Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 26th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 15th Jan., 1989'
We EDWIN FULLFORD, of London Road, Clapton, and HENRY THEODORE VAN LAUN
of Lancaster Road, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to what are known as regenerative gas lamps, in which air is
supplied to the flame after having been first heated in passing through the lamp. It
has for its object novel methods of construction and arrangement of the parts of the
lamp, by which air is properly supplied to the flame, it is more easily and readily
lighted when required without the risk of explosion of the gas and air in the glass
globe, the burner is kept clean without difficulty, and the entire lamp is cheaper and
more effective in its operation than such lamps as ordinarily heretofore made.
Supposing that our invention is to be applied to a lamp suspended from or under the
ceiling of a room to be lighted, the gas being supplied down a central pipe to a burner
at its lower end contained in a transparent glass globe or hemisphere, and air being
admitted above the flame through a sufficient number of openings or passages in the
side of a tubular chimney surrounding and concentric with a smaller inner air pipe
down the centre of which the gas supply pipe passes; these openings or passages
passing transversely through the space between the chimney and the inner pipe so that
the heated air and products of combustion pass between and round the passages as
they ascend the chimney, the air thus admitted passing down the central air tube and
thence through the spaces between a number of inclined cones or plates to the upper
side of the flame, whilst air is also admitted to the outer or lower side of the flame
through holes in a hollow annular chamber surrounding the chimney, and ordinarily
having its lower side enamelled so that it serves as a reflector for the light, the air
being admitted through holes upon its upper surface to this annular chamber, which
also serves to carry a hinged ring to which the transparent glass hemisphere below the
light is fixed.
In order to supply the air from the central air tube to the upper side of the flame
of the gas as it issues laterally from the central burner, we arrange a series of
horizontal thin circular plates of iron or other suitable material at the bottom of the

page_text: air tube. These plates are arranged parallel but at a short distance apart so as to
leave narrow spaces between them, and they increase in diameter as they rise the
lowest being the smallest and the highest the largest, so that collectively they form a
hollow cone having a series of narrow concentric openings round its inclined sides.
The upper or largest plate is formed upon or connected to the lower end of a tube
which screws into or upon the lower end of the central air tube already described,
and the lowest and smallest fits round the gas pipe just above the burner, preferably
leaving a space between them through which air also passes the lower side of the
plate being somewhat hollowed out so that the air is deflected down upon the flame
close to the burner.
The air passing through the lateral passages in the chimney, down the central air
pipe, and between the plates described, becomes highly heated before it reaches
the flame.
The series of parallel plates may either be formed in one piece connected together
by suitable supports, or it may be composed of separate plates screwed or otherwise
attached together at a suitable distance apart. Instead of the plates and the passages
between them being horizontal they may be curved slightly down at their outer
circumference so as to deflect downward the air passing between them. The novel
method of construction described is very simple, cheap, and effective.
In a modified form, instead of annular openings round the cone, the latter may be
formed in one piece its conical surface having a sufficient number of narrow vertical or
nearly vertical slits through it for the passage of air.
In order to light lamps of the kind described, the gas is first admitted to the burner
and as the chimney is not then hot there is no upward draught through it, and
the gas consequently is liable to pass up into and through the air tube, and when the
lower glass hemisphere is opened and a light applied an explosion of more or less force
takes place, and until the chimney has become thoroughly heated and an upward draught
established (which takes some time) the gas burns imperfectly and without giving
light.
In order to avoid these objections we use a valve by which when desired the supply
of air can be entirely cut off. For this purpose we prefer to arrange and fit inside
the inner air tube already described a concentric tube having openings through it
corresponding in size and position with the transverse openings or passages across the
chimney to the inner air pipe, so that if it be turned partly round the air passages can
be completely opened or closed as desired. We make a lateral opening through the
outer chimney and through the air tube, so that a lever or handle may pass through
it to work the concentric tube or valve, one end of the lever being connected to the
moveable tube or valve and its outer end passing out into a convenient position to be
moved when required for cutting off or admitting the air supply as described.
The passage through which the lever passes between the inner air tube and the
outer chimney is closed in at the top and bottom and sides, with the exception of a
small hole in the bottom, through which the gas rises from the burner and can be
ignited the flame passing down to the burner without explosion, and as the air supply
through the lateral passages is entirely cut off a back draught through the latter is
impossible, and a proper draught up through the chimney is speedily established
without difficulty.
