IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMP BURNERS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Silver at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1877.
THOMAS SILVER, of Elgin Crescent, Kensington Park, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMP BURNERS."
"
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of the burners of
lamps for consuming hydrocarbon or other oils for illuminating or heating pur-
poses. These burners are designed to be used without the ordinary glass or
other chimneys.
One part of my improvements relates to a peculiar construction of the burner
whereby I dispense with the cones or domes usually employed for causing the
deflection or impingement of oxygen upon the flame for assisting combustion.
This part of my Invention is designed to obviate the inconveniences arising from
the use of such cones or domes, and particularly their tendency to conduct the heat
of the flame to the reservoir of the lamp. For this purpose I substitute for the
dome a series of short flues or passages arranged on both sides of the wick tube, and
formed of a number of thin metal tubes or corrugated or other thin metal or other
material. These flues or passages are placed in an inclined position so that they
extend upwardly toward each other from the outside of the burner, and they are
in such close proximity to the flame that they are heated thereby, and they heat
the air drawn into them, and impel with great force and in a highly combustible
condition a supply of oxygen to the said flame. The series of inclined flues or
passages have obliquely formed terminations at the ends, that is to say, they are
wider at the top than at the bottom, having somewhat the shape of the flame.
The frame which supports these side flues or passages is preferably connected to the
wick case through the medium of a ring or piece of porcelain or other slow con-
ductor of heat.
Although I have as above stated devised the above described apparatus to obviate
the inconveniences arising from the use of cones or domes, yet I wish it under-
stood that such cones or domes may be used in connection with the other parts of
my improved burners.
Another part of my said improvements relates to the lower part of the burner,
"rack wheel box," and its
and that part ordinarily termed the "rack box," or
object is the construction of this part of the burner in such a manner as to avoid

page_text: the retention on the outer surface of the burner of the oil that overflows and
descends the wick tube. This overflow of oil with ordinary lamps, particularly
those in which hydrocarbon oil is used, causes, when neglected, a very disagreeable
odour by reason of the evaporation of the oil when the burner becomes hot. To
carry this part of my Invention into effect the lower section or that part of the
rack box on which the screw is usually formed is fitted within the upper section,
whose top is made convex or dome shaped. On this upper portion, and extending
from the same, I form legs, or bars, or a perforated disc. These legs or bars at their
outer extremities are connected with a ring which is designed to support the upper
part of the burner. All of the above parts are rounded on the top, or otherwise so
shaped as to avoid presenting any flat surface upon which the oil can rest or lodge.
Another part of my said improvements relates to the corrugation of the wick
tube of a lamp burner in such a manner that the wick will be supported centrally,
that is to say, I prevent the bearing or contact of the wick with flat surfaces
throughout the greater part of the length of the said tube as in ordinary wick
tubes. This improved construction of the tube permits a more free capillary action
and ascent of the oil to the flame, and prevents the baking or overheating of the
wick by the heat of the tube. The top of the said tube must be of the ordinary
form to ensure an even or uniform flame throughout the width of the same. I may
apply this part of my improvements to either flat or circular wick tubes.
I wish it understood that although a chimney is not necessary, or desirable, or
intended to be used with my improved burners, a globe or shade of any suitable
kind may be placed on the same for the purposes of decoration or modification of
the light.