IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING MINERAL ESSENCES OR HEAVY AND LIGHT OILS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING MINERAL
ESSENCES OR HEAVY AND LIGHT OILS." A communication from abroad by
Jean Charles and Louis Joseph Darte, both of Paris, France.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1877.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN
LAMPS FOR BURNING MINERAL ESSENCES OR HEAVY AND LIGHT OILS." (A_com-
munication from abroad by Jean Charles and Louis Joseph Darte, both of Paris,
France.)
The application of liquid inflammable substances has for a long time been the
object of serious search in order to be able to utilize the substances with safety for
lighting towns, warehouses, and private houses, but hitherto the problem has not
been solved.
Apparatus constructed according to this Invention are made in such manner
as to burn generally and without danger all liquid inflammable substances, and
more particularly those which have been distilled, rendering them light, volatile,
and more dangerous.
The external envelope may be made of copper, plated silver, cast iron, or other
metal, and by means of screw threads the upper part is connected to a lower part.
The upper part, where the burner is, at the top, forms a vertical cylinder, open at
top for the passage of two tubes forming the internal burner, between which a
round wick slides. There is a glass carrier to receive a moderator lamp glass on
the circular part, and by raising or lowering the glass the degree of light is
regulated. The globe carrier is placed over the angular air apertures; a screw-
thread on the interior unites the two parts together. The lower envelope forms
the base part of the apparatus, and contains the chamber. There are three holes
formed on the circumference corresponding with those placed horizontally, and six

page_text: in number; four of these holes admit air, one is for the key, and the other for the
supply aperture. A screw metal ring holds together the upper and lower envelope,
while another screwed ring, placed lower down, holds the lower envelope to another
screwed ring secured by cement to a vase or receiver in which the liquid is placed.
The globe carrier extending round the circumference hides the air holes.
A sort of chambered ring, which is made of any suitable metal, is an essential
feature in the Invention, and is constructed so as to draw by horizontal apertures
of any desired shape corresponding to the centre currents of external air, and to
cause this air to pass to the interior of the first tube forming the burner to there
meet the flame, avoiding in its passage thereto coming in contact with the liquid.
The parts forming the combination are connected by screw threads; the supply
wicks, saturated with the liquid employed, are placed in vertical apertures, and
they are completely isolated from the supply feeder or aperture, key and air holes.
The four apertures in the burner meet in the centre; the internal burner consisting
of two tubes is screwed on.
The important features in the Invention are the construction of the internal
burner, the arrangement of the two chambers, the mechanism of key and the
rack, the supply aperture, the round wick, and the method of placing the supply
wicks.
The internal burner is formed of two tubes of different diameters and length,
regulated by the sort of burner to be made; the two tubes are secured together at
their base on a ring, leaving between the two tubes sufficient space for the round
wick; air enters by the outer tube, and its outer part is provided with a moveable
wick carrier to hold the wick; the second tube is of larger diameter, and has two
apertures in it, lengthwise, for bringing up the supply wicks on the round wick,
which, covering it throughout its length, supplys the necessary liquid. At or near
the bottom of the tube there is a screw, which holds the two tubes forming the nib
to the chamber ring, then two hooks for the supply wicks, and it is between these
two parts that the long openings are formed, leaving two pieces which connect the
full parts from top to bottom; these two pieces or supports press lightly on the
catches of the wick carrier which holds the round wick, and the rack is placed at
the back of one of these pieces, soldered to the wick carrier, which slides the length
of the uprights without hooking on to the supply wicks. The key and the rack are
placed in a chamber, and in such position that the parts may be isolated from
inflammable liquid and currents of air. A button, with head, is round and placed
in a chamber separated by a partition from the centre; on the round part the first
groove is formed, and secured by a screw; a second and larger groove is fitted with
thread, and prevents the escape of liquid; then, at the end of this key, there is a
toothed pinion, taking into the vertical rack, which is placed in a slot, and extending
between the two tubes forming the interior burner (bec) and attached by solder to
the wick carrier, whereby the wick is raised or lowered, and the degree of light
regulated. The supply tube is horn shaped outwardly, and closed by a screw
stopper; it is screwed on to the air draught chamber, from which it is separated by
a partition, and it is in communication with the receiver by a tube, and by this
means the fuel can be supplied without unscrewing the apparatus, and in this way
the burners are preserved from injury. The round wick is of or about the same
length as that used in a lamp burning vegetable oil; the wick is placed on the hooks
of the wick carrier, and by turning the key it is brought to the burner; sometimes
the wicks are used double, sewed together at the bottom.
