Year: 1886

page_text: I HARRY SCOTT FORBES of 91 Highgate Road in the county of Middlesex
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide simple cheap and effective apparatus
in and by which gas may be produced from hydrocarbons or mineral oils and
thereafter be utilized to give light and heat in a safe and economical manner.
To carry out this object I take an ordinary gas burner preferably of that kind
known as the argand burner and connect the same in any convenient manner to
an ordinary supply pipe whereon at a suitable distance from the burner I may
secure a small cup closely above which can conveniently be formed on the pipe
a shoulder or projection. The hydrocarbon to be volatilized is kept in the pipe
at a suitable level preferably at or about the level of the cup and when gas is
required a small quantity of spirits of wine or other suitable liquid is poured into
the cup and lighted when the heat therefrom will volatilize the hydrocarbon or
heat may be applied to the pipe in other convenient manner for a short time to
produce the desired effect.
.
The gas thus produced passes along the pipe to the burner where it is consumed
in the ordinary manner and to maintain such an heat in the walls of the pipe as is
necessary for the due volatilization of the hydrocarbon after the aforesaid spirits
of wine or other liquid has been consumed or the extraneous heat has been
removed I employ and utilize the heat of the flame of the burner and I conduct
this heat from the flame to the walls of the pipe through and by simple metallic
parts in connection or conjunction with each other. The metallic part that receives
the heat direct from the flame may be formed in several ways. One convenient
method consists of and is a metallic post which is in contact or thereabouts with
the flame at its upper end while its lower end is attached to the metallic walls of
the burner or to the walls of the pipe and two or more of these posts may be used.
Another still more suitable method consists in attaching a metallic ring to the
metallic walls of the argand burner the upper edge of which ring is extended such
an height above the burner as to receive the heat from the flame and two rings
may be used and be so placed as aforesaid on both sides of the flame. Thus as
long as a flame is maintained in the burner sufficient heat will by metallic contact
be conducted therefrom to the walls of the pipe to volatilize the hydrocarbon and
produce the gas by which the flame is supported but when the flame is extinguished
no more gas will be produced.
The hydrocarbon must always be maintained at the required level in the pipe
to duly volatilize the same and when this my apparatus is applied to an ordinary
table or other lamp the hydrocarbon can be raised to this level in the following
manner:
The pipe is inserted into the ordinary glass or other reservoir and may pass
down nearly to the bottom of the same in which pipe is placed a wick or fibrous

page_text: material dipping into the hydrocarbon and reaching up to the desired level whereby
-the hydrocarbon is raised-in-the pipe by the action of capillary-attraction-therein.
and is then volatilized as is required.
I may also proceed as follows to maintain this desired level. A closed receptacle
is made for the hydrocarbon in the bottom of which is an aperture governed by
a conical or other valve the rod of which valve projects a proper distance outside
of the receptacle and may also pass through a suitable guide or bracket to keep the
valve in position in respect of the aperture. On the outer side of the receptacle
round this aperture is formed a funnel or guard the lower edge whereof may be
serrated. This receptacle is filled with the hydrocarbon and is then placed in an
outer casing preferably of a similar shape, and the top of the receptacle is so
formed as to close the top of the outer casing while the valve is lifted off its seat
in the bottom of the receptacle by the bottom of the casing through the valve rod.
The hydrocarbon is thus allowed to flow out of the receptacle into the casing until
the lower. edge of the funnel is covered when as no more air can enter the
receptacle this flow is stopped. A small hole can be made in the side of the outer
casing to allow the air therein to escape during this aforesaid flow. When however
the level of the hydrocarbon in, the casing so falls as to uncover the lower edge
of the funnel or the serrations therein the flow from the receptacle recommences
until the lower edge is again covered. A similar apparatus can if required be
adapted for and applied to the reservoir of an ordinary table or other lamp before
described.
From the lower part of the outer casing the pipe is led to the burner and this
pipe is so formed and arranged that when the flow of the bydrocarbon into the
outer casing is stopped as aforesaid the hydrocarbon in the pipe is at the desired
level herein before described. To break up the stream of hydrocarbon I may
divide the passage in the pipe into a number of; small passages and I may place
in the one or more passages in the pipe any fibrous material such for example
as asbestos.
