IMPROVE-" MENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN HYDROCARBONS TO THE OBTAINMENT OF LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-"
MENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN HYDROCARBONS TO THE OBTAINMENT OF
LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
A communication from abroad by Adrien Muller, Engineer, and Ignace
Matheï, Banker, both of Paris, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 16th August 1867, and dated the 20th February 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th February 1867.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN HYDROCARBONS TO THE
OBTAINMENT OF LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED
THEREIN," a communication to me from abroad by Adrien Muller, Engineer,
and Ignace Matheï, Banker, both of Paris, in the Empire of France, to be as
follows:
This Invention has for its chief object the utilization for the purposes of
lighting and heating of those bydrocarbons which by reason of their bighly
volatile nature have hitherto been considered inapplicable, compatible with
safety, to the purposes above referred to.

page_text: One mode of utilizing these volatile bydrocarbons or light mineral oils
consists in carburetting atmospheric air by causing it to permeate several
chambers, in which cotton or other suitable absorbent material saturated with
volatile oil is contained, the air passing in a zig-zag or serpentine course
horizontally through such chambers from the top to the bottom of the series,
whence it issues in a condition fit for use either as an illuminating or heating
agent; these chambers are disposed in tiers in a closed outer casing, each
alternate chamber being of rather smaller diameter than the interior of the
outer casing, whilst the chamber beneath is of the same diameter as the
interior of the outer casing, but is provided with a central perforated passage
for the supply of air to the chamber below. Those chambers which are not
provided with a central opening are perforated at the outer sides in order to
allow the air which enters them at the centre to- pass through the perforated
sides to the next chamber below, whence it passes through the central opening
into the chamber beneath, and so on, the course of the air being alternately
from the centre towards the periphery, and vice versa as it traverses the
several chambers. The perforations are all disposed some little distance above
the bottoms of the chambers in order to allow a sufficient quantity of the
hydrocarbon to be contained therein to maintain the absorbent material
thoroughly saturated. The bydrocarbon is introduced by a pipe and stop-
cock at the top of the casing, and flows from one to another of the chambers,
any overflow from the bottom chamber being collected in a reservoir or well,
and drawn off from time to time. The air enters by a pipe and stop-cock
at the top of the case, and issues in an inflammable condition by a corre-
sponding pipe and stop-cock at the bottom leading to the burners. With a
view to burning light or volatile hydrocarbons it is proposed to construct a
special form of lamp, in which the wick tube descends to the bottom or nearly
to the bottom of the oil reservoir, so as to entirely exclude all air from the
interior of such tube. The wick elevator is contained in a stuffing box filled
with asbestos, so as to prevent the admission of air at that part, and the wick
tube itself is enclosed in a column of plaster of Paris or other good non-
conductor of heat contained in an outer tube screwed on to the reservoir,
whereby the latter is kept cool. The arrangement of the actual burner may
be similar to an ordinary hydrocarbon lamp. As the reservoir is maintained
perfectly air-tight it is proposed to make two small perforations in the wick
tube above the level of the oil in order to afford a safe exit for any undue
pressure which might arise inside the reservoir by reason of the elevated
temperature of the apartment. This construction of lamp is equally appli-
cable to lamps intended for burning the ordinary hydrocarbons, but in that

page_text: case the burner may be brought nearer to the reservoir, and as the ordinary
hydrocarbons do not volatilize under a temperature of about 90° Fahrenheit
the safety holes in the wick tube, which are requisite when using bigbly
volatile oils, will not be required.
Another form of lamps suitable for burning highly volatile hydrocarbons in
the form of vapour consists of a reservoir in which the wick tube (by pre-
ference of a round section) descends, as before mentioned, to the bottom so
as to exclude air from the wick; this tube contains a solid round wick. A
perforated metal cap is screwed on to the upper end of the wick tube, the
inflammable vapour issuing through such perforations, and being burnt in
the form of gas; as this cap becomes highly heated the hydrocarbon is
volatilized as fast as it rises up the wick, and hence a constant light is
obtained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 20th August 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors; give and grant unto me, the
said John Henry Johnson; Her special license that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the torn therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF CERTAIN HYDROCARBONS TO THE OBTAINMENT OF
LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED THEREIN," a com-
munication to me from abroad by Adrien Muller, Engineer, and Ignace
Mathei, Banker, both of. Paris, in the Empire of France, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said. John Henry. Johnson, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should

