US1222809A - Gas-generator. - Google Patents

Description

L. P. SEBILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FiLED )UNE I6. 1915.

1,222,809. lufvnt'od Apr. 1?, 1917.

Z SHEUS SHiL'l tncwmz o 1. 6 0 F041 Z (Se bi L. F. SE/BILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLlCATlON FELED JUNE 16. ms.

Patented M1117, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A 670 PM; (Se Alva UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEO PAUL SEBILLE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

GAS-GENERATOR.

gases as generated to, and storing them under their own natural accumulated pressure in separate receptacles, and that without the use of intervening gasometers and with out mechanical means for compressing the gases.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and practical means for ef--- fectually ireventin excess iressure 0n l eitheinside of the generating system so as to positively eliminate the possibility of the blowing out of the liquid. electrolyte, which blowing out would permit the mixing of the two gases and render the system dangerous.

The usual oxygen and hydrogen generat ing apparatus is provided with a gasometer for receiving the gas as generated from the electrodes, and compressors are employed for receiving the gas from these gasometers and placing the same under the desired pressure in suitable storage tanks.

By my improved apparatus I avoid the use of both the gasometers nd also that of the gas compressors as by my system I am enabled to conduct the gases as formed directly into two separate pressure chambers and here these gases are placed under their own natural accumulated pressures, which pressures may be raised to any degree, even to that of liquefying both of said gases if desired, and this without the employment of pumps or other compressing apparatus.

It is found in practice in the operation of the ordinary type of oxygen and hydrogen generator that the pressure in one side due to various causes often becomes much higher than that in the other side of the generator, thereby blowing out the sealing liquid electrolyte and permitting the two gases to mix which as is well known is extremely dangerous. 5

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1915.

The primaryobject of this inventionis to provide means for conducting these- Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Serial No. 104,092.

By the use of my improved apparatus this danger of blowing out of the liquid, and mixing of the gases is effectually prevented for the reason that as soon as the pressure on one side of the system rises a predetermined amount above that on the other side, the valves will automatically operate to control the ports and again equalize these pressures and so effectually prevent the displacement of the liquid.

-With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as Wlll be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one general arrangement of the apparatus.

Fig. .2 is "a detail showingone view of one of the electrodes with one corner of the separating diaphragm turned back.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. .2 showing the electrode and the gas opening on the side of the plate through which one of the gases pass also showing the liquid passageway and the openings on both sides of the plate through which the electrolyte passes.

Fig. -tlis a section on line l-4 of Fig. 2 showing a portion of the electrode and the opening on the side of the plate opposite to that shown in Fig. 3 through which the other gas passes.

Fig. 5- is a sectional view of the float and the closure for the valve opening also showing the holes through the neck of the valve stem for the entrance of gas to the interior of the float.

Fig. 6* is a perspective view of one of the plates for retaining the series of electrodes.

Fig. 7- is a transverse sectional view showing the electric connection whereby the current passes through the cells from one end of the generator to the other.

In my improved gas generating system it electrodes are submerged.

Referring to the drawings 10des1gnates the gas generator which may be -formed in rent through the electrolyte in whichthe till ' opposite sides thereof.

.automatimilly replenish the any si'litalole or convenient way. I have shown. the same as constructed of a plurality of sheet-metal plates 11, eacn having.

two metal f anies 12 and 13, see liigs. 2, and a formed around its upper edge on 'lhese frames and plates are ea 'h provided with holes 14-, 15 and 16. The frame lilis provided with an opening 17 on one side of the platecoin- Kl'lflIilCilillIl with the hole ll, see Fig. 3, and the frame 152 is provided with an opening 18 on the opposite side of the plate communicating with the hole 15, see Fig. i, whereby the gas generated on one side of the plate 11 will he conducted to a receptacle separate and independent from that generated on the opposite side of the plate", but as will he noted the hole 16 for the liquid electrolyte communicates by openings 19 and 20 with hoth sides of the plate 11., whereby the electrolyte has a free passage all through the system including the separate chambers on both sides all o l these plates. Each of these plates is so constructed that it constitutes a unit, and these units are separated by a die-phiagni or thin sheet 21 of specially prepa red asbestos. Any desired number of these plates assembled side by side by which they are supported'on the rod 23 passing between the end plates 2 and lfn order to hind these plates or electrodes together to resist the high pressure which they are called upon to withstand I have provided two end plates 24: and 25and have secured the whole together by means of a number oi bolts or tie-rods 26. These electrodes are shown as being made in a square or rectangular form, but in some cases, Where tl'ieprcssn re is high 1 make the plates in a circular or disk tori-n whereby they are capable of carrying a greater pressure, but these plates may he inad in any desired form to obtain. the results required.

