IMPROVEMENTS: IN GAS FURNACES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Barnes, of High Holborn, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS: IN
GAS FURNACES."
Sealed the 7th May 1872, and dated the 9th November 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Barnes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th November 1871.
I, EDWARD BARNES, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN GAS FURNACES," to be as follows: :-
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for obtaining
heat by the combustion of gas with atmospheric air, which is admitted
in regulated quantity.
It consists of a mass of fire-clay, fire-brick, cement, or other suitable
substance capable of withstanding great heat, and of suitable form and
size. I prefer to make it in the form of a disc of considerable thickness.

page_text: I arrange this mass in a convenient stand or frame, in which it is held
preferably in a horizontal position; and I make one or more perforations
through its thickness, each being of sufficient size to admit a tube of
metal open at the top, and having at the sides numerous small apertures.
This tube is about the same length as the thickness of the mass of
fire-clay or cement already described, and is of such diameter as to be
moveable freely up and down in the aperture in the latter. The tube is
supported by a stand (which may form a part of the frame carrying the
fire-clay or cement), and can be adjusted or fixed so that more or less of
its length remains within the aperture in the fire-clay or cement. The
lower end of the tube is connected by flexible tubing or in any other
convenient way with the source from which the supply of gas is
obtained. The upper end of the aperture through the mass of fire-clay
or cement is covered by a hollow box or case (which I prefer to make
cylindrical in plan) of metal or other suitable substance, in the sides of
which numerous small apertures are formed. I prefer to make the
frame or stand in which the mass of fire-clay or cement is held cover the
latter completely at the sides and top, except where the hollow box or
case is placed over the aperture.
By the arrangement described when the tube (through which the gas
is supplied) is raised so as to be completely within the fire-clay little or
no air can mix with the gas, which is burnt within the latter; but when
it is drawn down a proportionally large quantity of air mixes with the
gas and great heat is obtained, which only slightly heats the mass of fire-
clay or cement, but passes out with the burning gas and air through
the apertures in the hollow box or case at the top of the apparatus
as already described.
Sometimes I utilize this heat by placing an annular mass of wire
gauze, asbestos, or other suitable porous non-inflammable substance (but
preferably metallic wire bent and twisted so as to form a porous ring) :
round the outside of the hollow box or case from which the heated gas.
and air are passing. And on the top of the apparatus I form or attach
legs or stands of suitable form or height upon which anything may rest.
which is required to be heated. I make a metallic ring which fits
outside the annular mass of porous non-inflammable substance already;
described, and may be moved to a greater or less height as desired.
The annular porous mass causes the
by breaking up the heated gas and
heat to be more equally distributed
air as they escape, and the metallic:

page_text: .
ring last described confines the escaping gas and air, and prevents the
heat from being too rapidly dissipated laterally, and also allows a
regulated supply of air under its lower edge.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of this Invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a small portable gas furnace, having
one aperture only through the mass of fire-clay or cement; Figure 2
is a plan of the same.
A is a mass of fire-clay or cement; B is a stand or frame in which it
is held, and in which apertures C, C, are left for the admission of air;
D is an opening through the fire-clay. A, into which fits loosely the
perforated tube E, the lower part, of which is closed and attached to the
tube F, which is connected with the source from which the supply of
gas is obtained. The tube E can be adjusted at any desired height in
the opening D by means of the fastening G, so as to admit more or less
air through the perforations in the tube E. A hollow box H covers the
upper end of the aperture D, and has openings at its sides through
which the heated air and gas pass. The dotted lines I represent an
annular mass of twisted metallic wire or other porous non-inflammable
substance which I sometimes place round the upper part of the box or
case H.
A ring K fits between the legs or stands L, L, and is adjusted
to allow the proper supply of air to pass under its lower edge and mix
with the gas escaping from the apertures in the box or case H, and
partially supports the annular mass I, and at the same time serves to
prevent the heated gas and air from spreading laterally. I use the
stands L, L, for the purpose of supporting anything which it may be
desired to heat..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Barnes in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th May 1872.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward Barnes, Her special
licence that I, the said Edward Barnes, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Barnes,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should- and lawfully might make,
use, excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS FURNACES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Edward Barnes, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters

page_text: metal, earthenware, porcelain, or other suitable incombustible material,
the upper end of which is open. This tube is of a length not less than
the thickness of the mass of fire-clay or cement already described, and is
of such diameter as to be moveable freely up and down in the perforation
through the latter. The tube is supported by a frame or stand (which
I sometimes make form a part of the frame which carries the mass of
fire-clay or cement), and is so arranged that it can be adjusted and fixed
with more or less of its length within the perforation in the mass of
fire-clay or cement. The lower end of the tube is connected with the
source from which the supply of gas is obtained by means of flexible
tubing or in any other convenient way. The gas issuing from the tube
is burned within the perforation in the mass of fire-clay or cement; and
in order to regulate the supply of atmospheric air to mix with the gas
so that the combustion may be complete, I make numerous holes or
perforations through the sides of the moveable tube described.
By this means if the tube is lowered so that a part of it is withdrawn
from the mass of fire-clay, air enters through the holes in the part so
withdrawn, and by regulating the supply of gas and the position of the
tube the combustion may be rendered perfect.
Sometimes instead of the method described of regulating the
admission of air to the gas, I use for the purpose openings or passages
the size of which can be regulated as desired. For example, instead of
making numerous holes or perforations through the tube I make the
tube fixed instead of moveable vertically, and round the lower part
of it (below the mass of fire-clay or cement) I fit a ring having
perforations in it corresponding with similar perforations in the
tube. By turning the ring round or by raising or lowering it, I open
or close the perforations in the tube as required, and thus adjust the
supply of air.
The mass of fire-clay or cement described being a non-conductor of
heat a comparatively small amount of heat is radiated from it, but the
principal heat passes through the aperture or apertures in it, and may
be utilized by the methods which I will now describe. For this purpose
I cover the upper end of the perforation or perforations through the
mass of fire-clay or cement with a hollow box or case of metal, earthen-
ware, porcelain, or other suitable non-combustible material (which I
prefer to make cylindrical in plan), in the sides of which I make small

page_text: in the mass of fire-clay or cement.
I prefer to make the frame or stand in which the mass of fire-clay or
cement is fixed cover the mass completely at the sides and top, except
where the hollow box or case described is fitted above the perforations
in the mass.
In order still further to regulate the heat and make the combustion
of the gas and air yet more complete, I sometimes admit an additional
regulated quantity of atmospheric air to combine with the burning
mixture of gas and air as it issues from the holes in the sides of the
box or cover described. In order to do this I prefer to take a thin ring
of metal, earthenware, porcelain, or other suitable non-combustible
material of about the same diameter as the frame which supports the
mass of fire-clay or cement, and having its lower edge resting upon
the upper surface of the frame or of the firc-clay or cement. I arrange
this ring so that it can be fixed at any required height, so that a supply.
of atmospheric air passes below its lower edge, and mixes with the
burning gas and air issuing from the holes in the box or cover described.
By carefully adjusting the height of the ring the quantity of air passing
beneath it can be so regulated that the combustion is perfect and
complete. Sometimes instead of making the ring moveable I make
adjustable openings or air passages at its lower edge by which the supply
of air can be regulated.
The ring described also serves to confine the burning gas and air, and
prevent the heat from being too rapidly dissipated laterally; and in order
still further to utilize the heat of the burning gas and air, and to
equalize its distribution in the direction required, I place an annular
mass of wire, wire gauze, asbestos, or other suitable porous non-com-
bustible material (but preferably metallic wire bent and twisted) so
as to form a porous ring, and to fill up the space between the upper
outside edge of the hollow box or cover and the upper edge of the
adjustable ring described.
The escaping burning mixture of gas and air is compelled to pass
through the porous annular mass, by which it is thus thoroughly distri-
buted. Any article which it is desired to heat may be supported upon

