GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M. and Wm Clark of
53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
" IMPROVEMENTS
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
IN GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS," (a cominunication to me from abroad by Victor Popp
of Paris, France) to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a system of illumination and consists in the arrange-
ment and disposition of the necessary apparatus for its proper working.
The system is based on the mixture of air or other gaseous supporter of com-
bustion with illuminating gas or other hydrocarbon in a gaseous state or in the
state of vapor, this mixing being preferably effected before arriving in the special
burner forming the subject of another application for Letters Patent of even date
herewith No .4240 in which it is burnt. In order to obtain the intense and steady
light which is the characteristic result of this system and which equals for white-
ness and brilliancy the electric light, the above mixture ought to be effected in
certain proportions and under suitable pressure, which is obtained by the applica-
tion and arrangement of special regulating apparatus which will be described and
claimed hereafter.
One of the principal conditions to be fulfilled to obtain this object in this system
of illumination is a constant pressure of gas and air according to the different
pressures which are available, and it is with this object that I arrange the apparatus
as represented in Figure 1. In this arrangement the pressure of gas and air at
disposal is greater than the necessary illuminating pressure, and these pressures are
regulated in a constant manner by the regulating apparatus shown in detail in
Figures 3 and 4 in the annexed drawings and which will be described afterwards
in referring to these figures.
The gas from the mains comes by pipe A, passes directly into the meter B and
into the principal gas passage D regulated for the illumination by means of the
mercurial pressure regulator C. The compressed air taken from a general supply
under high pressure arrives by the pipe E and enters the first reservoir G at a
pressure already regulated by the high pressure dry regulator F. It then passes
into the second reservoir K by a small low pressure mercurial regulator H. This
Price RdT
3

page_text: reservoir K therefore contains only compressed air regulated to the necessary
pressure for obtaining the light by its mixture with the gas. The compressed air
and the gas circulate in two separate channels up to the burner where they are
mixed, the air pipe entering that for gas in order to form a blow pipe as described
in the said application for Letters Patent No 4240 before referred to.
In the arrangement Figure 2, a case has been presumed where the excess of
pressure could not be obtained. It is supposed, 1st that the illuminating gas
arrives at the meter with a pressure too low to feed a large number of these incan-
descent burners. In this case a small hydraulic or other motor M is fixed to work
a small fan C. The suction of the fan is in connection with the pipe D which
communicates with the valve for the exit of gas from the meter; the delivery
pipe E of the fan joins the reservoir F, where the gas is compressed to a higher
pressure than it was at first and this reservoir communicates with the ordinary
gas pipe the pressure in which is regulated by means of the mercury pressure
regulator G 2nd that the compressed air necessary for the illumination was
compressed on.the spot. In this case, also, the motor M drives a small fan K the
delivery pipe L being in communication with the accumulator N for compressed air
The compressed air from this accumulator, passes into a reservoir P containing air
only at a constant pressure obtained by the mercury pressure regulator O.'
The mixture of the two gases: the supporter of combustion and the combustible
gas is effected either in the burners themselves, or at the exit of the two gas
regulators as shown in dotted outline. The two arrangements of regulating
apparatus now to be described are shown in detail in Figures 3 & 4.
-
The mercury regulator, shown by letters C, H and G in the general arrange-
ment, for obtaining a constant delivery pressure from gas compressed to variable
pressures, is shown in Figure 4 and when not of large size, may be used for
regulating at low pressures not exceeding one tenth of an atmosphere It is com-
posed of an external cylinder A and an internal cylinder B made in one piece
therewith and concentric leaving an annular space between the two open only at
the top end which contains a sufficient quantity of mercury and in which is
immersed a bell C. The outer cylinder A carries in the centre a circular hollow
piece fitted in the interior with a valve seat D and exteriorly with a screw or
joint E which serves to fix the apparatus whether on a pipe or on the receiver
containing the gas at a pressuro which is variable and which it is necessary to
obtain constant before it can be employed. The circular piece fitted with the valve
seat D carries two vertical pipes the sum of whose sectional areas equals that of.
