IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER OIL AND SPIRIT LAMPS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Harper, of Clerkenwell, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
TO OTHER OIL AND SPIRIT LAMPS."
Sealed the 3rd October 1873, and dated the 4th April 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert Harper
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th April 1878.
I, JOHN ROBERT HARPER, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
GAS LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
TO OTHER OIL AND SPIRIT LAMPS," to be as follows:-
The first part of these improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
has for its object the combination and application of a current of air with
the jet of ignited gas or vapour as it issues from the oil or spirit vessel and
jet pipe of such apparatus. For this purpose the jet pipe is surrounded by
or enclosed within another pipe open at each end (or otherwise arranged
for the passage of a current of air through it) so that when the jet of

page_text: gas or vapour is ignited a strong current of air is caused to enter the
pipe behind the jet of ignited gas, with which it combines before it
issues from the other end of the pipe or burner, thereby increasing the
intensity of the flame so produced. The jet of air and gas may be con-
ducted and directed by the tube to the part to which the heat is to be
applied. Or the gas jet may be directed through the flame of a lamp
and thence through an air tube carried by the apparatus to direct the
flame as required.
By reason of the above-described arrangement the flame of an
auxiliary lamp through which the gas jet has heretofore been passed
(for the purpose of igniting such jet) can be dispensed with. The force
and intensity of the combined current of air and ignited gases passing
through the tube affords the requisite heat for the purposes to which
such blow-pipe apparatus is applicable. Great economy is obtained by
the use of the above described arrangement of apparatus.
According to another part of my improvements I construct gas blow-
pipe apparatus with an additional jet pipe or pipes, so that when the
pressure within the oil or spirit vessel (by the application of heat
thereto) is sufficient to generate vapour or gas to supply the additional
jet or jets the apparatus is rendered self-acting by means of such addi-
tional jet or jets of ignited gas being employed to evaporate and maintain
the pressure in the oil or spirit vessel in place of the auxiliary lamp
heretofore employed for this purpose. If desired the blow-pipe jet may
be directed through the flame of the additional jet or jets previously
described for applying heat to the oil or spirit vessel and through an air
tube combined with the apparatus.
According to another part of my improvements in gas blow-pipe
apparatus I surround the oil or spirit vessel with a water or steam
jacket to which heat is applied, the heat of the steam being the means
employed for transmitting heat to the oil or spirit vessel for pro-
ducing the gas which supplies the jet or jets of the blow-pipe appa-
ratus. The pressure of the steam in the jacket is regulated by a safety
valve, and according to the pressure of the steam so may the heat
transmitted through the steam jacket or boiler to the oil or spirit vessel
be regulated.
· Another part of my improvements in gas blow-pipe apparatus relates
to the arrangement and construction of the safety valves of such appa-

page_text: ratus. In place of allowing the gas or vapour as it escapes from the
safety valve to pass away into the atmosphere as heretofore, I surround
the safety valve with a case or cover to receive the gas or vapour when
it escapes through the safety valve and conduct it by means of a pipe
to the jet tube or burner where it is consumed in combination with the
gas from the jet and current of air combined as previously described.
In accordance with another part of my improvements I construct the
oil or spirit vessel of gas blow pipe apparatus with a chamber or passage
through which the gas jet and safety valve tubes are conducted in order
to afford ready access thereto, and to the gas cocks and apparatus by
which more complete control is obtained over the apparatus than when
such parts are arranged below the oil or spirit vessel as heretofore.
According to another part of my improvements I enclose gas blow-
pipe apparatus when out of use in a central chamber formed within an
annular chambered oil or spirit can or vessel, containing a supply of
benzoline, paraffine, or other cheap oil or spirit, thereby rendering the
apparatus more convenient and portable for carrying from place to place
as required. The handle of the can or vessel is hinged or otherwise con-
nected so that it can be readily moved out of the way for the intro-
duction or removal of the gas blow-pipe apparatus from the central
chamber when required.
When auxiliary lamps are employed with gas lamp blow-pipe appa-
ratus according to my improvements, I employ a benzoline, paraffine, or
other similar lamp in place of spirits of wine, as heretofore employed for
this purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Robert Harper in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th October 1878.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
O ROBERT HARPER, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the

