Improvements in Mineral Spirit Lamps.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1887
Complete Left, 31st Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th June, 1888
Improvements in Mineral Spirit Lamps.
reto annexed illustrate these improvements as
applied to various
1, WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of 115 Cannon Street, in the City of London, Consulting
Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
-:
This invention relates to novel devices applicable to lamps and burners for mineral
spirits, which devices may be employed either together or separately so as to effect
considerable economy and to produce a brilliant steady light without odour or
smoke.
.
The drawings hereto annexed illustrate these improvements as applied to various
kinds of lamps.
Figure 1 shows in longitudinal section, a mineral spirit lamp for use in a carriage,
for example, furnished with a perforated conducting tube for the wick, and one form
of an improved burner.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of another example of lamp for a carriage also
furnished with a perforated conducting tube for the wick and another form of
improved burner.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 1-2 of Figure 2.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show other modifications of the improved burner.
Figure 8 shows one of the improved mineral spirit lamps fitted with a gallery to
carry a glass chimney a globe or other suitable glass covering or screen.
In Figures and 2, the wick m is contained below the burner, in a tube a placed
in the inside of the lamp and fixed or not to the bottom 6 thereof. This tube is
perforated radially with holes throughout its length; it may be replaced by a sleeve
of metallic web, tissue or gauze of more or less fine mesbes. The object of this tube a
is to conduct the wick to the lower part of the lamp to hold it in the middle of the
sponges with which the lamp is filled, and to allow it to absorb regularly to the last
drop, the whole of the spirit contained in the sponges.

page_text: .
By this adaptation of the tube a (composed as above described of a perforated tube
of metal or other material or of a metallic web, tissue or gauze) the supply of spirit to
the wick is effected uniformly, and consequently the proper action of the lamp is
assured both as regards economy in consumption of spirit and the brilliancy of the
light.
In Figure 1 the burner is composed of two tubes d and screwing one in the other
and both traversed by the conducting wick m. The tube d passes inside a piece e of
any suitable form and dimensions and composed of metal covered with enamel or
porcelaine for example. This piece e is screwed on or into the body of the spirit
lamp. The tube d is fixed to the bottom e¹ of the said piece e and extends somewhat
below it. This pendant part of the tube d is perforated diametrically with two small
holes through which is passed a pin m² which holds the wick when it has been put in
place and adjusted.
The external tube f, which is moveable, screws on to the threaded part of the
internal tube d. This tube has fixed to it a milled collar by which it can be
turned when screwing or unscrewing it on the fixed tube d.
The upper tube thus moved upwards or downwards at pleasure covers or uncovers
more or less the upper end of the wick m and thereby regulates the projection of the
wick m beyond the tube faccording as it is required to produce a feeble, an excessive,
or a normal light.
A small cap y attached to the burner by a chain g' serves to cover the top of the
regulating tube in the usual way, so as to prevent evaporation of the spirit when
the lamp is not in use.
The rotation of the regulating tube simultaneously with its rectilinear motion
sometimes displaces the flame and puts it out of centre. This inconvenience is
avoided by the arrangement shown in Figure 2 in which the burner is composed of
the tubes screwed one in the other like the last described; but the upper inbef only
turns on its axis as it is retained by the upper part e² of the piece e by means of the
milled collar and an internal ring or collar k whilst the internal tube d is caused to
rise and fall in the tube f by the following arrangement. To the bottom e¹ of the
piece e is fixed, by solder or otherwise, a third tube h intended to form a sheath or
ferrule to the tube d to prevent it from turning, for this purpose this tube h has two
longitudinal slots formed therein in which work the ends of the pin m' which passes
across the tube d and through the wick m (see Figure 3).
1
By turning the collar ₁, and thereby its tube f, to the right or left the wick
carrier d and its contained wick are raised or lowered without putting the wick out of
centre.
