IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OP SUCH IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO OTHER SPIRIT LAMPS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Harper, of Clerkenwell, in tho
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OP SUCH IMPROVEMENTS
APPLICABLE TO OTHER SPIRIT LAMPS."
BEING
Sealed the 29th April 1873, and dated the 1st November 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert Harper
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 1st November 1872.
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 IMPROVE-
MENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER SPIRIT LAMPS," to be as follows:-
Heretofore spirits of wine, alcohol, or mythylated spirits only have
been found suitable for producing the gas jets of gas lamp blow-pipe
apparatus; and the first part of my improvements consists in so con-

page_text: structing and regulating the aperture or apertures of the jet pipe or
burner as to admit of benzoline, paraffine, naptha, or other analogous
oils or spirits being employed for generating gas under pressure in the
oil or spirit vessels of such gas blow-pipe apparatus, by which a great
saving is effected. Now I have discovered that when benzoline,
naptha, paraffine, hydrocarbons, and other analogous oils or spirits are
employed for the above purpose, that they require to escape from the jet
pipe orifices in the form of gas at a greater pressure, and con-
sequently at a higher temperature than the gas generated from spirits
of wine or mythylated spirit, and the orifice or orifices of the jet pipe 1
or burner require to be reduced in proportion to the size of the
apparatus.
In order to determine the correct proportions of the jet orifices of
such apparatus in accordance with my improvements, I first construct
the apparatus suitable for burning spirits of wine or mythylated
spirits as heretofore, and I then reduce the jet orifices to such an
extent as to render them suitable (by testing from time to time as
required) for burning benzoline, paraffine, naptha, or other analogous
oils or spirits.
Another part of my improvements consists in applying two or more:
jet pipes to such apparatus, and also in attaching or connecting the jet
pipes to the oil or spirit vessel of gas blow-pipe apparatus by means of
a gas union joint or otherwise, so that they can be detached when
required for cleaning or repair; such jet pipes having hitherto been
soldered or permanently fixed to the spirit vessel.
Another part of my Invention relates to the application of an
improved arrangement or construction of safety valve to the oil or
spirit vessels of gas blow-pipe apparatus. For this purpose in place
of the valve and its seat being conical as heretofore, the valve is a
simple disc resting upon a flat seat forming the inner portion of the
screw plug which closes the passage used for introducing the oil or
spirit into the gas generating vessel.
The pressure of the valve is regulated either by a spring or weight,
and is protected by the rim or casing of the screw plug.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved construction of
-the wick tubes or holders of spirit or spirituous oil lamps of every

page_text: description for the purpose of preventing the transmission of heat from
the flame to the oil or spirit in the reservoir. This I accomplish by
forming an air chamber acting as a non-conductor of heat between the
wick tube or holder and the part or passage of the reservoir into which
it is screwed or inserted; the transmission of heat by radiation being
also intercepted by an air space formed between the mouth of the wick
tube and a funnel-shaped collar, which serves as a funnel to pour the
oil or spirit into the reservoir.
A washer of wood, felt, or other non-conductor is also inserted
between the wick tube or holder and the passage into the reservoir,
so as to preserve a minimum of contact between the two.
Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
consists in securing the spirit lamp in the case or frame below the
oil or spirit vessel in which the gas is generated by means of a
self-acting locking apparatus, which holds the lamp firmly in position
until it is released to allow of its being withdrawn from the apparatus
by the depression of a spring or lever, or other suitable mechanical
contrivance combined therewith.
Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
consists in so arranging the vessel in which the gas is generated and the.
flame of the spirit or other lamp or lamps through which the jet or jets
of gas is or are directed, that the flame of the jet or jets may impinge
and act upon a horizontal or inclined surface placed either above
or below the apparatus; whereas such apparatus has hitherto only
been arranged suitable for projecting or directing a horizontal jet
or flame against a vertical or nearly vertical surface at right angles
thereto.
Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
consists in arranging and mounting a series of two or more of such
separate gas lamp apparatus in a case or frame for the purpose of
directing a number of gas jets upon an extensive surface to be acted
upon thereby.