As the {OM11 in the generator the hydrogen passes out through the holes l i into the pipe 27 thence to the float cl ainher 98 and up through the valve opening 30 and pipe 31 into the larger tank or high pressure resisting container 393.

On the other side of the system the oxygen passes out-through the hole 15 through the pipe 23, float chamber Pi l, valve opening 35 and pipe 36 into a similar but smaller container 3?. The size of the oxygen container is less than that of the hydrogen container for the reason that the oxygen is generated onohall as last as the other. The electrolyte may he supplied to the system through. the supply tanks 38 and 3f which are con nectcd to their res 'iective iloat chalnhe at the points 40 and ll wherehy they will system with fresh electrolyte replacii'zg the small amount which being carried over with the outfiowing gases, gage glasses and 56 are messes connected to the chambers so that the height of the liquid may he readi y determined. Both of these float ehanihci are connected by pipes and 43 to the generator. whereby the electrolytewhich is free tov llow through the entire system stands at the same height in both chainh :s when the pressures in. both are equal.

In. practice the pressure tacles may become unequ a recep- *aany causes for lustance more 0 gas trom from one chamber up through the valve opening; to the other chamber into the receptacle connected thereto, which case the two gases would become mixed with disar trons results. i

To ell'eetually obviate the possibility of such it happening, I have mounted floats ll and 4-5 in separate float cl ainhers and Ill; to he moved vertically in their bearings 46, ll, 48 and 4.9 respectively. The floats are provided with long tubular necks 50 and 551 respectively, the upper end of the tube is closed and adapted to fit into its valve seats 52 and so'thatwhen either rises a predetermined amount it will close this small gas outlet and prevent further flow of gas to its receptarle until after the pressure is again reduced in this side oi the system as presently explained.

in. the upper end of each oil these tubular stems, .l have formed a nuinher of small holes 54 as best illustrated in 5 wherehy the {gas pressure in the float chamber rna enter the body of the float through the upper end of its tubular neck so that the pr ssure inside of the float will equalize-that outside of the same, and so prevent damage to the float hy collapse or expansion. lin the drawing); 1 have indicated safety valves 59 and (50 connected to the recep- 62 for tacles, also reducing: valves 61 and drawn reducing the pressure of the gases as from the tanks.

in the operation of my improved gas generating system the oxygen is generated on one side of the plates and is conducted t-lll'v'lllfl'll the pipe 33, iioa't chamber 3- valve opening 35.. pipe 36 directly into the pressure tank 37 where the accunnilated pressure is raised to lhe desired degree. The hydrogen which is generated on the opprrute side of the plates passes up through the pipe 27, chamber 25, valve opening 30, pipe 31 into the pressure tank 32. If the pressure in .one of the tanks, say for instance, in the hydrogen tank, exceeds that in the oxygen tank a predetermined amount, this pressure will act upon the electrolyte in float chamber 28 and drive the same downward in that chamber and correspondingly upward in chamber 34, thereby raising the float 4-5 and closing the valve opening 35. lhe oxygen now generated is confined to the small space above the liquid in the float chamber 3% thereby opening valve 35 and permitting the oxygen gas in this chamber to enter its receptacle, and in this way the valves are caused to oscillate to intermittently open and close the outlet port and so maintain the pressures practically balanced in .both sides of the system. ()wing to the long valve stem arrangement on the float it is impossible for the liquid to ever rise sufficiently in the float chamber to pass out through the valve opening, as the first rising action of thefloat due to the rising liquid at once closes the opening.

It is found in practice of great advantage 'to remove the moisture from the gas before it enters the storing receptacle. In order to accomplish this result n a simple and effective way, I have provided collecting I chambers 63 and G t'whiclrcontain lime, or

other suitable moisture absorbing, material and have interposed one chamber in each of the pipe linesv between the {.fenerator and the receptacles. In this way the gas enters the receptacle practically dry in which condition -it much more eflicient than when loaded with moistu re.

A safety valve 5 is placed in the pipe carrying the electrolyte, whereby it for any reason enough liquid should he accidentally admitted to the system to raise and close both of the float valves, the gas which Scontinucs to be generated will be trapped in the system and at dangerous excess pressure would result. I

If such a condition should arise the safety valve 65 would open auton'iatically and permit enough of the electrolyte to be dis charged, to restore the system to normal conditions. i

In some cases a pump or other suitable means may be employed for feeding electrolyte to the system instead of employing the supply tanks 38 and 39 shown in Fig. 1.