Figure 4 shows a modification of Figure 2. The upper tube fis prevented from
moving longitudinally by the collar and the disc ; the lower tube d is screw
threaded and contains the wick m secured to it by means of the pin m³ passing
through both so as to cause the said wick to follow the tube d in its rectilinear
movements. The tube d is prevented from turning by means of a finger n fixed on
the screw thread and the end of which slides in a guide n¹ soldered, rivetted, or
otherwise secured to the bottom e².
Figure 5 shows another modification in which the internal tube d has on one side
a longitudinal rib or feather & which slides in a suitable notch in the bottom e¹ of the
piece e.
Figure 6 shows another modification in which the tube is prevented from moving
longitudinally by the collar f" and the shoulder k and is continued downwards where
a spiral slot o is cut through it. The wick m passes through a small sleeve d
which is furnished with a finger a passing through the spiral slot o in the tube f; this
finger has a fork at its end through which passes a rod n³ fixed to the piece e. By
turning the collar f' in one direction or the other, the sleeve d being prevented from
turning by its finger n, is forced to move either upwards or downwards by means of
the spiral slot o and thereby the wick is raised or lowered. Instead of passing through
the tube and wick as in the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 5, the pin m³ may be
fixed by soldering, rivetting or otherwise to the internal tube d so as to project both

page_text: inside and outside the tube d. Outside the tube d it slides in a vertical groove or slot
in a guide sheath or ferrule or in any other analagous guide. Inside the tube dit is
bent upwards to hook into the wick and prevent it from descending if it were pulled
downwards. The wick cannot therefore be drawn out except by pulling it upwards
through the top of the burner.
.
Instead of fixing the pin or hook to the tube d, it may be formed from the metal
of the tube d itself by suitable tools, being pressed outwards to form a projection to
take into the guide and inwards to hook into the wick; rivetting or soldering is
thereby avoided.
In the arrangements above described the desired effects upon the wick are
obtained by the rotation of one of the tubes d f and the rectilinear movement of
the other.
The same result may be obtained by sliding one of the tubes by hand or
otherwise.
On the other hand the rotation of either the external or internal moveable tube
For
may he employed for producing the ascent of the wick by known means.
example in the arrangement shown in Figure 7 the external tube turns with its
collar on the tube which is fixed to the piece e; the rotation on its axis of the
tube effects the ascent or descent of the wick m by means of bevil wheels p & q
the former soldered to the tube and the latter fixed on a horizontal axis q', this axis
turns in two bearings soldered to the tube d and carries the ordinary toothed disc
or winder s which acts upon the wick. So that it is only necessary to turn the collar f
in the requisite direction to regulate or extinguish the lamp. The intermediate parts
connecting the turning tube to the wick may be any other known kind such as spiral,
endless screw or other suitable gear.
Figure 8 shows how the improved burners for mineral spirit lamps may be fitted
with galleries to carry glass chimnies, globes, or other similar parts. Such a gallery
being substituted for the collar of the arrangements above described, serves also for
actuating the devices for regulating the wick. This application of a chimney, globe,
or other glass cover or shade to spirit lamps enables them to be moved from place to
place not only in rooms or other closed spaces but also in the open air, without fear of
extinction, smoking or wavering of the flame. The gallery, perforated with
openings as may be convenient, is fixed on the external tube f and is shaped to receive
a chimney, or a globe or other shaped glass, according to circumstances. By
turning the gallery to the right or left, the raising or lowering of the wick is
effected in the same way as in the arrangements before described.
Dated this lot day of Inle 1987
W. H. BECK,
115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.,
Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Mineral Spirit Lamps.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK of 115 Cannon Street in the City of London, Consulting
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying three
sheets of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon that is to say :-
This invention relates to novel devices applicable to lamps and burners for mineral
spirits, which devices may be employed either together or separately so as to effect
considerable economy and to produce a brilliant steady light without odour or
smoke.
