IM- PROVED APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVED APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communica-
tion from abroad by Edward Lindsley, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States of
America, Engineer and Superintendent of Gas Works,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND
EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communication from abroad by Edward Lindsley, of
Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Engineer and Superintendent of Gas
Works.
This Invention relates to an apparatus for igniting and extinguishing gas jets
automatically, and is operated both in lighting and extinguishing by alternately
increasing and diminishing the pressure of the gas supply. It is more particularly
designed for use on lamps used in streets or other like public places, but may be
adapted to large halls and other buildings.
For operating street or other similar public lamps, the pressure is increased or
diminished as desired by means of the governor or regulator used at the gas works
to determine the pressure at which the gas is delivered.
For halls and other buildings the operating pressure is obtained by means of a
compressor or chamber interposed between the meter and the burners.
To make varying pressures available in lighting and extinguishing gas, I use a
gas chamber capable of being expanded or diminished in capacity, on the one hand
by increasing and on the other by decreasing the gas pressure. The said chamber
is so constructed that the changes of capacity are effected with a very slight amount
of friction, while the power developed is utilized in opening and closing gas ports
in such relation to each other that a small jet is left burning, suitably protected
from the wind and other disturbing agents when no light is wanted, and a large
jet is ignited and the small one extinguished when light is wanted.

page_text: This apparatus may be variously constructed and still embrace the general
features above specified.
In one form it may consist of a cylindrical cup of iron, glass, porcelain, or other
suitable material provided with a coupling at the bottom to connect with gas pipe
or service for the supply of gas, and having double vertical side walls forming an
annular space. Another cup having a diameter greater than the inner wall, and less
than the outer wall of the first-named cup is used as a cap or cover to the same,
its walls occupying the annular space of the said first-named cup. The said annular
space is fitted with a sealing medium such as mercury, glycerine, or any fluid not
liable to congeal or evaporate at ordinary temperatures. Within the chamber thus
formed are cells also charged with a sealing medium before mentioned. The number
of said cells may be three or more, or less. To the top of the second inverted cup
are secured pipes, their lower ends being so adjusted that when the cap is raised
and lowered by the increase or decrease of the gas pressure, it has also given to it
a partial rotary motion which will seal and unseal the inner ends of the aforesaid
pipes in the aforesaid cells. The outer ends of said pipes are provided with
burners, one to burn as small a jet as possible, and to be maintained only when
light is not wanted, and to fire an intermediate jet, which burns with a long slender
flame. This jet in turn fires the main burner. When the latter is lighted the pipe
supplying it is left in communication with the gas space or chamber outside of the
sealing cells, and remains burning while light is wanted, the other two pipes
dropping into their respective cells. The gas is cut off by being sealed in said cells
and extinguished.
If it is desirable to make the upper cup or cap as light as possible, the burner or
jet pipes need not be attached to it, but may be adjusted above the cap and thence
carried downward outside the outer case and up through the bottom, passing through
the bottom of sealing cells, their ends terminating above the sealing medium.
Small caps are then secured mouth downward to the inside of the roof of the
movable cap so as to shut over the jet pipes and into the cells charged with sealing
medium.
To still further reduce the resistance to the gas pressure if mercury is the sealing
medium, I increase the thickness of the immersed portion of the upper cup or cap,
and form an air-tight space within, and by these means establish such conditions
that from three to five lines of pressure above the maximum required for ordinary
gas lighting will suffice to operate the apparatus.
Another form of this apparatus which may be denominated the dry form (as
distinguished from that above described, and which may be designated as the liquid
form) is as follows:-It consists of an expanding and contracting cylinder or
chamber of any suitable construction; the lower end thereof is closed with a flat
circular plate having an opening provided with a coupling to attach to gas pipes for
gas supply, and also openings connected outwardly with jet or burner pipes which
are carried up on the outside of the cylinder and brought near together above said
cylinder in such relation to each other as those of the jet or burner pipes above
described. Said openings are governed inside the cylinder by a disc valve, con-
structed and operated by a cam connected with the said apparatus.
The disc valve or its equivalent is secured to the lower end of an upright shaft,
the extreme lower end of which projects through the valve and rests in a cavity
formed in the lower cylinder head.
