US628198A

US628198A - Acetylene-gas generator.

Info

Publication number: US628198A
Application number: US70326099A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel Hanford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1899-01-24
Filing date: 1899-01-24
Publication date: 1899-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1916-07-04

Description

No. 628,|98. Patented July 4, I899.

S. HANFORD. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Jan. 24, 1899.) (No Model.)

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No. 628,198. Patented July 4, I899.

S. HANFORD.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed. Jan. 24, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL HANFORD, OF'BINGl-IAMTON, NEW YORK.

ACETY LEN E-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 628,198, dated July 4, 1899. Application filed January 24, 1899. Serial No. 703,260. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL HAN-FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county ofBroome and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specification.

For the production of acetylene gas for illuminating purposes my invention is directed, primarily, to that part of the apparatus wherein the gas is generated; and the objects of my improvements are to provide a gas-generating apparatus in which the construction increases the efficiency and the reliability in the working of the machine and of the capacity for the generation of the gas and with entire safety in its use. In the attainment of these advantages the improvements consist of certain novel parts and combinations of parts hereinafter specifically set out in the claims concluding this specification.

The following description, read in connection with the accompanying drawings, will enable any one skilled in the art to which my invention relates to understand its nature and to practice it in the form which I prefer to employ it; but it will be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise form herein illustrated and described, as various changes and modifications may be made without exceeding the scope of the claims, in which my invention is set out.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows in top view the open-top gas-generating member of the apparatus and its multiple of covered gas-generating boxes and their watersupply connections, the cover of one of said boxes being removed to expose the gas-gencrating compartments. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same; and Fig. 3

is a transverse section taken through one of the tank water-compartments and its contained gas-generating box, showing the water-inflow and gas take-out conduits. Fig. 4 shows in perspective one of the gas-generating boxes; and Fig. 5 is the telescoping traycover therefor in vertical section, showing its top asa water-jacket. Fig. 0 is a side elevation of the gas-generator and its connected gasometer and water-supplying parts.- Fig. 7

the gas is the same operation.

shows in enlarged vertical section the gaspurifier and particularly illustrating its pipe connection with the gas-purifier chamber to receive the gas from the generator the same as the gasometer does, and Fig. 8 shows the gas and water pipes and the two-way cocks 39 on the gas-pipes 34. This figure also shows in sectional view the two-way cock as set to open communication of the gas take-out pipe 3i with the line-pipe 35, connecting the The gas-generating member of the apparatus is constructed of fixed and movable parts-- that is, an open-top tank 1, preferably of 0blong rectangular form, divided into a multiple of separate compartments 2 by means of partitions 3, forms the fixed member, while an open-top gas-generatin g box and a water-sealing cover therefor forms the movable parts between which the gas is generated within each tank-compartment. These gas-generating boxes 4 are of identical construction, and in each the water-flow and the generation of These gasgencrating boxes are of less depth and of less height than the tank-compartments, and between the walls of the latter and the walls of the gencrating boxes there is a surrounding space 5, the purpose of which will be stated.

Each gas-generating box is constructed of a multiple of compartments 6 for containing the calcium carbid, and these compartments are rendered active in the generation of gas in progressive succession. These carbid-compartments may be formed by partitions arranged in any suitable manner; but I prefer the construction shown as being best adapted for the gas and water supply conduits. In this construction the box is divided into three compartments by two partitions 7 and 8, and these compartments are subdivided by transverse partitions, making three rows of compartments each of equal area. WVith, this construction I prefer to make the center compartment 9 of the box the inlet for the waterfiowinto and from all the compartments, and for effecting this flow 'from' the middle compartmentone of its walls 10 is of a less height than its other three walls, and the construction is such that the flow of water, as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 4, over this one end thereof and crossing over at the other end of the box continue to flow into and through the compartments at the other side of the box, terminating in the end compartment. For this purpose the

walls

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the carbid-colnpartments in the direction of the flow are of less height than the other walls which form the com partments and are of the same height as the walls 10 of the water-feed compartment, as seen in Fig. 4.

Preferably the gas-generating box is supported by legs 18 on the bottom of the tankcompartment; but it may be supported upon benches, so that the bottom 19 of the box will be about six inches above the bottom of the tank to form a space for a purpose which I will presently state.

