IMPROVEMENTS IN BURNERS FOR OBTAINING OR PRODUCING LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THERE- WITH
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
CLARKE BURLEIGH, of Featherstone Buildings, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Eighth day of February, in the eleventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Richard Clarke Burleigh, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilego
and authority, that I, the said Richard Clarke Burleigh; my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Richard Clarke Burleigh, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BURNERS FOR
OBTAINING OR PRODUCING LIGHT AND HEAT, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED THERE-
WITH;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the
said Richard Clarke Burleigh, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part

page_text: recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Richard Clarke Burleigh, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of "Improvements in Burners for Obtaining or Producing
Light and Heat, and in Apparatus to be used Therewith," may be divided into
two general heads,-
The first of which relates particularly to the construction of burners for
producing light and heat by the. combustion of gas, oil, or spirit.
And the second head, to various apparatus to be applied to or used in con-
nection with burners for the purpose of guiding the currents or draughts of air
to the flame to support combustion; and also for measuring and regulating the
transmission of gas from the supply pipė to the burner, so as to cause it to pass
thereto in a uniform and continuous flow. .
The first head of the Invention relates,-
First, to various improvements in burners for economically consuming gas,
whereby I am enabled to obtain a disc-shaped flame which will more perfectly.
illuminate objects placed beneath them than the burners in ordinary use, and
will also give an intense heat, when required.
Under this head of the Invention I have, secondly, other improvements in
gas burners, whereby I am enabled to adjust and regulate the capacity or
powers of burners to consume the gas, by áltering the shape or height of
the flame, which is effected by shutting off the gas from the ordinary jets,
and causing it to pass through a jet or jets of smaller capacity.
Thirdly, improvements in Argand burners for consuming oil and spirits for
illumination, by the use of which; in conjunction with 'part of the improve-
ments specified under the second head of the Invention, the matters used for
producing light may be economized, and I am enabled to produce a steady
flame which is not liable to be prejudicially affected by chance currents,
and will illuminate objects placed beneath in a more perfect manner than the
lamps now usually employed for burning oils or spirits..
The second head of my Invention relates,-.
First, to improvements in the means of guiding the upward current of air to
the flame.
Secondly, to improved arrangements of apparatus for regulating the flow of

page_text: gas to the burner, by means of which I prevent the inconvenience and danger
of an over supply or unequal pressure of the gas.
Thirdly, to improvements in: apparatus for measuring the gas as it comes
from the main, and in regulating its issue from the meter in such a manner that
it may be transmitted in a uniform and continuous, flow to the burners to be
consumed.
.....
The first improvement under the first head of my Invention, which relates to
improvements in burners for consuming gas, consists, in making the holes of
the burner horizontal, or nearly 'so, in place of vertical, as is usual; and
in employing therewith a cone or cylinder for guiding the currents of air.up
the outside of the burner, and also a disc of metal for the purpose of deflecting
the air that passes up the inner or centre part of the burner, and causing it to
pass in a horizontal direction over the stream of gas as it issues from the hori-
zontal holes of the burner. These parts are employed in conjunction with a
globe or shade with curved sides, and by this construction, combination, and
arrangement of parts I am enabled to dispense with the chimney or glass tube
hitherto requisite for the proper combustion of gases on the Argand principle,.
and to produce (in the centre of a flattened globe) a horizontal disc of flame,
which is not so liable to smoke, when exposed to .irregular drafts of air, as
flames of the ordinary shape. A very high degree of purity in the light is also
produced, with a moderate consumption of the material employed to produce
the light, and there is no shadow.produced beneath the light, the flame being
projected horizontally outwards between the burner and glass-holder, so as to
throw the light directly downwards.
.
C
Various means may be devised for carrying out the first head of my; Inven-
tion, and-in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings I have shewn two plans of
constructing gas burners, which have been found to answer the purpose. I do
not, however, intend to confine myself rigidly to the precise construction and
arrangement of parts therein shewn, or to the materials of which they are
made, as they may doubtless be varied without departing from the nature
and object of my improvements.
. Fig. 1, in the accompanying Drawings, represents a gas burner constructed
on my improved plan, part of the burner and some of its appendages being
shewn in section, in order the better to explain its internal construction.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the same, with the deflecting disc and glass shade
removed. The burner is composed of a ring a, similar to ordinary Argand
burners; except that in place of making the jet.holes vertical, and on the upper.
end or top of the burner, they are made horizontal or at right angles to the
stem of the burner, and are drilled through the side of the ring, which is

