Year: 1889

page_text: 1, ARTHUR KITSON of Philadelphia, County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,
United States of America, Engineer, 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 carbureting gas lamps adapted particularly for enriching
combustible gas with the vapors of a solid crystalline hydrocarbon.
The objects of the invention are, to provide ;-first, an improved valve for turning
the gas on and off, and for altering and properly proportioning the admixture of plain
gas with carbureted gas flowing to the burners; second, improved means for
connecting the carbureting vessel to its cover which carries the burners, and forming
a gas tight joint between the parts; third an improved cartridge composed of a
hydrocarbon reservoir, an absorbent wick and a vaporizing and carbureting chamber
adapted particularly for accelerating the carbureting operation so soon as the gas is
lighted at the burners; fourth, improvements in the general details of construction
and arrangement of the parts of the lamp by which it is made more convenient,
durable and ornamental.
The matter constituting my invention will be defined in the claims.
I will now describe the lamp more particularly with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the lamp with the chimney and connecting
gas pipe partly broken away.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section of a modified form of valve and its operating
mechanism.
The shell or body 4, of the carbureting lamp is connected to its lid or cover 8, by
a hinged joint not here shown, and by the swinging arm or yoke 3, pivotally connected
to the cover at 31, and the binding screw 1, which passes through a screw threaded
opening in the lower part of the yoke and bears against the shell 4, as shown. The
yoke is provided with a knob or handle 2, by which the body of the lamp may be
turned upon the parts which constitute the valves and connections with the main gas
supply pipe at the top.

page_text: A gas tight joint is formed between the shell 4, and its lid 8, as follows:-An
annular groove 7, is formed in a thickened portion at the top edge of shell 4, and
this groove is filled with lead or other soft metal forming a seat for a sharp rib
or knife edge formed on the lid. An annular groove, is cut in the rim of the
lid of sufficient width and depth to receive the thickened edge of the shell, and at
the bottom of such groove, there is formed a sharp edged annular rib, so that,
when the parts are brought together, such rib with a knife edge will bear upon
the lead packing in groove 7, and form a tight joint. By this construction the
knife edge of the rib at the bottom of the groove is protected from injury, and
by fitting the edge of the shell into groove f, the lead packing is kept clean and
free from deposits, so that a reliably tight joint can always be formed by drawing
the lid down upon the shell by means of screw 1, passing through yoke 3, as
described. The cartridge 5, is preferably made of tin and provided with a central
tube 6, perforated at its lower end, and at the top with a shallow cup or basin 9,
and a perforated cover 10, forming between them the vaporizing and carbureting
chamber H: In tube 6. I arrange an asbestos or other fibrous wick extending
from its bottom and overlapping its top open end, and extending into cup 9, as
shown. Tube 6, preferably projects a short distance into chamber H, as shown, for
retaining in cup 9, a small quantity of hydrocarbon liquid. The asbestos cord or
wick absorbs the naphtbaline when liquified, and carries it by capillary action into
chamber H, where it is vaporized by the hot descending gas. The cartridge is
preferably separated from the shell of the lamp by short pins attached to such shell so
as to provide a space between the parts and keep the shell cool. The neck or valve
chamber 21, of the lamp is secured rigidly to the lid by nut 19; it is screw threaded
on its outer surface, and closed at top by a packing nut or bushing 20, which is
screwed down over it and serves to keep the asbestos packing 22, in place and prevent
leakage of gas. The valve chamber 21, is screw threaded on its inner surface, and is
connected to the burner support 16, which is screwed into it as shown at the screw
joint 32. The lower end of burner support 16, is formed with an annular knife edge a
which may be made to bear against the bottom of chamber 21, thus constituting a
valve which serves to shut off the flow of hydrocarbon vapor from the carbureting
chamber to the burners. The burner support 16, is rigidly secured to the valve seat
block 15, which is screwed to the lower end of gas supply pipe 14. It is thus seen,
that, since the valve chamber 21, is rigidly secured to the lid 8, it can be readily
screwed up and down on the burner support 16, by turning the carbureting vessel or
body of the lamp, thereby closing or opening the valve passage. The bottom of
I chamber 21, is provided with holes 18, for the passage of gas from the carbureting
chamber to the burners, when the passage between the knife edge of burner support 16,
and the bottom of chamber 21, is open, as shown in the drawing. The short pipe 17,
which is in the nature of a valve stem, is secured by a nut to the bottom of
chamber 21, and is open at its lower end for the passage of gas to the vaporizing and
carbureting chamber H. The upper part of the pipe 17, is formed with an enlarged
head having an externally bevelled or conical face for bearing against a seat n formed
on the inside of burner support 16, just above the burners 11; it also has a conical
projection m at the center of its end for fitting in the conical valve opening in
block 15. The end is also provided with openings around its central conical
projection m, for the passage of gas directly down through pipe 17, to the carbureting
vessel. The passage between the outside of the enlarged head or valve of pipe 17, and
the conical seat n in burner support 16, is for the escape of plain or uncarbureted gas in
regulated quantites directly to the burners 11. It will be seen that the parts 17, 19,
20, and 21 are all rigidly attached to the lid 8, and are rotated with the vessel upon
the screw 32, at the lower end of burner support 16. When, therefore, the vessel is
rotated by the handle 2, the gas valve at the top of the pipe 17, is closed or opened;
also the bottom plate of chamber 21, forming a valve seat, is brought to or from the
knife edge at the lower end of part 16.
The chimney 26, and shade 12, are supported by the tripods 25 and 27, which are
held in place as described below. A sleeve or casing 13, surrounding the gas pipe 14,

