Improvements in Gas Lamps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Gas Lamps.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM COWAN, of 21 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, in the County of
York, Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to gas lamps or lanterns such as are commercially known as
"arc gas lamps," in which a burner or burners is or are used which may be
Argand burners or flat-flame burners or other form of burners but which are
preferably incandescent gas burners of the Welsbach type. Lamps of this description
as at present made are liable to the flames being blown out as they are not wind
proof and not being rain proof water gets inside when the glass is in a heated
condition and causes it to be fractured. Moreover air currents gaining admission to
the lamp cause the mantles to oscillate and be damaged.
Further the separate and complicated bye-pass tubes or feeds to the pilot lights
hitherto employed especially, where two or more burners are used cause objectionable
shadows and these tubes or feeds being exposed to the elements and to the heated
products of combustion corrode and deteriorate and often crack during expansion,
and necessitate skilled attention.
as-
There are three forms of the well known Welsbach burners commercially known
The "C" burner without pilot light.
The No. 12 A" burner with "switch" pilot light.
The "C" burner with bye-pass cock and pilot light.
The object of my invention is to provide a self contained wind and rain proci
shadowless gas lamp of high illuminating power with provision for feeding the pilot
lights without extraneous or exposed bye-pass tubes, the said lamp being economical
in use, simple to manage, not requiring any expensive accessories or skilled attention
and being especially adapted for use with any of the before mentioned Welsbach
burners.
The lamps constructed according to my invention have preferably the well known
incandescent gas burners of the Welsbach type arranged around a central gas chamber
so that the flames appear to coalesce when say three or more are used and form one
beautiful incandescent body.
The gas chamber is fed by means of a central gas tube which is so arranged that it
carries both the storm case and the glass shade or frame. The glass shade may be
spherical or oval or of other preferred shape, provided with a straight shoulder at the
mouth and when desired may be designed to cast a vertical beam of light downwards
by shaping the lower outer surface in prismoidal zones. Glass shades having lip
fittings instead of a shoulder may be used in which case the bottom opening may be
dispensed with, except when it is desired to have a gas cock at the lower extremity of
the lamp for turning the gas on to, and off from, the lights.
The same central gas way when "C" burners without pilot lights are used conveys
gas to a micrometer bye pass which allows of the nicest adjustment of gas through
it to the pilot light attached. The gas chamber can also be provided with a
screw down valve which I prefer to be swivelled. By this means I secure a lamp
with a gas valve at its lower part for turning the gas on or off.

page_text: Attached to the gas chamber is a flanged collar for supporting the glass shade when
formed with a bottom opening. This flanged collar may be screwed or fitted in other
suitable way for example by means of an ordinary bayonet joint. When lamps are
intended for situations requiring a controlling cock outside and on top of the lamp I
construct the lamp with an internal bye-pass tube, or duct fixed concentrically in
the central gas way which feeds the before-mentioned micrometer pilot light
bye-pass.
By doing away with the bayonet joint or its equivalent at the lower extremity of
the gas chamber it is obvious the central gas way and its accessories may be entirely
surrounded by a lip fitting glass shade without an opening at the bottom, it being
attached to the lamp case in any suitable way for example by means of ordinary
thumb screws as usual.
The "No. 12 A" incandescent gas burner with switch pilot light can be equally
well employed in both of the foregoing arrangements by simply forming a suitable
spigot to the micrometer bye-pass.
When "C" burners with bye-pass cocks and pilot lights are used, 1 arrange a
sliding tube or sleeve outside the central gas way which is caused to rise or descend
by actuating a lever placed outside the top of the lamp, the opening through which
the actuating lever moves may be protected by a bell if desired. At the lower end
of this sliding tube or sleeve I fix arms, levers, cams, pawls or the like which engage
the plugs of the burner cocks so that when this sliding tube is raised or lowered by
actuating the outside lever all the burner cocks are opened and shut simultaneously.
I thus secure a lamp with pilot light burners which does not require a controlling gus
cock, bye-pass cock, or separate pilot light tubes.
The actuating lever may be arranged at the bottom of the lamp instead of at the
top. Instead of employing an outside lever to actuate the sliding tube for the up and
down motion I may use other mechanical devices such for instance as a cam action, an
eccentric motion, or a rack and wheel movement for giving the necessary movement
for opening and shutting the burner cocks within the lamp.
When say five or more burners are used in a lamp I may place them in a ring or
cluster and do away with the ordinary burner chimneys and substitute one suitable
glass or tale cylinder arranged to surround all the burners in the lamp, and supported
on an adjustable support attached to the central gas way or to the sliding tube
surrounding the central gas way. By this means I reduce the risk of breakage both
of glass chimneys and mantles.
