IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC IGNITING APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC IGNITING
APPARATUS communicated to him from abroad by Eduard Witte, of Vienna,
Austria-Hungary
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ELECTRIC IGNITING APPARATUS," a communication to me from abroad
by Eduard Witte, of Vienna, Austria-Hungary,
The improved igniting apparatus consists of a new kind of electrophore con-
structed as follows: A metallic disc of about 100 millimetres diameter is lined at
the under face with cloth or flannel. The cover to be placed on this disc, that is
to say the electrophore proper, consists of a disc of vulcanite of about 80 millimetres
diameter the upper face of which is covered with a thin metallic plate, provided in
the centre with a hole of about 30 millimetres diameter. In the centre of the
vulcanite disc and consequently insulated from the metal is screwed a metal column
of about 90 millimetres length and of a few millimetres thickness, and provided at
the top with a knob made of hard vulcanite. Close below the knob and in electric
contact with the metal column is a radial wire of about 30 millimetres length
extending between two sleeves screwed side by side into the vulcanite disc and
which are in contact with the metallic covering of the same.
Each of these two sleeves or metal tubes serves to receive another metal tube
filled with blotting paper. The longer one of the two tubes introduced into the
sleeves, is closed at the upper end and provided at its side with a small hole, about
15 millimetres below the upper end and facing the other tube.
The filling of blotting paper of the longer tube hereinafter called the flashing
tube reaches as far as the hole in its side.

page_text: The second tube hereinafter called the wick tube is open at both ends, and
through the upper end protrudes a small piece of wick. This wick is on a level
with the lateral hole of the flashing tube, and situated at the same height is also
the radial wire mentioned above and which extends between the two tubes,
dividing the space of 5 to 6 millimetres between these latter into two equal parts.
The function of the apparatus is as follows: The flashing tube is immersed for a
few seconds into sulphide of carbon (thio-alcohol) and the wick tube for the same
period into benzine after which both tubes are placed in their respective sleeves.
The metallic disc is now placed in one hand and the electrophore in the other hand
and the latter rubbed on the cloth lined face of the former, after which the
electrophore is placed on the metallic disc.
If now the electrophore is removed by means of the handle, that is to say the
vulcanite knob at the upper end of the metal column, a spark is produced which
passes from the radial wire into the lateral hole of the flashing tube and there
ignites the thio-alcohol. The flame produced in this manner flashes out of this
bole and reaches the wick opposite which is instantaneously ignited. Once the
apparatus is charged it may serve to produce a light in this manner for a number
of times, free from danger. The thio-alcohol here only serves as an intermediate
link, being easier ignited than the benzine, its purpose being about the same as
that of the phosphorous in the match.
To prevent the gases of the two liquids from evaporating, when the apparatus is
not used, the tubes containing these liquids are covered with a metal cap which is
removed when the apparatus is to be used.
'
f
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Patent Office on the 30th May
1884.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ELECTRIC IGNITING APPARATUS," a communication to me from abroad by
Eduard Witte, of Vienna, Austria-Hungary,
This invention relates to micro-electric igniting apparatus and is based on the
fact that thio-alcohol ignites at a temperature of 173° Celsius and that the smallest
electric spark is therefore sufficient to ignite the same.
The accompanying drawing represents an apparatus embodying the invention.
The apparatus is arranged as follows:
GG is a disc made of vulcanite or resin and forming an electrophore, placed
horizontally on the metallic disc U, lined at the under side with cloth or flannel T,
and serving to electrify the under side of the disc G. H is a metallic sleeve or
tube serving as a handle screwed fast in the centre of the disc G. M is a metallic
disc fixed to the upper side of the disc G and provided with a concentric aperture
the inner flange of which is at a sufficient distance from the tube H to insulate the
latter from the disc M.

page_text: The metal disc M supports a second tube S, the lower end of which is fixed to
the disc M. The tube S encloses another tube S¹ the lower end of which is open,
while the upper end is closed. This tube S¹ is filled with blotting paper F.
Parallel to the tube S¹ there is a third tube B, which also encloses an adjustable
tube, B', provided at the upper end with a small aperture serving to hold a small
wick d fed from the sleeve B which is also filled with blotting paper. Near the
upper end the tube S' is provided with a hole b facing the wick of the tube B¹
while a metallic arm a of the handle H reaches between the wick and the hole b.
The apparatus is operated as follows:
The tube S' is removed and immersed for a few seconds into thio-alcohol or
similar inflammable substance and the tube B' is immersed for the same period
into benzine, after which both tubes are replaced into their respective tubes B
and S. By rubbing the electrophore on the cloth-lined disc T, the electrophore is
charged and the apparatus made ready for use. To prevent the evaporation of the
liquids absorbed by the blotting paper F, the tubes S¹ and B are closed by metal
caps K (see fig II).
For producing a flame, the caps are removed and the electrophore G lifted off the
disc U by means of the handle H, in consequence of which a spark is produced
which passes from the radial arm a into the hole b of the tube S¹ and ignites the
thio-alcohol or similar inflammable substance contained in the same. The flame
produced in this manner flashes out of the hole-b and ignites the wick d of the
lease R1
CLAIM
An electrophore G of vulcanite or resin placed on the metal plate U and provided
with a handle and with sleeves or tubes containing blotting paper impregnated
with inflammable liquid for the purpose of causing the ignition of such liquid by
the electric spark, substantially as described.
In Witness whereof I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 30th day of May A.D. 1884.