Improvements in Incandescent Gas Burners.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Incandescent Gas Burners.
I CHARLES STANFORD UPTON, of 42 Park Place, New York, State of New York,
United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN INCANDESCENT GAS BURNERS," and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention involves the use of a finely woven or braided platinum wire basket,
cone or thimble, in combination with a compound burner for burning gas and air, or
in connection with an ordinary burner designed for the combustion of fuel gas, water
gas or any other gaseous substance capable of producing a high degree of heat by
which the platinum cone or thimble can be maintained at a high degree of incan-
descence, also the construction whereby atmospheric air is mingled with the gas in
order to produce more perfect combustion and a higher degree of heat; and it
consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts disclosed in the
following Specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form
a part thereof, and in which similar letters of reference indicate like or equivalent
parts wherever found throughout the several views, and in which
Fig. 1, represents a central vertical section of my improved burner, and
Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, modifications in the construction and adaptation thereof,
each being in central vertical section.
Referring to Figure 1, A, indicates the burner which is preferably cylindrical in
form and B, a tube by which gas, or gas and air is admitted thereto, tube B, being
provided at its lower end with a screw threaded socket by means of which the burner
may be attached to the ordinary gas fixture. As a means of mingling air with the
gas, the tubes H, which are connected with the tube B, and communicate with the gas
passage therein as shown are provided. These tubes are extended upward and outward
and are provided at their upper outer ends with small projections or lugs h, and the
reflector N, is provided with sockets n, which fit the projections h, whereby the
reflector which is supported by the air tubes H, is retained in place. The reflector N,
is provided at its outer edge with an upwardly projecting rim or flange which serves
to retain in place the shade M, which is supported by the reflector N, and which with
this improvement serves in the place of a chimney. The reflector N, is also provided
with a central opening directly over the burner and across this opening is stretched a
wire preferably of platinum from which is suspended a woven or braided platinum
cone, basket or thimble, concentrically with the burner and surrounding the top
thereof. The top of the burner is provided with a circle of small perforations or holes
through which the gas escapes as in the ordinary burner, and the number of these
perforations may be increased or diminished as may be found necessary.
The operation is as follows: Gas enters the burner A, through tube B, and air enters
said tube and is mingled with the gas therein through the tubes H, in the desired
amount. The mingled gas and air is ignited as it escapes through the small
perforations in the top of the burner. The mingling of the gas and air before
ignition, produces as in the ordinary Bunsen burner, almost perfect combustion, and
the additional supply of air to the gas as the same escapes from the burner, adds
materially to this effect. The result is a very high degree of heat with but little if
any visible flame. The platinum cone or thimble is at once raised to a high degree of
incandescence and remains in a highly luminous condition as long as the burner is
ignited.
By means of the perforated diaphragm D, and the screw E, the amount of gas
admitted to the burner may be regulated to any desired amount and a similar
regulating device, or one like that shown in Figure 6, may be applied to the air

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tubes H, whereby the amount of air mingled with the gas may also be regulated. If
an air regulator like that shown in Figure 6, be employed, the outer ends of the tubes
must be closed.
The construction shown in Figure 2, is similar to that in Figure 1, with the
exception that the reflector N, is omitted and a ring provided with a flange O, and
sockets n, is substituted as a support for the shade M, which in this case is shaped
somewhat differently from that shown in Figure 1, in order to secure a draught when
the reflector with its central opening is not employed. The burner in this figure, is also
provided with perforations for the escape of the gas in its lower side instead of in its
top as in Figure 1, and the platinum cone or basket is supported from the top of the
burner and extends down around the same. The gas, or gas and air escapes from the
burner through the perforations in its lower side as shown by the arrows therein and
is met when ignited, by an ascending current of air as shown by the ascending
arrows, and the flame is directed upward around the burner and between the same and
the platinum cone, and the latter is at once raised to a high degree of incandescence,
as in Figure 1. It is evident that the reflector N, may be used in connection with this
form of construction if necessary or desired.