The hole through which the gas is lighted as described may also be provided with
a valve, either separate or connected with the air valve described so that when the air
passages are closed the hole for the gas is open, and vice versa. Or, sometimes instead
of lighting the gas through the hole described we arrange the chimney, or a part of it,
so that it can be slightly raised when desired, the gas being ignited through the
opening thus left.
In some cases we arrange a valve so that not only the air passages can be closed as
described, but also so that the exit to the chimney can also be opened or closed
as desired.
The burner may be of any of the ordinary well known kinds. For instance, it may
consist of a ring of very small holes round the side of a chamber at the lower end of

page_text: the gas supply pipe, in which case we prefer to close the lower end of the chamber,
with a plug having an internal cone the lower edge of which is just below the ring
of holes, so that any small particles of unconsumed carbon accumulating in the angular
space round the cone are blown out through the holes with the gas.
The burner may consist of two parallel horizontal discs adjusted at a slight distance
apart so as to leave a narrow space between them through which the gas issues. In
this case we prefer to fix the lower disc to a central stem the upper end of which is
carried by a cross support in the gas pipe in which it can turn. Below the bottom
disc is a ring or handle by which the lower disc can be raised against the upper one
and turned round when desired, and in this way any carbon deposit is loosened
and the space between the discs can be kept clear and free for the gas to escape.
The annular hinged frame which carries the transparent hemisphere surrounding
the flame may be partly opened for the purpose of lighting the gas. We prefer for
this purpose to arrange a double ended lever upon the part of the lamp against which
the edge of the annular frame closes at the point where it is to be fastened. The
outer end of this lever is provided with a suitably shaped slot or groove in which
works a stud carried by the annular frame, in such manner that when the lever is
depressed the stud and frame are forced down sufficiently to enable a light to be
applied to the gas issuing from the burner, whilst when the lever is raised the annular
frame and glass are closed and held firmly. The inner end of the lever may be
provided with a balance weight.
In order to admit air into the glass hemisphere outside the flame we make the
enamelled annular reflector already described hollow and of somewhat less diameter
than the frame which carries the glass. We make its inner edge (about opposite to
the highest of the conical set of parallel plates first described) inclined so as to be
somewhat conical, and this edge is perforated with a sufficient number of small holes
through which air admitted into the hollow annular reflector through holes in its top,
passes out and impinges against and under the edge of the flame. Air may also be
admitted into the glass through holes in the bottom flange of the frame of the lamp
outside the outer edge of the annular hollow reflector.
By our invention the combustion of the gas is perfect and the light produced very
bright and clear, the lamp is very simple and cheap in construction and effective in
operation, and the lighting is easily and quickly effected without the risk of incon-
venient and dangerous explosion.
The details of construction and the materials used may be varied more or less as
may be found advisable, according to the circumstances under which the improved
lamp is to be used.
Dated this 25th day of January 1888.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We EDWIN FULLFORD of London Road, Clapton, and HENRY THEODORE VAN
LAUN, of Lancaster Road, both in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the
nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to what are well known as regenerative gas lamps, in which
air is supplied to the flame after having been first beated in passing through the
lamp.
It has for its object novel methods of construction and arrangement of the parts of
the lamp by which air is properly supplied to the flame, so that it is more easily and
readily lighted when required without the risk of explosion of the gas and air in the
glass globe, the burner is kept clean without difficulty, and the entire lamp is cheaper
and more effective in its operation than such lamps as ordinarily heretofore made.
In the accompanying drawings our invention is shewn applied to a lamp suspended
from or under the ceiling of a room to be lighted. Figure 1 is a vertical section
through the lamp, figure 2 is an elevation of the same, figure 3 a similar elevation
shewing the lamp open for the purpose of lighting. Figure 4 is a vertical section (upon
a larger scale) through the lower part of the same lamp, figure 5 is a horizontal
section through figure 4. Figure 6 is a modified form of the lamp shewn in figure 4,
and figures 7 and 8 are horizontal sections through the same. Figure 9 is a vertical
section on a larger scale through the burner and the air distributing device, and
figure 11 is a vertical section through a burner of improved form.