page_text: suitable legs, arms, stands, or brackets, which are attached to the
apparatus, and which may also serve as supports or guides for the
adjustable ring already described.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of my Invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a small portable gas furnace, having
one aperture only through the mass of fire-clay or cement; Figure 2 is
a plan of the same.
A is a mass of fire-clay or cement; B is a stand or frame in which it
is held, and in which apertures C, C, are left for the admission of air;
D is an opening through the fire-clay A, into which fits the perforated
tube E, the lower part of which is closed and attached to the tubo F,
which is connected with the source from which the supply of gas is
obtained. The tube E can be adjusted at any desired height in the
opening D by means of the fastening G, so as to admit more or less air
through the perforations in the tube E. A hollow box H covers the
upper end of the aperture D, and has openings at its sides through
which the heated air and gas pass. The dotted lines I represent an
annular mass of twisted metallic wire or other porous non-inflammable
substance, which I sometimes place round the upper part of the box or
case H.
A ring K fits between the legs or stands L, L, and is adjusted
to allow the proper supply of air to pass under its lower edge and mix
with the gas escaping from the apertures in the box or case H.
Having now described my Invention, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise form, arrangement, and size
of the apparatus as described and shewn in the Drawings; but I claim
as my Invention,―
First. The methods of admitting and regulating a supply of gas and
air burnt within a non-combustible and non-conducting mass, substan-
tially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
Second. The methods of further admitting and regulating a supply
of air to the mixture of burning air and gas as it issues from the
non-combustible mass, substantially as described and shewn in the
Drawing.
Third. The method of distributing and equalizing the heat of the
burning mixture of gas and air by means of a porous mass through
which it passes, as described and shewn in the Drawing.

page_text: . Fourth. The general arrangement and combination of the apparatus
as described and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Barnes, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
EDWARD CHARLES HAMMOND,
of 38, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane.
EDWARD BARNES. (L.s.)

page_text: En the latter of Letters Patent granted to Edward Barnes of High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, dated the ninth day of
November 1871, No. 3019, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS FURNACES."
En the latter of Letters Patent granted to Edward Barnes of High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, dated the ninth day of
November 1871, No. 3019, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS FURNACES."
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME-I, JOIN
BATEMAN, of 131, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, send greeting,
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date the
ninth day of November One thousand eight hundred and seventy one in the thirty
fifth year of Her Reign, did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto
Edward Barnes of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, Her special
License that he the said Edward Barnes his executors, administrators and assigns
or such other as he the said Edward Barnes his executors, administrators or assigns
should at any time agree with and no other from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
FURNACES."
And whereas in pursuance and performance of a proviso in the said Letters
Patent contained the said Edward Barnes did within six calender months next
after the date of the said Letters Patent cause a Specification in writing under his
hand and seal particularly describing the nature of the said Invention and in what
manner the same was to be performed to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office.
And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment bearing date the eleventh day of
May One thousand eight hundred and seventy two made between the said Edward
Barnes of the one part and me the said John Bateman of the other part the said
Letters Patent and Invention and all and singular the rights and privileges
thereby granted became and are now absolutely vested in me the said John Bateman.
And whereas I have been recently advised that that part of the invention

