Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 24th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 24th Feh., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
We WILLIAM HENRY EDWARDS of Gladstone Road, Gravelly Hill in the County
of Warwick Manager. CHARLES BRITTON of 57 New Street Aston-New-Town
Birmingham in the said County of Warwick Manufacturer and JOSEPH ELLIS
WILLIAMS of Lillie Bridge Works West Brompton in the County of Middlesex
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain further Improvements on "An Improved Safety
Lamp for use in mines or other places where Explosive gases are present" for which
a Provisional Specification was filed on the 18th of March 1886 and numbered 3821
by the said Joseph Ellis Williams, and consists in improved devices regulating the
communication between the Lamp Chamber and the outer air, such devices forming a
more efficient check against explosion and contributing to the steady action of the
Lamp.
in use.
In accordance with this Invention I construct the air inlet chamber, which is an
annular chamber formed in the metallic base of the Lamp surrounding the central oil
reservoir and communicating with the outer air by means of small air holes in its
outer case with an improved wire gauze check instead of the gauze check at present
The Improved check consists of a tubular ring of wire gauze triangular in
section by preference formed of a flat washer shaped piece at the top lying horizontally
under the openings in the base plate of the chimney and body of the lamp and covering
the top of the annular air chamber-To the underside of the edges of this piece are
attached two conical shaped pieces of wire gauze, the inner one expanding towards the
bottom and the outer one contracting so as to meet in the middle at the bottom of the
air chamber. Thus any communication between the lamp and the outer air is through
two gauze checks with an intermediate chamber. The sides of the gauze pieces are
united at the angles by metal rims which may be screwed together so as to be
separable for cleaning. Other arrangements may be adopted to the same end such
as a circular trough of wire gauze, inverted, the flat part at the top of the air
chamber and the sides resting on the bottom of same. In this way two or more
gauze checks may be provided for the same purpose.
With reference to the egress of the products of combustion, in accordance with this

page_text: Invention we construct the Lamp with an Improved Cowl covering the wire gauze
chamber at the top. This consists of a dome or other shaped metal cover corrugated
radially from its bottom edge upwards. This fits over the top of the gauze chamber
and is attached by screws or otherwise to the upper rim of the lamp. At the top
of the dome is a short ontlet neck or pipe carrying a hemispherical chamber the flat
side downwards. The bottom of the Chamber hetween the neck and its outer edge is
perforated with a series of holes, or formed of wire gauze of suitable mesh. Thus the
current ascends from the lamp through the neck into the top chamber and is reversed
and passed off in downward currents through the said perforations.
Dated this 11th day of January 1887.
THOS. R. THOMAS,
7, Lincoln's Inn, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
We WILLIAM HENRY EDWARDS of Gladstone Road Gravelly Hill in the County
of Warwick Manager CHARLES BRITTON of 57 New Street Aston New Town
Birmingham in the said County of Warwick Manufacturer and JOSEPH ELLIS
WILLIAMS of Lillie Bridge Works West Brompton in the County of Middlesex
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:-
This Invention relates to certain further Improvements on "An Improved Safety
Lamp for use in mines or other places where explosive gases are present" for which a
Provisional Specification was filed on the Eighteenth of March One thousand
eight hundred and eighty six and numbered 3824 by the said Joseph Ellis Williams
and consists in improved devices regulating the communication between the lamp
chamber and the outer air. such devices forming a more efficient check against
explosion and contributing to the steady action of the lamp. In accordance with this
Invention we construct the air inlet chamber, which is an annular chamber formed in
the metallic base of the lamp surrounding the central Oil Reservoir and communicating
with the outer air by means of small air holes in its outer case with an improved Wire
gauze check instead of the gauze check at present in use. The improved check
consists of a tubular ring of wire gauze triangular in section by preference formed of
a flat washer shaped piece at the top lying horizontally under the openings in the
base plate of the chimney and body of the lamp, and covering the top of the annular
air chamber. To the underside of the edges of this piece are attached two conical
shaped pieces of wire gauze the inner one expanding towards the bottom and the outer
one contracting so as to meet in the middle at the bottom of the air chamber.
any communication between the lamp and the outer air is through two gauze checks
with an intermediate chamber. The sides of the gauze pieces are united at the angles
by metal rims which may be screwed together so as to be separable for cleaning.