The upper end of the valve shaft is carried in a bearing sustained from a
stationary part of the cylinder, a portion of whose length is made of very thin metal
plate, leather, or other flexible material, much like an accordion bellows, and
furnished with a head consisting of a circular plate and constitutes the expansible
part of the gas chamber. To the upper head is attached the above-mentioned cam,
and at a suitable point on the valve shaft is rigidly secured an arm, provided with
a point or finger which follows the groove in the cam as it rises and falls with the
changes of pressure induced for the purpose of lighting or extinguishing the burners,
and thereby giving motion to the valve opening and closing the parts which commu-

page_text: nicate with the jet pipes, admitting gas thereto or cutting it off, giving the same
general effect as is produced by the first described device.
If desired I may substitute for the accordion-like bellows chamber an upper
cylinder head constructed of metal or other suitable plates hinged to each other and
all secured to the cylinder by leather or other flexible joints, the cam being rigidly
secured thereto so as to operate the valve as described. For the said disc vulve I
may substitute lifting or puppet valves actuated by a ring having upward pro-
jections, that by the partial rotating of the ring, raise the valves and lower them at
the proper times. Said ring may be of metal plate secured by means of arins (at
suitable points) to the vertical valve shaft, and by means of such connection, and
the connection before described between said shaft and the cam, it receives a partial
rotary motion, which causes the igniting and extinguishing of the gas as above
described.
The aforesaid cam may have its two arms that constitute the inside piece formed
separately and pivoted both on one pivot at the point where they come together,
each arm falling by its own weight to the right, so that in the passage of the finger
when it passes those parts against which the arms rest, the arm will be lifted and
fall behind the finger when it has passed, thus preventing the possibility of the
fingers taking the wrong course.
8/ths.
For a more full explanation of the ring before referred to, and its connection with
and mode of lifting valves, I would first more fully describe the valves (whether
puppet valves with flat or conical seats or inverted cups working in a sealing
medium or any form of valve working vertically) as being provided with slender
vertical stems of considerable length, say 1/2 an inch. A thin slot is cut lengthwise
in the valve stems directly through the centre from the top of the stem down to
the point of attachment to the valve. A small round pin is then inserted as near
the top of the slot as possible, thus leaving a vertical opening very thin and
say of an inch in length, through which said ring passes. The valves are
arranged in a circle, the centre of which coincides with that of the ring, and of such
diameter as to allow the ring to rotate horizontally through the slots. The said
ring is made thin enough to pass freely through the slots in the valve stems, and
its width vertically is slightly less at the lifting projections referred to than the
distance from the pin through the top of the valve stem to the bottom of the slot
therein. This ring is provided with a vertical axle or shaft. On the upper peri-
meter of the said ring are a series of lifting projections or inclined planes or undu-
lations forming cams. By means of these irregular perimeters the valves are
opened and closed as may be required in lighting or extinguishing. The actuating
pressure is only required long enough to effect the movements of the cup in lighting
or extinguishing the gas, after which the ordinary pressure is carried as usual for
burning.
The aforesaid cam in the first described arrangement of this Invention consists of
an irregular slot, groove, or projection, so arranged and connected with the above-
named cup in combination with a finger or equivalent device as to produce
partial rotary motion of the said cap as it rises and falls when actuated by the
changing pressure of the gas effecting the sealing and unsealing of the jet pipe.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
October 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND
EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communication from abroad by Edward Lindsley, of
Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, Engineer and Superintendent of Gas
Works,

page_text: The said Invention relates to automatic apparatus for the purpose more especially
of lighting and extinguishing street gas lamps, but which however may be adapted
for lighting gas in public rooms and dwelling houses, and in other places where gas-
light is used.
The said apparatus comprises a gas chamber or holder provided with cells filled
or partially filled with mercury or with other suitable material, into which the
ends of gas pipes are immersed by the vertical movement of a cap for closing or
sealing the ends of the said gas pipes, thereby shutting off the gas from burners
which the aforesaid pipes supply.
The vertical movement of the said cap is caused by an in increase of the pressure
of the gas, and this vertical movement at the same time is attended by a partial
rotary movement effected by the co-operation of a finger and cam as herein-after
more fully described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the said apparatus partly in section.
Figure 3 is a plan of the inside of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of the top of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a part of my Invention herein-after described.
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section of a modification of Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, show portions of Figure 6 detached.
Figures 13 and 14 shew a modification of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 15 shows a modification of a portion of Figure 13.
