Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Burning of Fluid Hydrocarbons for Lighting and Heating Purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 3rd June, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Burning of
Fluid Hydrocarbons for Lighting and Heating Purposes.
We, PHILIP CHARLES TENNANT, Secretary of The Gas Lighting Improvement
Company, Limited, of 18 Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, in the County of
London, and ALFRED HENRY CROCKFORD, of 26 Overy Street, Dartford, in
the County of Kent, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for the burning of fluid hydrocarbons for
lighting and heating purposes, and is chiefly designed to produce a vapour-burner
or "industrial lamp" which shall be capable of efficiently burning the lower grades
or qualities of hydrocarbon oils, such as tar-oil and the like.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises improved means for adjusting the
burner-head or lamp-head so as to give the flame any desired inclination or
direction.
Our said invention also comprises other improvements hereinafter mentioned.
An important feature of our said invention consists in the use of a vaporizer of
improved form whereby clogging or obstruction of the passages thereof by tarry
matter or other residues is entirely prevented, thus rendering it possible for the
lamp to be worked continuously for several days if necessary.
For this purpose
the vaporizer is so formed that there are large passages within it for the vapour,
and the said passages cross or intersect each other. Our improved vaporizer
comprises a series of, say, eight tubes or passages, which are preferably combined
together in a single casting as follows:-The said tubes are arranged together in
pairs crossing one another in the middle at a suitable angle, the interior space of
each pair thus consisting of two passages which converge to form a central space
or chamber from which they again diverge; these pairs of tubes or passages are
counected at their ends, the adjacent ends of each pair being independent of, one
another so as to enable either tube of any pair to expand and contract independently
of the other tube of that pair. A square vaporizer is thus formed having two
internal passages which cross or intersect one another four times, i.e. at the middle
point of each side of the square, the two passages uniting at these, points. At the
end of each tube or passage is provided a removable plug whereby access may be
obtained to the interior for cleaning or like purposes.
By thus constructing the vaporizer we provide for its uniform expansion whilst
it is being heated up, and thus avoid any risk of fracture in cold weather from
unequal expansion.
The hydrocarbon is supplied to one corner of the vaporizer and passes through
the tubes or passages, alternately dividing and re-uniting as the passages branch off
from and join each other, to the diagonally opposite corner whence the vapour is
conducted to the burner-jet or nozzle by a suitable pipe or passage.
To prevent the passage into the supply-pipe, of the tarry or other residue
produced in the burning of the hydrocarbon, the said supply-pipe is arranged at the
lowermost corner of the vaporizer and projects a short distance into the internal
space thereof so as to form a reservoir or channel in which the said tarry or other
matter may collect, the surplus being blown off through the lamp from time to
time by introducing compressed air into the vaporizer instead of oil or other fluid,

page_text: this being preferably effected by means of a suitable valve, such, for instance, as
that described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us and
dated 4th January 1894 No. 235. We provide suitable removable plugs whereby
the passages of the vapour-tube, vaporizer and burner may be cleaned when
necessary.
If desired, we may somewhat modify the construction of the said vaporizer, for
example, we may form it with five, six, or other number of sides, or build it up
from separate pieces instead of casting it in one piece as above mentioned. The
vaporizer, vapour-tube and nozzle may be cast in one piece or be made separately
and afterwards connected together in any suitable manner.
The jet of vapour issuing from the nozzle above mentioned, passes through an
ignition-tube or wind-guard on its way to the vaporizer. This ignition-tube or
wind-guard is contracted at the end next the vaporizer, and is so mounted that its
position relatively to the said vaporizer and to the nozzle above mentioned may be
adjusted according to the grade or quality of oil being burnt. This is preferably
effected by mounting the said ignition-tube on a sleeve sliding on the vapour-tube
or pipe whereby the vapour passes from the vaporizer to the nozzle, the said sleeve
being secured in any desired position by means of a set-screw or the like. Other
suitable means may, however, be employed for this purpose.
Air is supplied to the flame as follows:-
A suitable casing is provided for enclosing the nozzle, vapour-tube, etc., at the
rear of the vaporizer; this casing is made with a false-bottom, a space being left
between the said false-bottom and the outer bottom or cap. In these bottom-pieces
we form perforations, the perforations in the outer piece being preferably arranged
near the centre and those in the inner piece near the periphery or vice versa so as
to prevent the passage of air directly into the casing and the consequent risk of
the flame being extinguished by gusts of wind or the like, the false-bottom thus
acting as a baffle-plate.
