US660169A

US660169A - Acetylene-gas generator.

Info

Publication number: US660169A
Application number: US73962899A
Authority: US
Inventors: George Gregory Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1899-12-08
Filing date: 1899-12-08
Publication date: 1900-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1917-10-23

Description

No. 660369. Patented out. 2s, |900.

G. G. SMITH.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR;

(Application med nee. s, 1599.) (No Model.) 1 4 Sheets-Sheet I.

l l I No. 6mes.

- Patented 0st. '23, |900. G. G. SMITH. ADETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application led Dec. B, 1899.) (N o Model.) 4 She g--Sheet 2.

rn: Nonms PETERS co.. Waremme., wAsumL-.wm n. c.

Patented Oct. 23, |900;

s. c. SMITH.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATDB.

' (Application med nec. s, 189s.)

(No Model.)

l l l l THE NRIS PEERS CO.. PHOTO-LITRO., WASHINGTON, U4 C,

No. 660,|69. APamnced 0st. 23, |900. G. G. SMITH. M :laTYLl-:maA GAS GENEnATon..

(Appumn med me. s, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(un model.)

Zijl ven TH: ,MORRIS PETERS no., Moro-uma.. wAsmNcn'rm. DA G.

UNiTED STATns PATngiT OFFICE.

GEORGE GREGORY SMITH, OFl FLORENCE, ITALY.

ACETYLEN E-eAs G EN ERATo R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,169, dated October 23, 1900.

Application iiled December 8, 1399. Serial No. 739.628. (No model.) y

To cil/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that .1, GEORGE GREGORY SMITH, attorney atlaw, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Domenico, Florence, in the Kingdom of Italy,l1ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene- Gas Generators, of which' vthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to gas-generators; and its object is to provide an apparatus which will work continuously and with absolute safety, producing consecutive even quantities of dry gas without intermediate interruption and without any appreciable pressure Variation, the various parts being arranged and coperating in such manner as to enable receptacles to be recharged with the gas-producing agents at any time while the apparatus is at work. Provision is also made for stopping the generation of gas in the event of any part of the mechanism for bringing the receptacles containing the gas-producing agents into action defective.

In order to render the present specitication easilyintelligible, reference isl had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letconsecutively becoming ters and numerals of reference denote 'similar parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a sectional side elevation; Fig. 3, a similar side elevation showing the tin or can containing the gas-producing agent punctured and all parts in the corresponding position; Eig. 1l, a detail end elevation showing means for arresting the controlling-shaft in its proper position. Eig. 5 is a plan ofthe whole apparatus.

Generally, A represents the gas-holder; B, the device for consecutively controlling the action of the receptacle O; D, the mechanism for controlling a part of the apparatus; E, the water-tanks, one of which is provided for each receptacle O; E, the mechanism for controlling` the cocks for the water-feed, and G the tin or box containing the gas-producing agent.

