Improvements in or relating to Electric Gas-lighting and Controlling Devices.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Gas-lighting and Controlling
Devices.
I, JOHN HENRY KERRIDGE, of Waveney Lodge, Beccles, in the County of Suffolk,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to electric gas-lighting and controlling devices and has
for its object to enable the gas to be turned on, ignited and turned off again merely
by suitable control of an electric current.
According to this invention a suitably shaped chamber into which the gas-pipe
leads is arranged preferably in proximity to the burner. A rotary valve in this
chamber is carried by a permanent magnet and combined with an armature in
such a manner that upon excitation of an electro-magnet the valve will be removed
from its seat, rotated and replaced upon its seat again by a spring if necessary,
the supply of gas being thus turned off or on.
The movement of the valve in addition to admitting gas to the main burner
allows of a temporary supply passing to an igniting burner where ignition takes
place owing to the presence of an electrically heated wire coil or other body formed
of platinum or the like. A commutator arranged in the electrical circuit enables
the current through the electro-magnets to be reversed at will, thus enabling a
reversal in the movement of the permanent magnet and gas valve to be obtained.
A convenient way of carrying out the invention is to mount the main burner upon
the top of a cylindrical casing in the upper part of which are arranged the ports
of the gas valve. These may conveniently be three in number, one for the supply
of gas to the main burner, one for admitting gas to the igniting burner, while the
third which is not actually closed by the valve allows of the passage of gas in the
event of failure of the electrical apparatus, the passage through which the gas
passes from this port being controlled by a screw valve or some other device easily
operated from the exterior. A central pin projecting downwards from the upper
surface of the casing serves as a pivot for the rotary valve and permanent magnet,
to the ends of whose arms the valve is conveniently attached. Upon this centrai
pin is also carried a soft iron armature and a coiled or other spring tending to hold
the armature up against the valve and the latter against its seat. An electro
magnet is held conveniently in a stirrup shaped piece so that the coils are located
upon either side of the central pivot pin, the armature being arranged to lie
opposite the poles of the electro magnet and to be there held against rotation, but
free to be attracted when the magnet is excited.
When a current flows through the electro magnet the armature is drawn down
against the action of the coiled spring the valve at the same time dropping off
its seat and rotating owing to the attraction of the poles of the permanent magnet
to the opposite poles of the electro magnet. When the current through the electro
magnet is turned off the coiled spring once more raises the armature and brings the
valve up against its seat. Reversal of the current causes similar action but move-
ment of the valve in the opposite direction.

page_text: The rotary valve is preferably provided with a single opening and allows gas to
pass according as this opening does or does not register with the proper port in
the valve.
The wires for conveying the current to the device are attached to insulated
terminals from which branch wires pass to the igniting coil or like device.
A convenient form of commutator comprises two spring contact pieces held normally
against a common contact piece with a second common contact piece arranged beneath
them. Button pushes are located so that either spring piece may be pressed down
according to the direction in which it is desired that the current should flow. The
pushes may he of different colours or marked or other indications employed to show
which push must be utilised to turn on and ignite or turn off the gas.
It is obvious that other forms of commutator or suitable switching device may be
employed in place of the above described form.
It must be understood that the details of the invention may be varied consider-
ably as required while the invention is applicable to any form of burner whether
for incandescent or ordinary lighting, or for heating or gas engine apparatus
or the like.
Electrical connections for a series of gas controlling and igniting devices such
as above described may be arranged in a variety of ways so that if desired a large
number of lights may be turned on and ignited simultaneously or if it is not
convenient to employ the amount of current necessary for this arrangement the
connections may be combined with suitable switching devices so that the controll-
ing and igniting device of each light may be separately put in connection with the
source of electricity.