The first novel arrangement consists in the adaption of a tube perforated with
holes throughout its length or formed of a metallic web or tissue, dependant upon or
independant of the burner intended to contain and conduct the feeding wick to the
bottom of the lamp, to put it thus by the openings in contact with the sponges
saturated with the mineral spirit, and to leave it constantly free to be acted on by the
regulating apparatus of the burner.
Other arrangements have for object the construction of a burner for mineral spirit
by means of two combined tubes sliding or screwing on in the other to effect the
raising or lowering of the wick and consequently the regulation of the light.
Another improvement consists in applying a glass to spirit lamps to enable them to
be moved without danger or inconvenience.
The chief advantages of the new application of a perforated tube, or of a tube of
metallic web or tissue, for conducting the wick to the middle of the sponge saturated
with spirit are the assurance of uniform feeding of the spirit for combustion; regularity
of the flame; a sensible diminution in the consumption of spirit and the easy
maintenance of the lamp in a clean state.
The new combination of two tubes sliding or turning one in the other to constitute
the burner of a mineral spirit lamp, and to actuate the wick, offers the following
important advantages:-
The escape of gas into the atmosphere and consequent external combustion are
rendered impossible.
The regulation of the light is simplified and perfected so as to allow the quantity of
light or heat to be easily adjusted at pleasure and the putting in place and removal
of the wick are facilitated.
The burner with combined tubes may be employed for all kinds of mineral spirit
lamps, with or without the perforated tube for conducting the wick in the lamp.
In the Drawings hereto annexed Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal section, a mineral
spirit lamp for use in a carriage for example, furnished with a perforated conducting
tube for the wick, and one form of the improved burner.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of another example of lamp for a carriage, also
furnished with a perforated conducting tube for the wick, and another form of the
improved burner.

page_text: Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 1-2 of Figure 2.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show other modifications of the improved burner.
Figure 8 shows one of the improved mineral spirit lamps fitted with a gallery to
carry a glass chimney, a globe or other suitable covering or screen.
In Figures 1 and 2 the wick m is contained below the burner in a tube a placed in
the inside of the lamp and fixed or not to the bottom 6 thereof. This tube is per-
forated radially with holes throughout its length; it may be replaced by a sleeve of
metallic web, tissue or gauze of more or less fine meshes. The object of this tube a
is to conduct the wick to the lower part of the lamp, to hold it in the middle of the
sponges e with which the lamp is filled, and to allow it to absorb regularly and to the
last drop, the whole of the spirit contained in the sponges.
By this adaptation of the tube a composed as above described of a perforated tube
of metal or other material, or of a metallic web, tissue or gauze, the supply of spirit
to the wick effected uniformly, and consequently the proper action of the lamp
is assured both as regards economy in consumption of spirit and the brilliancy of
the light.
In Figure 1 the burner is composed of two tubes d and screwing one in the other,
and both traversed by the conducting wick m. The tube d passes inside a piece e of
any suitable form and dimensions and composed of metal covered with enamel or
porcelaine, or of porcelain for example. This piece e is screwed on or into the
body of the spirit lamp. The tube d is fixed to the bottom e¹ of the said piece e
and extends somewhat below it. This pendant part of the tube d is perforated
diametrally with two small holes through which is passed a pin m' which holds the
wick when it has been put in place and adjusted.
The external tube, which is moveable, screws on to the threaded part of the internal
tube d. This tube las fixed to it a milled collar f, by which it can be turned when
screwing or unscrewing it on the fixed tube d.
The upper tubef, thus moved upwards or downwards at pleasure, covers or uncovers,
more or less, the upper end of the wick m, and thereby regulates the projection of
the wick m beyond the tube, according as it is required to produce a feeble, an
excessive, or a normal light.
A small cap y attached to the burner by a chain y³ serves to cover the top of the
regulating tube in the usual way, so as to prevent evaporation of the spirit when
the lamp is not in use.