To cut off the supply of hydrocarbon and thus extinguish the flame I may place
any ordinary tap or cock in the pipe in any convenient position but if as is
advisable with an ordinary tap this tap is placed so far from the burner that the
beat of the pipe will not prejudicially affect the same the tap will generally be
below the level where the hydrocarbon is maintained in the pipe and therefore
when this tap is turned to cut off the supply the flame will not immediately be
extinguished. I therefore preferably place a tap or cock close to the burner and
above the level where the hydrocarbon is volatilized.
According to one method I form this tap as follows. The passage through which
the gas enters the body of the tap terminates with a funnel shaped seat and the
spindle of the handle enters the body on one side the end thereof being preferably
mounted on the opposite side of the body and on this spindle is an arm preferably
curved or bent on the end whereof is a conical shaped plug which when the handle
is accordingly turned can enter the funnel shaped seat and close the passage or can
be lifted thereout to open the passage.
Another method is as follows. The end of the pipe is left open and a female
screw thread is tapped in the same wherein to screws a plug which reaches down
in the pipe below the level where the pipe branches off to the burner in which
position a seating is made on which the bottom of the plug can be screwed down
to cut off the gas from the burner..
My apparatus can be supported on a suitable stand or can be used as a bracket
lamp or otherwise.

page_text: Improvements in Lamps for Burning Volatile Hydrocarbons.
I HARRY SCOTT FORBES of 91 Highgate Road in the county of Middlesex
Gentleman 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 my invention is to provide simple cheap and effective apparatus
in and by which gas may be produced from volatile hydrocarbons or mineral oils
and thereafter be burnt and utilized to give light and heat and this apparatus is
so constructed that no more gas is produced therein than is required and when the
flame is extinguished the volatilization of the hydrocarbon ceases wherefore this
apparatus is very safe and economical in use. This apparatus is and constitutes
my lamp for burning volatile hydrocarbons.
I carry out this object by supplying or raising the hydrocarbon to a suitable
level in the supply pipe near the burner and maintaining the same thereat.
Extraneous heat is then applied for a short time to the pipe to volatilize the
hydrocarbon therein and the gas issues through the burner above being there
consumed. The heat of this flame is then conducted therefrom by metallic parts
in conjunction with each other to the walls of the supply pipe to continue the
volatilization of the hydrocarbon so long as the flame is maintained in the burner
for which purpose the suitable level aforesaid is in such proximity to or so near
the burner that the heat of the flame therein shall surely and efficiently be so
conducted to effect such volatilization of the hydrocarbon as is desired.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a complete portable or table lamp
constructed according to this my invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation partly in section of an ordinary table lamp adapted for
and fitted with this my invention.
Figures 3 and 4 are elevations partly in section on an enlarged scale of details of
my apparatus as will hereafter be explained.
I take an ordinary gas burner A preferably of that kind known as the Argand
burner and I connect this burner A in any convenient or usual manner to an
ordinary supply pipe B whereon at a suitable distance from the said burner A I may
secure a small cup C closely above which cup C can conveniently be formed on the
said pipe B a shoulder or projection D. The hydrocarbon that is to be volatilized
is kept in the pipe B at a suitable level about that of the cup C and when gas is
required a small quantity of spirits of wine or other suitable, liquid can be poured
into the said cup C and burnt when the heat therefrom being prevented by the
shoulder D from escaping will volatalize the hydrocarbon within the said pipe B
as is desired or heat may be applied for a short time to the said pipe B in any
other manner to produce the same effect.