A cover 20, having the form of an openbottoln box 21, fits over in the manner of telescope-sections. The walls of the gas-generating box 4 and the walls of this cover are deeper than the walls of the generator-box,

so as to cause the cover to form a water seal over the generator. Between the walls of the tank-compartment and the walls of the gasgenerator box there will be a space 5 both outside and inside of the inverted-cover walls and a space 22 between the closed top of the cover and the open top of the generator-box, into which space all the gas-generating compartments open and which space therefore forms the gas-chamber 22, from which the gasometerissupplied. Informingthischamber the cover preferably rests upon the top edges of the generator-box.

For supplying water to the gas-generating boxes I provide the sealing-coverwitha chamber 23, which forms a tray extending over its surface for receiving and holding water, and from the closed top of this tray water is su pplied to the tank-compartinent to form the seal for the gas-chamber 22, which is formed by the inverted cover, and to supply the carbid for the generation of the gas. At one side of the tank a water-supply pipe 2t enters each of its compartments, so as to deliver water onto the tray-top, and from this traytop the water overflows uniformly all around its edge and over the vertical walls of theinverted sealing box-cover.

It will be understood that the central compartment 9 of the gas-generating box forms the inlet feed-chamber for the water which supplies the carbid-compartments and that for this purpose such feed-chamber has an opening 25 in its bottom,up and through which the water is forced by the pressure of the gas in the sealed chamber, so that the water overflows from this middle chamber in its circuit into and out of the carbid-compartments, as stated. It will be understood that the Watershed from the tray-top will pass freely under the edges of the walls of the inverted cover and also through one or more openings '26, Fig. 3, in its walls at its lower edge into the space 27, formed between the bottom of the gas-generating box and the bottom of the tankcompartment, and that according to the pressure of the gas in the sealed-top-cover chamber upon the water in the tank-compartment the water will be caused to rise in the box feed-chamber 9 and in the spaces 5 all around the walls of the generator-box, so that the latter will be practically inclosed by water, and thereby absorb and radiate the heat of the walls produced by the generation of the gas and by the hot gas in contact with said walls.

It is important to note that while the water overflows from one side only of the feed-chamber 9 into the adjacent gas-generating compartment the walls 10 at which the overflow is made has an opening 28, Fig. 3, at the bottom, into and through which water passes from said chamber 9 at once in contact with the carbid in the adjacent compartment 29, so that the gas commences to generate therein before the feed-chamber fills sufliciently to cause the overflow therefrom.

The several water-supply pipes 24, which supply each separate tan k-com partment, are connected by a line-pipe 30,which has valved connection 31 with the source of supply, which, as shown, may be a tank 32, placed above the apparatus, such flow being automatically controlled by the rising and falling of the gasometer bell or float, as I will more fully state.

As a means for supplying the gasometer with gas from the water-sealed chamber 22 as itis generated in the carbid-containing boxes I provide a pipe 33, suitably fixed to the bottom of the tank-compartment, and rising through the water-feed opening 25, which, as shown, is in the central compartment of the gas-generating-box, extends up and terminates in an open end 34 in communication with said chamber, so that the gas will pass under pressure therefrom down through said pipe 33 and out through a valve-controlled branch pipe 3i, which, passing through the side wall of the tank beneath the bottom of the gasgenerating box, connects with a line-pipe 35 at the side of the tank and which extends to, connects with, and delivers the gas into the gasometer. This line-pipe 35 connects in an identical manner with the water-sealed gaschambers of the several gas-generating boxes, and the foregoing description of one of the gas take-out pipes will apply to the others.

W'hile provision is made forsupplying each tank-compartment separately and independently with water from the line-pipe 30 by providing each delivery branch 24 thereof with a cock 36, so that any one of the tank-compartments can be out ott from the others as occasion may require, 1 also provide means for automatically supplying water from one of the tank-compartments to all the othersthat is, from one into the other. This automatic supply is effected by valve-controlled openings 37 in the tank-partitions above the tops of the water-receiving trays,so that the adjacent tank-compartment.

water rising in one tank under the pressure of the gas will be caused to flow through the said openings in said partition into the next The valve for controlling this automatic control of the water may be of any suitable construction; but a simple gate 38, adapted to be raised and lowered, will control the opening, so that it will be more or less above the top of the cover water-jacket. The advantage of this automatic water-flow from one tank to the other is that all the tank-compartments but one may be cut off from the line-pipe and that a single water-connected compartment will without any attention supply the others.

