IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS AND CARBON OR LAMPHLACK IN ONE OR THE SAME APPARATUS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN: AND FOR MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR RENDERING THE GAS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OF SHIPS. LIGHTHOUSES. MINES, AND ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE GAS CAN BE USED
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT
to James Copcutt, of 26. Kirby Street, Hatton
Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Chemist, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS AND CARBON OR LAMPHLACK IN ONE
OR THE SAME APPARATUS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN: AND
FOR MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR RENDERING THE GAS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING
OF SHIPS. LIGHTHOUSES. MINES, AND ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE GAS CAN BE
USED."
Scaled the 13th November 1860, and dated the 21st May 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Copcutt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
May 1860.
T, JAMES COPCUTT, of 26, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden in the County of
Middlesex. Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING GAS AND CARBON OR LAMPBLACK IN ONE OR
THE SAME APPARATUS. AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN, AND FOR MEANS
AND APPARATUS FOR RENDERING THE GAS APPPICABLE FOR LIGHTING OF SHIPS,
LIGHTHOUSES, MINES, AND ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE GAS CAN BE USED." to be as
follows:-
I find in practice that an improved means of inanufacturing illuminating

page_text: gas, and also a rich carbon or lampblack (which said carbon may be used for
paint. printing ink, and blacking, can be obtained at one and the same time
and in the same apparatus by distilling at a red heat the common vegetable,
pine, rosin, or other oils, or coals, resin, grease, tar, or other bituminous or
highly carbonaceous substance. either or any of which substances may be
introduced seperately or in a combined state in one or the same retort or
apparatus of or similar to the following construction: -
The retort is made of a double form, that is, having one part of its body
(which may be larger than the other part) seperated by an external passage
between the inlet and outlet parts, extending from near the back part to he
expanded outlet or front part of the retort. The object of the double retort is
to provide and leave such passage between the inlet and outlet for hot air, so
as to maintain the necessary temperature, and so to cause the gas or vapour,
which so soon forms from oil, coal, resin, grease, tar, or other bituminous
substance when coming into contact with the heat, to be more fully decomposed
before the gas or vapour arrives at the outlet of the retort. By this arrange-
ment of the retort the gas and vapour as soon as formed, instead of being
allowed to escape directly, and before arriving at the outlet pipe of the retort
as heretofore. are made to traverse backwards and forwards, or over or by the
lengthened heated interior passage of the retort. and thereby to be more
perfectly decomposed, and at the same time to deposit inside the retort in a
dry and useful form, and so as to be easily withdrawn at the mouth of the
retort, a very rich carbon or lamp black with which the gas and vapour are
overcharged, and which carbon or black has hitherto caused obstruction in the
pipes by being allowed to escape into them with the gas in an imperfectly decom-
posed state. For places such as in ships, lighthouses. mines, and all confined
places, where even a small space is important, and a large apparatus inadmis-
sible, the retort may be made with a vertical or an horizontal division, the
thickness of which division at the middle part thereof should be half of an
inch, and increase progressivily to three inches. more or less, at the sides.
The particular advantage and necessity of the increase in the substance of the
division is, that it may act as a conductor of the necessary degree of heat to
the middle thereof, in order to properly decompose the vapour of the oil. coal,
resin, grease, tar. or other bituminous substance, so as to produce the greatest
quantity and better quality of gas and carbon or lampblack from the materials
employed. When using oil, rosin. grease, or tar. the same may be allowed to
enter in a fluid state into the largest part of the retort through a syphon pipe
attached thereto; and when coals are to be used they may be entered at the
mouth of the larger compartment. The retort may be of any desired size,

page_text: and may be set and heated externally in the ordinary way. The carbon or
lampblack may be withdrawn at the mouth of the retort, and dropped into
water whilst it is hot, in order to cleanse the said carbon or black, after which
it may be dried for use.