the pipe E. These two pipes are joined to another circular piece K likewise
having a valve seat P at the lower part turned in the same direction as that
at D. The surface of each of the openings of the two valve seats is equal to half
the sectional area of the pipe E. The casing A likewise carries necessarily under-
neath the exterior surface a neck F carrying a joint to which the distribution pipe
for gas at a regulated pressure is connected. The bell C closed at the top carries
a cylindrical guide G around which are placed metal or wood washers; this guide
is closed at the top by a disc H fastened by a screw L on an indiarubber or leather
washer and which bears on the extremity of the guide and prevents leakage of gas.
The disc H carries a ring in which is hung the rod M of the two regulating valves N
and R, and these valves fit in their circular seats with a spherical surface ground
on the aforementioned seat so as to make a tight joint when they are shut.
The regulator acts in the following manner:-The apparatus being placed on a
pipe or receiver in which the pressure of compressed gas is greater than what is
wanted, communicates by the neck E with the receiver or the pipe which should
contain the gas to be used at a constant pressure. When the communication valve
from the high pressure reservoir to the regulator is opened, the bell will rise and
close the two valves against their seats; the communication between the variable
high pressure receiver, and the constant low pressure receiver is therefore inter-
rupted, but if the bell is weighted with suitable variable weights according to the
pressure wanted (the weight of the bell itself will serve for a low pressure) the

page_text: valves will open to a certain extent and allow such a volume of gas to pass into the
constant pressure reservoir as will give the constant pressure desired.
This pressure having been obtained will if the gas is not used at once, tend to
increase and the bell will therefore rise and shut the valves. In the other case,
the greater the quantity of gas used, the more the bell will be lowered, and the
more the valves will be opened. Thus all changes in pressure between the one
reservoir or the other produce a rise or fall of the bell and consequently an opening
or closing of the valves which are in connection with the bell.
The double beat valve is used in order to render the motion of the bell
exceedingly sensitive by compensating the pressure which would have to be overcome
in opening a single valve. By this arrangement the same pressure is exerted on
the lower surface of the bottom valve and on the upper surface of the upper valve
and as the two valves are connected the pressure is counterbalanced and the bell
does not influence the movement of the valves except by the difference of
which is produced in the high and low pressure reservoirs.
pressures
This regulator as I have said can scarcely be employed practically except for low
pressures not more than 1/10 of an atmosphere because otherwise it would be
necessary to make it of large dimensions so that the mercury whose level within
the bell and the annular part is also influenced by the different pressures, shall not
run over the open part.
'
Moreover in the case of regulating a high pressure down to a constant and lower
pressure, I have arranged the system of dry regulator hereafter described, which is
simple and cheap and fulfils the same conditions.
This apparatus shown in figure 3 and indicated by the letter F in the general
arrangement is composed of a cylinder A open at the upper part, that is, in com-
munication with the atmosphere, and closed at the bottom, in which moves a
piston B fixed at one end to a rod C sliding in a stuffing box D forming part of
the cylinder. The space between the bottom of the cylinder and piston is con-
nected by a small pipe F with the channel or reservoir for the gas which ought to
have a constant pressure. The piston rod C is jointed to a lever G fastened on the
handle of a valve H connecting on the one hand with the high pressure pipe P and
on the other with the pipe E for gas at the regulated pressure. This lever G has
at its extremity a balance weight M adjustable according to the regulated pressure
required.
The open top of the cylinder can have a perforated cover which will give access
of air to the upper surface of the piston.
