IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS."-A communication from abroad by Emile
D
.
77
•
Sealed the 5th March 1875, and dated the 8th September 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th September 1874.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lanc, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said.
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in burners for lamps whereby
great heating and illuminating power may be obtained from ordinary
gascous or liquid fuel, the flame which emits neither smoke nor smell
being unaffected by currents of air, without any chimney or any
mechanical means of creating a draft.

page_text: The Invention consists in surrounding the origin of the flame to a
certain distance above and below with a tube or case having slits or
openings, and open at the top for the passage of the flame, the object
being to produce a flame within the tube or case from the more readily
inflammable gases or vapours which will serve to distil the remaining
vapours or gases and to heat the same, so that when they combine
with the external air entering the interstices of the tube or case they
will rise to the top of the latter in a condition fit for perfect combustion,
and on contact with the external atmosphere will then produce a second
flame which will be quite unaffected by air currents, smokeless, and
suitable for illuminating or heating.purposes.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1
of which shows the tube or case, which may be a fixture or not, and be
made in one or more parts hinged together and resting on a non-
conducting base E, Figure 1.
In Figures 1 and 2 the tube or case is of wire gauze, but it may be
made partly of gauze and partly of solid metal, and either wholly or
partly perforated or otherwise made, provided that besides the ordinary
air inlet at the basc air is also admitted at that part of the case which
surrounds the interior flame, for example, from A to B, Figure 3, above
and below it, the tube or case being narrowed at C, D, either by making
it conc shaped, as in Figure 1, or by contracting the neck from point A
to C, as in Figures 2 and 3, or by the addition within the casing of a
ring or rings interposed at point G, Figure 7, arranged either spirally or
otherwise, so contracting the passage as to allow of the combustion
within the tube of a portion only of the gases or inflammable vapors,
provision being made, as before mentioned, for the entry or exit through
the upper part from A to B of a sufficient amount of air or of the flame
itself to prevent the air accumulating in excess around the internal
flame and to maintain the same constant even should the lamp be
suddenly exposed to a current of air or carelessly carried about in the
open air. These apertures thus moderate the action of the air on the
internal flame and prevent its being extinguished, thus preserving within
the neck of the tube or case both the flame and the gases or vapors,
which distilled and combined with air are intended to feed the upper or
external flame. This latter also assists by its great heat in the distillation

page_text: of the gases or vapours of the combustible employed. The two flames
thus mutually co-operating are not liable to be accidentally extinguished.
In order to protect the internal flame as much as possible a diaphragm
of wire gauze is placed at G, Figure 3.
The exit for the upper flame may be parallel, as in Figure 2, or flared
as at E, F, Figures 3 and 4, coned, as in Figure 7, or shaped as in
Figures 1 and 8.
Figure 4 shows a small conical collar H surrounding the neck of the
tube for the purpose of increasing the draught in the said neck and
concentrating the gases or vapors in distillation to ensure their complete
combustion. With the same object the tube or case may have channels
or tubes suitably spaced and supplied with air, as at B, Figure 5. The
air thus drawn in is heated in these tubes and conducted by the orifice C
to the upper flame, which is thus rendered more brilliant.
The tube or case may also consist either entirely, or its upper part
only, of a small open spiral tube, see Figure 6, in which the air will be
heated for a greater length of time before reaching the upper flame.
An internal opening A is made in the spiral tube (whether one is made
for the admission of the external air or not) near the point where the dis-
tillation of the inflammable vapors is effected, to admit a portion of said
vapors and atmospheric air which have already been heated in the tube
and become superheated in passing through the spiral tube, and ou
being emitted at the slit B at the base of the upper flame greatly
increases the brilliancy and intensity of the latter.
In order to still further increase the power of this flame I may notch
the extremity of the wick tube, as shown in Figure 9.
I also prevent the air striking directly on the internal flame either by
making the burner conical and providing it with small openings, or by
surrounding it with a small cap I, Figure 7, open at the centre for the
passage of the flame as well as around the edges.
.
For flames having a double air current, as in the Argand burner, the
tube or case may enclose the flame on both sides, as in Figure 8, or
outside only. For flat flames I adopt the tube to the form of the
flame.