Air is also supplied to the flame through suitably formed apertures between the
front end of the said casing and the rear edge of the vaporizer, this air mingling
with the gases and vapours after they have passed through the said ignition-tube.
In order to render the said casing readily detachable, it is divided into two parts,
the front portion being secured to the vaporizer by means of lugs and bolts or in
any other suitable manner so as to leave the necessary air-admission apertures
above mentioned, and the rear portion fitting over, into or against the front portion
and being held in position by means of a wing-nut engaging a screw-threaded stud
secured to the piece containing the nozzle, or the said casing may be secured in
position in any other suitable manner.
Another feature of our said invention consists in the means which we employ for
adjusting the burner-head to any desired inclination. For this purpose we mount,
at the top of the stand-pipe from the feed-tank or reservoir, a sleeve or socket open
at both ends and having its axis inclined at an angle of 45° to the said stand-pipe
or to the telescopic upper portion thereof. The stem or oil-supply pipe of the
burner-head is so mounted that it makes an angle of 45° with the axis of the said
burner-head. This stem or supply-pipe passes through the sleeve above mentioned
and is closed at its free end, where it is provided with a hand-wheel or other means
whereby it may be readily turned. The fluid hydrocarbon or other combustible
passes from the said stand-pipe into an annular chamber formed in the said sleeve,
which chamber surrounds the said stem or supply-pipe. From this annular chamber
the fluid enters the stem through a hole formed therein so that the said stem may
be turned within the sleeve without interrupting the flow of oil to the burner. We
provide, moreover, suitable glands and stuffing-boxes at each end of the said sleeve
to prevent leakage of the oil, and also suitable means, such as a collar or pin
working in suitable guides attached to or formed in the said sleeve, to prevent
longitudinal movement of the stem so that the hole in the said stem shall always lie
within the annular chamber in the said sleeve. By turning the hand-wheel above
mentioned, the inclination or position of the said burner-head can be varied as

page_text: required, so as to render the lamp suitable for use in signalling or for other
purposes. Another advantage gained by the above arrangement is that it enables
the lamp to be turned into a vertical position for lighting. When in this position.
a piece of cotton waste or the like saturated with petroleum may be placed in the
lower part of the casing and ignited. By reason of the vertical position of the
lamp, the flame plays on the vaporizer which is soon heated sufficiently to enable
the lamp to start when the oil-feed is turned on.
Another advantage gained by the arrangement above mentioned is, that all
movements or adjustments of the burner-head can be effected without risk of
burning the hands, since the handle may be removed to any desired distance from
the heated burner-head by lengthening the stem above mentioned.
We preferably employ the swivelling, telescopic stand-pipe and its fittings or
adjuncts described in our said former specification, although, if desired, other
suitable forms of stand-pipe may be employed.
Dated the 3rd day of September 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Burning of
Fluid Hydrocarbons for Lighting and Heating Purposes.
We, PHILIP CHARLES TENNANT, Secretary of The Gas Lighting Improvement
Company, Limited, of 18 Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, in the County of
London, and ALFRED HENRY CROCKFORD, of 26 Overy Street, Dartford, in the
County of Kent, Engineer, 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 :-
Our invention relates to apparatus for the burning of fluid hydrocarbons for
lighting and heating purposes and is chiefly designed to produce a vapour-burner or
"industrial lamp" which shall be capable of efficiently burning the lower grades or
qualities of hydrocarbon oils, such as heavy or crude petroleum, or tar-oil from
gas-works.
An important feature of our said invention is the provision of an improved
vaporizer of such form or construction that clogging or obstruction of the passages
by tarry matter or other residues is entirely prevented, thus rendering it possible
for the lamp to be worked continuously for several days if necessary without being
taken apart for cleaning. For this purpose the vaporizer is so formed that there
are large passages within it for the vapour, which passages cross or intersect each
other so as to provide alternative paths for the said vapour as it passes through the
vaporizer.
Our said invention also comprises improvements in the means described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent granted to us and dated 10th May 1895,
No. 9305, for adjusting the burner-head or lamp-head so as to give the flame any
desired direction or inclination.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawing we have shown how our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal central section, showing one
form of our improved vapour-burner or industrial lamp,
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1, some of the parts being
removed.