According to the system on Which the present construction is based each receptacle C is provided with a certain quantity of material sutlicient when developed to lill the bell of the gas-holder. When the vgas in the bell has been almost exhausted, the downward movement of the said bell operates a weighted shaft, causing water to be admitted to the 'next receptacle, by means of which suflicient gas is generated to exactly refill the bell, which rises again. Thus each complete descent of the bell brings another receptacle into operation, while the previously-exhausted receptacle may berecharged without in any way interfering with the Working of the apparatus, and if the receptacles are charged consecutively as they are exhausted the apparatus will automatically start the first receptacle into action after the last of the series has been exhausted. When carbid is employed as the gas-producing agent, the carbid receptacle or holder C is constructed in thel 'following' manner: The cylinderl is provided withthe air-tight closed cover 2 at the top and a removable bottom plate 3, which is secured by means of the bow 4, which grips over Vthe lower cylinder-flange and has the clamping-screw 5, which holds the bottom plate securely in position, a suitable packingring being interposed between the plate 3 and the lower iiange of the cylinder.` At about the center of the bottom plate an upwardlyprojecting punch 6, having vertical grooves '13, is provided and surrounded by a coiled spring 48, on which the cylindrical carbidholder. G rests, the said holder or tin being '..advantageously centered by means of inwardly-projecting lianges 7. :adjusted to support the charged carbid-tin with its bottom just above the top of the 4punch 6. .vided with a stuffing-box and gland 10, in vwhich a rod 9, having adownwardly-pointed punch for the top of the carbid-tin, is provided. The rod 9 carries a flange or collar 16 -fast thereon within the holder, the said col- The springS is The cover 2 of the holder is prolar acting as a stop for the upward movement of the rod and also to supporta iialnge 'll by means of its downwardly-extending sleevelike part 17 and lower collar 9. VThis rod is normally held with its collar 16 against the inner surface of the cover 2 by means of a spring 15, interposed advantageously between a collar on the spindle and the top of the gland 10 of the cover. The flange 11 is slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the carbid-tin, so that if a sharp blow is dealt IOO to the top of the rod 9 by means hereinafter set forth the punch on the latter will first puncture the cover of the carbid-tin G, and as the rod still descends the flange l1 will force the whole holder downwardly against the action of the coiled spring 8 onto the punch 6, which also punctures the bottom of the said tin. As soon as the impact on the rod 9 ceases and the latter is released the spring 8 raises the tin from the punch 6, while the spring 15 returns the rod 9, and with it the flange l1, to its normal position, raising the punch end of the rod out of the puncture in the top of the tin, so that water is free to enter the said tin and to generate gas in the known manner. y

The water-feed is operated by the downward movement ofthe rod 9 in a manner which will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. vAs previously stated, each carbid-holder O is provided with a special water-tank E, advantageously mounted on a i higher level than'the holder and in communication therewith by means of apipe 18, having a stop-cock 19 and leading through the cover` 2. cient water to fill the holder around the carbid-tin to a level slightly above the top of the tin. The rod 9 is provided with a laterallyextending pin or notch 20, which when the rod descends under the influence of the blow turns a lever 22, pivotally mounted on the cover at 21, and tilts over the cock-lever 23, the weight 24 of which falls on the other side and completely opens the water-cock, allowing the contents of the tank E to Iiow into the holder C. A back-pressure valve may be provided between the cock and the receptacle 1 to prevent the flow of gas back to the watertank, or, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, the pipe 18 may be prolonged downwardly into the holder, and thus will be sealed by the water in the latter.

The mechanism for imparting a blow to each rod 9 consecutively, one rod receiving its blow at each descent of a gasometer-bell, is constructed and arrangedin the following manner: A rotary shaft 25 is supported in bearings 26 and carries at a suitable point in its length a drum 34, having cord 37 with weight 35. The carbid-holders C, as indicated at Fig. 5, are advantageously disposed in a row in proximity to the said shaft 25. Each rod 9 is provided with a cam-surface 36 at the top adapted to be struck by an arm or wiper 33, keyed to the shaft 25, when the latter is released and allowed to turn under the pull of the weight 35. One striker-arm 33 is provided above each rod 9, and the cam-surfaces are of such a nature that the strikerarm after having delivered the blow slides past the cam 36 as the rod 9 descends far enough. The wiper or striker arms 33 are radially disposed around the shaft 25 at equal angles one from the other, so that when the striker-arm of the first holder has delivered its blow that of the neXt holder will have i will be clearly seen at Fig. 5.

Each water-tank contains just sufarise in the event of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism breaking down and the shaft 25 come around in position to deliver its blow the next time the shaft is released-z'. e., the nexttime the bell descends. The intermittent partial rot-ation of the shaft 25 is effected and controlled by means of the ratchet-wheel 27, fast on the said shaft, and a balance-like ratchet or pawl device 2S, pivoted at 30 and having an upwardly-movable tail 29, extending into the path of movement of a trip-lug 31, suitably mounted on the gasometer-bell of the gas-holder and adapted to trip the pawl and release the shaft for a moment when the bell has just reached its lowest position or immediately before the lowest point has been attained, Fig. 3. The tail 29 is hinged to the pawl 2S and normally held in the position shown at Fig. 3 by means of a spring 29, as Thus when the bell rises after a carbid-tin has been punctured the trip-lug 3l will push the tail 29 up f and slide past it.

