IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lloyd Wise, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING
APPARATUS." A communication from abroad by Mr. Jean Alfred Fouchet, of
Paris, France.
Sealed the 10th May 1878, and dated the 26th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lloyd Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th November 1877.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of Mid-
dlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING APPARATUS.” (A communication from
abroad by Mr. Jean Alfred Fouchet, of Paris, France.)
"
The improved appliance, the subject of this Invention, and to which my foreign
correspondent gives the special names of "pyrophore" or "perpetual lamp match,"
is based upon the well-known property possessed by what he calls "la mousse
de platine (which I will herein-after call spongy platinum), of storing up
hydrogen gas combined with oxygen, with the result that the spongy platinum is
brought to a red heat, a slight detonation is produced, the jet of hydrogen ignites,
and is capable of at the same time lighting a small lamp arranged for that purpose.
So far there is no novelty, such appliances have long been used in the laboratory
and lecture room. But this Invention has reference to improvements rendering the
improved apparatus superior to others that have preceded it.
These improvements are as herein-after described :—
1st. Special facility is afforded for placing in position the spongy platinum,
which as is well known is delicate and difficult to deal with. At A, Figures 5
and 6 of the accompanying Drawing, is represented the improved gun-metal
setting, which enables the most unpractised hand to insert and withdraw the
spongy platinum without risk. This setting A has a flat portion at its upper
end a
The cylindrical portion a³, constituting the lower end, is formed with a
long groove or recess a² to receive the end of the platinum wire a³, on which is fixed
IT

page_text: by means of a small plate at, shaped like a star, the spongy platinum shewn by the
Drawing in the form of two small crescents a³ and a. The above-named end of the
platinum wire is kept in place by simply closing in the two edges of the groove a².
The lower end a' of the setting A works (as shewn in section Fig. 2) rather tightly
in a small vertical tube b, which allows of the spongy platinum assuming the
proper position as regards height relatively to the horizontal jet of hydrogen.
2nd. The spongy platinum on the setting A is arranged, as shewn by Fig. 2, in
the interior of a small lantern B, having a cap C for protecting the spongy platinum
from atmospheric influences. To this end on the tube b slides a ring b¹, furnished
with a horizontal part 62 and with a rod b³. The latter rises, guided in a vertical
direction through the bottom of the lantern, and carries the cap C. By unscrewing
the nut b the cap may be removed and the spongy platinum readily examined and
repaired. Fig. 2 also shews in section the pipe D for conducting the hydrogen,
which pipe is furnished with a cock d and a small nozzle d¹ for the exit of the gas.
This nozzle is shewn more in detail at Fig. 4. On the plug of the cock & is a
lever ds, whose radial motion is limited by a stop on the shell of the cock. One
arm of this lever d² is bent to a right angle, is acted upon by the spiral spring d³, and
terminates in an eye d'; the other arm terminates in a flat portion, on which
the finger may be pressed to cause the various moveable parts to change their
positions from those represented at Fig. 2 to those represented by Fig. 1. When
this is done the cock instead of being closed as it was before will be open to
allow the jet of hydrogen to escape, and the cap C raised so as to uncover the
spongy platinum. On removing the pressure of the fingor these moveable parts,
owing to the action of the spiral spring d³, will resume their former positions.
3rd. The fixed lamp E burns without smell or smoke, and according to the scale
to which the said apparatus is drawn, its illuminating power is about a third that
of a candle.
4th. The burner of the lamp is unconsumable, a fact due to the action of the
wick, which, not projecting beyond the orifice e (cut in a special manner, as shown
by the detail at Fig. 3), cannot enter into combustion without the presence of the
mineral oil. If there is no oil there is no fire, and therefore no consumption of
the wick takes place.
5th. Owing to the special arrangement adopted the reservoir of the mineral oil,
in which the wick e' is immersed with several convolutions, is capable of holding
(keeping in mind the scale of the Drawing) 100 cubic centimetres (6 cubic inches)
of nineral oil, while in the old arrangements scarcely 4 cubic centimetres ( cubic
inche) could be stored up in an apparatus of similar size.
