes sufficient to press the diaphragm 48 downwardlv against the action of spring 49, pin 46 is lowered. into engagement with the gear 43 andthus holds the shaft 13 and valve 11 against rotation. A locking dog 53 is pivotally connected to the casing or tank .1 and is adapted to engage gear 43 to hold it against rotation, this dog constituting a supplemental locking means.

Arranged above the shaft 13 and projecting beyond the tank or casing 1 is a fixed shaft 54 on which a gear 55 is slidably and revolubly mounted. This gear is connected to a drum56 to which is secured one end of a cord 57, this cord having weights 58 secured to its free end and said cord being normally wound about the drum. A bracket 59 is extended outwardly from the casing 1 and has a slot 60 provided with spaced notches 61 and 62 in the lower wall of the slot. Pivotally connected to this bracket is a shifting strip 63 having an ex tension 64which loosely straddles the upper portion of gear 55. A pin 66 is carried by the strip 63 and is adapted to be moved into position within either of the notches 61 and 62, thus to hold gear 55 either in or out of mesh with gear 43. Strip 63 has a handle .67 whereby it can be manipulated readily.

It is to be understood that gear 43 is not secureddirectly to the shaft 13. Instead it is preferably mounted as shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. A ratchet wheel 68 having an internal series of ratchet teeth as shown at 69 is keyed to the shaft 13 and the gear 43 rotates upon this ratchet wheel. A spring pawl 70 is secured to the gear and projects into the ratchet wheel so as to engage the teeth 69. When the'wheel 44 is rotated in one direction, the gear 43 rotates therewith and motion is transmitted through the pawl 70 to the ratchet wheel 68 and thus to the shaft 13. However, when the rotation of wheel 44 and gear 43 is reversed, as when it is desired to wind the cord 57 upon the drum 56, the pawl 70 will slip over the ratchet teeth 69 and shaft 13 will not be rotated.

Opening into the lower portion of the tank or casing 1 is a filling pipe 71 provided at its upper end with a funnel 72 so that water may be poured thereinto readily. This filling pipe 71 has a valve 73 provided with a radially projecting stem 7 4 which, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, is preferably slotted longitudinally as shown at 75. A drain pipe 76 extends from the bottom portion of the casing or tank 1 and has a valve 77, the stem of which is formed with a long flat head 78.

, Journaled within suitable bracketsupon the wall of the tank or casing 1 is a vertical controlling shaft 7 9 having a manipulating handle 80 fixedlv connected thereto. This handle is provided with a slot 81 which, when the handle is in one position, receives the stem 74 of valve73. When the handle i shifted out of engagement with stem 74, thus rotating shaft 79, it moves into engagement with a spring catch 8 secured to the tank or casing 1.

An arm 82 extends radially from and rotates with the shaft 79 and pivotally connected to this arm is a stem 83 slidably mounted within a guide bracket 84 mounted on the cylinder 17 This stem 83 is preferably hooked as shown at 85 and is provided at its free end with jaws 86 normally embracing and engaging the annular head or plug 23 so as thus to hold the plug against rotation. Another arm 87 is extended radially from and rotates with the shaft 7 9 and is pivotally connected to a stem 88 slidably mounted within a guide bracket 89 on the bottom Y of cylinder 17. This stem 88 is likewise hooked and formed with jaws in the same manner as is the stem 83, the jaws v normally straddling and engaging the annular head of the screw plug 18. Another arm 90 extends radially from and rotates with the shaft 79 and is pivotally connected to a stem 91 slidably mounted in a engage the annular head 5 of the screw plug 4, thus to hold said plug against rotation. Arms 94 are extended radially from and rotate with the shaft 79 and are pivotally connected to stems 95 which are guided within brackets 96 on the trap 33, these stems being provided with jaws 97 which straddle and engage the annular heads of the screw plugs 35 and 36 so asto hold them against rotation. Another arm 98 is secured to and extends radially from the shaft 79 and is designed to rotate with the shaft. This arm 98 is connected, by a link 99, to the stem 42 of the valve 41. When the various plugs hereinbefore described are held against rotation inthe manner set forth, the valve 41 is held closed so that gas cannot escape from the tank 'or casing 1 by way of the trap 33 and vent pipe 34. Another arm 100 is secured to and rotates with the shaft 7 9 and has a stem 101 pivotally connected to it, this stem being provided with jaws 102 similar to the jaws 93 and which jaws 102 straddle and engage the elongated head 78 of the stem of valve 77, thus holding said head against rotation. Another arm 103 is secured to and rotates with the shaft 79 and is connected, by alink 104, to the dog 53 hereinbefore referred to.

lVith the parts positioned as shown and described, the feed mechanism is free to operate and all of the outlets and inlets except that leading through the pipes 21, 25, 29 and 31, are closed and locked. The generation of gas is effected as ordinarily, the rotation of valve 13 resulting in the discharge of predetermined quantities of carbid into the water contained within the lower portion of the tank or casing 1. Shaft 13 can be rotated by hand after gear 55 has been shifted laterally out of mesh with gear 43 as shown in Fig. 1. If, however, it