Figures 16 and 17 show part of my Invention herein-after described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents an outer shell or tank wherein is a gas chamber B; between said
gas chamber and the tank is an annular space or chamber C, Figure 3. In said
chamber is loosely arranged a cap D, Figure 1, fitting down over and enclosing the
gas chamber, as shown in the Drawing. In the bottom of the gas chamber are
three cells E, F, and G, Figures 1 and 3. In the cells G and F the lower ends of
the pipes H and I respectively are held during the time that the main burner P is
not lighted, whereas the end of the pipe K descends into the space or pit L; the
said space is a depression in the bottom of the gas chamber or holder; projecting
upward in the centre of the gas chamber is a stand M into which a guide rod N
descends for guiding and steadying the vertical movements of the cap D, to which
the said rod is attached. To the top of said cap is secured a cylinder O, in which
terminate the upper ends of the pipes H, K. The said pipes pass vertically through
the top of the cap on the outside of the cylinder O, and are then turned and passed
horizontally through said cylinder, as shown in the Drawing, in which it will be
seen that the pipe K terminates directly inside of the cylinder, whereas the pipe H
is continued upward therein, as indicated by the dotted lines a in Figures 1 and 2.
The cylinder is divided into two compartments Q and R by a partition b, for the
protection of the small jet or burner f. In the side of said cylinder O is an irregular
cam S, Figure 1, in the course of which projects a finger c, Figures 1 and 2,
terminating the end of an arm A¹ rigidly secured to the side of the tank A, as
shown in the said Figures.
The apparatus shown in the Drawing is larger than necessary for practical use,
with the exception of the pipes which are about the proper size.
The practical operation of the above described apparatus is substantially as
follows:- -The said apparatus is to be placed in the centre of the lantern or frame-
work of the lamp, and connected to the gas pipe B¹, the burner P being that of the
lamp. The condition of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 1, is that when the main
burner, that is to say, the burner P is not lighted, namely, during the daytime, at
which time the end of the pipe I is in the cell G, and the end of the pipe K is in
the space L of the gas chamber.
In the aforesaid cells is placed mercury or other suitable agent so that the ends

page_text: of the pipes will be immersed therein when in the cells, and thereby be closed or
sealed against the flow of gas into them. The annular chamber C is to be partially
filled with mercury, water, or other suitablo material, so that the lower part of the
cap D will be immersed therein to prevent the escape of gas from the gas chamber,
which is filled with gas from the supply pipe to which the apparatus is attached by
the pipe B'; the gas passing into the gas holder or chamber through the openings d,
Figures 1 and 2, in the sides of the standards M.
It will be obvious that so long as the ends of the pipes H and I are immersed in
the mercury gas from the gas holder cannot pass up into either the burner e or to
main burner P, whereas gas can pass into the pipe K for the reason that its lower
end opens in the space or pit L of the gas holder. The gas in the said pipe K is
lighted at the tip f, which is a very small burner, and therefore a comparatively
small flame is produced, which is allowed to burn during the daytime, or rather, so
long as the main burner P is not lighted.
In order to light the burner P, which is in fact that of the street lamp or other
gas lamp or light, the pressure of the gas is increased in the gas mains by means of
the regulating supply cock or governor in the gas works, used there for regulating
the gas pressure, which for a few minutes is opened wider than usual. This increase
of gas pressure throughout the mains and pipes will elevate the cap D so far as to
lift the ends of the pipes H and I out of the mercury and above the surface E¹,
Figure 3, of the cells, or from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shewn in
Figure 2. This lifting of the pipes permits the passage of the gas through them
from the gas chamber. When the cap is lifted to this position it is then turned
partially around in the direction of the arrow, Figure 4, by means of the cam S and
finger c above referred to. Thus, as the cap continues to rise by a continuation of
the gas pressure, the finger impinges upon the edge a¹ of the cam, thereby turning
the cap partially around. This rotatory movement of the cap carries the end of the
pipe I from over its respective cell (out of which it has just been lifted) to the space
or pit L of the gas chamber. The pipe I, now filled with gas to the tip P, and also
the pipe to the tip e, can now be lighted, and also at a perforation m at the bend
of the said pipe H. The nearness of the jet of gas issuing from the perforation m
to the flame of the burner f ensures its being ignited, and it will produce an upward
flame which will in turn ignite the gas at the tip or burner e. The flame thus
produced at e will by its nearness to the tip of the burner P ignite the gas issuing
therefrom, thereby lighting the lamp. This lighting of the burner P takes place
during the time the cap is rising from the point 61 of the cam (its first position) to
the edge a on which the finger impinges, and by the contact of the finger with
said edge a¹ of the cam the cap is turned around, bringing the pipe I to about the
point L in the space or pit L, Figure 3, of the gas chamber outside of its respective
cell G in which it had been previously held. At the same time the pipe H is turned
from its first place, namely, at c¹ in the cell T to n, and the pipe K, which was in
the space or pit L at r, is now by the same movement of the cap carried over to the
cell E. At this particular movement in the process of lighting the lamp the
burner P and the gas jets at c and f are all three burning. The flames at e and f,
however, are to be extinguished. To effect this the extra pressure of the gas used
in elevating the cap is taken off. In consequence of this reduction of gas pressure
the cap sinks; this sinking of the cap plunges the ends of the pipes H and K in the
mercurial cells E and F, and by their immersion in the mercury the gas is shut off
from them, consequently extinguishing the flames at e and f, leaving the flame at P
burning.