page_text: Figure 3 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2,
and
Figure 4 is a section through the vaporizer on the line x, x¹, Figure 2.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawing.
A is the vaporizer which is formed with a series of tubes or passages a¹-a³
arranged together in pairs a', a²; a³, a* ; a³, aº ; a', a³. The tubes in each pair, as,
for example, the tubes a³ and a*, cross or intersect each other in the middle at a
suitable angle, the interior space of each pair thus consisting of two passages which
converge to form a central space or chamber from which they again diverge
as shown more clearly in Figure 4; the said pairs of tubes or passages are
connected together at their ends respectively, a² and a to a³, a' and a to a³, and so
on, as shown, the tubes of each pair branching out from each other in both
directions, so that either tube of any pair can expand and contract independently
of the other tube of that pair; all risk of fracture in cold weather from unequal
expansion is thus obviated. The vaporizer shown is, therefore, square in its
general form and has two internal passages extending all around it and which cross
or intersect each other four times; i.e. at the middle point of each side of the square,
the two passages uniting at these points. At the end of each tube or passage is
provided a removable plug 6 whereby access may be obtained to the interior for
cleaning or other purposes.
The supply-pipe D is fixed in a tapped socket d at the inlet-corner near the
junction of the tubes a³, a of the vaporizer; the said pipe is preferably so arranged
that it projects a short distance into the internal space of the vaporizer, a reservoir
or channel is thus formed around its upper end, in which channel the tarry or other
residue produced in the burning of the hydro-carbon, may collect; the surplus can
then be blown off through the burner from time to time by compressed air so as to
prevent the passage thereof into the supply-pipe D. This is effected by introducing
compressed air into the vaporizer whilst the oil-supply is shut off, preferably by
means of a suitable valve, such for instance as that described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent granted to us and dated 4th January 1894, No. 235.
The fluid-hydrocarbon introduced into the vaporizer A passes through the tubes
or passages thereof, alternately dividing and re-uniting as the said passages branch
off from and re-join each other, until the vapour reaches the diagonally opposite
corner, whence the said vapour is conducted to the burner-jet or nozzle B
through the pipe C, which is screwed into a tapped socket c at the junction of the
pipes a¹, aº.
By the above-described arrangement of the tubes or passages of the vaporizer,
we provide for using heavy or crude oils without liability to choking or clogging of
the lamp by deposits of carbon, as a very efficient mixing of the vapours from the
various grades of hydrocarbon is thus ensured.
A removable plug e is provided whereby the passage of the vapour-tube C may
be cleaned when necessary.
If desired we may somewhat modify the construction of the said vaporizer;
for example, we can form it with five, six, or any other suitable number of sides, or
we can build it up from separate pieces instead of casting it in one piece as above
described. The vaporizer, vapour-tube and nozzle may be cast in one piece,
or they may be made separately and afterwards connected together in any suitable
manner.
E is an ignition-tube or wind-guard which when heated by the flame, serves for
re-igniting the lamp should it be accidentally extinguished or the oil-supply be
arrested for a short period and which also serves to protect the flame from currents
of air entering through the door of the casing hereinafter described. Through this
tube E the jet of vapour issuing from the nozzle B passes on its way to the
vaporizer. The said ignition-tube or wind-guard is contracted at the end E' next
the vaporizer, and to provide for its adjustment it is mounted on a sleeve which
is capable of sliding on the vapour-tube or pipe C, and is secured in any desired
position thereon by means of a set-screw g. Other suitable means may, however,

page_text: be employed for adjusting the position of the ignition-tube E relatively to the
vaporizer A. and to the nozzle B according to the grade or quality of oil being
burnt. In some cases we also provide suitable means, such, for instance, as a
screw-threaded stem f' and lock-nut f, for adjusting the ignition-tube E so that its
axis will coincide with that of the burner-jet or nozzle B.
Fis a casing surrounding the nozzle B and vapour-tube C; this casing does not
extend quite up to the vaporizer A, but is secured thereto by means of bolts
or studs h fixed in the vaporizer A and extending through lugs on the casing and
provided with nuts, so as to leave spaces; between the vaporizer and the adjacent
end of the casing, for the admission of air to mix with the vapour after the same
has passed through the ignition-tube E. By removing the said nuts, the casing F
may be readily detached to permit access to the nozzle, and other enclosed parts of
the burner-head; the casing F is also provided with a pivoted or other suitable
door for the purpose of inspection or ignition. The rear end of the casing F is
covered in by a cup-shaped casing G, which is held in position by means of a tapped
socket m thereon, fitting upon a stud n fixed in the rear side of the burner B.