page_text: supplied with gas by the small branch pipes b, b, b. A metal or other cone or
cylinder c is made to surround the burner and guide the outer current of air
to the flame, while the inner current passes up the centre of the burner, strikes
against a disc d, and issues from under the disc in a horizontal direction,
thereby flattening out the flame in the manner shewn in the Drawing. It will
be easily understood, upon examining the Drawing, that the course of the com-
bustible gas, and also of the currents of air up the centre of the burner to
support combustion, are never opposed to each other, as is the case when the
jet holes of the burner are vertical and a deflector is used; but while the gas
is issuing from the burner in a horizontal direction, the air up the inside of
the burner is also deflected in a horizontal direction by the disc d, and passes in
full force over the stratum of gas that issues from the horizontally drilled jet
holes of the burner. Over the burner and its appendages I place a globe or
shade of glass with curved sides; and as a current of air will pass up between
the cone or cylinder c and the outside of the burner, it will turn over the upper
edge of the cone and sweep round the sides of the glass globe, and will balance
any tendency that the disc d may have to too much depress the flame, which
will consequently be made to assume a horizontal direction, or nearly so.
Fig. 2 represents an elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan view, of another burner,
which is nearly a modification of that just described, the only difference being,
that in place of supplying the burner by short branch pipes b, b, the burner
consists of a cylindrical box or case as usual. When flames of fanciful forms
are required, I employ deflecting discs and cones of various shapes, such as those
shewn at Figures 4; 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the cones being fluted and vandyked at
their upper edges, so as to cause the outer stratum of air to impinge upon
or pass over the flame in an irregular manner; and the peripheries of the discs
are made in various forms, according to the form of flame that may be
required.
The second improvement, under this head, is shewn in Figures 10, 10%, and
11. Fig. 10 represents a vertical section, and Fig. 10° a plan view, of another
burner for consuming gas, which is made adjustable with a central jet, so as to
allow merely a small flame to remain ignited, without giving out much light
or wasting gas, but which jet will always be ready to ignite the Argand burner
which surrounds it when required. This burner is constructed upon the prin-
ciple and in the form of an ordinary Argand burner, with a small jet in the
middle. The burner a is screwed on to a vertical tube h, the upper end of
which is brought to a fine edge, so that it may be screwed against the inside
When gas is supplied to
of the burner immediately below the small jet hole i.
the burner it rises up the tube h, issues from the upper end thereof, and passes
:

page_text: along the lateral passages j, j, j, into the interior of the burner, from whence
it issues through the ordinary jet holes at top. When it is required to reduce
the flame, so as only to have sufficient to keep the burner alight, it is only
necessary to screw down the burner by one or two turns of the thumb screw k,
and the sharp edge of the tube h will abut against the inside of the burner and
prevent any gas from issuing, except through the small jet i, which will always
remain alight so long as gas is supplied to it; and when more light is required
it can be readily obtained by merely unscrewing the burner by means of the
thumb screw k, and allowing the gas to obtain access to the jets of the Argand
burner, which will be immediately ignited by the flame of the central jet i.
Fig. 11 represents a fish-tail burner with the above improvement adapted
thereto; and as similar letters of reference aro used to denote corresponding parts
in this Figure and Fig. 10, it will not be necessary to repeat the description
for Fig. 11, as the parts in both Figures are worked in precisely the same
manner.
By means of the above mode of constructing gas burners I am enabled to
dispense with the use of the ordinary stopcock, as, if the small central jet i is
not made, the gas may be as effectually shut off from the burner by merely
turning the thumb screw as when a stopcock is used. I would here remark
that it will be found desirable to construct the thumb screw of wood, ivory,
or some other bad conductor of heat, as otherwise it would soon become too
hot to be touched with the naked fingers, without risk of being burned.
The third improvement, under this head of my Invention (viz, Improve-
meuts in Argand Burners for Consuming Oils and Spirits for Illumination), is
shewn in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. Fig. 12 represents a sectional view of a
lamp constructed according to my improvements, and adapted for burning
camphine, spirit, naptha, or other similar combustible matters.
My improvements will perhaps be best understood by pointing out the altera-
tions I propose to make in the ordinary spirit lamp, to render it more suitable
for consuming the combustible matters usually employed for illuminating
purposes.
I take a burner, constructed in the usual manner for an oil or spirit lamp,
such as that shewn at Fig. 12, and I shorten by about half an inch the inner
tube e that admits air to the interior of the flame; then, when the Argand wick
is secured in its proper position by any of the ordinary plans, I insert a small
loose tube f inside the inner tube, in such a manner that the upper edge of
the short tube f, which is turned over and made trumpet-mouthed for the
purpose, may rest upon the upper edge of the wick, so as to slightly curve
it outwards, as shewn in the Drawing: By this means, when the wick is

