Improvements in or in connection with Heating the Igniting Apparatus of Petroleum and other Liquid Hydro-carbon Motors.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Heating the Igniting
Apparatus of Petroleum and other Liquid Hydro-carbon Motors.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN Kingston Iron Works Bath in the County of Somerset
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improved means and apparatus for igniting the
inflammable charge in the cylinders of petroleum and other hydro-carbon
motors.
In the Specification of my Patent No. 18401 of 1890 I describe an apparatus for
effecting this purpose by passing a spray of air and finely divided liquid petroleum
into a heated tube, or vaporizer of any suitable shape, in which the spray is con-
verted by the beat into a gaseous combustible mixture which is afterwards ignited
and impinges on an igniting tube or other device which is in communication with
the combustible charge in the interior of the motor cylinder, rendering the same
incandescent. The spray of air and finely divided liquid petroleum being formed
by means of jets or nozzles suitably arranged.
Now according to my present invention, and in order to regulate with greater
simplicity and certainty the quantity of petroleum mixing with the air to form the
said spray and to minimize the chances of interruption arising in the formation of
the said spray I dispense with the said arrangement of nozzles for forming the
mixture of air and petroleum and I cause the petroleum to pass over and form a
film upon a surface or surfaces of any suitable material or shape (advantageously a
round wire or wires) which is or are placed in any suitable position in a jet or
current of air passing from a suitable nozzle into the vaporizer. Thus a certain
quantity of petroleum is swept from the said surface or surfaces by the current of
air and commingling with it forms a mixture of liquid petroleum and air, which
passes into the vaporizer where it is vaporized and afterwards ignited, and is used
to render an ignition tube incandescent. The flow of petroleum over the said
surface or surfaces may be controlled by any suitable device.
Dated this 7th day of May 1892.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN.
Tongue & Birkbeck,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Heating the Igniting
Apparatus of Petroleum and other Liquid Hydro-carbon Motors.
I, SAMUEL GRIFFIN of Kingston Iron Works, Bath, in the County of Somerset,
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:-
My invention relates to improved means and apparatus for igniting the
inflammable charge in the cylinders of petroleum and other hydro-carbon
motors.
In the Specification of my Patent No. 18401 of 1890 I describe an apparatus for
effecting this purpose by passing a spray of air and finely divided liquid petroleum
into a heated tube or vaporizer of any suitable shape in which the spray is con-
verted by the heat into a gaseous combustible mixture which is afterwards ignited
and impinges on an igniting tube or other device which is in communication with

page_text: the combustible charge in the interior of the motor cylinder rendering the same
incandescent. The spray of air and finely divided liquid petroleum being formed
by means of jets or nozzles suitably arranged.
Now according to my present invention and in order to regulate with greater
simplicity and certainty the quantity of petroleum mixing with the air to form the
said spray and to minimize the chances of interruption arising in the formation of
the said spray instead of the said arrangement of nozzles for forming the mixture
of air and petroleum I now cause the petroleum to pass over and form a film upon
a surface or surfaces of any suitable material or shape (advantageously a round
wire or wires) which is or are placed in any suitable position in a jet or current of
air passing from a suitable nozzle into the vaporizer. Thus a certain quantity of
petroleum is swept from the said surface or surfaces by the current of air and com-
mingling with it forms a mixture of liquid petroleum and air which passes into the
vaporizer where it is vaporized and afterwards ignited and is used to render an
ignition tube incandescent. The flow of petroleum over the said surface or surfaces
may be controlled by any suitable device.
"
It is to be understood that throughout this Specification I use the term
"petroleum to cover not only the ordinary petroleum or kerosene found in
commerce but also any other equivalent or suitable liquid hydro-carbons.
According to one arrangement I employ two small metallic pins standing side
by side (with a capillary space between them) in a small reservoir of petroleum
situated at the mouth of the before mentioned tube or vaporizer in which the spray
is vaporized before being ignited. These pins are advantageously curved at their
upper ends in the direction of the before mentioned tube or vaporizer. Behind the
curved ends of these pins is a plane with the capillary space between them and
concentric with the before mentioned tube or vaporizer is arranged a small air jet
which is supplied with air under pressure from any convenient source. The
petroleum in the before mentioned small reservoir is maintained at any convenient
and uniform level by means of a constant supply somewhat beyond that required
for the spray the surplus passing away through an adjustable overflow pipe.
When in operation the petroleum will rise between the before mentioned pins (in
virtue of the law of capillary attraction) as a thin film. The air from the before
mentioned air jet will at the same time inipinge on this thin film carrying it forward
in the form of fine spray into the before mentioned tube or vaporizer where it is
vaporized and afterwards burnt in the chimney to heat the ignition tube.
According to a second arrangement I employ a single vertical pin standing in a
suitable casing at the end of the before mentioned tube or vaporizer and having
immediately behind it concentric with the said tube or vaporizer an air jet similar
to that previously described. Liquid petroleum in suitable and uniform quantity
is conveyed to the top of the said pin from which point it gravitates forming a thin
film on its surface which is swept off by the jet of air issuing from the before
mentioned air jet into the before mentioned tube or vaporizer where it is vaporized
and afterwards burnt as before described. The supply of petroleum to the top of
the before mentioned pin is advantageously regulated by means of any suitable
capillary apparatus in connection with a petroleum reservoir suitably arranged.
According to a third arrangement I employ a small disc which revolves freely
(in a vertical plane) in a suitable tank or casing mounted at the end of the before
mentioned tube or vaporiser. The bottom edge of this revolving disc dips into a
certain quantity of petroleum (which is maintained at any convenient and constant
level as before described) at the bottom of the before mentioned tank or casing in
which the before mentioned disc revolves. The upper edge of this disc is in a line
with the centre of the before mentioned tube or vaporizer and immediately behind
it in the plane of its revolution is situated an air jet as before described.
In operation the air issuing from the jet will impinge on the edge of the disc
(thus causing it to revolve rapidly) at the same time the thin film of petroleum
which adheres to it as it revolves in the petroleum beneath will be carried forward
in the form of fine spray and vaporized and burnt as before described.