page_text: thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Robert Harper, Her special license
that I, the said John Robert Harper, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Robert Harper, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LAMP
BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABRE TO OTHER
OIL OR SPIRIT LAMPS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Robert Harper, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Robert Harper, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the 3
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
The first part of these improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
has for its object the combination and application of a current of air
with the jet of ignited gas or vapour as it issues from the oil or spirit 2
vessel and jet pipe of such apparatus.
And in order that my improvements may be clearly understood and
readily carried into practice I will proceed to describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed, which show several views of gas blow-pipe apparatus,
arranged and constructed in accordance with my present improve- 3
ments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews a vertical section of gas blow-pipe apparatus in which
the jet pipe a¹ is surrounded by or enclosed within another pipe A open
at each end (or otherwise arranged for the passage of a current of air 3
through it), so that when the jet of gas or vapour is ignited a strong
current of air is induced and caused to enter the pipe A behind the jet

page_text: of ignited gas with which it combines before it issues from the other end
of the pipe or burner A, thereby increasing the intensity of the flame so
produced, and effecting a great saving in the cost of working such
apparatus. The jet of air and gas may be conducted and directed by
the tube A to the part to which the heat is to be applied by means of an
adjustable tube or tubes A¹ as shewn in red lines, the end of the pipe
being bent in the direction required. The jet pipe a¹ may also, if
desired, be elongated as shown. Or the gas jet may be directed through
the flame of a lamp and thence through an air tube A carried by the
apparatus to direct the flame as required, and shewn in Figure 2,
Sheet 2, of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
By reason of the above-described improved arrangement the flame of
an auxiliary lamp through which the gas jet has heretofore been passed
(for the purpose of igniting such jet) can be dispensed with. The force
and intensity of the combined current of air and ignited gases passing
through the tube affords the requisite heat for the purposes to which
such blow-pipe apparatus is applicable. Great economy is obtained by
the use of the above-described arrangement of apparatus.
Figures 3 shews two views of a mouth piece or burner A³ for spreading
the flame of the gas jet as it issues from the jet and air pipe A over a
considerable surface when required. The mouth piece A* may be flat,
as indicated by the dotted red line, or curved, as shown.
According to another part of my improvements I construct gas blow-
pipe apparatus with an additional jet pipe (or pipes) B, so that when
the pressure within the oil or spirit vessel (by the application of heat
thereto, as herein-after described) is sufficient to generate vapor or gas
to supply the additional jet or jets, the apparatus is rendered self-acting
by means of such additional jet or jets B of ignited gas being employed
to evaporate and maintain the pressure in the oil or spirit vessel in place
of the auxiliary lamp heretofore employed for this purpose; 9 is a small
benzoline, or other similar lamp, for the purpose of generating a supply
of gas at starting to the jet or jets previously described.
If desired the blow-pipe jet a¹ may be directed through the flame of
the additional jet or jets B previously described, for applying heat to the
oil or spirit vessel, and through an air tube combined with the apparatus,
which arrangement I have not considered it necessary to shew in the