The base of the storm case is provided with suitable ports for admission of air
to support combustion, arranged so as to be protected by the outer annular
reflector and to keep the upper portion of the glass shade comparatively cool. The
heated products of combustion are caused to travel upwards and then downwards
before making their escape out of the annular space or outlet provided in the storm or
weather case of the lamp.
The storm case may carry the outer annular reflector and when necessary I
may provide a wire protector for surrounding the glass shades; which protector
may be suspended to the screw eyes used for holding the reflector in position.
I do not limit myself to any precise form of either the storm case or glass shades,
nor to any particular way of securing them in position.
By a slight modification, and by placing an ordinary ventilating shaft above the
lamp it will act efficiently as a ventilating gas lamp.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1896
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: Improvements in Gas Lamps.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM COWAN, of 21 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, in the County of
York, Manager, 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 stateinent :---
My invention relates to gas lamps or lanterns such as are commercially known as
"arc gas lamps" in which a burner or burners is or are used which may be Argand
burners or flat flame burners or other form of burners but which are preferably
incandescent gas burners of the Welsbach type.
It is well known to gas engineers and others that many lamps of this description as
at present made are liable to the flames being blown out as they are not wind proof
and not being rain proof water gets inside when the glass is in a heated condition and
causes it to be fractured. Moreover air currents gaining admission to the lamp cause
the mantles to oscillate and be damaged. Further the separate and complicated
bye-pass tubes or feeds to the pilot lights hitherto employed especially where two or
more burners are used, cause objectionable shadows and these tubes or feeds being
exposed to the elements and to the heated products of combustion corrode and
deteriorate and often crack during expansion, and necessitate skilled attention.
There are three forms of the well-known Welsbach burners commercially
known as:-
The "C"burner without pilot light.
The No. 12 A" burner with "switch pilot light."
The "("burner with bye-pass cock and pilot light.
The object of my invention is to provide a self contained wind and rain proof
shadowless gas lamp of high illuminating power with provision for feeding the pilot
lights without extraneous or exposed bye-pass tubes, the said lamp being economical
in use, simple to manage, not requiring any expensive accessories or skilled attention,
and being especially adapted for use with any of the before mentioned Welsbach
burners.
The lamps constructed according to my invention have preferably the well-known
incandescent gas turners of the Welsbach type, arranged around a central gas chunber
so that the flames appear to coalesce when say three or more are used and form one
beautiful incandescent body.
The gas chamber is fed by means of a central gas tube, which is so arranged that
it carries both the storm case and the glass shade or frame. The glass shade may be
spherical or oval or of other preferred shape, provided with a straight shoulder at the
mouth, and when desired may be designed to cast a vertical beam of light downwards
by shaping the lower outer surface in prismoidal zones.
Glass shades having lip fittings instead of a shoulder may be used, in which case
the bottom opening may be dispensed with, except when it is desired to have a gas
cock at the lower extremity of the lamp for turning the gas on to and off from the
lights.
The same central gas way, when "C" burners with pilot lights are used, convays
gas to a micrometer bye-pass which allows of the nicest adjustment of gas through it
to the pilot light attached. The gas chamber can also be provided with a screw down
valve which I prefer to be swivelled. By this means I secure a lamp with a gas valve
at its lower part for turning the gas on or off. Attached to the gas chamber is a
flanged collar for supporting the glass shade when formed with a bottom opening.
This flanged collar may be screwed or fitted in other suitable way for example by
means of an ordinary bayonet joint.

page_text: When lamps are intended for situations requiring a controlling cock outside and on
top of the lamp, I construct the lamp with an internal bye-pass tube, or duct fixed
concentrically in the central gas-way which feeds the before-mentioned micrometer
pilot light bye-pass. By doing away with the bayonet joint or its equivalent at the
lower extremity of gas chamber it is obvious the central gas-way and its accessories
may be entirely surrounded by a lip fitting glass shade without an opening at the
bottom, it being attached to the lamp case in any suitable way for example by means
of ordinary thumb screws as usual.
The "No. 12 A" incandescent gas burner with switch pilot light can be equally well
employed in both of the foregoing arrangements by simply forming a suitable spigot
to the micrometer bye-pass.
When "C" burners without bye-pass cocks and pilot lights are used, I arrange a
sliding tube or sleeve outside the central gas-way which is caused to rise or descend
by actuating a lever placed outside the top of the lamp. The opening through which
the actuating lever moves may be protected by a bell if desired.
At the lower end of
this sliding tube or sleeve I fix arms, levers, cams, pawls or the like which engage the
plugs of the burner cocks so that when this sliding tube is raised or lowered by
actuating the outside lever all the burner cocks are opened and shut simultaneously.
