Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 16th Dec., 1887
RESERVE
1, HERBERT CLAYTON, of Cincinnati, County of Hamilton, State of Ohio, in the
United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to an improvement in alcohol stoves; and it consists in
First The lamp bowl, or body, having a central air flue, or passage formed through
it, in combination with a combined valve and spreader, having air grooves, or passages,
formed in it so that a circulation of air can be kept up while a small flame is being
used.
Second: The combined spreader and valve, having a recess in its top, and radial
ribs, or flanges, projecting outward from the recess whereby the alcohol is evenly
diffused over the burning surface of the lamp, so as to produce a flame of equal
intensity at all points.
Third: The combination of the lamp body, having a central air flue, or passage,
with the combined spreader and valve provided with air passages, and a crank, or
other similar device, which is pivoted upon the bottom of the lamp for raising and
lowering the combined spreader and valve according to the size of the flame desired.
Fourth: The combination of the lamp body, provided with a central air passage,
or flue, the combined valve or spreader, and a slide, or valve which is applied to
the bottom of the bowl for the purpose of closing the lower end of the air flue or
passage.
Fifth: The combination of the lid, or cover, for the bowl, provided with a pivoted
handle.
:
Sixth A griddle, or supporting frame, for the article being heated, or cooked,
having a vertical flange around its edge so as to catch and retain the rising heat.
Seventh The griddle, or supporting frame, provided with projections around its
top edge for the purpose of raising the vessel or article being heated so as to allow
free passage of air.
Figure 1, is a vertical section of a lamp embodying my invention without cap or
cover.
TR
theo in nosition
.

page_text: Figure 3, is an inverted perspective of the central valve.
Figure 4, is an inverted view of the body of the lamp.
A represents the metallic supporting frame, in which the lamp bowl B, is placed in
the usual manner. This bowl B, is provided with a central air flue, or passage C,
through its centre, and which air passage, or flue, can be closed at its bottom by means
of the slide, or valve D, of any kind, which will make a close fit and prevent the vapor
of the alcohol from escaping at this point while the lamp is packed up for transportation,
or not in use.
Placed in the top of this central flue, or opening C, is a valve F, which forms both
a valve for regulating the flow of air through the central flue, and as a spreader for
the flame. In the top of the valve is formed a recess G, and extending outward from
this recess are a suitable number of radial flanges or ribs H. The alcohol, or other
fluid to be used, is poured slowly into the recess G, and then it flows outward over the
top of the valve and spreader into the asbestos, or other material with which the body
of the lamp is filled.
The flanges, or ribs, serve to divide the fluid evenly as it flows outward from the
recess G, so as to divide the alcohol evenly to all parts of the surface of the burner.
By evenly distributing the alcohol to the burner a flame of equal intensity is produced
at all points. The under side of the top of the valve is hollowed out, or recessed
and provided with the flange I, around its edge. The lower portion of the shank
extends down into the central opening C and forms a guide for the valve in its vertical
movements. The upper part of this shank is made circular and of little less diameter
than the central flue C, and in the sides of this central portion, and in the under side
of the top, are formed suitable grooves, or air passages J, through which the air passes
for the purpose of supplying oxygen to the flame, when the valve is depressed so as
to rest upon the top of the burner, and the cover N, provided with the opening O,
through its centre, is being used. Were it not for for these air passages the air would
be cut off entirely from the flame, and hence there would be but a very poor combustion
at best. When the valve is raised so as to allow a full supply of oxygen to the flame,
the cover is entirely removed, for then the full surface of the burner is brought into
play.
For the purpose of operating this combined valve and spreader, a cranked wire, or
rod W, is pivoted or journalled upon the bottom of the body B, and which is
provided with a handle at its outer end, and with an operating crank at its inner one.
The shank of the valve extends down so as to be readily operated by the crank at the
inner end of the operating wire or rod. When the crank strikes the lower end of this
shank, the valve is raised, but when the crank is so turned that it does not come in
contact with the shank the valve sinks from its own gravity, and rests solidly upon
the top of the burner thus cutting off all supply of air through the central flue C,
except what is absolutely needed to produce a small flame. By raising the valve and
supplying oxygen to the flame through the central flue C, a much more perfect com-
bustion and a more intense heat is obtained, and with a less consumption of alcohol
than can be done where no central flue is used.
When it is desired to produce a small flame the valve is dropped downward so as
to rest upon the top of the burner, and then the cover is placed over the top of the
burner so as to leave but a small opening for the escape of the flame. When it is
desired to extinguish the flame, a cap is placed over the opening in the cover and this
cap and the slide upon the bottom of the lamp prevent any escape of the vapor of the
alcohol while the lamp is not in use. The handle O, is secured to the cover and is
pivoted in position so that when the lamp is to be packed for transportation the handle
can be turned inward, as shown in dotted lines, so as to come within a circumference
of the frame A.
The griddle P, is provided with a depending flange Q, around its outer edge, so as
to catch the rising heat and confine it more under the vessel, or object placed upon
the griddle, than can be done where this flange is not used. Rising from around the
top edge of this griddle are a number of projections R, which serve to raise the vessel
above the griddle, and thus allow the heat to pass freely outward and thus rise around

page_text: the sides of the vessel. Where the vessel rests solidly upon the griddle, the heated
air does not come in contact with the bottom of the vessel as perfectly as it does where
these projections are used. The feet of the griddle are adapted either to raise the
griddle a considerable distance above the flame, or to lower it nearer to the flame
according as a large or small flame is used.
In alcohol stoves where no central passage is used so as to supply oxygen to the
flame, the flame burns sluggishly and is apt to incline to one side or the other of the
burner, thus producing a very irregular unsatisfactory flame. By having the central
air passage this tendency to waver and to burn sluggishly is entirely overcome, and a
steady heating flame is produced.
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 1
claim is :-
1. In an alcohol stove, the body B, provided with central air flue, or passage C, in
combination with a combined valve and spreader, having air grooves or passages
formed in it so that a circulation of air can be kept up while a small flame is being
used, substantially as shown.
2. A combined spreader and valve, having a recess in its top, whereby the alcohol
is evenly diffused over the surface of the burner, substantially as described.
3. In an alcohol stove, a combined spreader and valve, having a recess in its top,
and radial ribs, or flanges projecting from the recess outward, whereby the alcohol is
evenly diffused over the burner, substantially as set forth.
4. In an alcohol stove, the combination of a lamp body having a central air flue
or passage, with the combined spreader and valve, provided with air passages, and a
cranked operating rod which is pivoted upon the bottom of the lamp for raising and
lowering the spreader and valve, to regulate the size of the flame, substantially as
specified.
5. The combination of the body B, having a central air flue, or passage through its
centre, with the combined spreader and valve, provided with air passages, a cranked
rod which is journalled upon the bottom of the body for raising and lowering the
spreader, and a slide for closing the lower end of the flue, or passage C, substantially
as shown.
6. The combination of the body, the lid, or cover, provided with an opening, with
the cap, and a pivoted handle, which is adapted to be turned inward out of the way,
substantially as described.
7. The griddle, or supporting frame, having a vertical flange around its edge so as
to catch and retain the rising heat, substantially as set forth.
8. The griddle, or supporting frame, provided with projections around its top edge
for the purpose of raising the vessel or article above the top of the griddle so as to
allow a free passage of air, substantially as specified.
Dated this 15th day of November 1887.