IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND
EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communication from abroad by Christian Westphal,
of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." [A communication from
abroad by Christian Westphal, of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of
Germany, Engineer.]
This Invention relates to that class of automatic gas lighting and extinguishing
apparatus which act by the pressure of the gas itself, this pressure being regulated
at the gas-works in a suitable manner for the purpose. My improved apparatus
may be constructed in several forms, as hereinafter described.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide two chambers, in each of
which a very pliable membrane or diaphragm is tightly secured at its outer
circumference between two thin metal plates; these diaphragms divide each
chamber into two parts. A tube is attached to the diaphragms and passes through
their centre which coincides with the axis of the apparatus. This tube consists of
two parts, the upper part being of smaller diameter than the lower part, and the
upper end of the tube fits tightly but is capable of moving in a partition between
the upper chamber and a smaller chamber above the same, and passes upwards into
the interior of the last named chamber; this tube is attached in a suitable manner
to the centre of the diaphragms by means of screw nuts, and between thin metal
plates. The outer metal plates or rings between which the diaphragms are secured
on their circumference are also designed to provide means for regulating the degree
of pressure upon the diaphragms according to the pressure in the supply pipes at
the place where the lighting apparatus or device is situated. This regulation takes
place in such a manner that the inner diameter of the rings is lessened or increased,
thereby lessening or decreasing the area of the diaphragm. By the same means

page_text: the ratio of the area of both the diaphragms can be changed according to the
conditions of pressure existing at the place.
In the small chamber a valve is supported by a ring screwed into the bore of
the chamber. To enable this valve to close tightly upon its seat on the upper edge
of the aforesaid tube, the valve is so arranged that it has a certain amount of play,
a small pin on the top of the valve fitting freely in the bore in the cover of the said
chamber.
A ring is provided which has on its inner circumference several notches to
prevent the valve closing, the passage of the gas which always is permitted to
pass through the notches into a small upper tube supplying gas to the lighting
or igniting burner.
The first named tube fits tightly but is capable of moving in the apertures
provided in the partition between the chambers. Gas is therefore prevented from
escaping through apertures which are provided at the upper part of the two first
named chambers to afford communication between the upper part of each of
these two chambers with the external air so that the diaphragms may have free
movement.
From the space beneath the diaphragm in the upper of the two first named
chambers a small tube rises and conveys the gas to the burner when a valve in the
chamber is lifted from its seat, the gas being thus permitted to pass through
the lowest tube and through a hole bored in the sides of the tube beneath the
valve.
The apparatus operates as follows, that is to say:-When the pressure is reduced
to its minimum, as is usually the case in the day time, gas is admitted to the
burner through the first named tubes and through the upper tube leading from
the small chamber. The passage of the latter is regulated in the usual manner by
a small screw. The gas from this lighting burner is ignited when the apparatus
is first started burning as a very small flame.
As soon as the pressure is increased, as in the evening, the flame from the upper
tube is naturally increased, and the increased pressure now acts also upon the under
surface of the lower diaphragm raising the same, and consequently raising also the
valve, permitting the gas to pass through the first named tube, under the upper
diaphragm, and to enter the upper tube, thus conveying it to the main burner.
The gas there is ignited by the increased flame from the tube at the moment the
pressure acts upon the upper diaphragm, the tube passing through the diaphragms
is raised further until it meets with a stop forming a seat to the upper valve. The
latter now has closed the tube and gas is prevented from passing to the small upper
tube, and the flame in the main burner is extinguished. As at this moment the gas-
pressure acts upon both diaphragms, the pressure may now be lowered to the
normal degree, and even to a certain extent below it, without danger of the tube
descending. The weight of the tube, together with that of its adherent parts, is to
be in accordance with the area of the diaphragms and with the gas pressure; the
gas therefore will continue to burn even when the pressure is reduced to and to a
certain extent beneath the normal pressure. When this normal pressure is reduced
further to what may be called the "extinguishing pressure," the movable tube
descends, gas is allowed to pass to the upper tube, whence it issues and is ignited at the
main burner; then the movable tube descends further until the lower valve reaches
its seat, then the gas is extinguished at the main burner; but the small lighting
burner continues to burn because the gas now can pass to it through the movable
tueb.