The supply wicks are, say, six in number, long enough for the internal tube
forming the burner; this part is placed on the two hooks or on a ring, and completely
surround the round wick from top to bottom. The parts which are not plaited
pass by vertical holes in the chambered cap, and dip in the liquid to the bottom
of the receiver, they imbibe the liquid throughout their length, so that the plaited
parts being enclosed in the upper envelope press lightly on the round wick, entirely
saturating it. This round wick forming an action of continuity with the supply
wicks presents to the flame all the liquid necessary for consumption. This applica

page_text: tion, especially of the supply wicks, is of great importance combined with the
chambered cap, which itself establishes a separation between the flame and the
liquid contained in the receiver. That enables the wick to be lowered, while alight,
into the interior of the burner; it is put out in the same way as vegetable oil lamps.
If the lamp is accidentally upset while alight, the supply wicks stop the vertical
apertures in the chamber, essence can only escape very slowly indeed, and is obliged
to escape by the burner aperture to inundate that part of the plaited wick placed
in the upper envelope, consequently the liquid cannot much overflow before the lamp
is picked up.
The apparatus fixed on the vase or receiver is a ring, secured thereto by cement;
the interior of the ring is screwed, so that from the internal bottom of the receiver
to the burner aperture there is no direct communication with the air. The security
afforded in lamps constructed according to this Invention is very great, for the
supply wicks placed round the round wick form by their union a substantial thick-
ness, establishing in combination with the chambered cap a material separation
between the liquid in the receiver and the light, which cannot take fire, thus doing
away with any danger of explosion.
According to another arrangement of chambered cap, it is made of copper, without
envelope, and has screwed directly on to it the upper envelope forming the burner
of the apparatus; at the base of the same, fastened by screw or solder, is the lower
envelope, fixed to the ring of the receiver.
For large apparatus suitable for lighthouses or heating purposes requiring a large
flame, consequently producing considerable heat, which may tend to evaporate
such volatile liquid, it is necessary to raise the chamber, for which purpose a direct
chamber may be used without envelope, and to raise the burner there are vertical
apertures in the chamber for the passage of the supply wicks. Another lower
chamber receives a ring, the exterior of which is screwed, and in the interim lead is
run to hold the tubes by which the supply wicks pass as well as the rack tubes and
the feed aperture, and thus united the apparatus is placed on the vase or receiver,
preserving to the burner all the qualities before indicated.
For lighthouse lamps air ought to be continually playing on them; if a larger
quantity of air is required to supply the flame a direct aperture is made in the
chamber corresponding in the interior to the first tube forming the burner, always
preserving the longitudinal apertures in the chamber; or there may be a single
aperture through the centre of the chamber corresponding in the first tube, forming
the internal burner serving for the passage of air, and the horizontal apertures may
be completely dispensed with, and this being the case extra tubes for the wicks
may be used for the two last arrangements, raise the direct chamber and seal the
tubes with lead.
Another arrangement of chamber supports the burner and its accessories, the air-
holes placed horizontally in the chamber being dispensed with. At the centre there
is an opening corresponding to the first tube of the internal burner serving for the
passage of air necessary for the flame; on each side of the chamber the openings are
vertical, corresponding in the two envelopes arranged and placed under the chamber
of cylindrical shape diminishing at their base; the supply wicks pass by these
passages, lead is used to secure the parts as before.
In an apparatus, the flame of which burns in a gas glass, the length of the burner
is diminished and arranged so as to take the same glass carrier which is used when
burning bydrogen gas, and when thus arranged it much resembles in appearance a
coal gas burner. The size of apparatus is not limited, and the arrangements are
applicable to all sorts of lamps, and with reservoirs at distances, on the proper level,
communicating with pipes, apparatus constructed according to this Invention may
be used for lighting gardens, railway stations, public buildings, and so forth.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
June 1878.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London.
