CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS AND MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION, AND IN THE APPARATUS FOR BURNING THE SAME
Year: 1841

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LUKE
HEBERT, of the Office for Patents, 12, Staples Inn, London, and Temple Row
West, Birmingham, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Eighth day of September, in the fifth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Luke
Hebert, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Luke Hebert, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Luke Hebert, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS AND MATERIALS USED IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION, AND IN THE APPARATUS FOR BURNING
THE SAME," communicated to me by a certain Foreigner residing abroad; in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Luke Hebert,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed; to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear!
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Luke Hebert, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and the

page_text: manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say) :-
The improvements in the apparatus for the manufacture of gas for illumina-
tion, and for burning the same, consist,-
First, in an improved apparatus for the generation and purification of gas.
Second, an improved pressure regulator.
Third, in an improved mode of constructing the holder or receiving vessel
for gas lamps.
Fourth, in a gasometer on an improved construction.
Fifth, in improvements in the construction of gas burners.
Sixth, improvements in the construction of cocks for regulating the flow
of gas. And,
Seventh, in improvements in the construction of flexible tubes for the dis-
tribution of gas in the interior of buildings.
I shall now proceed to describe the nature of these Improvements in the
form and construction of the apparatus, reference being had to the annexed
Drawings, in which, when several views are given of any portion of the
apparatus, the same letters indicate the same parts.
Figures 1 to 12 inclusive relate to my improvements in the apparatus for
the generation and purification of gas. Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of
an apparatus containing but one generating retort with the refrigerator, and
the vessel in which the gas is washed shewn in section. Figure 2, a longi-
tudinal elevation of the gas generating apparatus, with the brickwork of the
furnace removed to shew the apparatus. Figure 3 is a plan of the apparatus,
with the upper part of the brickwork removed. Figure 4, a longitudinal
section through the retort and furnace. Figure 5, an elevation of that end at
which the coke is discharged. Figure 6, an elevation of the opposite end with
the brickwork of the furnace removed. And Figure 7, a transverse section.
A represents the brickwork of the furnace, in which the different parts of the
apparatus are set; B, fire door; C, openings to allow the flame to circulate
round the retort and the purifying and decomposing tubes; D, interior of the
furnace; E, the fire bars; F, ash pit; G, the hopper for charging the retort,
it is fitted with a sliding bottom H, which is moved along a mortice J, in
which, by means of a screw K, working in a nut L, and turned by a handle M;
N the retort, in which the gas is generated; O is a rod passing through a
stuffing box P in the centre of the retort, and having at the outer end a
handle, by which it can be thrust in or drawn out, or turned round and fitted at
the other end with a rake Q of a semicircular form; when this rake is worked
with a vibratory motion on its axis it serves to break the coal in the retort;

page_text: with-its straight side turned downwards it serves to level the coal, and with its
curved side downwards, it serves to discharge the coke from the retort; R is
a mortice in which a slide S works, which forms the communication between
the retort and the coke box T, and which, like the slide E, is fitted with a
screw K working in a nut L, and turned by a handle M. The coke box has
a door at U for examining and cleaning out the retort when requisite, and
another door at V, through which the coke is withdrawn. W is the eduction
pipe (surmounted by a safety valve) through which the gases and vapour
arising from the distillation of the coal, pass into the fire tubes X, where the
decomposition of the vapor and the purification of the gas is effected. A stream.
of oil of tar or other fatty liquid matter flows from a reservoir Z (which
is furnished with a stopcock) and is conducted by a syphon Y into an
enlarged part of the fire tube, where falling upon a piece of red hot brick or
coke, and it is decomposed and converted into gas and vapour, which, together
with those produced in the retort, pass along the fire tubes X, the purified
gas is conducted by the tube A' into the vessel B'. This vessel contains a
portion of water in which the gas plunges under an insensible pressure, and is
thence conveyed by the pipe C¹ to the refrigerator, which is composed of the
pipes E¹ and E', situate in the vessel D', and immersed in water. From the
refrigerator, the gas passes by the tube F' to the washing cistern G³, the extro-
mity of the pipe descending below the surface of the water in the cistern.
The lid of the cistern fits into a groove H filled with water, thereby forming a
water joint, and from the top of the lid rises a pipe, which conveys the gas to
the gasometers or to the burners, as may be desired.
Figures 8 to 12 inclusive represent an apparatus arranged for three retorts;
Figure 8 being an end elevation; Figure 9, a longitudinal elevation, with one
side of the furnace removed; Figure 10, a transverse section; Figure 11, a
horizontal section through the fire tubes; Figure 12, a plan of the apparatus
with the upper part of the brickwork removed.
The principal difference of this apparatus from the former consists in the
construction or arrangement of the fire tubes, with the view to admit of their
being cleaned, and also that one side of the furnace may be free to admit of a
second and similar set of retorts being erected against it in works of limited
extent, and where a large quantity of gas is required. Where the same parts
occur, as in the first arrangement, they are indicated by similar letters. The
alterations and additions are as follows:-Q', part of the furnace sunk below
the level of the floor in order to reduce the height, and thus facilitate the
working. R' is a water tank, in which is inserted the lower end of the coko
box, which end is open. S', a main, in which the end of each of the fire