This construction is simpler and more economical than that shown in Figure 1, and
in many respects is preferable thereto.
In Figure 3, is shown an ordinary Argand burner which may be readily substituted
for that shown in Figure 1, and Figure 5, represents a burner which may be employed
in place of that shown in Figure 2. This burner is different in form, being much
broader in cross section, and the bottom is convex and provided over its entire surface
with numerous small perforations. The platinum cone is inverted, and placed in
position by sliding the same over the tube B, a central opening in the cone being
provided for this purpose, and is retained in place by bending the upper edge over the
burner, or in any other desired manner. The operation is substantially the same as
with the construction shown in Figure 2. but owing to the increased dimensions of the
perforated under surface of the burner, and the fact that the entire extent of the
platinum cone is exposed directly to the burning gases, and the light directed almost
entirely laterally and downwardly. This form of construction is frequently preferable
to either of those hereinbefore described.
The air tubes H, are not absolutely essential to the operation of this improved burner,
and in Figure 6, is shown a form of construction in which these tubes are omitted, air
being admitted to the gas passage by means of holes or openings B', the amount of air
entering being regulated by a band K, provided with holes which may be made to
register with those in the tube B, the admission of air being regulated by turning the
band. In using this form of construction, however, it will be necessary to provide a
chimney or globe, in order to secure a draught.
It is evident that this burner may be inverted, if desired, and Figure 4, represents
a burner in this position. The application of the air tubes H, or air admitting
construction shown in Figure 6, to this inverted burner will readily suggest itself to
any one skilled in this art.
This invention is not limited to the use of platinum wire as a substance from which
the cone or thimble H, is made, as any substances known and used for such purposes,
may be substituted; nor is the invention limited to the manner of forming the cone
or thimble or supporting the same. It is also evident that the construction of the air
tubes H, may be modified, and many other changes made in the formation of the
various parts of the burner without departing from the scope of this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is :
1. The combination with a burner, of a tube for supplying gas thereto and
supporting the same, air tubes communicating with the gas supply tube and
supported thereby, and a shade supported by said air tubes, substantially as shown
and described.

page_text: 2. The combination of a gas-burner, a tube for supplying gas thereto and
supporting the same, air tubes communicating with said gas supply tube supported
thereby, extending upward and outward, as shown and described, and a reflector
supported by the said air tubes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination with a gas-burner, of a tube for supplying gas thereto, air
supply tubes communicating with the gas supply tube and supported thereby, a
platinum cone or thimble supported by the burner, a reflector having a central opening
over the cone or thimble, and a shade also having a central opening, the reflector and
shade being supported by the air tubes, substantially as shown and described.
4. The combination of a gas-burner, a tube for supplying gas thereto, air tubes
communicating with said gas tube and supported thereby and extending upward and
outward, a reflector provided with a central opening supported by said air tubes, and
a shade provided with a central opening over said reflector and supported thereon,
substantially as shown and described.
5. The combination with a gas-burner, of a tube for supplying gas thereto, air tubes
communicating with said gas tube and supported thereby; a reflector supported by
the air tubes, a platinum cone or thimble suspended over the burner, and a shade
provided with a central opening, also supported by the air tubes, substantially as
shown and described.
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6. The combination with a gas-burner consisting of a hollow chamber, the lower
side of which is perforated, of a gas supply communicating with the burner, air tubes
communicating with the gas supply and supported thereby, a platinum cone or thimble
enclosing the burner, and a shade having a central perforation, supported by the air
tubes, substantially as shown and described.
7. The combination with a gas-burner, having a gas supply tube, and having
perforations in its lower side for the escape of the gas, of air tubes communicating
with the gas supply tube and supported thereby, a platinum cone or thimble
surrounding the perforations in the burner and supported thereby, and a shade
provided with a central opening, supported above the burner by the air tubes, sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Dated this 30th den of Santambor 1800.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.