The separate and independent controlof the water-supply to the tank-compartments is important in allowing any one to be cut off from the others for recharging and for cleaning without interrupting the operation of the others. In Fig. 2 all the compartments are shown in communication with the water-supply. It is equally advantageous that in the provision of one line-pipe for connecting all the gas-generators with the gasometer the connection with each gas-generator can be controlled independently of the other by suitable cut-off cocks 39 in the branch pipes connecting with the water-sealed gas-chambers. While the gas-pipe 33 may open into any part of the water-sealed gas-chamber, I prefer to provide a hood or inverted cup 40, rising from the top of the sealing-cover, opening into the gas-chamber, and into which the upper open end of the gas take-out pipe 33 eX- tends, so that it will at all times be above any height to which the water may be raised in the gas-generating boxes, and thereby prevent water entering the gas take-out pipe. This construction and arrangement of the gas take-out pipe gives the important advantage of freely and quickly setting in and removing the gas-chamber sealing-box cover and the gas-generating box from each tank-compartment and also of determining on sight whether any or all of the gas-generators are in operating condition, because the top of the Water-tank being open will show if any of the tank-compartments are flooded with water, and such showing must only result from the exhaustion of the gas-producing carbid. In the event of such fioodingit will be understood that it can only result from the exhaustion of the carbid in the flooded compartment, since the pressure of the water raised to a flooding-point overb'alances the gas-pressure and causes the gas to flow out into the gasometer, and water must then take the place of the expelled gas. i

The arrangement of the gas take-out pipe, passing through one of the compartments which does not contain carbid, constitutes one of the features of my invention and being for a greater part of its length immersed in water in the generator and in the tank keeps it from being unduly heated and serves to re- ,per end of the purifier-chamber.

duce the heat of the gas before it enters the gasometer.

The gasometer 41 is of the usual construction, and its sealing bell or float 42 is actuated by the pressure of the gas entering within the bell in a well-known way, so as to antomaticallycontrol a cock 31 in the watersupply pipe to supply the water as it is-required to generate the gas or to cut off the water-supply when the gas ceases to be generated, such cont-r01 of the cook 31 being by an arm 31, connecting the float guide-rod with said cock. a

The gascontrolling cocks 39 I prefer to make of the two-way construction, so that the gas in the chamber of any of the generators will always be in comm unication with the gasometer through the purifier by means of one or the other of two pipes entering the gaspurifier, and thereby render itimpossible that the gas will reach beyond the safe pressure in the gas-generator.

A gas-purifier may be used in the gas-pipe at any point between the generator and the gasometer to relieve the gas of any foreign matters which may pass with it from the gasgenerators. This purifier also serves to prevent the backflow of the gas from the gasometer. As shown in Fig. 7, this purifier consists of a chamber 43, containing water or oil, into and through whichthe line gas-pipe 35 passes and communicates with said chamber by an opening 36, from which the gas passes into the upper closed end of an inverted-cup chamber 37, fixed upon the pipe near the up- This inverted-cup chamber opens near the bottom of the purifier-chamber and is sealed in the pnrifying element, a portion of such sealed part being formed of fine mesh 38, so that the gas entering the inverted cup under pressure will be forced down through the purifying element, out through the fine mesh, and up into the chamber, passing therefrom again into the line-pipe 35 through an opening 39 therein above the closed end of the inverted cup to the gasometer. A filling-pipe 40 and a trappipe 44 are provided for the purifier to supply and to determine such supply of the purifying element.

Each tank-compartment is provided with a water-cock 45 for drawing off the water when it is necessary to recharge the generator with carbid, so that when the recharged gas-generator is put in its place the compartment, will be free from water from a point just below the bottom of-the gas-generator, so that the latter will be free from water until the water-supply pipe is put in service to feed the gas-generator.

In the working of apparatus for generating and supplying acetylene gas it often occurs that a surplus quantity of gas is produced. I provide for storing this surplus gas that it may come back to the gasometer for use. This provision consists of a storage-tank 46,

having the construction of a gasometer and which is connected by a pipe 47 with the gasometer, so as to receive and convey the surplus gas from the gasometer and deliver it into the storage-tank. This storage is rendered possible by reason of any excess of pressure in the gasometer and the relief of that excess of pressure by driving out the surplus gas into the storage-chamber. As soon as the excess of pressure no longer exists in the gasometer the gas in the storage-chamber will leave it and return to the gasometer. It will be understood that the weight of the bell or float 4:8 in the storage-chamber will be slightly in excess of the bell or float of the gasometer in order to cause the return of the surplus gas to the gasometer.