page_text: ignited, it will only burn at its outer edge and surface, the loose short tube f
being in .contact with its inner surface, and adapted in such a manner that
it will rise and fall with the wick as the latter is raised or depressed by the
.ordinary rack and pinion movement...
A modification of this improvement may be made by attaching the tube f
to the inner tube e, by means of a small stud'or pin working in a slot or hole
similar to a bayonet joint. When this plan is adopted, two or three turns of the
cross threads of the wick should be pulled out before placing the tube fin its
place; then, upon raising the wick in the ordinary manner, the upper edges of the
wick will be brought against the curved or trumpet-shaped mouth of the tube f
and be thereby directed outwards. In addition to the small tube f, whose object
is, as above mentioned, to direct the wick outwards, I also employ a disc or de-
flector d, and a metal or other cone c, as in the former instance, and by combined
employment of these parts I am enabled to produce a dish or tulip-shaped
flame of great purity, and not so liable to smoke as the ordinary spirit lamps
now in use. I sometimes place a small ring of cotton, felt, or other suitable
material on the top of the wick before placing the tube f in its place, as by
this means I avoid the trouble and difficulty of trimming the wick by cutting,
it being only necessary to remove the ring that has been used, and replace it
by a new one when it becomes too much charred for use. These burners
must be, of course, surrounded or enclosed by a glass globe, moon, or shade of
some kind; but the ordinary chimney may be dispensed with. I find it
advisable, however, for spirit lamps to adapt to the upper aperture of the glass
globe or moon a short glass tube or chimney which I prefer to have conical,
and connected to the globe or moon below by means of a gallery made of metal,
wood, or other suitable material. This chimney should be about five inches
in height and two inches in diameter, if the globe or moon is about 'six or
eight inches in diameter. And the several parts may, if thought 'desirable, be
connected together by gypsum, or other suitable cement, as it is moro con-
venient to connect the parts together in this manner than to make them in one
piece. A bulb-shaped or even straight chimney may be employed with this
lamp, when the flame; instead of being dish or tulip-shaped, as is the case
when flattened globe shades are used, will be nearly straight and vertical;
according to the particular form or shape of the globe, shade, or chimney
employed. I, however, prefer a spherical glass or shade which will give a
tulip-shaped flame.
The horizontal gas burner described under the first head of my improve-
ments is (when certain modifications are made therein) applicable for heating
purposes as well as for illumination. When these burners are employed for
-

page_text: producing heat and to be used as stoves, the globe or shade: should be made of
metal, delf-ware, porcelain, or some other material capable of resisting the
heat which will be given off from the burner. As a brilliant light is not
required, I dispense with the cone, and bring the metal or porcelain globe or
shade nearer to the flame, the effect of which will be that very great heat
without much light will be given off.
"
: it
In Fig. 16 I have shewn a mode of 'adapting my improved gas burner for
beating purposes. The Figure represents a vertical section taken through
near the middle of the apparatus. a is 'the burner constructed in a similar
manner to that shewn at Fig. 1, but. of much larger size; d is the disc, the
cone being dispensed with; the burner is inserted in.a. hole. made in the
centre of a metal plate b, b, which is supported on a perforated or open-work
stand m, m, for the purpose of admitting air to the burner. This plate is
furnished with a cylindrical gallery n, n, for the purpose of supporting the
inner shade o, 0, 0, which is made to nearly fit the burner, leaving.not more
than a quarter of an inch space all round, a hole or aperture p being made at
top for the exit of the heated air and vapors. A second shade or cover 9, 9, 7,
is placed over the shade o, and is supported upon an. open-work metal gallery.
rr, fixed to the plate l, and the whole is covered with an external shade or
cover, s, s, s, which rests on the plate 7; and is furnished with a hole or aper-
ture at top for the purpose of carrying off the gaseous products of combustion.
The action of this apparatus is as follows:-The burner being ignited, and the
several shades or covers placed in their respective places, air to support. com-
bustion will pass up the interior of the burner, and be, by means of the
deflecting disc d, directed horizontally over the stream of gas issuing from the
horizontal holes of the burner, and at the same time another current of air
will pass up between the inner shade o and the outside of the burner to the
under side of the flame, the heat from which will be made to rush round
the inner globe and out at the aperture at top, then return down the space
between the shades o and q, pass under the lower edges of the latter through
the apertures in the open gallery which supports the same, and, after rising up
between the shade q'and the outer cover or shade 8, s, ultimately escape from
the opening at top. By this arrangement the outer cover will be rendered
extremely hot, and made to radiate its heat to the surrounding atmosphere.
In place of causing the heated air and gases to circulate between, the
shades or covers in the manner just explained, they may be conducted directly
from the inner shade by micans of a chimney adapted to the opening p above
to a lieating apparatus or closet composed of a series of tubes or cells through
which the heated air is to pass in order to warm air that circulates in the closet