LAMPS FOR BURNING MINERAL ESSENCES OR HEAVY AND LIGHT OILS." (A com-
munication from abroad by Jean Charles and Louis Joseph Darte, both of Paris,
France.)
The application of liquid inflammable substances has for a long time been the
object of serious search in order to be able to utilize the substances with safety for
lighting towns, warehouses, and private houses, but hitherto the problem has not
been solved.
Apparatus constructed according to this Invention are made in such manner as
to burn generally and without danger all liquid inflammable substances, and more
particularly those which have been distilled, thus rendering them light, volatile,
and inore dangerous. These apparatus enable the most dangerous substances to be
burnt, such as mineral essences, benzine, heavy and light petroleum oils, without
smell or danger of explosion. The reports of competent men prove that the heavy
oils can, by a slow distillation, be transformed into light essences, which makes
them very dangerous.
Apparatus made according to this Invention are combined in such manner that
they burn, without danger, all liquid inflammable substances, even after they are
submitted to distillation.
The improvements are as follows:-A simple form of apparatus is shown at
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings. It is composed of an envelope
A, B, which may be of any metal or suitable material. The part or burner A is of
cylindrical shape, open at A S, at its upper part, to allow passage for two tubes
a movable
forming the internal burner, between which slides a round wick;
chimney glass holder A T having passages A U for air, receive a moderator lamp
glass, and by raising and lowering it the intensity of the light is regulated; a basin
or rim A X receives the globe, and a screw A 1Z connects the upper part A to B
which encloses the wick carrier (noi) inside; the envelope B is pierced with holes
BD, BE, BG, in communication with those of the wick carrier; the holes B D
serve for the introduction of external air; that marked B E receives the key, and
BG the funnel; the screw thread A Z agrees with that on the part B; another
thread B E unites the envelope B to the ring B I, fixed by means of mastic or
cement to the receiver A K which contains the liquid; the chambered ring C, a
detail outside view of which is given at Figure 3, in vertical section at Figure 4, in
top view Figure 5, and in bottom view Figure 6, is bored with four holes A L,
serving for the passage of air communicating with the chamber A M, placed at the
centre of the apparatus; R is the orifice in which the key is placed; A E is the
orifice in which the funnel is placed; E is a threaded ring on the interior, on which
are mounted the two tubes forming the interior burner; A K is an opening on
which the tube for the passage of the liquid is mounted; and Z, aperture on which
the tube or shield of the rack is mounted; S, separating partition; A E, funnel
chamber; A H, plate of the tube to the rear of the liquids; A G, second separating
partition; A R is a partition serving to cut off the air; and AP are apertures for
the passage of the supply wicks.
At Figure 7 a view of the complete apparatus is shown in vertical section, and
illustrating the new parts, viz., the internal burner, the arrangement of the two
chambers, the mechanism of the key and of the rack, the funnel, the round wick,
and the position of the supply wicks; the apparatus A B, shown in detail, Figures
1 and 2, is shown in dotted lines, and the internal burner in full lines; the internal
tube D, which serves for the passage of the air, is soldered at its base to the ring E,
and to the external part there is provided a movable wick carrier H, with hooks F,
which receive the round wick; the second tube G, of larger diameter, is also soldered

page_text: to the ring E; two openings I, cut lengthwise, serve to regulate the supply wick
on the round wick, which covers it throughout its length, and feeds it with the
necessary liquid for consumption; in order to make the openings in this tube there
is a plain space K, on which there is a screw thread L, uniting the two tubes
forming this burner with the chamber or dome C; a second plain space M is placed
at the top of the tube, and there are two hooks N to hold the feeding wicks; the
openings I are between these two spaces, and two strips O unite the two plain
spaces; these strips press lightly on the claws of tho wick holder, thus keeping the
round wick in place; behind one of these strips the rack is placed, which is soldered
to the round wick holder which is free to slide without interfering with the feeding
wicks; a key P (with milled head Q) of a cylindrical shape is placed inside the
chamber R, which is separated from the chamber C by partition S; a first groove T
is made on the cylindrical part, and a screw U corresponding to the groove T is
placed on the chamber or dome maintains the key in its place; a second groove V,
larger than the first, is filled up with thread in order to prevent the liquid escaping;
at the end of the key there is a toothed pinion X, which works in the rack Y; this
rack is made of a length corresponding to that of its course, and passes through the
orifice or opening Z in the chamber or dome; its length is prolonged between the
two tubes which form the internal burner, and is fixed by soldering to the wick carrier
H, and according to the movement given to the key the round wick is caused to
rise or lower and regulates the light at will, at the same time the rack enters or
comes out of the casing A B under the chamber or dome.