page_text: Figs. 1 and
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
represent sectional plan and elevation of apparatus constructed
according to my first arrangement, Fig. 3 showing details of capillary apparatus in
connection therewith.
A is tank containing liquid petroleum supplied by pipe B.
Coverflow pipe fitted with hollow adjustable screw D having lateral perforations
through which the surplus petroleum can pass away thus maintaining the level of
the petroleum in the tank A at any convenient and uniform level.
E E' vertical pins having their upper ends bent and fitted into the adjustable
plug F with capillary space between them.
G air jet fitted with adjusting valve H.
I retort tube or vaporizer into which the petroleum film from the capillary
apparatus E E' is blown in the form of fine spray by the air from the jet G.
J chimney into which the vapour from the retort or vaporizer I passes and is
burnt in order to heat the igniting tube K.
Figs. 4 and 5 respectively represent sectional elevation and transverse section
of apparatus constructed according to the said second arrangement-the chimney
and igniting tube being similar to that already described and illustrated are not
shown.
A is small tank or casing in which is fixed the upright pin B which is supplied
with petroleum at its upper end in suitable quantity from the capillary apparatus C
which is fixed in and draws its petroleum from the tank D. This tank is supplied
by the pipe E the level being maintained constant and uniform by means of the
overflow pipe F and adjustable hollow screw G having lateral openings ♬ as before
described.
I air jet situated behind the pin B and concentric with the tube or vaporizer J
into which the thin film of petroleum from the pin B will be blown in the form of
fine spray by the air from the jet I this spray being vaporized and afterwards
burnt to heat the ignition tube as before described any surplus petroleum on the
pin B will gravitate to the bottom of the small tank or casing A and pass away by
the opening K into the overflow pipe F..
Figs. 6 and 7 represent sectional elevation and plan of apparatus constructed
according to my third arrangement.
A is small tank or casing at the bottom of which petroleum is maintained at any
convenient and uniform level by means of the supply pipe B and overflow pipe C
as already described.
D small revolving disc the lower edge of which dips into the liquid petroleum
contained in the bottom of the tank or casing A-its upper edge being in a line
with the centre of the tube or vaporizer E.
Behind this disc in a line with its upper edge and concentric with the tube or
vaporizer E is situated the air jet F the air from which will cause the said disc to
revolve rapidly at the same time blowing the thin film of petroleum (which adheres
to its edge) forward in the form of fine spray into the tube or vaporizer E where it
is vaporized and afterwards burnt in a chimney or casing (not shown) to heat an
ignition tube as before described.
In each of the above described apparatus it may be advantageous to induce an
additional quantity of air by the action of the air jet-this said additional air
mixing with the petroleum vapour in the before described tube or vaporizer in
order to ensure perfect combustion of same.
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. The arrangement of two pins fitted side by side with a space between them
forming a capillary channel through which liquid hydro-carbons such as petroleum

page_text: will rise as a thin film in combination with a jet of air which will carry forward
such film as fine spray into a hot tube or vaporizer where it is vaporized and
afterwards burnt to heat an ignition tube or other device substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
2. I claim the arrangement of a single vertical pin the upper end of which is
supplied with liquid hydro-carbon such as petroleum by means of a capillary
apparatus such liquid hydro-carbon afterwards gravitating as a thin film over the
surface of the said pin in combination with a jet of air which will carry forward
such film as a fine spray into a hot tube or vaporizer where it is vaporized and
afterwards burnt to heat an ignition tube or other device substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
3. I claim the arrangement of a revolving disc operated by a jet of air impinging
on its upper edge-the lower edge of such disc being in contact with liquid hydro-
carbons such as petroleum which will adhere to it as a thin film in combination
with a jet of air which will carry forward such film as fine spray into a hot tube or
vaporizer where it is vaporized and afterwards burnt to heat an ignition tube or
other device substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. In igniting apparatus for liquid hydro-carbon motors I claim broadly means
for producing a thin film of liquid hydro-carbon such as petroleum upon any
suitable surface or surfaces in combination and acting in conjunction with a jet of
air by which such film is carried forward as fine spray into a vaporizing chamber
to be vaporized and afterwards burnt.
5. In igniting apparatus for liquid hydro-carbon motors I claim the combination
of any suitable surface or surfaces arranged to receive or produce thereon a thin
film of liquid hydro-carbons such as petroleum means to produce and keep constant
such film on such surface or surfaces and a jet or jets of air acting in conjunction
with such film by which such film is carried forward as fine spray into the
vaporizing chamber to be vaporized and afterwards burnt.
6. The improved spray producing appliance in connection with igniting apparatus
for liquid hydro-carbon motors arranged constructed combined and acting sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the drawings annexed.
Dated this 9th day of Febru1802
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.