I have shown and described float operated alves for controlling the pressure in the different sides of the system, but I do not wish to be restricted to valves of this type as any suitable means may be provided for regulating the pressures in the opposite sides of the system to effectually prevent the blowing out of the liquid.

A number of storage or receiving tanks may be connected to either side of the systear. in addition to tanks 32 and 37 I have also shown commercially portable tanks 57 and 5b. any desired number of which may be connected to and filled from the system. ()6 designates the electrical geuerator for providing the operatingcurrent to the plates.

In order to pass the electric current through the different cells of the generator from one pole to the other these cells are separated by a diaphragm of asbestos whose edges serve as an insulation between the cells, but whose middle portion when saturated with the electrolyte becomes a conductor (if-electricity for the reason that that portion of the a )estos held between the plates is so tightly squeezed that it prevents the entrance of the electrical conducting electrolyte thereinto, therefore the current entering the wire at one end passes through all of the cells and out through the wire at the other end, the bolts 67 which do the binding of the plates 24 and 25 are fullyinsulated from all of the parts.

I have shown and described one illustrative embodiment of my invention but I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed they are used in a descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined and limited only by the appended claims.

I I claim:

, 1. In a gas generator, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases separately and sinmltaneonsly, separate pressure resisting storage containers connected to" receive the gases under pressure aS generated, and means for positively preventing the reg: rdless of the extent of difference in pressures said system being closed and Without automatically controlled openings to the air. i

2. In a gas generator, means for generat ing oxygen and hydrogen gases sinmltane-g flow of as from one container to the other ously, means for conducting each of said gases to a separate pressure storage recep-' tacle, and an automatically act1iated;valve the gas pressures as genmeans for conducting said gases to 4. In a machine of the character described,

means including an electric current for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, two

separate gas receiving chambers, means for conducting the different gases to said difa valve controlled by ferent chambers, and

the pressure in one of the chambers for aut0- co mrxdulv'd:

hlfi-l'tlcttllL regulating the flow of gas to the other.

ln s rns'ichine of the character described, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen s separate chamber for receiving each of said gases under pressure and float cctu: means for automatically shutting oil? the supply to one chember when the pres sure in the other exceeds that in the first predetermined amount.

6, :1 Ins-chine of the character described, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen es, separate chambers for receiving each of the gases, and s float actuated valve for interrupting'hnd controlling the flow to one chamber when an excess pressure has so cumulatcd in the other chamber.

7. In a machine of the class described, at multiplicity of electrodes "for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means for conducting each to u separate receptacle, valves in said conducting meenssnd means controlled'by the ditlierence in said pressures for operating said valves to substzmtiully equalize the pressures on. both sides of the generator Without loss of gas.

8. ins machine-of the character described, mesnsfor generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means for conducting'euch to a sepnrate pressure receptacle, and float oper" ated valves controlled by thediderence of pressures of said gases for controlling the openings to said receptacles to edualize said pressures in the generator.

9. In a machine of the character described, means for generating'oxygen and hydrogen gases simultaneously, means for conducting said gases each to e. sepnrate receptacle, a float chamber interposed in each gas conductor, ev valvefor shutting oil the supply to each receptacle, a hollow float in each chamber for operating each valve, and means whereby a difierence of pressure in said conductors moves said floats to operate one of said valves until the pressure is again each chamber for operating each valve, and

means for admitting the outside pressure into said ll0et.'

11. A gas generator comprising a closed system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen simultaneously, means for conducting seid gases each to a sepurste receptacle, a float chamber in each conductor each carrying liquid at a predetermined level, a valve for shutting off the supply to each. receptacle located above the normal liquid level, :1 float in ouch chamber connccted to its valve by a long tubular neck,

said neck oeing provided with openings {Ll} its upper end through which the gases may enter from the chamber end equalize the pressure on the inside and outside of the float.

12. In a gas generator, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases simultaneously, means for conducting said gases each to a )urete )ressurc rece )tecle. a float chamber interposed in each conductor, each chamber :nrrying liquid at a predetermined level, a valve for shutting oh the supply to each receptacle located a substantial dis tance above the normal liquid level, and n, float in each chamber for operating each valve.

in testimony whereof I n fix my signature in presence of a witness,

LEG- PAUL SllBl-lf ll.

Witness Hon/Ann HARLOW.

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