The storage-chamber may have a blow-off attachment for the relief of any undue pressure in such chamber. In the drawings such attachment is shown as consisting of a pipe 49, centrally rising in the storage-chamber to a height just above the level of the'water therein, and over this pipe a telescoping sealing-sleeve 50 rests upon the open end of the fixed pipe and extends nearly to the bottom of the storage-chamber. A chain 51 connects the top of the sleeve with the top of the float or bell 48, so that when the pressure in the chamber becomes undue the raising of the float thereby will, by means of its connection with the sealing-sleeve, lift it, and thereby bring an opening 52 in the sleeve above the water seal and in communication with the gas in the chamber of the float and allow it to escape down and out of the blow-01f pipe.

I have stated that provision may be made whereby any undue pressure of the gas in the generators may be relieved by the provision of means whereby the generators may be put in communication with the gas-purifier at the same time the generators are in communication with the gasometer. This provision is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and consists in connecting a supplemental pipe 53 to the twoway cocks 39 of the several gas take-out pipes and ext-ending this supplemental pipe so as to open into the chamber of the purifier, Fig. 7, so that the gas will be delivered therein within the purifying-body just the same as the gas is delivered therein from the linepipe. This construction provides com munication to the gasometer, but prevents any backflow of gas from the gasometer to the generator. When the cock 39 is open to the gasometer by the pipe 35, the other or supplemental pipe 53 is closed to the gas-purifier, and vice versa, so that the gas take-out pipe 34 is always in communication with the gasometer either by the line-pipe'35 or by the supplemental pipe 53. (Seen in Fig.8.) Referring to this figure and to the detail sectional view of the two-way cock as therein set, the gas will flow through the cock from the takeout pipe 34 to the line-pipe 35 and to the gasometer through the purifier. When the cock is turned to bring its two-way opening 0 in communication with the gas take-out pipe, it will open communication of the latter with the branch pipe 56 and thence through the supplemental pipe 53 to the gasometer through the purifier, and this is what I mean by the statement that the gas-take-out pipe is always in communication with the gasometer.

The area of the gas-generating compartments and the quantity of the carbid used therein bear such relation to each other, and the way in which it is caused to comein contact with the water is only sufiicient to completely decompose it and cause it to give up its gas-producing element.

The generating-box may be of any shape and size and contain any number of carbidholding compartments, and the tank may have any number of compartments to receive generating-boxes; but whatever the number of tank-compartments their arrangement in a single connected row is the preferred form.

\Vhen the carbid in any one of the carbidholders becomes exhausted, the filling of the tank-compartment with water acts to drive out all the gas from the gas-chamberinto the line-pipe, so that in removing the generatorbox for recharging there will be no gas left in it to fill the surrounding air, and therefore there is no loss of gas and no danger whatever in replenishing the carbid in any one of the tank-compartments while the machine is in operation.

As the gasometer connects directly with the chamber in which the gas is generated, the machine therefore can be kept in readiness for supplying the lights at any moment and without the least waste of gas.

While I have shown the preferred arrangement of the take-out pipe as entering the sealed gas-chamber from its under side, because it requires no connection with the gasgenerating parts, yet it is obvious that such pipe may enter the said chamber from its upper side and be detachably connected the'rev with to permit of the removal of the gas-generating parts.

The parts of the gas-generator will preferably be constructed of galvanized iron.

The telescoping cover of the gas-generator may be locked to keep it in fixed relation to the gas-generating part and to the tank, and it is preferred that in the relation of these parts the cover will rest upon the open top of the gas-generating compartments in forming the gas-chamber.