The gas is supplied down a central pipe a to a burner bat its lower end contained
in a transparent glass globe or hemisphere c air being admitted above the flame
through a sufficient number of openings or passages d in the side of a tubular
chimney e surrounding and concentric with a smaller inner air pipe f down the centre
of which the gas supply pipe a passes, these openings or passages d passing transversely
through the space between the chimney e and the inner pipe f so that the heated air
and products of combustion pass between and round the passages d as they ascend the
chimney, the air thus admitted passing down the central air tube f and thence through
the spaces between a conical set of plates to the upper side of the flame, whilst air is
also admitted to the outer or lower side of the flame through holes in a hollow annular
chamber h surrounding the chimney e, and ordinarily having its lower side enamelled
so that it serves as a reflector for the light, the air being admitted through holes z¹
uppon its upper surface to this annular chamber, which also serves to carry a
hinged ring w to which the transparent glass hemisphere or bowl c below the light
is fixed.
l
In order to supply the air from the central air tube f to the upper side of the flame
of the gas as it issues laterally from the central burner b, we arrange a series of
horizontal thin circular plates of iron or other suitable material at the bottom of the
air tube f (as shewn on a larger scale in figure 9). These plates are arranged

page_text: parallel but at a short distance apart so as to leave narrow spaces between them, and
they increase in diameter as they rise the lowest being the smallest and the highest
the largest, so that collectively they form a hollow cone having a series of narrow
concentric openings round its inclined sides. The upper or largest plate is formed
upon or connected to a tube or socket which screws into or upon the lower end of the
central air tube falready described, and the lowest and smallest fits round the gas
pipe a just above the burner b, preferably leaving a space between them through
which air also passes the lower side of the plate being somewhat hollowed out (as
shewn in figure 9) so that the air is deflected down upon the flame close to the
burner.
The air passing through the lateral passages d in the chimney e, down the central
air pipe f and between the plates becomes highly heated before it reaches the
flame.
The series of parallel plates may either be formed in one piece connected together
by suitable supports, or it may be composed of separate plates screwed or otherwise
attached together at a suitable distance apart. Instead of the plates and the passages
between them being horizontal they may be curved slightly down at their outer cir-
cumference (as shewn at the left hand side of figure 9 at 1¹) so as to deflect downward
the air passing between them. The novel method of construction described is very
simple, cheap, and effective.
In a modified form, instead of annular openings round the
cone, the latter may be
formed in one piece, its conical surface having a sufficient number of narrow vertical
or nearly vertical slits through it for the passage of air.
In order to light lamps of the kind described, the gas is first admitted to the
burner by means of a cock or valve m and as the chimney is not then hot there is
no upward draught through it, and the gas consequently is liable to pass up into and
through the air tube f, and when the lower glass hemisphere c is opened and a light
applied an explosion of more or less force takes place, and until the chimney has become
thoroughly heated and an upward draught established (which takes some time) the
gas burns imperfectly and without giving proper light.
In order to avoid these objections we use a valve by which when desired the supply of
air can be easily cut off. For this purpose we prefer to arrange and fit inside the inner air
tube (as shewn in figures 6, 7, and 8) a concentric tube n having openings through
it corresponding in size and position with the transverse openings or passages d across
the chimney to the inner air pipe, so that if it be turned partly round the air passages
can be completely opened or closed as desired as shewn in figure 7 and 8 respectively.
We make a lateral opening through the outer chimney and through the air tube, so
that a lever or handle o may pass through it to operate the concentric tube or valve n,
one end of the lever o being connected to the moveable tube or valve n and its outer
end passing out into a convenient position to be moved when required for cutting off
or admitting the air supply as described.
The passage through which the lever passes between the inner air tube and the
outer chimney is closed in at the top and bottom and sides, with the exception of
a small hole in the bottom (as shewn in dotted lines at t) through which the gas
rises from the burner and can be ignited by the aid of the pipe p which is closed
at the top but has a series of lateral openings through which the gas escapes and
carries the flame down to the burner without explosion, and as the air supply
through the lateral passages d is entirely cut off a back draught through the latter is
impossible, and a proper draught up through the chimney is speedily established
without difficulty.