The rotation of the regulating tube f, simultaneously with its rectilinear motion,
sometimes displaces the flame and puts it out of centre. This inconvenience is
avoided by the arrangement shown in Figure 2 in which the burner is composed of
the tubes df screwed one in the other like the last described; but the upper tube f
only turns on its axis as it is retained by the upper part 2 of the piece e by means of
the milled collar and an internal ring or collar k, whilst the internal tube d is
caused to rise and fall in the tube f by the following arrangement. To the bottom e¹
of the piece e is fixed, by solder or otherwise, a third tube h intended to form a
sheath or ferrule to the tube d to prevent it from turning; for this purpose this
tube has two longitudinal slots formed therein in which work the ends
of the pin m which passes across the tube d and through the wick m. (see
Figure 3).
By turning the collar), and thereby its tube f, to the right or left, the wick
carrier d and its contained wick are raised or lowered without putting the wick out
of centre.
Figure 4 shows a modification of Figure 2. The upper tube is prevented from
moving longitudinally by the collar and the disc k; the lower tube d is screw
threaded and contains the wick m secured to it by means of the pin m¹ passing through
both so as to cause the said wick to follow the tube d in its rectilinear movements.
The tube is prevented from turning by means of a finger n fixed ca the screw
thread, the end of the said finger sliding in a guide n' soldered, rivetted or otherwise
secured to the bottom e².

page_text: Figure 5 shows another modification, in which the internal tube d has on one side
a longitudinal rib or feather d' which slides in a suitable notch in the bottom e¹ of
the piece e.
Figure 6 shows another modification in which the tube f is prevented from moving
longitudinally by the collar and the shoulder and is continued downwards where
a spiral slot o is cut through it. The wick m passes through' a small sleeve d which is
furnished with a finger n passing through the spiral slot o in the tube f; this finger
has a hole or a fork at its end through which passes a rod n¹ fixed to the piece e. By
turning the collar in one direction or the other the sleeve d being prevented from
turning by its finger n, is forced to move either upwards or downwards by means of
the spiral slot o and thereby the wick is raised or lowered.
Instead of passing through the tube and wick as in the arrangements shown in
Figures 1 to 5, the pin m³ may be fixed as at z, Figure 8, by soldering, rivetting or
otherwise to the internal tube d so as to project both inside and outside the tube d.
Outside the tube d it slides in a vertical groove or slot in a guide sheath or ferrule h
or in any other analogous guide. Inside the tube d it is bent upwards to hook into
the wick and prevent it from descending if it were pulled downwards. The wick
cannot therefore be drawn out except by pulling it upwards through the top of the
burner.
Instead of fixing the pin or hook in this manner, it may be formed from the
metal of the tube d itself by suitable tools, being pressed outwards to form a
projection to take into the guide in h and inwards to hook into the wick; rivetting or
soldering is thereby avoided.
In the arrangements above described, the desired effects upon the wick are
obtained by the rotation of one of the tubes d f and the rectilinear movement of
one or the other. The same result may be obtained by sliding one of the tubes by
hand or otherwise.
On the other hand the rotation of either the external or internal moveable tube
may be employed for producing the ascent of the wick by known means. For
example in the arrangement shown in Figure 7 the external tube turns with its
collar on the tube d, which is fixed to the piece e; the rotation on its axis of the
tube effects the ascent or descent of the wick m by means of bevil wheels pand
the former soldered to the tube tube f and the latter fixed on a horizontal axis q
this axis turns in two bearings soldered to the tube d and carries the ordinary
toothed disc or winder s which acts upon the wick. So that it is only necessary to
turn the collar f¹ in the requisite direction to regulate or extinguish the
lamp. The intermediate parts connecting the turning tube to the wick may
be of any other known kind such as spiral, endless screw or other suitable gear.