page_text: a, a, a spherical vessel of
b, b, segments of cloth,
sented as forming the body of a portable gas lamp.
rolled lead or sheet iron, or other suitable metal.
coated with caoutchouc, applied one over the other to the sides of the vessel
in such manner as to form break joints; and between every three layers of
segments are applied of tea lend or lead paper. c, c, the external casing of the
lamp. d, d, a brass nut soldered to the interior of the vessel. Into this nut
is screwed the hollow stem g, g, by which. the gas is conveyed to the burner,
and ff, a washer to form a tight joint between the stem and the vessel.
I claim the construction of vessels for containing compressed gas by forming
a shell of any suitable form, and suitable metal, and covering the same with
cloth coated with caoutchouc, and applied in strips with a layer of lead paper
interposed between every three layers of cloth.
Figure 17 is a vertical section, and Figure 18 a plan of the improved
flexible gasometer, and Figure 19 a plan of one part detached. n", is a cross
bar forming the base of the gasometer. Into this are screwed the vertical
rods o, which are attached at the upper ends to a ring or hoop q" by bolts p¹.
A rod t screwed into the bar n", supports a circular frame t", " (shewn
in.plan in Figure 19); and to this frame, and to the hoop q¹¹, is attached an
annular vessel or trough,,made of water-tight cloth, and formed by concentric
cylinders., united by an annular bottom, which is attached to the cross
piece n by. a hoop s". This trough contains the water in which the bell of
the gasometer plunges. ¹¹ is a hoop connected by the rods all to the hoop,
and cross v. The whole over this frame is stretched a covering of air-tight
cloth ", the whole constituting the bell of the, gasometer, which is suspended
from the frame (not, shewn complete) by the ring, the gas entering, and
leaving the gasometer by the flexible tubes and respectively.
J
.. I claim under this head of the Invention the construction of a portable
gasometer composed of air-tight cloth stretched over a suitable frame.
Figures 20 and 25 represent two burners upon an improved plan of con-
struction, differing chiefly from each other only in the external form;
Figure 20 being a section; Figure 21, a plan; and Figure 22, an elevation, of
the one; and Figure 23, being a section; Figure 24, a plan; and Figure 25, an
elevation, of the other. a¹¹ is the screwed end of the stopcock, "; and c, c¹¹, a
small piston, made of cork, which, owing to its lightness rises and falls in an
enlarged part of the tube of the burner, according to the pressure of the gas,
and by its distance from the aperture by which the gas enters below, it regulates
the flow of the gas to the burner through the holes in the piston. d", the
lower part of the burner whence the gas passes into the chamber e", ", in
which are two concentric [partitions to intercept the current of gas and distri-

page_text: tubes plunges, as also the end of the additional fire tube, in which the dis-
tillation of the oil of tar or other fatty. liquid is effected. From this main the
gas is conducted by a tube, T', to the washing cistern. U is a pipe (having
a funnel at top) by which the oil of tar, or other fatty liquid, is introduced
into the reservoir W, the pipe U plunging into a vessel V', situated within
the reservoir, and from which the liquid overflows into the reservoir, and is
thence conveyed by the syphon tube X' and the tube Y' into the fire tube, in
which it is converted into gas. The end of the. tube Y¹ is formed into a
curved nozzel Z', which, rising above the level of the syphon, prevents any
overflow of the liquid. Under this head of the Invention I claim,-
First, the general arrangement of the parts of the apparatus, so as to admit
of the process of gas-making being carried on for an indefinite time without
having occasion to open the retorts for the purpose of discharging the coke
and recharging them with coal.
Second, the passing the gas and vapours through tubes heated to redress,
and in which the destructive distillation of oil of tar or other fatty liquid
is carried on, whereby the vapours escaping along with the gas from the retort
are decomposed, and carbon is afforded to the hydrogen so as to convert it into
carburetted hydrogen.
Figures 13 to 15 exhibit the improved gas pressure regular; Figure 13
being an elevation; Figure 14, a plan; and Figure 15, a vertical section. p¹ is
a screwed tube, by which the gas is admitted through a valve r¹ from the
gasometer into the box g. The valve is connected by a pentagraph move-
ment s', to a rod t, so that as the rod rises the valve falls, and vice versa.
The upper end of the rod t¹ is attached by screws and washers to a
diaphragm, v, of air-tight cloth or other impervious and flexible material,
which is secured at its edges to a plate of metal u¹ attached to the neck of
the box 9', and having apertures w³ near the centre to allow the gas to pass
into the space between the cloth and the plate, from whence it passes by
by the passages a¹, and the branch tubes y', y', to the neck ', to which
conducting pipes or the stopcock of the burner may be attached.
In this apparatus the pressure of the gas in the gasometer, acting upon the
diaphragm, raises it, and thereby closes the valve. When by the consumption
of gras the pressure below the diaphragm is diminished, the diapragm sinks,
and thereby opens the valve and admits a further quantity of gas.
I claim under this head of the Invention the regulating the flow of gas to
the burners by means of a valve, the motions of which are regulated by the
pressure of the gas upon a flexible and impervious diapragm.
Figure 16 is a section of the improved receiver for condensed gas, repre-