page_text: 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 1st May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
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 First day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN GAS LAMP BLOW-PIPE APPARATUS, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS
BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER SPIRIT LAMPS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Robert Harper, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
-
Heretofore spirits of wine, alcohol, or mythylated spirits only have
been found suitable for producing the gas jets of gas lamp blow-pipe
apparatus of the description shown in section at Figure 1 of the
Drawing hereunto annexed; and the first part of my improvements

page_text: consists in so constructing and regulating the aperture or apertures of
the jet pipe or burner a³ (whatever position it may be placed in) as to
admit of benzoline, paraffine, naptha, or other analogous oils or spirits
being employed for generating gas under pressure in the oil or spirit
vessels a of such gas blow-pipe apparatus. Now I have discovered that
when benzoline, naptha, paraffine, hydrocarbons, and other analogous
oils or spirits are employed for the above purpose, that they require to
escape from the jet pipe orifices a³, Figure 3, in the form of gas at a
greater pressure and consequently at a higher temperature than the gas
generated from spirits of wine or mythylated spirit; and the orifice or
orifices as of the jet pipe or burner a¹ require to be reduced in proportion
to the size of the apparatus, by which means a great saving is effected
by the use of such oils or spirits.
In order to determine the correct proportions of the jet orifices a³ of
such apparatus in accordance with my improvements, I first construct
the apparatus suitable for burning spirits of wine or mythylated
spirits as heretofore; and I then reduce the jet orifices to such an
extent as to render them suitable (by testing from time to time as
required) for burning benzoline, paraffine, naptha, or other analogous
oils or spirits.
Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the jet orifices a³, a³, which.
I prefer to form by flattening or partially closing the end of the jet.
pipe a, by which the orifices a³ can be readily reduced to the size
required to suit the oil or spirit to be consumed. In some cases the
passages between the orifices a³ are left slightly open in order to produce
a sheet of flame.
Another part of my improvements consists in applying two or more.
jet pipes a¹ to such apparatus as shown by the under side view of the
oil vessel a, at Figure 2; and also in attaching or connecting the jet
pipes a¹ to the oil or spirit vessel a of the gas blow-pipe apparatus by.
means of a gas union joint a³, as shown, or otherwise, so that they can
be readily detached when required for cleaning or repair.
Figure 4 shows a separate view of the union joint a³, full size,
the construction of which will be readily understood by examining
the Drawing.

page_text: Another part of my Invention relates to the application of an
improved arrangement or construction of safety valve to the oil or
spirit vessels of gas blow-pipe apparatus. For this purpose, in place
of the valve and its seat being conical as heretofore, my improved
construction of valve consists of a simple disc a resting upon a flat
seat, as shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawing, the seat of the valve
being enclosed within the inner portion of the screw plug a³ which
closes the passage used for introducing the oil or spirit into the gas
generating vessel.
Another part of my Invention relates to the application of an
improved arrangement or construction of safety valve to the oil or
spirit vessels of gas blow-pipe apparatus. For this purpose, in place
of the valve and its seat being conical as heretofore, my improved
construction of valve consists of a simple disc a resting upon a flat
seat, as shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawing, the seat of the valve
being enclosed within the inner portion of the screw plug a³ which
closes the passage used for introducing the oil or spirit into the gas
generating vessel.
A ring (or washer) of lead a* or other soft metal is formed or placed
under the rim of the screw plug að to form a tight joint when the plug
is screwed down.
The pressure of the valve a' is regulated either by a spiral spring as
shown, or by a weight, and is protected by the projecting rim or casing
of the screw plug.
Another part of my Invention relates to an improved construction of
the wick tubes or holders of spirit lamps, for the purpose of preventing
the transmission of heat from the flame to the oil or spirit contained in
the reservoir b, as shown in Figures 1 and 5 of the Drawing. This I
accomplish by forming an air chamber 6¹ (to act as a non-conductor of
heat) between the wick tube or holder 62 and the part or passage b³ of
the reservoir b, into which it is screwed or inserted, the transmission
of heat by radiation being also intercepted by an air space b* formed
between the mouth of the wick tube 63 and the funnel shaped
collar b³, which serves as a funnel to pour the oil or spirit into
the reservoir b.
.
A washer of wood or felt 6º (or other non-conductor of heat is also
inserted between the wick tube or holder 6' and the passage into the
reservoir, so as to preserve a minimum of contact between the two.
Two wick tubes 63 are shown as applied to the reservoir b, the flame
of one being employed for generating vapour in the vessel a, and the
other for igniting the jet of gas as it escapes from the jet orifice a*.
6* is a jet pipe for conducting any vapour which may be generated
in the reservoir / to the iet flame of the lamp to be consumed