While I have shown the apparatus as adapted for illuminating purposes, it will be understood that it may be employed for generating gas for heating and for power, the servicepipe 61 for which is shown as connected to the gas-pipes 47 of the gasometer and storagechamber. 7

To put the apparatus in readiness for use, all but one of the tank-compartments, preferably at one end, are out 01f from the watersupply. The water-supply cock of the compartment to be used is then opened to supply it with water, the flow of which is thereafter regulated automatically by the action of .the gasometer bell or float on the valve 31 of the line water-pipe 30, it being understood that in beginning to use the machine the gasometer hell or float is in its normal down position, and the valve 31 is thereby opened, so that the water flowing into the generator generates the gas. The gas passes from the generator cover-chamber into the gasometer, and as the gas is being used its pressure will raise or lower the gasometer-bell, so as to adjust the cock 31 to furnish the quantity of water required to produce the required quantity of gas for consumption and no more. When the lights are shut off and the consumption of gas ceases, the generator will continue to produce gas, and thereby raise the gasometer-bell to a point in which it will so act on the watersupply valve as to shut the supply off, thereby causing the generation of the gas to cease. The gasometer being now full of gas and the water shut off, the supply of gas being consumed causes the gasometer-bell to fall, and to the extent of such falling movement does it open the water-supply cook 31 to supply just the quantity of waterrequired to replace the gas being consumed, and the supply will thus be continued so long as the gas is being consumed. In this way the several separate and distinct generators are put in use either separately or in successive communication with the water supply. When separately supplied with water, it is by opening the cock of the line water-pipe which supplies each compartment; but when the compartments are supplied successively it is by the automatic flow of the water from one of the tankcompartments into the other through the valve 38 in the tank-partitions. In either case any one of the exhausted generators can be cut off from the others and removed and recharged, the water in each compartment being first drawn off. In such case the recharged generator will automatically take its turn in the generation of the gas, for it is important to note that by the provision of the two-way cook 39 the gas generated in any one of the tank-compartments will pass intothe gasometer through the gas-purifier, and thereby prevent accident or loss of gas, whatever may be the working condition of the machine. An important advantage of this construction is that the generators can be used from either end of the tank or from the middle thereof, which very materially facilitates the management of the working of the machine, be cause thereby it can be used with one or more or all of the tank-compartments and generators put in use at the same time.

a In Fig. 3 the dotted lines indicate the normal height of the water in the tank-compartments in the normal condition of the gas-generator, while in Fig. 2 the dotted lines indicate the height of the water in the tank and in the middle feed-compartment of the gasgenerator when the gas is being generated.

Inasmuch as the closing of-the box-cover over the gasgenerator will confine air in the closure formed by the telescoping parts, a cock may be provided in the gas-line pipe to allow the escape of the air and preventing it from passing with the gas into the gasometer.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the box-cover is of greater interior area than the external area of the gas-generator box, so as to allow the box-cover to fit freely over the boX-generatorand have a space surrounding the generator-box and also a space surrounding the depending walls of the boxcover, and that it is from this latter space, which is open for the upward flow of the water above the covertray, that the water is caused to fill the compartment above the tray and to flow from one compartment into the other through the openings 37 in the partitions. The'lower edges of these partitionopenings 37 are preferably on a level with the overflow-top of the tray, and the gate is designed to be raised to bring the lower edge of the opening higher, according to the pressure under which the generator may be operating.

It is a convenient arrangement to locate both the water-supplying and the gas takeout pipes on one of the long sides of the tank and the water draw-off cocks on the opposite side of the tank, and, as seen in Fig. 3, these draw-off cocks leave a depth of water in the tanks that will give no action on the carbid until the water-supply is let into the cover tray.

For removing and replacing the cover-box it is provided with handles 54, which stand up from the overflow-surface.

Referring to the tray of the generator-cover, (seen in Fig. 5,) I prefer to use the tray in the form of a closed chamber, wherein the water is supplied by a filling-opening 55, and this water will add sufficient weight to the 'cover to keep it seated upon the open top of the generator against the pressure of the gas in the chamber formed by the cover. This construction m akes the top of the removable cover a water-jacket seated directly upon the generator-box with an effective cooling function, and the top surface of the jacket forms the shed for the water-supply for the tank.

Referring more'particularly to the supplemental gas-pipe 53, its relation to the twoway cock is better seen in Fig. 8 as connected to the gas pipe 34: by vertical branches 56, through which the gas is caused to pass from the pipe 34 into the supplemental pipe and thence to the gasometer through the purifier, when the cock 39 is turned to cut off communication with the line-pipe; but this supplemental pipe may have any suitable connec- IIO tions with the gas line-pipe, so long as it is controlled by the cocks which control the gassupply from the generators To provide against any possible interference with the fixed position of the generator which might arise by its possible floating, a bar 57 is placed on the top of the generatorbox, preferably across and upon its handles, and, extending through openings in the side walls of the tank, serve to lock the generatorbox securely on its seat. This locking-bar is easily removable to allow the lifting out of the generator-box.