page_text: and resting upon block 15, has connecting with its top end the tripod 25, which
supports the lower end of the chimney. The upper end of the chimney is held in
place by tripod 27, which encircles gas pipe 14. The heat deflector 29, rests upon the
top of tripod 27. The lock nut 30, screwed upon pipe 14, forces the tripods, chimney
and casing 13, together and holds them in place. The chimney flange 24, is supported
by tripod 25, and is provided with screws 23, for holding in place the glass or other.
shade 12. The parts are made to fit neatly together and can be readily adjusted in
position as shown. The burner tubes 11, are screwed into the support 16. The
cover 10, of the cartridge is provided with a large central opening 34, for the passage
of gas down into the vaporizing and carbureting chamber, and with holes 33, for the
escape of carbureted gas from such chamber.
According to the construction in figure 2, the burner support 16, is preferably cast
with lid 8, and is formed with a lip a, projecting slightly below the lid, forming a
valve seat for a disc valve b. Lip a, may be formed with a knife edge as shown in
figure 1. The valve scat block 15, provided with conical valve opening 7, is secured
in the burner support 16, for the passage of gas. Pipe 17, is provided at the top with
a conical valve m, and passages o, and has a conical outer surface below the openings
for bearing against the conical valve seat n, very much like the construction heretofore
described with reference to figure 1. A perforated guide piece p, is fitted in burner
support 16, for guiding pipe 17.. The disc valve b, is secured to pipe 17, inside of
lid 8, and is adapted to close upward against the seat or lip a.
Pipe 17, is also
provided at or near its lower end with a lug d, to form the lower bearing for
eccentric c. The eccentric c, is mounted upon the inner end of shaft e, and is,
arranged to operate between valve disc band lug d, for raising and lowering
pipe 17, and its valves. Shaft e, passes through an opening in the rim of the lid,
and is provided at its outer end with a short lever g, to the ends of which the-
chains are attached for oscillating or rocking shaft e and its eccentric c. A set
screw, may be used for holding shaft e, in position if required. By turning
shaft e, in one direction the eccentric is made to bear against disc b, and raises,
pipe 17, closing valve m and disc valve b thereby entirely shutting off the flow of
gas. By turning the eccentric in the opposite direction, it is made to bear against
lug d, thereby opening valves m, and b, again permitting the flow of gas down
pipe 17, to carbureting chamber, and from such chambers to the burners. When
the dise valve b, is closed, the escape of hydrocarbon vapor from the vessels through
the burners is prevented after the lights are extinguished. When valve m, is fully
open and resting upon seat n, all the gas flows through the passages o, and pipe 17,.
down to the vaporizing and carbureting chamber. If valve m is only partly
opened, part of the gas escapes around pipe 17, and passes directly to the burners.
ithout being carbureted, while the remainder passes through pipe 17, to the
carbureting chamber, where it is enriched or carbureted as before explained. In this.
way the quality of the gas may be regulated, and the quantity which is to be enriched
can be readily proportioned. A stop, not shown, may be placed on lever g, or lid 8,
to limit the movement of such lever, and thereby limit the distance to which disc
valve b, can be opened.
11
Referring now to figure 1, the operation is as follows:-
The gas passes down supply pipe 14, to the valve at top of pipe 17, and is admitted
to the carbureting chamber by turning the handle 2, in the proper direction to
unscrew the valve. The gas then passes down pipe 17, and opening 34, as shown by
the arrows, into the vaporizing and carbureting chamber, where it mingles with the
vapor given off from the hydrocarbon in the wick and chamber. The mingled gas
and vapor then pass out through holes 33, thence through holes 15, to the burners.
The fame and products of combustion heat gas pipe 14, the chimney 26, serving to
retain the heat arising from the flame in contact with such pipe, and also to direct the
hot products to the sealing of the room, where they may be conducted away by
ventilating flues. The gas in passing down pipe 14, becomes highly heated and
serves to vaporize the hydrocarbon in chamber H, also to melt the solid hydrocarbon.
in the cartridge. The hydrocarbon as melted is conducted by the wick up into

