IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING HEAT FOR HEATING, COOKING, VENTILATING, AND. LIGHTING
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT. to Charles Ritchie, of Brixton, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING HEAT FOR HEATING, COOKING, VENTILATING, AND.
LIGHTING."
Sealed the 12th December 1873, and dated the 4th October 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ritchie at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 4th October 1873.
I, CHARLES RITCHIE, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING HEAT FOR HEATING, COOKING, VENTILATING, AND
LIGHTING," to be as follows: —
My Invention effects the purposes above named, either in com-
bination or separately; and as regards heating my apparatus is capable
of affording a cheerful aspect, similar to an open fire, with improved
combustion and consumption of smoke, and general good effect upon
the proximate atmosphere.

page_text: As regards lighting not only is the combustion of the gas or fluid
fuel improved but ventilation is facilitated, and when and where
desired all or most of the deleterious products of combustion can be
prevented from entering the room or enclosed place where my apparatus
is used.
-
The system on which I construct my apparatus is as follows :-
Suitably placed in the bottom part or lower section of the operative
portion of my apparatus, which may be made of metal, terra cotta,
porcelain, or other suitable material, I have an opening or openings
for the ingress of the air, which is to pass or descend into and ascend
through the said apparatus. At the opening or openings for air
ingress I place the heater or burner, or burners or heaters, in such
manner that the flame is deflected downwards, though in some cases it
pursues a horizontal line, or nearly so. The heated products are then
made to ascend through the apparatus and heat thoroughly the
inner surfaces thereof, and further, may or may not pass off through
a long fluc, tall chimney, shaft, or tube, into the external air; while
the exterior surfaces of the lower portions of the apparatus are arranged
so as to radiate heat upon the exterior surfaces of the upper portion,
and thus to induce and establish an upward current within and through ;
the interior of the apparatus through the air shafts, which are provided
to convey the heated products from the lower to the upper sections of
my apparatus.
In some cases however, especially where cooking is to be effected, or
coal fuel or similar fuel is used, in addition to the foregoing a
arrangements I also make provision for the temporary ascent of the
smoke and products of combustion direct into the upper portion of
my apparatus without compelling them to travel entirely through the
air shafts, which provision enables me to allow the smoke and products
of combustion on first ignition to pass directly and quickly into the a
upper portion of the apparatus, and be carried off by a fluc connected'
therewith. By these means I am enabled to adopt at will either the
perpendicular, deflected, or horizontal flame.
In illustration of the above, and of the details of the means whereby I
carry the said Invention into effect, I may state that for the purposes of a g
simple chamber heating stove at or near the opening in the lower section
of the stove where the air enters I place a burner, which is sometimes

page_text: .
just above and sometimes within the case of the stove. For cheerful
⚫effect I prefer to place a little above the burner, as a moveable covering
to the flame (which also partly serves to form a duct for the supply of
air thereto), a suitable glass shade and reflector, if desired, so corrugated
or cut as to intensify the brilliancy of the flame or gas jets and afford
the general appearance of an open fire. As soon as the burner is
lighted the flame and heated products proceed towards the shafts or
ducts for drawing the same upwards, and ascend the same into a
suitable heat chamber, where they are collected for radiating heat into
a room, and eventually are passed off into the outer air through a
chimney flue, or are permitted to escape into the apartment or place
where used; the said products being regarded as less deleterious, owing
to the effect of the improved combustion which takes place in my
apparatus.
Where cooking is aimed at the heated products are thrown upon the
oven, boiler, or cooking chambers, thoroughly enveloping with heat the
said ovens, boilers, or cooking chambers, which in some cases are
ventilated into the flue of the apparatus, and when required a screen
is attached and made to run or close upon the open space, or a portion
thereof, between the lower and upper portions of the apparatus, whereby
an oven is practically obtained. And this screen is generally applicable
where a coal fire is adopted in stoves of my system.
When my stove or apparatus is required to heat a bath, as well as
serve as a chamber stove, then I effect this by simply causing the
flame and products of combustion to descend within a shorter and risc
within a longer case, through which latter a space is provided, into
which the water may enter and be in contact with the inner radiating
surface of the stove or apparatus as well as the outer.
When used as a chamber stove means are sometimes provided for
conveying the outer atmosphere through the central shaft into the room
or chamber.
For lighting purposes I generally prefer to adopt the following form
of carrying out my said system :-Take for example a pendant gaselier, I
suspend from the ceiling a tube air shaft, open only at the top (but
not necessarily opening bolow the ceiling, except as hereafter stated);
from this tube, and opening into it, I branch (from the bottom or
lower portion thereof) one or more smaller tubes opening into the room,