During the day, or when the lamp is not lighted, the condition of the apparatus
is as shown in Figure 1, in which it will be seen that the pipe I is in the mercurial
cell G, and the pipe H in the cell F at about the point e¹, while the pipe K is in
the space or pit L of the gas chamber, receiving therefrom a supply of gas to main-
tain the flame at f, which as aforesaid is kept burning through the day or during
the time that the burner P is not in use. It was seen that to light the burner P
by the small flaine at f an additional pressure of gas in the mains and pipes raises

page_text: the cap D, lifting thereby the pipes H and I out of their respective cells F and G;
when thus lifted the cap is turned partially around by the co-operation of the cam
and finger, which brings the pipe I to about the point L' in the space or pit L of
the gas chamber and the pipe H, from e¹ to n in the cell F, and the pipe K. at the
same time is moved from 7 to and above the cell E. The pipes at this instant are
all filled with gas, the flame flights the jet from the perforation m, and the flame
at m lights the flame at e, and the flame at e in turn lights the main burner P for
illumination. At this moment all the burners are lighted, but the burners e, f,
and m are to be extinguished, leaving the main burner P lighted. This is done as
aforesaid by taking off the extra pressure of gas, causing the cap D to sink and the
pipes K and H to be immersed in the mercury of their respective cells, closing them
against a further induction of gas, thereby extinguishing the burners e, f, and m,
leaving the main burner P in full blaze. In order to extinguish the main burner P
the extra pressure of gas is again put on by the above described means, at this time
as the cap rises, and when so far raised as to lift the ends of the pipes H and K
out of their respective cells and bring the finger c to the point c¹l of the cam, &
motion reverse to that indicated by the aforesaid arrow is given to the cap. Said
reverse motion is caused by the finger impinging upon the edge of the cam.
A further rise of the cap now takes place and brings the lowest angle of the cam to
the finger e. At this time the excessive pressure of gas is removed, and as the cap
sinks down the finger impinges upon the edge i of the cam, thereby continuing the
reverse rotary movement of the cap, causing the pipe I and pipe K to descend
into their respective cells and become closed or sealed by their immersion in the
mercury contained therein, and their light consequently extinguished, leaving the
small flame burning, to be again used for lighting the main burner, as herein-
before described. The small burner f is relighted after being extinguished in the
manner above described by the main burner P; thus at the time the cap is raised,
and thereby the pipes H and K lifted from their cells, they are all in open relation
to the gas chamber, from which they are at once filled with gas. The jet e is at
once lighted by the main burner P, in turn the jet e lights the jet at m, and the jet
nt m in like manner lights the jet f; at this moment all the burners are again
lighted, but the light at P and that at e and m are to be put out. This is done by
the reverse rotatory movement of the cap, which brings the pipe I and the pipe H
over their respective cells, and the pipe K to the space L of the gas chamber. Now
as the cap is caused to descend by the removal of the extra gas pressure said pipes
H and I drop into the mercury, and thereby are closed or sealed and their
respective lights extinguished, whereas the pipe K descends into the space L of the
chamber and continues open, and its light as a consequence continues to burn.
It will be obvious that by this apparatus all the street lamps in a city can be
automatically lighted at once or extinguished without the aid of any person.