+
6th. A small feeder F, shewn in section at Fig. 10, serves to fill the reservoir of
the lamp always to the same height. The said reservoir carries an air tube e³,
shewn in elevation at Fig. 1, and in section at Fig. 8. When this air tube e²,
whose top is pierced with two holes of unequal diameter, is removed from the
reservoir, the tubular spout f¹ of the feeder may be introduced into the said
reservoir; this spout passes with an air tube f' through a metal socket f³, fitting
air-tight and serving as a stopper. The air tube affords a passage for air into the
interior of the flask, and terminates below at a point corresponding to the proper
level of the liquid in the reservoir of the lamp. By this arrangement the intro-
duction of a suitable quantity of oil into the reservoir is facilitated, and all risk is
obviated of any portion of the oil being inadvertently poured over to waste.
7th. The portion of the apparatus where the hydrogen is evolved is represented
in elevation in Fig. 1, in section in Fig. 2. G is a vase, which may be of any form
preferred, of metal lined with lead and decorated externally. On its rim rests the
reservoir of the lamp E, which carries the various parts above described. To this
reservoir is attached a metal tube H, coated both externally and internally with
lead. In this tube H is kept a plate of zinc h rolled up in a spiral form, which by
presenting to the action of the acidulated water contained in the receiver Ga
surface ten times that of the small piece of zinc formerly employed for this purpose,
permits of the generation of ten times the quantity of hydrogen in a given period.

page_text: This zinc spiral h descends in proportion as it becomes decomposed by the acidu-
lated water, being always held up by the support, which will afterwards be
described, in such a manner as never to require attention.
Sth. The tube H serves as a gasometer, thus dispensing with the glass formerly
used, which was liable to breakage by the zinc knocking against it; with the
metallic gasometer there is no such difficulty.
9th. The zinc spiral rests on a metallic support h' coated with lead (see Figs. 2
and 7). This support is slit vertically to act as a spring against the interior of
the tube H. Three portions are bent inwards, as shewn by Fig. 7, for the zine to
rest upon.
10th. The hydrogen gas on being evolved carries with it particles of water and
of zinc salt (sulphated oxide of zinc), which being deposited on the nozzle d' would
ultimately close up the orifice. This difficulty is obviated by forcing the gas to
pass through a layer of vegetable matter, such as wadding, for instance, as shewn at
he in Fig. 2; the gas is thus filtered.
11th. By combining the arrangements above described, light, portable, elegant,
and even artistic appliances may be constructed, capable of containing acid water
sufficient for three months, and capable during this period of affording from 1,200 to
1,500 ignitions. de is the tube for the passage of the hydrogen gas; it begins at
the centre of the bottom of the oil reservoir, and terminates near the edge of the
plate which forms the top of the said reservoir; the two ends of the tube are
threaded and screwed, one into a nut d' at the bottom of the reservoir, the other in
the top plate.
12th. The hydrogen gas generating portion of the apparatus may be separated
from the other part and concealed behind a tablet, for instance, as shown at Fig. 9.
In front of the tablet I are two small arms i, i, which may serve, one to supply the
hydrogen, and the other to support the lantern and the spongy platinum. The
cock governing the flow of hydrogen in the form of a jet may be operated by a
button or a cord. I would remark that this last-named arrangement, instead
of producing only a feeble flame at which a candle can be lighted, will itself
serve as a lamp, whose illuminating power will quite equal two candles, and
which may be carried about if lifted from the small bracket on which it rests.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lloyd Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
May 1878.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING APPARATUS.' (A communication from abroad
by Mr. Jean Alfred Fouchet, of Paris, France.)
The improved appliance, the subject of this Invention, and to which my foreign
correspondent gives the special names of "pyrophore" or "perpetual lamp match,"
is based upon the well-known property possessed by what he calls "la mousse de
platine" (which I will herein-after call spongy platinum), of storing up hydrogen
gas combined with oxygen, with the result that the spongy platinum is brought to
a red heat, a slight detonation is produced, the jet of hydrogen ignites, and is
capable of at the same time lighting a small lamp arranged for that purpose. So
far there is no novelty, such appliances have long been used in the laboratory and
lecture room, but this Invention has reference to improvements rendering the 1
improved apparatus superior to others that have preceded it.
