A METHOD OR METHODS OF MORE COMPLEATLY LIGHTING CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES
Year: 1813

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, the
Right Honorable Sir THOMAS COCHRANE, Knight of the most Honorable
Order of the Bath, and commonly called Lord Cochrane, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by
His Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, and
bearing date at Westminster, the Third day of March, in the fifty-third year
of His reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Sir Thomas Cochrane,
commonly called Lord Cochrane, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, His special
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, during the term of fourteen
years from the date thereof, by myself or themselves, or by mine or their
deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such others as I or they should at
at any time agree with, and no others, to make, use, exercise, and vend,
within that part of Great Britain and Ireland called England, the Dominion
of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "A METHOD
OR METHODS OF MORE COMPLEATLY LIGHTING CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES," in
such manner as to me, the said Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called Lord
Cochrane, my exors, adññors, or assigns, shall in mine or their discretion seem
mect, but subject, nevertheless, to a proviso or condition contained in tho
said Letters Patent that if I, the said Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly

page_text: called Lord Cochrane, should not particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the same to
be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, that
then the same Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever
thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become void.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso or condition,
1, the said Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called Lord Cochrane, do hereby
declare that my said Invention, and the nature thereof, consists of or com-
prehends divers improvements for increasing the intensity of light in various
particulars, and the adaptation of general principles, by means not hitherto
practised or understood.
The mode of accomplishing the objects to which my said Invention will
extend, and of best effectuating the said improvements, will be rendered most
apparent and more clearly understood by contrasting the principles and com-
paring the construction of the present street lamps with the lamps proposed
to be formed and used according to the principles of my said Invention, and the
adaptation of such improvements as aforesaid, and by explaining their respective
defects and advantages (that is to say):-
OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRESENT STREET LAMP.
There is a blown glass case to prevent the flame from being agitated or
extinguished, which is cylindrical for about two thirds of its length, and
globular at the bottom. These globes or cases vary in size according to fancy,
or to suit the situation in which they are placed, as in streets, on roads,
and on bridges, &c. In diameter they usually are from 9 to 14 inches and
upwards. They are from 9 to about 14 inches in depth. The top cover of such
globe or lamp is formed of tin, in shape like a cone, having a rim at its base
which boots or fits on a deep-edged tin suspending ring. This cone rises from
3 to 4 inches above the level of the rim, on the apex of which there is an
aperture of about three inches diameter, whercon is fixed a pipe about four
inches long, terminated by a small indented cover having apertures beneath,
and sometimes there are holes also in the sides of this pipe, or in the upper
part of the cone. The oil holders and their burners are of various shapes,
some are circular and about three inches in diameter, having two round
burners; others are oval, being about four inches long by 2 broad, and having
a long projecting snout. These are uniformly suspended by crooked wires,
which hook on a transverse wire in the upper part of the glass globe or case.

page_text: 1
OF THE DEFECTS OF THE PRESENT STREET LAMPS.
There is no proper entrance for atmospheric air, or any aperture exclusively.
for the exit of the consumed air. The efforts of the heated and consumed air
to escape upwards, and of the cooler atmospheric air to descend into the globe,
being opposite, the progress of both is impeded, and the pure air mixing with
the consumed air becomes immediately contaminated, whereby a great
proportion of the oil is thrown off in the state of smoke, tinging the flame
of a dusky brown, which smoke, if combined with more oxygen,, would
afford light instead of lamp black. The inside of the top cover being often
painted of a dark colour, and invariably covered with sooty matter, absorbs as
many rays of light nearly as now fall beneficially on the ground. The top
cover, whether in rain, hail, sleet, or snow, is removed three times every day,
and those mixing with the fuliginous matter, render the glass very unfit for the
transmission of light. The oil holder being unsteady, shallow, and open, the
lamp is frequently broken by its motion, common oil freezes in it during the
winter, and during the process of trimming the oil is often spilt on the ground
and within the lamp. If the wick is cut long the air is very rapidly con-
sumed, and the globe is filled with smoke, but the light is thereby little
increased; and it is obvious that that light becomes more and more languid as
the oil recedes from the flame, until its rays cease even to mark the shadow
of the oil holder. And the lamplighter's torch, being always thrust into the
lamp, by its smoke and the oil which it spills in an inverted position, adds to
the obscurity of the globe.
These imperfections I remedy in the following manner, videlicit :-
By giving a proper admission to atmospheric air, and an uninterrupted exit
to consumed air. By rendering it unimportant how much the air in the
interior of the lamp is contaminated, or otherwise by preserving it in a state of
purity. By converting smoke into light, and preventing in a great degree the
absorption of its rays by the top cover, and the entrance of rain, sleet, or snow
into the globe. By using an oil holder and burner so constructed as to retain
oil without spilling it, to melt it if coagulated, and to continue it always at
an equal distance from the flame. The shape of the oil holder is such as not
materially to intercept the rays of light, and it is so affixed as not to occasion
the destruction of the globe by swinging about. And lastly, the wick is or
may be lighted without entering a torch into the globe or lamp.