A modification of the above described apparatus is shown in Figure 6. Said
Figure represents a vertical transverse section of the apparatus, and which is
essentially the same as that shown in Figure 1, differing only in the matter of con-
struction, and which is briefly thus:—
A¹ represents an outer case or shell corresponding to the shell or tank A in
Figure 1; B is a gas chamber, between the walls of which and the case A¹ is an
annular chamber or space C", wherein is arranged a cap D¹ fitting on over the gas
chamber and down into the annular space, thereby enclosing said gas chamber.
The said annular chamber is filled with mercury or other suitable material, in
which the lower part of the cap D¹ is immersed to prevent the escape of gas there-
from E, F, and G¹, Figure 11, are mercurial cells, which may have an open
relation to the annular chamber C¹ by means of apertures or perforations made in
the side of the cells, as seen at all in Figure 6, or not, as may be desired (when in
open relation, as shown). The mercury in the cells and annular chamber is
common to both; H¹ and I', Figure 11, are dry cells, that is to say, cells in which
there is no mercury, but open wholly to the gas chamber, corresponding in this
particular to the space or pit L in Figure 3, and to which the mercurial cells hold

page_text: the same relation as the cells E, F, and G, to said space L. From the top of the
cap projects a stud J', into which is screwed a pipe K Said pipe extends upward
and through the top of the shield L', and terminates in a gas tip or burner M¹ carre-
sponding to the main burner P in Figure 1. The pipe K is put in communication
with the gas chamber by a conduit i extending across the top of the cap D¹ and
communicating with a perforation f¹ made downward through the cap and a pro-
jection h below it. The said projection may be considered as the lower end of the
pipe K¹.
It will be seen that the lower end proper of the said pipe is diminished to a
small aperture or passage, as shewn at n¹, Figure 6, the capacity of said aperture
being equal to the amount of gas for the burner M', it being graduated to that end;
N¹, Figure 9, is also a burner of small size, the pipe of which descends directly down
through the cap into the gas chamber; O' is a shield placed over the burner to
protect it from being blown out by the wind. The burner is ventilated by per-
forations in the side of the shield. The said burner corresponds to the small or day
burner fin Figure 1. Close by the side of said burner O¹ is a burner P¹ corre-
sponding to the burner e in Figure 1. Said burners O¹ and P₁ are related respec-
tively to the mercurial cells E¹ and G', and also to the dry cell I¹. To the side of
the stud J¹ is secured a cam K", a detached view of which is shown in Figure 8.
Said cam is substantially the same as the cam S in Figure 1, and performs the same
function in connection with the finger L", Figure 6, fixed to and projecting from
the side of the shield into the cam, and whereby the cap and its burners are
rotated, as presently shewn. To the crown of the shield is fitted a valve T, Figures
6 and 7, and it revolves when rotating the cap for lighting the burner M³, to which
burner the valve is attached, and by which it is rotated. In one side of said cap is
an aperture n, Figure 7, corresponding to a similar aperture, indicated by the dotted
lines n', in the crown of the shield L, and to which (at certain times) it comes into
open relation on revolving the cap for lighting the burner.
The operation of this modification of the said apparatus is substantially the same
as that above described in reference to Figure 1, that is to say, the apparatus is
shewn in the Drawing in the position such as when the main burner M³ is lighted,
to extinguish which the cap is raised upward by an increase of the ordinary
pressure of gas by the means above referred to. This elevation of the cap with-
draws the lower end of the pipe K¹ (or rather its extension below the cap) from the
dry cell H, and which at the same time lifts the lower ends of the burners P¹ and N¹
from the mercurial cells F¹ and G¹ in the mercury of which they were immersed for
extinguishing their light, as described in respect to the burners e and f of Figure 1.
The cap and burners being thus lifted a rotatory movement is given to the cap by
the joint operation of the cam and the finger L", thereby turning the said cap so
far as to bring the pipe K¹ of the burner M¹ directly over the mercurial cell E.