Instead of supplying the waterdirectly upon the overflow-top of the cover it may be supplied by hand filling directly into its top jacket-chamber, from which it will overflow, and thereby keep the water in this chamber cool.

In the operation of the machine it may happen that all the carbid would become exhausted, the effect of which would cause the bell or float of the gasometer to fall by reason ofabsence ofthegasin thegasometer. In such event and in the absence of an attendant to prevent the continuance of the water-supply the machine would be flooded with water. To prevent such a happening, I provide for automatieallycutting off the supply of water by the falling movement of the gasometer bell or float. This provision consists of a device arranged to connect the bell or float with the cock of the water-supply line-pipe, whereby when the bell or float has fallen to near the limit of its descent it will actuate said device to cut off the water-supply to the machine. Any suitable connection for the float and cock may be used for this purpose. A very simple means is shown in Fig. 1, and consists of a plate 58, fixed horizontally on the upper part of the float guide-rod, and a bell-crank lever, of which the armSl forms one branch, attached to the handle of the water-supply cock of the line-pipe and having said arm 31 extending under the said guide-rod plate, while the other arm 59 of said bell-crank lever will stand in hanging position by reason of its weighted end 60. In the contingency stated the falling of the float or hell will press upon and carry with it the arm 31 of said bell-crank lever, and which in approaching a vertical line will therebyand to the same extent of movement cause the weighted arm 59 to rise toward a horizontal position, so that when the float nearly reaches its lowest point its guide-rod plate will pass off the end of the arm 31, which it had forced down, and the weighted arm 59 will thereby be free to fall and, closing its connected cock, shut off the water-supply. As shown in the full lines, the device is in its position when the float is up and the water is shut off, while the dotted lines show the position of the bell-crank lever when the float has fallen to a position just ready to trip or release the lever device, so

that its weighted arm will fall and again close the cock.

It will be understood that the movement of the float either falling or rising between the extremes of the movement of its guide-rod plate shown will allow and control the watersupply to the machine. This automatic water-controlling device afterit has been tripped in the operation and for the purpose stated may be again set by turning it over to again bring its arm beneath the float-plate, which is its normal position.

Instead of having to remove the compartment-generators for recharging and for cleaningI may employ separate removable carbidholders seated within these compartments, so that it may be unnecessary to remove the heavy compartment part.

I claim- 1. In apparatus for generating gas, a tank constructed with a valved water-supply pipe enteringthe wallatitsupperpart,avalved gassupply pipe entering the wall at its lower part and risingcentrallyofthetank,in combination with a generator constructed with a central compartment open at the bottom for comm unication with the tank, and within which central compartment the lower gas-pipe rises and opens, a multiple of compartments surrounding and communicating with the open-bottom central compartment, a water-sealed cover inclosing the generator, a gasometer connecting the said lower pipe and means for automatically supplying water to the said upper pipe and to the open-bottom compartment.

2.111 a gas-generating apparatus, and in combination with a tank formed by partitions into separate compartments, overflow valved openings in said partitions, a line-pipe having valved branches opening into the top of each compartment, a gas-generator in each tank -compartment having communication therewith, a gas take-out pipe opening into the generator gas-chamber of each compartment, a line-pipe connecting the gas take-out pipes, a supplemental line-pipe connecting each gas take-out pipe, valves controlling the communication between the said gas linepipes, a gas-purifier into which both gaslinepipes open, means for automatically supplying water to the tank-pipe, and a gasometer in communication with the gas-chamber of said purifier.

3. In a gas-generator of the character described and in communication with a tank having division-partitions, valved openings in their upper part, a gas-generator within each tank-compartment having a multiple of compartments, its top about level with said partition valved openings, a line-pipe at the side of the tank having a valved branch opening, into each tank-compartment above the generator, means for automatically supplying the said line-pipe with water, a valved gas take-out pipe standing Vertically in one of the gas-generator compartments in con1 munication with the top of the gas-chamber of each generator, a line-pipe at the side of the tank connecting the said separate gas take-outpipes, and a gasometer in communication with saidgas line-pipe.