The funnel A C, wide at its mouth, is made in the shape of a cornucopia, it has a
screwed stopper A D, its lower end, which is smaller, is fixed at the opening in the
chamber A E by means of screw and thread, and opening A H, corresponding withi
the chamber, has a tube A I, which serves to introduce the liquid in the recipient
A K. This funnel enables the recipient to be filled up without fear of any accident.
Figure 8 shows the round wick and feeding wicks; the round wick is similar to
that used for moderator lamps, and is fed through the feeding wicks; it is placed
within the claws on the wick holder, and by turning the key it is caused to enter
into the burner; if more thickness of the wick is required the wick may be doubled,
and they are in this case sewn together at their lower ends. The feeding wicks
are made of six long candle wicks, and are plaited up to the length of the
internal tube which forms the burner; this plaited part of the wick is placed
on the two hooks, or on a ring, and surrounds entirely from top to bottom the
round wick; the remaining unplaited part passes through the openings A P, and
dipping in the liquid they become saturated with it, and thus lubricate the round
wick in an efficient manner. This particular application of feeding wicks is of very
great importance by its combination with the chamber or dome, which, by
separating the flame from the liquid in the recipient, enables the lighted round
wick to be lowered into the burner, and to put it out as is done in lamps burning
vegetable oils; if the lamp being upset when it is alight the feeding wicks, by
obstructing the holes in the dome or chamber, prevents the oil from escaping in
great quantity, allows the picking up of the lamps without any accident happening.
Figure 9 represents the lamp fixed on the vase or recipient by means of cement,
as before described; great security is afforded by reason of the wicks having at
their junction a great thickness, and combined with the dome or chamber, cause a
material separation between the liquid and light, thus preventing accidents by
fire.
Apparatus with direct dome or chamber, Figure 10. This apparatus does not
differ from the above only by the employment of a special chamber or dome made
of any suitable metal, is made without a shell round its circumference, and by means
of screw thread B K receives all the upper part of the shell A, at the lower end of
the shell B, by means of screw thread B L, or by soldering is fixed the recipient, all
the other parts forming the whole is the same.
Apparatus with double chamber are shewn at Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14, in the
large apparatus suitable for lighthouses, heating, and other purposes, having a

page_text: large flame, and consequently discharging a great heat susceptible of making the
liquid evaporate; it is necessary to elevate the chamber to a certain height of the
receiver; for this purpose an arrangement (preferably that shown at Figure 11) is
employed, which carries this burner and its accessories only corresponding with the
holes in the chamber for the passage of the supply wicks, tubes B M, are employed,
which prolong these openings; a second lower chamber B O, at a certain distance,
carries a ring, the exterior of which is screw threaded, and in the interior lead is
run to hold the tubes B P, by which the supply wicks pass as well as the
rack A B and the funnel A I, and the apparatus is fixed upon this vase or
receiver.
Figure 12. In order to cool the tubes and to bring a larger supply of air to the
flame a hole B R is bored in the centre of the direct chamber corresponding in
the interior of the first tube forming the burner, thereby preserving in the chamber
the openings placed horizontally to obtain the necessary air which is increased or
diminished at will.
Figure 13 shews a single hole bored through and through at the centre of the
direct chamber, corresponds to the first tube forming the interior burner and serving
for the passage BS of the air. The openings placed horizontally in the chamber
are dispensed with, and thereby a larger quantity of tubes for the supply wicks
may be employed.