This invention is not confined to the particular mechanism for releasing the shaft for 3 a moment, as any suitable known means may be employed.

In order to prevent accidents which might being thus permitted to make a complete rev- `olution and discharge all the receptacles or `holders simultaneously, each rod 9 is provided with a protecting-cap which wards off the striker-arm and prevents the operation of the rod 9 until the said protecting-cap has been tilted out of the way by the descent of the bell. Referring to Fig. 5, a shaft or spindle 41 is mounted parallel to the shaft 25 and in proximity thereto, the said shaft having mounted thereon a crown-wheel 42, the pins of which correspond in number to the number of carbid-holders. This shaft further carries a disk 46, having recesses in its periphery, into which the rounded head 45, Fig. 4, of a pivoted -lever is spring-pressed for the purpose of determining the proper position of the shaft after each partial movement of the same. A finger 47 on the bell acts on one of the pins of the crown-wheel 42 at each descent of the bell and turns the shaft a part of a revolution. This nger yields downwardly as the bell rises, being normally returned to the horizontal position by means of a spring 47', which holds it against a suitable stop. A series of arms or wipers 43 is arranged on the shaft 41 in a similar manner to the striker-arms 33 of the shaft 25. The tails 40 of pivoted levers 44 extend into the path of movement of each arm 43 and are actuated by the said arms to tip back the protecting-cap 38, so that it can fall down onto the cover and leave the camsurface of the rod 9 free to be operated by its striker-arm. The levers 44 are pivoted at 44 to the top of the carbid-holders and are bent around at the top to form a protectingcap 38, overreaching the cam at the top of rod 9. These levers stand loosely, as shown at of gas.

Figs. 2 and 3, normally, and when the corresponding arm 43 of theshaft 41 moves it comes up under the lug 40 and knocks the lever over into the position shown at the lefthand side ofhvFig. 1, leaving the top of the rod 9 free. Thus each time the bell descends the finger 47 of the same will operate the shaft 4:1 to tilt down a protecting-cap immediately before the trip 31 releases the shaft 25. Thus it will be seen `that if the pawl mechanism of the shaft 25 were to get deranged the shaft could only turn far enough to allow the next striker-arm to strike and remain on the protecting-cap of the next holder, without, however, throwing the same into operation.

The device operates in the following manner: The carbid-holders having been charged each with a case of carbid and again closed, the first holder may be operated by hand. In that the pawl 28 is raised by hand and liberates the puncturing mechanism and the water-feed. As the gas is developed the bell rises, and when the gas is consumed it gradually sinks again. When the bell has nearly attained its lowest point, the stop or lug 47 turns the shaft 41 by means of its contact with the crown-wheel 42 and throws over the protecting-cap 38 of the second carbidl holder. The moment afterward the lug 31 reaches the pawl-tail 29, tripping the pawl and releasing the shaft 25, which will now turn a third of a revolution and operate the puncturing device of the second holder, when it will again be arrestedby the pawl 28, which has in the meantime been released from the lug 3l. The gas is now generated in the second holder, and the bell again rises, the lug 31 pushing up the tail 29 of the pawl 28 on its upward passage and the nose of the lug 47 yielding as it passes the crown-wheel. Then the arm 33 strikes the cam-surface 36 of the rod 9, the lever 22 is depressed at one end, and the opposite end of the samethrows over the weighted-lever system 23 24, thus opening the water communication 18 to the carbidholder, while the connecting-rod 52 closes the petcock 53. When all the carbid of the holder has been exhausted, the back-pressure valve 56 prevents the gas from flowing back through the pipe 55 and -out at the watertank or petcock. The holder 1 may then be recharged, so that it will be ready for action the next time its arm 33 comes around. After the holder has been recharged the cocks and the protecting-caps should be reset.

