IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1885

page_text: I HENRY FOURNESS of Platt View Platt Lane Rusholme Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Painter do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the lamps in which gas is consumed for purposes of
illumination. In a certain class of such lamps the gas issues in or nearly in a
horizontal direction from apertures in the circumference of the burner so as to form
a disc flame and it is to this class of lamps that my Invention relates. Above the
burner in my improved lamp is an air chamber which is by preference of a dished
or semi-globular form and is or may be provided with a gauze or perforated
partition. This chamber is connected by means of air tubes which may be
arranged in a circle with an annular air space which exists between the two shells
of a dome shaped or of a suitably shaped cover. From this cover a chimney.
extends upward and when the gas is conveyed downward to the burner the
gas pipe passes through this chimney and through the said air chamber. Air to
promote combustion enters at the outer edge of the said cover the air inlet or
inlets being preferably shielded. The air passes through the space in the cover
and through the air pipes into the air chamber becoming highly heated. Below
the burner is an air tube which conveys a current of cooler air to the flame.
This tube in some or in all cases sustains the glass shield usually termed the
globe. The upper part of the tube is attached to the burner and the lower end is
screwed to receive a nut which sustains the glass shield. I prefer to provide a ring
of asbestos material for the upper edge of the glass shield to bed upon. At the
lower end of the last named tube I provide a regulating valve which is carried
by a part which screws upon the end of the tube or is otherwise arranged to be
readily removable therefrom or is hinged or fitted to be turned down or on one
side so that a lighted taper can be passed upward to light the flame. Within the
cover I prefer to fix a shield to prevent overheating. This shield may carry an
enamelled or suitably prepared annular reflector. The lower air inlet tube with
regulating valve may be used in lamps having different air-heating arrangements.
Dated this 15th day of June 1885

page_text: Improvements in Gas Lighting Apparatus.
"
I HENRY FOURNESS of Platt View, Platt Lane, Rusholme, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Painter do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and accompanying drawings :-
My Invention relates to the lamps in which gas is consumed for purposes of
illumination.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I will now
proceed more particularly to describe the same with reference to the annexed two
sheets of drawings which illustrate several of the forms which my improved lamp
may be caused to assume. In the various figures of the said drawings similar
letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout.
Fig. 1 on sheet 1 is a vertical section of a lamp constructed in accordance with
my said invention and suited for use either in combination with an upright stand
or stem as shown or for application to an ordinary gas bracket or chandelier or
curved pendant as indicated by the dotted lines marked X. The burner a which
I use in the form of lamp under consideration is of the ordinary Argand type
having gas efflux apertures b. in the upper circumference of the hollow wall a
as is usual the said apertures being arranged to deliver the gas either vertically
as shown in Fig. 1 or horizontally as indicated in Fig. 1* and also as indicated
in the forms of lamp hereinafter to be described with reference to sheet 2 of the
drawings. As the gas issues from these apertures b. and becomes ignited it is met
by or commingled with currents of warm air which play upon both sides of the
résultant disc shaped flame which is indicated by the dotted line c. so as to ensure
perfect combustion of the gas and complete incandescence of the carbonaceous
atoms in the flame. The gas is led to the hollow wall a of the burner through the
hollow stem or pipe d. as shown by the arrows marked 1. while the aforesaid air
currents are introduced and heated in the following manner. The air which is
intended to act upon the lower side of the disc shaped flame c. is introduced to the
lamp in the manner which is usually employed when dealing with burners of
the argand or kindred types and I wish it to be understood that except in the
arrangement illustrated at Fig. 3 I make no claim to novelty in respect of the
method of supplying air to the underside of the flame as set forth in the present
It will be seen
specification but only to the method of regulating such air supply.
