IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING LIQUID FUEL FOR HEATING AND COOKING PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING LIQUID FUEL FOR HEATING
AND COOKING PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Abner Burbank,
Gentleman, and Austin Velorous Milton Sprague, Manufacturer, both of
Rochester, New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING
LIQUID FUEL FOR HEATING AND COOKING PURPOSES." [A communication from
abroad by Abner Burbank, Gentleman, and Austin Velorous Milton Sprague,
Manufacturer, both of Rochester, New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for heating and cooking
purposes and in which petroleum or coal oil is used for fuel
In carrying the said Invention into practise a platform or tray is used which
sustains the parts. At one end is an inverted fountain for containing the oil, the
neck of which fountain rests in an open-topped vessel and is provided with a valve
which allows the oil to escape in a manner similar to that in the well known
German Student's lamp. From the bottom of the vessel extends a pipe for con-
veying the oil to the burner. Connected with the said pipe is a lamp body, on the
upper part of which is a cap containing wick-tubes and which may be protected by
plaster of Paris or other non-conductor of heat. Over the lamp body rests a
casting forming a bearing which is secured removably to the lamp body by a set-
screw. Within the bearing there is a wire screen for breaking the currents of air,
and above said screen a deflector plate with deflectors which rest over the burners.
On top of the bearing rests a cylinder forming a chimney or heat conductor, and in
the open top of this cylinder rests a small steam boiler which receives its heat from
the burners below. The boiler has a series of pipes outside which open at the top
ГР..

page_text: and bottom into the boiler, and thereby assist the generation of steam by circulating
the water. At the top of the boiler is a safety valve which will open and allow
escape of the steam when a certain pressure is attained. From the top of the boiler
above the water line extends a steam pipe which passes around the boiler and
beneath the same above the burners, and thence extends outward to the proper
point to act upon the oil. In this steam pipe outside the cylinder there is a cock
or cut-off by which the steam may be turned on or cut off and regulated at pleasure.
At the outer end of the steain pipe is a small nozzle having a fine orifice which
forms an injector.
At the opposite end of the platform from the inverted oil fountain is a combustion
chamber resting on legs. This chamber may be of any desired form, and used for
various heating or cooking purposes. From the bottom of the combustion chamber
extends a tube or funnel, the outer end being closed excepting that there is a hole
Beneath the combustion
in the centro surrounded by a series of holes outside.
chamber is a reflecting plate to prevent the passage of heat to the platform. Between
the combustion chamber and the burner is an oil fount which communicates with
the main oil fount by a pipe, or it may be separate. From this oil fount a tube
extends upward and has on its upper end a small nozzle similar to that on the end
of the steam pipe. The ends of these two nozzles come in coincidence, so that the
steam pipe blows across the oil nozzle and forces the atomized spray through the
tube before described into the combustion chamber where it is ignited and burned.
The two nozzles form an atomizer that draws up the oil by suction and forces it
into the combustion chamber. The inverted oil fount and the cylinder and boiler
are mounted on a separate piece that forms a carriage and the carriage moves
foward and back in ways on the platform so as to always keep the atomizer in line
with the tubo entering the combustion chamber.
In the combustion chamber is a heat deflector for confining the flame and forcing
the same downward and causing it to spread outward. The top of the combustion
chamber is perforated to produce a draught and the bottom has openings to allow
the entrance of fresh air.
If desired two steam pipes instead of one may lead from the boiler for injecting
the oil into the combustion chamber so that if one should fail at any time the other
would be effective.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
October 1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING
LIQUID FUEL FOR HEATING AND COOKING PURPOSES." A communication from
abroad by Abner Burbank, Gentleman, and Austin Velorous Milton Sprague,
Manufacturer, both of Rochester, New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in heating and cooking apparatus
in which petroleum in the form of atomized spray is forced by a jet of steam into a
closed chamber and burned.
The Invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter
more fully described whereby the apparatus is rendered effective in operation.