These improvements are as herein-after described :-
1st. Special facility is afforded for placing in position the spongy platinum, which,
as is well known, is delicate and difficult to deal with. At A, Figs. 5 and 6 of the
accompanying Drawings, is represented the improved gun-metal setting, which 2
enables the most unpractised hand to insert and withdraw the spongy platinum
without risk. This setting A has a flat portion at its upper end a, which joins
with a slight bend the cylindrical portion a', constituting the lower end, and which
is formed with a long groove or recess a³ to receive the end of the platinum wire a³,
on which is fixed by means of a small plate a³, shaped like a star, the spongy 2
platinum, shown by the Drawing in the form of two small crescents a5 and a. The
above-named end of the platinum wire is kept in place by simply closing in the
two edges of the groove a². The lower cylindrical end a' of the setting A works
(as shewn in section, Fig. 2) rather tightly in a small vertical tube b, which allows
of the spongy platinum assuming the proper position as regards height relatively to 3
the horizontal jet of hydrogen.
2nd. The spongy platinum on the setting A is arranged, as shown by Fig. 2, in
the interior of a small lantern B, having a cap C for protecting the spongy platinum
from atmospheric influences. To this end, on the tube b, slides a ring 6', furnished
at one side with a horizontal part 6%, and at the other side with a rod 63; the latter 3
rises, guided in a vertical direction, through the bottom of the lantern, and carries
the cap C, held in place by a slight enlargement of the rod and a small nut 6. By
unscrewing the nut 6 the cap may be removed, and the spongy platinum readily
examined and repaired. Fig. 2 also shews in section the pipe D for conducting the
hydrogen, which pipe is furnished with a cock d and a small nozzle or burner d' 4
for the exit of the gas; this nozzle is shewn more in detail at Fig. 4. On the plug
of the cock d is a lever d³, whose radial motion is limited by a stop on the shell of
the cock. One arm of this lever is bent to a right angle, is acted upon by the
spiral spring ³, and terminates in an eye d; the other arm terminates in a flat
portion d³, on which the finger may be pressed to cause the various moveable parts 4
to change their positions from those represented at Fig. 2 to those represented by
Fig. 1. When this is done the cock d instead of being closed as it was before will
be open to allow the jet of hydrogen to escape, and the cap C be raised so as to
uncover the spongy platinum. On removing the pressure of the finger these
moveable parts, owing to the action of the spiral spring d³, will resume their former 5
positions.
3rd. The fixed lamp E burns without smell or smoke, and according to the scale
to which the said apparatus is drawn its illuminating power is about a third that of
a candle.
4th. The burner of the lamp is unconsumable, a fact due to the action of the 5

page_text: wick, which, not projecting beyond the orifice e (cut in a special manner, as shewn
by the detail at Fig. 3), cannot enter into combustion without the presence of the
-mineral oil. If there is no oil there is no fire, and therefore no consumption of the
wick takes place.
5th. Owing to the special arrangement adopted the reservoir of the mineral oil
in which the wick e¹ is immersed, with several convolutions, is capable of holding
(keeping in mind the scale of the Drawing) 100 cubic centimetres (6 cubic inches)
of mineral oil, while in the old arrangement scarcely 4 cubic centimetres (% cubic
inch) could be stored up in an apparatus of similar size.
6th. A small feeder F, shewn in section at Fig. 10, serves to fill the reservoir of
the lamp always to the same height. The said reservoir carries an air tube e², shewn
in elevation at Fig. 1, and in section at Fig. 8. When this air tube e³, whose top is
pierced with two holes of unequal diameter, is unscrewed and removed from the
reservoir the tubular spout of the feeder may be introduced into the said
reservoir; this spout passes with an air tube f2 (of smaller diameter) through a
metal socket f³, fitting air-tight and serving as a stopper. The air tube affords a
passage for air into the interior of the flask, and terminates below at a point corre-
sponding to the proper level of the liquid in the reservoir of the lamp. By this
arrangement the introduction of a suitable quantity of oil into the reservoir is
facilitated, and all risk is obviated of any portion of the oil being inadvertently
poured over to waste.