Though the controlling device is preferably placed within a chamber through
which the gas passes to the valve, it must be understood that if desired the gas
may be prevented from having access to any part of the device except the valve,
the electrical apparatus being placed in a separate casing. In such an arrange-
ment a flexible diaphragm or other device may be employed to enable the valve to
be electrically operated while obviating risk of leakage of the gas. A packing of
asbestos or the like may conveniently be arranged between the burner and the
casing containing the electrical mechanism, in order to prevent heat from passing
to the latter from the burner.
Dated this 11th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Electric Gas-lighting and Controlling
Devices.
I, JOHN HENRY KERRIDGE, of Waveney Lodge, Beccles, in the County of Suffolk,
Engineer, 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 electric gas-lighting and controlling devices and has
for its object to enable the gas to be turned on, ignited and turned off again merely
by suitable control of an electric current.
According to this invention a suitably shaped chamber into which the gas-pipe
leads is arranged preferably in proximity to the burner. A rotary valve in this
chamber is carried by a permanent magnet and combined with an armature in

page_text: such a manner that upon excitation of an electro-magnet the valve will be removed
from its seat, rotated and replaced upon its seat again by a spring if necessary,
the supply of gas being thus turned off or on.
The movement of the valve in addition to admitting gas to the main burner
allows of a temporary supply passing to an igniting burner where ignition takes
place owing to the presence of an electrically heated wire coil or other body formed
of platinum or the like. A commutator arranged in the electrical circuit enables
the current through the electro-magnets to be reversed at will, thus enabling a
reversal in the movement of the permanent magnet and gas valve to be obtained.
A convenient way of carrying out the invention is to mount the main burner upon
the top of a cylindrical easing in the upper part of which are arranged the ports
of the gas valve. These may conveniently be three in number, one for the supply
of gas to the main burner, one for admitting gas to the igniting burner, while the
third which is not actually closed by the valve allows of the passage of gas in the
event of failure of the electrical apparatus, the passage through which the gas
passes from this port being controlled by a screw valve or some other device easily
operated from the exterior. A central pin projecting downwards from the upper
surface of the casing serves as a pivot for the rotary valve and permanent magnet,
to the ends of whose arms the valve is conveniently attached. Upon this central
pin is also carried a soft iron armature and a coiled or other spring tending to hold
the armature up against the valve and the latter against its seat.
magnet is held conveniently in a stirrup shaped piece so that the coils are located
upon either side of the central pivot pin, the armature being arranged to lie
opposite the poles of the electro magnet and to be there held against rotation, but
free to be attracted when the magnet is excited.
An electro
When a current flows through the electro magnet the armature is drawn down
against the action of the coiled spring the valve at the same time dropping off
its seat and rotating owing to the attraction of the poles of the permanent magnet
to the opposite poles of the electro magnet. When the current through the electro
magnet is turned off the coiled spring once more raises the armature and brings the
valve up against its seat. Reversal of the current causes similar action but move-
ment of the valve in the opposite direction.
The rotary valve is preferably provided with a single opening and allows gas to
pass according as this opening does or does not register with the proper port in
the valve.
The wires for conveying the current to the device are attached to insulated
terminals from which branch wires pass to the igniting coil or like device.
Any well known form of commutator may be used, a convenient construction
however is that which comprises two spring contact pieces held normally against
a common contact piece with a second common contact piece arranged beneath
them. Button pushes are located so that either spring piece may be pressed down
according to the direction in which it is desired that the current should flow. The
pushes may be of different colours or maked or other indications employed to show
which push must be utilised to turn on and ignite or turn off the gas.
It is obvious that other forms of commutatur or suitable switching device may be
employed in place of the above described form.
It must be understood that the details of the invention may be varied consider-
ably as required while the invention is applicable to any form of burner whether
for incandescent or ordinary lighting, or for heating apparatus or for gas engine
pilot flames or the like.
Electrical connections for a series of gas controlling and igniting devices such
as above described may be arranged in a variety of ways so that if desired a large
number of lights may be turned on and ignited simultaneously or if it is not
convenient to employ the amount of current necessary for this arrangement the
connections may be combined with suitable switching devices so that the controll-
ing and igniting device of each light may be separately put in connection with the
source of electricity.