The hole through which the gas is lighted as described may also be provided
with a valve, either separate or connected with the air valve described or with the
lever o as shewn so that when the air passages d are closed the hole for the gas is
open, and vice versa. Or sometimes instead of lighting the gas through the hole
described, we arrange the chimney, or a part of it, so that it can be slightly raised
when desired, the gas being ignited through the opening thus left below it.
This arrangement is shewn in figures 1. 2, 3, 4 and 5, in which the inner air

page_text: tube is shewn fixed to the gas pipe a and
chimney e, together with the external casing
when desired, as shewn in figure 3, until the
into the inner air tube fare closed.
burner b, whilst the outer tube or
which is carried by it can be raised
lateral openings from the passages d
In some cases we arrange a valve so that not only the air passages can be closed as
described, but also so that the exit to the chimney can be opened or closed as desired.
The burner may be of any of the ordinary well known kinds. For instance, it
may consist of a ring of very small holes round the side of a chamber at the
lower end of the gas supply pipe (as shewn in figure 9), in which
we prefer to close the lower end of the chamber with a plug s
as shewn
in figure 11) having an internal cone the lower edge of which is just below
the ring of holes, so that any small particles of unconsumed carbon accumulating
in the angular space round the cone are blown out through the holes with the gas.
case
The burner may consist of two parallel horizontal discs, adjusted at a slight
distance apart so as to leave a narrow space between them through which the
gas issues. Figure 12 represents such an improved burner for use in regenerative
gas lamps.
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, represent detailed views of the parts of the
same, and figure 19 represents a vertical section of a somewhat modified form of
the burner.
In the said figures a¹ represents the gas supply pipe to the burner of a regenerative
gas lamp, b' being the lower end of the pipe through which heated air is supplied to
the burner through and between the plates c¹, c¹, c¹.
it
d' is a tube having a flange el at its lower end, the gas pipe a' being screwed upon
its upper end, and the tube being supported in the air tube by the radial
screws ff. An inner concentric tube g is fitted into the tube d¹, being itself of
smaller diameter but having a narrow flange near its lower end and a similar
flange at its upper end, fitting into the tube d', the lower end of which has an
internal flange of somewhat less diameter inside so that the flange ¹ rests upon
whilst the lower end of the tube g¹ projects slightly below the flange e¹. The flange
has a number of small holes or notches ¹ through it, and represents a number
of small holes through the tube g¹ above the flange ². A cylindrical bar m¹ fits
in the tube g¹, having at its lower end a flange n² corresponding with the flange e¹,
and o¹ is a handle or ring below the flange n¹. The cylinder m¹ is somewhat reduced
in diameter at its lower end and at its upper end is fixed a screwed wire or spindle p¹,
and r¹ is a crossbar or nut screwed upon it and retaining the tube g¹ between the
flange n¹ and the crossbar ×¹, the tube having however a small amount of endlong
movement between them. The wire p¹ extends for a sufficient distance up the gas
pipe a¹ and has a knob or nut s¹ fixed upon its upper end. Gas admitted down a¹
passes down through the notches or holes in the flange into the annular space
between the tubes and g', and thence through the ring of holes in the latter
above the flange into the space between the lower end of the tube g¹ and the
reduced part of the central cylinder m², whence it escapes under the lower projecting
end of the tube g¹ and out between the parallel surfaces of the flanges or discs &¹ and n',
and is then ignited. The whole of the parts fit freely but closely together so that
the surfaces of the discs e¹ and n' always remain exactly parallel, and the flame is
perfect in shape, but at the same time the tube g¹ and the cylinder m' with the flange n¹
are capable of independent rotating movement in the tube d' and also of a certain
extent of independent end movement. If the parts of the burner become clogged or
dirty, the flange n' can be raised or turned against the flange e', and at the same time
the tube g¹, and the cylinder m' are turned round and are moved slightly end ways
independently and all obstructions are rubbed off and removed.
If it be necessary to clean more thoroughly the separate parts of the burner, it
can be unscrewed from the gas pipe a¹ and by unscrewing the nut or crossbar
the tube g¹ can be drawn up out of the tube d¹ and cleaned, and the cylinder m¹
can afterwards be drawn down from the tube g¹ and cleaned, whilst the nut s¹
prevents the different parts from becoming entirely separated and lost.