Figure 14 shews a direct chamber placed at a certain height, and supporting the
burner and its accessories, the horizontal air holes being dispensed with, it is bored,
at the centre, with an aperture B T, corresponding with the first tube of the
internal burner serving for the passage of air, and the hollow chamber at each side
of the two chambers serves for the key and funnel. Some openings sufficiently
large to correspond with the two envelopes B U, placed under the chamber; these
envelopes are cylindrical, diminishing at their base, and receive the supply wicks,
they are fixed to the interior of the ring forming the second chamber, and the said
ring is mounted by screw on the base or receiver.
Figure 15 shews an apparatus where the flame burns in a gas glass, and to obtain
this result it is only necessary to reduce the length of the gas burner (apparatus
with single chamber), and to arrange in such manner as to receive the same glass
carrier which is used for the hydrogen gas apparatus which gives to it a great
resemblance in the sense that the light burning in the said gas glass is high, large,
and very bright.
Figures 16 and 17 are modifications of the apparatus with direct chamber.
First. The funnel is placed on the direct chamber lower than the key.
Second. The key passes by a collar screwed on the direct chamber, and is retained
by this collar, at the same time capable of being moved.
Third. The globe carrier forms part of the glass carrier.
Fourth. To burn heavy petroleum, from which a fatty material escapes, spreading
itself on the apparatus inconvenient and very disagreeable; the height of the
burner is modified as in Figure 17 by folding back inside the upper part of the
envelope, thereby forming a cavity to receive the excess of the fatty liquid which
enters and disappears in the interior of the apparatus without spreading on the
exterior, effect produced by the double current of oil. This apparatus may be used,
if desired, to burn petroleum or mineral essence, it is well only to preserve all its
lighting power to furnish it in the first instance with a chimney or glass at Figure 17,
and in this second case with an ordinary moderator lamp chimney, see Figure 16.
Figures 18 and 19, modifications of the apparatus for burning with a gas glass;
the glass carrier is simply modified, it is placed on the upper part of the envelope
forming the burner; the gas glass T is placed in the glass carrier U, then starting
from the base V of the glass carrier there is a capsule X placed which from bottom
to top rises in form of the funnel to the top of the burner, leaving an opening
more or less great, so that the air on reaching the flame increases the lighting power
and brilliancy; the ornamental framework Ÿ is secured conveniently by solder or
otherwise to the glass carrier.

page_text: .
Figures 20 and 21 shew a modification of the direct chamber. The mineral
essence or petroleum is brought to the central wick A, Figure 21, where the com-
bustion is effected by means of a conducting wick B, which dips into the reservoir
C; this has no communication with the flame, the current of external air represented
by the arrow E, Figures 20 and 21, arrives at the flame by the openings F, placed
in the direct chamber and in the tube soldered to the centre of the said chamber
without coming into contact with any combustible material, whereby all risk of
explosion is avoided; the vase or reservoir C is supplied by the funnel D, placed
in the chamber by means of a screwed ring, and put lower than the key, so that the
apparatus cannot open, and this supply tube is closed by a screw stopper G, provided
with a valve H, bored with holes, which allow external air, shewn by the letter I,
exercising a pressure on the liquid, but preventing it from spreading in such case
where the lamp is upset. To obtain a fixed light without oscillation the air passing
by the central tube is cut by means of a bar in metal which has the property of
fixing, as it were, the light; this system is suitable for apparatus of 13 or 14 lines
at least, but when it goes beyond these proportions, and assumes larger proportions,
the bar has no longer any effect, it is then necessary to place at the centre of the
chamber P a metal rod L, carrying it from the bottom to top, say four-fifths the
length of the tube at the centre, and the circumferance of which is in proportion to
the quantity of air desired to be brought to the flame, the air striking on this rod
breaks and renders the light fixed.
These apparatus, which are called star lamps, may be made of any size and of any
metal or suitable material.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as the improvements in lamps for
burning mineral essences or heavy and light oils-
First. The special or particular arrangements of chambered ring, with the
appliances connected therewith, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. The employment of an ordinary round wick supplied by a special wick
arranged and acting substantially in the manner set forth.
Third. The general arrangement and combination of the parts comprising the
apparatus aforesaid, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
E. G. BREWEK. (LS.)