Improvements relating to the Production and Use of Light, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Production and Use of Light, and to
Apparatus therefor.
We, WILLIAM WILLIS, Manufacturer, and ERNEST JOHN HUMPHERY,
Manager of the Platinotype Co., both of 29, Southampton Row, in the County of
London, and WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, Works Manager, of Upton Villa, Penge,
in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of our invention is to provide a powerful and actinic light by. the
burning or ignition of magnesium, aluminium or other suitable metals or
substances, or mixtures of the same, in a flame of hydrogen or other suitable
inflammable gas or vapour supplied with oxygen gas in the manner hereinafter
mentioned.
For instance,
The light which is thus produced we utilize for various purposes.
we provide for its employment for photographic work in the studio, and for
photographic printing and enlarging, and for such purposes it is very suitable
on account of its great actinic power. We also provide for its use in combination
with suitable reflectors and lenses and other adjuncts in projector-lamps and
search-lights for lighthouses or light-ships or for military and other signalling. We
also provide for the employment of our light generally for illuminating purposes;
for instance for the lighting of large halls, gardens, and the like.
In carrying our said invention into practice, we construct an improved lamp or
burner with concentric tubes, and we supply the hydrogen or other suitable
inflammable gas or vapour, together with the magnesium or other suitable
metal or substance, through the central tube, and the oxygen through the
outer tube or tubes. We find it advantageous to introduce the magnesium or
other metal or substance, in the form of powder, or in a finely divided state, into
the flame by passing the hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour through the
powder contained in a vessel forming a portion of the hydrogen-passage, or by
propelling the powder through the hydrogen-passage in the direction of the
hydrogen-current by mechanical means. If desired, however, we provide for the
use of the magnesium or other metal in a solid form.
The form of lamp or burner that we prefer is one in which there are two
concentric tubes and in which a portion of the hydrogen-passage is enlarged to
form a receptacle or vessel for the magnesium or other metal or substance. The
lower part of this receptacle or vessel is usually shaped internally in the form of an
inverted cone, the upper part being also made cone-shaped in its interior and being
joined to the lower part so that the bases of the cones meet. The hydrogen enters
this vessel through a small hole or holes situated at or near the apex of the lower
cone and, after passing through the said vessel, issues or escapes through a tubular
passage situated at the apex of the upper cone, which passage forms the inner or
central tube of the burner. The magnesium or other powder is introduced into
this receptacle or vessel through the inner or central tube of the burner, or through
an aperture in the side of the vessel which may be afterwards closed, or it is fed
continuously or intermittently into the said receptacle or vessel, as hereinafter
mentioned.
The outer tube of the burner we close at its lower end by joining it to the outside
of the upper cone-shaped part of the vessel; the oxygen gas is supplied to this
outer tube by one or more pipes; we prefer to use, for this purpose, two or more
pipes equidistant from each other.
We find it advantageous to make the inner or hydrogen tube in such a manner

page_text: that the passage through the same is conical or taper or gradually diminishes in area
from the part where the said tube is united to the said receptacle or vessel, to the
upper end of the said tube, but so that there is no shoulder which would interfere
with the free egress of the particles of metal. We also make the outer or oxygen
tube in such a manner that its interior surface is conical or taper or diminishes in
diameter from its lower to its upper end. We prefer that this outer or oxygen tube
or cone should extend upward beyond the upper end of the aforesaid inner or
hydrogen tube. The upper extremities of the two tubes or cones are, if desired,
made slightly bell-mouthed.
The lamp or lighting apparatus constructed as above mentioned can be supplied
at intervals as required with the powdered metal by introducing the same as above
mentioned into the vessel or receptacle through the upper end of the burner by
means of a funnel or filler inserted therein. Or, if desired, other suitable provision
may be made for the introduction of the powdered metal into the said chamber or
receptacle.
A small pipe or bye-pass is sometimes provided in addition to the main supply-
pipe for the hydrogen gas, so that a small igniting flame of hydrogen gas may
be kept burning while the main supply of hydrogen gas and powdered metal is
shut off.
We sometimes provide a suitable chimney for carrying off the products of
combustion.
Moreover we find it advantageous, in some instances, to employ a lamp-glass
or globe with our improved lighting apparatus. For supporting such glass or
globe, we fit around the burner an annular plate or disc having an upwardly
projecting rib or ribs for retaining the glass or globe in place on the said plate.
This plate is so made as to prevent the entrance of air into the glass or globe
from below.
In some instances, we provide suitable means for feeding the powdered metal
either continuously or intermittently into a convenient part of the hydrogen-
passage, in such a manner that we are enabled to produce light continuously for
any desired length of time, or to produce flashes of light for signalling or other
purposes.
