Improvements in Magnesium Flash Lamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magnesium Flash Lamps.
I, GEORG ADOLF SINSEL of Plagwitzerstrasse No. 9 Leipsic in the Kingdom of
Saxony and German Empire, Manufacturer, 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 following statement:-
These improvements relate to magnesium flash lamps and consist in the arrange-
ment with the lamp of a reservoir for containing a supply of the magnesium powder
and in the construction and arrangement of an adjustable piston moved by pneumatic
pressure by means of which the quantity of powder to be fed to the flame of the lamp
or burner can be exactly regulated. The current of air which operates the piston
also serves to eject the powder.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood I have hereto appended
a sheet of drawings reference to which is hereinafter made. Where similar parts are
shewn in different figures they are indicated by similar letters.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus as arranged for use with a spirit lamp;
Figure 2 a longitudinal section of the apparatus the adjustable piston being shown
forced back;
Figure 3 the same as Figure 2 but with the piston in the advanced position ;
Figure 4 a cross section of the piston shewing its construction; and,
Figure 5 a plan of the spirit burner.
The reservoir contains the magnesium powder and is attached to and in com-
munication through the funnel t with the pipe c. This pipe is bent upwards at d and
carries the spirit burner f. At the other side of the magazine and opening into the
tube c is a tube g leading into the cylinder i inside of which is the piston p. The
outer end of the cylinder is closed by a cover m through which passes the screwed
adjusting tube n. An indiarubber pipe z connects this tube with an air pump or
other similar apparatus.
The piston p is furnished with a pipe p¹ by means of which the supply of magnesium
powder from the reservoir k is cut off when the piston is operated, and which serves
also to conduct the ejecting current of air.
The piston is so constructed as to move easily within the cylinder and is formed
with radial passages q through which when in a certain position, air is admitted to the
tube c.
This is effected by the employment of two small tubes v bent to a semi-circle
and fixed on the cylinder i. When the piston is in the forward position, as shewn in
Figure 3, a free communication is established between the compressed air space of the
cylinder and the tube c. In order to facilitate the passage of the air, the piston p is
formed with an annular groove o. A spiral spring s holds the piston against the
adjusting screwed tube n when no air is forced into the cylinder.
By means of the adjusting screw n the length of stroke of the piston p can be varied
and the quantity of powder burned at each flash regulated as desired. According to
the position of this screw n the tube p¹ increases or diminishes the opening from the
funnel t and allows of the escape of a greater or smaller quantity of the powder from
the reservoir k into the tube c. The quantity burned can thus be regulated with the
greatest exactness.
The apparatus is worked in the following manner.
The reservoir k is filled with magnesium powder, and the piston p is adjusted by
urning the adjusting screw n until the desired quantity of the powder has escaped
rom the reservoir and accumulated in the tube c. The spirit lamp is then lighted.
This lamp is so arranged that the upper end of d projects through the opening a.
To produce a flash of lightning effect, the air pump or other air compressing device
operated and air is forced through the indiarubber tube into the cylinder i.
n
At

page_text: first the air only acts upon the piston p and forces it forward against the spring s.
As the piston advances, the magnesium powder accumulated in c is partly taken up
by the tube pl which is sharpened at its end for the purpose, and the opening to the
reservoir is closed and cut off from the tube c.
As the piston continues to advance, it at length comes into a position where the
groove o and the passages are in communication with the ends of the semi-
circular tubes as shewn in Figure 3. The compressed air in the cylinder immediately
escapes through the piston p and pipe p and blows the light powder through the
tube d into the flame of the spirit lamp where it is instantly ignited.
To facilitate the manipulation of the lamp it may be mounted upon a stand as
shewn in the drawings by means of an upright pillar a and an encircling tube b so
that it may be readily turned by the operation in any desired direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) A magnesium flash lamp constructed arranged and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2) In a magnesium flash lamp, the combination and arrangement of a cylinder
and piston, the piston being arranged to be pressed against the end of an adjustable
hollow rod by means of a spring, and the cylinder having an air bye-pass, substantially
as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(3) In a magnesium flash lamp the construction and arrangement of a piston
having passages therein, and its combination and arrangement with the tube p
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
(4) In a magnesium flash lamp, the construction and arrangement of the cylinder
having an air bye-pass, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of Auơnst AD 1890.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.