Improvements in Electrical Devices for Igniting Liquid Burners.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1898--Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Devices for Igniting Liquid Burners.
WE, THE REFORM-PETROLEUM-BELEUCHTUNG, Gesellschaft m. b., Haftung, and
EDUARD WEINHAGEN, of 36, Taubenstrasse, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:—
This invention relates to a device for electrically and instantaneously igniting
a lamp or other apparatus using a liquid fuel and consists of the new and im-
proved mechanism hereinafter described and set forth in such full clear and yet
concise terms that any one familiar with the art can readily understand construct
and use the device.
In the following specification of which the accompanying drawings form an
inseparable part, and in which latter similar letters refer throughout to similar
parts we have described our invention in connection with a lamp, as it is prefer-
ably used with that device, but we do not limit ourselves to such particular use.
In fact we reserve the rights and privileges of using it in combination with any
liquid burning device from time to time as we may see fit and desire and for
which it may be suitable.
In the accompanying drawings;
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a lamp in combination with this invention.
Figures 2 and 3 show on an enlarged scale details of this invention.
When this invention is used in connection with a lamp we preferably employ a
semi-globular receptacle in which is placed an electrical contrivance capable of
generating and maintaining an electrical current of pre-determined strength
The receptacle has a removable top secured thereto and which is provided with an
annular depression in its upper surface. Secured to the lower surface of this top
and near the centre thereof is an electrode b, while surrounding the walls of the
These two elec-
said depression and vertically movable is a second electrode c
trodes form the poles of a galvanic element as will be more clearly seen at a
later point.
Above the electrical generator is an oil or fluid reservoir d having a depending
projection on its lower side fitting within the depression aforesaid. In one side of
this reservoir is a vertical opening formed in the upper surface of the top afore-
said of the said generator. Passing through these openings and engaging at its
lower end the electrode c, is a post e sustained in a supported position by a spring f.
Secured to the upper side of the reservoir is an ordinary collar with burner
therein having a wick g thereon. Connected with said burner is a rack h which is
vertically adjusted (thereby carrying said wick) through the rotation of a pinion
on the inner end of a rod shown in Figure 1. Mounted within the said burner
and moving with the rack h is a vertically extending bar which projects upwardly
into a tubular support i best shown in Figures 1 and 2. On the upper end of this
support is a round plate or flame separator which in diameter is greater than
that of the said wick, thereby preventing the flame of the latter from coming in

page_text: contact at any time with an igniting spiral hereinafter described; and having
secured thereto a depending cylindrical, perforated body on which are outwardly
projecting ribs in constant contact with the inner surface of the said burner. This
burner as will be clearly understood is in metallic contact with the upper surface
of the said reservoir, which in turn is in metallic contact with post e aforesaid.
Firmly engaging the said body and extending upwardly a predetermined distance
is a wire m, having an igniting spiral preferably of platinum or the like secured
to its upper end. Extending parallel with said wire is a second wire n having
its upper end connected with the other end of the said spiral and extending down-
wardly below said body where it is fastened to a jacket firmly mounted upon but
insulated from the tubular support i aforesaid.
Properly fastened to and insulated from the said burner is a spring p bearing
constantly against the said jacket and having its lower end in metallic contact
with a further spring q, which latter in turn is in metallic contact with insulated
conductors and s running through the top of said reservoir and engaging directly
or indirectly or through any desired medium the electrode b aforesaid.
7"
J
The operation of this invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing
description and accompanying drawings when taken in connection with the
following statement, the parts being assembled in the manner described
and it being desired to ignite the wick the post e is pressed down-
ward whence the electrode c is submerged or brought in contact with
the generator, whence the electrical current flows from the electrode b
through conductor t and into conductor s, from whence it passes through wire r
into spring 9 upward through spring into jacket o, which in turn conducts the
current to wire n from the upper end of which it passes through the platinum
spiral producing here such a diffusion and radiation of heat that the wick is
ignited. Leaving the spiral it passes through wire m into the cylindrical body
described and from thence through the said ribs or burner into the metallic top
of said reservoir, from which it is collected by post e and returned through the
electrode c to the starting point.
It will be clearly seen and particular attention is called to the fact that not
withstanding any vertical adjustment of the wick the position of the igniting
spiral relative to the upper edge of the wick remains invariable. According to
this the igniting process may be effectuated in each position of the wick.
The tubular support i with its cylindrical perforated body being held in place
only by friction on the bar j, it is obvious that it may be turned round the said
bar, the igniting spiral coming thus in position with each point of the
periphery of the wick. It is, consequently, possible to alter at will the igniting
point.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a new and improved device for igniting the wick of a liquid burner the
combination of an electrical generator with proper conductors so arranged as to
ignite the said wick when desired, substantially as described.
2. In a new and improved device for igniting the wick of a liquid burner,, the
combination of an electrical generator, an igniting spiral near the upper edge of
the wick, suitable conductors connecting said spiral and generator and means for
sending a current therethrough, substantially as described.
3. In a new and improved device for igniting the wicks of liquid burners, the
combination of an electrical generator, an igniting spiral near the upper edge of
the wick, conductors, and means for securing to the igniting spiral an invariable
position to the upper edge of the wick irrespective of the vertical position of the
said wick, substantially as described.
4. In a new and improved device for electrically igniting the wicks of liquid
burners, the combination of an electrical generator, an igniting spiral near the

page_text: said wick, conductors connecting said generator and said spiral and a post adapted
by operation to complete the circuit passing through the said conductors, sub-
stantially as described.
5. In a new and improved device for igniting the wick of a liquid burner the
combination of an electrical generator, suitable conductors to ignite the wick,
a reservoir above the generator, both generator and reservoir being arranged one
above the other in such position that they are enclosed and supported in any
ordinary frame suitable for lamps, substantially as described.
6. In a device for electrically igniting the wicks of liquid burners, the arrange-
ment or combination and use of an electrical generator, an igniting spiral, near
the upper edge of said wick, and means forming adjustable electrical conductors
whilst serving to prevent said flame from coming in contact with the said spiral,
all substanially as and for the purposes described and shewn by the drawings.
7. A new and improved device for electrically igniting the wicks of liquid
burners, an electrical generator one electrode therein, an igniting spiral near
said wick, continuous connection between said electrode and of said parts being
combined substantially as described.
8. A new and improved device for electrically igniting the wicks of liquid
burners, an electrical generator, a flame separator, a body portion in connection
therewith, a wire conductor on said body, a suitable support for said separator a
second wire conductor on said wires and suitable adjustable means for carrying a
current at will from and to said generator and through said wires, said parts being
combined substantially as described.
9. In an electrical wick igniter, the combination of an electrical generator, an
igniting spiral near said wick, a flame separator, a tubular support for the latter,
a vertically adjustable rack carrying the tubular support, an insulated jacket on
the latter, a burner, a spring connected therewith and insulated therefrom and
bearing, on said jacket, electrical connection between said generator and spring,
a wire connected with said jacket, a body portion depending from, said separator,
a second wire connected therewith, an igniting spiral connecting the upper ends of
said wires, ribs on said body in direct metallic connection with the upper surface
of the said liquid burners and means in metallic connection with the said surface
and generator for completing the circuit at will, substantially as described.
Dated the 0th day of V... 1000
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.