page_text: particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention has for its chief object the utilisation for the purposes of
lighting and heating of those hydrocarbons which by reason of their highly
volatile nature have hitherto been considered inapplicable (compatible with
safety) to the purposes above referred to.
One mode of utilising these volatile hydrocarbons or light mineral oils
consists in carburetting atmospheric air by causing it to permeate several
chambers in which cotton or other suitable absorbent material saturated with
volatile oil is contained, the air passing in a zig-zag or serpentine course
through such chambers from the top to the bottom of the series, whence it
issues in a condition fit for use, either as an illuminating or heating agent;
these chambers are disposed in tiers in a closed outer casing, each alternate
chamber being of rather smaller diameter than the interior of the outer casing,
whilst the chamber beneath is of the same diameter as the interior of the
outer casing, but is provided with a central perforated passage for the supply
of air to the chamber below. Those chambers which are not provided with
a central opening are perforated at the outer sides in order to allow the air
which enters them at the centre to pass through the perforated sides to the
next chamber below, whence it passes through the central opening to the
chamber beneath, and so on, the course of the air being alternately from the
centre towards the periphery, and vice versa, as it traverses the several
chambers. The perforations are all disposed some little distance above the
bottoms of the chambers in order to allow a sufficient quantity of the hydro-
carbon to be contained therein to maintain the absorbent material thoroughly
saturated. The hydrocarbon is introduced by a pipe and stop-cock at the top
of the casing and flows from one to another of the chambers, any overflow
from the bottom chamber being collected in a reservoir or well and drawn off
from time to time. The air enters by a pipe and stop-cock at the top of the
case and issues in an inflammable condition by a corresponding pipe and stop-
cock at the bottom leading to the burners. With a view to burning light or
volatile hydrocarbons it is proposel to construct a special form of lamp in

page_text: .
which the wick tube descends to. the bottom or nearly to the bottom of the
oil reservoir, so as to entirely exclude all air from the interior of such tube.
The wick elevator is contained in a stuffing box filled with asbestos, so as to
prevent the admission of air at that part, and the wick tube itself is enclosed
in a column of plaster of Paris or other good non-conductor of heat contained
in an outer tube screwed on to the reservoir, whereby the latter is kept cool.
The arrangement of the actual burner may be similar to an ordinary hydro-
carbon lamp; as the reservoir is maintained perfectly air-tight it is proposed
to make two small perforations in the wick tube above the level of the oil
inside to afford a safe exit for any undue pressure which might arise inside the
reservoir by reason of the elevated temperature of the surrounding atmosphere
in the apartment. This construction of lamp is equally applicable to lamps
intended for burning the ordinary bydrocarbons, but in that case the burner
may be brought nearer to the reservoir, and as the ordinary hydrocarbons do
not volatilise under a temperature of about 90° Fahrenheit the safety holes in
the wick tube which are requisite when using highly volatile oils will not be
required:
Another form of lamp suitable for burning highly volatile hydrocarbons in
the form of vapour consists of a reservoir in which the wick tube (by pre-
ference of a round section) descends, as before-mentioned, to the botton so as
to exclude air from the wick; this tube contains a solid round wick. A
perforated metal cap is screwed on to the upper end of the wick tube, the
inflammable vapour issuing through such perforations and being burnt in the
form of gas. As this cap becomes highly heated the hydrocarbon is
volatilised as fast as it rises up the wick, and hence a constant light is
.obtained.
:
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I
shall refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings, hereunto annexed,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corre-
sponding Figures.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represents a vertical section of the improved
carburator in condition for use; and Figure 2 is a corresponding sectional
plan of the same.
A is an outer case or cylinder within which the air circulates, entering by
the pipe and stop-cock d, and issuing by the pipe and stop-cock e; this
cylinder contains four compartments or chambers B, B, and C, C'; the
chambers C, C', having an opening in the centre, but the chambers B, B',
are not perforated in the centre; their diameter is rather smaller than the inner