page_text: The glass globes, of any diameter, may without injury to combustion be
from one half to two thirds less deep than those now in use, or they may be
even more shallow. The non-absorbing cover, according to the purposes for
which the light is required, may be either concave, convex, semicircular, or of
any other fit shape. It is bright in the inside, not painted, nor suffered to be
obscured by fuliginous or any other matter that will absorb the rays of light.
According to my most approved method there is only a small part of the top
cover removed in trimming the lamp and lighting it. The aperture for this
purpose may be either in the center of the top cover or otherwise, and
the effect may be produced in various ways; for instance, the exit pipe may
fix or boot on the aperture to which the oil holder is brought up for the supply
of oil and to be trimmed and lighted. The most fit oil holder is a fountain
lamp which, besides the properties enumerated, moving in the segment of a
circle from its usual position to the aperture, retains its burner uniformly
under the aperture of the eduction pipe, to which it may be with advantage
placed much nearer than in the present street lamps; its situation, however,
must always be determined by the distance to which it is proposed to dis-
tribute the unabsorbed rays returned from the cover. The best exit pipe is
longer than that adapted to the street lamps now in use, and it is such as to
occasion the rapid entrance of atmospheric air (through another aperture) by
means of the ascent of rarified air.
Pure air is proposed by me to be admitted into lamps, &c., in various ways,
by an aperture or apertures in the sides, top, or at the bottom; but to give
the greatest intensity to flame, to convert all the oil dissipated into radiant
light, and prevent the formation of fuliginous matter, a current of atmospheric
air (uncontaminated by the air already consumed by the burner in the interior
of the lamp, globe, or other case, capable of transmitting light) is, under and
according to my said Invention and improvements, conducted or drawn by
means of a column of rarified air, and wholly or partially directed through,
near to, or upon the flame.
The plan described I reckon to be the best for street lamps, but I claim the
invention or beneficial. use and application, under and by virtue of my said
Patent, of the various modes herein specified or explained by the references to
the Drawings or Figures hereunto aunexed, of applying the general principles of
drawing or conducting a supply of atmospheric air through, near to, or direct-

page_text: ing it upon flame contained in lamps, transparent globes, or cases, without its
being previously contaminated by the consumed air of the burner.
Also, my plan for preventing the entrance of air, except through such aper-
ture or apertures as are or shall be left open for the purposes already explained,
and any method or methods of raising an oil holder or burner up to or through
an aperture in the top cover for the purpose of being trimmed, lighted, or
taken out without taking off the whole top cover, or up to or through an
aperture or apertures in a reflector, or between reflectors performing the
offices of my non-absorbing cover, or up to or through a non-reflecting sub-
stance protecting the globe or case from exposure to the weather, while an
exterior top cover is opened or removed, and for enabling the flame to be
kindled in my shallow transparent cases.
Further, I reserve to myself the usual method of taking off the whole top
cover, whether constructed on my non-absorbing principle or otherwise, if
connected with my pipes, conductors, or apertures, for introducing atmospheric
air and directing it as before stated, or with my rarified column or exit pipe,
for carrying off the consumed air, and thereby preserving the air in the globe
or other transparent case in a fit state for the maintenance of combustion.
Also, I claim the use of my Invention for increasing the intensity of light
as applicable to lighthouses, ship's poop, convoy, signal, and other lamps,
lauthorns, globes, or cases, capable of transmitting light, and for lighting
churches, chappels, theatres, or other places, as well as the application of the
shadows of my intense light to nocturnal communication, and for exhibiting
stationary or moving scenery in theatres and other places.
The lamps, lanthorns, globes, or cases above alluded to may be so con-
structed as to purify and ventilate the theatres or places wherein they may
be used, by making my eduction pipes in the form of hollow rods or tubes for
the exit of the rarified and consumed air, which rods or tubes may also afford
the means of suspending the said lamps, lanthorns, globes, or cases or other-
wise; and they may be made of various ornamental or other forms or shapes.
And of this application I also claim the invention or beneficial use under my
said Patent.
The annexed Figures or Drawings, and the references thereto, will further
explain the principles and constructions on which my proposed increase of light
is founded, and the applicability of such principles in all cases where light is
requisite. They also exhibit my plan for erecting public and other lamp irons,
with a view to the trimming and lighting of lamps without the use of ladders,
and of which I claim the invention and beneficial use and application under
my said Patent.