page_text: to each of which openings or mouths I bring a gas jet or burner, the
flame or flames of which I cause to enter therein, either vertically" down-
wards or horizontally, as the form of the gaselier may be required. to
take.
.
:
I prefer to place a gas jet or jets around or under the said central
tube, the heat from which causes an ascending current of air within
the said tube, which in effect draws within the above-named mouths or
openings the flames of the gas and the heated products, which latter
then travel to the central tube and ascend the same, and are suitably
carried off through the ceiling or else escape into the room in a less
noxious form than they assume when thrown off from a perpendicular
flame.
The said mouths or openings I generally prefer to adapt for glass
globes or terminals, within or partly within which the flames are
drawn.
In some of my lamp arrangements the said air shaft (open in this
instance at both ends) has no branches, as described above, but is
brought down into a glass receptacle provided with mouths or openings,
at and into which the gas flames or jets are drawn, the heated products
from which ascend through the lower opening of the said air shaft.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Ritchie in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th April 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
RITCHIE, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, send 2
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc- 3
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles Ritchie, Her special
licence that I, the said Charles Ritchie, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Ritchie, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING HEAT FOR HEATING, COOKING, VENTILATING, AND
LIGHTING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles
Ritchie, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be. performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Ritchie, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My. Invention effects the purposes above mentioned, either in com-
bination or separately; and as regards heating, my apparatus is capable
of affording a cheerful aspect similar to an open fire, with improved
combustion and consumption of smoke, and general good effects upon
the proximate atmosphere.
As regards lighting, not only is the combustion of the gas or fluid
fuel improved but the ventilation is facilitated, and when and where
5 desired, all or most of the deleterious products of combustion can be
prevented from entering the room or enclosed space where my
apparatus is used.
The system on which I construct my apparatus is as follows:-
Suitably placed, as hereafter described, in the operative portion of my
O apparatus (which may be made of metal, terra cotta, porcelain, or other
suitable material), I have an opening or openings for the admission of
the air which is to pass or to descend into and pass through the said
apparatus. At the opening or openings for air ingress I place the
heater, or burner, or burners, or heaters, in such a manner, that the
5 flame is deflected downwards, though in some cases it pursues a
horizontal line or nearly so, and in some cases a perpendicular line or
nearly so. The heated products are made to circulate in manner here-

page_text: after particularly described through the apparatus and heat thoroughly
the surfaces thereof, and further, may pass off from the apparatus into
the room or may be carried therefrom through a long flue, tall chimney
shaft or tube into the external air, while the exterior surfaces of the
lower portions of the apparatus are arranged or grouped so as to radiate
heat upon the exterior surfaces of the upper or ascending portions and
thus to induce and establish a through current, whether upwards or
downwards, within, and through the interior of the apparatus, and so
as to render the syphon-like action belonging to the apparatus itself as
independent as may be of any aid from the accnsive power of any
long chimney shaft or flue.
.
In some cases, however, especially where cooking is to be effected by
coal or similar fucl, in addition to the foregoing arrangements I also
make provision for the temporary ascent of the smoke and products of
combustion direct into the upper portion of my apparatus without
compelling them to travel circuitously through the air shafts, which
provision enables me to allow the smoke and products of combustion on
first ignition to pass directly and quickly into the upper portion of the
apparatus from whence they may be carried off by a chimney flue com-
municating with the open air. By these means I am enabled to
adopt at will either the perpendicular, deflected, or horizontal flame.
Having thus far described the nature of my Invention, I will by the
aid of the accompanying illustrative Drawings, proceed to more fully
describe and ascertain the same, reference being had to the foregoing
description, that is to say :-
Fig. III. Another modification shewing arrangements for reflection 3
of light.
In these Figs. 1 is gas burner or burners playing downwards into or
at opening 2 into the compartment 3, the heated products passing
from 3 up through the up ducts or pipes 4 into the compartment 5,
from whence they pass off into chimney or fluc 7, or enter the room by 3

page_text: suitable openings situate, at say 6, (Fig. II.). Sometimes however, I
prefer in place of the compartment 5, Fig. I., to use a modified form
shown in Fig. II. In this case the heated products may either pass
into the room through openings 6 ranged all round the compartment,
or they may be conveyed away by chimney shaft or fluc at 7. Or
when a more cheerful aspect is required the ring or opening 2 is made
of sufficient size to admit of a block of glass or other reflector being
suspended or placed in the centre, as shown in Fig. III., at 8, and this
has the effect of reducing the size of the opening 2, and also crcating a
quicker draught of air over the flames of the burner or burners. The
block of glass or other reflector may if desired be suspended by weights
or chains, as shewn.
*.
Figs. IV. and IV. show another form of apparatus (Fig. IV.
clevation, Fig. IV. sectional plan) arranged somewhat similarly as in
Fig. 1; but in these Figs. a pipe or duct 8 conveys fresh air through
the opening 2 or through the up ducts or channels 4 or into the
compartment 8* which is divided from the compartment 3 by
diaphragm . In the latter case the fresh air is conveyed through the
apparatus by means of ducts or pipes a which communicate with the
chamber 8*, such ducts or pipes arising within the ducts or pipes 4, and
thereby the fresh air gets warmed and its steam quickened by the
adjacent heat, so that a good supply comes into the room through the
stove, which is prevented from becoming too hot for healthy radiating
purposes. This form may be regarded as a ventilating stove, and is
therefore well adapted to be used when there is no chimney shaft or
tube employed to carry off the vitiated products into the outer air.
Sometimes however I prefer to have the opening at 2 covered (as in
Fig. VII.) entirely with glass, the air to support combustion being
brought through the duct 8 (though sometimes this is differently
arranged) and through the centre of chamber 3, either from the room
or the outer air. The air is thrown on the inner surface of the glass to
cool it, and the heated products find their way to and up the pipes or
ducts 4, and so- the light from the burners is seen though they are
covered. This arrangement is shewn in detail by Fig. VII.
Fig. V. Shews another form of my apparatus where I place the
burners over the air supply duct 8; the flames in this case ascend per-
pendicularly or nearly so, and combustion is improved by the sharp
passing of air over them. In this Fig. (V.) the heated products ascend

page_text: up the duct A which is formed with an expanded opening at its lower
part, as shewn, and these products in rising strike against the
diaphragm B and circulate round and down the pipes or ducts O, and
round, as indicated by the arrow, up, and through the pipes D into the
chimney shaft or flue at 7.
When desired however the products may be made to pass directly to
and into the fluc at 7, and this is effected by opening a damper * placed
above the flame from the burners; and above the diaphragm B arrange-
ments are sometimes made for heating water or a hot closet. In this
arrangement the burners instead of being placed as shown may be placed
at the part marked so as to throw the heat more immediately on to
the diaphragm B. The inlet 8 for the air may be fitted with a damper
as at 10 to regulate the supply of air to the burners. (To prevent
accidents I prefer to suitably place wire guard around the flames when
these are exposed in my stoves.)
Fig. VI. represents another form of my apparatus where the burners
are placed higher in the apparatus, and the ducts or air shafts (refer to
4, Fig. IV.) become down instead of up air channels. In this Figure
the compartment 5 situate in the centre should be sufficiently long and
capacious to overcome the columns of air in ducts 3. The heat from
the burners 2 descends into chamber 3* and down the ducts 3, 3, 3, into
chamber 4, rising up the long compartment 5. At the lower end of
compartment 5 at * a gas jet or flames may in some cases be placed to
render the circulation quick and decided, and also a jet or jets of gas
may be made to play from the burners at 1 into the same, wherein also
arrangements may be made for heating water.
In Fig. VII. the air comes in from the room at 1, and entering the
lower compartment 2 rises to cool the glass cover 3 and descends to the
burner 4 for supporting the combustion, the products of combustion
passing through 2 and up 5, 5, into the dome chamber 6 to be carried off
into a chimney fluc at 7 if desired. By shutting a valve situate in duct 1,
and the glass cover 3 being lifted, air is supplied to burners at x.
Fig. VIII. represents another arrangement in which the fresh air (or
it may be the air of the room) enters at * and rises up the central tube f
and passes into the room at the top. The gas jets at 2 deflect into the
chamber f¹ open around the jets as shewn, the heated products passing
round and up the tube ǹ which encloses the fresh air contral tube f.

page_text: Fig. IX. an arrangement intended to be used for cooking purposes.
Here the gas jets are placed at 1, and the heated products are drawn
down through compartment 2 through the opening 6 into the lower
compartment c, and up through the ducts or pipes 4, 4, into and through
compartment 3, in which (and in that of 2 also) cooking or heating
operations may be carried on. Round, but above and outside, the lower
opening of duct 6 is placed a ring of gas jets which serves to facilitate
the action described above; a represents the doors or openings in the
compartments 2 and 3. Instead of the pipes 4 for the upward current
it is obvious that a double casing would serve a like purpose in the inner
case; the products would descend and rise through the outer case.
Fig. X. is another form which in action is similar to that described in
Figure VI., but instead of having a single ring of burners I arrange over
the pipes or ducts glasses or globes 2, and by the aid of the gas jet or
jets situate at the bottom of central compartment (4) to establish an up
current; the gas jets at 2 burn down into the glass globes, the heated
products passing down pipes 3 into lower chamber 3* and up through
central compartment 4. This form serves for lighting as well as heating
'a room owing to the method of arrangement I adopt for grouping the
gas jets at 2 and reflecting their heat on the compartment 4. The aid
of the gas jet is not always required, as for instance when the heated
products in compartment 4 are carried from the top thereof, or
thereabouts, into a long chimney flue.
In Fig. XI. 1 denotes the gas burners and the opening where the air
enters. The heated products ascend into compartment 2, striking the
diaphragm 2ª, causing an upward current in compartment 6, to supply
which the heated products are drawn up 5 through 4 and down 3, having
travelled from the gas burners at 1. A small metal or other reflector
can be placed on top of compartment 4 underneath the burners.
Fig. XII. represents another form of stove whereby cooking and
heated is effected. A and B are upper and lower compartments or
ovens; B is better adapted for roasting; C and D are respectively the
bottom plates in these ovens or compartments; E is a diaphragm or
plate forming a compartment below D, having a circular opening F;
G is a compartment below E; H, H, are up channels or ducts between
two plates on each side of the lower compartment B; I is a channel
between the plates at the back of B; J is a range of gas jets placed

page_text: LONGING & Impes. In APpuruvas for Ozmy went for COOKLIWY, 90.
immediately under C, having air openings for support of combustion at
J' or other suitable part. The heated products from these jets pass
under C, descend the duct or channel I, and enter the compartment
between D and E; they then descend F into G, and ascend H into A,
and are led off into a fluc at L, after having been brought through an
opening in a plate or diaphragm in the top of compartment A (not
shewn).
Gas jets are sometimes placed in the up ducts H, H, above the line of
D, to pull the heated products at J down I, and thence to A, and also to
increase the temperature of chamber A. Further, the burners are not
necessarily placed at J; they may be at the sides (above D).
Dampers or valves may be at J' (or other suitablo part) where the air
enters to support combustion.
The chamber A may be cased so as to enable the heated products to
pass round to the flue without entering A.
Fig. XIII. represents a form of stove wherein, instead of gas, coal or
other fuel is used. In this Fig. 1 represents the fire-box on grate,
which may be made to be taken out of the stove for cleaning and
charging with fuel. This box or grate I prefer to make with a lid A,
and an opening and shutting valve lid therein at B; the part C repre-
sents the fire-bars, within which fuel is placed. When fire is lighted
the smoke draws to the long up shafts D, and passes up and out at the
flue E. Thus the fuel being fed at B or at A, and the smoke passing
downwards through the fire and through the bars at C, the latter is
partially consumed. F represents a drawer or other arrangement for
aslics, and such drawer has a valve, damper, or door therein at G, which
is used when the hopper-shaped tube, shewn by the dotted lines, is pro-
vided, and used to carry off the superabundance of smoke in lighting tho
fire (or when the valve lid at B is closed). The hopper is in this case
dropped down over the part A, the valve or door at G is opened, and the
smoke or a portion thereof is thus made to ascend directly to a chimney
flue; and when this hopper is not required it is pushed or drawn up by
weights, and the passage through the same is closed by a valve or
suitable arrangement at X.
.
Figs. XIV., XV., XVI., represent modifications of my arrangements
suitable for gas burners for lighting purposes.

page_text: In Fig. XV. the jets of gas m are introduced through the orifices at
the side of the globe n, and the flames burn down and up, but sometimes
horizontal, according to circumstances.
In Figs. XIV. and XVI. the flames from gas jets m.burn downward,
and then curl up into or towards the opening at bottom of the globe 12.
I prefer to arrange the orifices of the burners so that the stream of gas
impelled therefrom may play in a more or less deflected course, according
to circumstances. This produces a resistance or struggle by bringing the
flames against the air, which, being warmed, seeks to risc and carry the
flames upwards, which thus becomes shortened and brightened. This is
more convenient where a glass compartment receives the flames.
In Figs. XIV. and XV. I adopt improved forms of fittings so as to
allow fitting of the globe n (when being put into its place after cleaning
or such like).
. In Fig. XIV. I adopt a telescopic form. The part o slides casily up
and down in the opening p at the bottom of the stem. The globe is
dropped into the rests 1, having first pushed up part O to enable this to
be done.
+
Fig. XV. represents a screw arrangement. The base of the globe is
supplied with a collar s, which rests on the plate formed also with a
collar. The globe is secured by the screw v, which screws through
plate t into and through the collars formed on the globe; the same
being thus held in its place.
In some cases I prefer to form on the screw nut a plate x, the
globe being held on same, as shown in detail view, XV*.
.
The arrangement shown in Fig. XVII. represents how the heated
products are conveyed away from an ordinary gasiliċr.
In the apparatus shown in this Figure the steam and noxious
products given off from the gas flames at a are shown to be collected or
detained around them so far as may be by a lamp arrangement b, up
into which the lower mouth c of a syphon tube d is brought down to
draw off the said steam and products to a convenient place for carrying
them away.
With the necessary modification of details this is applicable to stove
arrangements, where lighting and heating are desired to be combined.

page_text: cover or lamp arrangement.
Fig. XX. shows another form, in which the same action as in
Fig. XVII. is effected.
Fig. XVIII. shows another arrangement, in which 1 is a ring of gas
jets, their openings being pierced, so that the flame is impelled by
pressure of gas fluid to be about thus
shaft or opening 2 curls the flames over thus
but the air sccking the up
·J.
The chamber 3 is sometimes provided with a reflector at x, thus here
a brilliant light is obtained through the action of air upon the flames,
and one which serves as a ventilator, the flue or opening to the outer
air being sometimes and by preference out of view. By this arrange-
ment each jet of flame being equidistant from the centre a pretty ring
of light is formed. Sometimes the ring of jets is placed just within the
case.
By these arrangements my Invention gives light and facilitates
ventilation, for although I do not in all cases carry the final up shaft or
receiving chamber into an ordinary chimney flue yet the said shaft in
gasiliers is brought near the ceiling, and the heated products are there
easily to be carried off by suitable means, and without disturbance to the
flames from down draught in the apparatus; and for this purpose I
prefer to use the means shown at Fig. XIX., such arrangements being
placed in some instances in the ceiling or at the chimney pots of a
house. By this arrangement the down draught is much destroyed.
In this Fig. XIX. 1 represents the gaselier shaft, the arrows showing
heated products rising and striking bottom plate 2; then rising up the
side channels they enter at 3 and up through compartment 4. Down
draught (if any) thus comes into the room to be guided along the
ceiling 5 instead of coming directly upon the flames, as in ordinary
gasiliers, in which the chimney tube is a continuous pipe from the glass
chimney to the open air.
The above statements will suffice to show that I do not depend on a

page_text: cates with the outer air, and which is supplied with a burner, as being
the sole agent for bringing the syphon action to my stoves, and to some
extent to the gas lights also, but that it is by placements or grouping
arrangements of their parts in their relation to the source of heat and
light that the syphon action arises within and belongs to the apparatus
itself.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and
object of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to bo
performed or carried out in practice, I would here remark that the
various arrangements herein-before described and illustrated by the
Drawings are susceptible of modifications to meet the requirements of
varying circumstances, what I claim being the Improvements in
Apparatus for Utilizing Heat for Heating, Cooking, Ventilating, and
Lighting," wherein syphon action is employed in improved manner of
arrangements to produce the useful results herein-before mentioned,
substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Ritchie, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
CHARLES RITOHIE. (L.S.)
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventors' Patent Right Ass"., Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, S.W.