AN IMPROVEMENT IN A NEW FORM OF LAMP FOR BURNING PARAFFIN OR MINERAL OILS, EITHER IN MAGIC LANTERNS, THE PUBLIC STREETS, LIGHTHOUSES, ROOMS, &C., TO BE CALLED THE TRIPLEXICON LANTERN LAMP
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Charles Hughes, of 151, Hoxton Street, N.,
London, Optician, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN A NEW FORM
OF LAMP FOR BURNING PARAFFIN OR MINERAL OILS, EITHER IN MAGIC
LANTERNS, THE PUBLIC STREETS, LIGHTHOUSES, ROOMS, &C., TO BE CALLED THE
TRIPLEXICON LANTERN LAMP."
."
Sealed the 22nd February 1878, and dated the 5th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Charles Hugbes
"
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th September 1877.
WILLIAM CHARLES HUGHES, of 151, Hoxton Street, N., London, Optician. AN
IMPROVEMENT IN A NEW FORM OF LAMP FOR BURNING PARAFFIN OR MINERAL OILS,
EITHER IN MAGIC LANTERNS, THE PUBLIC STREETS, LIGHTHOUSES, ROOMS, &C.,
TO BE CALLED THE TRIPLEXICON LANTERN LAMP.'
A new lamp, having three distinct wicks, measuring from half an inch to eight or
ten inches wide, which are raised or depressed by three distinct ratchet wheels with
milled heads attached, and placed in the following position, viz. :-The centre wick
being quite straight, and the two side wicks being partially curved in a circular
form; the wicks are then covered over by a semi-globular cone, an egg-shaped slot
being made in the top to allow the wicks to pass through, the wicks at the same
time being perpendicular and at proper distances from each other; the combustion
chamber, which covers the cone and wicks, to be constructed in a circular or oblong
form, and either end to be filled with mica or talc, or one end with the lantern
condenser itself. This, together with the improvement of the three distinct wicks,
which are quite separate, yet ignite together and form one flame, forms the funda-
mental principle of the Invention.
When the lamp is used in lighthouses, the combustion chamber which covers the
wicks will be a semi-hexagon, the front having a flat plate of annealed glass. When

page_text: used as an illuminating medium in the streets, or otherwise, the combustion chainber
will assume other shapes, such as square, oblong, hexagonal, octagonal, &c., having
sides of annealed glass; the oil cistern in all cases being suitable and of the ordinary
kind.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Charles Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th March 1878.
WILLIAM CHARLES HUGHES, of 151, Hoxton Street, N., London, Optician.
"AN
IMPROVEMENT IN A NEW FORM OF LAMP FOR BURNING PARAFFIN OR MINERAL
OILS, EITHER IN MAGIC LANTERNS, THE PUBLIC STREETS, LIGHTHOUSES, ROOMS, &C.,
TO BE CALLED THE TRIPLEXICON LANTERN LAMP.'"
F
A new and improved form of lamp, having three distinct wicks and separate
racks and pinions arranged in such a manner and having such dimensions in
construction and shape as to cause proper and perfect combustion, both for magic
lanterns, the public streets, rooms, halls, ships, lighthouses, &c.
It has long since become apparent that to get the proper combustion of three
separate wicks so as to make them burn with anything like certainty and effect,
would require a vast amount of ingenuity and skill. This, however, is done by
regulating to a nicety the proper admission of the proper amount of air in such
quantities as to support combustion without losing any of the whiteness of the light
or flame.
I am enabled, however, by my arrangements to produce such great
intensity of light for the purposes above mentioned.
In speaking of its application in this my Final Specification, to the magic lantern,
it is proper to explain very clearly the reasons for my various regulations, plans,
shapes, and dimensions, as well as the construction of the "triplexicon" lamp itself,
as hereafter described.