page_text: bute it equally; but the aperture at which it is burnt, which aperture is a very
fine circular slit g". h", the chimney gallery. ", a cone conducting the
external air to the burner ", passing off the air to the interior of the flame.
And m, a moveable disc to regulate the passage of the air to the exterior of
the flame.
Figures 26 to 32 are designed to represent several new modifications
of stopcocks, which possess some advantages over those in common use,
whether employed in the preparation and distribution of illuminative gas, or
for other purposes. Figure 26 is a cock, of which a is the plug bored not
only transversely (as usual) at b, but longitudinally also, so as to form the
nozzle or spout, as shewn at C, thus affording the means either of supplying
with gas a burner screwed on to the nozzle at d, or, if the instrument be
reversed, of discharging any liquor by the spout C from the horizontal tube.
Ate is an adjusting nut to regulate the friction or wear. f,f, are two hollow
cork cylinders fitting an elastic pressure against the sides of the plug. g.g, the
ends of the cock which are threaded for screwing up the connecting pipes so
as to abut against the cork cylinder. Figure 27 is inserted to show the posi-
tion of the plug a when it is turned off. Another modification of the cock
thus described consists in boring the plug only halfway through, as shown
at Figure 28, which enables the communication with either end of the
cock to be opened or closed at pleasure. A further peculiarity in these
cocks consists in tinning their interior passages for the purpose of defending
the upper alloy of which they are usually fabricated from the action of sul-
phuretted hydrogen. Figure 29 is explanatory of the application of the last
described arrangements, but chiefly designed for the transference of liquids.
At a is the plug; b, the horizontal bore leading into the longitudinal one c,
extended so as to form the spout d. e is the adjusting nut; f, the cork
cylinder; w, w, washers. The inside of this cock is supposed to be tinned
throughout. In lieu of the cylinder of cork f, it is proposed in some cases to
substitute the ordinary cork lining to the barrel. Figure 30 shows a simple
horizontal arrangement of a plug concentric with the general axis, the
parts a, b, c, d, forming the body being in one casting, and e is the plug cast
to a hollow handle f; and at g is a screw pin serving as the "righting pin" or
stop, as well as the means of securing the plug to the barrel. At h, h, is
shown a section of the common cork barrel. The interior of the cork is
tinned throughout. Figure 31 shows a front or end view of the latter.
Figure 82 exhibits the application of the principal arrangements contained in
Figure 30 to a "lock cock," k being the key. At is a sliding cap containing
the keyhole, and at m is a screw stop, that also secures the parts together.

page_text: Claims to Invention in Figures 26 to 32:-
First, the mechanical combination of parts described in Figures 26,
27, 28.
Second, the application of cork cylinder abutting endways against the plugs
in all cocks.
Third, the tinning of the interior ways of all gas cocks,
Fourth, the extension of the metallic plugs of cocks so as to form spouts,
and the adjustment of the same either by screws or springs (which may be
obviously performed) so as to press the said spouts and plugs into their seats
in the barrels.
Fifth, the parallel or concentric arrangement exhibited in Figures 30 and
32, combined with the end motion given to the plugs.
Sixth, the round handle in Figure 30.
Seventh, the sliding cap in Figure 32.
Eighth, the mode of connecting the parts by the screw pin or stops g
and m.
Ninth, the tinning of the interior of the cocks 29, 30, 32.
Figure 33 represent the mode of construction of the flexible pipes. p, p, is
a compact helical coil of iron wire, over which is a layer of lead q, q, inti-
mately united to the coils of.iron wire, and over the layer of lead is a covering
of cloth saturated with caoutchouc, with a layer of lead paper interposed
between the layers of cloth, in the same manner as in the construction of the
receiver for the compressed gas.
I claim under this head of my Invention the construction of flexible tubes
for the conducting or supplying of gas in the manner herein described.
The improved materials which I propose to employ for the manufacture of
gas are spent tanners' bark and the grounds of coffee. The spent bark differs
from the tan in its natural state inasmuch as it contains various other matters,
as water, oily matter, and wood, and the gas may, therefore, be extracted from
it by the ordinary apparatus, but I give the preference to the improved appa-
ratus herein-before described. The mode of proceeding being as follows:-The
spent bark or coffee grounds are first to be dried by spreading them in thin
layers in the open air; when dry it is put into the retort through the hopper,
where it is decomposed, and the products which pass through the firo tubes
are there further decomposed, whereby they are purified and enter into fresh
combinations before entering the washing cistern. In this latter the gas is
freed from the non-gaseous matter, and thus gas of great density and great
illuminating power is obtained. I should observe, that in fabricating gas

page_text: from these materials it is not necessary to use in addition oil of tar or other
matters for the purpose of furnishing additional carbon.
I claim under this head of my Invention the employment of spent tanners'
bark and of the grounds of coffee as materials for furnishing gas for the
purposes of illumination.
In witness whereof, I, the said Luke Hebert, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-two.