page_text: Though the controlling device is pferably placed within a chamber through
which the gas passes to the valve, it must be understood that it desired the gas
may be prevented from having access to any part of the device except the valve,
the clectrical apparatus being placed in a separate casing. In such an anana
ment a flexible diaphragm or other device may be employed to enable the valve to
be electrically operated while obviating risk of leakage of the gas. A packing of
asbestos or the like may conveniently be arranged between the burner and the
casing containing the electrical mechanism, in order to prevent heat from passing
to the latter from the burner.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure is an elevation partly in section of the complete gas lighting and con-
trolling device, the permanent magnet and valve being shown in the positions
cccupied by them when the gas is turned off.
Figure is a plan of the complete device.
Figure 3 is a central vertical section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, part of the
letrical apparatus being in elevation, the permanent magnet and valve being
shown in the positions occupied by them when gas is being admitted to the burner.
Figure is a plan partly in section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3, and with the
top of the casing partly broken away.
Figure is a vertical section through the base piece on the line 5 5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a vertical section through the base piece on the line 6-6 of Figure 2,
that is to say at right angles to the plane of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an underside view of the base piece.
Figure 8 is an underside view of the top of the casing enclosing the mechanism,
with the latter removed,
Figure 9 is an elevation of the permanent magnet and the valve disc carried by it.
Figure 10 is a plan of the same.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The burner A, which may be of any desired construction, is mounted upon a
base piece B attached to a flanged disc or plate C which carries the controlling
machanism, and screws on to a casing D so as to enclose this mechanism. The
gas normally fills the casing D, which it enters from a gas pipe screwed into the
base of the casing at D'. The base piece B in addition to the burner carries a
tube E for a bye-pass flame, which can be ignited by means of an electrical igniter
consisting of a coil of fine platinum wire F. The latter is carried on the ends of
wires which pass through a block of insulating material G on the tube E to
two binding screws .H. The electrical igniter is enclosed in a light tubular
casing G¹ in order to protect it from damage, an opening G2 in this casing admitting
the necessary air to the bye-pass flame.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, in the base piece B, and running
from the underside in a vertical direction, are bored three holes, one of which B
passes centrally straight through from the bottom to the top of the base piece. A
groove 132 cut from the lower end of the passage B makes a communication with
the latter from a point out of the centre of the underside of the base piece. A
second hole or passage 133 runs nearly to the top of the base piece, and there com-
municates by a horizontal cross passage B+ (the end of which is closed by a plug B³)
with the passage B¹. A third hole B runs but a short way vertically and then
opens into a horizontal passage 137 plugged by a screw plug 18 (Fig. 1). The bye-
pass tube E is screwed into a hole which opens into the passage B. A cock B
controls the passage B', which is provided for the purpose of enabling the burner
to be used in the event of the electrical controlling apparatus failing or being
temporarily inoperative, thus the cock 139 is normally maintained closed. The
passage B opens into the passage B3 above the cock 139 thus enabling gas to pass
through B3 B and the upper part of B¹ to the burner A independently of the
cock Bº.
Upon the underside of the flanged disc or plate C, which forms the top of the
casing D, is mounted a disc C¹ (Fig. 8). Through the disc C¹ and plate Care bored

page_text: three holes C2 C3 C4, and round each of these holes is formed a slightly raised and
carefully ground seating C, upon which a valve disc to be hereafter described rests.
A short groove C is cut in the disc C from the hole C, for a purpose which will be
hereafter apparent.
The holes CCC are preferably disposed at equal distances from and about the
centre of the plate C, upon which the base piece B is mounted, and the latter is
secured by screws B10 to the plate C in such a way that the end of the groove B³
coincides with the hole C², the passage B3 coincides with the hole C³, and the
passage B6 coincides with the hole C. In order to bring about this coincidence,
a short groove or channel may be cut in the underside of the base piece B from
either of the holes 133 or B, such a short groove being shown as cut from the
passage B³.