In the first place, it is very essential that the wicks for magic lanterns and the
orifice of the wick tubes should be shaped and arranged in certain positions so as
to be compatible with the absorbing power of a lantern condenser, so that few rays
of light may be lost by it. It has been the aim of magic lantern manufacturers
generally for years past to obtain a properly illuminated and bright disc on the
screen. One of the essential features for the accomplishment of this object is the
size of the flames themselves, and the position and shape the wicks should necessarily
occupy. For example, there may be placed at the back or front of a lantern con-
denser ever so concentrated a light, at either the top, bottom, or sides, and still
scarcely any result will be perceptible; but adjust the same light at a proper focal
distance, and in the centre, then nearly all the rays are absorbed, provided the flame
or flames are placed in straight lines, or partially curved from the lens. What is
meant is this-Suppose a flat flame is placed strictly parallel with the condenser,
only that portion of the flame that comes immediately within the absorbing radius
of the same will produce any advantageous result, because it is only the centre part
of the lens that collects really the rays of light. But reverse the lamp, by presenting
the edges of the flames to the condenser, and you get quite a different effect.
the condenser absorbs more light longitudinally than in a parallel direction. There-
Thus

page_text: fore in a lamp of this kind it is very essential to study these points. This ultimatum
has been obtained by the introduction of wicks placed in straight lines to the con-
denser, as in the "sciopticon," and lamps of similar construction.
In the application of three wicks for the same purpose, the like principle is to be
adopted; but to obtain in this case the concentrated light, the width of the wicks,
as well as their various shapes, together with their proper combustion, must be of
vital importance.
If three wicks are placed very close together, no matter in what position, a very
poor light would be obtained, on account of sufficient air not being allowed to pass
between the wicks, because of their closeness to each other; and on the other hand,
if placed too wide apart they would certainly lose their power for transmitting
light to the screen, a large quantity of the outside rays being lost.
Suppose a large argand burner (say two inches in diameter) is placed in a magic
lantern, a great deal of heat would be generated, adding but very little more light to
the screen, on account of the light from the front and the back being caught by the
lens, while the greater part of it on the lateral sides would be lost, and on the whole
give but little more brilliancy to the screen than a one-inch argand burner. Hence
it is that the oxy-hydrogen lime light is so valuable, because of the concentration of
the light at a given point in magic lantern use.
Next comes the relation of these three wicks to each other, and to the condenser
itself.
The object I have in view is to get the greatest amount of light possible. This
can alone be obtained from the width of the burning edges of the wicks being
placed in suitable positions, and having such internal and external arrangements as
to carry off the hot air as much as possible. Therefore the width of the wicks for
magic lanterns of 3 or 4 inch condensers should not be less than one inch and five-
eighths, but more if necessary, up to eight or ten inches.
In a magic lantern with 3 or 4 inch condensers, my standard size of the
wicks is not less than two inches wide, although I claim to use them as low as one
inch and five-eighths, in condensers 3 to 4 inches in diameter, and wider if
necessary.
It is evident that a condenser absorbs more rays of light when placed in such a
position as to catch them edgeways, therefore the wider the wicks (consistent with the
other arrangements) the greater must be the intensity of the light, and a more
brilliantly lit up disc will be the consequence.
The condenser at the focal distance
will absorb or take in any amount of concentrated light. If three wicks are
arranged (say three-quarters of an inch wide) for use in a magic lantern, what would
be the result? No more effect than an ordinary light would give. But make them
two inches, and you get a wonderfully increased light, and so on, if larger, cæteris
paribus. In this part of my Invention I adhere strictly to this point, viz., that
no three-wick magic lantern lamp should have wicks less than one inch and five-
eighths wide, and increased if necessary to eight or ten inches, according (as before
mentioned) to the size of the magic lantern condenser; but in streets, rooms, halis,
shops, lighthouses, &c., they when curved or bent (one or more of them) may be used
in sizes varying from half an inch to eight or ten inches wide.
The wicks should be placed in the following positions in relation to the condenser,
so that it absorbs as much of the light as possible, as well as to produce a proper
illuminated disc without aberration or shadow.
