Improvements in Gas Generators

12,120. Campbell, C. H. May 15. Acetylene.-A generator for obtaining gases by the action of water upon a solid, as upon calcium carbide to obtain acetylene, is formed of a chamber A connected to a water supply vessel B, and provided with a closed feeding-vessel C containing the carbide. The generated gas passes to a gas holder Y, and away to a service pipe B . The fall of the bell of the holder starts the feeding-mechanism for the carbide, while the rise has no effect thereon, by the following mechanism :-A rack X upon the holder gears with a pinion V on a shaft U carrying a sprocket-wheel S, from which motion is imparted by a chain T to a sprocket-wheel R loose on the shaft M but connected to a collar Q. Internally this collar is provided with a spring pawl gearing with the teeth of a ratchet N fixed on the shaft M, and operating the ratchet only when the bell Y falls. When the shaft M rotates, the conveyer E delivers carbide to the chamber A. A swinging yoke L mounted on the chamber C is connected by a rod K to a lever J, by which it is operated to open or close the chamber, and the latter is connected by a link H to a valve G, which is thereby opened when the yoke is in position, but is closed when the latter is moved away. To discharge the spent carbide, a box C is connected by a union E to the discharge tube D , and when the box is full, a valve J is closed by means of a lever H , and the tail G of the latter is then disengaged from a slot F in the union, allowing the latter to be removed and the box emptied. When the box is replaced, the operation of opening the valve locks the union coupling.