I thus secure a lamp with pilot light burners which does not require a controlling
gas cock, bye-pass cock, or separate pilot light tubes.
The actuating lever may be arranged at the bottom of the lamp instead of at the
top. Instead of employing an outside lever to actuate the sliding tube for the up and
down motion I may use other mechanical devices, such for instance as a cam action
and eccentric motion, or a rack and wheel movement for giving the necessary
movement for opening and shutting the burner cocks within the lamp.
The base of the storm case is provided with suitable ports for admission of air to
support combustion, arranged so as to be protected by the outer annular reflector and
to keep the upper portion of the glass shade comparatively cool. The heated products
of combustion are caused to travel upwards and then downwards before making their
escape out of the annular space or outlet provided in the storm or weather case of the
lamp. The storm case may carry the outer annular reflector and when necessary I
may provide a wire protector for surrounding the glass shades, which protector may
be suspended to the screw eyes used for holding the reflector in position.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in vertical section partly in
elevation a gas lamp or lantern constructed according to my invention having an
arrangement of micrometer screws for regulating the passage of gas to the pilot
lights, and Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 1-2 Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 shewing a modified arrangement of the gas
passages and micrometer screws for regulating the flow of gas to the pilot lights.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of a gas lamp or lantern shewing an arrangement of
levers or arms on a sliding tube for opening and closing the gas cocks, Figure 5 is a
horizontal section on the line 3-4 Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a vertical section at
right angles to Figure 4 of a portion of the sliding tube and guides therefor.
Figure 7 is an elevation partly in section of a gas lamp or lantern similar to that
shewn in Figure 3 but having a glass globe or shade with closed bottom and
supported by screws engaging a lip formed on the upper end of the said globe.
Gas is conducted to the burners A of the lamp or lantern by a central tube B
which also carries or supports the storm case C and the glass globe or shade D.
The tube B communicates with a chamber B2 provided with lateral passages b
leading to the gas burners A. The glass globe may be spherical as shewn in
Figures 1, 3 and 7 or of oval shape as shewn in Figure 4 or of any other desired
form. In the arrangement illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 3 the globe D is provided
at top or mouth with a straight vertical neck or collar D2 and at the bottom with an
opening through which passes the fitting a by which the support for the globe is
connected to the gas chamber B. To the upper end of the central tube or gas
passage is screwed a socket for the reception of the gas service pipe the lamp case C
being also screwed onto the upper end of the central tube B and also to hanging

page_text: bars E and E. The gas chamber B has a depending tubular passage 6 forming &
continuation of the central gas tube B the lower end of the tubular passage b
constituting a seating for a valve F (Fig. 1) the stem of which valve is screw
threaded and engages in a corresponding thread provided in the lower end or
extension of the gas chamber, which projects through the opening in the bottom of
the glass globe D and is provided with a stuffing box through which the stem of the
valve passes. The stem of the valve is provided with a detachable handle f by means
of which the valve F can be turned to open and close the passage for gas into the
chamber B. The flanged fitting a by which the glass globe D is supported may be
connected to the gas chamber B by bayonet joint connections or by screwing as
shewn in Figure 1 openings a being provided in the flange of the fitting for the
admission of air to the interior of the globe. In Figure 1 I have shewn three
burners A arranged round the central gas tube 1 but if desired only two, or more
than three, burners may be provided. These burners are screwed into the lateral
passages in the vertical sides of the gas chamber B' and communicate with the
interior thereof so that when the valve F is lowered off its seating gas will enter the
chamber B and pass thence through the lateral passages to the burners. Each
burner is provided with a pilot jet c, carried by branch tubes screwed into and
radiating from the central gas tube B the gas passing from the central tube through
these branch tubes to the pilot jets. Each branch tube c is provided with a
micrometer screw valve by which the amounts of gas admitted to the pilot jets can
be adjusted as desired.
The case C of the lamp or lantern carries an annular reflector G outside the glass
shade D and also a reflector G situated inside the said shade.
Air to support.
combustion enters beneath the reflector G and passes thence through perforations d
in a rim or vertical neck d' attached to the inside reflector G and through perfora-
tions e in the said reflector to the interior of the glass globe as shewn by the arrows.