Other arrangements may be adopted to the same end such as a circular trough of
wire gauze inverted, the flat part at the top of the air chamber and the sides resting
on the bottom of same. In this way two or more gauze checks may be provided for
the same purpose.
Thus
With reference to the egress of the products of combustion in accordance with this
Invention we consiruct the lamp with an Improved Cowl covering the wire gauze
chamber at the top. This consists of a dome or other shaped metal cover corrugated
radially from its bottom edge upwards. This fits over the top of the gauze chamber
and is attached by screws or otherwise to the upper rim of the lamp.
At the top of
the dome is a short outlet neck or pipe carrying a hemispherical chamber, the flat side
downwards. The bottom of the chamber between the neck and its outer edge is
perforated with a series of holes or formed of wire gauze of suitable mesh. Thus the
current ascends from the lamp through the neck into the top chamber and is reversed
and passed off in downward currents through the said perforations.

page_text: We now proceed to particularly describe and ascertain the said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed reference being had to the accompanying
drawings.
Figure 1, sheet 1, is a general elevation drawn to a scale of about full size of an
Improved Miners' Safety lamp constructed in accordance with this Invention.
Figure 2, sheet 1, is a vertical section of the cap or upper part of the lamp.
Figures 3 and 4, sheet 1 are inverted plans of the same partly in section. Figure 3
is on the dotted lines A B, and figure 4 is on the dotted lines E F.
Figures 5 and 6, sheet 2, are sectional elevation and plan respectively of the base of
the lamp shewing the arrangement of the gauzes.
Figures 7 to 9 inclusive shew a modified arrangement of parts at the base of the
lamp.
The same letters of reference apply to corresponding parts throughout figures 1
to 9.
A is the outer glass cylinder forming the body of the lamp and a the inner glass or
chimney. B is the base of the lamp of brass or other imetal comprising the oil
reservoir with the usual burner and fittings and is surmounted by the outer
casing with flange 3 and the connecting rods which firmly secure the base with
the cap D. is the annular space forming an air chamber to which air for sup-
porting combustion to the lamp, through the passages d is admitted by the orifices 66.
are ring plates (see figure 7) fitted to the lamp for holding and securing the glasses
in position and are provided with openings d forming a passage for air communication.
Figures 5 and 6 shew one of our modes of constructing the inlet air chamber and
gauzes in accordance with this Invention. is a hollow ring of wire gauze formed
by the flat top 1 and the two conical shaped sides c² 3. These are united by metal
rims at the corners as shewn or may be secured by screwed rims that could be easily
taken to pieces. These rims are carefully fitted within the air chamber so that when
the lamp is put together they form an air tight joint top and bottom, and the only
communication with the burner or with the annular space between the glasses is
through two sides of a wire gauze chamber. This arrangement may be obviously
varied in many ways without departing from the principle. Another mode of con-
struction is shewn in Figures 7, 8 and 9 to which we will now refer. Inside the
annular air chamber is placed a trough C circular on plan and either made of cast or
raised sheet metal, and shaped and perforated as shown in Figure 9. A ring plate d²
forming the cover and carrying the glasses is fitted on to ledges at the sides as shewn.