page_text: or apparatus outside the tubes; or the heated vapors may be made to heat.
water or air contained in the tubes, which water or air, when conducted to
other situations, may be employed for warming the atmosphere of rooms or
places by means of radiation from pipes, or by any of the well-known plans
for heating or warming by hot water or hot air.
When the apparatus is to be employed for heating water, or for domestic
purposes, in place of the inner shade, I employ a hollow spherical vessel with
double sides, so as to form a chamber which may contain water or other
liquid, the burner in the middle will by the great heat given out therefrom
quickly heat the water. This plan of heating water may be employed for
generating steam for steam boilers, as well as for heating water for domestic
purposes, care, of course, being taken to construct the vessels of sufficient*
.
The first improvement under the second head of my Invention relates to a
means of guiding the upward current of air to the burner, and is shewn in
Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. In Fig. 12 I have shown an improved mode
of constructing the pillars or stems of lamps, and of admitting air through
them to the burner. Fig. 18 is a horizontal section of the pillar or stem,
which it will be seen is subdivided longitudinally by means of slips of thin
metal or other convenient material i, i, i, the air to supply the interior of the
burner being admitted into the sections of the tube by the lateral opening 9, 9,
at or near the bottom of the pillar. By this means an opening is directly
presented to any casual side draught which, in place of passing directly across
the ascending current, as is the case in the ordinary construction of lamps,
thereby interrupting the same and causing the flame to collapse and smoke, is
made to ascend with the ordinary current and pass out under the disc d
without injuriously affecting the flame. I would observe that it is not abso-
lutely necessary that the apertures 9, 9, to admit air to the interior of the
pillar, should be at the bottom, nor that the radial divisions should be as long
as or of the exact number shewn in the Drawing, as I sometimes intend to
admit the air near the upper end of the pillar, as usual; but then I subdivide
this part by means of radial divisions in the same manner as that just described,
the only difference being that the divisions will, of course, be shorter.
Fig. 14 represents a vertical sction, and Fig. 15 a plan view, of an improved
mode of supplying air to the external part of the burner and under side of the
flame. This plan is a modification of that just described for supplying air to
the interior of the burner applied to the external part of the burner. It
consists merely in adapting or applying the radiating strip of metal or divisions

page_text: i, i, i, to the under side of the cone or out side of the burner, whichever may
be found most convenient in practice. Fig. 14 represents the divisions as
affixed to a gallery placed under the cone, which is thereby supported in its
place on the burner.
This arrangement is equally applicable to both the gas and spirit or oil
lamp burners, whether constructed according to my improvements, or in the
ordinary manner; in Fig. 14, however, it is shewn as applied to one of my
improved horizontal spirit lamps. a, a, is the burner; c, the cone; d, the
reflecting disc; and i, i, the radial divisions, any convenient number of which
may be employed; from six to eight is, however, the number I prefer, although
I do not confine myself to these numbers, as either more or less may be used
with advantage.
The second improvement under the second head of my Invention relates to
improved arrangements of apparatus for regulating the flow of gas to the
burners. It is well known that the pressure at which gas passes from the
gasometer through the main to the burner very frequently varies according to
the number of burners that communicate with the main, or from the irregu-
larity of pressure at the gas works, or other causes; and that this irregularity
of pressure gives rise to certain inconveniences, particularly that of causing the
flame from the burner to smoke when the pressure becomes unduly augmented
in some of the burners by the extinction of others on the same main.
The object of this part of my Invention is, to prevent any inconvenience
arising from a sudden increase of pressure from any cause, and to regulate tlie
supply of gas to the burner in such a manner that when the pressure becomes
increased to such an extent as would cause the burner to smoke, the quantity
of gas supplied thereto will be lessened instantaneously by means of a self-
acting regulator which I attach to the burner or to the apparatus for measuring
the quantity of gas consumed.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn various views of different
methods of carrying out my improvements, all of which are, however, con-
structed upon precisely the same principle. The most simple form of my im-
proved gas regulators consists simply of a small chamber through which the gas
is made to pass on its way to the burner, and which chamber is furnished with
a light disc valve, which has a small hole or aperture made through the centre
thereof, and is supported on the upper edge of a short tube, which is furnished
with holes made horizontally all round its upper end in a similar manner to
my improved horizontal gas burner.
Fig. 17 represents a vertical section of one of my improved gas regulators ;
t is a short tube which is intended to be screwed on to the upper part of a