ply of carbid within the holder 9, to drain the tank or casing 1, or should it be desired to drain either ofthe traps 17 and 33, or to supply water to the interior of the tank or casing 1, it would be necessary to rotate shaft 79 in order that the valves to be operated or the plugs to be removed might be-released. When this shaft 7 9 is rotated by means of handle 80, said handle leaves the stem 74 and becomes caught in the latch 81. During this movement the various stems 88, 83, 91, 95, etc, are actuated so as to withdraw the jaws from engagement with the various plugs and at the same time valve 41 is opened by the power exerted through link 99 upon the stem 42. Dog 53 is likewise projected into engagement with gear 43 so that it becomes impossible for the feed mechanism to operate. With the various jaws and'valves so positioned, should any one of the plugs 4, 23, 18, 35 or 36 be partly or entirely removed, the spring strips 7, etc., controlled thereby would be released and their heads which are normally held, by the plugs, out ofthe paths ofthe respective stems, would spring outwardly into the paths of the stems, thus preventing said stems from'moving back toward the plugs until all of the plugs have been closed. In other words, should one of the plugs be left partly open after all of the plugs have been tightly closed, the one spring controlled by said plug would remain in its outstanding position and would interfere with the shifting of the jawsadjacent said spring strip back to their initial orlooking position. Consequently, as all of the jaws movetogether, all of said jaws would be held out of engaging position until the one remaining plug had been completely closed. Should the flat head 78 of the stem of valve 77 be turned out of normal position, it would present its broad face to the jaws 102 and thus prevent said jaws as well as all of the other jaws of the apparatus from moving back to their normal or engaging positions until head 78 had been turned to close valve 7 7 Until all of the jaws are returned to their engaging positions, the feeding mechanism will be held in locked position. As soon as all of the jaws are free to move not until said stem has been turned to close valve 73. This movement of handle back to its normal position out of engagement with catch 81 will result in the looking of all of the plugs and valves and the release of the feeding mechanism.

It will be obvious that by means of the mechanism herein described, it becomes impossible to open the apparatus at any point unless the vent for the gas is first opened. Consequently an explosion of gas under these conditions is prevented. It is, furthermore, impossible to operate the feed mechanism While any part of the apparatus is open and, therefore, there is no danger of generation of gas under these conditions. Instead, every plug and valve of the controlling mechanism must be closed be fore the generation of gas can be efiected.

What is claimed is 1.,In' an acetylene generator, the combination with a tank, a carbid holder adapted to discharge thereinto, and a screw closure for the carbid holder, of mechanism for discharging carbid from the holder, locking means engaging the closure to prevent unscrewing when in shut position, aspring ob structing strip held inactive by the closure when shut, and means on the strip and shiftable by the strip into the path of the lock-t ing means when the closure is unscrewed, for holding the locking means in inactive position, and means controlled by the locking means, when held inactive, for locking the carbid discharging means against movement.

2. In an acetylene generator, a tank, a carbid holder, mechanism for discharging carbid from the holder and into the tank, a gas vent, a valve therein, a closure for the carbid holder, a spring obstructing means normally depressed thereby when the closure is shut, a shaft, means operated by the rotation of the shaft in one direction for engaging the closure, to hold it in shut position, said means being adapted to be engaged by the obstructing means when the closure is out of shut position, thereby to be heldv against movement toward the clo s u re, and means operated by said shaft for opening the valve when said closure engaging means is out of engaging position.

3. An acetylene generator including a tank, a carbid holder, mechanism for discharging carbid from the holder and into the tank, a closure for the holder, a spring 7 obstructing means held normally depressed by the closure when shut, a shaft, a vent pipe, a valve within the vent pipe, means operated by the movement of the shaft in one direction for engaging the closure to hold the same in shut position, said obstruct- 7 ing means being movable into engagement sure is out of shut position, means operated by the shaft for opening the valve when said closure engaging means is out of engaging position, means operated by said shaft for locking the mechanism against movement when the valve is open, a drain pipe extending from the tank, a valve therein having a stem, said stem being provided with a flat elongated portion, means movable with the shaft for engaging said portion of the stem to hold the valve in closed position during the unlocking of the mechanism, said last named means and the flattened portion of the stem of the drain pipe cooperating to prevent the unlocking of the carbid discharging mechanism until the drain pipe has been closed.

a. An acetylene generator including a tank, a carbid holder, mechanism for discharging carbid from the holder and into the tank, a closure for the holder, a spring obstructing means held normally depressed by the closure when shut, a shaft, a vent pipe, a valve within the vent pipe, means operated by the movement of the shaft in one direction for engaging the closure to hold the same in shut position, said obstructing means being movable into engagement with the said closure engaging means to hold it removed from the closure when said closure is out of shut position, means operated by the shaft for opening the valve when said closure engaging means is out of engaging position, means operated by said shaft for locking the mechanism against movement when the valve is open, a washer in communication with the tank and having a filling opening and a drain opening, a closure for each of said openings, spring obstructing means held inactive by the closures when shut, means operated by the shaft during the closing of the vent valve and the release of the mechanism for locking said closures of the washer in shut position, said means being shiftable out of engagement with the closures during the movement of the shaft to lock the mechanism and open the vent valve, the spring obstructing means adjacent said closures constituting means for engaging said closure locking means and holding them out of engagement with the closures when said closures are out of shut positions.

5; In apparatus for generating acetylene, the combination with a tank, a carbid holder, and mechanism for discharging carbid from the holder and into the tank, of a washer having a filling opening and a drain opening, closures for said openings, a vent pipe, a trap in communication with the vent pipe and having a filling opening and adrain opening, closures for said openings, a valve for controllingcommunication between the tank and'the trap, a closure for the upper end of the carbid holder, a valved filling pipe opening into the tank, a valved pipe, a

controlling shaft, means operated by the movement of said shaft in one direction for simultaneously looking all of the closures, closing the vent and closing the valved feed pipe during the release of the mechanism for discharging carbid and for releasing all of the closures and opening the vent valve during the locking of said mechanism, and separate means each of which is adapted to 10 hold the shaft against rotation to release the discharging mechanism When any one of the closures, the valved feeding pipe or the valved drain pipe is open.

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature 15 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

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