IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING LIGHTHOUSES AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richardson Wigham, of Albany House, Monkstown,
in the County of Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING LIGHTHOUSES AND OTHER
PLACES."
Sealed the 12th September 1879, and dated the 24th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richardson Wigham
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th March 1879.
JOHN RICHARDSON WIGHAM, of Albany House, Monkstown, in the County of
Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING
LIGHTHOUSES AND OTHER PLACES."
My Invention consists in improved means for burning gas as an illuminant for
lighthouses and for any other places where a powerful light is required.
For this purpose I employ a burner consisting of two or more concentric rings,
each perforated with holes of the size suited to the quantity of gas to be consumed,
and at such distance from each other as is best adapted for the consumption of such
gas. Instead of using chimney glasses to encase the flame emitted from these
concentric rings, I suspend over the flame a flue made of talc or other material of
such diameter and length as is best calculated to bring a strong current of air in
close contact with the top part of the flame, and cause it to burn steadily with a
bright light, at the same time interposing no obstructing medium between the
burner and the lenticular apparatus with which it may be connected, or the
observer, in case, no such apparatus is used. The rings are supported by struts of
sufficient length to admit of free access for air to the interior portions of the burner,
and I further arrange by a system of cocks or valves that any desired number of
rings may be used according as the state of the atmosphere, or the necessity for
increased or diminished illumination may require.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Richardson Wigham in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 22nd
September 1879.
JOHN RICHARDSON WIGHAM, of. Albany House, Monkstown, in the County of
Dublin, Ireland, Gas and Lighthouse Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING
LIGHTHOUSES AND OTHER PLACES."
My Invention consists in improved means for burning gas as an illuminant for
lighthouses, and for any other places where a powerful light is required.
For this purpose I employ a burner consisting of two or more shallow concentric
rings, not cylindrical, as in the case of argand burners, but simple rings slightly
flattened if need be on one side so as to secure ready access for air from all parts of
the chamber where they may be burned, and obtain a short sharp draught, not such
as is obtained through the elongated chambers of argand burners, such rings being
perforated with holes of the size suited to the quality of gas to be consumed, and at
such distance from each other as is best adapted for the consumption of such gas.
Instead of using chimney glasses to encase the flame emitted from these concentric
rings, I suspend over the flame a flue made of talc or other material of such diameter
and length as is best calculated to bring a strong current of air in close contact
with the top part of the flame, and cause it to burn steadily with a bright light, at
the same time interposing no obstructing medium between the burner and the
lenticular apparatus with which it may be connected, or the observer, in case no
such apparatus is used. The rings are supported by struts of sufficient length to
admit of free access for air to the interior portions of the burner, and I further
arrange by a system of cocks or valves, that any desired number of rings may be
used, according as the state of the atmosphere or the necessity for increased or
diminished illumination may require.
The accompanying Drawing shews in section at Fig. 1, and in plan at Fig. 2, a
seven ring burner A according to my Invention, with its chimney B. The number
of rings may however be varied as desired, according to the illuminating power
required, and the holes in the rings may be inclined.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim,―
The construction of gas burners herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richardson Wigham, have hereunto set
my hand and seal; this Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JOHN K. WIGHAM. (L.S.)