page_text: chamber H, so as to always maintain a suitable supply of liquid in such chamber.
Since there is but a small supply of hydrocarbon in chamber H, and it is arranged
close to the inflowing hot gas, it is always quickly vaporized, so that the carbureting
operation commences almost immediately after lighting the gas. The carbureting
vessel may be readily opened by unscrewing screw 1, and throwing the yoke 3,
forward, thus releasing the vessel from contact with lid 8. The vessel is then thrown
back on a hinge which connects it with the lid, and an empty cartridge can be with-
drawn and a fresh one inserted, or the parts may be inspected and repaired as desired.
As the asbestos wicks serve to draw the liquified naphthaline into the vaporizing
chamber at the top of the cartridge, it will be seen that the gas strikes the carbureting
material always at the same height, and consequently the amount of vapor given off is
always the same, no matter at what level the naphthaline is in the cartridge. By
means of this construction and arrangement of the vaporizing and carbureting
chamber, the shell or vessel of the lamp may be made larger, and a larger supply of
naphthaline may be used in it at each charge, thus prolonging the period for refilling
the vessels. This lamp has given most satisfactory results in practice. One
important advantage is, that the gas may be nearly turned off, and the lights lowered
to a very low flame without giving off any smoke. When the valve is turned in the
direction to nearly close it, the vapor becomes largely diluted with plain gas escaping
directly to the burners, so that the flame is not liable to smoke.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a gas lamp, a carbureting vessel sectionally constructed in two parts, the
lower part being connected to the upper part by a swinging yoke pivotally attached to
the upper part, said yoke containing a screw or similar device arranged to bear
against the lower part of the lamp and force the parts together and form a gas tight
joint between them, substantially as described.
2. In a carbureting gas lamp, a hydrocarbon reservoir or vessel, containing an
absorbent wick in combination with the vaporizing and carbureting chamber placed
above the reservoir, said wick communicating with said vaporizing chamber, by means
of which the liquified hydrocarbon is conveyed by capilarity from the reservoir to the
chamber, and means for admitting gas into the vaporizing chamber and conducting it
therefrom to the burners as described.
3. In a carbureting gas lamp constructed in two parts, the shell of the vessel
having in its upper edge a ring of soft metal in combination with the upper part or
lid of the vessel containing a groove adapted to receive the edges of the shell, and
having at its bottom a sharp edged rib for bearing upon the lead ring to form a tight
joint as described.
4. In a carbureting gas lamp, the shell of the vessel having a thickened upper
edge containing a ring of soft metal, in combination with the lid having a groove cut
in its rim, and an annular sharp edged rib formed in the botton thereof, whereby the
thickened edge of the shell may be fitted in the groove of the lid, and the sharp edge
of the rib made to bear upon the ring of soft metal for making a tight joint as
described.
5. In combination with a gas lamp, a cartridge for containing the charge of hydro-
carbon material, having a tube extending from bottom to top thereof, and perforated
at the lower end, a shallow pan and perforated cover forming a vaporizing chamber
arranged at the top of the cartridge and its tube, and an absorbent wick extending
through the tube and overlapping into the vaporizing chamber, as and for the purpose
described.
6. In a carbureting gas lamp, the combination of a gas supply pipe and a gas
burner, with burner support containing a compound valve arranged to open and close
the passage ways leading respectively from the supply pipe to the carbureting vessel,
and from the vessel to the burners simultaneously.
7. In a carbureting gas lamp, the combination of a supply pipe, a gas burner, a

page_text: carbureting vessel and a burner support containing passage ways leading respectively
from the supply pipe to the vessel, from the supply pipe to the burners, and from the
vessel to the burners, with a compound valve arranged to open and close all three
passage ways simultaneously and with the operating devices substantially as described.
8. In a carbureting gas lamp, a burner support having a conical valve seat near its
top, and having its lower edge formed as a valve seat, in combination with an internal
pipe 17, having a conical valve and openings at its top, and having a disc valve
secured to it below the burner support; and means for raising and lowering such tube
and its valves for admitting gas to the carbureting chamber and burners, or shutting
it off therefrom, as described.
9. In a carbureting gas lamp, the burner support containing a valve seat near its
top and having its lower end formed as a valvo seat, in combination with a movable
pipe having a valve and openings at its top, a disc secured to it below the burner
support, and a lug at its lower end, and an eccentric arranged between the disc and
lug, and having an operating shaft extending out through the rim of the lid, whereby
the pipe with its valves may be raised or lowered as described.
10. In a carbureting gas lamp, the burner support having two conical valve seats
in its upper portion, the burners connected below the lower valve seat, and having its
lower end formed as a valve seat, in combination with the movable tube arranged in
the burner support and having the double conical bearing surfaces at its top, so that it
may be seated on both of the conical valve seats, and having a disc secured to it
below the burner support, and means for raising and lowering the tube and its valves,
whereby gas may be passed directly from the supply pipe to the carbureting vessel,
and the burners, and carbureted gas may be passed from the carbureting vessel to the
burners. and whereby gas may be simultaneously shut off from the supply tube and
the carbureting chamber as described.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.