This apparatus works in the following manner. When not working, the valve
of the small pipe F is shut the piston is at the bottom of its course and the con-
necting valve H is full open but if the balance weight M be placed at a suitable
point on the lever in order to obtain the constant pressure wanted and if the small
valve R be opened, the piston B will rise in the cylinder by the pressure, and partly
shut the valve H.which then only allows a lesser quantity of compressed gas to
pass at a pressure which will remain constant. So long as the gas at this pressure
is not used, the pressure tends to augment and the piston rises till it shuts the
valve H completely, but if this pressure diminishes, the pressure under the piston
being also diminished, it will fall and open the valve H more so that the pressure
will be brought up to the given standard. When the consumption is constant the
piston remains stationary leaving the valve H always open the same amount. It
is by the aid of these apparatus that the necessary pressures both of gas and air
are regulated in order to obtain light of invariable intensity.
Dated this 20th day of February 1884

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GAS LIGHTING APPARATUS" (a communication to me from abroad by Victor
Popp, of Paris, France,) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to a system of illumination and consists in the arrange-
ment and disposition of the necessary apparatus for its proper working.
The system is based on the mixture of air or other gaseous supporter of com-
bustion with illuminating gas or other hydrocarbon in a gaseous state or in the
state of vapor, this mixing being preferably effected before arriving in the special
burner forming the subject of another application for Letters Patent, of even date
herewith No 4240, in which it is burnt. In order to obtain the intense and steady
light which is the characteristic result of this system and which equals for
whiteness and brilliancy the electric light, the above mixture ought to be effected
in certain proportions and under suitable pressure which is obtained by the
application and arrangement of special regulating apparatus, which will be
described and claimed hereafter.
One of the principal conditions to be fulfilled to obtain this object in this system
of illumination is a constant pressure of gas and air according to the different
pressures which are available, and it is with this object that I arrange the apparatus
as represented in Figure 1. In this arrangement the pressure of gas and air at
disposal is greater than the necessary illuminating pressure, and these pressures are
regulated in a constant manner by the regulating apparatus shown in detail in
Figures 3 and 4 in the annexed drawings and which will be described afterwards
in referring to these figures.
The gas from the mains comes by pipe A, passes directly into the meter B and
into the principal gas passage D regulated for the illumination by means of the
mercurial pressure regulator C. The compressed air taken from a general supply
under high pressure arrives by the pipe E and enters the first reservoir G at a
pressure already regulated by the high pressure dry regulator F. It then passes
into the second reservoir K by a small low pressure mercurial regulator H. This
reservoir K therefore contains only compressed air regulated to the necessary
pressure for obtaining the light by its mixture with the gas. The compressed air
and the gas circulate in two separate channels up to the burner where they are
mixed, the air pipe entering that for gas in order to forin a blow pipe as described
in the other application for Letters Patent No 4240 before referred to.
In the arrangement Figure 2, a case has been presumed where the excess of
pressure could not be obtained. It is supposed, 1st that the illuminating gas
arrives at the meter with a pressure too low to feed a large number of these incan-
descent burners. In this case a small hydraulic or other notor M, is fixed to work
a small fan C. The suction of the fan is in connection with the pipe D which
communicates with the valve for the exit of gas from the meter and the delivery
pipe E of the fan joins the reservoir F, where the gas is compressed to a higher
pressure than it was at first; which reservoir communicates with the ordinary gas

page_text: pipe, the pressure in which is regulated by means of the mercury pressure regu-
lator G. 2nd that the compressed air necessary for the illumination was compressed
on the spot. In this case also the motor M drives a small fan K, the delivery
pipe L being in communication with the accumulator N for compressed air. The
compressed air from this accumulator passes into a reservoir P containing air only
at a constant pressure obtained by the mercury pressure regulator O.
The mixture of the two gases, the supporter of combustion and the combustible
gas, is effected either in the burners themselves, or at the exit of the two gas
regulators as shown in dotted outline. The two arrangements of regulating
apparatus above described are shown in detail in Figures 3 & 4.