page_text: In figure 19 the lower flange n' has a central spindle t¹ the upper end of which
is firmly fixed to a crossbar carried at the upper end of a tube v¹ which fits
closely into the tube d'.
By the handle o¹ the disc or flange n¹ can be raised and turned round against the
flange el so as to rub off any dirt or obstructions, while the parallelism of the two
dises is preserved by the guiding tube and spindle t¹ carried by the moveable
disc n. The upper end of the guiding tube is slightly expanded to prevent it
from leaving the tube d¹.
The transparent hemisphere or bowl c surrounding the flame may be partly opened
for the purpose of lighting the gas. We prefer for this purpose to arrange a double
ended lever upon the part of the lamp against which the edge of the annular hinged
frame w closes at the joint where it is to be fastened. The outer end of this lever is
provided with a suitably shaped slot or groove in which works a stud carried by the
annular frame, in such manner that when the lever is depressed the stud and frame are
forced down sufficiently to enable a light to be applied to the gas issuing from the
burner, whilst when the lever is raised the annular frame and glass are closed and held
firmly. The inner end of the lever may be provided with a balance weight.
In figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the hinged frame w is shewn provided with a lever x
connected to the chimney e, so that when the frame is opened to light the gas (as
shewn in figure 3) the chimney e is raised and the air passages d are closed so as to
shut off the air supply until the frame w is again closed.
The weight of the frame w and globe or bowl c may be balanced by that of the
chimney, or a separate balance weight may be used. In figure 3 the frame wis
shewn connected by a chain or wire y with a lever upon the gas cock m, so that when
the globe c is opened as just described, the gas is automatically turned on.
In order to admit air into the glass hemisphere outside the flame we make the
enamelled annular reflector already described hollow and of somewhat less diameter
than the frame which carries the glass. We make its inner edge (about opposite to
the highest of the conical set of parallel plates first described) inclined so as to be
somewhat conical, and this edge is perforated with a sufficient number of small holes z
(figure 4) through which air, admitted into the hollow annular reflector through
holes in its top, passes out and impinges against and under the edge of the flame.
Air may also be admitted into the glass through holes in the bottom flange of the
frame of the lamp outside the outer edge of the annular hollow reflector.
By our invention the combustion of the gas is perfect and the light produced very
bright and clear, the lamp is very simple and cheap in construction and effective in
operation; and the lighting is easily and quickly effected without the risk of incon-
venient and dangerous explosion.
The details of construction and the materials used may be varied more or less as
may be found advisable, according to the circumstances under which the improved
lamp is to be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
:-
1. In regenerative gas lamps, the combination of the gas pipe a and burner b,
transparent globe or bowl c, and chimney e, with the air passages d, partly rotating
tube and handle o to turn the said tube, substantially as set forth and shewn.
2. The combination of the gas pipe a and burner b, transparent globe or bowl c
with the tube f, and rising and falling passages d and chimney e substantially as set
forth and shewn.
3. The combination of the hinged frame w, lever or arm and link, with the rising
and falling air passages d and chimney e, substantially as set forth and shewn.
4. The combination with the tube f and burner b, of the perforated pipe p and
hole t, substantially as set forth and shewn.
5. In regenerative gas lamps, the combination with the burner and air tube f
of the conical set of horizontal parallel plates 1, or l', substantially as set forth and
shown.

page_text: 6. The combination with the gas supply pipe a and burner 6 having a ring of small
holes, of the conical stopper s, substantially as set forth and shewn.
7. In burners for regenerative and other gas lamps, the combination with the gas
supply pipe al of the outer flanged tube d', the inner tube g', flange below the
perforations through the tube, notched or perforated flange i, inner cylinder or
plug m, flange n', handle o¹, and screwed nut or crossbar, substantially as herein
set forth and shewn.
8. The combination with the cylinder or plug m³, and screwed nut or crossbar »,
of the spindle p¹, and nut or stop &¹ substantially as set forth and shewn.
9. In combination with the gas supply pipe a', and flanged tube d', the lower
flange n¹, handle o¹, spindle t¹ crossbar u³, and tube v¹, substantially as set forth and
shewn in figure 19.
Dated this 26th day of November 1888
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.