During this lifting and rotation of the cap the pipes of the burners P¹ and N¹ are
filled with gas, and are both lighted by the main burner M¹; thus the burner P¹,
which is a double one having a horizontal and a vertical jet, is ignited first, this in
turn ignites the burner N₁ through the perforation m¹ directly opposite the jet of
gas shooting upward from said burner P. All the burners at this moment are
lighted, but the day burner N¹ only is needed to be kept burning; therefore to
extinguish the burner P¹, and also the main burner, the cap is lowered by a removal
of the extra gas pressure, which allows the said cap to drop and the ends of the
pipes to be immersed in the mercurial cells, thus shutting off the gas and extinguish-
ing the light from the burners P¹ and M², leaving the day burner still lighted, this
burner being supplied with gas from the dry cell I', which is open to the gas
chamber, as above described.
The main burner M' is relighted by again elevating the cap by an increase of gas
pressure, thereby lifting the several burner pipes from their respective cells, at which
time they are all in open relation to the gas chamber and the burner P¹ lighted by.
the burner N¹. The main burner is at this moment still unlighted, it being on the
outside of the shield L', shut off from the lighted burners within, the flame of which

page_text: as a consequence cannot reach said main burner for igniting it, but which however
is effected as follows:-At the moment the cap is lifted and the burner pipes
thereby raised out of their cells, a rotatory movement is given to the cap by the
joint action of the cam and finger, as above described in respect to Figure 1. This
rotatory movement of the cap brings the aperture n in the valve T in open relation
to the aperture ¹ in the crown of the shield L'. Through the aperture thus
brought in juxtaposition the flame of the burner within the shield rushes and
ignites the main burner, which, on being done, the cap is caused to sink by the
means herein-before described, and immerse the pipes of the subordinate burners in
their respective mercurial cells, thereby extinguishing their light, leaving the main
burner in full blaze, and the valve T so far turned back that the apertures n and n¹
are no longer in opon relation to each other. The aperture n¹ in the shield it will
be observed is directly over the burner P¹, and is opened and closed for the purpose
specified by the rotatory movement of the valve, as aforesaid.
Figure 13 represents a device for the same purpose, but which differs from the
apparatuses above described in not requiring mercury in any way for extinguishing
the lighted jets, and also by the use of a flexible expansible gas chamber, and
furthermore in using a rotatory valve for closing and opening the burner pipes, all
of which are constructed and operated substantially as follows:-
As shown in Figure 13 A¹¹ represents an expansible and contractable gas chamber
composed in part of any suitable flexible material, as leather, rubber, or thin metal
plates, which may be corrugated, as shown in the Drawing, forming a structure
similar to the bellows of an accordion. To the free or upper end of the chamber is
secured in a rigid manner a cylinder B. The lower end of the cylinder is provided
with a spider, having therein a central hole for the admission of a guiding rod or
shaft C; a similar spider is arranged at the middle of the cylinder, as seen at D¹¹.
In the side of the cylinder is a cam E, similar to the cam in the apparatuses above
described. From the shafts C projects into said cam a finger, whereby the valve Fl
secured to the shaft C" is rotated, for the admission of gas into the pipes f" and g¹¹
for igniting the main burner G¹.
The operation of this device is as follows:-By means of a coupling or other
suitable device the apparatus is attached to a gas pipe leading from the gas main,
by which means the gas chamber A" is inflated, and subjected to the same gas
pressure as that in the mains from which it receives its supply; assuming that the
gas chamber A" is in the same position when under the maximum pressure for
ordinary gas-lighting, and also that the valve F" is in position shown, namely, with
the port 1, Figure 14, which communicates with the pipe G₁ fully open, and the
port 4 communicating with the pipe gll fully closed, and also port 3 communicating
with the pipe f¹¹ fully closed, the pipe G is thus in condition to be lighted and
will burn with a very small flame, in which condition it is intended to be during
the day, and it may be termed the day burner while the pipes f" and g¹¹ are
closed. Now, on increasing the gas pressure in the mains by opening the governor
at the gas works, thereby admitting a greater flow of gas in the mains, this increase
of pressure will cause the flexible gas chamber A", Figure 13, to expand upwardly,
and which will be maintained until the top of the gas chamber rises far enough to
bring the finger K" to the point y' of the cam. Now, for the reason that the valve
F is rigidly attached to the shaft C, and the finger K" extends from a hub, also
rigidly secured to the said shaft, it will be readily seen that the upward movement
of the said cam until the angle o strikes the finger K" will cause the valve F¹¹ to
rotate in the direction of the arrow, Figure 14, so that the part h¹ of the valve will
coincide with the nearest edge of the port 1, Figure 14, and the port n¹¹ of the
valve will be directly over the port 4,. and the space 2 will have effected the opening
of the port 3. At this time all the pipes will be filled with gas, their respective
ports having been opened as above described. The day jet burning at d",
Figure 13, of pipe c¹ will ignite the gas issuing from the pipe 911 at 1, which also
in turn iguites the gas at 1 of the pipe f¹¹ (which is the main burner). This main
burner being now lighted, the burners 71 and d" are to be extinguished. For this

page_text: purpose the extra pressure of gas is reduced, and the chamber A¹ consequently
falls, bringing the finger K₁ to the point y" of the aforesaid cam, thereby changing
the position of the valve F; so that the port 1 is now closed and gas shut off
from the pipe G and its light extinguished, and the port n¹ is also now closed
and the port 3 open, from which it will be seen that the gas issuing from the pipe.
