Improvements in the Means or Apparatus for Supplying Oil or other Liquid to Lamps or other Devices which Gradually Consume or Utilize it.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1889
* Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 1st Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means or Apparatus for Supplying Oil or other
Liquid to Lamps or other Devices which Gradually Consume or
Utilize it.
We CHARLES WILLIAM BENSON DEAR of Chase Side, Southgate in the County of
Middlesex, Ironmonger, and SAMUEL PRINCE CATTERSON of Globe Lamp Works,
Newington Causeway in the County of Surrey Manufacturer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has reference to means or apparatus for supplying oil or other
liquid to any device such for example as a lamp or a lubricator which, when in use
or operation, gradually consumes or utilizes the liquid and it relates to apparatus of
the kind in which the liquid reservoir is at a higher level than the lamp burner,
lubricator or other device, the liquid flowing down a tube (or tubes) the lower end
of which terminates in a chamber at or in proximity to the point of consumption or
utilization. In apparatus of the kind referred to the atmospheric pressure prevents
the liquid flowing down the tube so long as the level in the chamber in which its
lower end terminates is above this end which is the normal state, but as soon as the
lower end becomes partly uncovered by consumption of the liquid the liquid flows
down and restores the normal level; the action is thus automatic.
The invention mainly consists in providing the oil or liquid reservoir with mechanism
or means whereby when the plug or cover which closes the filling aperture of the
reservoir is open or raised a valve at the upper end of the outlet or down flow tube
is closed, while on the other hand when the plug or cover is in place the said valve
is opened, the act of closing the filling aperture having the effect of opening the
valve, and the act of opening the filling aperture having the effect of closing the
valve, or of allowing it to be closed by a spring or otherwise. Thus while the
reservoir is being filled and is open to the atmosphere the valve prevents the liquid
entering the down flow tube and when the filling hole is hermetically closed so as
to prevent the inlet of air the valve is open end the liquid can flow down the tube
whenever by the partial uncovering of its lower and the air has temporary access to
that end. The mechanism or means for carrying out this object, that is to say for
providing that the valve shall be closed when the filling aperture is open and
vice versa can be arranged in various ways; one arrangement which we have found
to answer well for the purpose is hereinafter described. The invention comprises
other improvements which will be understood by the description hereinafter
contained.
We will proceed to described the invention as applied to a street or overhead
lamp for which it is specially adapted, the particular arrangement of mechanism set
forth being that hereinbefore referred to as being what we have found to answer
well.
To the upper part of the frame of the lamp or lantern we fit the oil reservoir
from which a downflow tube (one or more) leads to the oil chamber below the
burner, in which chamber the lower part of the wick is contained. The upper end
of the downflow tube is provided with a valve which is carried on the end of a lever
and fitted with a spring that tends to close it. The filling aperture of the reservoir.
has a hermetically closing plug or cover, which carries on its inner face a fork or
other suitable part which, when the plug is in place, acts upon the valve lever and
thereby opens the valve, overcoming the power of the spring above named. The
plug is fitted with one or more washers or other suitable packing, and must be
forced tight home so as to ensure hermeticity. This forcing home we prefer to
effect by means of a cam or excentric on a spindle mounted in brackets or arms

page_text: outside the reservoir, the rod being fitted with a lever or handle by which it can
be moved on its axis; by giving the rod about one-fourth of a turn the cam or
excentric bears upon the outside face of the plug and forces it home.
In order to
compensate for any irregularity or unevenness in the packing or other parts
and at the same time.to ease the movement of the cam we fit in the centre of the
plug a spring button against which the cam acts. In connection with this button we
preferably employ a screw.bush, which, while holding the button in place, serves to
adjust it.
We bevel the lower end of the downflow tube as this makes the apparatus work
much more regularly and perfectly than when the end is flat.
In order to allow of the reservoir being readily removed from the lamp in case of
need we extend the oil chamber of the lamp by means of a horizontal tube to the
side of the lamp frame or lantern at a level corresponding with the normal height of
tha oil in the chamber, and we then carry it up any desired distance; we cause the
downflow tube to terminate in the said tube at the normal oil level. In this way
the downflow tube can be made straight and when the reservoir has to be lifted
from the lamp frame can easily be drawn through the hole at the top of the frame
through which it normally passes; this could not readily be done if the downflow
tube were made bent so as to connect direct with the oil chamber below the
burner.
Dated this 18th day of Mauch 1000
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means or Apparatus for Supplying Oil or other
Liquid to Lamps or other Devices which Gradually Consume or
Utilize it.
Wo CHARLES WILLIAM BENSON DEAR of Chase Side, Southgate in the County of
Middlesex Ironmonger and SAMUEL PRINCE CATTERSON of Globe Lamp Works,
Newington Causeway in the County of Surrey, Manufacturer, 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:-
Our invention has reference to means or apparatus for supplying oil or other
liquid to any device such for example as a lamp or a lubricator which when in use
or operation gradually consumes or utilizes the liquid and it relates to apparatus of
the kind in which the liquid reservoir is at a higher level than the lamp burner,
lubricator or other device, the liquid flowing down a tube (or tubes) the lower end
of which terminates in a chamber at or in proximity to the point of consumption or
utilization. In apparatus of the kind referred to the atmospheric pressure prevents
the liquid flowing down the tube so long as the level in the chamber in which its
lower end terminates is above this end, which is the normal state, but as soon as the
lower end becomes partly uncovered by consumption of the liquid the liquid flows
down and restores the normal level; the action is thus automatic.
