Improvements in and relating to Cones used in Safety Lamps.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Oct., 1895-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cones used in Safety Lamps.
I ARTHUR THOMAS METCALF JOHNSON, of 109, Calabria Road, Highbury,
County of Middlesex, England, retired Civil Servant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cones used in safety lamps, and is intended to provide
an increase of illuminating power, and obviate the possibility of explosions of fire
damp in mines, bunkers of steam vessels, and holds of ships.
According to my invention, the cone is constructed in such a manner that the
lamp will give a bright and steady light, comparatively, unaffected by currents of
air, ordinary handling, or inclination of the lamp.
My improved cone is so formed that the air, necessary to support combustion,
first passes through a wire gauze casing, then into air tubes, grooves, or perforations,
in a solid cone, formed in the manner hereinafter described, and then into the
combustion chamber, in close proximity to the lamp wick.
The air, on escaping from the air tubes, grooves, or perforations, comes directly
in contact with the wick flame, and, being immediately consumed, obviates an
accumulation of gases, noxious or otherwise, in the cone, and the possibility of an
explosion in the interior of the lamp, causing the flame to be extinguished.
If desired a gauze casing can be adjusted round the walls of the combustion
chamber, at the interior extremities of the air tubes, grooves, or perforations.
After combustion the heated air passes up a suitable chimney, causing a
powerful, forced draught, entirely obviating the liability of back draught under
any circumstances whatsoever.
By this invention the fire damp, as soon as it presents itself, is conveyed, by the
strong aerial currents, through the air tubes, grooves, or perforations, to the
interior extremities of these air passages, which are situated round the interior
of the air chamber, directly to the flame, thereby aiding combustion by its
consumption.
In the manufacture of this invention, a box, preferably circular, of suitable size,
and material, is made, the side, or sides, being perforated with a sufficient number
of suitable holes. In the centre of the interior a slot is cut large enough for the
wick tube to pass through.
Underneath the box, and immediately below the slot, a collar, or thimble,
is firmly fastened, the interior, or exterior, of the said collar, or thimble, being
screw threaded, for the purpose of being connected to the oil reservoir beneath.
A soft core is placed in the centre of the interior of the box, suitable wires are
then passed through the perforations in the side, or sides, of the box, and inserted
in the soft core in the interior; the box is then conveniently filled with a suitable
substance, such as cement, or plaster of Paris, and as soon as the cement, or plaster,
is sufficiently set, the wires are withdrawn and the soft core removed.
If preferred, the air passages may be formed by drilling solid substances, or by
layers of corrugated plates. Round the exterior surface of the box, and directly
over the perforations in the side, or sides, a suitable wire gauze is adjusted.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1895.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Cones used in Safety Lamps.
1, ARTHUR THOMAS METCALF JOHNSON, of 109 Calabria Road, Highbury,
in the County of Middlesex, England, retired Civil Servant, 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:—
This invention relates to cones used in safety lamps, and is intended to provide
an increase of illuminating power and obviate the possibility of explosion of fire
damp in mines, bunkers of steam vessels, holds of ships, et cetera.
My improved cone is constructed in such a manner that the lamp will give a
bright and steady light, comparatively unaffected by currents of air, ordinary
handling, or inclination of the lamp.
The air necessary to support combustion is compelled to pass through a wire
gauze casing, then into and along minute air tubes, grooves, or perforations,
in a solid cone, constructed in accordance with the various methods hereinafter
described, thence into a combustion chamber in close proximity to the wick tube.
The air, on escaping from the air tubes above mentioned, comes directly in
contact with the wick frame, and is utilized in combustion; the products of the
latter, only, escaping from the coue and passing upwards through a suitable
chimney provided for that purpose. It is obvious that, under these circumstances,
an accumulation of explosive or other gases, in the interior of the lamp is impossible,
as instantly the inflammable gas presents itself it is conveyed by the aerial currents
through the air passages to their interior extremities, where it is immediately
ignited causing the explosive gas to burn at the said extremities, in consequence
of which the necessary supply of oxygen, so essential for the support of the
illuminant, is obstructed, the wick flame stifled, the small quantity of oxygen
remaining in the combustion chamber rapidly exhausted, the minute flames
burning at the interior extremities of the air tubes, or passages, are suffocated,
and the lanp quietly extinguished without the aid of a dangerous internal
explosion.
If desired a gauze casing may be adjusted over the interior extremities of the air
passages which surround the combustion chamber.
One of the most essential features of this invention is the prevention of back
draught.
In order that the nature of my invention may be clearly understood I shall,
forthwitb, proceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein,
Figure 1 is a plan of my improved cone.
Figure 2 is a plan of a cone box.
Figure 3 is a plan of a soft core.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of my cone when complete.
Figure 5 is a vertical central section of Figure 1 at a x.
Figure 6 is a horizontal section of Figure 4 at xx.
Figure 7 is a horizontal view of a cone plate and illustrates a modification of my
invention.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a cone box without gauze casing.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a perforated cone block previous to adjustment
within the cone box.
Figure 10 represents a group of plates made in accordance with Figure 7.
Figure 11 is a side view of Figure 7.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate modifications of Figure 11.

page_text: According to my invention a cone box, Figure 2, of suitable size, shape,
preferably circular, and material is made, the side, or sides, thereof being perforated
with a convenient number of holes as illustrated in Figure 8.
In the centre of the interior a slot a is cut large enough to allow the wick tubebb,
Figure 1, to pass through.
Attached to the bottom of the cone box a¹, Figure 8, and surrounding the slot
at a convenient distance therefrom a collar, or thimble e, Figure 4, is securely
fastened, the exterior, or interior, of the lower part c' of the said collar, or thimble,
may be screw threaded for the reception of another collar, or thimble, connected to
the top of the oil reservoir.
In the interior of the collar, or thimble, e and c¹ the wick tube bb, Figure 5, is
inserted and adjusted in such a manner that the upper part thereof projects into, or
through, the combustion chamber a³ a², Figures 1. 5. 6.
Provided the cone be made in any plastic material such as cement, plaster of
Paris, or the like, a soft core d d is adjusted round the wick tube bb as exhibited
in Figure 3: wires are then passed through the perforations in the side, or sides,
of the cone box, Figure 8, and inserted in the soft core dd, the cone box is.
then conveniently filled with the above material, mixed to the proper consistency,
and the surface plate a³, Figure 1, placed properly in position and firmly pressed
down.
When the substance is sufficiently set the wires are withdrawn, and the core d d
removed, when the air passages will appear as a' a' a' a', Figure 5.
On the upper surface of the surface plate a³ some convenient arrangement, prefer-
ably a ring such as a' a', Figure 1, is conveniently adjusted for the purpose of holding
a chimney, or inner cylinder, in position.
The upper part a a6 of the cone box, Figure 8, is utilized as a receptacle for an
outer cylinder.
When the cone is formed of metal, or any other hard substance, I provide a cone.
block, such as Figure 9, the centre being bored out, or otherwise removed, for the
purpose of forming the combustion chamber a² a², a suitable number of holes, or
perforations, as illustrated in Figure 9, extending from the exterior thereof to the
combustion chamber a2 a2, Figure 1, are formed, the said perforations being somewhat
smaller than those in the cone box, Figure 8.
If desired flutes, or indentations, may be formed round the exterior of the cone
block immediately over the outer extremities of the perforations, or air passages,
to facilitate manufacture, vertical, or other, holes a' a' a' a', Figure 7, drilled or
otherwise, are made through the cone block, and corresponding ones formed in the
bottom of the cone box a a a³ as, Figure 2.
The ring as a³, herein before described, is conveniently formed, or connected,
suitable bolts, or screws, are adjusted, and conveniently fastened, in the ordinary
manner, in or through the perforations a' a' a' a', as a³ as a³ thereby securely fastening
the cone block in the interior of the cone box.
Figure 10 illustrates a modification of my invention, and is constructed of layers
of cone plates, such as Figure 11, arranged horizontally, obliquely, vertically, or
otherwise when the plates are adjusted horizontally as shown in Figure 10 the
upper and lower ones require to be corrugated, ribbed, fluted, or otherwise, on one
side only, as illustrated therein. On the upper surface of the top plate a ring,.
such as a as, Figure 10, may be formed or attached.
Figures 12 and 13 are modifications of the cone plate, Figure 11.
In Figure 12 the air passages are formed by drilling longitudinal perforations
through the interior thereof.
In Figure 13 the plates are provided with protuberances for the purpose of
sufficiently separating the surfaces of the plates.
To obviate the possibility of back draught the gauze casing e. e, Figure 4,
is adjusted immediately over the exterior extremities of the perforations in the
side, or sides, of the cone box, Figure 8, the said casing resting on the projection,
ledge, or flange a³ a³, Figure 8.

page_text: For the purpose of conveniently raising and lowering the lamp wick b¹ 3¹, the
wiok- spindle ff, may be provided with suitable wheels f¹¹ having serrated, or
cogged, circumferences, as illustrated in Figure 5.
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 I
claim is
-
1. In a safety lamp, a perforated solid cone in which the air passages, or
perforations, extend horizontally, obliquely, vertically, or otherwise, in and through
the said cone substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
2. In a safety lamp, the combination of the perforated solid cone containing air
passages or chambers such as a' at a a*, Figure 5, combustion chamber a² a², and
wick tube bb, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
3. In a safety lamp, the combination with a perforated solid cone containing air
passages, or chambers, such as a a¹ a a, combustion chamber a² a², wick tube bb,
of a surface plate as a³, with ring as a³, or its equivalent, attached to or formed
on the upper surface thereof, perforated cone box, Figure 8, with gauze casing e e,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified and as illustrated in my
drawings.
4. In a safety lamp, a perforated solid cone block, such as Figure 9, provided with
a combustion chamber such as a² a², and ring as a³, or its equivalent, substantially
as and for the purposes herein before described.
5. In a safety lamp, the combination with a perforated solid cone block, such
as Figure 9, provided with combustion chamber a3 a², surface ring as a³, with or
without exterior flutes, or indentations, formed over the outer orifices of the air
passages, tubes, or air chambers, of a cone box, Figure 2, with gauze casing e e,
conveniently adjusted, and wick tube bb, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
6. In a safety lamp, a cone block, such as Figure 10, formed of a series of
corrugated, ribbed, or fluted plates, such as Figure 11, drilled or perforated plates,
such as Figure 12, or plates constructed with protuberances, or irregularities, such
a Figure 13, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified and set
forth.
7. The manufacture of cones used in safety lamps, wherein the air necessary to
support combustion passes through a gauze casing e e, perforated cone box, Figure 8
thence into air passages formed in a solid cone as a at at at, Figure 5, substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.
8. The manufacture of cones used in safety lamps, wherein the air necessary to
support combustion passes through a gauze casing ee, perforated core box, Figure 8
thence through a detachable perforated. solid cone block, such as Figure 9
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
9. The manufacture of cones used in safety lamps, wherein the air necessary to
support combustion passes through a gauze casing e e, perforated cone box, Figure 8
thence into air passages, or perforations, formed as illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12
and 13, namely, by fluting, corrugating, ribbing, or bossing the surfaces, or drilling
or perforating, the interiors of the contiguous plates, substantially as and for th
purposes set forth and as illustrated in my drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1895.
A. T. M. JOHNSON,
Applicant.