page_text: gas pillar: This short tube is furnished with a number of holes near its upper
end, and carries a small chamber u, which I will call the regulating chamber,
the upper end of which is closed by a cover v, furnished with a short pipe
(screwed at the upper end) for the purpose of attaching the burner thereto.
The valve or regulator consists of a thin disc of metal w, which has a hole
made in its centre, and is somewhat smaller than the internal diameter of the
chamber u, thereby leaving an annular space all round. This valve, when not
required to act, is supported on the upper edge of the short tube t; and as the
gas is supplied to the apparatus from the lower end of this tube, it ascends and
issues from the horizontal holes at the upper end, and passes round the edges
of the disc or valve w, and up the pipe of the cover v to the burner; but if
there is any undue pressure of gas in the pipe or tube t, it will lift the disc or
valve w from its seat, and keep it in contact with the lower end of the tube of
the cover v, and will thereby prevent any gas from getting to the burner except
through the small hole or aperture in the centre of the disc or valve w, which will
thereby prevent the flame of the burner from smoking. Immediately, however,
that the pressure is reduced, the valve 20 will fall, and assume its original position.
Fig. 18 represents a vertical section of another mode of constructing my
improved gas regulator, the principle of construction, however, being the same
in both cases; Fig. 19 is a side clevation, and Fig. 20. a plan view, of the
same. In place of the short pipe t seen in Fig. 17; a cylindrical box 't*, t*,
is screwed into the chamber u, and forms the bottom thereof. The upper part
of the box t✶ is perforated horizontally all round, and it forms a seat for the
valve w, as in the former instance. In this case, however, instead of making
a, hole in the centre of the valve w, I make four fine holes in the tubular part
part of the cover v, which projects into the chamber u. The box 6* is mado
to screw into the chamber u, in order that it may be rendered adjustable; and
when the two parts t* and u are properly adjusted, they are secured by means
of the clamping screw ..
-
When it is required to adapt this regulator to the burners of chandeliers, it
will be found convenient to adapt one single regulator of suitable capacity to
the pipe which supplies all the burners of the chandelier; it may be adapted
to the supply pipe, by means of a sliding or telescope joint, in such a manner
as to admit of the pipe being lengthened or shortened as may be required for
the purpose of adjustment. The arrangement of parts for this purpose is
shewn in side elevation at Fig. 21, and as (with the exception of the sliding
tube) there is no essential difference between this plan and that shewn in
Figs. 18, 19, and 20, it will not be necessary to give any more detailed
description thereof.
....

page_text: The third improvement under this head of my Invention relates to various
improvements in apparatus for measuring gas, and regulating its flow from
the meter to the burners. By my improvements, which are applicable to wet
as well as dry meters, I ain enabled to simplify the construction of
gas meters,
and render' them more correct instrunients; and by the peculiar construction
and arrangement of parts hereafter described it will be found that the flow of
the gas in its passage through "the meter to the burners is not liable to be
affected as in meters of the ordinary construction, as by my improvements I
construct and arrange all the working parts in such a manner that when the
gas is at a proper pressure the meter may offer as little resistance as possible
to the passage of the gas from the main to the burner, and cause it to bo
transmitted in a uniform and continuous manner to the burners to be
consumed; if, however, the pressure should from any cause become incon-
veniently increased; then, by means of part of the apparatus bereafter
described; the flow of gas would be regulated according to the wants of the
burners.
:
In my improved gas meters there are only two measuring chambers, that
being the simplest form in which a meter can be constructed; but in all gas
meters hitherto made with two measuring chambers only, and with the
construction of which I am acquainted, it has been found extremely difficult, if
not impossible, to prevent the working of the internal parts of the meter from
acting injuriously upon the lights, causing them to bob or jump, and burn
unsteadily at every change in the motion or oscillation of the measuring
chambers or valves. Now, as no burners, however well they may be con-
structed; can be made to perform properly when interfered with in this
manner, the principal object. of this part of my Invention is to obviate these
inconveniences; 'and while, on the one hand, I am enabled to construct a
meter of great simplicity and correctness of operation, I can also construct,
arrange, and work the several parts in such a manner that the flow. of gas,
even at an extremely low pressure, shall be continuous, and as near as possible
of uniform pressure, thereby ensuring a more steady light even with burners
that are somewhat liable to smoke when the pressure upon them is too great
or irregular.
:
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn my improvements as applied
to both wet and dry gas meters, in both of which constructions I employ only
two measuring chambers. The several Figures in Sheet II. of the Drawings
represent various views of a dry gas meter with my improvements. adapted
thereto; and the several Figures in Sheet III. represent various views of my

