IMPROVE- MENTS IN FOG AND OTHER SIGNALS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Richardson Wighain, residing at Capel Strect, in.
the City of Dublin, Ireland, Gas Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FOG AND OTHER SIGNALS."
ed the 30th September 1876, and dated the 25th April 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Richardson Wigham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1876.
JOHN RICHARDSON WIGHAM, residing at Capel Street, in the City of Dublin,
Ireland, Gas Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOG AND OTHER SIGNALS."
My Invention relates to luminous or light signals such as are used in lighthouses
and other localities, and consists in the application to the ordinary flame of means
whereby it is rendered of greatly increased luminosity during fogs, snow storms, or
thick weather, or whenever light of increased intensity is required, while at other
times the flame of only ordinary intensity may be used.
For this purpose I place within the flame at the focal point of the burner
a core of asbestos or other suitable refractory material, which is supplied by
a small tube or tubes with currents of paraffin, petroleum, or other oil and
oxygen gas, by the combustion of which upon or within the core an intensely
brilliant light is obtained added to the light of the ordinary flame. Or in place
of the above I apply the electric light of well-known construction in the focus of
the burner. The core or electric light is supported independently of the ordinary
burner, so that it can be removed and applied at will, thus allowing the ordinary
light to be used whenever the light of increased brilliancy is not required, and
thereby avoiding the expense of continually maintaining a powerful light.
My Invention is principally applicable where coal gas is the illuminant employed,
but it may also be used with the flames of oil or other lamps.

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 17th
October 1876.
JOHN RICHARDSON WIGHAM, residing at Capel Street, in the City of Dublin,
Ireland, Gas Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOG AND OTHER SIGNALS."
My Invention relates to luminous or light signals suitable for lighthouses and other
localities, and consists in the application to the ordinary flame of means whereby it is
rendered of greatly increased luminosity during fog, snow storms, or thick weather,
while at other times the flame of only ordinary intensity may be used.
For this purpose I place within the flame at the focal point of the burner a core
of asbestos, plumbago, or other suitable material, which is supplied by a small
tube or tubes with currents of paraffin, petroleum, or other oil in the liquid form,
or with inflammable gas or vapour and with oxygen, by the combustion of which
upon or within the core an intensely brilliant light is obtained in addition to the
light of the ordinary_flame. Or in place of the above I introduce in the focus of
the burner an electric or electro-magnetic light or a limelight, or a light of any
known construction. The core or focal light may be supported or supplied inde-
pendently of the ordinary burner or otherwise, so that it can be removed and
applied at will, thus allowing the ordinary light to be used whenever the light of
increased brilliancy is not required, and thereby avoiding the expense of continually
maintaining a powerful light. The application of the luminous core may be constant
or intermittent as desired.
My Invention is principally applicable where coal gas is the luminant employed,
but it may also be used with the flames of oil or other lamps.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a gas burner provided with an
illuminating core according to my Invention.
A is the gas pipe supplying numerous jets B arranged circularly. In the centre
is an oil box C supplied by a pipe D, and surmounted by a core E of asbestos,
plumbago, or other suitable porous material that will resist great heat. Oxygen
is supplied by a pipe F which passes up the centre of the oil box to the core E,
supporting the combustion of the oil supplied to the core. The pipes D and F
being provided with stop-cocks or shut-off valves the combustion at the core E
may be introduced, stopped or intermitted as desired by the opening or closing of
the supplies of oil and oxygen.
Fig. 2 represents an oil burner provided with an illuminating core; G is the
pipe supplying oil to the oil box H, in the centre of which is placed the core E,
which is supplied with oil from the box H; F is the pipe which ascending through
the centre of the oil box supplies the core E with oxygen, and which may be closed
by a stop-cock or valve when the illumination of the core is not required.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what manner the saune
is to be performed, I claim the method substantially as herein described of increasing
the luminosity of lighthouse and other lights by the introduction of a luminous
core in the focus of the ordinary flame.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Richardson Wigham, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN R. WIGHAM. (L.S.)