page_text: FOREGOING SPECIFICATIONS.
Fig. 1st represents a common street lamp as now used, delineated on a
reduced scale. D, E, F, is a glass globe. D, A, F, the top cover. A, B, the
pipe at which the consumed air endeavours to escape and the atmospheric air
to enter at the holes g, h, i, k, l, m, &c. .C shews the distance at which the
oil holder is usually placed from the aperture for carrying off the rarified and
consumed air, &c.
Fig. 2nd is the lamp used (by the contractors or persons who light under
Government) in the Royal Parks, and in the passages to the House of
Commons and Treasury. a, b, a, b, are holes somewhat better situated than
those in the common lamp (Fig. 1), for the entrance of atmospheric air.
Fig. 3rd exbibits the general principle on which my proposed greatest increase
of the intensity of light is founded. Let any form, d, e, e, f, g, h, h, i, represent a
circle on lines of exclusion; and d, i, f, g, apertures anywhere situated for the
entrance and exit of air, according to the atmospheric pressure, respectively
on these apertures. Through or upon the aperture d, i, let a tube B, A, be
inserted or placed, light a flame at C, then the atmospheric pressure being
diminished on the orifice d, i, by means of the rarified column A, B, the
external air enters between f, g, and flows past C in a state of purity, con-
taining, as far as regards the burner in the interior) its full proportion of
oxigen for the support and increase of combustion.
Fig. 4th shews an application of this principle. Let a, k, h, represent a
glass globe or case capable of transmitting the rays of light and of excluding
the entrance of air. d, h, a top cover. e, f, g, h, apertures for the exit and
admission of air, as before explained.
Fig. 5th. Upon the top cover let a supplementary plate l, m, be placed move-
able on the axis m, on which erect the tube B, A, and suspend an oil holder »
on the axis m, which may be common to both. Let o, p, be an opening or
tube for the entrance of pure air, and m, o, a wire attached to the plate l, m,
or otherwise.
Fig. 6th. Lift the plate l, m, by the tube A, B, until the wire m, o, having
touched the oil holder n at o, brings it to the position o, p, c; then pour in the
oil at g, affix the wick at C, apply a light, and return it to the position n,
Fig. 5th.
It is obvious that the column B, A, by its propensity to ascend,
will cause the inore weighty atmospheric air to flow in through the opening
on the tube o, p, and to pass by or envelope the flame C, holding its full
proportion of oxigen, as shewn on the general principle, Fig. 3rd.

page_text: Fig. 7th represents a horizontal section of a flat top covered with aper-
tures. A, B, and o, p, r, s, exhibits a strong wire, which, in the application
now describing, is used as a hinge to the supplementary cover and oil holder,
by passing through the fixed hollow tubes m, m.
Fig. 8th shews the supplementary cover or plate l, m, Figs. 5th and 6th,
with its hinges t, t, and also the situation of the axis of the oil holder at U, all
of which are or may be transfixed by the wire represented by 1, s.
Fig. 9th renders the manner of covering the aperture o, p, apparent, by
means of v, x, a plate moveable at v, on the supplementary plate l, m.
Fig. 10th shews a method of fitting the common street lamps, with my
eduction pipe B, A, and aperture o, p, by which last aperture the atmospheric
air must enter and flow past C, in order to supply the place of the ascending
column B, A, its admission being precluded otherwise. C, P, is a common
oil holder fitted with a tube o, p, the mouth of which fits on the smaller
pipe F; or the common oil holder, without any alteration, may be suspended
in the usual way under my eduction pipe A, B, which pipe, by taking off the
consumed air, will, on the reverse principle of that already shewn, affect the
important purpose of preserving the air with its full proportion of. oxigen in
the interior of the lamp.
Fig. 11th shews how a plate or a reflector r, m, may be applied under the
present top cover to preserve the transparency of the glass in bad weather
when the exterior covering is removed, or for the purpose also of returning
the rays of light contained within the angle D, C, F, which now are absorbed
and lost. In this case the rarified column B, A, contained between the
double cover, will perform the same office without my exit tube A, B, and the
oil holder may be brought up by means of the wire y, z, which being move-
able at, when laid back in the horizontal line Y, m, will retain the oil holder
in the position of o, p, c, shown in Fig. 6th; or the whole top cover D, A, F, and
reflector R, m, with or without the exit pipe A, B, may be removed together,
leaving the oil holder affixed at F, either with or without a tube conductor
o, p, c, as the air within the lamp will be preserved pure by the contiguity of
the flame to the eduction pipe or aperture exclusively for the exit of consumed
air, as before explained.
Fig. 12th exhibits one of the lamps used in staircases and within doors, and
is similar to that affixed in Pall Mall (at the lecturing room or office of the
Gas Company), with this difference, that the opening o, p, instead of admitting
the external air generally into the globe or case, there to be diluted and
contaminated by the air already consumed by the flame, it is led or conducted