To prevent a too rapid descent of the diaphragm the bore of an opening at the
lower end of the bottom chamber is so calculated as to produce a certain resistance
as the gas flows back from the lower chamber. The size of the opening is arranged
according to the pressure existing at the place where the apparatus is mounted.
I also provide an apparatus chiefly designed to be employed on gas-lustres or the
like. In this modification three chambers are employed but only one diaphragm.
The movable tube fits tightly but is capable of moving in the apertures in which

page_text: plays, and it is provided with an upper and a lower valve, the former having its
seat in the division between the chambers. Between the two valves and near to
them two holes penetrate the sides of the movable tube.
This apparatus operates as follows, that is to say-When the lowest pressure
exists the lighting burner gives a small flame, gas being admitted from the central
chamber through the movable tube and the lower hole to the small or lighting tube.
By increasing the pressure to the so called igniting pressure, this pressure forces the
diaphragm upwards and also moves the tube, thus increasing the flame of the
igniting burner, and as the upper valve is now lifted from its seat gas is allowed
to pass through the upper hole to the main burner. The gas there is ignited by the
increased igniting flame. The movable tube ascends further until the lower valve
reaches its seat, then the passage of the gas to the igniting burner is closed, and the
gas from the latter is extinguished. On the contrary, the main burner continues
to burn because gas can pass to it through the movable tube and the upper hole.
The area of the diaphragm is so calculated that even when the normal pressure is
reduced within the limits between the normal and the extinguishing pressure the
diaphragm does not descend. As soon as the extinguishing pressure comes into
action the functions are repeated in inverse order. This apparatus is of simple
configuration. A cap of porcelain, which may be employed to imitate a candle,
serves as a protection to the igniting flame against the influence of the wind.
An opening in the lower part of the lowest chamber is calculated and regulated
for the same purpose as in the apparatus first herein described.
In another modification I dispense with such fitting of metal parts into metal
as would necessitate grinding for obtaining a gas tight closing, and the gas-tight
but movable partitions between one chamber and another are obtained in this
modification by the employment of diaphragms in place of the parts requiring to be
ground.
I provide sleeves through which the movable tube passes freely, and which form
an annular space in which any dust which may enter through holes communicating
with the outer air is caught. The flow of air produced by the ascent of the
diaphragms blows this dust away again. Two caps are provided which serve for
a better protection from dust and wind; they are provided with holes through
which the air can communicate with the interior.
This apparatus operates in the same manner as the apparatus first herein
described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
July 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communication from
abroad by Christian Westphal, of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of
Germany, Engineer.
This Invention relates to that class of automatic gas lighting and extinguishing
apparatus which act by the pressure of the gas itself, this pressure being regulated
at the gas works in a suitable manner.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shown in vertical section various

page_text: constructions of my improved apparatus. The apparatus shewn in Figure 1 consists
essentially of two chambers A, B, in each of which a very pliable membrane or
diaphragm is tightly secured at its outer circumference between two thin metal
plates. These diaphragms, which are shown at i and k, divide each chamber into
two parts; c, d, represent a tube which is attached to the diaphragms i, k, and
passes through their centre which coincides with the axis of the apparatus. This
tube consists of two parts, the upper part being of sinaller internal diameter than
the lower part; the upper end of the tube c, d, fits tightly, but is capable of moving
in the partition between the chamber B and a chamber C and passes upward into
the interior of the said chamber C, as shewn. This tube c, d, is attached in a
suitable manner to the centre of the diaphragmns i and k by means of screw nuts,
and between thin metal plates. The outer metal plates or rings between which the
diaphragms are secured on their circumference are also designed to provide means
for regulating the degree of pressure upon the diaphragms according to the pressure
in the supply pipes at the place where the lighting apparatus or device is situated.
