IMPROVEMENTS IN PETROLEUM LAMPS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel, Lamp Manufacturer, of Berlin,
in the Empire of Germany, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PETROLEUM
LAMPS."
Sealed the 11th November 1879, and dated the 12th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th May 1879.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM WESSEL, Lamp Manufacturer, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PETROLEUM LAMPS."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of petroleum lamp fitted
with a circular burner having a flat wick which is conducted laterally from the
burner into the reservoir, whereby the light is thrown unobstructed directly upon
any object below at the same time that the air passage is so constructed as to be
capable of being lengthened to any desired degree.
The body of the lamp is made open at the top to allow of its being filled with
petroleum and of the wick being placed therein, and is fitted with an adjustable lid
which screws on and off as required. Such body is supported by a suitable base,
while the wick is conveyed to the burner through a curved connecting lateral
passage.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 shews a sectional view of such burner,
of which a and b indicate portions of the ordinary component parts of the burner,
while a novel feature therein is c, which is the air passage terminating in a basin
screwed on at d for the purpose of receiving any overflow of the petroleum. The
air is admitted into the tube c through the apertures e, whence its access to the
flame is effected.
The wick is actuated by means of a toothed wheel g in the prolongation of the
curved conducting passage k, l, extending from the burner, as indicated in Figure 2.
On the upper side of such conducting passage are placed two small rollers i, h,
which facilitate the forward movement of the wick and counteract or regulate its
tendency to crease in consequence of its curved position. The cotton wick which
is extremely pliant, being flat at the beginning ends in a perfectly cylindrical form
owing to the peculiar way in which it is conducted to the burner.

page_text: Figure 3 shews a section of the wick and its position in the burner, also the
toothed wheel g, which is completely enclosed in a suitable metal case although
placed considerably above the level of the fluid in the lamp.
In outer appearance the burner resembles the so called cosmos burner and its
fretted case is made so as to screw off.
The advantages chiefly derived from my Invention are:-1. The construction of
⚫ a convenient working lamp with circular burner and flat wick. 2. The improved
combustion and more cylindrical flame owing to the greater length of the air
4. The great
passage. 3. The very convenient mode of filling the reservoir.
facility afforded for varying the form of the lamp, thus producing a great variety
of graceful shapes, which has hitherto been impracticable owing to the burner
having invariably to be placed above the reservoir. And, lastly. My Invention
admits of an easy construction of lamps with movable brackets.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
November 1879.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM WESSEL, Lamp Manufacturer, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN PETROLEUM LAMPS."
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of petroleum
lamps, whereby the smallest possible degree of shade is cast beneath the lamp.
To carry out such improvements the lamp is fitted with a circular burner so
constructed as to carry a flat wick, an advantage which it has hitherto been
impracticable to attain. Such flat wick is conducted sideways from the circular
burner into the reservoir, thus not only allowing the light to be thrown unobstructed
upon any object immediately beneath it, but also permitting the air passage to be
extended to any length without hindrance or difficulty.
The following are some of the principal advantages derived from my Invention :-
1. The construction of a convenient working lamp having a circular burner
provided with a flat wick.
2. The obtaining of more perfect combustion, together with a more cylindrical
flame, owing to the greater length of the air passage.
3. The very convenient mode of filling the reservoir presently mentioned.
4. The great facility afforded for varying the form of the lamp, thus producing a
great variety of graceful shapes, which has hitherto been impracticable owing to
the burner having invariably to be placed above the reservoir. And, lastly. The
facility afforded for the construction of lamps with movable brackets, as the
adaptation of my Invention is limited only with respect to suspended lamps.
With regard to its novelty it is to be observed that my claim to the Patent
extends only to the application of my Invention to lamps having circular burners,
as I am aware that the principle of the side conduction of flat and solid wicks is
already well known, but the application of such system to circular burners, i.e., to
burners with interior air draft is entirely novel.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 represents a view in side elevation of a
lamp constructed on my improved principle, but omitting the cylinder and globe.
The body of such lamp contains the petroleum and the wick, the latter being
conveyed to the burner by means of a curved connecting part or conduit at the side
of the burner, while the body of the lamp is supported by a base of sufficient
weight and is filled through a suitable opening at the top (indicated at m) after
removing the lid, which screws on and off as required. The shape or form of the
lamp may be varied according to requirements.
Figure 2 shews a sectional view of the burner, wherein a and b are the component
parts of the so called Kosmos burner as now in use, the novel feature therein being
the air passage c terminating in an adjustable basin screwed on at d for the purpose
of receiving any overflow of the petroleum. The air is admitted into the tube c
through the apertures c, whence its access to the flame is effected.
The wick is raised or lowered by means of a toothed wheel 7 placed in the
prolongation of the curved conducting passage or conduit k, l, extending from the
burner, as indicated in Figures 2 and 4. On the upper side of such conduit are
placed two small rollers i, h, which facilitate the forward movement of the wick
and counteract or regulate its tendency to crease in consequence of its curved
position. The cotton wick, which is extremely pliant, is flat at its commencement,
but ends in a perfectly cylindrical form owing to the peculiar way in which it is
conducted to the burner.
Figure 3 shews a section of the wick and its position in the burner; also the
toothed wheel g, which is completely enclosed in a suitable metal case although
placed considerably above the level of the fluid in the lamp.

page_text: In outer appearance the burner resembles the so called Kosmos burner, and its
fretted case is made so as to screw on and off as desired.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that what I claim and
desire to secure by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1°. The improved method of constructing a petroleum lamp provided with a
circular burner fitted with a flat wick conducted through a lateral passage or
conduit to the reservoir of the lamp together with the improved mechanism for
effecting the same, all substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before
described and illustrated.
2°. The improved construction of the circular burner, whereby the internal air
passage is prolonged to any convenient length, thus allowing of its being fitted
with a flat wick adjusted at a convenient distance from the petroleum, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Friedrich Wilhelm Wessel, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM WESSEL. (L.S.)