2nd, in order to render the gas and vapour thus generated to be as cool,
clear, and pure as may be required, I allow it to pass from the retort, and to
dip into and near the bottom of a vessel containing oil or tar or other fluid,
beneath the surface of which fluid the gas and vapour are made to dip and to
seperate, after which the gas rises to the top, and enters a chamber by a pipe
fixed in the top of the cooling vessel. The second chamber, in order to save
weight and bulk of apparatus, for use in ships, lighthouses, and other confined
places, is fitted above or on the top of the cooling vessel, and is filled with
wool or hair, or other fibrous or filamentous substance, through which the gas
is made to pass and clear itself before it enters a third chamber, which to
economise space is fitted upon or above the second chamber in a similar manner
to the first and second chambers or vessels. The third chamber is to contain
lime or other suitable purifying material through which the gas is made to
pass before it is conducted away or fit for use. A syphon is attached to the
first or lower cooling vessel to preserve the right level of liquor, and to act also
as a safety from too great pressure of gas.
3rd, to render the gas applicable for lighting ships, lighthouses, mines, and
other places where space for gasometers cannot be conveniently allowed, I
cause the gas to be forced by pumps or otherwise to a pressure of several
atmospheres into suitable metal vessels of considerable size, and especially for
mines, powder magazines, or other dangerous places. 1 cause the flame of
the gas to be surrounded by and entirely enclosed within a fine wire gauze
covering of an oval and elongated construction, to suit the gas flame of this
safety lamp. Upon and under the bottom of the said gauze covering is
affixed a stud and screw cap, which is made to cover and protect the stop-
cock from being tampered with, or the said gauze covering from being taken
off when used in the presence of "fire-damp or dangerous elements.
"
4th, to prevent the necessity of frequently turning the stop-cock upon a
reduction or alteration of the pressure of the gas in the containing vessel, and
to regulate and equalise the flow of gas to the burner of the safety lamp, or
for other purposes, I employ a box or chamber having its top somewhat
loosely covered with flexible leather or india-rubber. To near the side or end
of the flexible cover is attached the end or extremity of a curved or bent bar,
to which bar is affixed at the outer end a weight as a counterpoise for the
pressure of the gas, and near the inner end of the bar, which is attached to

page_text: the inlet pipe, is affixed a stud or cap having a concave end, to cover the inlet
hole, which is of smaller dimensions than the concave cap or stud. The inlet
hole enters the chamber at the side by a sharp angle from a pipe leading from
the lower part of the chamber. The outlet is on the side near to where the
flexible cover is attached to the upper part of the chamber, the whole of the
lower part of the chamber being neatly formed of metal, and the upper part
and flexible cover being protected by a well fitted lid. From its action it will
be seen that the gas on entering the chamber it raises the flexible cover, and
with it the end of the curved or bent bar, and also the concave cap or stud
attached, which is thus pressed against and over the inlet hole according to
the extent of pressure the gas may exert upon the flexible cover, and which
pressure is regulated according to the amount of gas passing through the outlet
passage.
5th, to obtain the better combustion, greater light, and steadiness against
gusts of wind acting on the flame of the gas when used in lighthouses, ships,
or any other places, I use a gas pipe, on which is mounted a glass or metal
cup, which is perforated by a number of fine holes, above which cup is fixed a
very finely drilled argand or other burner. This burner is surmounted by a
platinum or other deflecting disc placed in the centre to conduct or drive the
nir into contact with the interior of the flame. Around the circumference of
the perforated cup, at its top, I arrange a gallery to carry the chimney glass,
which is curved to suit the flame. From the gallory to the upper exterior
of the circumference of the burner 1 employ an inverted glass or metallic
cup, the upper interior circumference of the said inverted cup being bent or
inflected inwards to a sufficiently sharp angle or curve (say, a quarter of an
inch.) so as to force the air into contact with the exterior part of the gas
flame, both by way of the inside and the outside of the inverted cup, the
whole of the perforated cup. the gallery. the inverted cup, and the burner and
chimney being surrounded by or enclosed within a bottomless glass basin or
pan of about five and a half inches wide, extending to about four inches above
the gallery, and resting upon a perforated glass plate or bracket having a
shoulder to secure the position of the glass pan which surrounds the gas flame,
and which bracket is attached to the stem or pipe on which the burner is fixed.
