Improved Gas Lighter.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improved Gas Lighter.
I, DR. KARL VON VIETINGHOFF-SCHEEL, of 15, Blücher Strasse, Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
In automatic gas lighters which are arranged at the top of the chimney of a
Bunsen burner or the like the drawback becomes apparent that the ignition when
the gas pressure is weak is frequently slow and uncertain because an insufficient
quantity of gas reaches the lighting device (primer and igniting wire). This
invention has for its object to force the main part of the jet of gas to pass close to
the lighting device and this is effected by means of a plate provided with one or
more apertures in the principal one of which the igniting device is arranged, said
plate being placed on the top or mouth of the chimney.
A further well known drawback of the simplest form of gas lighter consists in
the primer and lighting wire rapidly becoming ineffective when they remain
exposed to the flame.
A thin mica plate is placed on the upper part of the chimney of a gas burner
and has for instance three apertures, the igniting or lighting device being fixed
on the edge of the main passage. The main plate is connected with a hinge by
means of a metal strip rivetted on it and is usually counterbalanced by means of a
counter weight. The whole arrangement is mounted by means of a clip on the
edge of the chimney and the hinge is so arranged that the mica plate remains all
round about 2 millimetres away from the edge of the chimney.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
-
If the gas tap be turned on almost all the gas passes closely past the lighting
device and is very soon ignited by the latter. By the pressure suddenly arising in
the cylinder the mica plate is thrown back on its hinges and maintains an almost
vertical position whilst the gas is burning in consequence of the rising of the heated
gases. It is thus evident that the lighting apparatus is entirely out of reach of the
Hame. The side passages increase the action of the up-draught. The explosion at
the time of lighting is reduced to a minimum by the small space between the mica
plate and the wall of the cylinder. After the gas tap is turned off the mica plate
still remains elevated for a few seconds and then gradually descends onto its seat
so that the apparatus is again ready for use.
1
1000

page_text: Improved Gas Lighter.
I, DR. KARL VON VIETINGHOFF-SCHEEL, of 15, Blücher Strasse, Berlin, in the
Empire of Germany, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
Automatic gas lighters are already known in which an igniting device is
arranged at the top of the chimney, underneath a plate or cap covering the latter
(see for instance English Patents 29076/6 and 28709/27). As in these arrange-
ments the plate or cap is entirely closed, the igniting device lies in a stationary
inass of gas, and ignition does not therefore take place with certainty, because for
this purpose it is preferable to have a quantity of gas flowing over the igniting
pellet or device. Further the closed plate or cap offers a considerable resistance
when the ignition of the gas actually takes place, so that a somewhat violent
explosion is produced, and as a rule a striking back of the flame is produced
before the movably arranged plate or cap is moved out of reach of the heated
current of air.
In the present invention the above mentioned drawbacks in automatic gas
lighters having a plate or cap covering the top of the chimney are avoided by
the igniting pellet being arranged in a bye-pass or aperture in the plate or cap
covering the cylinder. This bye-pass forces the current of gas to flow directly over
the igniting ball and also diminishes the resistance of the plate on the ignition
taking place as it gives passage to the ignited gas which thus raises the plate out
of reach of the flame.
A form of construction of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings,
Figures 1 and 2 being vertical sections, with the parts in different positions.
On the upper part of the chimney C there is arranged a thin mica plate G having a
bye-pass or aperture D. The plate is connected with a hinge S by means of metal
strips M riveted thereon, and is practically counterbalanced by a counter-weight P.
The whole arrangement is mounted on the chimney by means of a clip or clamp R,
and the hinge is so arranged that the plate G remains standing at a short distance
above the edge of the cylinder or chimney, all round say about two millimetres.
The igniting pellet Z is attached to the clip R in such a way that it stands in
the bye-pass D. The inner arm of the clip is bent upwards, so that it forms a shield
against the heat for the igniting pellet.
The mode of working is as follows:-
When the gas tap is turned on, gas flows almost continuously in a concentrated
current through the main bye-pass D over the igniting device, and is in a short
time ignited by the latter. By the pressure which suddenly arises in the chimney
the mica plate is thrown up on its hinge, and in consequence of the rise of the
heated gas, is maintained during the burning of the gas in an almost vertical
position as shown in Figure 2. The puff arising on the ignition is greatly 4
diminished by the small distance between the mica and the edge of the chimney.
After the tap has been turned off the plate remains still for a few seconds in its
elevated position and then gradually descends on to its seat, so that the apparatus is
again ready for use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said 4
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
An automatic gas lighter with a cap or plate covering the chimney of the burner,
11

page_text: pass
in the plate with the object of forcing the gas to pass over the igniting pellet
in a concentrated current, and diminishing the resistance of the plate on ignition
taking place, substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 9th day of May 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.