page_text: The receptacle for the gaseous or liquid combustible may be common
to a number of burners, each supplied by a pipe, or each burner may
have its own reservoir.
In portable lamps to prevent the escape of the liquid should the lamp
be overturned I so contract the bottom end of the wick tube, as at A,
Figure 10, as to prevent any liquid passing out, and I also attach a
sponge Bat this point, which also serves to feed the wick by concentrating
the vapors which disengage in the apparatus when the supply of liquid
runs short so that it may be consumed to the last drop.
In order that the wick may be throttled even if of less than the proper
size for the lamp I suspend to the end c of the wick tube one or more
conical jaws, Figure 11, weighted so as to close together on the wick
when the lamp is in its proper position, and to fall apart and grip the
wick by their upper end à when the lamp is overturned, the wick tube
being also contracted at D.
The above method of stopping the flow of liquid will generally suffice,
but for greater security the liquid is fed to the the wick by a hollow
wick A surrounding it, and enclosed in a tube c soldered to the lower part
of the burner F and descending to the bottom of the reservoir, where it
is perforated with small holes D through which the liquid is conveyed to
the central wick B. In some cases the central wick B may project from
the bottom of tube C and be fed directly.
This arrangement besides preventing the liquid from escaping in case
the lamp should be overturned also ensures a regular and efficient feed,
especially with liquids of considerable density, which are difficult to
supply through a single wick when the reservoir is nearly exhausted.
Liquid hydrocarbons as retailed to the public generally consist of
mixtures of widely differing densities, so that it often happens that the
lightest portion is first consumed and the heavy portion which is left to
the last cannot be conveyed through a single wick. By feeding from the
bottom of the reservoir this objection is however avoided. This method
also possesses the advantage of collecting in tube e all the vapors
disengaged by the heat instead of in the upper part of the reservoir, and
the vapors accumulate around the central wick B and pass more readily
to the flame. It should also be remarked that as all communication

page_text: between the flame and the liquid is intercepted by the two wicks and the
surrounding tube there can be no danger of explosion.
I am aware that attempts have before been made to obtain light and
heat from various kinds of liquid fuel without using a chimney or
artificial draught, but in these cases only liquid of very light density
have been employed, such as spirits of naptha, which is not only
dangerous but is very liable to be extinguished by the slightest move-
ment.
The great advantages of the present Invention are that without
absolutely excluding liquids having slight density, such as naptha, I am
enabled to obtain without a chimney or artificial draught a flame
possessing great lighting and heating power, and unaffected by currents.
of air from a combustible of great density, such as oil of petroleum or
schist, volatilizing at or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and consequently
free from danger.
Although in these improved lamps the use of glass chimneys and
globes is rendered unnecessary for the purpose of promoting combustion
yet such may be used if found desirable.
The Invention lastly relates to the employment of platinum in con-
nection with the burner, herein-before described, either by partly con-
structing it of the same or as a means of augmenting the brilliancy of
the upper flame.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 6th March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,

page_text: give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS," a communication to me from abroad
by Emile Granier, of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, 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 Alexander Melville Clark, 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to improvements in burners for lamps, whereby
great heating and illuminating power may be obtained from the ordinary
gaseous or liquid fuel, the flame emitting neither smoke nor smell, and
being unaffected by currents of air without the protection of a chimney
or any mechanical means of creating a draft, and consequently cheaper.
The Invention consists in surrounding the flame to ascertain distance
above and below with a conical tube of nickel or other metal or substance
best capable of resisting the action of the flame, having slits or openings,
and open at the top for the passage of the flame, the object being to
produce, 1st, a flame within the tube or cone from the more readily
inflammable gases or vapors of the fuel employed, which will serve to
distil the remaining vapors or gases, and to heat the same, so that when
they combine with the external air which flows through the interstices