7th. The portion of the apparatus where the hydrogen is evolved is represented
in elevation in Fig. 1, in section in Fig. 2. G is a vase, which may be of any form
preferred, of metal lined with lead, and decorated externally; on its rim rests the
reservoir of the lamp E, which supports on its plate the various parts above
described. To this reservoir is attached a metal tube H, coated both externally and
internally with lead; in this tube H is kept a plate of zinc h rolled up in a spiral
form, which by presenting to the action of the acidulated water contained in the
receiver G a surface ten times that of the small piece of zinc formerly employed for
this purpose permits of the generation of ten times the quantity of hydrogen in a
given period. This zinc spiral h descends in proportion as it becomes decomposed
by the acidulated water, being always held up by the support which will afterwards
be described, in such a manner as never to require attention.
8th. The tube H serves as a gasometer, thus dispensing with the glass formerly
used, which was liable to breakage by the zinc knocking against it; with the
metallic gasometer there is no such difficulty. The gasometer is of bronze or other
metal coated, as described, with lead which preserves it from the oxydizing action of
the acidulated water.
9th. The zinc spiral rests on a metallic support h' coated with lead (see Figs. 2
and 7); this support is slit vertically to act as a spring against the interior of
the tube H; three portions are bent inwards, as shewn by Fig. 7, for the zinc to
rest upon.
10th. The hydrogen gas on being evolved carries with it particles of water and
of zinc salt (sulphated oxide of zinc) which being deposited on the nozzle d' would
ultimately close up the orifice. This difficulty is obviated by forcing the gas to pass
through a layer of vegetable matter, such as wadding, for instance, as shewn at h²,
in Fig. 2; the gas is thus filtered.
11th. By combining the arrangements above described, light, portable, elegant,
and even artistic appliances may be constructed capable of containing acid water
sufficient for three months, and capable during this period of affording from 1,200 to
1,500 ignitions. de is the tube for the passage of the hydrogen gas; it begins at the
centre of the bottom of the mineral oil reservoir of the lamp, and terminates near the
edge of the plate which forms the top of the said reservoir; the two ends of the tube are
threaded and screwed, one into a nut d' at the bottom of the reservoir, the other in
the top plate. It is owing to this arrangement that I am enabled to place the wholo
arrangement, cock and gas burner, lamp, lantern, with cap and its spring, hole or air
tube, on the said plate, which is only from 5 to 7 centimetres (2 to 23% inches) in

page_text: diameter. The mineral oil reservoir, owing to its conical shape, and the truncated
portion of which is only about 4 centimetres (1 inch) in diameter, permits of
the employment of vases having only, at the corresponding height, 4 to 5 cen-
timetres (1 to 2 inches) in diameter, whence the adoption of a vase with very
slender neck, 5 centimetres (2 inches) in diameter at most, while up to the present
time it has been necessary to make use of vases having an enormous neck of from
10 to 15 centimetres (4 to 6 inches) which required the use of both hands for lifting
them and carrying them about.
12th. The hydrogen gas generating portion of the apparatus may be separated
from the part for producing ignitions, and concealed behind a tablet, for instance, as
shewn at Fig. 9. In front of the tablet I are two small arms i, i, which may serve,
one to supply the hydrogen, and the other to support the lantern and the spongy
platinum. The cock governing the flow of hydrogen in the form of a jet may be
operated by a button or a cord. I would remark that this last-named arrangement
instead of producing only a feeble flame at which a candle can be lighted will itself
serve as a lamp whose illuminating power will quite equal two candles, and which
may be carried about, if lifted from the small bracket 3, on which it rests.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode of carrying it
into practical effect, as communicated to me as aforesaid, I desire it to be under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise forms, dimensions, proportions, orna
mentations, substances, and accessory parts shewn, as the same may be varied
without departure from the distinctive characteristics of the said Invention, but
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as secured to me under
the Letters Patent herein-before in part recited is,―
1. Supporting the spongy platinum in the manner described, and shewn in Figs.
5 and 6 of the Drawings.
2. Protecting the spongy platinum from the atmosphere by a cap or cover
connected with and operated by the movement of the lever or handle of the cock or
valve which controls the issue of the hydrogen gas, substantially as described and
shewn.
3. The method described of preventing the consumption of the wick.
4. The constructing lighting apparatus, as herein-before described, and shewn in
the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lloyd Wise, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.