This regulation takes place in such a manner that the inner diameter of the rings
is lessened or increased, thereby changing the free area of the diaphragm; by the
same means the ratio of the free area of both the diaphragms can be changed
according to the conditions of pressure existing where they are used. In the
chamber C a small valve x is supported by a ring z screwed into the bore of the
chamber. To enable this valve to close tightly upon its seat on the upper end of
the tube & the said valve is so arranged that it has a certain amount of play, the
small pin on the top of the valve fitting freely in an opening or hole in the cover
of the chamber C. The ring z has on its inner circumference several notches t, as
shewn, in plan in Figure 1º, to prevent the valve entirely closing the passage of
the gas which is always permitted to pass through the notches t into the small
tube u for supplying gas to the lighting or igniting burner.
The tube c, d, fits tightly, but is capable of moving in the bores or apertures v
and w in the partition between the chambers A and B and B and C. Gas is
therefore prevented from escaping through the holes 1, 11, 12, 13, which afford
communication between the upper part of the chambers A and B and the external
air so that the diaphragms may have free movement.
From the space in the chainber B beneath the diaphragm k a small tube u
extends up and conveys the gas to the burner D; when the valve b in this chamber
B is lifted from its seat the gas passes through the tube c and the hole a bored in
the sides of the tube beneath the valve b into the said chamber.
The operation of this apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, in which the parts are
shewn in the position they occupy in the day time and when the pressure is reduced
to a minimum, is as follows, that is to say:-Gas is admitted to the lighting burner
through the tubes c, d, and u; the passage of gas through the tube u¹ being
regulated in the usual manner by a small screw or tap. The gas from this lighting
burner is ignited when the apparatus is first started and burns as a very small
flame. As soon as the pressure is increased, as in the evening, the flame from the
tube u¹ is naturally enlarged, and this increased pressure acts upon the under
surface of the diaphragm raising the same, and consequently the valve b, and
permitting the gas to pass through the pipe c beneath the diaphragm k and to enter
the tube u for conveying it to the burner D. This tube is arranged and extends
on the outside of the apparatus, as shewn, so that the diameter of the tube d may
be smaller than that of the tube c. The gas issuing from this burner is ignited by
the increased flame from the tube u¹. At the moment the pressure acts upon the
diaphragm the tube c, d, is raised to a further extent until its upper end forming
the seat for the valve x comes in contact with the valve. The latter thus closes the
tube and gas is prevented from passing to the lighting tube u¹ and the flame is
extinguished. As at this moment the gas pressure acts upon both diaphragms the
pressure may now be lowered to the normal degree, and even to a certain extent
below it, without danger of the tube c, d, descending. The weight of the tube,
together with that of its adherent parts, is to be in accordance with the area of the

page_text: <
diaphragms and with the gas pressure. The gas, therefore, will continue to burn
even when the pressure is reduced to, and to a certain extent beneath, the normal
pressure. When this normal pressure is reduced further, to what may be called the
'extinguishing pressure," the tube c, d, descends, gas is allowed to pass to the
tube u³, from which it issues and is ignited at the burner D. Then the tube c, d,
descends further until the valve b reaches its seat, when the gas at the burner D is
extinguished. The lighting burner however continues to burn because the gas can
now pass to it through the tube c, d.
To prevent a too rapid descent of the.diaphragm the bore of the opening S is so
calculated as to produce a certain resistance as the gas flows back from the
chamber A. The size of the opening is suited to the pressure existing at the place
where the apparatus is mounted.
In Figure 2 I have shewn a modified form of this Invention to be employed on
gas lustres or the like. In this modification three chambers A, B, C, are employed,
but only one diaphragm. The tube c fits tightly, but is capable of moving in the
apertures v and w, and is provided with two valves b and c whose seats are in the
division between the chambers B and C. Between the two valves b and x, and
near to them, two holes e and fare formed through the sido of the tube c.