Since, the casing F is substantially square in cross-section, while the casing G is of
hemispherical form, four segmental spaces, as at p, Figure 3, are provided through
which air can enter to support or promote combustion. By this arrangement, the
entering air is caused to sweep along the curved inner surface of the casing G, and
gusts or puffs of wind are prevented from acting directly on the flame, thus
obviating any risk of its being accidentally extinguished in windy weather.
Other suitable means may, if desired, be employed for this purpose, for example,
the casing F may be made with a false-bottom and with an outer end-piece or cap,.
a space being left between these parts and suitable perforations being formed in the
said false-bottom and cap in such a manner that the perforations in the outer piece.
are near the centre and those in the inner piece are near the periphery, or vice versa
so as to prevent the passage of air directly into the casing and the consequent risk
of the flame being extinguished by gusts of wind, the false-bottom thus acting as a
baffle-plate.
To permit the adjustment of the burner-head into a vertical or horizontal position
or to any desired angle of inclination between these positions, we mount at the top
of the stand-pipe H a tubular piece or chamber J, Figure 1, open at both ends and
having its axis inclined at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the said stand-
pipe or to the telescopic upper portion of the stand-pipe as the case may be.
The oil-supply pipe D is arranged at an angle of about forty-five degrees with the
axis of the buruer-head, and extends through the said tubular piece or chamber J,
and is closed at its free end, which is provided with a hand-wheel K whereby it
may be readily turned about its axis to vary the position of the burner-head.
The oil passes from the stand-pipe H into the chamber J and enters the pipe D
through one or more holes r formed therein, so that the said stem may be turned
about its axis in the said chamber without interrupting the flow of the oil to the
burner. The chamber J is provided at each end with glands and stuffing-boxes s
to prevent leakage of the oil. A collar t is fixed on the pipe D and is held against
a shoulder in the chamber J, so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the pipe D.
therein.
By turning the hand-wheel K, the inclination or position of the said burner-head
can be varied as required, so as to render the lamp suitable for use in signalling or
for other purposes. Another advantage gained by the above arrangement is that it
enables the lamp to be turned into a vertical position (as shown by dotted lines in
Figure 1) for lighting. When in this position, a piece of cotton-waste or the like
saturated with petroleum may be placed in the casing G and ignited. By reason of
the vertical position of the lamp the flame plays on the vaporizer A, which is
soon heated sufficiently to enable the lamp to start when the oil-supply is
turned on.
Another advantage gained by the arrangement above mentioned is, that all
movements or adjustments of the burner-head can be effected without risk of

page_text: burning the hands, since the hand-wheel K may be arranged at any desired distance
from the burner-head by lengthening the pipe D.
We preferably employ the swivelling, telescopic stand-pipe and its fittings or
adjuncts described in our said former Specification, No. 235, although, if desired,
other suitable forms of stand-pipe may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
First. A vaporizing chamber for a vapour-burner or "industrial lamp,"
comprising tubes or passages which cross or intersect each other between the inlet
and outlet apertures, substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purpose
specified.
Second. The combination, with the vaporizing-chamber and the burner-jet or
Dozzle, of an ignition-tube or wind-guard adjustably mounted between the said jet
or nozzle and the vaporizer, substantially as, and for the purposes, bereiñbefore
described.
Third. A vapour-burner or "industrial lamp" provided with an oil-supply pipe
arranged approximately at an angle of forty-five degrees to the axis of the burner-
head, and mounted in a tubular piece or chamber at the upper end of the stand-pipe
so that it can be turned therein about its axis, substantially as, and for the purposes,
herein before described.
Fourth. The improved vaporizer comprising the tubes arranged in pairs and
crossing or intersecting each other at a suitable angle, the pairs of tubes being
connected together at their ends respectively, substantially as, and for the purposes,
herein before described.
Fifth. The improved vapour-burner or "industrial lamp" constructed substan-
tially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing and operating as,
and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated this 3rd day of Lung 1896
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.