4. In a gas-generator and in combination with a tank, a gas-generator therein, a valved gas take-out pipe in communication with the generator-chamber, a gasometer and a water float or bell therein in communication with the gas take-out pipe, means actuated by said float for supplying water to said tank, a storage-chamber in communication with the'gasometer, a float in the storage-chamber, and a blow-oft device therein consisting of a fixed pipe opening above the level of the water therein, a sleeve independent of the float telescoping with said pipehaving its upper end closed and normally resting on said pipe, an opening below its closed end and a chain connecting the closed end of the sleeve and the float whereby the ascent of the float lifts the sleeve to bring it and its inclosed pipe and the gas-chamber of float in communication to relieve undue pressure as stated.

5. In a gas-generator a tank constructed with the partitions 3 the upper part of each having an overflow-opening 37 on a level near its top, vertical slide-valves 38 for said openings, valved pipes entering the side at the lower part of the tank, standing centrally and opening between the partitions, valved pipes entering the side and opening into the upper part of the tank between the partitions, a linepipe connecting the upper valved pipes and means for supplying it with water, and a linepipe connecting the lower valved pipes, in combination with gas-generators seated in the tank between each partition over the gas takeout and having a compartment opening into the tank and into said standing pipe and provided with a multiple of generator-compart ments communicating with each other, with the tank and with the gas take-out pipe, and a gasometer in communication with the said gas take-out pipes.

6. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting of an open-top tank having dividing-partitions, a box seated therein between each partition with a space surrounding the box, and having a multiple of communicating compartments one of which has a bottom opening, a water-containing chamber beneath the boX opening into one of said communicating compartments, and a cover seated on the box, depending in the surrounding space and having a water-chamber at its top, in combination with valved pipes entering the tank above the top water-chamber between the partitions, a line pipe connecting the valved pipes and means for supplying the said line -pipe with water, valved gas take-out pipes entering the tank-bottom water-containing space and standing in the open-bottom compartment and opening above the water therein, a line-pipe connecting the gas takeout pipes, and a gasometer connecting the gas take-out pipes. p

7. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting of an open-top tank, a box seated therein surrounded by water-containing space and having a multiple of compartments the central one whereof forms a waterspace communicating at the bottom with said tank-space the surrounding compartments forming receptacles for containing carbid of calcium, one of which communicates at the bottom and by overflow, or by either with the central compartment, and thence by overflow with the contiguous compartments in succession, in combination with means for supplying the tank with water, a valved gas takeout pipe standing and opening in the central compartment, above the water-level, and a cover for the generator, and a gasometer connecting said gas take-out pipe, wherebywater is supplied to a multiple of carbid-holders from a central compartment from which the gas is also taken. v I

8. In an acetylene-gas generator and in combination with a water-containing tank, a gas-generator therein, a gas take-out pipe in communication with the generator-chamber, a gasometer in communication with the gas take-out pipe, a gas-purifierin communication with said gas-pipe, a supplemental pipe in communication with the gas take-out pipe and having water-sealed communication with the gas-purifier, and a cock on the gas take-out pipe adapted to open communication with both pipes entering the purifier-chamber, whereby the gas-generator will always be in communication with the gasometer through the purifier, and means for supplying water.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, and in combination with 'an open-top tank having partitioned compartments, a removable gasgenerator for the carbid within each compartment, a water-supply pipe for each tankcompartment, a line-pipe connecting said separate water-supply pipes with the source of supply, and valved overflow for each partition whereby each of the several tank-compartments may be automatically supplied with water overflowing from one into the other as an auxiliary means of supplying the carbidholders, a gas take-out pipe in communication with the chamber of each gas-generator,

a line-pipe connecting the said separate gas take-out pipes,a gasometer in communication with said gas-supply line-pipe and means whereby water is supplied.

10. In a gas-generator of the character described, and in combination with an open top water-containing tank, a gas-generating box therein provided with amultiple of opentop compartments, the central one whereof has a bottom opening, one of said compart ment-walls 10 being of less height than the others and the contiguous compartments having walls over which a flow of water is cffected in succession from the said central central compartment,andagasometerin comcompartment, a box-cover forming a waterm nnieation with the gas take-out pipe. [0 sealed gas-chamber between it and the said In testimony whereof I aifixv my signature box-compartments, a-valved gas take-ontpipe I in presence of two witnesses.

rising in the central generator-compartment t SAMUEL IIANFORI). and opening into the said chamber, means I \Vitnesses: for supplying water to the tank, and to the A. E. II. JOHNSON, generator through the bottom opening in its I A. ROLAND JOHNSON.