US797086A - Acetylene-gas generator. - Google Patents

Description

5. 0 9 l 5, l G. U A D Uu T N E M R. nU P T A R NE WN. PM MS HG T .E R.N .E J

Y ml. .E HU A APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1903.

iin/"6 z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

HN, ,wl-

0 T 9 n 1L H M 4 S m G U A 2 D E T N E A K1 P 09m T0 l I Nmw m. ONY u 0/ NEM ium? MGD ...im 5., SE L `0AL l* -En RNU ..BA .duw Tm CLA A UNITED STATES JOHN R. THOMPSON, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905` Application filed May 13, 1903. Serial No. 156,884.

To all whom, it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN R. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene Gas Generating Systems; and I do hereby declare that the following' is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas-generating apparatus, and has fory its object a system of lighting for the headlight of locomotives.

-The system consists of a generating apparatus adapted to be installed in the cab of a locomotive for convenience in handling and recharging the apparatus and to a burner suitably arranged in the headlight connected by piping or other suitable means withA the apparatus in the cab.

The apparatus consists of a two-part carbidholder, a water-receptacle, and suitable valvecontrolled sight-feed columns leading from the receptacle to the carbid-holders, and means for conveying' the gas from the carbid-holders to the burner in the headlight.

A further object of the improvement is the simple and practical application of the acetylene-burner to the ordinary oil-burner of a headlight.

Other objects and aims will more definitely appear from the following description and drawings forming a part thereof, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of so much of alocomotive as will show the practical application of my improvements thereto and showing the same thereon. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the carbid-holder and water -receptacle Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section through the water-receptacle and one of the carbid-holders. Fig. Lis a plan in section showing the manner of sealing the ends Of the receptacle holding the carbidholders. Fig. 5 is a detail in section of the valve controlling the sight-feed water-columns. Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the upper end of one form of oil-burner with my acetylene-burner attached thereto.

In the drawings, 1 indicates one form of locomotive, having the boiler 2, the cab 3, and supported at the forward end of the boiler a suitable headlight 11. These features are shown in outline only to illustrate the application of my acetylene system thereon.

Referring to the generating apparatus. 5 indicates acylindrical member having the compartments 6, formed by the partition 7 and the ends of the cylinder sealed by the heads 8, secured in place by the members 9, adapted to lock with the pivotal links 10 upon opposite sides of the cylinder. The members 9 have the nut-formed portions 11, engaged by the threaded stems 12, adapted to engage the heads 8, as shown, and regulated by the handwheels 13. Gaskets 14 are provided to insure a complete sealing of the ends of the cylinder, as is apparent.

In each chamber or compartment 6 I carry the removable carbid-holders 15, substantially semicircular in form with the side walls 16, and 17indicates tubular stems extending up within the holders, having the funnel-shaped receiving portions 18 and the walls of the tubes perforated at intervals, as at 19. Oarbid is placed in the holders so as tonot quite ll the same, and water by means to be described is dropped into the tubular stems 17 and passing out through the perforations 19 saturates the body of the carbid and produces gas in the manner already Well known, and bythe arrangement shown with carbid packed around the stems 17 water attacks the lower portions of the carbid first, which insures that all of the carbid will be consumed.

Supported by the member 5 on a stem or post 2O is a water chamber or' receptacle 21, having the head portions 22 and 23, the latter forming the upper inclosure, which is intended to be removable, and this inclosure is provided with the water-inlet pipe 23, as shown.

24 indicates gaskets for insuring a complete sealing of the-ends of the receptacle 21.

25 indicates two sight-feed water-columns connecting the receptacle 21 with the compartments 6 of the member 5 and intended to be placed so that any water passing through the feed-columns 25 will drop into the tubular stems 17 of the carbid-holders, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. At the head of the columns 25 I arrange a suitable valve, controlled from the outside of the receptacle 21, to regulate the supply7 of water passing to the carbid-receptacles. These valves consist of the heads 25, adapted to be screwed into the head 22, with feedingstems 26 extending down into the columns 25. The heads 25a are provided with the contracted inlet-openings 26a, with the enlarged portion of the opening upon the outside, and this communicates with the transverse feed 27 and the oppositely-placed threaded openings28,en-

gaged by a threaded valve-stem 29, passing through the wall of the water-receptacle and having a tapered head 30, adapted when screwed inward to engage and close the opening 26 to shut off the ingress of water or when withdrawn to open the same. Upon the outer end of the stem 29 is provided the crank or lever 31, by means of which the valve-stems 29 may be regulated.