The invention mainly consists of mechanism or means applied to the oil or liquid
reservoir as hereinafter described whereby when the plug or cover which closes the
filling aperture of the reservoir is open or raised a valve at the upper end of the
outlet or downflow tube is closed; while on the other hand when the plug or cover
is in place the said valve is opened, the act of closing the filling aperture baving
the effect of opening the valve, and the act of opening the filling aperture having the
effect of closing the valve or of allowing it to be closed by a spring or otherwise.
Thus while the reservoir is being filled and is open to the atmosphere the valve
prevents the liquid entering the downflow tube and when the filling hole is hermetically
closed so as to prevent the inlet of air the valve is open and the liquid can. flow down
the tube whenever by the partial uncovering of its lower end the air has temporary
access to that end:

page_text: The invention comprises other improvements which will be understood by the
description hereinafter contained.
We will proceed to describe the invention as applied to a street or overhead
lamp for which it is specially adapted. To the upper part of the frame of the lamp
or lantern we fit the oil reservoir from which a downflow tube (one or more) leads
to the oil chamber below the burner, in which chamber the lower part of the wick
is contained. The upper end of the downflow tube is provided with a valve which
is fitted with a spring that tends to close it. The filling aperture of the reservoir
has a hermetically closing plug or cover which carries on its inner face a suitable
part which when the plug is in place acts through an intermediate device upon the
valve and thereby opens the valve overcoming the power of the spring above named.
The plug is fitted with one or more washers or other suitable packing and must be
forced tight home so as to ensure hermeticity. This forcing home we prefer to
effect by means of a cam or excentric on a spindle mounted in brackets or arms
outside the reservoir, the rod being fitted with a lever or handle by which it can be
moved on its axis; by giving the spindle a partial turn the cam or excentric bears
upon the outside face of the plug and forces it home.
In order to compensate for
any irregularity or unevenness in the packing or other parts and at the same time
to ease the movement of the cam we fit in the centre of the plug a spring button
against which the cam acts. In connection with this button we preferably employ
a screw bush which, while holding the button in place, serves to adjust it.
We bevel the lower end of the downflow tube as this makes the apparatus work
much more regularly and perfectly than when the end is flat.
In order to allow of the reservoir being readily removed from the lamp in case of
need we extend the oil chamber of the lamp by means of a horizontal tube to the side
of the lamp frame or lantern at or below a level corresponding with the normal height
of the oil in the chamber and we then carry it up any desired distance; we cause the
downflow tube to terminate in the said tube at the normal oil level. In this way the
downflow tube can be made straight and when the reservoir has to be lifted from
the lamp frame can easily be drawn through the hole at the top of the frame through
which it normally passes; this could not readily be done if the downflow tube were
made bent so as to connect direct with the oil chamber below the burner. The
arrangement has the further advantage of maintaining the oil in the downflow tube
cool as the outer tube forms an air jacket to same.
Our invention and the manner of carrying it into effect will be fully understood by
the annexed illustrative drawings. Figures 1 to 9 represent a street or overhead lamp
in which our improvements are embodied. Figures 10 to 16 show a modified arrange-
ment of the mechanism whereby when the plug or cover which closes the filling
aperture of the reservoir is open or raised a valve at the upper end of the outlet or
downflow tube is closed and vice versa. Referring first to Figures 1 to 9 Figure 1 is
an elevation of the lamp partly in section on the line 1-1 of Figure 2. Figure 2 is a
plan or top view. Figure 3 is a side view showing the reservoir in the act of being
lifted from the lamp. Figures 4 to 9 show on a larger scale the oil controlling
mechanism Figures 4 and 5 being respectively a vertical section and a plan with the
plug removed, Figure 6 the plug and Figures 7, 8 and 9 being respectively a vertical
section, a plan and a side elevation with the plug in place.
a is the body of the lamp which may be of any suitable construction; in the parti-
cular construction shown there is a casing or jacket b around the chimney c and also a
space all round the casing b between it and the oil reservoir d so that there are two
currents of external air as indicated by arrows in Figure 1 between the chimney and
the oil reservoir which is therefore kept cool. The oil reservoir d is carried by an
upper frame e which fits upon the top of the lamp body a. is the downflow tube for
the oil from the reservoir to the oil chamber of the burner. It may be carried if
desired direct to the chamber g but with the objects already herein stated we prefer to
extend the oil chamber y by means of a tube. to the side of the lamp frame or 'body a
below (or it might be at) the level of the normal height of the oil in the said chamber,

page_text: and to then carry it up any desired distance as seen at i which shows it carried up to
the top of the frame a. The downflow tube f terminates in the tube i at the normal
oil level. Thus the tube f can be made straight and when the reservoir d has to be
lifted from the lamp frame (see Figure 3) the tube can be drawn out of the tube i.
The tube also constitutes an air jacket to the tube fand keeps the oil therein cool.
There is an air inlet to the tube i at j. k is a tube or rod acting merely as a stay or
support to the oil chamber. The lower end of the tube fis preferably bevelled as
shown for the purpose already herein stated.
P
The oil chamber d is shown as in the form of a rectangular frame open in the centre
so as to extend all round the upper part of the lamp. This is a convenient form under
ordinary circumstances but it can be varied as desired. In one corner of this frame is
fitted the inechanism for controlling the flow of the oil. This comprises a case l
having at bottom a hollow cone or nozzle m to which the downflow tube f is hermeti-
cally connected by soldering or otherwise. Fisting the hollowed cone m at its upper
end is a valve n which normally closes the passage through the cone to the tube f, this
closing when the valve is not forcibly kept open as hereinafter explained, being ensured
by a spring o fitted between the valve and the ring or flange p; this ring is formed in
a piece with a sleeve q through which the valve rod r passes. The ring screws into
the top of an inner cases which is perforated so as to strain or filter the oil on its way
to the valve. The valve rod is slotted at its upper part to receive two levers or
arms attached by the pin u to the valve rod and bearing upon the top of the
sleeve . The outer case 7 has an opening to allow the oil to pass freely between
the reservoir and the case. The top of the case forms the filling aperture, see Figures 4
and 5, and is fitted with a plug w having a flexible washer x to form a hermetic joint
between a flange y on the plug and a collar on the case !. When the plug is lifted
out of the case the spring o forces down and closes the valve n. When on the other
hand the plug w is forced home it presses down the outer ends of the levers tt (see
Figure 7) so that these levers which bear upon the top of the sleeve り rise at their
inner ends and thereby lift the valve rod and valve and open the latter. Thus
when the plug is home the valve is open and when the plug is slacked or
removed the valve is closed. The plug is forced. home as follows though it
is evident that various other means could be adopted for the purpose.
On a
spindle A mounted in swing (or they may be fixed) brackets or arms B B which are
attached to the collar is a cam or eccentric C fitted with a handle D. By giving the
spindle A a partial turn from the position seen in Figures 4 and 5 to that seen in
Figures 7 and 8 the cam C is caused to bear upon the outside face of the plug and
force it home. In order to compensate for any irregularity or unevenness in the
packing or other parts and at the same time ease the movements of the cam C we fit
in the centre of the plug head a button E with spring F tending to force it up. The
cam Cacts against this button. In connection therewith we employ a screw bush H
which while holding the button in place by means of its shoulder, serves to adjust it
when screwed up to the necessary extent.
Referring now to the modified arrangement of mechanism shown in Figures 10 to 16,
Figure 10 is a vertical section and Figure 11 a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 15
of the mechanism with the valve closed, Figure 12 represents a key used to release or
to lock the plug. Figure 13 is a vertical section and Figure 14 a section on the
line 3-3 of Figure 15 of the mechanism with the valve open. Figure 15 is a side
view, the valve being open and Figure 16 a top view. In this modification when the
valve n is open and the apparatus is at work the plug w is forced up by a spring I so
as to bring a washer or packing against the flange K of the case and hermetically
close the top of the case which is the filling aperture. The spring o to the valve is
also distended. When it is required to open the filling aperture and therefore to close
the valve the key, Figure 12, is fitted over the square L on the head of the plug w
and with this key the plug is forced down and partially turned. During this move-
ment a screw or pin M on the plug rides down a curved slot or guide N in the case
and is finally held in the catch P at the end of the slot. The forcing down of the plug

page_text: overcomes the force of the springs I and o and the valve n is consequently made to
close. The top of the case may in this modification be fitted with a suitable hinged
or removable cover.
If preferred the screw or pin M can be fixed to the case and the slot or guide N
be formed in the plug w. In both the modifications of our apparatus above described
the valve can readily be removed for examination or repair without interfering with
the reservoir.
The application of our oil or liquid controlling arrangement to other devices such
for example as lubricators will be understood without further explanation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to for supplying oil or other liquid from
a higher level to lamps or other devices which gradually consume or utilize it, the
arrangements substantially as hereinbefore described and respectively illustrated in
Figures 4 to 9 and in Figures 10 to 16 of the annexed drawings, whereby when the
plug or cover which closes the filling aperture of the reservoir is open or raised a valve
to the outlet or downflow tube is closed, while on the other hand when the plug or
cover is in place the said valve is opened, the act of closing the filling aperture having
the effect of opening the valve, and the act of opening the filling aperture having the
effect of closing the valve or of allowing it to be automatically closed, substantially as
set forth.
2. In a street or overhead lamp having its oil or liquid reservoir at a higher level than
the burner, a tubular lateral extension of the lamp oil chamber to the side of the lamp
frame, and an upward continuation of such lateral extension in combination with a
downflow tube which enters the upward continuation and is together with the reservoir
carried by a removable part of the lamp frame, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described and as represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Dated this 18th day of December 1000
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.