page_text: Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
shown in Figures 1 and 6 of the Drawing, consists in securing the
oil or spirit lamp b in the case or frame c below the oil or spirit
vessel a in which the gas is generated, by means of a self-acting
spring c or other suitable locking apparatus, which holds the lamps 6
firmly in position until it is released to allow of its being withdrawn
from the apparatus.
In the arrangement shown the lamp is released so as to be withdrawn
by the depression of the locking spring c¹ fixed on the base plate of the
case c, as shown, or a lever or other suitable mechanism may be com-
bined with the case c for this purpose.
Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
consists in so arranging the jet pipe of the vessel a in which the
gas is generated, and the flame of the spirit lamp or lamps through
which the jet or jets of gas is or are directed, that the flame of the jet
or jets may impinge and act upon a horizontal or inclined surface
placed either above or below the apparatus; whereas such apparatus has
hitherto only been arranged suitable for projecting or directing a
horizontal jet or flame against a vertical or nearly vertical surface at
right angles thereto. For this purpose I form the jet pipe with a union
joint as, constructed as shown at Figure 7, so that it can be elevated or
depressed to suit the position of the surface to be acted upon, the wick
tube of the lamp 6 being elongated so as to place it in the desired
position for the gas jet to be directed through it. Or a separate lamp
for the jet flame may be employed.
Another part of my improvements in gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus
consists in arranging and mounting a series of two or more of such
separate apparatus in a case or frame, for the purpose of directing a
number of gas jets upon the surface to be acted upon thereby.
Figure 8 shows a metal frame suitable for being suspended over the
side of an iron ship, the frame being formed with a series of com-
partments d, d, in each of which gas blow-pipe apparatus a is placed
and arranged, so as to direct a series of flames on to the surface of
a ship's side or other surface to cleanse or operate therein, as may be
required.

page_text: I would remark that my improvements are applicable to oil and
spirit lamps employed for heating, cooking, and various other
purposes.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing or carrying the same into practice, I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details herein
described, but what I claim is,―
First. The construction of the jet pipe orifice of gas lamp blow-pipe
apparatus, substantially as herein-before described, so as to render such
apparatus suitable for burning benzoline, paraffine, naptha, hydro-
carbons, or other analogous oils or spirits, in place of burning alcohol
or mythylated spirits, as heretofore in such apparatus.
Secondly. I claim the application of two or more jet pipes a¹ to gas
lamp blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as herein-before described and
shown in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
I also claim the attaching or connecting of the jet pipe or
pipes a¹ to the oil or spirit vessel a, by means of a gas union joint,
substantially as herein-before described and shown in the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Thirdly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of
the safety valves of gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as
herein-before described and shown in Figure 1 of the Drawing here-
unto annexed.
Fourthly. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of
the wick tubes or holders of spirit lamps, substantially as herein-before
described and shown in reference to Figures 1 and 5 of the Drawings
'hereunto annexed.
Fifthly. I claim the application of a self-acting locking spring or
equivalent apparatus for securing the lamp 6 in position on the case c
of gas lamp blow-pipe apparatus, substantially as herein-before described
and shown in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Sixthly. I claim the arrangement of the jet pipe or pipes a¹ of gas
lamp blow-pipe apparatus with a union or universal joint a³, so as
to direct the jet or jets of flame on to a horizontal or inclined surface,

page_text: substantially as herein-before described and shown in the Drawing
hereunto annexed.
Seventhly. I claim the combination of a series of separate gas
lamp blow-pipe apparatus a¹ arranged in a cage or frame, so. as to
operate therewith upon an extensive surface, substantially as herein-
before described and shown by Figure 8 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Lastly. I claim the improved arrangement and combination of gas
lamp blow-pipe apparatus, substantially, as herein-before described.
and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6, of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Robert Harper, have hereunto_
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
JOHN ROBERT HARPER. (L.S.)
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
34, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.