It will thus be seen that gas can pass to the main burner A through
the hole C and passages B and B into the upper part of the passage B₁, and
through the hole C and passages B6 and B7 to the bye-pass tube E; while when the
cock 1 is open the gas can also pass to the main burner A through the hole C³,
groove 12 and passage B¹.
To the underside of the disc (' is attached by screws J'a metal stirrup or loop J,
which supports and has attached to it the limbs K K¹ of an electro magnet. (Figs. 1
and 3).
Projecting downwardly from the centre of the disc C¹ is a pin L, the free end of
which is screw threaded for the reception of a flat nut L. Pivotally carried upon
the pin L is a valve dise M and beneath it a light armature N. The valve disc M
is attached to the poles of a permanent magnet () so as to form a bridge between
these poles (Figs. 9 and 10). The armature N carries at its centre a sleeve N¹
which provides a long bearing for the armature upon the pin L, and prevents it
from having any motion out of the line of the axis of the pin. The armature is
of sufficient length to enable its ends to lie over the poles of the electro magnet K K¹,
one of these poles carrying a pin K2 which engages with a hole in one end of the
armature so as to prevent the latter from rotating on its pivot. Thus the only
motion which the armature can have upon the pin L is along the axis of this pin.
The permanent magnet ( is so arranged within the field of the electro magnet K K
that upon excitation of the latter the poles of the permanent magnet will be caused
to approach the poles of the electro magnet, that is to say the permanent magnet U
and valve disc M will swing round upon the pin L according to the direction in
which the current is sent through the electro magnet. The armature N is placed
upon the pin L beneath the valve disc M, and around the sleeve N' and bearing
at one end against the nut L¹ on the end of the pin L, and at the other against the
underside of the armature N is a coiled spring Q, which constantly presses the
armature N in an upward direction. Since the valve dise M rests at its underside
upon the central boss N2 of the armature, the valve is also constantly pressed by
the action of the spring Q up against the valve seats C on the disc C. The boss N
of the armature N is slightly rounded where the valve M bears upon it, so as to
enable the latter to turn easily. Upon the underside about the centre of the
bottom portion of the "U" formed by the permanent magnet (), is formed a conical
indentation O, in which lies the conical point of a screw J which projects upwardly
from the centre of the loop 1.
With the above described construction, it will be seen that upon excitation of
the magnet KK, the armature N will be drawn downwards against the action of
the spring Q, and consequently the valve disc M will fall by gravity off the seat-
ings (, the extent of this fall being limited by adjustment of the screw J².
According to the direction in which the current is flowing through the magnet K K¹,
so will the permanent magnet () and dise M move round the pivot pin L.
The valve disc M (Figs. 9 & 10) is provided with a central hole for the passage
of the pin L, and a port M², which is situated at such a distance from the centre
that on rotation of the valve disc it can be caused to register with the hole C³ in
the disc C (Fig. 8).
The electro magnet K K¹ is connected up to some source of electricity either in

page_text: parallel or in set with the platinum coil F, a commutator being arranged in
iicient so that the direction of the current can be reversed when desired.
In order to make a good joint between the base piece B and the plate (, and
also to prevent heat from passing from the burner A to the mechanism within the
casing D, a layer of asbestos R or other insulating packing is inserted between the
base piece and the plate C. Similar packing is also placed between the bosses of
the binding screws H and the plate C.
