Improvements in Appliances for Burning Heavy Hydro-carbon Oils, which Improvements are also Applicable to other Purposes wherein it is Desirable to Maintain a Fluid at a Constant Level.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Jec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Burning Heavy Hydro-carbon Oils,
which Improvements are also Applicable to other Purposes
wherein it is Desirable to Maintain a Fluid at a Constant Level.
We MORITZ BLUMANN of 43 London Wall in the County of Middlesex Merchant,
and FRANCIS MONTAGUE SIMS of 44 China Lane Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates especially to appliances designed for burning heavy hydro-
carbon oils such for example as those found in the Russian Empire, and in the
Province of Burmah the specific gravity of which is such that they cannot be
burned in ordinary lamps employed for burning the lighter kinds of hydrocarbon oils,
as the capillary attraction is too weak to cause them to mount the wick and for this
reason their use has hitherto been confined principally to lubricating purposes.
In burning oils of this class, beyond the question of the form of burner, and
the regulation of the draught, the primary requisite (as the heavy oil will not
mount the wick excepting for a very short distance by capillary attraction) is to provide
means whereby the level of the oil in the burner can be automatically maintained at a
point perfectly constant or as nearly so as possible and this level must be only a short
distance below the burning portion of the wick so that the capillarity of the wick may
be practically a constant force, in order that the wick shall be kept at all times suffi-
ciently supplied with oil, at the same time that there shall be no danger of the flooding
or overflowing of the oil.
The maintaining of the oil in the wick holder at a constant level is a most important
feature because any variations of the level of the oil in the burner will cause corre-
sponding fluctuations in the light as will be well understood by any competent
person.
We propose to achieve this desired result by certain novel appliances acting upon
pneumatic principles, the oil reservoir being air tight and being placed more or less
above the level of the burner, whereby the air in the upper part of the reservoir must
be in a state of tension or rarefaction due to the weight of the descending column of
oil in the supply pipe (which proceeds from the bottom of the reservoir) and
the system therefore depends for its efficiency on the elasticity of the air.
And as in this pneumatic system the air entering the reservoir to supply the
place of the oil withdrawn therefrom (be the quantity small or great) is subject
to the law applicable to air and gases that the force with which it seeks to expand
is equal to the compressing force, and inversely as to the space which it occupies,
we have in addition to keeping the oil at a constant level, to provide means for
the absorption of an excess and varying quantity of oil, due to the fact that the
oil issuing from the reservoir is greater in bulk than the air which entered the
reservoir, which would also tend to disturb the level, and occasionally even cause
an overflow.
In order to apply our improved pneumatic principle to any existing pipes or
gasaliers, or other similar fittings we proceed as follows. In the first place we
connect the supply pipe to the bottom of the reservoir which latter may be of any
capacity suitable to the number of lights required, and we can then apply our
improvements thereto in either of the following ways as may be preferred.
(a) By dividing the pipe above the level of the burner.
(b) By leaving the pipe uncut if preferred.
In either case the lower portion of the supply pipe is bent into a curved form
unwards and the wink holder is attached to the and tharant

page_text: In the case wherein we divide the pipe we cut the same above the level of the
burner, and we insert inside the pipe a short inner tube of tapering form its upper
end fitting air and liquid tight into the supply pipe, and its lower end or mouth
tapering off to a smaller diameter and extending to a point corresponding with the
point in the wick holder at which we desire to preserve a constant level. We then
re-connect the divided portion of the pipe with or without the addition at this point
of a stop tap."
We then perforate the outer pipe so that air is admitted freely between the
two concentric pipes and can reach the lower opening or mouth of the inner
tube.
In case we do not desire to cut the supply pipe we surround it at this point with a
short piece of tube of a slightly larger diameter making a liquid tight joint at
the bottom end and leave the upper end open to the atmosphere, having previously
perforated the supply pipe at a point corresponding with the point in the wick and oil
holder at which we desire to preserve the level.
It will be evident that this is virtually the same arrangement as the above with the
exception that the feed pipe is in the one case the outer of two concentric tubes and in
the other it is the inner one of the two, and in both cases the level of the oil will be
maintained approximately at the point which corresponds in one case with the lower
orifice or mouth of the inner tube and in the other case with the perforation of the
supply pipe and as soon as the level of the oil falls below the mouth of the inner tube
in the one case, or of the perforation in the feed pipe in the other case air is admitted
and passes in the form of bubbles up the supply pipe into the upper part of the
reservoir allowing a corresponding proportion of oil to descend and raise the level so
as to again close the mouth or perforation and stop further descent of oil; but owing
to the causes above mentioned this level would not always remain absolutely constant
and it is necessary therefore to provide for fluctuations in this level due to any exces-
sive issue of oil which might at times cause overflow or flooding and for this purpose
we fit the feed pipe, or the wick holder, or both (but preferably the former) with what
we term an overflow chamber" the area of the said chamber being greater than its
height and considerably larger than that of the space between the outer and inner
tubes so that any rise of level which would be quite appreciable in that space
(and consequently in the wick holder) when spread over this increased area would be
reduced almost to nil.
