Improvements in Signal Lights.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signal Lights.
I, VIVIAN BYAM LEWES, of 19 Park Row, Greenwich, in the County of Kent,
Professor of Chemistry, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
What are known as Holmes' lights are used largely at sea for attachment to
life buoys, torpedoes &c. They are cartridges made with calcic phosphide, and
so that as the sea water comes is contact with the calcic phosphide spontaneously
inflammable phosphuretted hydrogen is evolved. which ignites in contact with air
and gives rise to a white smoke that marks the position of the buoy, torpedo &c.
by day, as also a lambent flame by night that then shows the position. With many
specimens of calcic phosphide, however, warmth is required to cause the free
evolution and ignition of the phosphuretted hydrogen, and the flame emitted can
not to be seen for any very great distance at night.
Now according to my invention in the manufacture of cartridges such as above
referred to calcic phosphide and calcic carbide are used together in such a manner
as to produce a mixture which on contact with water will give rise to a
spontaneously inflammable gas of considerable illuminating power.
I have discovered that with such an admixture of calcic carbide with the calcic
phosphide in the manufacture of the said cartridges it results that the heat attend-
ing the decomposition of the calcic carbide by the water greatly aids and acceler-
ates the decomposition of the calcic phosphide, whilst the ignition of the
phosphuretted hydrogen ignites the acetylene, which burns with an intensely
luminous flame, visible for great distances, and moreover emits a very heavy
smoke, which is visible in the day time.
The mixture may be made up in cartridges rendered air tight by a soluble
material such as will dissolve on contact with the sea water, which coming in
contact with the mixture will evolve the spontaneously inflammable gases and the
mixture may be made up into any suitable form.
Dated this 31st day of October 1896.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
What are known as Holmes' lights are used largely at sea for attachment to life
buoys, torpedoes &c. They are cartridges made with calcic phosphide, and so
that as the sea water comes in contact with the calcic phosphide spontaneously
inflammable phosphuretted hydrogen is evolved, which ignites in contact with air
and gives rise to a white smoke that marks the position of the buoy, torpedo, &c.,
by day as also a lambent flame which serves to show the position of the buoy
torpedo &c. by night. With many specimens of calcic phosphide, however,
warmth is required to cause the free evolution and ignition of the phosphuretted
hydrogen, and 'the flame emitted cannot be seen for any very great distance at
night.
Now acording to my invention in the manufacture of cartridges such as above
referred to, calcic phosphide and calcic carbide are used together in such a manner
as to produce a mixture which, on contact with water, will give rise to a spon-
taneously inflammable gas of considerable illuminating power.
I have discovered that with such an admixture of calcic carbide. with the calcic
phosphide in the manufature of the said cartridges, it results that the heat attend-
ing the decomposition of the calcic carbide by the water greatly aids and
accelerates the decomposition of the calcic phosphide, whilst the ignition of the
phosphuretted hydrogen ignites the acetylene, which burns with an intensely
luminous flame, visible for great distances, and moreover omits a very heavy or
dense smoke which is visible in the day time.
The mixture may be made up in cartridges rendered air tight by a soluble
material such as will dissolve on contact with the sea water, which coming in
contact with the mixture will evolve the spontaneously inflammable gases and the
mixture may be made up into any suitable form.
In carrying out my invention I have obtained satisfactory results when using
an intimate mixture of equal parts by weight of powdered calcic phosphide with
powdered calcic carbide the mixture being made up in cartridges. I do not how-
ever limit myself to the proportions mentioned as the proportion of calcic carbide
to phosphide can be varied within wide limits.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that waat I
claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of signal lights of the kind herein referred to the
employment of calcic carbide substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. The improved signal lights consisting of cartridges charged with a mixture
of calcic phosphide and calcic carbide which on contact with water will give rise
to a spontaneously inflammable gas of considerable illuminating power, as set
forth.
Dated th: 21
1000
For the
Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.