In cases where a continuously burning flame of constant intensity is required, it
is important that the powdered metal should be supplied to the aforesaid vessel or
other part of the hydrogen-passage at the same or about the same rate as it is
conveyed therefrom by the hydrogen gas. For this purpose, we provide a suitable
feeding device, which may be operated either automatically or by hand, and which,
while it is operated, will feed the powdered metal into the said vessel or hydrogen-
passage at such a rate as may be necessary to maintain the required light. For
instance, we arrange in a cylindrical box or casing a rotating disc or wheel provided
with suitable blades or arms; the said box or casing is connected with a reservoir
for the supply of the powdered metal, by an aperture so arranged that the powdered.
metal will fall in front of the said blades or arms as they are successively moved
past the said aperture; the said box or casing is also provided with an aperture
through which the powdered metal, as it is swept over the same by the said blades
or arms, will descend into the said vessel or hydrogen-passage. When the said
vessel or passage is filled to the required level, the powdered metal in the box or
casing will be simply carried around by the said blades or arms; when, however,
the level in the said vessel or passage falls, a further quantity of metal will descend
through the delivery aperture. The said disc or wheel is, if desired, combined with
clockwork or other suitable mechanism for rotating it. Or we use other suitable
means for continuous feeding, for instance an Archimedean screw.
For intermittent lighting, a similar device may be employed, which is operated
intermittently by any convenient ineans. Or, in place of the disc or wheel having
the blades or arms, we employ a disc or wheel having conical or other holes
through it, which, in the intermittent or step-by-step rotation of the disc or
wheel, are successively brought beneath the supply aperture, and which serve to

page_text: convey the powdered metal in measured quantities to the delivery aperture.
By these means, we can so regulate the supply of the powdered metal as to
produce at any desired intervals a light that will burn for a pre-determined
period. This arrangement is, therefore, very advantageous for light-houses or
light-ships. In some instances, we provide means whereby, during the intervals
between the feeding operations, the supply of oxygen and hydrogen will be
automatically shut off, and whereby such supply will be automatically turned on
again when the feeding of the powdered metal again takes place. Or an inter-
mittent light may be obtained by the use of a constant feed of metal and an
intermittent supply of gas.
By introducing powdered charcoal or carbon with the magnesium powder, a light
of high visual intensity is produced.
In applying our invention to a projector-lamp or search-light, we employ a
suitable reflector or lens, or both, and we provide a chimney for carrying off
the products of combustion; we prefer to make the said chimney with a cowl or
the like for carrying the products of combustion away in any desired direction.
We also provide suitable means for supplying the oxygen and hydrogen as
required, whilst permitting the necessary movement of the apparatus about its
pivots or trunnions.
dor of December 1892.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
· 11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Production and Use of Light, and to
Apparatus therefor.
We, WILLIAM WILLIS, Manufacturer, and ERNEST JOHN HUMPHERY,
Manager of the Platinotype Co., both of 29, Southampton Row, in the County of
London, and WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, Works Manager, of Upton Villa, Penge,
in the County of Surrey, 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:-
The object of our invention is to provide a powerful and actinic light by the
burning or ignition of magnesium, aluminium, or other suitable metals or substances
or mixtures of the same, in a flame of hydrogen or other suitable inflammable gas
or vapour supplied with oxygen gas in the manner hereinafter described.
The light which is thus produced we utilise for various purposes. For instance,
we provide for its employment for photographic work in the studio, and for
photographic printing and enlarging, and for such purposes it is very suitable on
account of its great actinic power. We also provide for its use in combination
with suitable reflectors and lenses and other adjuncts in projector-lamps and search-
lights, for light-houses or light-ships, or for military and other signalling. We also
provide for the employment of our light generally for illuminating purposes; for
instance, for the lighting of large halls, gardens, and the like.
According to one part of our said invention, we construct an improved lamp or
burner with concentric tubes, and we supply the hydrogen or other suitable
inflammable gas or vapour, together with the magnesium or other suitable metal or
substance, through the central tube, and the oxygen through the outer tube or
tubes. We find it advantageous to introduce the magnesium or other metal
or substance, in the form of powder, or in a finely divided state, into the flame, by
passing the hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour through the powder
contained in a vessel or chamber forming a portion of the hydrogen passage.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter described.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical central section, of one form of our
improved lamp.
Figure 2 is an elevation thereof partly in section on the line a, a, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical central section showing another modification of our
invention, and
Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation illustrating a further modification thereof.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a suitable base or stand, in the upper end of which is firmly secured the
lower portion of a chamber or receptacle B for the magnesium or similar metal or
substance. The burner, which is arranged at the top of the upper portion of the
receptacle B, is preferably composed of two concentric tubes C, D; in the
arrangement shown, the inner or central tube C is formed in one piece with
the upper portion of the receptacle B, and the outer tube D is screwed upon the
end of the said receptacle. The said tubes may, however, be secured in their
proper relative position in any other convenient manner.
The supply pipe E for the hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour, is
screwed into the upper part of the base or stand A and is provided with a stop-
cock or tap H; this pipe communicates through a passage e with the space A¹
beneath the receptacle B. The oxygen supply pipe F is also screwed into the
upper part of the base or stand A and is provided with a stop-cock or tap O; the
said pipe F communicates with the annular space between the tubes C, D of
the burner, through two pipes G, G₁ connected with the outer tube D.
The oxygen gas may be supplied to the outer tube D by one or more pipes; but
we prefer to use, for this purpose, two or more pipes connected with the said
tube D at points equi-distant from, each other, because by this means we ensure
greater uniformity in the supply of oxygen to the flame, and thus get a better and
steadier flame than would be obtained were only one supply-pipe employed.
The lower part of the receptacle B is usually shaped internally in the form of an
inverted conc, the upper part being also made cone-shaped in its interior and being
joined to the lower part so that the bases of the cones meet. The magnesium or
other powder is introduced into this receptacle through the said central tube C by
any convenient means; or it may be introduced through an aperture provided for
the purpose in the side of the said receptacle, which aperture may be afterwards
closed by a plug, a screw-cap or the like; or the magnesium or similar substance
may be fed continuously or intermittently into the said receptacle as hereinafter
described. The hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour enters the receptacle B
through a small hole or holes situated at or near the apex of the lower cone, and,
after passing through the said receptacle, issues or escapes through the central
tube C of the burner, carrying with it a suitable proportion of the powdered metal
or other substance. The said receptacle is, therefore, practically an enlargement
of the passage for the hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour.
We find it advantageous to make the central or hydrogen tube C of the burner
in such a manner that the passage through the same is conical or taper or gradually
diminishes in area from the part where the said tube is united to the receptacle B
to the upper end of the said tube, so that there is no shoulder which would interfere
with the free egress of the particles of metal. We also make the outer or oxygen
tube D in such a manner that its interior surface is conical or taper or diminishes
in diameter from its lower to its upper end. We prefer that this outer or oxygen
tube or cone should extend upward beyond the upper end of the central or hydrogen
tube C as shown. By this arrangement, we ensure the supply of the oxygen to the
flame in a very efficient manner. The upper extremities of the two tubes or cones
may, if desired, be made slightly bell-mouthed.
The lamp or lighting apparatus constructed as above described is to be supplied
at intervals as required with the powdered metal, by introducing the same as above
mentioned into the vessel or receptacle B through the central tube C of the burner

page_text: by means of a funnel or filler inserted therein. Or, if desired, the upper half of
the receptacle B may be unscrewed for this purpose, the short pieces of flexible
tubing connecting the two parts of the pipes G, G₁ being detached from one part
of each of the said pipes to permit this operation.
To use the lamp, the hydrogen tap H should first be turned on gently until
sufficient gas passes through to yield a flame when ignited, without carrying the
powdered metal up into the same. After igniting the hydrogen issuing from the
burner, the oxygen tap O should next be turned nearly full on, and the hydrogen
tap H then turned full on. The magnesium or other powder will then be carried
up by the hydrogen and a flame of intense actinic power will be produced. The
supply of oxygen and hydrogen can, after a little practice, easily be regulated so as
to obtain the best results.
A small pipe or bye-pass is sometimes provided in addition to the main supply
pipe for the hydrogen gas, so that a small igniting flame of hydrogen gas may
be kept burning while the main supply of hydrogen gas and powdered metal is
shut off.
Moreover, we find it advantageous, in some instances, to employ, with our
improved lighting apparatus, a lamp-glass or a globe J as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
For supporting such glass or globe, we fit upon the outer tube D of the burner, an
annular plate or disc K having an upwardly projecting rib K', or two of such ribs,
for the purpose of retaining the glass or globe in place on the said plate. This
plate or disc is so made as to prevent the entrance of air into the glass or globe
from below.
In some instances, we provide suitable means for feeding the powdered metal
either continuously or intermittently into a convenient part of the hydrogen-passage,
in such a manner that we are enabled to produce light continuously for any desired
length of time, or to produce flashes of light for signalling or other purposes.
In cases where a continuously burning flame of constant intensity is required, it
is important that the powdered metal should be supplied to the receptacle B or to
some other suitable part of the hydrogen passage at the same or about the same
rate as it is conveyed therefrom by the hydrogen gas. For this purpose, we provide
a suitable feeding device, which may be operated either automatically or by hand,
and which, while it is operated, will feed the powdered metal into the said
receptacle or into the hydrogen passage at such a rate as may be necessary to
maintain the required light. For instance, we arrange in combination with the
receptacle B, a cylindrical box or casing Land a screw-conveyor M as shown in
Figure 4, a suitable hopper N being connected with the said casing near one end
thereof, and suitable means being provided for rotating the screw M within the said
casing so that it will convey the powdered metal from the said hopper into the said
receptacle B. The said screw-conveyer may be worked by clockwork or by hand
or in any other convenient manner. The mouth of the hopper N should be
provided with an air-tight cover in any well known and suitable manner.
The
For intermittent lighting, we sometimes employ a device such as that shown in
Figure 3, which device is operated intermittently by any convenient means.
device illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a disc or wheel P provided with a circular
series of conical or other suitably shaped holes P. This disc or wheel is arranged
to be intermittently rotated in a casing Qattached to the receptacle B and provided
with a hopper R for the magnesium or equivalent substance. These parts are so
arranged that, in the intermittent or step-by-step rotation of the disc or wheel P,
the holes P are successively brought beneath the hopper and convey the powdered
metal in measured quantities to the receptacle B, each hole in turn serving as a
portion of the said receptacle. The intermittent rotation of the said disc or wheel
may be effected by clockwork or by hand or in any other convenient manner. By
these means, we can so regulate the supply of the powdered metal as to produce at
any desired intervals a light that will burn for a predetermined period. This
arrangement is, therefore, very advantageous for light-houses or light-ships. In
some instances we provide means whereby, during the intervals between the feeding

page_text: operations, the supply of oxygen and hydrogen will be automatically shut off, and
whereby such supply will be automatically turned on again when the feeding of the
powdered metal again takes place. Or we provide for obtaining an intermittent
light by the use of a constant or continuous feed of metal and an intermittent
supply of gas.
We sometimes provide for concentrating the light from our improved lamp by
the use of a reflector or a lens, or both, suitably arranged relatively to the burner,
and, in this case, we find it advantageous to employ a chimney of mica or other
suitable material and to combine with this chimney a cowl or the like which
may be so adjusted as to carry away the products of combustion in any desired
direction.
In the modification of our invention shown in Figure 4, our improved lamp is
arranged in combination with a parabolic reflector S, and is provided with a mica
chimney T and an adjustable cow! U, the said lamp being secured in a casing V, in
which the reflector S is fixed, and which may be perforated to permit the circulation
of air through the same for the purpose of cooling the reflector.
In applying our invention to a projector-lamp or search-light, we combine, with
our improved lamp, a suitable reflector or lens, or both, and a chimney, as above
described, and, in the case of a search-light, we mount the entire apparatus on
trunnions in a frame or support capable of turning about a vertical axis; moreover,
we provide flexible pipes for the supply of the oxygen and hydrogen so as to permit
the necessary movement of the apparatus about its pivots or trunnions. Or we
provide for the supply of the oxygen and hydrogen through passages in the
trunnions.
We can, if desired, provide for projecting or propelling the magnesium or the
like, either in a solid form, such as a ribbon, or in the form of powder, through
the hydrogen passage in the direction of the hydrogen current by mechanical means
instead of by the gas itself.
When we desire to produce a light of high visual intensity, we use powdered
charcoal or carbon with the magnesium or other powdered metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved method of providing for the production of light, by the
burning of magnesium or similar substances carried by means of hydrogen or other
suitable inflammable gas or vapour through a central tube into a flame supplied with
oxygen through one or more outer concentric tubes, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
+1
Second. A lamp, for the purposes above specified, in which the passage for the
hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour is made with an enlargement or
receptacle for containing the magnesium or the like, substantially as hereinbefore
described..
Third. The combination of the hydrogen supply pipe having the enlargement
or receptacle connected with the central tube of the burner, the outer concentric
tube or tubes of the burner, and two or more oxygen supply pipes connected with
the said outer tube or tubes at equi-distant points or otherwise, substantially as, and
for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. The burner comprising the inner conical tube and the outer tube or tubes
of conical or cylindrical shape concentric therewith, as, and for the purpose, above
specified.
Fifth. The combination, with the burner and with the means for supplying the
flame with hydrogen, metal and oxygen, of the globe-support constructed and
arranged as above described for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The combination, with a lamp such as we have hereinabove described,
of suitable means for supplying the same, intermittently or continuously, with
magnesium or the like, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.

page_text: Seventh. The combination, with a lamp such as we have hereinabove described,
of suitable means for supplying the same, intermittently or continuously, with
magnesium or the like, and devices for intermittently supplying the gases to the
lamp, substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Eighth. The use, in a lamp such as we have hereinabove described, of powdered
charcoal or carbon with the powdered metal, as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Ninth. The combination of a lamp such as we have hereinabove described, a
reflector or a leus, or both, and a chimney, substantially as, and for the purposes,
set forth.
Tenth. A projector-lamp or search-light in which suitable provision is made for
burning magnesium or the like in a hydrogen flame supplied with oxygen,
substantially as described.
Eleventh. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying
drawings, and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Deted the 13th day of September 1893.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.