on reference to Fig. 1 that the circular hollow wall a of the burner forms as usual
a pipe or conduit open at both top and bottom. When the lamp is in operation
atmospheric air enters at the bottom of the pipe as indicated by the arrows
marked 2. and mingles with the gas issuing from the apertures in a. so as to
promote combustion. The burner a is enclosed as shown in an annular case or
tube e. an annular space f. being left between the burner a and the inner circum-
ference of the case or tube c. as is usual in many forms of argand burner. The
said case or tube e. is or may be attached at its upper part by pins or suspenders to
the burner a. or it may be formed in a piece with the said burner. Air entere

page_text: through perforations or spaces at the bottom of the annular space f. as shown by
the arrows marked 3. and issuing at the top impinges upon the under side of the
disc flame so as to increase its brilliancy and light giving power. The lower end
of the tube e.. is screwed to receive a nut g. which sustains the glass shield h
enclosing the light. The flange of the nut g. is perforated so as to admit a further
supply of air as indicated by the arrows marked 4. the latter supply being intended
to sustain the illuminating power of the disc flame e. at or near its outer edge or
periphery. As the interior of the lamp becomes heated it follows that the burner
and its air spaces become correspondingly heated so as to impart warmth to the
gas and air passing upward to the flame and thus render the said gas and air more
susceptable of advantageous combustion. The admission of air to the central tube
which is formed by the burner a can be regulated by means of a valve which in
the present instance consists of a nut i. which screws upon a central stem j. so as
to be capable of being moved further from or closer to the bottom of the tube and
thus increase or diminish the air orifice at the bottom of the tube. I may however
vary this method of regulating the air supply to the tube. The air which is
intended to act upon the upper side of the disc flame c. is admitted through the
upper portion of the lamp. It will be observed that immediately above the
burner a is an air chamber k. formed with inclined or dished sides and fixed to
the upper part of the lamp. The said upper part of the lamp is so constructed as
to heat the inflowing air which is indicated by the arrows marked 5. by the
utilization of the escaping hot vapours and products of combustion which find their
way to the chimney . as indicated by the arrows marked 6.
The air chamber k. is connected to the curved top m of the lamp by air tubes n
and above the said curved top is a similarly curved shield o. which slips over the
chimney . and is sustained a certain distance apart from the curved top by means
of a thimble p. so as to leave an annular space * for the passage of air as indicated.
The annular opening at the outer lip of the shield o. is or may be protected by an
upright rim or wall q. which tends to prevent the entrance of disturbing gusts or
waves of air. The air enters between the shield o. and the top m as shown by the
arrows 5. and flows through the tubes n to the chamber k. from whence it is
discharged through a wire gauze or other perforated partition r. so as to impinge
upon the upper side of the flame c. As the upper part of the lamp is in a highly
heated condition the air flowing into the chamber k. is correspondingly heated
especially in passing through the heating tubes n with which the escaping products
of combustion come into direct contact. It will be seen from Fig. 2 which is a plan.
view of a portion of the top m with the circle of tubes n that these tubes stand
directly in the path of the hot gases and products of combustion on their way to
the central chimney l. and abstract the heat from the said products the heat thus
abstracted being transferred to the air flowing through the tubes in the manner
described. The outer circumference of the chamber k. is polished, plated, painted,
enamelled or otherwise treated so as to reflect the light from the flame. To
prevent overheating an internal shield s. is employed and carries an annular ring t
which is plated, enamelled or painted so as to act as a reflector. If desired the
upper portion of the lamp may be made to lift off so as to facilitate the cleaning
and. lighting of the lamp or provision may be made for the introduction of a
lighted taper from beneath so as to ignite the gas. An asbestos packing ring may
be used at the joint between the upper edge of the glass shield and the removable
upper part of the lamp. Fig. 3 on Sheet 1 of the drawings is a sectional view of a
modified form of my improved lamp. The burner and lower parts of the lamp are
almost identical with those already described with reference to Fig. 1 but the
upper part is simplified. In Fig. 3 the herein before described upper portion of the
lamp is dispensed with and an ordinary glass globe h is employed to surround
the light. The air chamber k. is of a globular shape and is supplied with air from
beneath through a tube which occupies the centre of the burner a or may
constitute the centre of the said burner. The supply of air to the chamber k. can
be regulated by an adjustable nut i, similar to that described with reference to

page_text: Fig. 1 of the drawings. The air becomes heated in passing to and on entering the
chamber k. and flows through the wire mesh or perforated partition r. to the upper
side of the flame e. as shown by the arrows marked 5. The products of com-
bustion rise to the top of the lamp and escape by the chimney L. The globular
shaped chamber k. is burnished, plated or painted so as to reflect the light. The
opening at the top of the globe is made sufficiently large to permit of the intro-
duction of the chamber k. into the interior of the lamp and the lamp may be lit
either from beneath through a suitable opening or by removing the chimney cap l.