--
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
Assuming the gas to be turned off, the parts will be in the position shown in
Fig. 1, that is to say the port M2 in the valve disc M does not register with the
passage B, and the valve being held up against the st ratings no gas can pass
either to the main or bye-pass burners. It the commutator in the electrical circuit
is so operated as to send a current through the cheiro magnet K K' in the required
direction, the armature N is drawn down against the action of the spring Q. This
allows the valve M to fall by gravity off the seatings (when it is rotated by the
mutual attraction of the poles of the permanent magnet 0 to the opposite poles of
the dectro magnet Kh. The valve M is now in such a position that the port M²
registers with the passage B. Direedy the electic magnet is excited, the
dise M falls of the valve seats C, gas passes from the interior of the casing 1 to
both the main burner A and also to the bye-pass burner E, the gas traversing the
passages B B and the upper part of the Bi to the main burner, and the passages B6
and B' to the bye-pass burner. Simultaneously, owing to the coils F being included
in the electrical circuit, this coil is heated sufficiently to ignite the gas issuing
from the bye-pass burner E, the small flame thus produced in turn igniting the
gas issuing from the main burner A.
So long as the current is allowed to pass through the electro magnet K K' the
valve disc M remains off the seatings C and gas continues to pass to both the main
burner and the bye-pass burner, but as soon as the current is shut off the
armature N is released, and together with the valve M, is raised by the action of the
spring Q, these parts assuming their normal positions. The return of the valve M
on to the seatings C at once shuts off the supply of gas to the bye-pass burner E,
which is consequently extinguished; but by reason of the registration of the port M²
with the passage B3 gas continues to pass to the main burner A.
When it is required to extinguish the light the commutator is operated so as to
send a current through the electro magnet K K¹ in a direction opposite to that when
it was required to turn on and light the gas. Upon excitation of the magnet K K¹,
the armature N is drawn down, when the valve M immediately falling off its seat,
is rotated so as to bring the port M2 out of registration with the passage B. (n
shutting off the current the armature N is released, and together with the valve M
is raised by the spring Q, the valve M being again brought on to its seat, thereby
cutting off the supply of gas to the main burner.
In describing the disc C, affixed to the underside of the plate C, reference was
made to a groove C which is cut through the seating C³, around the hole C². It will
be seen that owing to this groove C gas can always pass through the casing D
through the hole C into the groove B, and so into the lower end of the passage B¹
in the base piece B, whether the valve disc M is resting on the seating C or not.
The object of this arrangement is to allow of the burner being used in the event
of accident to or temporary break down of the electrical operating apparatus.
Under these circumstances, it is only necessary to turn the cock B, when gas
is
able to pass freely from within the casing D to the burner by way of the groove C6,
hole C, groove B2 and passage B¹.
The plate C is constructed to screw on to the top of the casing D, so as to form
a gas tight joint. With this arrangement by merely unscrewing the plate C, access
may be had to the mechanism for repairs, since all the parts are attached to the
plate C. Conveniently a cock is arranged in the gas pipe below the casing D, so
that gas may be shut off when it is desired to open the casing.

page_text: Suitable binding screws for the connection of the battery wires may be placed
in some convenient position.
It is to be understood that the arrangement of the mechanism may be varied to
suit requirements, if it is desired to arrange the burner in some other manner than
that shown in the accompanying drawings.
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. In a gas burner the combination with a main burner and a bye-pass burner
of a rotary valve disc such as M and electrical apparatus by means of which the
valve is taken off its seat, rotated and allowed to return to its seat substantially as
and for the purpose described.
2. In a gas burner the combination with a main burner and a bye-pass burner
of an electrically operated rotary valve disc such as M for controlling the supply
of gas to both the burners.
3. In a bye-pass gas burner electro magnetic mechanism by which a valve is
moved endwise upon a spindle and also rotated for the purpose described.
4. In a gas burner the combination with main and bye-pass burners and electri-
cally operated valve mechanism of a bye-pass passage to the burner controlled by
a cock or valve accessible from the exterior for the purpose of enabling the gas to
be controlled in the event of failure of the electrical mechanism.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete apparatus
for the electrical control of gas substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 1,
2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a gas burner the combination with main and bye-pass burners and electri-
cally operated valve mechanism of a base piece B substantially as described and
illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th-day of October 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.