The heated products of combustion from the burners pass up a chimney H into which
the glass chimneys of the several burners project, a baffle plate I carried on the
central gas tube B being provided in the chimney H to distribute the heated products
as they pass up the said chimney. The products of combustion pass out at the top of
the chimney H and descend outside and into the atmosphere as shewn by arrows the
passage for the escape of the products being protected from gusts of wind by deflecting
plates K and rim K¹.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figure 3 the gas cock for regulating the passage
of gas to the burners is situated above the lamp or lantern the plug F of the cock
being provided with a two armed lever I to the ends of which are suspended chains M
by means of which the lever may be operated from below to open and close the gas
cock. In the central gas passage or tube B is a tuhe N communicating at its upper
end with a bye-pass N and at its lower end with a chamber B from which radiate
tubular passages leading to the several pilot jets the said gas passages being each
provided with a micrometer screw valve as in the previously described lamp for
governing the flow of gas to the pilot jets.
When the central tube N is required to be comparatively large, or when the gas.
passages B and N are made of different metals, subject to unequal expansions and
contraction the central tube N is preferably made to project through the bottom of
the chamber B a sufficient distance into the chamber B3 as shewn in Figure 3^
to permit of a suitable washer 6 being fitted thereon so as to form a self closing
valve, which will allow of free expansion of the inner tube N and prevent gas
escaping from the chamber B' to the chamber B2 and thence to the burners during
the contraction of the tubes B and N.
The washer 6 may be held in position by a spring 6 as shewn or by other
suitable means. The glass globe is supported at the bottom by a flanged fitting a
provided with a bayonet slotted socket by which it is attached to a projection from the
casting containing the gas chamber B³.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figures 4, 5 and 6, the central gas tube or

page_text: passage B is surrounded by an outer sliding tube or sleeve O which is connected by
an arm or link P to a lever L situated outside and above the lamp. The link P ís
connected to the upper end of the sliding tube or sleeve O by rods R passing through
holes in the baffle plate I so that by operating the lever L the sliding tube can be
raised and lowered on the central gas tube or passage B the rods R serving to
guide the sleeve in its movement. The lower end of this sliding tube or sleeve
carries arms or tappets S the ends of which are slotted and engage crank arms T,
on the plugs of the gas cocks, so that by raising and lowering the sleeve or sliding
tube the gas cocks can be opened or closed as desired. To prevent rain from
entering the lamp by the hole U in the lamp case through which the arm or link P
passes, the said hole is surrounded by a tube Us which enters a cap or bell V carried
by the lever L. The lamp illustrated by Figure 7 is similar to that shewn in
Figure 3 but fitted with a glass globe D which is closed at the bottom and provided
at the top or mouth with an expanded lip g with which screws h are caused to
engage to hold the globe in position, the said globe being further supported by wire
netting i surrounding the globe D and suspended from the lamp case.
When several burners are used in a lamp they may be placed in a ring or cluster
and the ordinary burner chimneys be dispensed with and substituted by one suitable
glass or tale cylinder arranged to surround all the burners in the lamp, and supported
on an adjustable support attached to the central gas way, or to the sliding tube
surrounding the central gas way. By this means I reduce the risk of breakage both
of globe chimneys and mantles.
I do not limit myself to any precise form of either the storm case or glass shades
nor to any particular way of securing them in position.
By a slight modification and by placing an ordinary ventilating shaft above the
lamp it will act efficiently as a ventilating gas lamp.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a gas lamp or lantern, a central gas tube or passage communicating with a
chamber provided with lateral passages leading to two or more burners, a storm
case and glass shade or globe carried by the central gas tube and provided with
inlets for air to the interior of the lamp to support combustion, and outlets for the
heated products of combustion the said inlets and outlets being provided with hoods
or shields to prevent the entrance of rain and gusts of wind to the interior of the
lamp substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a gas lamp or lantern of the kind hereinbefore referred to a central tube
or passage for gas to the burners, a storm case and glass globe or shade supported
by the said central tube a gas valve situated inside the globe or case and means for
operating the valve from the exterior of the lamp; passages leading from the central
gas tube to pilot jets in proximity to the main burners, the said passages being
provided with micrometer screw valves for regulating the passage of gas to the
pilot jets substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In a gas lamp or lantern of the kind herein before referred to, a central gas
tube or passage communicating with the burners; a storm case and glass globe or
shade supported by the said central tube, and a bye-pass tube or passage in the
interior of the central gas tube for supplying gas to pilot jets arranged in close
proximity to the main burners, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In a gas lamp or lantern of the kind hereinbefore referred to a central gas
tube or passage for gas to the burners; a storm case and glass globe or shade
supported by the said tube, a tube or sleeve fitted to slide on the said central tube
and provided with arms or projections engaging the plugs of gas cocks situated
inside the globe or case and means for operating the sliding tube so as to open
and close the gas cocks from the exterior of the lamp substantially as hereinbefore
described.

page_text: 5. The combinations and arrangements of parts constituting the improved gas
lamps or lanterns substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of January 1897.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.