This overflow chamber is placed round the feed pipe (in case (a) above referred to)
in such a position that the bottom of the chamber stands level with the mouth of the
inner tube, the outer tube having been perforated at this point to allow the oil access
to the overflow chamber.
In case (b) the outer tube carries the overflow chamber through which it passes
both tubes being perforated at, the same level to allow the oil access to the chamber
and the upper part of the outer tube being also perforated for the admission of air,
the upper end of the said outer tube being covered to prevent ingress of foreign
matter.
The action will then be as follows:-
:-
When the apparatus is in use the excess of oil due to air expansion instead of raising
the oil level in the wick holder and possibly flooding, will be received into this overflow
chamber where it will be spread over the much greater superficial area and the level
of the oil in the wick holder will not therefore be caused to exceed the bounds set to
it, and this excess in the said overflow chamber must all flow back again into the feed
pipe and wick holder and be consumed before the level of the oil can fall sufficiently
low to admit air and renew the supply of oil.
The overflow chamber and concentric tube may be so constructed that by raising or
lowering them the level of the oil in the wick holder can be altered as desired in
order to suit oils of different specific gravities.
The overflow chamber when controlling one or more burners, being fitted with a
glass or gauge will show the level of the oil in the burners at any time.

page_text: The overflow chamber may be if desired mounted on gimbals or otherwise a flexible
joint of suitable material intervening between it and the reservoir.
It will be evident that this pneumatic arrangement will be equally applicable to
various other purposes wherein it is desirable to maintain a liquid at a constant
level.
A hand or other portable or pillar lamp may be constructed in substantially the
same manner as the above both the reservoir and overflow chamber being united in a
compact form.
The reservoir being fitted with a feed opening in the top for supplying it with oil,
and also with a valve at the bottom to be closed when the top is opened.
In some cases this valve will be so arranged as to be opened and shut auto-
matically by the shutting and opening of the feed opening, but if preferred it may
be so arranged as to be actuated independently of the oil feed opening.
"
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Burning Heavy Hydro-carbon Oils,
which Improvements are also Applicable to other Purposes
wherein it is Desirable to Maintain a Fluid at a Constant Level.
We MORITZ BLUMANN of 43 London Wall in the County of Middlesex, Merchant
and FRANCIS MONTAGUE SIMS of 44 China Lane, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, 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:-
1
This invention relates especially to appliances designed for burning heavy hydro-
carbon oils, such for example as those found in the Russian Empire in the Province
of Burmah and elsewhere the specific gravity of which is such that they cannot be
burned in ordinary lamps employed for burning the lighter kinds of hydro-carbon,oils
as the capillary attraction is too weak to cause them to "mount the,wick" and for this
reason their use has hitherto been confined principally to lubricating purposes...
In burning oils of this class, beyond the question of the form of burner and
the regulation of the draught the primary requisite (as the heavy oil will not "mount
the wick" excepting for a very short distance by capillary attraction) is to provide
means whereby the level of the oil in the burner ca = be automatically maintained
at a point perfectly constant or as nearly so as possible and this level must be only a
short distance below the burning, portion of the wick so that the capillarity of the
wick may be practically a constant force in order that the wick shall be kept at all
times sufficiently supplied with oil, at the same time that there shall be no danger of
the "flooding" or overflowing of the oil.
The maintaining of the oil in the wick holder at a constant level is a most important
feature because any variations of the level of the oil in the burner will cause corre-
sponding fluctuations in the light as will be well understood by any competent
person.
The nature of our said invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed or carried into practical effect will be readily understood on reference to
the accompanying drawings and the following explanation thereof.
f) int
Fig. 1 illustrates. the general arrangement by which we propose to effect, the desired
result, the oil reservoir being shown in section.
i
I F
11797
(0.
Figs. 2, 23, 3, and 4 are detached sectional, elevations of various modifications of
the overflow chamber D hereafter more particularly referred to.
A. is an oil reservoir which is airtight and is placed at some distance above the
level of the burner B.
"...
io
n
is the supply pipe which proceeds from the bottom of the reservoir.;
As in this pneumatic system the air entering the reservoir to supply the place of

page_text: the oil withdrawn therefrom (be the quantity small or great) is subject to the law
applicable to air and gasses that the force with which it seeks to expand is equal to.
the compressing force and inversely as to the space which it occupies we have in
addition to keeping the oil at constant level to provide means for the absorption of an
excess and varying quantity of oil due to the fact that the oil issuing from the reser-
voir is greater in bulk than the air which entered the reservoir which would tend
both to disturb the level and to cause an overflow.
In order to apply our improved principle to any existing pipes or gasaliers or other
similar fittings we may proceed in either of the following ways.
(a) By dividing the pipe C, above the level of the burner B, or (b) by leaving the
pipe uncut if preferred.
In either case the lower portion of the supply pipe is bent upwards and the wick
holder is attached to the end thereof.
The former case (wherein we divide the pipe C above the level of the burner) is
illustrated by the detached section, Fig. 2 which is drawn to a larger scale.
Inside the lower end of the pipe C (below the cut) we insert a short inner tube a
of tapering form its upper end fitting air and liquid tight into the supply pipe C, and
its lower end or mouth tapering off to a smaller diameter and extending to a point
corresponding with the point in the wick holder B at which we desire to preserve a
constant level.