A disc of stamped or perforated wire gauze is fitted to the top of the chimney
glass to assist the regulation of the air draught to the gas flame.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Copcutt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th November 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
COPCUTT, of No. 26, Kirby Street, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of Our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the
year of ber
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said James Copcutt, Her special licence that I, the said James Copcutt, my
executors, administrators, and assigns. or such others as I, the said James
Copcutt, my excutors, 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING
GAS AND CARBON OR LAMPBLACK IN ONE OR THE SAME APPARATUS. AND IN THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN: AND FOR MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR RENDERING
THE GAS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING OF SHIPS, LIGHTHOUSES. MINES, AND ALL OTHER
PLACES WHERE GAS CAN BE USED," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said James Copcutt, my executors, or administrators, by an instru-
ment 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 James Copcutt, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
"I find in practice that an improved means of manufacturing illuminating
gas and also a rich carbon or lampblack (which said carbon may be used for
paint, printing ink, and blacking), can be obtained at one and the same time.
and in the same apparatus, by distilling at a red heat, the common vegetable,
pine, resin, or other oils, or coals, resin, grease, tar, or other bituminous or highly
carbonacious substances; either or any of which substances may be introduced

page_text: seperately or in a combined state, in one or the same retort or apparatus of or
similar to the following construction: --
The retort a (see Fig. 1) is made of a double form, that is, having one part b
of its body, which may be larger than the other part c, seperated by an
external passage d between the inlet e and outlet part, extending from near
the back part to the expanded outlet or front part of the retort. The object
of the double retort is to provide and leave such passage between the inlet and
outlet for hot air, so as to maintain the necessary temperature, and so to cause
the gas or vapour which so soon forms from oil. coal, resin. grease, tar, or
other bituminous substances, when coming in contact with the heat, to be
more fully decomposed before the gas or vapour arrive at the outlet of the
retort. By this arrangement of the retort the gas or vapour as soon as formed
instead of being allowed to escape directly, and before arriving at the outlet
pipe of the retort, as heretofore, are made to traverse backwards and forwards,
or over, or by the lengthened heated interior passage of the retort, and thereby
to be more perfectly decomposed, and at the same time to deposit inside the
retort in a dry and useful form, and so as to be easily withdrawn at the mouth
of the retort, a very rich carbon or lampblack, with which the gas and vapour
are overcharged, and which carbon or black has hitherto caused an obstruction
in the pipes, by being allowed to escape into them with the gas in an
imperfectly decomposed state. For places such as in ships, lighthouses,
mines, and all confined places, where even a small space is important, and a
large apparatus inadmissible, the retort may be made with a vertical or a
horizontal division, the thickness of which division at the middle part thereof
should be half of an inch and increase progressively to 3 inches, more or less, at
the side; the particular advantage and necessity of the increase in the substance
of the division is, that it may act as a conductor of the necessary degree of
heat to the middle thereof, in order to properly decompose the vapour of the
oil, coal, resin, grease, tar, or other bituminous substances, so as to produce
the greatest quantity and better quality of gas and carbon or lampblack from
the materials employed. When using oil, resin, grease, or tar, the same may
be allowed to enter in a fluid state into the largest part of the retort through
a syphon h attached thereto, and when coals are to be used they may be
entered at the mouth of the larger compartment. The retort may be of any desired
size, and may be set and heated externally in the ordinary way. The carbon o
lampblack may be withdrawn at the mouth of the retort, and dropped into water
whilst it is hot, in order to cleanse the said carbon or black; after which i
may be dried for use. In order to render the gas and vapour thus generated

page_text: to be as cool, clear, and pure, as may be required. I allow it to pass from the
retort, and to dip into and near the bottom of a vessel a, Fig. 2, containing
oil or tar or other fluid, beneath the surface of which fluid the gas and vapour
are made to dip and to seperate, after which the gas rises to the top and
enters a chamber b by a pipe fixed in the top of the cooling vessel. The
second chamber, in order to save weight and bulk of apparatus for use in
ships, lighthouses, and other confined places, is fitted above or on the top of
the cooling vessel, and is filled with wool or hair, or other fibrous or filamen-
tous substances, through which the gas is made to pass and clear itself before
it enters a third chamber c, which, to economise space, is fitted upon or above
the second chamber in a similar manner to the first and second chamber or
vessels. The third chamber is to contain lime or other suitable purifying
materials, through which the gas is made to pass before it is conducted away
or fit for use. A syphon d is attached to the first or lower cooling vessel to
preserve the right level of liquor, and to act also as a safety from too great
pressure of gas.