32 indicates a sight-feed column attached to the water-receptacle 2l for determining the quantity of water contained in such receptacle.

The uses for the stem or post 2O are twofold. By means of it and the extended bracket 33 the generator may be suitably hung or supported. rIo this stem 20, at its upper end, is secured a feed-pipe 34, passing up through the water-receptacle 21, and upon its outer upper end is connected a T provided with the twoway cock 35 and 35, and connected with the feed-pipe 34 is a lateral 36, in turn connected with a T 37, having a three -way valve controlled by the stem 38. The T 37 has two leads 39 leading to the chambers or compartments 6, and by the connection just described the gases formed by the carbid will pass up through the leads 39 to the feed-pipe 34 and through connections now to be described to the burner in the headlight.

Referring to the headlight 4, which may be of any suitable construction, the same is provided with an oil-burner 40. These burners may be of any well-known structure, having the upper perforated shell portions 4l, the wick-cylinder 42, and wick 43, and means, as at 44, for supporting al chimney. (Not shown.) In the application of my apparatus and system it is intended to employ these welllrnown oil-burner fixtures as a support for my acetylene-burner and tip for a purpose to be described.

45 indicates a chambered burner by a stern 46 detachably supported in the wick-cylinder 42, as shown, and 47 indicates a preferred form of ascetylene-burner tip. Leading from the burner 45 is a suitable feed pipe or tube 48, coupled with a main gas-lead 49, which is carried back alongside the boiler 2 of the locomotive in a suitable manner and coupled with the cock 35 of the generating apparatus. For convenience a valve 5() is attached to the piping48. (Best seenin dottedlines in Fig. l.)

In employing an acetylene system .for locomotive use when such a burner as 45 may be detachably connected or attached to the ordinary oil-burner 40 I can provide against accidents. I am not only assured a better light, but in case of accidents the burner 45 may be detached, the chimney replaced on the oilburner and the same again used, thusproviding a sim ple,convenient, and serviceable acetylene-burner without rearranging the structurel now commonly used on locomotives for lighting purposes.

The generating vapparatus is constructed with a view to cheapness, simpleness, and durability. Providing two carbidcompartments l aim to overcome the objection placed on this class of devices for locomotive use. It is not intended to use both the carbid-chambers at one time. They are intended to be employed alternately. As soon as one charge burns out the valve controlling the water-supply to that compartment is shut off' and the opposite side brought into play, when the carbid-holder, which has become useless, may be removed and filled with a new charge without affecting' the apparatus itself or the light. This is a necessary feature in locomotive lighting, as the runs vary and it would not be convenient to stop long enough to recharge; but by the use of an apparatus as herein the trouble or delay is entirely obviated. It is intended, as suggested above, to place the apparatus in the cab of an engine within easy reach of the operator., and by the sight-feed columns 25 he is enabled to feed water to the carbid in desired quantities. The provision of the cock 35r-L when opened shuts off the supply to the burner and almost instantly puts out the light.

I am aware that various changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of my apparatus and system, and I do not wish to be confined to the details thereof or any modifications that may be made thereon which would come within the scope of the invention herein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-M A In an acetylene-gas generator comprising a generating-chamber of openended cylindrical form, independently-removable heads inclosing the ends, said generatingchamber being divided into two compartments by a vertical partition, a fixed stem projecting upwardly from the generating-chamber, a water-compartment supported by said stem, sight-feed columns connecting the water-compartment with the carbid-compartments` a gas-outlet leading from thegenerating-chamber to and through the connecting-stem and centrally through the water-compartment.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signatu re in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

ROBERT N. MoOoRMIoK, CHAs. W. LA PORTE.

Images