Improvements in Lamps and Stoves,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 9th Dec.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamps and Stoves,
I, ALEXANDER SAMUEL GREENWOOD, Mechanic, of 136, East Lake Street,
Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, 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:-
-
My invention relates to improvements in devices for containing combustible
liquids or fluids of any character and supplying same to burners of any form
for illuminating or heating purposes.
The especial objects of my invention are: To provide means for preventing
the formation of an air, or an air and gas chamber between the surface of the
combustible liquid and the top of its container, thus avoiding the dangers
resultant from the accumulation of highly innammable and explosive gases in
lamps, gasoline stoves and other like devices, and to provide pressure on the
combustible liquid in order that it may be uniformly and constantly fed to the
burner or point of combustion, without resort to or dependence upon the indirect,
irregular and imperfect means of capillary attraction afforded by fibrous wicks.
In carrying out the objects above set forth, I may use various forms of
appliances having the same functions and embodying the same principles in
operation. For instance, I may apply my invention to kerosene lamps, to
acetylene lamps, to gasoline stoves and to gas burning stoves. I also may utilize
one of several media to supply the required pressure, such as water, atmospheric
air, non-inflammable gases and fire-extinguishing gases.
In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application, I have
shown my invention in simple forms for the purpose of illustrating its principles,
but without intending to indicate its mechanical limitations.
Figure 1 represents partly in elevation and partly in section a hanging kerosene-
burning lamp embodying my invention in one form.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section of a standing lamp made in accordance
with my invention and having in its base a chamber containing the pressure
medium.
Figure 3 shows a gasoline-burning stove having my invention applied thereto.
Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, a represents a lamp body of common
form, which is supported on the united lower ends of a tubular frame b, said
ends having direct communication with the interior of the lamp body. The upper
ends of said frame communicate with the interior of a tank e from the top of
which extends a hook c¹, by means of which the device may be suspended from
a cealing or bracket. Within the lamp body is arranged a water-tight flexible
bag d, preferably made of rubber, having a suitable neck and mouth which
communicate with the lamp burner, and also afford a means for supporting the
bag within the lamp. The burner e may be of any desired construction or
material which will permit the burning of the oil or other combustible material
contained in the bag d. Within the burner may be arranged a suitable valve
mechanism for controlling the admission of the oil to the point of combustion.
Water or non-inflammable oil may be introduced into the tank e through the
vent, and such fluid will run by gravity through the tubular frame and fill
the space within the lamp body not occupied by the bag d which contains the
combustible fluid. As this fluid is consumed the pressure of the water surround-
ing the bag will cause the flexible sides of the latter to collapse thus preventing

page_text: the formation of a gas chamber within the bag, and also preventing the entrance
of any air from the burner. Furthermore the constant pressure of the water
on the exterior of the bag causes the oil in the latter to be constantly and steadily
fed to the burner.
In Figure 2, I have shown a modified form of my invention, in which I
employ a hemispherical diaphragm in lieu of the bag d, and utilize air pressure
in place of water. Referring to said Figure 2, f represents the base or standard,
on which is supported the lamp body g which in this instance is made spherical
in form. The base is hollow and air tight, except at the point where it com-
municates with the lamp body g. By means of a suitable valve f¹ air is
introduced into the base. Resting in the lower half of the lamp body is a
hemispherical diaphragm, the edges of which are secured between the flanges "
of the two halves of the lamp-body. The upper part of the lamp-body connects
with a neck g which is screw-threaded at its upper edge to receive a burner h,
and in which is located a valve y' controllable by a rack and pinion mechanism
which is operated by a thumb-screw g, the rack being formed on the valve stem
and the pinion being on the inner end of the thumb-screw shaft. While I have
shown and described this mechanism for controlling the admission of the in-
flammable liquid to the burner, I wish it understood that same is not an essential
part of my invention, and I may use any form of suitable mechanism.
Oil is introduced into the lamp body through a suitable cap covered opening,
until the receptacle is full, in which condition, the diaphragm is in the lower
half of the body. As the oil is consumed at the burner h, the air pressure from
the chamber on the under side of the diaphragm causes the latter to follow the
oil until the latter is entirely consumed at which time the diaphragm will occupy
the position shown by dotted lines.
In Fig. 3 I have shown my invention applied to a gasoline stove of common
form. In this connection the combustible-fluid tank is formed in two sections
which are joined together by means of suitable bolts or rivets passing through
flanges Between the flanges is secured the edge of the flexible diaphragm k
in any suitable manner to make a tight joint. Above the said tank is arranged
a receptacle m for water or other fire-extinguishing fluid which falls by gravity
through a pipe connection into the tank j. The operation of the device is
identical with that shown in Fig. 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. A receptacle for combustible fluids composed of sections joined together
and provided with a flexible diaphragm having its edges secured between the
sections substantially as set forth.
2. In a device for burning fluids, a container for the combustible fluid formed
in hemispherical sections secured together, a flexible partition located within
said container and adapted to cover one of said sections, a receptacle for a
non-combustible fluid, and means for conducting said fluid to the container,
substantially as described.
3. In a lamp, the combination with a suitable burner, of a lamp body formed
in two hemispherical sections secured together at their peripheries, a hemi-
spherical flexible diaphragm having approximately the same diameter as one of
said sections, a lamp base having a chamber therein adapted to hold air under
pressure, said chamber communicating with the interior of the lamp body below
the flexible diaphragm, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 14h lov
1000
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.