This apparatus operates as follows, that is to say:-When the lowest pressure
exists and the parts are in the position shewn, namely, the position they occupy
during the day time, the lighting burner gives a small flame, gas being admitted
from the chamber B through the tube c and the hole f to the tube u¹. By increasing
the pressure to the so-called igniting pressure the latter forces the diaphragm i
upwards, and also moves the tube c, thus increasing the flame of the igniting burner,
and as the valve x is now lifted from its seat gas is allowed to pass through the
hole e to the burner D. The gas is there ignited by the increased igniting flame.
The tube c ascends further until the valve b reaches its seat; then the passage of
the gas to the igniting burner is closed, and the gas from the latter is extinguished.
On the contrary, the main burner continues to burn because gas can pass to it
through the tube c and hole e. The area of the diaphragm is so calculated that
even when the normal pressure is reduced within the limits between the normal
and the extinguishing pressure the diaphragm does not descend. As soon as the
extinguishing pressure comes into action the functions are repeated in the inverse
order. This apparatus is distinguished by its simple configuration. The cap of
porcelain E may be employed to imitate a candle, and will serve at the same time
as a protection to the igniting flame against the influence of the wind. The opening
S is calculated and regulated for the same purpose as in the apparatus first herein
described.
Figure represents another modification of the apparatus shewn in Figure 1. In
this apparatus I dispense with such fitting of metal parts into metal as would
necessitate grinding to obtain a gas tight joint or closing, the gas tight but movable
partitions between one chamber and another being obtained by the employment of
diaphragms.
The letters in Figure 3 corresponding to those in Figure 1 represent the same
parts as therein shewn.
In this apparatus diaphragms v¹, w', are substituted for the gas-tight bores or
openings at vand w, Figure 1. The sleeves p and q, through which the tube passes
freely, form an annular space in which any dust which may enter through the holes
1, 1, and 12, 13, connecting with the outer air is caught. The flow of air produced
by the ascent of the diaphragms blows this dust away again. The caps M and N
serve to protect the parts from dust and wind, and are provided with holes r, r,
through which the air can communicate with the interior.
This apparatus operates in the same manner as the apparatus shewn in Figure 1.
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 under-
stood that I claim,-
First. In the apparatus shewn in Figure 1 the diaphragm in the chamber A and

page_text: the diaphragm in the chamber B, connected to each other by a tube c, d, through
which the gas flows to a third chamber C, and arranged in combination with a
valve under the diaphragm k, which valve closes or establishes communication with
the main burner by means of a tube u extending on the outside of the apparatus
to the burner, substantially in the manner above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Second. The combination with the diaphragms i, k, of the tube c, d, the valve x,
and its collar z, which valve plays freely upon the said collar and tightly closes the
top of the tube c, d, forming a seat for the said valve, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Third. The tube for conducting the gas from the chamber B to the burner D
at the side of the apparatus in combination with the tube c, d, the upper end of
which may be easily and tightly closed by the valve x, as above set forth and for
the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination of the tube c, d, with the valve b and the diaphragms
i, v', k, and w', as shewn in Figure 3 of the Drawing, and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with the annular dust catchers formed by the sleeves p
and in the chambers A and B of the caps M and N, as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination of the hole a, the valve b, the tube u, and the burner D
with the tube d, the valve x, and the igniting burner u', in the manner and for the
purpose above set forth.
Seventh. The combination in the apparatus shewn in Figure 2 of the tube c with
the valves b and c and the holes e and f, which valves have their seat in the partition
that separates the chamber B, serving for the supply of gas to the igniting burner
from the chamber C which supplies gas to the main burner, all as above set forth
and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The combination of the diaphragm i, the tube c connected thereto and
provided with two valves b and c, with oppositely arranged seats, and the holes
e and f for conducting the gas from the interior of the tube to the chambers B and C,
all arranged and operating as above described with reference to Figure 2 of the
Drawing.
Ninth. The regulation of the area of the diaphragms by the employment of thin
metal rings, between which the said diaphragms are secured in the chambers of the
apparatus, as above described and as shewn in the accompanying Drawing for the
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty second day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.