f11 (the main burner) only is burning.
In order to extinguish this main burner extra pressure is again applied to the
gas chamber, which expands, carrying the cylinder B₁ upward as before, far enough
to bring the finger K to the point o of the said cam, and the gas fills all the pipes
inasmuch as they all open to the gas chamber. At this time the co-operation of
the finger and cam by the descent of the gas chamber closes the respective ports of
the pipes and g", leaving the port of the day burner open to be again used for
lighting the main burner as above described.
11
In Figures 13 p is a spring, the teusion of which is regulated by a screw pl.
The purpose of said spring is to hold the rotating valve to its seat. It ought also
to be said that the pipes G, f", and g", and the burners to be attached to said
pipes have the same relation to each other and perform the same functions as do
the pipes and burners in Figures 1 and 2, and the whole is protected by a shield, as
are the pipes and burners described and shown in Figure 6, and which shields may
be ventilated by suitable perforations or openings made therein.
Figure 16 shows an arrangement of valves which may be either lifting puppet or
lifting mercurial valves. I provide a suitable vessel, through the centre of which
projects upwardly a gas pipe, forming an annular space or chamber around the said
pipe. Fitted in the said annular chamber is a cap provided with a slotted stem,
through which is passed a ring 31, the said ring having upward projections as seen
at 21, Figure 17, suitably arranged to lift the valves at the proper time for opening
and closing the burner pipes for lighting and extinguishing the burners, the said
opening and closing being done by the cam E of Figure 13, to which this device
may be attached in lieu of the rotating valve F". This attachment may be made
by radial arms projecting from the shaft C, or by any other suitable device. In
the annular chamber above alluded to is placed mercury or other suitable material
for sealing or closing the valves. The lifting puppet valves are provided with
slotted stems, and are relatively arranged in the same manner as the mercurial
valves.
Figure 15 represents a diaphragm consisting of metal plates 41 jointed or hinged
to each other by any suitable flexible material 51, and which may be substituted for
the corrugated portion of A", Figure 13, which by its jointed flexible character
can be expanded and contracted, and thereby perform the same function as the
corrugated parts of said A".
When gas burners used in dwelling houses, public rooms, manufactories, or the
like are to be lighted by this apparatus, the extra pressure of gas required to oper-
ate the cap is supplied by a device shown in Figure 5, or a modification thereof.
Said device consists of a tank 5 enclosing a gas chamber, between which and the
tank is an annular water chamber, in which is fitted a cap 6 covering the gas
chamber or holder. This device is in fact a small gas holder, and in practice is
placed between the gas burner and meter, forming a link or connection of the
two.
The increase of gas pressure required for operating the lighting apparatus is
obtained by forcing down the cap 6 into the tank by means of the lever 7. The
gas by this means is compressed, thereby operating by the extra pressure the
lighting apparatus, in the manner herein-before explained. To prevent the reaction
of the increase of gas pressure thus obtained upon the meter a stop-cock 8 is used
to shut off the gas from the said meter during the time of lighting the burner or
burners.
It will be obvious that by the above-described lighting apparatus all the lamps
in a city, building, factory, or other place or places can be automatically lighted at
once, or extinguished without the aid of attendants.

page_text: It sometimes occurs in extreme cold weather, that the gas becomes sluggish and
ceases to burn owing to the deposit of its watery elements in the form of frost or
ice in the pipe or pipes, filling them and obstructing the flow of gas to the burners.