In case any of the water-cocks leading to the carbid-holders should leak somewhat it is advisable to provide means for allowing any Water which might enter the carbid-holders to pass off at the bottom. This is effected by means of a drip-cock 53, having'plug-lever 54, which is connected to a lever 5l of the cock -19 by means of a connecting-rod 52, so that when the water-feed cock is opened the petcock 53 will be closed to prevent the escape The gas generated in the holder passes off through the cover along a pipe 55, having a check-valve 56, to the gas-holder, which it enters above the water-level. In order to be able to feed the gas to the points of consumption in as dry a state as possible,

the water underneath the bell is provided I with a layer of oil 57 thereabove, thus preventing the contact of the gas with the surface of the water.

Although I have described in detail one form of the apparatus, I Wish it to be understood that many of the details of construction could be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, for instance, the pawl device for controlling the movement of the shaft 25 might be of any other suitable construction, the shaft25 might be actuated by means of a torsional spring instead of the weight, and many other constructive alterations might be made.

I claim as my inventionl. In a gas-generator, the combination, with a gas-holder having a movable part, of a closed receptacle adjacent to andindependent from said gas-holder and adapted to contain water; a conduit between said gas-holder and receptacle; a case, containing the gasprod ucing agent, within the receptacle; means for forming an opening in the case; a conduit for supplying the receptacle with water; a valve in said conduit; anddevices controlled by the movable part of the gas-holder for operating the means for forming an opening in the case and for opening the valve in said water-supply conduit.

2. In a gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder having a movable part, of a closed receptacle independently mounted adjacent to said holder; a conduit between the gas-holder and receptacle; means for supplying said receptacle with water; a case for containing the gas -producing agent and mounted within the receptacle; a tool for puncturing said case; and a device controlled by the movable part of the gas-holder for operating said tool; and means controlled by the tool for turning on the water-supply to the receptacle.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder and its bell, of a closed receptacle; a case containing carbid located within the receptacle; means controlled by the bell for puncturing said case; and means also controlled by the bell as it descends for supplying'said receptacle with water.

el. In an acetylenegas generator, the combination, with the bell of a gas-holder, of a closed receptacle; a case containing carbid located within the receptacle; a water-tank in communication with said receptacle; a valve in the conduit between said tank and receptacle; means controlled by the bell for actuating said valve; a tool for punching said carbid-case and means controlled by the bell for actuating said tool.

IOO

IZSv

5. In a gas-generator, the combination ,with a gas-holder, of a series of closed receptacles; cases containing the gas-producing agent and located within the receptacles; means for forming openings in said cases; and mechanism for successively actuating said means.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with the bell of a gas-holder, of a closed receptacle located adjacent to and independent of the gas-holder; a carbid-case within the receptacle; a tool working through a Wall of the receptacle and serving to perforate the carbid-case; and means for actuating said tool.

7. In a gas-generator, the combination,with a gas-holder, of a closed receptacle; a case containing the gas-producing agent and located in said receptacle; a punch for forming an opening in said case; a movable shaft; and means carried by said shaft for actuating the punch.

8. In a gas-generator, the combination, with a receptacle, of a case containing the gas-producing agent, said case being located in said receptacle; a punch operating through a wall of the receptacle and serving to perforate the case; a shaft carrying a device for actuating the punch; a gas-holder; and a conduit for conveying the gas generated in the receptacle to said gas-holder.

9. In a gas-generator, the combination,with a receptacle, of a case containing the gas-producing agent, said case being located in the receptacle; a punch for perforating the case; a shaft carrying a Wiper and normally locked against rotation; means for locking said shaft; a gas-holder having a bell; a device carried by said bell and adapted to operate the shaftlocking means to release the shaft; and meansl for actuating said shaft when released.