In the first place, to produce these results the wicks should be situated thus,
viz-The centre wick straight, while the two side ones curve (as shown in Fig. 10
of the accompanying Drawings).
In the second place, the centre wick is straight and the two side ones each at an.
angle, as shown in Fig. 11.
In the third place, the centre wick is straight, the side ones forming part of a
circle or egg shape (as in Fig. 12), also arranged in divisions, according to the
various widths given in the Drawings.
Either of the three triple-shaped wicks, shown by Figures 10, 11, and 12, will

page_text: produce the same effect on the screen. Now, although the wick tubes take the
above shape at their orifice for magic lantern purposes, as before mentioned, they
are equally as powerful for rooms, streets, lighthouses, &c.
The whiteness and intensity of the flaine is also determined by the proper and
well regulated amount of air being admitted, by the proper arrangements under-
neath, between and above the perforated plates and that which surrounds the
flames. This is very important, and the brilliancy of light produced by the arrange-
ment of parts as to size and dimensions of the various fittings and parts forming
the lamp, as shown by the Drawings. As it is absolutely necessary to have
properly arranged air-draughts underneath the flames, it is also imperative to have
the required quantity of air admitted round about and above them. This is done
externally by the size of the combustion chambers, which are shaped by my
Invention in more forms than one suitable to the various sizes of the flames. For
instance, if a set of wicks two inches wide will take a chamber four inches in
diameter, a wick three inches wide will take one six inches in diameter, the same
standard being observed with regard to the size of the fittings, and so forth, pro-
vided they have the arrangements I have made for their proper combustion. The
flames too must rise steadily to a proper height and burn with great whiteness,
which can only be guaranteed by my calculated constructions, as before described.
In the combustion chambers, covering the flames of the ordinary two wick lamps
on the sciopticon principle, they have at either end two glass plates. These
chambers are made of metal, and form part of the chimney by which the hot air
escapes.
"
""
In my Invention, for covering the three wicks I place at each end, instead of glass,
very finely cut plates of mica or talc, or the condenser itself at one end, if
necessary. My reason for so doing is that the ordinary window glass will not
stand the heat, which has always been a serious defect even in the two wick lamps,
and would be much more so in lamps of three wicks; but I do not confine myself
to the use of this form of chamber when the lamps are used in magic lanterns, but
to the other parts of my Invention which apply to its use in the streets, shops,
halls, rooms, lighthouses, &c., the combustion chamber consists of an annealed glass,
square, circular, conical, polygonal, or other convenient shape suitable for the
purpose for which it is required; but I prefer for present use the conical annealed
glass chamber, 4 inches in diameter at the bottom, three inches and one-eighth at
the top, and 3 inches and three-quarters deep, and hollow right through like a
cylinder, the bottom of which rests on the ground plate (Figures 13 and 15), and
is covered over by a metal conical-shaped frame or cap (as in Figure 9), the glass
cylinder fitting loosely inside the same and with the long metal chimney (D, Fig. 3),
which fits round the collar of the metal cap and forms an entire and complete
chamber; two openings (Fig. 9), back and front, allowing the light to pass out at
either side; a silver reflector (C, Fig. 14), with moveable piece A is attached to
the cover or top plate of lamp, and reflects the light to the condenser. This cap or
metal frame rests entirely on the ground plate, and can be removed as a separate
piece. The glass chamber (see Fig. 16) should be made of annealed blower glass
of any of the shapes and sizes before mentioned. The outside frame or cap fitting
to correspond with it may have as many openings as required to admit of light
passing out in any direction; or in place thereof a metal cap resting on the top of
the glass chamber may be applied, so proportioned and arranged as to leave a large
area for light to pass out without any interruption, so as to support the chimney
herein-before described.