To remove such deposits is the purpose of the device shown below, Figure 6,
and which is to be attached to the lower end of the same. The said device has a
pipe or a screw section of a pipe 11, provided with an enlargement or head 2¹. In said
head is formed two conduits 31, 41, to the outside for the attachment thereto of an
injector herein-after described. The conduits referred to open into the gas pipe 11,
but which, however, may be closed respectively by the screw valves 61 and 71
screwed into the opposite side of the head, and in such relation to the conduit as to
cover them, as shown in the Drawing, The said screw valves are made gas tight
in their application to the conduits by suitable packing or otherwise. The said
conduits are ordinarily left open.
The aforesaid injector nay consist of any appropriate boiler or vessel in which
ordinary hydrocarbon oils or any of the distillate thereof may be heated or
vaporized; and which for the purpose herein intended is provided with a short
pipe or nozzle, whereby it can be easily and readily attached to the opening 51, of
the head on removing the screw stopper 8¹ therefrom.
The application of the said injector to the head for the purpose specified is
effected as follows, that is to say :— -In order to remove the icy obstruction from the
gas pipe, the hydrocarbon in the injector is heated to a degree of vaporization.
The injector is then attached to the opening 81, and the vapor of the carbon oil
passes into the conduits 31 and 41 of the head. In order that the heated vapor may
pass down into the gas pipe and not to the burner above, the screw valve 6¹ is closed,
the valve 7' being open. The heat and liquifying character of the carboniferous
vapor at once melts the ice, the product of which passes by way of the service or
supply pipe to the main and thence to the drips.
I do not restrict myself to the use of hydrocarbon for the purpose above described,
but propose to use any material which may have no depreciating effect upon
the gas; nor do I restrict myself to the exact construction of the device or
devices whereby I effect the removal of the ice from the gas pipe so long as
the essential and general character of the said Invention is retained.
It will be observed that the cylindrical portion of the cap D', shewn in Figure 6,
and which is submerged in the mercury or scaling agent contained in the annular
space C¹¹ has a much larger diameter at x than the part of said cylinder which rises
above the sealing agent when the extra gas pressure is applied for lighting or
extinguishing. The said enlarged part of the cylinder is so proportioned to the
depth of mercury or sealing agent in the annular space, and to the required lift or
raise of the cap, as that when the cap is elevated to its extreme height the enlarge-
ment of the cylinder will still be submerged in the sealing agent.
The object of this arrangement is to reduce the required working pressure to a
minimum, and is as follows:-The said cap is composed of iron, glass, or an
equivalent material of less weight or specific gravity bulk for bulk than the sealing
agent, hence of itself it would not sink therein. I make this enlarged part of the
cylinder of such a size that it will require the weight of the unsubmerged devices
immediately connected therewith to cause it to sink, leaving the extra gas pressure
when applied to exert only so much force as will be required to raise the thin part
of the cylinder to the required height.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim,-
First. In combination with the annular chamber, the gas holder, or chamber B, and
the cells, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Second. The pipes arranged in relation to and in combination with the gas
holder, the cells, and the cap, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Third. The cam and fingers in combination with the cap, in the manner described
and for the purpose specified.

page_text: Fourth. The gas chamber B having its cells charged with mercury or equivalent
substance, and a burner pipe and igniting pipes arranged to operate in relation
to each other and the said cells, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. In gas-lighting apparatus, the gas chamber having a movable cap operated
by means of the pressure of gas indicated by a presser or governor, by which means
the pipes connected to the said cap are lowered into and raised out of cells charged
with a medium for sealing the pipes for the purpose of igniting and extinguishing
the gas light automatically, as above described.
Sixth. The combination of parts comprising the finger, the movable cap, the pipes,
the cells, the gas chamber, and the annular chamber, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Seventh. The cap having the part x of its cylindrical section submerged in the
sealing agent of an enlarged diameter, or of greater weight than that portion of the
cylinder above the sealing agent, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The cap or shield T, and aperture n, in combination with the shield L'
and aperture n', as above described and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. The combination of parts comprsing the flexible gas chamber, the cylinder,
the guiding rod or shaft, the cam and finger, the rotating valve, and the pipes G¹¹,
f, g, or other suitable connections, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Tenth. The combination with the other parts of an apparatus constructed and
operating as above described, of the device for preventing the obstruction of the
pipes in cold weather, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WM. ROBT, LAKE. (L.S.)