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Figure 1 is a plan of the said improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same on the line x*, x*.
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line y*, y*.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, are detail views.
A represents the platform or tray which supports the parts, and which is usually
made of iron; B is a carrier or slide which is also made of iron. The part of the
platform on which the carrier rests is made narrow and is provided with flanges a, a,
which form ways, and the carrier slides forward and backward between these ways
in a straight line so as to present the atomizer in true line with the opening in the
tube which communicates with the combustion chamber. The inverted oil-reservoir,
the lamp-body for generating the steam, and the well or fount with which the
atomizer connects are all located on this carrier and move forward and backward
with it.
C'is the inverted oil-reservoir similar in construction and arrangement to the
corresponding part in the German Student lamp, said reservoir resting in an open
topped receptacle D and having a valve b which opens to allow flow of the oil
when the reservoir is inserted in the receptacle.
E is the lamp-body covered by a cap c which has one or more wick tubes d, d.
This cap may be packed or covered with gypsum or other non-conductor to prevent
the transmission of heat to the oil. The lamp body E communicates with the
receptacle D by a tube or pipe f, by which it receives its supply of oil; g is a
deflector-plate having deflectors g¹, gl, covering the wick tubes, and h is a wire or
other screen below the deflector-plate for breaking the currents of air; i is a
reflecting plate situated below the screen and above the lamp-body for breaking
the transmission of heat downward upon the lamp body.
F is a bearing consisting of a top ring and projecting legs, and which is attached
to the lamp by a set screw on one side and is made removable; G is a cylinder of
sheet metal forming a chimney or heat-conductor which rests on top of the
bearing F. It is open at the top and has small draft holes e, e, near its top.
His a small steam-boiler which rests on top of the cylinder G, being sustained
by flanges j, j, as shewn. This boiler within the cylinder is provided with a series
of pipes k, k, standing vertically and surrounding the boiler on all sides. The ends
of the pipes open respectively into the upper and lower portions of the boiler, and
being subjected to the direct heat of the burners they facilitate the rapid generation
of steam in the boiler by inducing a quick circulation of water. By this means
steam can be raised very quickly.
I is a safety valve on top of the boiler. It consists of a cap which screws on the
nozzle of the boiler. In the bottom of the cap is a hollow steam space l, and above
this is the cylindrical valve m which rests in a corresponding socket of the cap.

page_text: The valve has a small point n which projects through into the socket l, and the
body of the valve is grooved, as shown at o, to allow passage of the steam when the
valve is forced up. On one side of the valve is a pin p which projects out through
an elongated opening g of the shell and which serves to gauge the throw of the
valve. When a given pressure is attained in the boiler the valve rises and the
steam escapes through the grooves into the open air.
K is a steam pipe which starts from the space above the water line, thence
extends downward and through the side of the boiler to the outside within the
cylinder G, thence around and beneath the boiler and above the burners, and finally
through the side of the cylinder where it is extended horizontally to the proper
position for acting upon the injector. A particular advantage of this arrangement
of the steam-pipe is that the steam therein becomes superheated by passing directly
through the blaze of the burners, being thereby in better condition for mingling
with the oil-spray and being burned in the combustion-chamber.
L is a well or oil fount communicating by a pipe f1 with the lamp body, and
being covered by a cap r through which passes an oil pipe 8. The ends of the oil
and steam pipes come in coincidence and are provided with fine orifices through
which the oil and the steam escape. The whole forms an atomizer, the jet of steam
blowing across the oil pipe, drawing the oil up by suction, and injecting the same
in atomized form commingled with the steam into the combustion chamber.
The steam pipe K is provided with a cut off M consisting of a shaft with a cross
head by which it is operated. The conical portion u which enters the globe or
enlargement in the steam pipe is provided with a passage v extending through the
same, and by turning the shaft the whole force of the steam may be turned on, or it
may be graduated exactly as desired. By this means the amount of combustion in
the combustion chamber is regulated.
