IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL BURNING STOVES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention or
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL BURNING STOVES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH." A communication from abroad by Oliver Edwards, of North-
ampton, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 19th January 1877, and dated the 28th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL-BURNING STOVES
AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A communication.
This Invention relates to a stove in which oil is used as the fuel, and is designed
to provide a convenient and economical means for cooking and heating by the
combustion of kerosene oil and other similar oil ordinarily used in lamps. The
said stove is very safe and durable. It can be easily adjusted for either cooking
or heating purposes; it occupies but little space; it can be ensily lighted and
regulated; it is very clean and does not emit any disagrecable odor when in usc.
The said stove is constructed as follows:-It has a base of galvanized cast iron or
other suitable metal which is constructed to form the reservoir for the oil. In the
central portion of the top of this base and extending upward from the same are
long narrow wick tubes (preferably two) formed of brass or other suitable metal.
These wick tubes pass up through a non-conducting or guard plate placed between
the top of the reservoir and the top of the said wick tubes, and which is supported
upon small pillars or columns at the corners of the said base. These pillars as well
as the said plate are formed of or partly of some non-conducting material, that
is to say, a material which is a slow conductor of heat, so that the heat of the
burners will not be thereby communicated to the oil in the reservoir.
These non-conducting pillars support the upper parts of the stove, including both
the cooking cylinder and the heating cylinder. The said cooking cylinder is
furnished with chimneys properly arranged with regard to the aforesaid wick tubes
or burners to conduct the flame and heat to the top of the said cylinder. The
latter is formed at the top to receive a tea-kettle, gridiron, stew-pan, or other article
or utensil

page_text: The heating cylinder is also fitted to the said base, and supported upon the pillars
of the same. It is provided at the top with a suitable cover, and inside this cover
it has a curved deflecting plate which throws down into the flame all the gases
or smoke, thereby causing a very active combustion and very intense heat. The
said cover may support a basin of water to be heated or a vessel for boiling eggs
or the like.
When this apparatus is used as a cooking or laundry stove the waste heat
will pass up to the top of the room or apartment so that the same will not
be unpleasantly hot in summer. But when used as a heater it throws all of its
heat downward into the room or apartment. This heater will also serve as a lamp,
and is provided with windows fitted with slides that may be opened or closed to
illuminate or prevent the illumination of the apartment as desired.
The improved apparatus used in connection with this stove are as follows,
namely, a flat iron heater with pressure for keeping it in place on the stove, a
broiler with tin cover, a detachable top with threo apertures, and an oven.
The said flat iron heater is a flat metal box with feet at the bottom, which enters
holes in the said frame, and a flat top for the rims to rest upon.
It has slots or
apertures through the top to permit free access of the heat to the irons. And it has
hinged doors at its sides to permit access to its interior.
The broiler is formed with grooved or channelled bars inclined downward from its
centre to a circular groove or channel extending around it, and over which the said
cover is placed. The said broiler is provided with a convenient handle for lifting
it. The detachable piece with the apertures is designed to be fitted when required
upon the top of the cooking stove. It has perforated metal plates fitted in its
apertures for supporting the cooking or heating vessels or utensils and admitting
the heat to the same. The oven is formed of tin or other suitable inetal. It is
of a square form and has a circular neck fitted to the top of the cooking stove, and
may be readily placed upon or removed from the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 27th:
January 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firin of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OIL-BURNING STOVES AND
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH." A communication from abroad by Oliver
Edwards, of Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America.
This Invention relates to a stove in which oil is used as the fuel, and is designed
to provide convenient and economical means for cooking and heating by the
combustion of kerosene oil and other similar oil ordinarily used in lamps. The
said stove is very safe and durable. It can be easily adjusted for either cooking or
henting purposes; it occupies but little space; it can be easily lighted and regulated;
it is very clean, and does not cinit any disagreeable odor when in use.
These improvements are illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, which I will
now proceed to describe.
Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of an oil stove having my
improvements applied thereto.
Figure 2 a plan or top view of the base and oil reservior and parts connected
therewith.
Figure 3 is a view of a radiating plate which is suspended over the burners of
the said stove.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the base plate, wick tubes, horizontal plates, and
the base or oil reservoir.
The oil reservoir A. may be made of thin cast iron galvanized, or of plate metal
with its colges soldered together. It has a mouth through which the reservoir