page_text: improved wet meter, which may, however, with suitable modifications, be
worked with mercury or other convenient fluid.
Fig. 22, in Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings, represents a front
elevation of my improved dry gas meter, the valve boxes for regulating the exit
of the gas being shewn in section. Fig. 23 is a sectional plan view of the
same.
Fig. 24 is a longitudinal vertical section through the measuring chambers,
diaphragm, and valve box, for admitting gas to the meter. The meter is
hexagonal in shape, and consists of a casing or vessel a, a, made of any
suitable material, and divided internally by means of a flexible diaphragm or
partition b, b, into two chambers, which I denominate the measuring cham-
bers. The diaphragm 6 is furnished with a flat metal or other plate 6*, to
which it is secured in any convenient manner. This plate is at its lower end
connected to a horizontal shaft or spindle c, which passes through holes made
in the side of the casing, and furnished with stuffing boxes to prevent the
escape of gas. The shaft or spindle c carries at each end a short arm or
lever d, d, in the lower ends of which a second horizontal shaft or rod e is
mounted. This rod e carries at or near its centre a weighted balance lever f
which extends downwards as near as practicable in a line with the metal plate
6 of the diaphragm, as will be clearly seen in Figures 24 and 25. The
object of this weighted lever is to counterbalance the diaphragm b, and also to
work the valves for the admission and exit of the gas. The meter is furnished
with two valve boxes g and g*, one for the admission of the gas into the meter,
and the other for the exit of the gas therefrom. The valves in both boxes
being nearly similar in construction, and worked by the same means, the same
description will therefore suffice for both boxes, similar letters of reference
being marked on corresponding parts in all the Figures; it will, therefore, be
only necessary to state that the two exit tubes from the valve box 9* cross
each other.
Fig. 26 represents a sectional plan view of the valves in their boxes g and
g*, together with the several parts for actuating them. Fig. 27 is an end
view, and Fig. 28 a side view, of the valves detached, with their appendages,
and drawn upon an enlarged scale. The valves, which are shewn at h, h², are
clack valves, and are mounted upon a horizontal rod or spindle i, which
extends through the sides of the box, and carries a collar; (seen detached at
Fig. 29). This collar j is secured to it by a screw or otherwise, and is
furnished with a pin or stud (as seen in Fig. 29), for the purpose of forming a
sort of clutch connection with another collar k on the short hollow shaft l,

page_text: g
which at its opposite end carries two vibrating weighted arms m, m (see
Figures 27 and 28). The valves in each of the boxes 9 and 9* are provided
with the above parts for working them, and the vibrating weighted arms or
levers m, m, of both sets of valves are connected together by straps or con-
necting pieces, as seen best in Figures 24, 26, and 28. Now the weighted
balance lever connected to the diaphragm 6 extends down between the
vibrating arms of both sets of valves, and about midway between them, as seen
in the several Figures; and it will be easily understood that as the diaphragm b
vibrates or moves backwards and forwards in the casing a, a, it will cause the
balance lever f to vibrate also, and act upon the arms m, m, of the valves.
As, however, it is necessary that the valves should only act momentarily, part
of the periphery of the collar k is cut away, in order that one of the vibrating
arms m, m, may be gradually raised to the vertical position without affecting
the valve, but immediately that the arin m passes the centre of gravity it
suddenly falls over to the opposite side, and trips the valve with it. Gas is
admitted to the meter through the pipe n, Fig. 24, and enters a box or
chamber g, Figs. 24 and 25, which, by means of the valves h, h', communi-
cates with a second chamber p below. This chamber is divided into two
compartments, by means of a central partition 9, and each compartment is
furnished with a clack valve r, r, and a vertical pipe or tube s, s', whereby
gas is supplied to both the measuring chambers of the meter alternately.
In Fig. 25 the left-hand measuring chamber is represented as nearly full of
gas, which is escaping therefrom, the valves having just been tripped by the
balance lever f, and the right-hand chamber is just beginning to fill, the valves
for that purpose being open. Upon the gas issuing from either of the
measuring chambers, it passes down one of the pipes t or t¹ (Figures 22 and
23), according to which chamber is emptying itself, and enters one of the
compartments of the chamber u, u¹ (see Figures 22 and 24), from which it
passes into the valve chamber g*, and from thence through one of the valves
into a lower chamber o, which communicates, as seen in Figures 24 and 26,
with a flexible regulating chamber v, v. If when the gas enters this chamber
it should be of a suitable pressure to pass directly to the burner, it will only
keep the regulating chamber expanded to about the extent shewn in the
Drawing, and will issue from the chamber by the pipe win a regular and
continuous flow; but if the pressure of the gas should be too great, or greater
than is desirable, it will expand the regulating chamber to a greater extent, by
raising up the side z thereof, and by means of a rod or lever a the exit valve
will be nearly closed, and the supply of gas be thereby limited to the actual
requirements of the burners. I would here observe, that this part of the

