A Photometer for Automatically Measuring and Registering the Intensity of the Light of a Gas Flame, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 5th June, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Photometer for Automatically Measuring and Registering the
Intensity of the Light of a Gas Flame, and Apparatus therefor.
We, W. & B. COWAN LTD. of Smith Square Works, Westminster, London, Gas
Meter Manufacturers (being a communication from abroad by Conrad Victor Leonard
Martenson, Rua Tp Attoni 45, Consulate General of Sweden and Norway, Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil), 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:-
This invention relates to a photometer for measuring and registering automatically
the intensity of the light of a gas flame, by means of the impress which the emitted
smoke produces on an incombustible surface which is either fixed, or in motion,
according to whether the flame be fixed or in motion.
But in order that our said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a diagram view.
Fig. 2 a part elevation shewing one method of constructing the apparatus and
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 views of modified forms of the cone shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is a complete elevation of the apparatus having the modification shewn in
Fig. 5 applied thereto.
Figs. 7 and 8 are elevation and plan of the same with the outer casing removed.
Referring to the diagram Fig. 1, if a flame A produced by gas, under constant
pressure, be exposed to an inclined surface C given horizontal movement in such a
direction that a line m, n, perpendicular to a line of greater incline o, p, whose level
is always maintained during the motion on or over a vertical liners passing through
the point which the flame produces, that is, through the centre of the flame, the smoke
emitted by the flame must of necessity produce upon the surface in motion a
characteristic impress E, of varying width, whose lower part will be heavier the
slower the movement of the surface C, and which gradually decreases towards the
upper part of the impress. The lower part of this impress will rise or fall, accompanying
the variations of the intensity of light of the flame, according to the greater or less
intensity of light produced; the width of the impress varying also in direct proportion
to the intensity of the light. The lower parts of the impress can be introduced with
exactness by a line, either continuous or interrupted, constituting a diagram which
represents exactly the different variations through which the intensity of the light of
the flame passes, during the movement of the registering surface in front of it. The
line m n represents the relative value of the variations of the intensity of the light of
the flame; so that if this level surface becomes animated by a motion of uniform
velocity, it will serve as a basis to reckon the time that has elapsed since the beginning
of the operation; and the respective orders of the variations will represent the value
of the intensity of light in that space of time, this constituting a complete and exact
register, obtained. automatically by the flame under observation.
One method of constructing the apparatus, upon the principle above described, is
illustrated in Fig. 2, in which 1 is the flame under observation, 2 a cone of
incombustible material, of which 3 is a vertical axis having a uniform rotary motion
imparted to it by the aid of mechanism like that of a watch, or by other similar means.

page_text: A glass case or cylinder 4 surrounds the cone and the flame, so that this latter being
sheltered from all draughts, may burn with a steady light.
Upon the conical surface in motion, the flame 1 will produce the impress to which
we have already referred, thus forming a diagram by which one can determine the
variations of the intensity of the light of the flame; using for this the circle traced
on the cone 1 in any convenient position; measuring the outlines of the flame on
circle 5 in the direction of the gyrations or revolutions of the cone.
The cone 2 which has its surface divided into hours, may be so rotated that a
complete revolution may be obtained once every 24 hours or it may be rotated so
as to make one revolution per week in which case each day's indications would be kept
together.
In the apparatus described, the cone 2 which has a vertical axis may be replaced by
a cone of other form or motion as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 or by a cylinder with an
oblique axis as shewn in Fig. 5.
Figs. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the apparatus with the cylinder mounted obliquely, the
lower end of the axis 3 working in a bearing 5 while the upper end is free to slide
within a slotted portion 6 formed on the arm of the upright 7 which is secured to the
base of the apparatus. In order to vary the angle of the axis 3 we provide the slotted
portion with a sliding block 8 which can be operated from the outside of the apparatus
by a screw 9.
Also by this invention the variations in the intensity of the light of the flame can
also be determined by means of a diagram, furnished by the upper part of the dark
impress, as well as deduced from the various widths of the impress; or by measuring
the lines between the upper and the lower part of the above mentioned impress.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The photometer or apparatus for automatically measuring and registering the
intensity of the light of a gas flame, substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn
in the accompanying drawings.
2. For automatically measuring and registering the intensity of the light of a gas
flame, obtaining an impress on an incombustible surface exposed to a flame of gas,
by means of the smoke emitted by that flame, burning under constant pressure, the
registering surface being in movement, and the flame fixed, or, vice-versa; the impress
furnishing diagrams indicating the variations of the intensity of the light of the
flame, substantially as herein before described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
3. In apparatus for automatically measuring and registering the intensity of the
light of a gas flame, the cone or cylinder of incombustible material having its axis
mounted vertically or obliquely and rotated at a uniform speed, upon which the
impress from the smoke of the flame under observation is made, substantially as
herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
4. Mounting the upper end of the axis of the cylinder 2, which receives the impress
from the smoke of the flame under observation, within the slot 6 on the arm of the
upright 7 in order that the anglo of the cylinder may be varied, substantially as
herein before described and as shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated tus 27th OHV OHIren 1897
Dated us 27th day o
Waren 1897
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincenti Street, Glasgow, Applicants' Agents.
Maren
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincenti Street, Glasgow, Applicants' Agents.