page_text: is filled with oil, the said mouth being provided with a cover B¹ perforated with
small holes, which admit air to the said reservoir and permit the escape of any
oil vapour that may be generated within the same, thereby preventing the
existence of pressure in this reservoir and danger of explosion. In the upper
side of the reservoir A, wick tubes 6 are inserted and tightly secured by soldering
or otherwise. The wick tubes are provided with ratchets for raising and lowering
the wicks in the same manner as in ordinary lamps for burning petroleum.
C, C, C, C, are four supporting pillars standing upon and attached to the top
of the oil roservoir A. They are preferably made of zinc, because this metal
is a slow conductor of heat and will not transmit heat from the stove to
the oil reservoir. These pillars support the body of the stove C is a hori-
zontal plate preferably of zinc perforated to allow the wick tubes to pass upward
through it. The plate C although preferably formed of sheet zinc may be
made of other metal that will prevent the heat of the flame of the burning oil
from heating the surface of the oil reservoir or the oil in the said reservoir. The
plate C¹ may have other perforations through it, as seen at c¹, Figure 4, to permit
the free passage of air upward to the point of combustion at the top of the wick
tubes. The space C₁ between the oil reservoir A and plate C₁ forms a supplemental
air reservoir from which the air or some of it is supplied to the point of combustion.
1) is a horizontal foraminous plate resting upon the supports c, which are preferably
formed of the metal turned up from the perforations or slots of the plate C¹. This
plate D prevents the access of any floating substance in the air to the flame and
clistributes the air evenly to the flame and prevents its disturbance by air currents
or draughts so that the flame will be steady. E is the base of the stove which is
supported upon the four pillars C, it has arches or cones e on its upper side into
which the wick tubes b project, as clearly shewn in Figure 4, and within those
arches the combustion takes place. E' is a flange or rim extending upwardly from
the base E, and around which the cylinder F of the stove closely fits and by which
it is held. This stove cylinder may be of any desirable form extending upward
from the base to the dome or conical part F', which is open at its apex to allow
the heated gases to pass upward out of the cylinder. I prefer to provide the
cylinder with mica windows to render the light of the flame at the top of the wick
tubes visible outside of the stove or cylinder. I place and secure within the
cylinder F and near its top a deflector g of smaller diameter than the cylinder, and
curved as shown in Figure 3, so that as the heated gases pass upward instead of
escaping and passing away directly they strike the plate and are deflected down
toward the base, and finally escape through the space ¹ between the deflecting
plate and cylinder and thence through the opening f
I modify the said Invention as follows:-
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the stove as adapted for cooking purposes.
Figure G is a side elevation of the said stove with the heating or illuminating
drum attached thereto. Figure 7 is a plan of the top piece of the said heating
drum. Figure 8 shows the under side of the same.
Figure 9 is a plan of a top piece for the cooking stove.
Figure 10 shows a portion of Figure 5 detached.
The oil reservoir A as above stated may be made of cast or sheet metal or other
suitable material with an opening at B for filling the same. C, C, are the zinc
or other standards for supporting the plate C¹. These standards are formed with
shoulders 6 at their upper ends for the reception of the base plate of either the
cooking or heating drum. F is the heating drum provided with mica as above
described for the purpose of illumination. The base plate F is perforated at c³
whereby it may be removably secured to the zinc standards C, and said plate is
also perforated at d for the admission of oxygen to the flame within the drum.
The top D is hollow and of greater diameter than the heating drum so that its
annular flange D* projects over the wall of the drum, as shown in Figure 6. The
lower plate D of this top is provided with perforations or openings d' between
it and its cap through which openings a portion of the heated air passes down-

page_text: wardly towards the base or floor before ascending instead of being allowed to
pass directly upward and away unused. The outer edge of the hollow top D' is
perforated at de to establish an outward current of heated air to heat that
portion of the top that projects beyond the wall of the heating drum. Studs or
pins are secured to the upper plate of the top D' and serve to sustain any vessel
thereon without permitting it to have actual contact with the upper plate while
the heated air from the drum has free access to such vessel through the perfora-
tions in the said upper plate.
In order to readily convert the heating stove into a cooking stove I construct
a cylinder F with a base plate G provided with holes at arranged to fit
upon the zinc or other standards C, and when the hoating drum F is removed the
cooking drum F* may be readily placed and secured on the stove and used in
connection with any of the apparatus herein-after described.
In Figure 10 I have shown the drum F* provided with chimneys or flues H,
corresponding in number and size with the wicks used. These flues are arranged
within the cooking drum F*, and the said flues are perforated at to admit
oxygen to the flame at the point of combustion, and air enters the drum through
perforations in the base plate G°. The upper edge of the cylinder or drum *
is formed with projections j, which serve as supports for a single cooking or other
vessel to be heated. To provide for the heating of two or more vessels I use on
the cylinder the hollow perforated top J, which is formed of cast or sheet metal
and with two or more cavities or openings at K, in which kettles or other vessels
are placed to be heated. Each opening K is furnished with a perforated cover
or lid L, and around each opening the top J has perforations I, whereby the heated
air that rises through the cylinder is effectually dispersed over the entire surface
of the hollow top J.
The cooking stove may be thus used to licat a single vessel or two or more vessels,
or may be readily converted into a stove for heating or warming rooms by simply
removing the cooking drum or cylinder and replacing it with the heating drum.
Figures 11 and 12 show an under side view and vertical section of a modification
of the stove wherein the heating drum F has a deflector g, in com bination witha
hollow top D, which is constructed with an annular space g* around its edge
instead of the perforations (³.
Figure 12a is a vertical section of a modification of this Invention showing the
stove body with its top supported on posts or pillars F instead of by a drum or
cylinder of sheet or other metal. The said pillars are secured by nuts to the base
aud top, the central bolt shewn in Figures 7, 8, and 12 is dispensed with and
the chimneys are provided at the top with loose thimbles *. These thimbles drop
through the top of the stove and enter the top of the chimneys, the thimbles having
flanges on their upper ends to prevent their falling through, and the thimbles aro
longer than the depth of the hollow top so that they cannot be raised high enough
to be displaced. The cones e should be attached to the chimneys but detached
from the base plate so that the chimneys may be raised separately for lighting or
trimming the wicks. The columns are made taper to present the smallest
possible surface to absorb heat. This body may be substituted for those shown
in Figures 1, 5, or 6. The posts permit ready access to the flues or chimneys.
In some instances 1 screw or otherwise secure in the reservoir A hollow or tubular
posts formning chimneys or flues to conduct away from the reservoir any gas that
may be formed therein, and to create a circulation of cold air within the reservoir,
the air entering through the orifice through which the reservoir is filled an
escaping through the said posts.
Figure 13 is a plan, and Figure 1a section of the line x, x, of a flat iron heater
or box which forms a very useful adjunct to my improved stove. The said heater
is a shallow box M, whose configuration is adapted to the form of the irons. The
bottom has a flat inner surface for the irous to rest upon while being heated.
The said heater has hinged or pivotted doors Ms, which permit access to the
interior of the heater for inserting and removing the irons, and the top plate has

page_text: slots M', which form spaces or passages for the handles of the irons. One of the
said doors is shewn open to admit an iron into the heater and the other door is
shewn closed. The said box has feet M which enter small holes in a triangular
frame fitted on the stove and keep the said heater in place.
Figures 15 and 16 are a plan and section of a broiler forming another attachment
to my improved stove. This broiler has grooved or channelled bars N, which are
inclined downward from the centre and open into a circular channelled rim N¹, in
which a cover is fitted when required.
Figure 17 shows an oven forining another attachment for the said stove and
lesigned to be placed on the top of the aforesaid cooking cylinder when required.
The said oven is formed of tin or other suitable material, and has a circular neck O,
which is so fitted to the top of the said cooking cylinder as to permit the ready
securing of the oven thereon and its removal from the same.
Figure 18 shows in vertical section a modified form of this oven which has a
hole in its top to receive a cooking vessel or utensil. O₁ is a lid or cover for this
hole, and 0, 0, are small holes surrounding the central hole through which small
holes the hot air has access to the vessel or utensil placed on the oven.
Figure 19 is a vertical section of a steamer constructed to be used in connection
with this oven. P is a hot air space enclosed by a jacket P', provided with holes P*
near its top. P is the chamber or vessel for the water, and P³ is a perforated plate
through which steam can pass to the steam chamber P³.
Figure 20 shows the said steamer placed on the oven, the bottom of the said
water chamber being fitted into the aforesaid central hole.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim
First. An oil burning stove for heating purposes which has a base or bottom
portion with an oil reservoir therein and a drum or body arranged above the said
base and supported on pillars or columns, and fitted with a top piece, and which
stove is provided with means for ensuring the free supply of oil for combustion at
the top of the said wick tubes and for ensuring an even, regular, and undisturbed
supply of air to the same, and which also has provision for preventing the heating
of the oil reservoir or its contents, or the detention of gas therein, as shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings, or in any of the modifications of these
devices as above specified.
Second. In and forming part of the said stove and as a modification of the same,
the parts shewn in Figure 12ª comprising the taper columns secured to the base and
supporting the top and the thimbles at the top of the chimneys, as above set forth
and for the purposes specified.
Third. In the said stove the peculiarly formed deflector near the top of the
interior of the cylinder or body of the stove, constructed and arranged as above
described for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The modifications of the said stove whereby the same is adapted for
cooking purposes, consisting of the parts shewn in Figures 5, 9, and 10 of the
Drawings, constructed and combined in the manner set forth for the purposes
specified.
Fifth. The heater or box, shown in Figures 13 and 14 of the Drawings, con-
structed and adapted to the top of the said stove as above set forth, and for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination with the cooking cylinder and other parts of the said
stove of the top picce fitted to the said cylinder and perforated and provided with
studs or pins, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. The combination with the cooking cylinder and the other parts of the
said stove of the peculiarly formed top piece, shown in Figure 9 of the Drawing,
or with more than three holes therein, for the reception of cooking vessels, and
constructed and fitted to the said cylinder as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.

page_text: Eighth. The combination with the said cylinder and the other parts of the
cooking stove of either of the pieces shewn in Figures 17, 18, 19, 20 of the Drawings,
ns above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
E