Improvements in connection with Lamps, applicable for Optical Lanterns and for Signalling and other Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Lamps, applicable for Optical
Lanterns and for Signalling and other Purposes.
JOHN GEORGE PARVIN Mercantile Clerk 47 Whittingstall Road Parson's
Green S.W. in the County of London do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
:―
I provide a metal box or cylinder which may be composed of a single double or
more cases connected together and preferably cast in a single piece and adapted to
prevent short circuit of gases or fluids, this I term the generator.
When using a double cylinder I pack the outer chamber with asbestos, wool or
other absorbent materials the inner chamber being packed with asbestos, in layers,
coils or plates.
By a slight alteration of the arrangement of the pipes the order of packing
chambers can be easily reversed i.e. asbestos in outside chamber, and wool in inside
chamber.
To the back of generator on the outside, I fit preferably two pipes, joined by
a T piece, and the branch of the T piece which is connected to the oxygen or gas
supply, I stuff with asbestos.
To these two pipes where joined to said T piece are fitted taps for regulating
the supply of gas or fluid, one to generator and other to mixing chamber.
The first said pipe is carried to inside of generator and formed into concentric
ring, rings, spherical helix, gridiron, or rose, perforated with holes, and upon or
beneath said ring, gridiron or rose is arranged said packing.
The second pipe is carried through, over, or under generator to front of same to
the mixing chamber.
A third pipe is fixed inside generator and carried through to front of same to
the mixing chamber, which chamber may be of the usual form as fitted to the
ordinary oxy-hydrogen mixed chamber jets.
The chamber may also pack with asbestos or other incombustible substance.
To the pipe or pipes in front of generator and communicating with mixing
chamber I fit a tap or taps which can be worked from the front or back of
instrument, either together or separately for reducing the quantity of gas to
mixing chamber when light is not required at its full height, also to prevent escape
of gas or fluid when instrument is not in use, or I may attach a tap or valve to the
chamber itself, or cap to nozzle of jet.
An opening through which is poured ether or similar fluid to be used is provided
in the generator, said opening being closed with a thumb screw.
To the generator I attach a piece of metal with a slot or groove cut out of same
to which is fixed an elbow piece or other convenient shaped piece of metal for
carrying wheels spindle or clips, for holding regulating, turning and distancing the
lime from the jet.
The gas entering generator through the perforations in rings or gridiron in a
finely divided state, is completely saturated in its up and down course through the
chambers.
Should the gas on being forced through the saturated material carry with it an
excess of fluid, this is strained off by the asbestos, which also prevents any foreign
matter from passing, but should the fluid from any cause rise above asbestos
packing it cannot pass into mixing chamber as the gas being the lighter
accumulates in space at top of asbestos, and so keeps the fluid down and prevents
its passing into the pipe.

page_text: The saturated gas after passing through chambers into pipe and mixing with the
unvaporised gas produces a most brilliant light.
The above method of passing gas through saturated absorbent material and
then straining down surplus fluid enables benzoline, ether or similar fluid to be burnt
without the previous warming of apparatus, necessary when a less perfect system
of saturation and packing is employed, besides a small quantity of gas is used in
above apparatus.
The light is suitable for flashing signals optical lanterns and general illumination
where brilliancy is required.
When used for signalling purposes the generator is placed in a closed or
partially closed case, preferably of metal fitted with a lens or lenses and a shutter
worked by a lever spring or ratchet operating the shutter, which may be in one or
more parts, from the exterior or back of the apparatus; so that flashes of different
rapidity and duration may be made.
When used inside the optical lantern the generator is used in place of the
ordinary lamp or get apparatus, and is adjustable in height by means of screws
which enable the point of incandescence to be centred with lenses.
Dated this 28th day of June 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in connection with Lamps, applicable for Optical
Lanterns and for Signalling and other Purposes.
I, JOHN GEORGE PARVIN, Mercantile Clerk, 47 Whittingstall Road, Parson's
Green, S.W. in the County of London, 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 :-
This invention has reference to lime-light lamps or
66 saturators " for use in
optical lanterns, or for signalling or similar purposes, where a steady, brilliant light
is required.
In ordinary lime-light apparatus two gases are used-oxygen and hydrogen-but
when a saturator is employed only oxygen is needed, part passing directly to the
jet and the other part passing through the saturator and becoming charged or
saturated with the vapour of ether, benzolene or other volatile fluid or hydro-
carbon with which the apparatus is charged, the gas then passing to the jet and
there mixing with the pure oxygen before emerging from the nipple of the jet
or burner.
Prior to my invention various forms of saturators have been devised, but they
have generally been attended with various drawbacks, such as the necessity of
heating the vessel before use, unwieldiness, imperfect construction or packing
causing explosions in the jet or chamber, or difficulty of regulation.
With my apparatus no preliminary heating is necessary, it is compact and by its
peculiar construction and packing, explosions or
"
pops are prevented.
$5
In carrying out my invention I construct a double or multiple cylinder-
preferably by casting in a single piece-consisting of two or more cases, one within
the other, closed at the top and open at the bottom, the top part being preferably
of a dome or rising shape. These chambers are packed with suitable substances,
the outer one with, say, cotton wool, asbestos wool or other freely absorbent
material, and the other, or inner, chamber with sheets, plates, layers or coils of
asbestos cloth.
Through the upper part of the side of this multiple cylinder or generator I pass
a pipe or tube extending towards the top of the dome in the inner chamber, the
mixing chamber of the jet being attached to the outer end of this pipe. In the

page_text: outer chamber and around or below the inner chamber I arrange a perforated tube,
ring or rings, spiral, helix or gridiron, either above or below the aforesaid pipe,
and this perforated tube or ring is attached to or forms part of a tube passing
through the generator to one arm of a T piece; another tube being attached to
the other arm and being led through, over or under the generator to the front of
same to the mixing chamber, the oxygen from a storage cylinder or other source
of supply entering through the leg or third arm of the T piece.
To the two supply pipes are fitted taps or screw down valves for regulating the
supply of gas.
To the pipe or pipes in the front of the generator, and communicating with the
mixing chamber, I may attach a tap or taps or screw valve, which may be worked
from the front or back of the apparatus, either together or separately, for reducing
the quantity of gas or gases to the mixing chamber, when the light is not required
at its full height, or to prevent the escape of fluid or vapour, when the apparatus
is not in use; or I may attach a tap or valve to the chamber itself, or a cap may
be provided for the nozzle of the jet.
An opening for supply of ether or other similar volatile fluid is provided in the
generator, said opening being closed by a thumb-screw or device which may be in
the form of a small funnel with screw cap, to facilitate pouring in of the ether.
On the generator, preferably centrally on the top, attach or form a piece of
metal having a hole or groove in it through which passes a metal rod for carrying
the spindle, wheels, clip or spring for holding, regulating, turning and distancing
the lime to or from the jet.
A sufficient supply of fluid having been poured into the generator to thoroughly
saturate the packings, the gas is allowed to enter through the T piece, by which it
is divided and proceeds to the right and left. That passing to the right proceeds.
directly to the mixing chamber of the jet, but that passing to the left enters the
generator through the perforated tube or rose, passing through the saturated wool
in the outer chamber, thence up through the tightly packed asbestos to the top of
the inner chamber, whence it passes by the pipe attached to the mixing chamber,
and there mixes with the pure oxygen before arriving at the nozzle or nipple of
the burner.
In order to more clearly describe my invention, I will describe one form, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view, also partly in section.
Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional views, showing the construction of the
T piece and regulating valves.
Fig. 5 is a detail view of the filler and cap.
a is the outer and the inner cylinder, they being preferably formed in one
casting, to prevent any possibility of short circuiting of the gas to be saturated, the
outer chamber a being packed with cotton or asbestos wool c or similar free
absorbent, and the inner chamber with asbestos cloth d in sheets, layers, coils or
plates, being pressed tightly, or hammered between a perforated disc of metal f,
(which is prevented from passing or being forced to the top of the chamber by lugs
or projections on the inner chamber,) and a holding ring e, which is sprung in after
the necessary amount of packing has been inserted. The pipe g, which is attached
to the jet is inserted and screwed into the hole 1, and extends to the centre of the
saturator and is turned upwards as at 2.
Below, or in some cases it may be above, this pipe g is placed the perforated
tube k in the centre of the outer chamber a, this tube extends up through the outer
chamber and is then bent round and down, and attached to the left hand arm of
the piece, the supply of gas to this tube being regulated by the screw-down
valve y. In order to form a firm support for the T piece a "dummy" tube k
may extend down to the base j, to which the generator is attached by screws m
entering pieces n soldered and fixed to the walls a and b, or any other fluid tight
means of connection may be employed.

page_text: The other tube i, ¹ is attached to the right hand arm of the T piece x and
extends downward into the base plate j, thence along under the generator to the
front, where it is connected to its continuation by screw collar ³, and finally into
the jet or mixing chamber h. For the sake of appearance 1 prefer to arrange a
"dummy "tube (Fig. 2-the tube i being shown broken away at i¹ in Fig. 1)
extending from the T piece to the top of the generator, similarly to the tabe k, but
it forms no passage for gas.
A screw-down valve regulates the admission of gas
to this pipe i.
I do not confine myself to the precise arrangement of the supply pipes, so long as
one leads direct to the jet, and the other enters the outer chamber of generator.
An opening is made in the top of the generator for supply of the vapourising
fluid, closable by the thumb screw filler
p.
On the top of the generator I form, cast or attach a projection 9 having a passage
or slot g' through it, through which a rod r is passed and to the forward end of
which the lime holder, carrying the lime rod and cog wheel is attached. The
rear part of this rod is preferably of square section, and screw threaded and
passes through a similarly shaped hole in a metal plate, which is secured to the
two tubes and i (see Fig. 2). This rod r carries a screw threaded disc or
washer, spring or clip t and screw-threaded hand nut u, by turning which, the
rod is caused to advance or recede, the spring t being enclosed between the washer
or disc and the bar (or it may be a loose washer as see Fig. 1) thus having
a tendency always to force the rod forward; the amount of movement of the rod r
being regulated by altering the position of the nut upon the rod r.
Through the rod r the lime turning pinion s passes carrying the cog wheel v₁
which engages the cog wheel in the usual manner to turn and raise or lower the
lime, as desired.
Screws to are arranged on the base in order to raise or lower the generator as
required.
i
The operation of the apparatus is a follows-Oxygen under pressure is conveyed
by means of an india rubber tube or other connection to the downwardly extended
arm or leg of the T piece x, and thence passes into the pipes i and k, that in the
pipe proceeding directly to the jet, whilst that in the pipe k enters the outer
chamber a and issues from the perforated ring k thence passing through the
saturated material c and entering the inner chamber, in a thoroughly saturated
state, by the orifices whence it passes upwards through the tightly packed
asbestos d by which it is filtered and strained from excess of moisture, finally
issuing through the perforated plate into the top or dome E of the inner
chamber, whence it passes by the pipe a to the jet of ordinary "mixed-jet" form
of construction.
By these means the gas is thoroughly saturated with the fluid or vapour and
delivered to the jet in a practically dry state, any excess of fluid, which it may
have carried over from the outer chamber, being strained away or intercepted in
its passage through the central chamber d.
Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the oxygen inlet parts, a being the T piece
with the gas passages leading to the pipes and i.
Fig. 4 shows the screw down valve y constructed preferably of phosphor bronze
or gunmetal, the inclined side of the point of which effects the opening and
closing of the gas supply i.e. by acting upon the inlet from and the outlet to the
pipe i. The valve is similar.
Fig. shows the combined filler and plug, being the cup or funnel and
pl screw closing cap, which may be provided with a washer of leather, gutta percha,
soft metal or other similar substance to afford a secure and vapour tight joint.
The heat generated by the incandescent lime is transmitted to the rod r,
thence to the top of chamber E and assists the vapourising of the etherised
oxygen.
The chamber E when the generator is in use collects the vapourised gas under
compression, which keeps down the fluid ether, which may be in the saturator,

page_text: and also exerts an outward pressure in the pipe 9 and prevents any chance of
the flame at nozzle of jet flying back into the chamber.
Whilst I have herein shown and described two chambers I do not confine
myself to that number, but I prefer that the final chamber through which the
oxygen is forced should be packed tightly with asbestos cloth or similar
material which will act as a filter or strainer and thus perfectly prevent fluid
from getting near the exit pipe.
By packing the chambers with dissimilar materials one of which acts as a
free absorber and the other as a retainer or strainer, I obtain better results
than if only one material were used. The wool easily absorbs and easily gives
up fluid, whereas the tightly packed asbestos plates whilst they absorb the
ether or other fluid, give it up much less readily, and so act in a manner as a
check or reservoir.
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 lime-light apparatus, a chamber consisting of two or more vapourising
compartments, preferably cast in one piece, in combination with gas supply and
delivery pipes, substantially as set forth.
2. In lime-light apparatus, the combination of a chamber consisting of two or
more vapourising compartments, gas supply and delivery pipes, and lime carrier,
spindle and rod, substantially as set forth.
3. In lime-light apparatus, a double chamber, in one of which plates, layers,
sheets or coils of asbestos cloth are tightly packed, and through which the gas
passes prior to passing to the mixing chamber of the jet, substantially as set
forth.
4. In lime-light apparatus, the combination of a generator a, b, gas inlet and
regulating valves, pipe and exit pipe g, substantially as set forth.
5. In lime-light apparatus, a double vapourising chamber packed with two
dissimiliar materials, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated the 24th day of March 1894.
JOHN GEORGE PARVIN.