page_text: and flows through the opening o, p, past c, c, with its full proportion of oxigen,
the diminished weight of the air in the interior being sufficient to produce
this effect The burners and oil holder c, p, c, may be entered into the lamp
at the lower extremity, as in the case of the Navy Signal Lamp (Fig. 20th),
or above, as here shewn.
Fig. 13th represents a common square lamp, the consumed air which
revolves in the interior being alternately heated by the burners and cooled by
the exterior air in contact with the case D, E, F, G.
Fig. 14 is an Argand's lamp similarly circumstanced, the consumed air
emitted from the transparent tube B, A, passing and repassing, and diluting
and contaminating the air in the lamp and all that gains admittance.
Fig. 15th exhibits the double and a side view of the quadruple burners of
the Opera and Playhouses suffocated in exhausted air.
Fig. 16th represents (what is called a Liverpool lamp depriving the air
in the case D, E, F, G, of its oxigen; 0, p, 0, p, are apertures in the oil holler
and under the glass tube, which supply the frame with contaminated air from
the interior of the case.
Fig: 17th shews my simple remedy for this defect. Insert the bottom of
Argand's burner through an aperture or into. a tube o, p, or into a double
bottom, having an aperture or apertures to the exterior. The air will
flow through and pass the flame C, undiminished in its power, whatever
quantity of air may be consumed, and whatever length of time the flame may
burn.
Fig. 18th is the new principle carried to its full extent, as shewn in the
general figure, and in the former applications; c is the same burner as in
Fig. 17th, deprived of its transparent tubo B, A, which hitherto has been
deemed indispensible, and various improvements under that impression have
been made on its shape.
Fig. 19th represents what is called the Liverpool lamp, circumstanced as
last shewn; d, h, may be a reflector which may be caused to mount up the
pipe B, A, by the movement of the door in opening the lamp in order to
prevent its being soiled by the act of lighting or replacing the lighted burner;
ships' poop lanthorns are proposed to be fitted with burners, as in this and the
preceding Figure.
Fig. 20th is a convoy or signal lamp with a rarified tube and aperture for
the entrance of pure air. This lamp affords a light of the most intense kind
without a glass chimney, which under circumstances at sea never hitherto
could be used; hence the loss of convoys, and the imperfect state of nocturnal

page_text: communication. The tube A, B, by being lengthened, may be caused to slip
down and conceal the franie c until the signal is to be shown..
Fig. 21st exhibits an ornamental application in form of a transparent
cylinder or pillar, which may be placed on a shaft S, H, or otherwise; n may be
the oil holder, and o, p, openings for the admission of air within the trans-
parent case d, e, f, g. The additional Figures show the separate parts; and if
the case d, e, f, g, which excludes the entrance of external air except through
c to the tube B, A, is of ground glass, then the whole will appear as in the
compleat Figure.
The application of the principles, now so fully explained, to other orna-
mental and useful forms does not require further detail. The globe d, h, e, f, h, g,
Fig. 22, may either be whole as represented, or halved orizontally at H, H, or
otherwise, and the air consumed may be carried out of the theatre, &c.,
through the tube B, A, in the suspending ornament, and the oil holder in
Fig. 23 and exit tube may either be lowered down into the vase d, e, f, g, at
an aperture above, or they may be affixed to the cover, or the vase may be
placed over these standing upon the pedestal.
The Drawing relative to the lamp irons explains itself. A is a lamp;
B, D, a rod moveable on the axis C. c, e, is an upright bar, upon the side of
which may be placed a catch to lock or steady the lamp, and prevent its being
disturbed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sir Thomas Cochrane, commonly called
Lord Cochrane, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth
day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirteen.
igned, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named Sir Thomas Cochrane,
commonly called Lord Cochrane, in
the presence of
JN° PARKINSON,
COCHRANE. (L.S.)

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighteenth day of August,
in the year of our Lord 1813, the aforesaid Right Honorable Sir Thomas
Cochrane came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained
and specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
tampt according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirteen.