IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING LIGHT- HOUSES; PRIVATE RESIDENCES, RAILWAY STATIONS, MILLS, FACTORIES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, AND IN-APPARATUS AND GAS BURNERS EMPLOYED. FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richardson Wigham, of Albany House,
Monkstown, in the County of Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING LIGHT-
HOUSES; PRIVATE RESIDENCES, RAILWAY STATIONS, MILLS, FACTORIES, AND
OTHER BUILDINGS, AND IN-APPARATUS AND GAS BURNERS EMPLOYED. FOR THAT
PURPOSE."
Sealed the 3rd May 1867, and dated the 6th November 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richardson
'Wigham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 6th November 1866.
I, JOHN RICHARDSON WIGHAM, of Albany House, Monkstown, in the County
of Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING LIGHT-
HOUSES, PRIVATE RESIDENCES, RAILWAY STATIONS, MILLS, FACTORIES, AND OTHER
BUILDINGS, AND IN APPARATUS AND GAS BURNERS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE," to
be as follows:-
One part of my Invention consists in illuminating lighthouses, private
residences, railway stations, mills, factories, and other buildings by means of
a combustible gas of high illuminating power prepared from alcohol and
sulphuric acid, or from combinations of those substances with other known
materials that are capable of being converted into combustible gases, which
said gas is already known but has never been applied to ordinary illuminating
purposes.

page_text: “
For the purpose of preparing this compound gas I employ an apparatus
consisting of two closed receptacles of lead, earthenware, or glass, into one of
which I introduce the alcohol and sulphuric acid through a pipe provided
with a proper funnel or other convenient means of introducing the liquid,
and I apply heat to the contents of the vessel either by means of a gas flame
or spirit lamp, or by a jet of steam, or boiling water, or other heating agent,
whereby the said combustible gas is produced, which is then conducted from
the first vessel through another pipe into the second vessel, in which is con-
tained water or other liquid which serves as a washer, purifier, and condenser,
and from which the gas is conveyed through a pipe to a gas holder for
supplying the gas to the lamps or burners. Both vessels are fitted with
gauge pipes and cocks for maintaining the proper level of the liquids they
contain, and for cleaning and washing out such liquids. The above described
apparatus may be employed for producing the said compound combustible
gas for illuminating buildings generally..
of
Another part of my Invention has reference to an improved construction
gas burner termed "crocus burner" for which Letters Patent were granted
to me bearing date the 4th day of April 1865, No. 945, and which consisted
of a cluster of small gas burners surrounded below the level of the burners
by a cylinder open at top and bottom termed the "equalizer," through which s
a current of air requisite for the combustion of the gas flames passed, while
immediately above the top of the flames was a second open cylinder termed
the "oxydizer" serving to raise to a high degree of heat the particles of carbon
contained in the upper portion of the flames.
My present improvements consist in altering the construction of the crocus
burner just described by forming it of rings of gas jets fitted to rings of
tubes, or to tubes radiating from a centre, or partly of such rings and partly
of curved tubes or radiating tubes, in place of the curved tubes described in
the Specification to the above named Patent; also in placing and using such
jets either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely, the flames from these jets
so placed being burned either with or without the equalizer described in the
said Specification, but in all cases the overhanging oxydizer described in
the said Patent is used, extended or diminished in size to suit the size of the
burner; also in the extension laterally to any extent of the said jets of the
crocus burner, so as to make the flame of any diameter required, and also in a
adding to the just described arrangement of burner a series of one or more
rings of gas jets and oxydizing cylinders arranged in the following manner:-
Round the bottom of the before-mentioned "oxydizer" outside of the same,
I fix a ring of small-burners, and above the tops of the flames issuing there-

page_text: from I fix a second oxydizing cylinder surrounding the first-named one, and
of such a diameter that the products of combustion from the ring of gas jets
below pass
into the annular space between the two oxydizers. Surrounding
the lower edge of the second oxydizer is a second ring of gas jets of larger
diameter than the first, and above the tops of the flames from these is a
third oxydizing cylinder surrounding the second one at a certain distance
therefrom, and so one or more other rings of gas jets and corresponding
oxydizing cylinders are added, each succeeding ring and cylinder being larger
in diameter and situated somewhat above the foregoing one. By this
arrangement the currents of air to the lower ring or rings of burners are
greatly intensified by the action of the upper burners, and thus an effective
combustion of the gas is carried on, while the products of combustion from
the lower burners are prevented from mixing with the air passing to the
upper burners by being made to pass immediately into the respective
oxydizing cylinders. The above-described improved arrangements of gas
burners are applicable as well to the illuminating of lighthouses as also to all
other purposes where artificial light is required, and more especially where a
strong light is required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Richardson Wigham in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th May 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
RICHARDSON WIGHAM, of Albany House, Monkstown, in the County of
Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Richardson Wigham, Her special licence that I, the said John
Richardson Wigham, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said John Richardson Wigham, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 ILLUMINATING LIGHTHOUSES, PRIVATE

page_text: RESIDENCES, RAILWAY STATIONS, MILLS, FACTORIES, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, AND IN
APPARATUS AND GAS BURNERS EMPLOYED FOR THAT PURPOSE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Richardson Wigham, 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 Patent. .
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Richardson Wigham, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say: -
One part of my Invention consists in illuminating lighthouses, private
residences, railway stations, mills; factories, and other buildings by means of a
combustible gas of high illuminating power-prepared from alcohol and sul-
phuric acid, or from combinations of those substances or of some of their
ingredients with other known materials that are capable of being converted
into combustible gases, which said gas is already known but has never been
applied to ordinary illuminating purposes.
For the purpose of preparing this compound gas. I employ an apparatus
consisting of two closed receptacles of lead, earthenware, glass, plumbago, or
other similar suitable substance, into one of which I introduce the alcohol and
sulphuric acid. through a pipe provided with a proper funnel or other.con-
venient means of introducing the liquid, and I apply heat to the contents of
the vessel either by means of a gas flame or spirit lamp, or by a jet of steam
or boiling water or other heating agent, whereby the said combustible gas is
produced, which is then conducted from the first vessel through another pipe
into the second vessel, in which is contained water or other liquid which serves
as a washer, purifier, hydraulic main and condenser, and from which the gas
is conveyed: through a pipe to a gasholder for supplying the gas to the lamps
or burners. Both vessels may be fitted with gauge pipes and cocks for main-
taining the proper level of the liquids they contain, and for cleaning and
washing out such liquids. The above described apparatus may be employed
for producing the said compound combustible gas for illuminating purposes
generally...
.
:
Another part of my Invention has reference to an improved construction of
gas burner termed "crocus burner," for which Letters Patent were granted to

page_text: me, bearing date the 4th day of April, 1865, No. 945, and which consisted of a
cluster of small gas burners surrounded below the level of the burners by a
cylinder open at top and bottom termed the "equalizer," through which a
current of air requisite for the combustion of the gas flames passed, while
immediately above the top of the flames was a second open. cylinder termed
the "oxydizer," serving to raise to a high degree of heat the particles of
carbon contained in the upper portion of the flames.
:
My present improvements consist in altering the construction of the crocus
burner just described by forming it of rings of gas jets fitted to. rings of tubes,
or to tubes radiating from a centre, or partly of such rings and partly of
curved tubes or: radiating tubes, in place of the curved tubes described in the
Specification to the above-named Patent; also in placing and using such jets
either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely, the flames from these jets so placed
being burned either with or without the equalizer described in the said
Specification, but in all cases the overbanging oxydizer described in the said
Patent is used, extended or diminished in size to suit the size of the burner;
also in the extension laterally to any extent of the said jets of the "crocus
burner" so as to make the flame of any diameter required, and also in adding
to the just described arrangement of burner a series of one or more rings of
gas jets and oxydizing cylinders arranged in the following manner :-Round the
bottom of the before-mentioned "oxydizer," outside of the same, I fix a ring of
small burners, and above the tops of the flames issuing therefrom I fix a second
oxydizing cylinder surrounding the first-named one, and of such a diameter that
the products of combustion from the ring of gas jets below pass into the
annular space between the two "oxydizers." Surrounding the lower edge of
the second oxydizer is a second ring of gas jets of larger diameter than
the first, and above the tops of the flames from these is a third oxydizing
cylinder surrounding the second one at a certain distance therefrom, and so
one or more other rings of gas jets and corresponding oxydizing cylinders are
added, each succeeding ring and cylinder being larger in diameter and situated
somewhat above the foregoing one. By this arrangement the currents of air
to the lower ring or rings of burners are greatly. intensified by the action of
the upper burners, and thus an effective combustion of the gas is carried
on, while the products of combustion from the lower burners are prevented
from mixing with the air passing to the upper burners by being made
to pass immediately into the respective oxydizing cylinders. The above
described improved arrangements of gas burners are applicable as well to the
illuminating of lighthouses, as also to all other purposes where artificial light
is required, and more especially where a strong light is required.

page_text: . Having thus set forth the nature of my Invention I will now proceed more
particularly to describe the manner of performing the same.
means.
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings shows the before-
described apparatus for making my improved combustible gas for illuminating
purposes. It consists of a closed vessel or retort A of lead, glass, earthenware,
plumbago, or other anti-corrosive materials, into which I introduce the alcohol
and sulphuric acid through a funnel-mouthed pipe B, or by other known
Heat is then applied to the bottom of the retort A by means either
of a gas burner C, or by other suitable means, whereby the said combustible
gas is generated, which is then conducted from the retort A into one or more
other closed vessels D, E, through a pipe F, which vessels are also.of lead,
glass, earthenware, .plumbago, or other anti-corrosive materials, and con-
taining water or other suitable liquid through which the gas is made to pass,
are made to act as hydraulic mains, condensers, washers, and purifiers for the
gas. From the vessel E or from the vessel D (when only one is used) the
gas is made to pass through a pipe G into a gasholder, where it is stored
ready for consumption. All the vessels are provided with gauge cocks
H, H, H, for maintaining the liquid in them at the proper level, and other
cocks I, I, I, serve to empty the liquid out of them; J, J, are funnel-
mouthed pipes for filling the liquid into the vessels D, E.
Figures 2 and 3 show respectively an elevation and vertical section of the
first-described arrangement of my improved gas burners. The cluster of gas
jets A, the equalizer B, and the oxydizer C are the same as described in the
Specification to my former Patent already alluded to, and need therefore not
be further described. Surrounding the cylinder C or "oxydizer " is a ring of
gas jets D placed a little above the lower edge of the cylinder C, and above
the tops of the flames from these jets is a second "oxydizer " E; surrounding
this cylinder is again another ring of gas jets F, and above these another
"oxydizer " G, and so on; one. or more other rings of gas jets H, J, and their
respective. oxydizers I, K, being arranged one above and surrounding the
other according to the illuminating power required. The rings of gas jets are
supplied with gas from the pipe L through branches M, or. in any other
suitable manner..
In the above-described arrangement the currents of air to the lower ring or
rings of burners are greatly intensified by the action of the upper burners,
and thus an effective combustion of the gas is carried on, while the products
of combustion from the lower burners are prevented from mixing with the air
passing to the upper burners by being made to pass immediately into the
respective oxydizing cylinders.

page_text: In some cases I dispense with the lower cluster of jets A and the equalizer B,
and in another arrangement I employ such lower gas jets arranged in rings
with the equalizer and oxydizer without the upper rings of jets and oxydizers
as shown at Figure 4, where A¹, A³, A³, are three concentric rings of gas jets
connected to the gas pipe L by radiating branches M; round the outer ring A'
is the equalizing cylinder B, and above the jets is the oxydizing cylinder C.
In some cases the equalizing cylinder B may be dispensed with, and
instead of three rings of jets only two may be employed as at Figure 5, or
only one as at Figure 6, the jets being arranged either vertical, inclined, or
horizontal as shown.
I am aware that rings of gas jets have been employed before with a tube
or opening above them for taking off the products of combustion rising from
the burners, but the distinguishing feature of the just-described arrangements
is that the tube C, which I term the "oxydizer," is brought down close to the
tops of the flames, cutting them short by the current of air which it causes to
impinge upon the tops thereof, whereby the particles of carbon in the upper
part of the flame are raised to a white heat, and thus the luminosity of the
flame much increased.
Having now described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, what I claim is,-
First, the employment for ordinary illuminating purposes of a gas prepared
from alcohol and sulphuric acid, with or without the admixture of other
known substances capable of forming illuminating gases.
Second, I claim the construction of apparatus for producing the said
illuminating gas, arranged and combined as herein-before described with
reference to Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Third, I claim the various arrangements of gas burners in combination with
oxydizing cylinders, herein-before described with reference to Figures 2 to 6
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Fourth, I claim the said arrangements of gas burners in combination with
both oxydizing and equalizing cylinders as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richardson Wigham, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
JOHN D WICHAM