page_text: apparatus should be so arranged or constructed, either by making a small
aperture in the valve or otherwise, as that the exit pipe should never be
entirely closed, otherwise the supply of gas will be cut off,. and the lights will
be extinguished. In order to make. the expansible regulating chamber v
work as freely and as easily as possible, I sometimes find it advisable to
counterbalance the weight of the moveable top z of the chamber by means of
a weighted lever y, which may be mounted on the end of the spindle to which
the moveable top z of the chamber is connected. The registering part of the
apparatus is worked by a small lever or arm on the shaft or spindle c. (as
shewn by dots only in Fig. 22), which small lever may be made to actuate a
ratchet wheel on the unit dial or plate. Any other effective and convenient
index or registering apparatus may be employed; and as there is nothing new
in the construction of the index shewn in the Drawings, I have not. thought it
necessary to enter into a detailed description thereof. I have, therefore, merely
shewn and explained the manner in which any suitable index. may be adapted
to my improvements.
.In Sheet III. I have shewn another form of meter, which I denominate a
wet meter, as a small quantity of water, mercury, or other liquid is necessary
to make the joints of some of the parts gas tight.
:
Fig. 80 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken through the measuring
chambers and valve apparatus, for admitting gas to the interior of the meter.
Fig. 81 is a transverse vertical section through the vibrating vessel
or drum (which forms the measuring chambers), and the valve apparatus for
regulating the admission and emission of gas to and from the meter.
Fig. 32. is a horizontal section or sectional plan view of the meter.
Fig. 33 represents a longitudinal vertical section taken through the regulat-
ing chamber, and Fig. 34 is another section taken in the dotted line y, %, in
Fig. 30. The meter consists of an outer casing a, a, a, and an inner casing,
vessel, or drum b, b, which is made to vibrate on a rocking shaft or spindle c,
and is divided into two compartments by means of a central partition 6*. The.
rocking shaft or spindle c of the measuring drum or vessel b is connected at
one end to the index or registering apparatus in the dial box A (Figures 31
and 32), precisely as in the former instance, and is furnished at each end with
two arms. or levers d, d, which carry a second shaft e, to which a vibrating.
arm f is attached, for the purpose of working the valves. This arm may be
weighted, if thought desirable, so as to counterbalance the weight of the
drum or vessel b, b: Stationary filling pieces or boxes g, g', made either of
wood or thin metal, and which may be filled with sawdust, cork cuttings, or
other light material, are fixed in the-measuring chambers-of.the.drum b,.b,

page_text: and have holes made or bored therein for the purpose of allowing the gas to
pass through them to and from the measuring chambers. It will be
seen, on referring to Fig. 32, that each of these filling pieces has two holes,
s and t, made therein, one for conducting the gas to the measuring chamber,
and the other to allow it to escape therefrom. The lower part of
the' nieter is "supplied with water or other liquid, so as to form "an
hydraulic joint, and prevent the gas from one of the measuring compartments
obtaining access to the other. "The liquid need only just cover the spindle or
shäft c, and as the filling pieces g.and g occupy a considerable portion of the
space that would be otherwise occupied by the liquid, a comparatively small
quantity of the latter will be required to form a gas-tight joint. The action of
the meter is as follows:-Gas is admitted from the main through the supply
pipe n (Fig. 31) to the upper chamber of the supply valves h, h¹ (Fig. 80),
from whence it passes through one of the valves into one or other of the com-
partiments of 'the chamber below, according to which of the valves is open
from thence it passes through the valve in this lower chamber and up the long
hole S in the filling piece into one of the measuring chambers of the drum or
vessel b, as shewn by the arrows in Fig. 30 of the Drawing, and as while the
gas is entering and filling this chamber it is at the same time passing out of
the other chamber down the hole t of the filling piece g*, Fig. 32, the pressure
on the left-hand side of the partition 6' will gradually move the drum b over
towards the right until the arm f of the 'spindle 'e causes the valves to trip
over and reverse the action. The entrance and exit valves are constructed
and worked in precisely the same manner in this meter as in the one already
described, except that the valve spindle carries a double-armed lever m*,
Fig. 31, against which the lower end of the arm f is made to act instead of
against the connecting pieces of the levers 'm; m, as in the former instance, it
will; therefore; be unnecessary to give any further description thereof; I will,
therefore, only say that the gas; after having passed through the meter, escapes
through a pipe leading from the lower chamber of the exit valve box into the
regulating chamber o, the construction of which is more distinctly shewn in
the sectional view, Fig. 33. This regulating chamber'is semicircular in shape,
and consists of an outer casing a*, a", inside which a second chamber 3, 3, is
fixed in such a manner as to leave a little space between the sides of the two
parts a* and 3, so as to admit of a moveable cover being placed between
them in the manner shewn in the Figure. This moveable cover 'or lid may
counterbalanced by a weighted lever or arm, if thought desirable, and' is con-
nected by means of a rod a with the exit valve a*, so that as the cover z rises,
which it will do whenever there is any pressure of gas in the regulating
be