The ground plate (Fig. 13), which is circular, and on which rests the metal frame
and glass chamber, has an arrangement (Fig. 15) for letting in minimum quantities
of air, if necessary, to feed the flames. The plan of this portion of my Invention
will be more fully described hereafter with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
As before mentioned common window glass will crack under ordinary circum-
stances, because it cannot be got very readily and properly annealed; and when

page_text: its being
three flames, two inches wide, scarcely a minute will pass without
shattered, hence it is the blown annealed glass chambers will survive any amount
of heat that may be brought to bear upon. them during the combustion of the same;
moreover, in this form of chamber and connected chimney the hot air escapes
without any intervention, which is of great moment when the lamp is placed in a
confined space, while in the metal combustion chamber it collects and remains
intensified, much to the detriment of surroundings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (WITH FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF DETAILS FOR
CARRYING MY INVENTION INTO PRACTICAL EFFECT).
Figure 1 shows the form of the lantern body in elevation, same measuring (for
three and a half inches or four inch condensers) twelve and a half inches from front
to back, eight and a quarter inches in height, and nine inches wide, and made larger,
if necessary, according to the size of the lantern condensers used.
Fig. 2 is a back view of the lantern, showing exactly the form it assumes.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the lamp in its entirety; and Figs. 5 to 19, various sections
of the same.
The lamp proper consists of an ordinary cistern or reservoir (B, Fig. 3), which
can be made any size to contain sufficient oil for the time the lamp is wanted to
burn; on the top of this are wick tubes, three in number, through which the wicks
pass, and are raised and depressed by three separate racks and pinions with milled
heads.
The centre wick holder is quite perpendicular, while the two side ones lean toward
the centre one at the top (as shown by B, C, D, in Fig. 6), so that the three wicks
may be enabled to assume the several shapes shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12. The
two outside wicks in either case being more widely separated at some points than
others from the centre wick (as shewn at B, C, D, Fig. 6), while at one point they
are brought closer together, and are not wider apart in any position than half an
inch and one sixteenth, and not nearer together than a bare quarter of an inch in
the narrowest part of the various curves, as shewn in Figs. 10, 11, and 12. There
must be also between each wick holder (soldered near the bottom) perforated plates,
as shown at A, B, C, Figs. 10, 11, and 12. This is to prevent the air from rushing
through too violently, and only to allow the proper quantity of air to pass between
the flames for the proper combustion.
The wick holder is generally two inches and three quarters in height.
On account of the capillary attraction they should not be less, as sufficient amount
of space must be allowed for the air to pass through, in order to feed the flames.
Above the ground plate (P, Fig. 5), and resting on four separate feet (A, E, C, O,)
barely one inch in height, is another plate (T) which is perforated with a number of
small holes. This plate is about six and a quarter inches long, by four and a quarter
inches wide, having entirely around it a ledge z, three-eighths of an inch in depth.
When the cover plate (Fig. 7) is placed thereon, the air penetrates through the
cone z, and thence to the flames.
Between the perforated plate or platform, and on the top of cistern of the lamp
is placed a metal shield (see Fig. 5) to prevent the heat from being thrown down
direct upon the cistern containing oil. This is situated at both ends of the lamp,
and is arched like a bridge (see z, z, Fig. 6). On the cover plate (Fig. 7) is fixed a
bell-shaped cone z, standing two inches in height, and in diameter at the bottom,
three and three quarters. The extreme edge of same being turned back to allow of
firmly soldering it to the ground plate of the cover underneath, the top part of the
cone covering the wicks being two inches and three quarters in diameter, down
the centre of which a slot (B, Fig. 13) is cut, of the size and shape to lay right
above the curves of the two side wicks in either of the three positions before
mentioned, and is raised above the two side wicks half an inch. The slot is carried
in depth on the cone at either end half an inch (as at B, Fig. 4).

page_text: Between the cone and the wicks there is sufficient space to allow the air to
efficiently do its work on any portion of the flames.
It is therefore these dimensions and sizes of the various parts and fittings, together
with the combustion chambers, that regulate this sized lamp suitable for magic
lanterns with three and a half or four inch condensers.