The gas thus produced passes along the pipe B to the burner A where it is
consumed in the usual manner to give light and heat and to maintain such an
beat in the walls of the said pipe B as is necessary for the due volatilization of the

page_text: hydrocarbon after the aforesaid temporary and extraneous heat has been removed
Iemploy and utilize the heat of the flame_of_the burner and I conduct this heat
from the said flame to the said walls of the pipe B by metallic parts in conjunction
with each other. The metallic part that receives the heat direct from the flame
may be formed and fitted in various ways. One method consists of and is a
metallic post E the upper end whereof is in contact or thereabouts with the flame
while the lower end thereof may be attached to the metallic walls of the burner A
which again are in conjunction with the walls of the pipe B or the said post E
may more preferably itself pass down either outside or inside the said burner A to
the said walls of the pipe B as shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and one two or more
of these posts E may be used. Another method consists of and is a metallic ring F
the upper edge whereof is in contact or thereabouts with the flanie while the lower
edge thereof may be attached to the metallic walls of the burner A either on the
inner side or on the outer side thereof, as shewn in Figure 1 and two rings F may
be used and be placed as aforesaid on both sides of the said burner A as shewn in
Figure 4 or the said ring F may itself pass down inside the said burner A to the
walls of the pipe B. Thus and by this arrangement as long as a flame is maintained
in the burner so long sufficient heat will by metallic contact be conducted therefrom
to the walls of the supply pipe to volatilize the hydrocarbon and produce the gas
by which this flame is supported but when the flame is extinguished the production
of gas ceases.
The hydrocarbon must always be maintained at the required level in the pipe
to duly volatilize the same and I preferably raise the hydrocarbon to this required
level by the action of capillary attraction in a wick or fibrous material the lower
part whereof dips into or is covered by the hydrocarbon while the upper part
thereof terminates in the pipe at this level and as there is necessarily some heat
in the pipe and in the walls thereof at this level I preferably use asbestos fibre for
this purpose. By this arrangement the safety of this apparatus is ensured.
In large lamps or in lamps wherein many burners are or may be used and
therefore comparatively large quantities of the hydrocarbon gas are or may be
consumed it will obviously be advisable that the hydrocarbon shall be fed to the
'fibrous material as and when required.
In Figure 1 I shew a suitable apparatus for this purpose.
A closed receptacle G is made for the hydrocarbon of any convenient size and
shape in the bottom whereof is an aperture H governed by a conical or other
valve I and the rod K of this valve I projects a proper distance outside the said
receptacle G for the purpose hereafter stated and may also pass through a suitable
guide or bracket L to cause the said valve I to keep in position in respect of the
said aperture H. Round the aperture H on the outer side of the receptacle G is
formed a funnel or collar M the lower edge whereof may be serrated: This
receptacle G is filled with the hydrocarbon and is then placed in an outer casing N
of any convenient shape and the top G' of the said receptacle G is preferably so
formed as to close the top of the said outer casing N and when the said receptacle G
is in this position the valve I is lifted off its seat over the aperture H by reason,
of the rod K coming in contact with the bottom of the said outer casing N: The
hydrocarbon therefore is allowed to flow out of the receptacle G into the outer
casing N until the lower edge of the funnel M is covered therewith when as no
more air can enter the closed receptacle G. this flow is stopped but when the said
lower edge of the funnel M or the serrations therein are again uncovered the flow
recommences and so on. One or more small holes P can be made in the sides of
the outer casing N and preferably near the top thereof to allow the air in the said
outer casing N to escape during this aforesaid flow.
The pipe B on the end of which is the burner A as hereinbefore described is led
from the lower part of the casing N and all the several parts of this apparatus are
so arranged and formed that when the flow of the hydrocarbon from the
receptacle G into the said casing N is stopped as aforesaid the hydrocarbon in the
*.said casing N and therefore in the said pipe B is at the desired level whether such

page_text: level be where the volatilization is effected or as is preferable and as is shewn in
the drawing only covering the lower part of the fibrous material.
In this manner any number of burners may be fitted to one receptacle and casing
and the outer casing may be formed to stand on a table or otherwise or to be
secured to a wall or elsewhere so that a bracket lamp would be provided or to be
suspended or to be otherwise treated and used as may be desirable.
In small lamps or in lamps wherein only one burner is used I can adapt this my
invention to the ordinary reservoir.
In Figure 2 I shew an ordinary table lamp fitted in this manner.