page_text: chamber, it will at the same time partially close the exit valve a*, and prevent
too great a stream of gas from passing to the burners. An adjusting screw
4 is screwed into the casing, and projects through the same, and prevents the
exit valve from entirely closing the pipe.
I would remark that, when meters constructed with my improved regulating
chambers are employed, the regulators shewn in Sheet I. will not be required,
as the meter itself will generally be found to answer the purpose of a regulator
equally well, and will transmit the gas to the burners in an uniform and con-
tinuous flow, and thereby prevent the lights from jumping and burning
unsteadily..
I would also observe, that although in the Drawing I have shewn the flap
valves in both the dry and wet meter as constructed of metal, yet I do not
intend to confine myself thereto, as I sometimes employ thin discs of vul-
canized india-rubber, or other suitable flexible material, which I have found to
answer the purpose exceedingly well. At Figures 35 and 36 I have shewn
a somewhat different plan of constructing and working the valves h and h', for
the transmission of the gas from the meter to the burners. Fig 35 is a
longitudinal vertical section of a meter, and Fig. 36 is a transverse vertical
section. In this instance, instead of making the two vessels h, h' in one piece,
and mounting them on a common spindle, I make them separate, and work
them by means of a double-armed rocking or tumbling lever 5, which is
mounted on the shaft i, on the centre of which a pair of vibrating arms m, m,
shewn by dots in Fig. 35, are mounted and actuated as in the former instances
by the vibrating arm f of the mensuring chamber drum b. The filling pieces
9, 9, in these Figures, are represented as made of thin metal, and may be filled
with sawdust, cork shavings, or other suitable light material.
Fig. 37 is a sectional representation of a different method of working the
valves for the admission of gas to the meter. This is merely a modification of
that shewn at Figures 35 and 36, suitably arranged for working the admission
valves h, h', which in this instance are separate, their pivots being at opposite
sides of the chamber. The valves are lifted by arms 5 on the end of the
spindle or shaft i, as in Figures 35 and 36. As the other parts of the meter
shewn in Figures 35, 36, and 37, are similar in construction to the meters
already described, no further explanation thereof will be required.
Having now described my various improvements, and the best means with
which I am at present acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that I am aware that various parts of the above described
apparatus taken separately have been heretofore known and in use; and that
although for the more perfect explanation of my various improvements I have.

page_text: .
found it necessary to shew and describe many of such well-known parts, yet I
do not intend to claim any such as constituting part of my present improve-
ments. And I would also observe that it will be evident to any persons
conversant with lamps and gas apparatus, that many modifications and
alterations may be made in the construction and arrangement of various parts
of some of my improvements, without departing from the nature and object of
my Invention; I do not, therefore, intend to confine myself rigidly to the precise
arrangement and construction of parts herein shewn and described. But that
which I consider to be new, and therefore wish to claim as the Invention
secured to me under the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, as regards gas burners for the production of light and heat, the com-
bination or arrangement herein shewn and described, or any mere modification
thereof, whereby I am enabled to produce a horizontal or dish-shaped flame of
great illuminating and heating power, without the liability of the same
smoking; I also claim the plan shewn and described in reference to Figures
10, 10, and 11, for constructing gas burners with adjustable jets, whereby the
direction of the gas may be altered, the quantity consumed reduced, or the
light altogether extinguished, without the use of stop cocks.
Second, in reference to lamps or burners for consuming oil or spirit, I claim
the use of the short tube f, whether loose or attached to the inner tube, for
the purpose of causing the flame of the lamp to burn from the outer edge or
side of the wick, and in conjunction with a cone, deflecting disc, and shade
or chimney, to produce either a dish or tulip-shaped or nearly vertical flame,
according to the form of globe, shade, or chimney employed.
Third, I claim the use of cones and discs of varied forms, as shewn in
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, for the purpose of producing flames of fanciful
shapes.
Fourth, I claim subdividing the passage through which air is supplied to
the interior or exterior of the burner by means of slips of metal, or other
suitable material, so as to prevent accidental draughts or currents passing
across or interfering with the ascending current of air to the burner.
Fifth, I claim constructing regulators for regulating the pressure of gas in
its passage to the burner by means of a metallic or other disc which is acted
upon by the gas, and made to partially close the passage when any undue
pressure of gas takes place.
Sixth, in reference to dry meters for measuring gas, I claim balancing the
moving parts, such as the diaphragm and its appendages, by means of weights,
as shewn; also the several modes of constructing and working the valves, as
well as the adaptation of a regulating chamber, whereby the bobbing, jumping,

page_text: or unpleasant effect produced on the light by the change of the valves, and in
the motions of the measuring chambers, is avoided.
Seventh, as regards wet meters, I claim the use of the occillating vessel b, b,
to which are adapted filling pieces, whereby a great quantity of the water or
liquid usually employed is dispensed with, and the level of the liquid does not
determine the correctness of measurement; I claim also the use of the regu-
lator shewn and described, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Clarke Burleigh, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.