Figure 8 shows how the improved burners for mineral spirit lamps may be fitted
with galleries to carry glass chimnies, globes or other similar parts. Such a
gallery being substituted for the collar f¹ of the arrangements above described,
serves also for actuating the devices for regulating the wick. This application of a
chimney, globe or other glass cover or shade to spirit lamps enables them to be
moved from place to place not only in rooms or other closed spaces but also in the
open air without fear of extinction, smoking or wavering of the flame.
gallery, perforated with openings as may be convenient, is fixed on the external
tube, and is shaped to receive a chimney v, or a globe, or other shaped glass
according to circumstances. By turning the gallery to the right or left the
raising or lowering of the wick is effected in the same way as in the arrangements
before described.
The
Figures 9 and 10 show arrangements in which the burners are mounted in a
porcelain piece e. This piece e may be fitted to the body of the lamp, with a ring
of indiarubber 1 pressed in between the body of the lamp and a cylindrical part
of the piece e.
In these Figures 9 and 10 the perforated tubes enclosing the
wicks may be flat or oval in section, to admit a certain quantity of spirit into their
interior.

page_text: and
Figure 11 shows a vertical section of a spirit candle of which both the body
the burner carrier e are made of porcelain, the two parts being connected together by
screwing or with an indiarubber joint as above described.
The above described burners are also applicable to petroleum lamps.
Figure 12 is a vertical section of a petroleum lamp and Figure 13 is a horizontal
section on line 2-4 of Figure 12.
The burner is round, and is formed of the external tube f and the internal concentric
tube D, the wick m being placed in the annular space between them. The tube fis
fixed to the chimney or globe gallery with which it turns; it is screwed into a
pendent tube d. This tube d holds the wick by two claws or projections d' (seen
more clearly in Figure 13×) which hook into it for the purpose of raising or lowering
the same in the external tube f.
The central tube D is attached by a hollow rih i to a tube which is afterwards
soldered to the bottom j¹ of the gallery which is fixed permanently to the lamp by
screwing thereto the sleeve soldered below the said bottom; or preferably by
insertion into a cylindrical part of the lamp, an elastic ring of vulcanized india
rubber, cork or other suitable material being interposed to form a perfectly liquid
tight joint. The central tube D) is closed by the bottom D¹ which is perforated with
small air holes. The air required for combustion reaches the central tube D through
a passage leading from the openings of the fixed gallery to the hollow rib i above
mentioned. The joint of the gallery v to the gallery j is masked by a bead v² milled
so as to give a firin hold for the hand when regulating the wick or extinguishing the
lamp; that is to say when turning the external tube in the required direction.
t
It will be seen from the drawing that the burner is fed with a double current of air,
one through the interior of the tube D, the other external and supplied through the
openings of the galleries.
In Figure 14 is illustrated another modification. The tube D descends to the foot
of the lamp, where it receives air for the internal current. The outer tube f instead
of being screwed only for a short distance, as in Figure 12, is screwed throughout
its whole length; it contains a screwed ring d which is screwed up or down therein
by the following arrangement. The central tube D has a longitudinal rib D', and the
ring d is furnished with two internal claws d' which hook into the wick m so that
they oppose the rotation of the ring d when the tube is rotated by means of the
gallery v.
In Figure 15 the central current of air is taken through the holes a corresponding
to a large opening made in a bell mouthed part of the outer tube f.
All these novel arrangements are applicable also to oil lamps.
Figure 16 is a vertical section of a heating apparatus with one form of the improved
burner applied thereto.
The foot forms a reservoir for petroleum, and has a central air tube D. The
upper part of the foot has a downwardly projecting tube a, between which and the
tube D is an annular space in which is placed the wick carrier. This wick carrier is
formed of the external tube f, screwed internally throughout its whole length,
(Figure 19), and of the screwed ring d, the claws d' of which (Figures 20 and 21)
hook into the wick m. The internal tube D has two ribs which prevent the ring d
from turning when the outer tube f is turned. This tube f is fixed to a light fly
wheely (see also Figure 18) which can be turned by hand through the wide
openings made in the case z.