page_text: diameter of the casing A, whereas the diameter of the chambers C, C', fills
exactly the inner diameter of the casing A. A number of perforations a are
made in the vertical sides of these chambers at such an elevation above the
bottom of each chamber as to permit of their each containing a sufficient
quantity of the volatile hydrocarbon, say up to the level x, x', to saturate the
absorbent material contained in each chamber. The liquid is introduced
through the filler and stop-cock c, and any surplus flows off into the receiver G,
whence it may be drawn off by the pipe and stop-cock f. The absorbent
material may consist of loose cotton wicks of fifteen or sixteen threads, each
maintained distended in a vertical position on light frames or supports
inside the several chambers, such wicks being immersed at their lower
extremities in the liquid hydrocarbon which ascends by capillary attraction
and saturates the whole of the cotton, thus presenting a surface permeable to
the air and constantly impregnated with the hydrocarbon vapour. The air
therefore on passing through these chambers becomes uniformly carburetted
so long as there remains any liquid on the bottom of the said chambers.
The following is the mode in which the circulation of the air takes place :-
The vapours of the hydrocarbon or other highly volatile liquid employed are
heavier than the air, a draught is produced from above downwards, or from d to e,
in the direction of the arrows. The air traverses the first chamber horizontally
from the centre to the circumference through the cotton wicks saturated with
the volatile liquid; it then passes through the perforations in the circum-
ference of the chamber B into the annular space left between the chamber
and the cylinder A, whence it traverses horizontally the second chamber C,
passing through the saturated cotton wicks and through the perforations a in
the centre of the chamber; the air then enters the third chamber B', similar
to B, and proceeds thence into the fourth chamber C, similar to C, whence it
passes into the chamber or compartment D, G, and issues thoroughly charged
with inflammable vapour by the pipe e and cock o; to this latter are fitted
the pipes which convey the carburetted air to the burners employed either for
lighting or heating purposes. The force of the current depends upon the
height of the reservoir above the burners. If desired a current of air may be
forced through the apparatus by any well-known means with a view to obtain
the requisite pressure at the burner.
Figure 3 represents a sectional elevation of a lamp constructed according to
another portion of this Invention, with a view to the burning of light or highly
volatile bydrocarbons; and Figure 4 is a similar view with the section taken
at right angles to Figure 3. A is the reservoir, and B a flat tube, within
which is contained the ordinary petroleum flat wick; this tube descends to

page_text: the bottom of the reservoir A below the level of the sides of the small well or
cup b; this tube from its lower extremity 6 to its upper end a has no com-
munication with the external atmosphere. The wick elevator D is carefully
shielded from the atmosphere by a stuffing box packed with asbestos e through
which tho spindle carrying the toothed wheels of the elevator passes. The
column C is screwed on to the reservoir A, it carries the wick tube B, and
from f to d is filled with plaster of Paris, which is poured therein, or with any
other good non-conductor of heat, which prevents any communication excepting
through the wick between the interior of the reservoir A and the burner E of
the lamp, which burner may be similar to an ordinary petroleum burner.
The plaster also serves to prevent the transmission of any heat from the
burner to the reservoir. Under these circumstances the wick immersed in the
reservoir will enable the volatile hydrocarbon to ascend readily by capillary
attraction to the top of the wick. The liquid burns the same as petroleum
and the reservoir is absolutely protected from all risk of explosion, as any
flame which might descend by the wick cannot reach the explosible space
situate above the level of the liquid in the reservoir; two small perforations
about the size of a pin are made at g in the wick tube in order to prevent
any pressure with the reservoir should the temperature of the apartment
be sufficiently elevated to cause any excess of vapour to form inside the reser-
voir and so produce a pressure which would tend to force the liquid up the
wick too freely. It is equally impossible for the flame to communicate with
the reservoir through holes of the small diameter indicated. By increasing.
the height of the column C the same lamp will be equally applicable to the
burning of naptha.
Figure 5 represents a sectional elevation of the inexplosible lamp adapted
to the use of petroleum. The insulating column is considerably shortened or
even replaced by a disc intercepting all communication of the flame with
the reservoir; it differs only from the ordinary lamp in the use of a wick
tube B descending into the liquid, and the addition of an asbestos stuffing
box e for the passage of the spindle of the elevator, by which means the most
highly explosible petroleum will be completely protected from all risk of
ignition. As petroleum emits no vapour at a temperature below. 90° Fahren-
heit there will under ordinary circumstances be no pressure in the reservoir,
and therefore the two escape holes 9 may in this lamp be dispensed with.
This lamp is specially intended for burning ordinary petroleum oil.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a lamp which is specially adapted for
the use of the most volatile liquids; it contains a cylindrical wick tube A in
which a solid round wick D is introduced; on the top of this tube there is

page_text: fitted a cap B perforated with a number of holes b; the essence or highly
volatile liquid rises by capillary attraction up the wick, and the vapour alone
of the liquid is burned as it issues through the holes 6 in the cap. The heat
of the flame is transmitted to the cap B, which thus assists the vaporisation
and maintains a steady and constant combustion.
I may remark that the herein-before described constructions of lamps
may be fitted with any of the well-known forms of burners, whether flat,
round, or otherwise.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the peculiar system or mode of and apparatus for carburating atmos-
pheric air by the aid of light or highly volatile hydrocarbon or mineral oils,
as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction of inexplosible or safety lamps for
burning highly volatile or light bydrocarbons or naptha, as herein-before
described.
Third, the peculiar construction of lamp specially adapted for the burning
of petroleum and other mineral oils, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the peculiar construction of lamp for burning light or highly volatile
hydrocarbons in the form of gas or vapour, as herein-before described and
illustrated by Figure 6 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of August,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
T HENDY JOHNSON L
HENRY JOHNSON. (L.C.)
H