IO. The combination, with areceptacle, of a case containing a gas producing agent; a

punch; a protector for preventing the punch from being operated except at the proper time; means for actuating the protector; and means for actuating the punch.

l1. The combination, With a receptacle, of a case containing a gas producing agent; a punch; means for actuating said punch; a protecting-cap for the punch; and means for withdrawing said cap prior to the operation of the punch.

l2. The combination, with a receptacle, ofa case containing a gas producing agent; a punch; a swinging protector; means for Withdrawing said protector; and means for actuating the punch.

13. The combination, with a receptacle, of a case containing a gas-producing agent; a tool working through a Wall of the receptacle and adapted to perforate said case; means for actuatin g said tool; and a movable protector for preventing the operation of said tool except at the proper time.

14. The combination,with a receptacle, car ryinga punchof a case; means for normally elevating said case above the punch; and means for forcing said case upon the punch.

l5. The combination, with a receptacle, of a punch located therein; a case containing a gas# producing agent and located Within the receptacle; a spring normally holding said case out of contact with the punch; and means for forcing the case upon the punch.

16. The combination, with areceptacle, of a punch in the bottom thereof; a case containing a gas-producing agent; a spring for normally elevating the case out of contact with the punch; and means for forcing said case upon the punch.

17. The combination, with areceptacle, of a punch in the bottom thereof; a case containing carbid; means for forcing said case against the punch; and means for introducing Water into the receptacle.

18. The combination, with a receptacle, of a stationary punch located therein; a case containing a gas-producing agent; a movable punch working through a wall of the receptacle; means for forcing the case against the stationary punch; and means for actuating the movable punch.

19. The combination, with a receptacle, of a case containing a gas-producing agent; a device for perforating said case; a Water-supply pipe; means for controlling the supply of Water to said receptacle; and a device actuated by the receptacle-perforating device for operating said means for controlling the supply of Water.

20. The combination, with a gas-holder, of a receptacle independent of said holder; a conduit connecting said holder and receptacle; a case containing a gas-producing agent; means for simultaneously perforating said case at different points; and means for supplying water to the receptacle at the time the case is perforated.

2l. The combination, withagas-holder, of a closed receptacle; a conduit between the receptacle and gas-holder; a case containing carbid and located in said receptacle; a stationary punch within the receptacle; a reciprocating punch working through a wall of the receptacle; and means for introducing water to the receptacle.

22. The combination, with a gas-holder, of a receptacle; a case containing carbid and located in said receptacle; means for perforating said case; means for introducing water into the receptacle; a valve in the Water-supply means and controlled by the means for perforating the case; and a conduit for conveying the generated gas to the gas-holder.

23. The combinatiomwith a gas-holder, of a receptacle; a conduit between said gas-holder and receptacle; a case containing carbid located in the receptacle; means for supplying Water to the receptacle; means for perforating the receptacle; and means forturning on the Water simultaneously with the perforating operation.

IIO

24. The combination, withaclosed receptacle, of a case containingcarbid located therein; a punch working through one end of the receptacle; means for actuating said punch;

y in the water-supply pipe controlled by the punch.

26. The combination, with a receptacle, of a carbid-case contained therein; a punch for perforating said case; a pivoted lever actuated by the punch; a water-supply pipe communicating with the receptacle; a valve in said pipe and actuated by the pivoted lever; and a weighted lever carried by the valve,

27. The combination, with the bellof a gasholder, of a receptacle communicating with said holder; a case containing a charge of carbid, the gas from which will till the gas-holder a punch for perforating the carbid case r means for actuating the punch; Va water-supply conduit leading to the receptacle; and means carried by the bell for controlling the movement of the punch-actuating means.

28. The combination, with a gas-holder, of a series of receptacles in communication therewith; a series of punches; mechanism for actuating said punches; a carbid-case in each receptacle; and means controlled by the bell of the gas-holder for setting in operation a punch for perforating a carbid-case in one of the receptacles communicating with said gasholder.

29. The combination', with a series of punches, of a shaft having aseries of wipers differently disposed thereon; a gasholder communicating with each respective receptacle; a series of receptacles; and a series of carbid-cases contained in the receptacles and adapted to be successively perforated by the punches.