To facilitate the introduction of the wick the diameter of the pendent tube a may
be increased (Figure 17) and a shoulder y' below the fly wheel y is adapted to fit as
accurately as possible into the tube a. The curvilinear bottom of the case descends
to the burner and is perforated to allow of the passage of the flame. The air holes ³
conduct the air to the flame when it is spread by the disc c which is perforated with
holes. The truncated conical chimney A is moveable to enable the burner to be
cleaned, and is provided with one or more inspection holes B¹ covered with mica
through which the flame can be observed, and the necessary indications obtained for
operating the flywheel of the burner.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
First In mineral spirit lamps, the wick tube a perforated with lateral holes or
formed of metallic or other suitable web, tissue, or gauze, either connected with, or
disconnected from the burner, for the purposes of containing the wick, and conducting
or guiding the same to the lower part of the lamp, of placing the wick, through the
lateral holes in the tube, in contact with the sponges saturated with mineral spirit, and
of leaving the wick free to be acted on by the regulating devices of the burner, as
herein before described, and illustrated in Figures and 2 of the drawings hereto
annexed.
Second In mineral spirit lamps, the burner formed of two tubes & and f screwed
one in the other, the external tube f turning on and moving at the same time vertically
over the internal tube d in order to cover or uncover the upper end of the wick more
or less so as to regulate or extinguish the light, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated
in Figure 1 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Third In mineral spirit lamps, the burner formed of two tubes d and screwed
one in the other, the external tube f being adapted to rotate and the internal tube d,
with the wick therein, to move vertically in the said external tube f, as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Fourth In mineral spirit lamps, the burner formed of two tubes sliding one over
the other, one of such tubes being either actuated directly by hand or by suitable
intermediate devices, as hereinbefore described.
Fifth In mineral spirit lamps, the burner formed of a tube fadapted to turn on its
axis, and suitable devices for transforming this rotary motion into an up or down
motion of the wick, substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figure 7
of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth In mineral spirit lamps, the combination of the moveable external regulating
tube with a gallery for supporting a glass chimney, globe, or other suitable cover or
shade, and for effecting the regulation or extinction of the lamp, as hereinbefore
described, and illustrated in Figure 8 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Seventh-In petroleum lamps, the burner formed of a central tube D, and of an
outer screwed tube with a screwed tube therein, the tube being arranged to
rotate on itself with the gallery ¹, and to effect the ascent and descent of the tube d
and wick m, as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 13× of
the Drawings hereto annexed.
Eighth In petroleum lamps of the kind forming the subject of the seventh claim
clause hereof, the arrangement of the passage t for the admission of the internal
current of air, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figure 7 of the Drawings
hereto annexed.
Ninth In petroleum lamps, the burner formed of a central tube D, an outer
screwed tube, and a screwed ring d connected to the wick m, and operated by the
rotation of the gallery ¹, as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 14
and 15 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Tenth In petroleum lamps of the kind forming the subject of the seventh and
ninth claim clauses hereof, the arrangements for the admission of air to the burners,
and the employment of rings of indiarubber or other elastic material 12 for jointing
the burners to the lamps, as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 12, 14
and 15 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Eleventh In petroleum heating apparatus, the construction of the burner or
burners with a central tube D, an outer tube f, an internal ring d, and a pendent
tube a, so arranged and combined that the rotation of the tube f, by means of the
fly wheel y or otherwise, effects the raising and lowering of the wick m, as herein-
before described, and illustrated in Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the drawings
hereto annexed.

page_text: Twelfth In petroleum heating apparatus, the use of air holes ³ round the burner
or burners, in combination with the perforated disc w, and the moveable chimney A,
as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figures 16 to 21 of the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Thirteenth In petroleum and oil lamps, and heating apparatuses generally, the
application and use of the various improvements hereinbefore described.
W. H. BECK,
115, Cannon Street, London,
Applicant.