page_text: described in the said specification and referring to the methods of burning gas
issuing from a tube within the perforation in a mass of fireclay or cement and of
admitting and regulating a supply of gas and air burnt within a non-combustible
and non-conducting mass is not new and was not new at the date of the said
Letters Patent, I am therefore desirous of disclaiming such methods of admitting
and regulating a supply of gas and air, and of limiting and altering the
specification, in the manner hereinafter named.
And whereas I have been further advised that that part of the invention described
in the said specification and referring to the use of asbestos, or other suitable porous
non-combustible material to utilize the heat of the burning gas and air and to equalize
its distribution in the direction required, is not new and was not new at the date
of the said Letters Patent, I am therefore desirous of disclaiming the use of
Asbestos, or other suitable porous non-combustible material for such purposes, and
of further limiting and altering the specification in the manner hereinafter named.
"
NOW KNOW YE, that I the said John Bateman by and with the leave
of Her Majesty's Attorney-General do hereby for the reasons aforesaid and
for the objects aforesaid strike out the words "The gas issuing from the tube
is burned within the perforation in the mass of fireclay or cement;" occurring
in lines 11 and 12 page 5 of the print of the said specification printed by
the Queen's Printers and published at the Commissioners of Patents Sale
Department, 38, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, in the City of London,
and I substitute the word "And for the word "and on line 12 page 5
of the said printed copy of the said specification. I also strike out the words
"Sometimes instead of the method described of regulating the admission of air to
the gas, I use for the purpose openings or passages the size of which can be
regulated as desired. For example, instead of making numerous holes or perfo-
rations through the tube I make the tube fixed instead of moveable vertically, and
round the lower part of it (below the mass of fireclay or cement) I fit a ring
having perforations in it corresponding with similar perforations in the tube. By
turning the ring round or by raising or lowering it, I open or close the perforations
in the tube as required, and thus adjust the supply of air" commencing at line 20
page 5 and ending at line 29 page 5 of the said printed copy of said specification.
I also strike out the words " passes through the aperture or apertures in it, and "
occurring at line 32 on page 5 of the said printed specification. Also, I strike out
the word "burning" occurring at line 1 on page 6, and the words "from the
perforations in the mass of fireclay or cement." occurring at lines 1 and 2 on
page 6 and I insert the words "and are ignited." after the word "issue" at line 1
on page 6 of the said printed specification. Also, I insert the word "or" before
the words "wire gauze," and I strike out the words "asbestos, or other suitable
porous non-combustible material " occurring a lines 28 and 29 on page 6 of the
said printed specification. Also, I strike out the word "heated" occurring at
line 17 on page 7 of the said printed specification. Also, I strike out the first
claim contained in lines 27 to 29 inclusive on puge 7 of the said printed specifi-
cation. I also strike out the word "Second" at the commencement of line 30 on
page 7 of the said printed specification, and I insert the word "First" in place of
the word Second so struck out. And I strike out the word "methods" at
line 30 of page 7 of the said printed specification and I insert the word "method"
in place of the word "methods" so struck out. Also, I strike out the words "as
it issues from the non-combustible mass" occurring at lines 31 and 32 on page 7
of the said printed specification. Also, I strike out the word "Third" occurring
at line 34 on page 7 of the said printed specification, and I insert the word
"Second" in place of the word Third" so struck out. Also, I strike out the
word "Fourth" occurring at line on page 8 of the said printed specification, and
I insert the word "Third" in place of the word "Fourth' so struck out.
"
"
And in order that it may be clearly understood what is the invention which I
now consider to be secured by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent I

page_text: will proceed to repeat the said specification as proposed to be amended by this
present Disclaimer and Memoranduin of Alteration, as follows:-
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
BARNES, of High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy one, in the thirty fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward
Barnes, Her special license that I, the said Edward Barnes, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Barnes, my executors,
administrators and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS FURNACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Edward Barnes, my executors or administrators, by an instruinent in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Oflice within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Barnes, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying Drawing:-
My invention consists in improvements in gas stoves or furnaces in which the
required heat is produced by the combustion of gas (preferably ordinary coal gas)
in combination with atmospheric air, which is admitted in regulated quantity as
desired.
For the purpose of carrying my Invention into operation I take a mass of fire-
clay, fire-brick, cement, or other suitable non-combustible substance capable of
withstanding considerable heat. This mass may be of convenient form and size to
suit varying circumstances, but I prefer to make it in the form of a disc of con-
siderable thickness. I arrange the non-combustible mass described in a stand or
frame of metal or other suitable material by which it is held preferably in a
horizontal position, and I make one or more perforations through its thickness,
each perforation being of sufficient size to admit a tube of metal, earthenware,
porcelain, or other suitable incombustible material, the upper end of which is open.
This tube is of a length not less than the thickness of the mass of fireclay or
cement already described, and is of such diameter as to be moveable freely up and
down in the perforation in the latter. The tube is supported by a frame or stand
(which I sometimes make form a part of the frame which carries the mass of
fireclay or cement), and is so arranged that it can be adjusted and fixed with more
or less of its length within the perforation in the mass of fireclay or cement. The
lower end of the tube is connected with the source from which the supply of gas is
obtained by means of flexible tubing or in any other convenient way. And in
order to regulate the supply of atmospheric air to mix with the gas so that the
combustion may be complete, I make numerous holes or perforations through the
sides of the moveable tube described.
By this means if the tube is lowered so that a part of it is withdrawn from the
mass of fireclay, air enters through the holes in the part so withdrawn, and by
regulating the supply of gas and the position of the tube the combustion may be
rendered perfect.
The mass of fireclay or cement described being a non-conductor of heat a com-
paratively small amount of heat is radiated from it, but the principal heat may be