To render the gas applicable for lighting ships. lighthouses. mines, and
other places where space for gasometers cannot be conveniently allowed. I
cause the gas to be forced by pumps or otherwise to a pressure of several
atmospheres into suitable metal vessels a. Fig. 3. of considerable size. and
especially for mines, powder magazines, or other dangerous places. I cause
the flame of the gas to be surrounded by and entirely enclosed within a fine
wire gauze. b, covering of an oval and elongated construction to suit the gas
flame of this safety lamp; upon and under the bottom of the said gauze
covering is affixed a stud C and screw cap. which is made to cover and protect
the stop-cock from being tampered with, or the said gauze covering from being
taken off when used in the presence of fire-damp or dangerous elements.
To obtain the better combustion, greater light and steadiness against gusts
of wind acting on the flame of the gas when used in lighthouses, ships, or
any other places. I use a gas pipe a. Fig. 4, on which is mounted a glass or
metal cup b, which is perforated by a number of fine holes, above which cup is
fixed a very finely drilled argant or other burner. This burner is surrounded
by a platinum or other deflecting disc c, placed in the centre to conduct or
drive the air into contact with the interior of the flame. Around the circum-
ference of the perforated cup, at its top d, I arrange a gallery to carry a
chimney glass e, which is curved to suit the flame from the gallery to the
upper exterior of the circumference of the burner. I employ an inverted glass or
metallic cup, the upper interior circumference of the said inverted cup being
bent or inflected inwards to a sufficiently sharp angle or curve (say, a fourth

page_text: of an inch) so as to force the air into contact with the exterior part of the gas
flame, both by way of the inside and the outside of the inverted cup. The
whole of the perforated cup, the gallery. the inverted cup, and the burner and
chimney being surrounded by or enclosed within a bottomless glass basin or
pan G, of about five and a half inches wide, extending to about four inches
above the gallery, and resting upon a perforated glass plate or bracket h
having a sholder to secure the position of the glass pan, which surrounds the
gas flame, and which bracket is attached to the stem or pipe on which the
burner is fixed. A disc of stamped or perforated wire gauze i is fitted to the
top of the chimney glass to assist the regulation of the air draught to the gas
flame. To prevent the necessity of frequently turning the stop-cock upon a
reduction or alteration of pressure of the gas in the containing vessel, and to
regulate and equalise the flow of gas to the burner of the safely lamp, or for
other purposes, I employ a box or chamber a, Fig. 5, having its top some-
what loosely covered with flexible leather or india-rubber b. To near the side
or end of the flexible cover is attached the end or etremity of a curved or bent
bar c. to which bar is affixed at the outer end a weight d. as a counterpoise
for the pressure of the gas, and near the inner end of the bar, which is
attached to the inlet pipe e, is affixed a stud or cap f. having a concave end to
cover the inlet hole, which is of smaller dimensions than the concave cap or
stud. The inlet hole enters the chamber at the side by a sharp angle from a
pipe e, leading from the lower part of the chamber. The outlet is on the side
near to where the flexible cover is attached to the upper part of the chamber,
the whole of the lower part of the chamber being neatly formed of metal, and
the upper part and flexible cover being protected by a well fitted lid h. From
its action, it will be seen that the gas on entering the chamber, it raises the
flexible cover, and with it the end of the curved or bent bar, and also the
concave cup or stud attached, which is thus pressed against and over the inlet
hole, according to the extent of pressure the gas may exert upon the flexible
cover, and which pressure is regulated according to the amount of gas passing
through the outlet passage.
Dated this 19th day of November 1860.