This lamp can be used for burning paraffin oils, but should colza oil require to be
burned in it, I can adapt an ordinary fountain cistern, but a little variation in
sizes, either larger or smaller, will not prevent the desired and proper combustion
of the flames; but to whiten the flames, a proportionate quantity of fine wire
gauze or muslin can be placed between the perforated plate (T, Fig. 5) and the
top plate (Fig. 7).
The combustion chamber as before mentioned, can be made of various shapes, but
not larger in proportion than adopted by me for present use (as shewn by Figs. 9,
16, and 18) for magic lanterns with three and a half or four inch condensers.
Fig. 16 is the glass chamber or cylinder (which must be made of blown annealed
glass), about four inches in diameter at the bottom, three inches and one eighth at the
top, and three inches and three quarters deep; the metal frame or cap (Fig. 9) being
just the size to cover the glass cylinder or chamber loosely, having openings back
and front to let the light out. This, when the metal chimney (A, D, C, Fig. 3) is
attached, forms a complete combustion chamber.
Fig. 13 is the ground plate, which is circular and raised about midway up the bell-
shaped cone (z, Fig. 7), covering the flames, and securely fastened to the same, in
order to hold the combustion chamber firmly. This ground plate is made in two
separate pieces (as in Figures 13 and 15), but forming, when together, one platform..
The top plate (Fig. 13) has its inner and outer edges turned over on the underneath
portion to form a frame in which is placed the bottom plate (Fig. 15), fitted
moderately loose to allow it to revolve round either one way or the other. Both
of these plates have a number of holes (say twenty-seven for instance) at
certain distances apart, and about one eighth of an inch in diameter, same being
punched through the plates for the purpose of forming a vent for letting in
the outside air to the combustion chamber should the glass chamber fit too tightly
in the metal frames. By this arrangement the bottom piece is turned, and so covers
and uncovers the holes situated in the top ground plate, (the dotted lines in Figs. 13
and 15 showing the position of the same). Attached to the perforated ground plate
are two ledges, placed in such a position as to be back and front of the lamp (see A, A,
Fig. 13, which shows their position). These ledges are placed for the purpose of
retaining the combustion chamber firmly and securely in its place. D, Fig. 3,
is the connective metal chimney which forms part of the combustion chamber.
C, Fig. 14, is the reflector which moves to and fro in a slide A, and is placed
on the right side of the ground plate (Fig. 7) covering the wicks. This is to
enable the operator to adjust it in a proper position.
Fig. 18 is a metal cap or frame which rests on the glass chamber without resting
on the ground plate, to which is attached the outside metal chimney, made in size
according to the glass chamber.
Fig. 17 is an ordinary glass chimney which can be used on the ground plate,
Fig 13, if desired.
Fig. 19 is a gas burner having the same curves as the orifices in Figs. 10, 11, and
12, but instead of pinions having three separate gas taps for adjusting the flames to
a nicety the width of the burners will vary in size from half an inch to eight or
ten inches, they will also curve similarly to the wick tubes as used in the oil lamp.
The cone (Fig. 8) will fit over them, and a metal platform (B, Fig. 19) near the
bottom will hold the cone and glass chimney or combustion chamber. This triple
burner will assume the same positions, &c., as in the other portion of my
Invention relating to the "triplexicon" lamp.
The "triplexicon " lamp in its completeness can be made larger, the dimensions
being of course in proportion with the size of the wicks, any part accordingly being
made on a proportionate scale, which will ensure proper combustion,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim,-
The new or improved form of lamp herein-before described, having three distinct
wicks, and separate racks and pinions, or equivalents therefor, arranged substan-
tially in the manner herein-before set forth and described with the view to ensure
proper and perfect combustion, whether for magic lanterns, streets, ships, halls, light-
houses, &c.
Also the arrangement of the ground plate and of the combustion chambers,
substantially as the same are herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Charles Hughes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventors' Patent Right Assn., Ld.,
21, Cockspur Street,
Charing Cross,
S.W.
W. C. HUGHES. (LS.)