page_text: of the tube or cone they will rise to the top of the latter prepared for
perfect combustion, and the said gases or vapors thus combined or
prepared on coming in contact with the atmosphere will there produce a
second flame, which will be quite unaffected by air currents, smokeless,
and suitable for illuminating or heating purposes.
In order that the Invention may be more readily understood I will
describe it in reference to the accompanying Drawings, which illustrate
its construction. Figure 1 shows the tube or cone, which may be a
fixture or not, and be made in one or more pieces hinged together, and
resting on a non-conducting base E, Figure 1.
In Figures 1 and 2 the tube or cone is entirely of wire cloth, but it
may be made partly of wire cloth and partly. of solid metal or other
substance capable of resisting the action of the flame, and either wholly
or partly perforated or otherwise made with interstices or openings, so
that besides the ordinary air inlet at the base the air will also be
admitted at that part of the cone which surrounds the interior flame;
for example, from A to B, Figure 3, above and below it, and at the
distance C, D, from the flame, the tube or cone being narrowed at this
part, either by making it simply cone shaped, as in Figure 1, or by
contracting the neck from point A to C, as in Figures 2 and 3, or by
inserting within the tube one or more rings at G, Figure 7, the rings, if
more than one be employed, being superposed at certain distances apart,
or arranged spirally or otherwise, so contracting the passage as to allow
of the combustion within the tube of a portion only of the gases or
inflammable vapors, interstices being provided from A to B, as before
mentioned, for a proper quantity of air to enter and pass out simul-
taneously through the upper part, and now and then a part of the flame
itself, to prevent the air accumulating in excess around the internal
flame, and to maintain the same in constant combustion, even should
the lamp be suddenly exposed to a current of air, or carelessly carried
about in the open air. These apertures also serve to moderate the
impact of the air on the internal flame, and by thus avoiding its extin-
guishing and dispersive action to preserve within the neck of the tube or
cone both the flame and the said gases or vapors which, distilled and com-
bined with air, feed the upper or external flame. This latter also assists by
its great heat in the distillation of the gases or vapors of the combustible

page_text: employed. The two flames thus mutually co-operating are not liable to
be accidentally extinguished.
In order to protect the internal flame as much as possible a diaphragm
of wire gauze is placed at G, Figure 3.
The exit for the upper flame may be parallel, as in Figure 2, or flared,
as at E, F, Figure 3, which is equivalent to the two contractions,
Figure 4, or coned, as in Figure 7, or shaped, as in Figures 1 and 8.
Figure 4 shows a small conical collar H surrounding the neck of the
tube, for the purpose of increasing the draft within the said neck, and
concentrating the gases or vapors in distillation to ensure their complete
combustion by the upper flame. With the same object the tube or cone
may have channels or tubes suitably spaced and supplied with air, as at
B, Figure 5. The air thus drawn in is heated in these tubes, and con-
ducted by the orifice C to the upper flame, which is thus rendered more
brilliant.
The tube or cone may also consist either entirely, or its upper part
only, of a small spiral tube with interstices between the spirals, see
Figure 6, in which tube the air will be heated for a greater length of
time before reaching the upper flame. An internal opening A is made
in the spiral tube (whether one is made for the admission of the external
air or not) near the point where the distillation of the inflammable
vapors takes place to admit a portion of said vapors and atmospheric
air, which have already been heated in the tube and become superheated
in passing through the spiral tube, and on being emitted as from a blow
pipe at the slit B at the base of the upper flame greatly increases the
brilliancy and intensity of the latter.
In order to still further increase the strength of this flame I may notch
the extremity of the wick tube, as shown in Figure 9.
I also prevent the air striking directly on the internal flame, either by
making the burner conical and providing it with small openings, or by
surmounting it with a small cap I, Figure 7, open at the centre for the
passage of the flame, as well as around the edges.
Flames having a double current of air, as in the Argand burner,
may be enclosed both inside and outside, as in Figure 8, or outside only;
for flat flames I adapt the tube to the form of the flame,

page_text: The receptacle for the gaseous or liquid fuel may be common to a
number of burners, each supplied by a pipe, or each burner may have its
own reservoir.
In portable lamps, to prevent the escape of the liquid should the lamp
be overturned, I so contract the bottom end of the wick tube as at A,
Figure 10, as to compress the wick at this point, and prevent any escape
of the liquid, and also attach a sponge B at this point, which serves to
feed the wick by concentrating the vapors which are evolved within the
receptacle when the supply of liquid runs short, whereby the liquid may
be consumed to the last drop.
In order that the wick may be throttled, even if it be of less than the
proper size for the lamp, I suspend from the end c of the wick tube one
or more jaws hung or pivoting within a sort of socket made at the lower
end of the wick tube to receive them (see Figure 11), and weighted
at their base 6 so as to close together on the wick when the lamp is in
its proper position, and to fall apart and grip the wick by their upper
ends a when the lamp is overturned, the wick tube being also contracted
at D to furthur prevent any escape of liquid.
The above method of stopping the flow of liquid will generally
suffice, but for greater security the liquid is fed to the wick by a hollow
wick A, Figure 12, surrounding it and enclosed in a tube C soldered to
the lower part of the burner F and descending to the bottom of the
reservoir, where it is perforated with small holes D through which the
liquid is conveyed to the central wick B.
In some cases the central wick B may project from the bottom of
tube C and be fed directly.
This arrangement, besides preventing the liquid from escaping in case
the lamp should be overturned, also ensures a regular and efficient feed,
especially with liquids of considerable density, which are with difficulty
conveyed by a single-wick when the reservoir is nearly exhausted.
Liquid hydrocarbons as retailed to the public generally consist of
mixtures of widely different densities, so that it often happens that the
lighter portion is first consumed, and the capillarity of a single wick
is insufficient to convey the heavier portion, which is left to the last.
By feeding from the bottom of the reservoir, this objection is however

page_text: avoided. This method also possesses the advantage of collecting in
tube C all the vapors which the heat communicated from the burner
causes to evolve, instead of allowing them to fill the upper part of the
reservoir. These vapors thus accumulated around the central wick B,
pass more readily to the flame. It should also be remarked that as all
communication between the flame and the liquid is intercepted by the
two wicks and the surrounding tube, there can be no danger of explosion,
which is an important safeguard against accident, from the purchase and
use of one liquid in mistake for another for example.
C
I am aware that attempts have been made to obtain light and
heat from various kinds of liquid fuel without using a chimney or
artificial draught, but in these cases only liquids of very low density
have been employed, such as spirits of naptha, which is not only
dangerous but is very liable to be extinguished by the slightest move-
ment.
The great advantages of the present Invention are that without
absolutely excluding the use of liquids of low density, such as naptha, I
am enabled to obtain without a chimney, globe, or artificial draught, a
flame of great lighting and heating power, and unaffected by currents of
air, from a combustible of great density, such as petroleum or schist oils
giving off inflammable vapors only, at or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit,
and consequently free from danger.
Although in these improved lamps the use of glass chimneys and
globes is rendered unnecessary for the purpose of promoting combustion,
yet such may be used if found desirable.
Having observed that when the orifice of the tube at which the inner
flame is emitted is at right angles to the tube, and the tube is placed
vertically and exactly in the centre of the contracted part C, D, of the
cone or burner, a current of cold air is caused to rise too equally around
the nascent inner flame and retards its formation, so that a relatively
long time is required to completely light the lamp.
In order to obviate this objection without affecting the inextinguish-
able qualities of the lamp, I may. either place the contracted part of the
cone or the conc itself slightly out of the horizontal position, or the wick
tube slightly out of the vertical position, or I may make the circular space

page_text: in which the current of air rises around the inner flame slightly
unequal, either by shifting the wick tube out of the centre line of the
contracted part of the cone or slightly inclining the wick tube and the
cone or burner, as shown in Figure 13. Or the same result may be
attained by one or more projections or asperities unequally superposed a
little above the inner flame, or by making the ring G, as in Figures 14
and 15, or by bevelling off the top of the inner tube at a suitable angle,
as in Figure 14. The object in either case is to cause the nascent inner
flame to lick against the ring, or the contracted part of the cone or
burner, or the projections, more on one side than on the other, so as to
quickly produce at least on one side sufficient licat to instantly develop
said flame and to feed the upper external flame.
The above means not only conduce to the prompt lighting of the
lamp or burner, but also ensure more perfect combustion and impart
greater stability to the flame. These several improvements may either
be applied separately or in combination, according to the result desired to
be obtained.
The Invention lastly relates to the employment of platinum in con-
nection with the burner herein-before described, either by wholly or
partly constructing it of the same or as a means of augmenting the
brilliancy of the upper flame.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. Surrounding the flame to a certain distance above and below it,
and at such horizontal distance thereform as to admit of the combustion
of a portion only of the inflammable gases or vapors evolved by the
fuel by a conical tube having slits, openings, or interstices, and so con-
structed, arranged, and applied, as herein-before shown and described,
as to produce (even from oils of considerable density) two flames,
distinct yet simultaneous and co-operative, the office of the lower and
inner flame, which is produced by the inflammable gases or vapors first
evolved, being to distil the remaining gases or vapors and to heat the
same as they combine in the perforated tube or cone with the
atmospheric air which flows through the interstices of the said tube
and so becomes heated, and to prepare the combined gas and air to feed
:

page_text: and made adjustable vertically by a rack, all as herein-before described
and illustrated in the Drawings.
7thly. The employment of platinum in the construction either
wholly or in part of the improved burner of this Invention, or as
a means of augmenting the brilliancy of the upper flame, as
described.
In witness whereof,. I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of March,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five