In Fig. 4 Sheet 1 my improvements are shown applied to a gas pendant to which
the gas is supplied from above, instead of from beneath as in the foregoing instances.
The upper portion of this lamp is similar to the upper portion of the lamp
described with reference to Fig. 1 but is of a slightly simpler form as the atmo-
sphere is allowed direct access to the heating tubes n. The burner a is secured by
a screw to the lower end of the gas supply pipe d. the gas supply being indicated
as in the former instances by the arrows marked I. The gas supply pipe has
openings . opposite to the hollow arms a¹ which supply the burner a and
the course of the gas through these openings to the burner and thence to the
flame is sufficiently clearly shown in the drawing by the arrows. In the lamp
described with reference to Fig. 3 the air to both sides of the flame is entirely
supplied from the bottom of the lamp. In the modification at present under con-
sideration air to both sides of the flame is supplied from the top of the lamp. The
air to the upper side of the flame c. is supplied through the perforated bottom r. of
the chamber k, while the air to the under side of the flame is supplied from the
same chamber by means of the pipe v. through which the air passes downward to
a chamber at the foot of the burner formed by an extension of the outer tube or
case c. From this chamber the air flows upward through the annular space.
between the tube or case e and the burner a aud impinges upon the flame as
indicated by the arrows. Air to act upon the outer circumference of the flame may
be admitted through perforations at the lighting aperture w or in the absence
of such provision several openings might be made in the air chamber e. at the
bottom of the burner so as to allow some of the air to escape towards the outer
portion of the flame as indicated by the dotted arrows Y. in Fig. 4. The lighting
aperture w may be opened and closed by a pivotted door revolvable by means of a
stud x. or the door might be hinged or formed to slide. The glass globe or shield h.
is attached to the upper part of the lamp as shown. A flange or wall y. surrounds
the tops of the tubes n so as partly to prevent the entrance of sudden gusts of air.
The gas pipe d. is situated in the middle of the chimney l. so that the gas is heated
in its passage to the burner a. The Figs. on Sheet 2 of the drawings have
reference to a modified form of the pendant gas lamp last described. Fig. 5 is an
outside view and Fig. 6 a vertical section of the lamp while Fig. 7 is a plan view
of the top of the lamp with the curved shield o. removed to show the air heating
tubes m.
The lamp body is similar in construction to that illustrated at Fig. 1 on
sheet 1 of the drawings but the burner is modified in form.
At Fig. 1 on sheet 1 I described a form of argand burner having horizontal
instead of vertical apertures for the delivery of the gas. The burner shown at
Figs. 5 and 6 is of such a type in so far as the horizontal arrangement of the gas
efflux openings is concerned and in the method of delivery of the gas to the burner
bears a certain resemblance to the burner shown in connection with Fig. 4.
The burner under consideration is composed of two bell shaped halves A. and A¹
which are turned bothe internally and externally and are screwed tightly together
upon the lower end of the threaded gas supply pipe d. the two halves thus
composing a chamber into which gas is admitted from the pipe d. through the
apertures z. as shown by the course of the arrows marked 1. It is important that
the said apertures s. should be in the position shown as I have found that when these
apertures are brought too nearly opposite to the horizontal openings a¹ in the
upper half A. of the burner the flame is apt to be irregular in shape. By isolating
the openings 3, in the manner shown the gas pressure is diffused and equalised in the

page_text: chamber before issuing from the apertures a¹. The burner with its horizontal
openings is surrounded as in the case of the hereinbefore described Argand burners
by an air case or tube which in the present instance is composed of two parts viz:
the upper part e. and the reduced lower continuation e¹ which is made less in bulk
than the upper half so as to reduce the size of the lighting apertures and to
diminish the shadow. The upper part e. is fastened by a screwed stem j. to the
lower half A¹ of the burner and the lower part et is bound to the upper part by
means of a wing nut B. on the said screwed stem.
It will be observed that the stem j. also carries an air supply regulating nut &.
as described with reference to former figures. The air enters the tube or case a. e¹
from beneath as in the case of Figs. 1 and 3. sheet 1 and as indicated by the
arrows marked 3. in Fig. 6 and after passing through the perforated partition e
issues through the annular space f. between the case e.. and the burner and
impinges upon the lower side of the disc shaped flame.
The outer circumference of the flame is brightened as aforesaid by an auxilliary
air supply represented by the arrows marked 4 and which is admitted through
perforations formed in the inverted cap C. shown in plan at Fig. of the drawings.
The said cap C. is screwed upon the tube el so as to support the glass shield h. and
another nut E. is or may be also screwed on the tube so as to hold the shield h.
between the flange of the cap and the nut E. by means of studs F. as shown.
The lighting of the lamp is effected through a revolvable pivotted door D. which
covers the lighting apertures w. The door can be revolved by the catch or
stud x.
The escape of the products of combustion and the supply of air through
the upper portion of the lamp to the chamber k. is clearly shown by the arrows in
Fig. 6 and has been already described with reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings.
In my provisional specification I briefly referred to means which in some cases
it is advisable to adopt for shielding the air inlets to a lamp such for example as
that last described. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of such a shield employed to protect
a lamp when used in an exposed situation. The said shield or wind guard consists
mainly as shown of an upper inclined or curved portion G. and an under similarly
inclined or curved part H. which approach each other at an angle towards the
apex I. but do not touch so that a narrow annular conical opening is left between
the upper and lower portions through which air is admitted to the interior of the
casing. I may however in some instances cause the two portions to touch and
admit air through perforations in the under curved part H. The bottom J. of the
casing has an orifice large enough to admit the glass shield h. of the lamp and
presents a ledge upon which the rim q. finds support. A second outer glass
shield K. is secured to the bottom J. of the case so as entirely to enclose the lamp.
Perforations L. are formed in the bottom J. so as to allow the air to pass as
indicated by the arrows from the interior of the wind guard or case into the space
between the glass shield K. and the glass . of the lamp to the bottom of the
tube c. by which the air is led to the burner as hereinbefore described. The air
chamber k. of the lamp is supplied with air from the interior of the casing as
shown by the arrows. The top of the said casing is provided with inclined and
curved baffle caps as shown which prevent down draughts whilst not interfering
with the escape of the products of combustion which are indicated by the arrows
marked 6. The said baffle caps also permit of the escape of any extra wind
pressure which may have forced its way into the casing. The bottom of the
glass shield K. of the windguard is fitted with a cap M. which is secured by a
bayonet joint or snap ring arrangement to the sleeve M. The said cap can readily
be removed when desired for lighting the lamp and for other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The general arrangement and construction of the several regenerative gas
lamps substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.

page_text: .
2. In regenerative gas lamps of. the construction indicated at Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6
of the accompanying drawings causing the escaping products of combustion to
come into contact with the exterior of vertical air heating tubes n. substantially as
described and shown. .
'
3. In gas lamps of the construction shown at Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings
introducing air to the air chamber k. through vertical heating tubes n. the said
tubes being placed either directly in communication with the atmosphere as in
Fig. 4 or in communication with an annular heating space existing between the
curved top m and the similarly curved shield o. as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6 of the
drawings.
4. The adjustable nut or valve i. for regulating the supply of air to the bottom
of the lamp substantially as described and shown with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 5
and 6 of the drawings.
5. Supplying air to the air chamber k. from the bottom of the lamp by means of
a tube passing through the centre of the burner substantially as shown and
described with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings.
6. The general arrangement and construction of wind guard for protecting the air
inlets of lamps substantially as herein before described and shown with reference to
Fig. 9 of the drawings.
: