Improvements in Lamps for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamps for Velocipedes and the like.
I, SIGMUND BRUNNER, of 126, Mariahilferstrasse of Wien VII, in the Empire of
Austria, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in lamps more especially for velocipedes,
and has for its object to effect the more direct access of air, for the purpose of
producing a more intensive and steady flame and to permit the products of
combustion rapidly and wholly to escape, and to further details of construction,
whereby the general characteristics of lamps or lanterns of this class are improved.
Hitherto it has not been possible, to construct velocipede-lamps in such manner
that a steady and bright flame is obtained, when using petroleum. It is apparent,
that a free petroleum flame should burn without the formation of soot but for this
purpose a constant and extensive access of air is necessary, which, however, causes
the flame to be exceedingly sensitive to the unfavourable influence of wind.
I obviate these disadvantages by the invention relative to the lamp and fittings
hereinafter, more fully described.
My improved lamp by its peculiar construction and by the employment of a flat
petroleum burner produces a steady and bright light and remains uninfluenced even
by strong winds, constant vibration and the like. To effect this and to conduct to
the flame the necessary quantity of air I have constructed my improved lamp, in
such manner, that a current of air can enter underneath the burner cap into the
interior of the lantern, said current becoming so divided, that a part of the same is
led direct to the wick and causes the development of the flame, whilst the second
portion of the air or more precisely a second air current is conducted through
suitable perforations of the burner cap to the upper portion of the lamp, and thus
enters the region or zone of the flame in a lateral direction, for the purpose of
allowing as much oxygen as is necessary, access to said flame, whereby the formation
of soot is obviated.
On account of the peculiar arrangement of the said upper portion of the lamp,
a strong air-current is drawn by suction through the upper portion of the lantern in
the quantity as required for a perfect combustion whilst by means of the before
mentioned construction of the upper parts of said lamp it is rendered impossible,
that the introduction of the said air above the flame can operate in any unfavourable
manner upon the flame. For this purpose my improved lamp is provided with an
inner cap the lower part of which is closed. Through lateral openings in the said
interior cap the combustion gases can escape in a constant horizontal direction by
means of the suction of a strong air-current, introduced by lateral openings in
another outer cap hereinafter also more fully described and indicated in the
drawing. This last mentioned air current assists the combustion gases to escape,
and also draws in air by means of perforations in the above mentioned outer cap
which is separated from the inner cap by a vertical wall. This latter air current
serves the purpose of cooling the upper parts of the lamp, and to obviate in the case
of petroleum lamps hitherto known, the otherwise injurious, powerful, and intensive
heating of such parts.

page_text: In order to further cool the lamp casing or the lamp proper another series of air-
holes are provided which effect a constant circulation of air around the exterior of
the inner cylindrical casing.
In order to still further reduce the risk or possibility of damage to the lamp
which a large and free-burning petroleum flame within the same may produce, my
improved lamp is further so constructed, that the various portions of the same
cannot separate by the heat, in view of the fact, that the parts are not soldered
together. Said parts being fitted or provided with suitable attachments consisting
chiefly of steel tongues, bayonet-joints and the like.
In order to make my invention more clear, I refer to the accompanying drawing,
in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the different views.
Figure 1 is an exterior view of a lamp or lantern embodying my invention,
Figure 2 a vertical section thereof,
Figure 3 a horizontal section through the centre of the lamp of this character.
The interior casing proper consists of a cylindrical part a. This part is
connected to the burner reservoir b and is provided at its lower end with two rows
of perforations c c. Above the petroleum reservoir is located the burner cap also
provided with a circular row of perforations . The said interior casing a is at its
upper portion closed by means of an inserted portione having an unperforated
bottom-portion e¹ and lateral openings e. The said inserted portion e is located
within the interior casing a in such manner that the perforations of the same e²
are covered or extend to a large degree beyond the perforated walls of the inner
cases and beyond the casing a.
In the sides of the somewhat contracted part al of the casing a, or more
.precisely, in the cap f two further rows of perforations f¹ f2 are provided. Lastly
in the crown g of the cap f lateral apertures g¹ are provided.
In the cylindrical casing a are two large openings a² a³ located opposite to each
other. The first of these is closed by the funnel shaped reflector h, the second by
the mirror reflector i. Two smaller lateral openings a serve to ignite the wick.
The inner casing is surrounded by the outer casing k, which latter also possesses a
number of perforations k³. Besides these are provided two small flaps in the
outer casing which cover the igniting apertures of the inner casing.
The above mentioned construction of the lamp of separate parts fitted together
without solder will be seen from Figures 2 & 3. This construction is also advan-
tageous when it is desired to clean the lamp.
The method of fitting the parts together is as follows:
The inner casing a is simply pressed into the outer casing k, and as shown in
Figure 2 said casing holds the arched inner reflector i in a recess k².
The lens holder m is pressed upon the front cylindrical part m¹ of the outer
lamp casing and held upon the same by tube like projections m2. The front conical
reflector his attached to the rim h¹ by means of a rounded edge upon the lens
frame, upon which edge the correspondingly shaped circumference of the conical
reflector is pressed.
The reservoir bis pressed into the cylindrical inner casing & and held or secured by
a rounded projection n¹, besides this the cap o which fits upon and screws into the
oil filling opening of the reservoir, is caused so to project over the top of the
reservoir (Figure 2) as to prevent the reservoir from becoming loose or
detached. The burner, cap d (Figure 2) is simply held by friction.
regards the fitting together of the upper portion of the lamp I proceed to
mention that the part e is simply suspended in the cylindrical casing at a', and
the capf being subsequently pressed over or upon the same.
:
As
The modus operandi of the lamp is as follows Through the lower
perforations c c¹, air is sucked under the burner cap d. The air thus introduced
subsequently separates as indicated into two currents, one of which passes towards
the wick, as shown by the arrow, and effects the proper burning of the flame.
The second air current, enters the perforations d¹ of the channel and reaches the
flame from a lateral direction, conducting so much oxygen laterally to the flame

page_text: that a smokeless combustion results. The necessary air for maintaining the flame
is produced by a current passing through the perforations g₁ in a horizontal
direction. This latter current effects a strong suctional action in the interior of
the lamp and causes the combustion gases to be violently drawn away through the
lateral openings e² of the part e.
Simultaneously this air current effects a suctional action through the apertures f¹ƒ
so that cold air from the exterior of the lamp is continually caused to circulate
within the cap, and to continually cool the upper portions of the lamp. The cooling
of the remaining portions of the lamp is effected by apertures k¹ provided in the
outer casing as through said apertures fresh air can continually enter and circulate
through the outer and inner casing.
When using the lamp in strong winds, the air-currents or suction within the
upper portion of the lantern can be so great, that through the perforations in the
under portion of the cylinder, air may enter the cylinder with too excessive velocity.
For such cases the perforations in the outer case come also into use, as the air
enters these perforations or apertures through the ignition holes of the inner
casing and reduces the suction in the lower portion of the same, or, the excessive
air is equalized or compensated by opening the side flaps which cover the igniting
holes in the inner casing, and thus allowing air to directly enter the inner casing.
It will of course be clear, that only the tap should be opened which is located
on the other side to the direction of the wind.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An improved petroleum lamp or lantern for bicycles, tricycles and the like, in
which for the purpose of producing a bright and steady flame free from soot, the
air, (drawn by suction through the perforations (c c) under the burner cap (d),)
is caused to become divided into two separate air currents by the especial arrange-
ment of the lamp parts, in such manner, that one of said air currents passes to the
wick (or flame) direct, the second air current being conducted to the flame through
a lateral openings (d¹) in the inner casing, whereby the combustion gases escape
through lateral openings (e²) of a part (e) inserted in the upper portion of the lamp,
and whereby further the said upper portions of the lamp are kept cool by means of
air currents drawn by suction through apertures (g¹) in the cap (g) and by an
intense suction of cold air from the outside through lateral apertures (f¹ f²), all
substantially as described and shown in the drawing.
2. In an improved lamp or lantern for bicycles, tricycles and the like, the
combination with the casing proper (a) of the lamp, of a second and exterior
casing (k) provided with perforations ('), said perforations effecting a continual
circulation of air between said two casings, for the purpose as described.
3. A form of construction of the improved lamp or lantern for bicycles, tricycles
and the like, as characterised in Claim 1 & 2, in which the lateral and other
parts of the lamp are movably and adjustably joined, without the employment of
solder, in such manner, that either by sliding said parts together or by the
employment of bayonet joints or the like, all the parts are securely and effectively
united to a complete lamp, substantially as described and shown in the
drawing.
.
1
1000