IMPROVEMENTS IN METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS FLAMES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Miles Williams, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR
INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS FLAMES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Miles Williams at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd June 1880.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
MILES WILLIAMS, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster.
METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS
FLAMES."
My Invention relates to the flames of gas burned by means of burners of the
ordinary kinds, and it has for its objects improved methods of burning the gas as it
issues from such burners, so that greater illuminating effect is produced with less
waste and also improved apparatus for putting such methods of burning the gas
in operation.
I take a piece of wire, of metal or other incombustible material, preferably of
platinum or other metal not easily oxidized, round, rectangular, triangular, or of
other suitable shape in cross section, and of a length and size proportioned to the
size of the flame which is to be treated. I adjust and fix this wire above the
openings through which the gas escapes from the burner, and parallel with the
flame of the gas, but at such a height that it is situated at or near the centre of
the dark or lower part' of the gas flame, and out of and below the luminous zone
of the latter.
When a freely moving current of gas is ignited at an ordinary burner the
inflammable vapour in the dark part of the flame flows rapidly into the luminous
zone or brighter part of the flame, a portion of it feeding the light and a portion of
it passing away unconsumed.
By my Invention when the wire or bar is arranged, as above described, over the
opening from which the gas issues, the flame is separated into the parts which
curve round the wire and re-unite above it. The result is that a flame or light is
produced of a wedge shape, and having a double flame in the centre and brightest
part, and increased illuminating power is obtained with less waste of gas.
The bar or wire described may be of any shape and section to suit the particular
circumstances in which it is to be used, and it may be adjusted and supported in
its proper position in the flame, as above described, by one or more metallic
standards and screws, or other convenient means.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Miles Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd December
1880.
MILES WILLIAMS, of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS
FLAMES."
My Invention relates to the flames of gas burned in the usual way by means of
burners of the ordinary kind.
It has for its objects improved methods of consuming the gas as it issues from
such burners, so that greater illuminating effect is produced with less waste:
and also improved apparatus for putting such methods of burning the gas in
operation.
In order to carry out my Invention I take a piece of wire, of metal or other
incombustible material, preferably platinum or other metal not easily oxidized,
round, rectangular, triangular, or of other suitable shape in cross section, either
solid or hollow, and of a length and size proportioned to the size of the flame to
which it is to be applied. I adjust and fix this wire or bar above the openings
through which the gas escapes from the burner, and parallel with the flame of the
gas, but at such a height that it is situated at or near the centre of the dark or
lower part of the gas flame, and out of and below the luminous zone of the latter.
When a freely moving current of gas is ignited at an ordinary burner the inflam-
mable vapour at the dark part of the flame flows rapidly into the luminous zone
or brighter part of the flame, a portion of it feeding the flame or light and a portion
of it passing away unconsumed. By my Invention when the wire or bar is
arranged. as above described, over the opening from which the gas issues, the
flame is separated into two parts which curve round the wire and re-unite
above it.
The result is that a flame or light is produced of a wedge shape, and having a
double flame in the centre and brightest part, and in this way increased illumi-
nating power is obtained with less waste of gas. The bar or wire described may
be of any shape and section to suit the particular circumstances in which it is to
be used, and it may be adjusted and supported in its proper position in the flame, as
above described, by one or more metallic standards and screws, or by other
convenient means.
My Invention may be applied to burners of different kinds. If the burner is
made so that the gas issues through a slit the bar is fixed in a position parallel
with such slit. If the gas issues through holes, as in the form of burner known
as the union jet, the bar is fixed in a transverse position between the holes. If an
argand burner is used the bar is in the form of a ring.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of my Invention. In Figures 1
and 2, a is the burner; is the bar fixed in its proper position above the burner,
and shewn attached to the latter by a ring and set screw d.
C
In Figures 3 and 4 the bar is shewn attached to the burner by a spring clip e.
I do not, however, confine myself to the particular methods shewn of attaching the
bar to the burner, for which purpose any convenient method may be used; but
having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be performed,
I claim,-
The passing of a piece of metallic wire or bar of metal through the lower and
darker part of the flamme, the bar being supported above the opening or openings in
the burner in such a manner that when the gas issues from a slit the far is fixed
lengthwise along the aperture, and when the gas issues out of. holes, as in the
union jet, the bar is fixed so as to run in a straight line above between the holes,

page_text: and as near as possible in the space between the openings through which the gas
issues, and high enough above the openings in the burner to allow a portion of the
flame room to act beneath it, and low enough to keep it out of the luminous zone or
brighter part of the flame.
In witness whereof, I, the said Miles Williams, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 2nd day of December, in the year of our Lord 1880.
MILES WILLIAMS. (L.s.)