The pipe B with the attached or connected burner A and fitted with the metallic
conductors E or F as also if desired with the cup C and the shoulder D as herein-
before described is inserted into the ordinary glass or other reservoir R of the lamp
and preferably is tightly secured thereto reaching down nearly to the bottom of
the said reservoir R and the fibrous material in this pipe B raises the hydrocarbon
as herein before described to the required level where it can be volatilized by the
heat of the flame conducted as aforesaid to the walls of the pipe.
.
H
In every case I may fill the single passage in the pipe with the fibrous material
as shewn at B¹ or when desired in order to further break up the stream or body of
hydrocarbon and thus facilitate the volatilization thereof. I may divide the passage
in the pipe into a number of small passages and fill these passages with the fibrous
material as shewn at B11.
To extinguish the flame I may place any ordinary tap in the pipe to cut off the
supply of hydrocarbon but when an ordinary tap is used it would be advisable to
place it so far from the burner that the heat of the pipe would not prejudicially
affect the same and therefore this tap would generally be below the level at which
the hydrocarbon is maintained in the pipe for the volatilization thereof whereby
the flame would not be immediately extinguished when this tap is turned.
I therefore preferably place a tap close to the burner and above the level where
the hydrocarbon is volatilized and as the pipe here or in this position is hot it may
oftentimes be found that an ordinary tap is not suitable and that a special tap is
required.
In Figure 3 I shew one convenient form of tap for use in and with this my
apparatus.
The end of the pipe B is open and a female screw thread is tapped in the same
whereinto is fitted a screw plug S which can be screwed down by a convenient
handle T until the head thereof reaches a seating W formed therefor in the said
pipe B below the place where the usual small pipes V if any branch off to the
burner A and the screw threads on the said plug S and in the end of the said
pipe B are preferably made with a very coarse pitch so that a small movement
) of the said handle T shall sufficiently open or close the passage for the gas.
In Figure 4 I shew another convenient form of tap for use in and with this my
apparatus.
A suitable body for the tap is formed in or inserted in the pipe B and the
spindle X enters this body on the side thereof and not in the middle the end of the
said spindle X being mounted in a socket or bearing on the opposite wall. On
the spindle X is fitted an arm Y preferably curved or bent to the end of which
arm Y is connected by a link or otherwise the plug Z. The spindle X is preferably
packed or fitted with stuffing box where it passes through the wall of the body
and is fitted with a suitable handle T. When the spindle X is turned by the
O handle T the plug Z is lifted off or pressed down on a seating W formed therefor
in the pipe 'B'to open or close the passage for the gas.
In this case as also in others I can very convéniently connect the pipe B directly
to the burner A as shewn in-the drawing dispensing with the usual small pipes
whereby the heat of the flame will the more surely and efficiently be conducted to
5 the walls of the pipe to volatilize the hydrocarbon.
I have thus described and have shewn in the accompanying drawing very
suitable forms of the several parts of this my apparatus and very convenient
•

page_text: methods of constructing, and fitting the same but I do in no wise-limit myself-
thereto for it is sufficiently obvious that this my apparatus and all the several
parts thereof may be made of such forms and shapes and proportions and may be
constructed and fitted in such a manner and according to such methods as may be
convenient or desirable or expedient in each particular case.
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. The apparatus for producing and consuming hydrocarbon gas consisting of the
combination of B the supply pipe with the contained 'fibrous material A the burner
and E or F the metallic conductors of the heat of the flame to the walls of the pipe
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4
2. The combination of the receptacle G with aperture H valve I. rod K and
.funnel M with the outer casing N and the pipe B substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and declared.
3. The combination in an ordinary lamp of. R the usual reservoir B the supply
pipe with the contained fibrous material A the burner and E or F the metallic
conductors of the heat of the flame to the walls of the pipe substantially as herein-
before described.
4. The combination with the apparatus for producing and consuming bydro-
carbon gas as stated in claim 1 of the screw plug S with handle T and the seating W
substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination with the apparatus for producing and consuming hydro-
carbon gas as stated in claim 1 of the spindle X with handle T arm Y and plug Z
and the seating W substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The method of obtaining light and heat from volatile bydrocarbons sub-
stantially as herein specified.