We then re-connect the divided portion of the pipe with or without the addition at
this point of a stop tap b.
We then perforate the outer pipe as at c so that air is admitted freely between the
two concentric pipes c and a, and can reach the lower opening or mouth of the inner
tube a or in some cases we dispense with the perforation in the outer tube and
admit air at the point c as shown in section at Fig. 3 the socket d acting as a cover,
and preventing the ingress of dust or other extraneous matter, or if preferred we
admit air at the point e (see Fig. 3).
In case we do not desire to cut the supply pipe we surround it at this point (see
Fig. 2) with a short piece of tube a* of a slightly larger diameter making a liquid
tight joint at the bottom end and leave the upper end open to the atmosphere having
previously perforated the supply pipe at a point corresponding with the point in the
wick and oil holder at which we desire to preserve the level.
This arrangement is virtually the same as the above with the exception that the
feed pipe c is in the one case the outer of two concentric tubes and in the other it
is the inner one of the two; and in both cases the level of the oil will be maintained
approximately at the point which corresponds in one case with the lower orifice or
mouth of the inner tube, and in the other case with the perforation of the supply
pipe, and as soon as the level of the oil falls below the mouth of the inner tube a in
the one case, or of the perforation in the feed pipe C in the other case air is admitted
and passes in the form of bubbles up the supply pipe C into the upper part of the
reservoir A, allowing a corresponding proportion of oil to descend and raise the level
so as to again close the mouth or perforation and stop further descent of oil; but
owing to the causes above mentioned this level would not always remain absolutely
constant and it is necessary therefore to provide for fluctuations in the level due to
any excessive issue of oil which might at times cause overflow or flooding, and for
this purpose we fit the pipe C or the wick holder B with what we term an "overflow
chamber "D (Fig. 1) the diameter of the said chamber being greater than its height
and considerably larger than that of the space between the outer and inner
tubes, C and a, so that any rise of level which would be quite appreciable in that space
(and consequently in the wick holder) when spread over this increased area would be
reduced almost to nil.
This overflow chamber D is placed round the feed pipe (in case (a) above referred
to) in such a position that the bottom of the chamber D stands level with the mouth
of the inner tube a the outer tube C having been perforated at this point cx to
allow the oil access to the overflow chamber D.
In case (b) the outer tube carries the overflow chamber through which it passes

page_text: both tubes being perforated at the same level to allow the oil access to the chamber,
and the upper part of the outer tube being also perforated or left open for the admis-
sion of air the upper end of the said outer tube being covered to prevent ingress of
foreign matter.
The action will then be as follows:-
When the apparatus is in use the excess of oil due to air expansion instead of
raising the oil level in the wick holder B and possibly flooding, will be received into
this overflow chamber D where it will be spread over the much greater superficial
area and the level of the oil in the wick holder will not therefore be caused to exceed
the bounds set to it, and this excess in the said overflow chamber must all flow back
again into the feed pipe C and wick holder B, and be consumed before the level of
the oil can fall sufficiently low to admit air and renew the supply of oil.
The overflow chamber D and concentric tube may be so constructed that by raising
or lowering them the level of the oil in the wick holder can be altered as desired in
order to suit oils of different specific gravities.
This arrangement is shown in section at Fig. 4. In this case the supply pipe C is
uncut and is provided with two or more sets of air holes f and f¹ the outer sliding
pipe C carrying the overflow chamber D and being provided with one set of air holes
only at g. Upon sliding this outer tube C* up or down so as to bring the holes
level with either the holes for fl on the inner or supply pipe the level of the oil in
the wick holder will be raised or lowered accordingly.
91
It will be evident that this pneumatic arrangement will be equally applicable to
various other purposes wherein it is desirable to maintain a liquid at a constant
level.
In the case of portable lamps whether hand or pillar lamps the oil reservoir and the
overflow chamber D will be either placed in or be otherwise attached to the body of
the lamp itself; but in the case of permanent fittings (whether suspended or otherwise)
the said chamber may be attached to the gasalier bracket or other fitting or it may be
attached to the supply pipe as shown at Fig. 1 or otherwise so long as it is on the
same level as the wick holder or "burner and as before stated it may be either
permanently fixed at that level or it may be adjustable to different levels to suit oils
of varying specific gravities. The oil reservoir must be placed at a higher level.
In all cases provision is made by causing the lower end of the feed opening to
project into the reservoir (as shown at Figs. 1 and 5) or by a dome or otherwise so
as to leave a sufficient quantity of air in the reservoir, when it is filled.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. In appliances for burning heavy hydro-carbon and other oils, the combination
with an air tight pneumatic oil reservoir of an over-flow chamber of an extended area
placed on or in connection with the supply pipe on the level with the wick holder or
burner substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings
annexed.
Secondly. We claim in combination with an air tight reservoir acting on the
pneumatic principle the arrangements shown and described with reference to Figs. 2.
2, 3 and 4 on the drawings for the purpose of applying an overflow chamber
thereto.
Dated this 30th day of November 1889
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agent for the Applicants.