US2251796A

US2251796A - Gas generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2251796A
Application number: US75757A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold E Howard
Original assignee: NAT GAS SERVICE Inc
Current assignee: NAT GAS SERVICE Inc; NATIONAL GAS SERVICE Inc
Priority date: 1935-04-19
Filing date: 1936-04-22
Publication date: 1941-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1958-08-05

Description

Aug. 5, v1941.. H HOWARD 2,251,796

I GAS GENERATING- APPARATUS Qriginal Filed April 19, 1935 V \nveflov I rldEYbwatd Patented Aug. 5, 1941 GAS GENERATING APPARATUS Harold E. Howard, Benton Harbor, Mich., as-

signor to National Gas Service, Incorporated, Benton Harbor, Micl'n, a corporation of Michigan Original application April 19, 1935, Serial No. 17,191. Divided and this application April 22, 1936, Serial No. 75,757

1 Claim.

This invention relates to gas generating apparatus and is divided from my application filed April 19, 1935, Ser. No. 17,191.

One of themain advantages of my invention is that only a single volatile, inflammable liquid, such as butane, pentane or the like, is required. This results in the production of a gas which has a definte and stable heat value at all times.

Another primary advantage is that my apparatus is extremely simple, having no moving parts whatever. Nevertheless, the functioning of the device is exceedingly' eflieient. An enormous quantity of gas, compared to the size of the equipment, is produced in a minimum of time. Yet no high pressures, always somewhat objectionable, are necessary.

Another feature is the minimum amount of labor and expense involved in the upkeep. In this respect, the tank needs to be filled only once or twice a year.

Other advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing, the single figure illustrates, somewhat schematically, my invention.

Numeral l indicates a tank buried in the earth 9. A partition H divides the tank as shown.

The partition II has a restricted orifice [2 near the bottom of the tank for the passage of the liquid butane. A pipe ll of L-shape has a portion extending through the partition into one of the chambers and a vertical portion which leads to a point adjacent the bottom of the other chamber. This latter chamber may be called the gas supplying chamber and designated by numeral It. The other chamber, called a fuel supplying chamber, is indicated by numeral IS.

The chamber It has an outlet 'pipe I6 through which the gas is carried to the points of its use.

Inlet pipes l1 and I8, having valves I9 and 20, respectively, are provided for the insertion of the liquid fuel into the tank. When the valves are closed the tank is sealed.

The operation is easily understood. Preferably the tank is installed under ground and filled by means of the pipes I1 and 18 to the depth shown. The vapor pressure from the butane or the like fills the spaces above the liquid level.

It will be understood that the rate of flow through the gas outlet l6 depends upon the size of the outlet and the pressure head. This with-,

drawal of gas at certain times during normal operating conditions causes the pressure of the gas in the supplying chamber It to fall inasmuch as the liquid cannot flow through the orifice l2 at a rate suflicie'nt to compensate for the gas withdrawal and thus the pressure in the chamber 15 becomes operative to force liquid from the tube 13 and then bubble upwardly through the liquid. This forms additional gas and causes eddy currents as shown by the arrows in the drawing. The opening I2 is restricted so that the liquid flow through this orifice or duct does not equal the rate of flow of the outgoing gas. In one type of installation the orifice I2 is V," in diameter and the pipe 16 is 1" in diameter.

From the above it will be seen that my device is extremely simple. Nevertheless, the rapid functioning of the gas generating apparatus, when needed, is present. The action is eflicient with respect to the amount of liquid fuel on hand. A tank of gallons is suflicient to provide the ordinary family with lighting and heat for cooking for a year.

The invention is defined in the appended claim and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within its scope.

I claim:

In combination, two closed chambers, one being called a gas supply chamber and the other a fuel reserve chamber, means to flow gas from said gas supply chamber to reduce the pressure therein, means to conduct gas from the fuel reserve chamber into said gas supply chamber at a low point therein, and means to conduct liquid from said fuel reserve chamber into said gas supply chamber at a considerably lesser rate of flow than the flow of gas through the gas conducting means.

HAROLD E. HOWARD.