page_text: Drawing, as it can be readily understood from the above description
thereof.
According to another part of my improvements in gas blow-pipe
apparatus I surround the oil or spirit vessel a with a water or steam
jacket C, as shewn at Figure 4, to which heat is applied either by means
of a lamp or by a gas jet, as previously described, the heat of the water
or steam being the means employed for transmitting heat to the oil or
spirit vessel for producing the gas which supplies the jet or jets of the
blow-pipe apparatus. The pressure of the steam in the jacket is
regulated by a safety valve a*, and according to the pressure of the steam
so may the heat transmitted through the water or steam jacket C or
boiler to the oil or spirit vessel a be regulated.
Another part of my improvements in gas blow-pipe apparatus relates
to the arrangement and construction of the safety valves of such appa-
ratus. In place of allowing the gas or vapour as it escapes from the safety
valve D to pass away into the atmosphere as heretofore, I surround the
safety valve with a case or cover D¹ to receive the gas or vapour when
it escapes through the safety valve D, and conduct it by means of a
pipe D to the jet, tube, or burner D³, where it is consumed in com-
bination with the gas from the jet and current of air combined, as
previously described.
In accordance with another part of my improvements I construct the
oil or spirit vessel of gas blow-pipe apparatus with a chamber or
passage E through which the gas jet and safety valves tube are
conducted in order to afford ready access and protection thereto, and to
the gas cocks and apparatus by which more complete control is obtained
over the apparatus than when such parts are arranged below the oil or
spirit vessel as heretofore.
According to another part of my improvements I enclose gas blow-
pipe apparatus when out of use in a central chamber formed within an
annular chambered oil or spirit can or vessel F (as shewn by Figures 5
and 6, Sheet 1 of the Drawings) containing a supply of benzoline,
paraffine, or other cheap oil or spirit, thereby rendering the apparatus
more convenient and portable for carrying from place to place, as
required. The handle F¹ of the can or vessel F is hinged or otherwise
connected, so that it can be readily moved out of the way for the

page_text: introduction or removal of the gas blow-pipe apparatus from the central
chamber, when required.
When the auxiliary lamps are employed with gas lamp blow-pipe
apparatus according to my improvements I employ a benzoline,
paraffine, or other similar lamp in place of spirits of wine, as heretofore
employed for this purpose.
Figure 6 shews a front elevation of gas blow-pipe apparatus having
a benzoline lamp applied thereto, and constructed in accordance with
this part of my improvements, in which G is the auxiliary lamp, suitably
constructed for burning benzoline, paraffine, or other similar oil or
spirit, in place of spirits of wine, as heretofore practised. The tube or
burner G contains a wick of asbestos, and is perforated with several
small holes near the top, so adjusted that the jet flame from the
burner a combines with the flame of the lamp to produce the jet
flame required.
Having thus described the nature of my improvements, and the
manner of performing or carrying the same into practice, I would
remark that I do not intend to confine myself to the exact details
herein-before described, so long as the main features of my Invention
are retained, but what I claim is,--
First. The combination and application of a current of air with the
jet of ignited gas or vapour as it issues from the oil or spirit vessel of
gas blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described and represented in Figures 1 and 7 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Secondly. I claim the arrangement and application of an additional
jet pipe or pipes B to gas blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as and for
the purposes herein-before described and shewn in Figure 1 of the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Thirdly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of gas
blow-pipe apparatus by the application thereto of a water or steam
jacket for transmitting heat to the oil or spirit vessel of such apparatus,
substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and shewn
in Figure 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fourthly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of the
safety valves of gas blow-pipe apparatus, substantially in the manner

page_text: and for the purposes herein-before described and shewn in reference to
Figure 1 of the Drawing hereunto annexed.
Fifthly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of gas
blow-pipe apparatus by forming a chamber or passage through the oil
or spirit vessel through which the gas jet and safety valve tubes are 5
conducted, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described and shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Sixthly. I claim the improved arrangement and combination of gas
blow-pipe apparatus with an oil or spirit can or vessel formed with a 1
central chamber or opening, substantially as and for the purposes
herein-before described and shewn in Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Seventhly. I claim the use and application of lamps suitable for
burning benzoline, paraffine, or other similar oil or spirit in combination 1
with gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes
herein-before described and shewn in Figures 1 and 6 of the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Lastly. I claim the improved general arrangement and construction
of gas blow-pipe apparatus, substantially in the manner and for the 2
purposes herein-before described and shewn with reference to Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, the said parties to these presents have here-
unto set their hands and seals, this Fourth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy- 2
three
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
JOHN ROBERT HARPER. (L.S.)
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
W.C.