For
N is the combustion chamber which is mounted in a stationary position upon
the platform A, being supported by legs w, w. This chamber may be made of
different forms according to the work to be done. The Drawing shews a tinman's
furnace, in which case the upper part is in the form of a removable cover.
cooking apparatus the chamber may be elongated and provided with ordinary boiler
covers. The top of the chamber is provided with a series of holes x, x, and the
bottom with one or more holes x', as shown, which allow a circulation of air through.
the combustion chamber while in use, and allowing also the necessary draft in
burning. This is found essential to produce perfect combustion and to produce the
best effects of the apparatus.
P is the tube for conducting the atomized spray from the atomizer to the com-
bustion chamber. The outer end is closed by a web in the centre of which is a
large hole y surrounded by a series of smaller holes y', y¹, as shewn in Figure 4.
The object of this arrangement is to modify and temper the currents of air carried
in by the injection and prevent the extinguishing of the fire which sometimes
occurs where the whole mouth is open. These holes while they allow the entrance
of sufficient air to support combustion prevent such a current as would blow out
the fire, and accomplish this result by dividing the air into small currents.
In the interior of the combustion chamber is a heat deflector J which is in the
form of an arch resting above the end of the tube P and occupying in cross section
a portion only of the width of the combustion chamber. This deflector serves to
break the force of the injection of the oil and steam in the chamber and to spread
the flame outward at the sides, and to concentrate and hold the heat down,
preventing a too rapid escapo. It is particularly effective in heating soldering irons,
the irons being inserted over the blaze and under the arch. In cooking apparatus
a similar device for spreading or dividing the flame may be used.
R is a reflecting plate located between the combustion chamber and platform,
and serving to throw off the heat and prevent the transmission of heat to the
platform and its consequent conduction to the oil. In front is another plate R¹
forming a continuation of R, but at right angles, covering the front, but allowing
the tube P to pass through.

page_text: If desired a greater number than one of the steam pipes may lead from the same
boiler, and a greater number than one of the atomizers may be used for different
purposes, and if desired more than one atomizer may be used in connection with
the same combustion chamber.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,-
First. A portable apparatus for burning hydro-carbons consisting of the com-
bustion chamber having a tube P, the lamp body, the heat conductor, the boiler
resting on the heat conductor, with a pipe proceeding from the boiler, and a pipe
proceeding from an oil fount, the two pipes meeting in front of the tube P for
conveying oil and steam and injecting the oil through the said tube to the interior
of the coinbustion chamber, the whole combined to operate in the manner and for
the purpose specified.
Second. The combination of the oil well, the heat conductor, and the boiler,
provided with the pipes K, 8, constituting an injector, the whole forming an attach-
ment capable of raising the oil and injecting the same through tube P into the
combustion chamber, as herein set forth.
Third. In a heating or cooking apparatus, the combination with the platform
provided with the guiding flanges a, a, of the carrier fitted within said flanges
to move forward and backward in a straight line, and provided with the oil
reservoir, the lamp body, and the oil well, and their connecting parts made a
fixture with the carrier, as shewn and described and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In a heating or cooking apparatus the combination with the boiler and
cylinder of the steam pipe K starting from the top of the boiler, extending through,
around, and beneath the boiler, and passing directly above the burners so as to
superheat the steam, as herein shewn and described.
Fifth. The combination with the boiler of the safety valve on its top, consisting
of the cap provided with the interior space, and the cylindrical plug provided
with grooves for the escape of the steam, substantially as herein shewn and
described.
Sixth. In a heating or cooking apparatus the tube P leading to the combustion
chamber constructed with a closed outer end and provided with the perforations,
substantially as shewn and described, and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. In combination with the combustion chamber and fube P, the heat
deflector for confining the heat and spreading the flame, substantially as herein
shewn and described.
Eighth. The combination with the platform and combustion chamber of the
reflecting plates R, R', interposed between these parts to prevent transmission of
heat to the platform and lamp, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)