The rim of the trough is screwed on the outside and is put in from below. The oil
reservoir is then screwed into the casing and tightens the piece e-Inside this said
piece before it is put in position is fitted a wire gauze annulus C¹ of similar shape and
section but somewhat narrower leaving an air space on each side. The top angles of
the gauze trough and cover are inserted in recesses in the under side of the ring
plate d² and the metal closed in to secure same, or the parts put together in any
similar and suitable manner. In connection with the air inlets, and for the purpose
of protection of strong currents of air in mines we prefer to affix a shield as shown
at being simply a strong metal band slipping outside the rods into a recess in
bottom flange. To this is attached the ear or lug corresponding with a similar lug
on the reservoir for the purpose of locking the lamp in the usual way.
1,8
We come now to the fittings of the cap or upper part of the lamp which in
accordance with this Invention we construct as follows referring to figures 1 to 4. In
addition to the dome shaped gauzes d¹ d³ a gauze flange do is formed outside the base
of the inner dome thereby forming a complete gauze chamber as shown at d² so that
in case of breakage of the glass chimney the communication with the outer air woul
be equally protected. This gauze chamber we surmount with cover or cowl E which
we prefer to make corrugated as shewn. It is a neck or outlet e and top chamber e
which discharges into the outer air by the openings an inverted sectional plan of
which is shewn at Figure 4. Instead of the openings the base of the chamber may
he covered by wire gauze of suitable mesh, as shewn at e. We also prefer to add a
shield against upward currents as shewn at e³.

page_text: The crown gauzes do, and do are carried by a ring with piercings d'.
All the parts except the glasses are made of metal, of brass by preference, but
nickel or other metal or alloys may be adopted, and the details of methods of con-
struction or of the modes of putting the lamp together may obviously be varied by
any practical Lamp Maker without departing from this Invention.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is -
First. In a miner's safety lamp-Providing the upper part of the base, with an
annular air space 65, through which air for supplying combustion to the lamp, has to
pass, through side and top openings 6, d, which may be left uncovered, or covered up
with wire gauze, substantially as set forth in figures 1, 5 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
Secondly. Making up the lower parts of miner's safety lamps, of a base B, and its
cognate fittings; a surrounding outer casing ², and a ring plate d², arranged so as to
enclose an air space 6, which has inlet and outlet. passages; the former passing
through the outer casing, while the latter passes to the inside of the inner glass,
and the other to the space enclosed between the outside of the inner glass, and the
inside of the outer glass, substantially as described and set forth in figures 3, 5 and 6.
Thirdly. Disposing or arranging at the air entrance or entrances of miner's safety
lamps, an enclosed wire gauze, or reticulated metal ring or annulus C, which may be
contained within an annular chamber 65, or it may be suspended or placed at the
entrance or entrances only; whereby air ingress to the lamp has to pass through at
least two gauzes, substantially as described and set forth in figures 1, 5, 6, 7, 8
and 9.
Fourthly. Making the annular space or air chamber 6, as in claim 1, independent
of the base B, (and marked C,) and outer casing 62, whereby the said chamber (whose
outer walls are pierced) wherein the gauze annulus is enclosed, is made independent
of the other and surrounding parts, substantially as described and set forth in
figures 7, 8 and 9.
Fifthly. Providing either the inner, or the outer cupped crown gauzes d*, d³ (or
both of them) with gauzed flanges de, directed inwardly or outwardly, so as to enclose
or cover up the space between the inner and outer glasses; so that should the
outer glass, or the inner glass get broken, air has to pass through two or more gauzes,
substantially as set forth.
Sixthly. The combination and use with a miner's safety lamp, of a cowl or cap E,
with a reflex discharge chamber e², which are arranged and combined with the cupped
crown gauzes, and glasses, substantially as described and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3
and 4.
Seventhly. The combination and use with the cowl and cap of a miner's safety
lamp, of a trumpet mouthed neck e, substantially as set forth in figures 1 and 2.
Lastly. The improvements in the construction and arrangement of the parts of
miners' safety lamps, substantially as described and set forth.
Dual thi : 1
1000
WILLIAM HENRY EDWARDS.
CHARLES BRITTON.
JOSEPH ELLIS WILLIAMS.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.