page_text: utilized by the methods which I will now describe. For this purpose I cover the
upper end of the perforation or perforations through the mass of fire-clay or cement
with a hollow box or case of metal, earthenware, porcelain, or other suitable non-
combustible material (which I prefer to make cylindrical in plan), in the sides of
which I make small holes which the gas and air issue and are ignited.
I prefer to make the frame or stand in which the mass of fire-clay or cement is
fixed cover the mass completely at the sides and top, except where the hollow box
or case described is fitted above the perforations in the mass.
In order still further to regulate the heat and make the combustion of the gas
and air yet more complete, I sometimes admit an additional regulated quantity of
atmospheric air to combine with the burning mixture of gas and air as it issues
from the holes in the sides of the box or cover described. In order to do this I
prefer to take a thin ring of metal, earthenware, porcelain, or other suitable non-
combustible material of about the same diameter as the frame which supports the
mass of fireclay or cement, and having its lower edge resting upon the upper
surface of the frame or of the fireclay or cement. I arrange this ring so that it can
be fixed at any required height, so that a supply of atmospheric air passes below
its lower edge, and mixes with the burning gas and air issuing from the holes in
the box or cover described.
By carefully adjusting the height of the ring the quantity of air passing beneath
it can be so regulated that the combustion is perfect and complete. Sometimes
instead of making the ring moveable I make adjustable openings or air passages at
its lower edge by which the supply of air can be regulated.
The ring described also serves to confine the burning gas and air, and prevent
the heat from being too rapidly dissipated laterally; and in order still further to
utilize the heat of the burning gas and air, and to equalize its distribution in the
direction required, I place an annular mass of wire, or wire gauze (but preferably
inetallic wire bent and twisted) so as to form a porous ring, and to fill up the space
between the upper outside edge of the hollow box or cover and the upper edge of
the adjustable ring described. The escaping burning mixture of gas and air is
compelled to pass through the porous annular mass, by which it is thus thoroughly
distributed.
Any article which it is desired to heat may be supported upon suitable legs,
arins, stands, or brackets, which are attached to the apparatus, and which may also
serve as supports or guides for the adjustable ring already described.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of my Invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a small portable gas furnace, having one
aperture only through the mass of fireclay or cement; Figure 2 is a plan of the
same.
A is a mass of fireclay or cement; B is a stand or frame in which it is held, and
in which apertures C, C, are left for the admission of air; D is an opening through
the fireclay A, into which fits the perforated tube E, the lower part of which is
closed and attached to the tube F, which is connected with the source from which
the supply of gas is obtained. The tube E can be adjusted at any desired height
in the opening D by means of the fastening G, so as to admit more or less air
through the perforations in the tube E A hollow box H covers the upper end of
the aperture D, and has openings at its sides through which the air and gas pass.
The dotted lines I represent an annular mass of twisted metallic wire or other
porous non-inflammable substance, which I sometimes place round the upper part
of the box or case H. A ring K fits between the legs or stands L, L, and is
adjusted to allow the proper supply of air to pass under its lower edge and mix
with the gas escaping from the apertures in the box or case II.
Having now described my Invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise form, arrangement, and size of the apparatus as
described and shewn in the Drawings; but I claim as iny Invention,
First. The method of further admitting and regulating a supply of air to the

page_text: mixture of burning air and gas, substantially as described and shewn in the
drawing.
Second. The method of distributing and equalizing the heat of the burning
mixture of gas and air by means of a porous mass through which it passes, as
described and shewn in the Drawing.
Third The general arangement and combination of the apparatus as described
and shewn in the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Bateman, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty third day of August in the year of Our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN BATEMAN. (LS.)
JOHN BATEMAN, (LS.)
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named John Bateman, as
Assignee of the said Letters Patent, to file in the Office of the Commissioners of
5 Patents for Inventions with the Specification to which the same relates, the
above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this 11th day of September 1889