'30. The combination, with a rotary shaft carrying a wiper, of means normally tending to rotate said shaft; a stop for restraining the movement of the shaft; means for withdrawing the stop; a punch actuated by the wiper; and a receptacle containing a case adapted to be perforated' by the punch.

3l. The combination, with a rotary shaft carrying a wiper, of means the tendency of which is normally to rotate said shaft; a ratchet carried by the shaft; a pawl engaging the ratchet; means for releasing the pawl; a punch actuated by the wiper when the shaft is released; and a receptacle containing a case adapted to be perforated by the punch.

32. The combination, with a rotary shaft carrying a Wiper, of a drum secured to said shaft; a rope, carrying a weight, coiled on the drum; a ratchet secured to the shaft; a pawl in engagement with said ratchet; means for :releasing said pawl; a punch operated by the Wiper; a spring for returning said punch to its normal position; a receptacle through a wall of which the punch operates; and a case containing a gas-producing agent located in the receptacle.

33. The combination, with a punch, of

' means for actuatingsaid punch; a hinged protector normally located over the punch; and a shaft carrying a wiper for withdrawing said protector.

34. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with the bell of a gas-holder, of a gas-tight receptacle; a tank to supply the same with Water; a sealed carbid-containing case within said receptacle; means within the receptacle and outside the gas-holder for puncturing the case when the latter is to be developed; and means released by the fall of the bell for operating the puncturing device of the receptacle and for establishing communication between the said water-tank and the receptacle as the bell sinks below a certain level.

v 35. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder, of a series of receptacles each containing a case of carbid; and means in connection with each receptacle and controlled by the bell of the gasholder forconsecutively punching the carbidcase therein and feeding water to said receptacles.

36. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder and bell, of a series of separate carbid-receptacles to contain hermetically-sealed carbid-cases; means for puncturing the carbid-cases; a separate water-tank for each receptacle to contain the proper quantity of water to develop the carbid therein; and means actuated by each fall of the bell of the gas-holder below a certain -point to puncture the carbid-case in and supply water to the next consecutive carbid-receptacle.

37. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder and bell, of separate receptacles adapted to contain sufficient hermetically-sealed carbid to fill the bell with gas when the carbid is developed; a removable bottom plate for each of said receptacles having a punch; a spring adapted normally to hold a carbid-case above the punch; a movable punch; a stuffing-box to guide the same through the cover of the receptacle; a iiange supported on the movable punch above the carbid-case; -means for supplying water to each receptacle; and means operated at each fall of the bell below a certain leveland serving to actuate the movable punch and to turn on the Water-supply to said receptacle.

38. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination, with a gas-holder and bell, of a row of complete carbid-receptacles mounted in proximity thereto; a rotary shaft mounted along the row of receptacles; a puncturing device for each receptacle; a series of strikerarms radially equidistant Vfrom each other on IOO IIO

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ille shaft; means Jfor rotating `said shaft a part of a turn at each descent of the bell and thereby imparting a blow to the next consecutive puncturing` device; means for snpplying water to the receptacles; and means operating in connection with the puncturing devices for opening the water-supply to said carbid-receptacles.

39. The combination,with a gas-holder and bell, of a series of separate carbid-receptacles; sealed carbid-cases therein; means actuated by the bell for pnncturing said cases in each receptacle consecutively; protectingcaps to cover the puncturing device;` and means for consecutively withdrawing said caps before the punctu ring mechanism is operated.

40. In an acetylene-gas generator, the coinbination, with a gasLholder and bell, of a series of carbid-receptacles having sealed carbid-cases 5 a puncturng device for each receptacle; a separate .water-tank for each receptacle; means for consecutively operating each receptacle at each fall ofthe bell beyond a certain point; a petcock at the bottom of each receptacle; and means controlled by the puncturing device for closing said petcock as soon as the puncturing device is operated.A

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE GREGORY SMITH.

Witnesses:

A. DE HARE, THOMAS W. J AMES.