The mercury regulator, shown by letters CH and G in the general arrange-
meut, for obtaining a constant delivery pressure from gas compressed to variable
pressures, is shown in Figure 4 and when not of large size, may be used for
regulating at low pressures, not exceeding one tenth of an atmosphere. It is
composed of an external cylinder A and an internal cylinder B made in one piece
therewith and concentric, leaving an annular space between the two open only at
the top end, which contains a sufficient quantity of mercury, and in which is
immersed a bell C. The outer cylinder A. carries in the centre a circular hollow
piece fitted in the interior with a valve seat D, and exteriorly, with a screw or
joint E which serves to fix the apparatus whether on a pipe or on the receiver
containing the gas at a pressure which is variable and which it is necessary to
obtain constant before it can be employed. The circular piece fitted with the valve
seat D carries two vertical pipes, the sum of whose sectional areas equals that of
the pipe E. These two pipes are joined to another circular piece K, likewise
having a valve seat P at the lower part turned in the same direction as that at D..
The surface of each of the openings of the two valve seats is equal to half the
sectional area of the pipe E.
The casing A likewise carries necessarily underneath the exterior surface a neck F
carrying a joint to which the distribution pipe for gas at a regulated pressure is
connected. The bell C closed at the top carries a cylindrical guide G around which
are placed metal or wood washers; this guide is closed at the top by a disc H
fastened by a screw cap L on an indiarubber or leather washer and which bears on
the extremity of the guide and prevents leakage of gas. The disc H carries a
ring in which is hung the rod M of the two regulating valves N and R, and these
valves fit in their circular seats with a spherical surface ground on the aforementioned
seats, so as to make a tight joint when they are shut.
The regulator acts in the following manner:-The apparatus being placed on
a pipe or receiver in which the pressure of compressed gas is greater than what is
wanted, communicates by the neck E with the receiver or the pipe which should
contain the gas to be used at a constant pressure. When the communication valve
from the high pressure reservoir to the regulator is opened, the bell will rise and
close the two valves against their seats; the communication between the variable
high pressure receiver, and the constant low pressure receiver is, therefore
interrupted, but if the bell is weighted with suitable variable weights according
to the pressure wanted (the weight of the bell itself will serve for a low pressure).
the valves will open to a certain extent and allow such a volume of gas to pass
into the constant pressure reservoir as will give the constant pressure desired.
This pressure having been obtained will if the gas is not used at once, tend to
increase and the bell will therefore rise and shut the valves. In the other case, the
greater the quantity of gas used, the more the bell will be lowered, and the more
the valves will be opened. Thus all changes in pressure between the one reservoir
or the other produce a rise or fall of the bell and consequently an opening or closing
of the valves which are in connection with the bell.
The double beat valve is used in order to render the motion of the bell exceedingly
sensitive by compensating the pressure which would have to be overcome in opening.
a single valve. By this arrangement the same pressure, is. exerted on the lower

page_text: surface of the bottom valve and on the upper surface of the upper valve and as the
two valves are connected the pressure is counterbalanced and the bell does not
influence the movement of the valves except by the difference of pressures which is
produced in the high and low pressure reservoirs...
viThis regulator as I have said can scarcely be employed practically except for low
pressures not exceeding 1/10th of an atinosphere, because otherwise it would be
necessary to make it of large dimensions, so that the mercury whose level within
the bell and the annular part is also influenced by the different pressures, shall not
run over the open part.
Moreover in the case of regulating a high pressure down to a constant and
lower pressure I have arranged the system of dry regulator hereafter described,
which is simple and cheap and fulfils the same conditions.
This apparatus shown in figure 3 and indicated by the letter F in the general
arrangement is composed of a cylinder A open at the upper part, that is, in
communication with the atmosphere, and closed at the bottom, in wliich moves a
piston B fixed at one end to a rod C sliding in a stuffing box D) forming part of the
cylinder. The space between the bottom of the cylinder and piston is connected
by a small pipe F with the channel or reservoir for the gas which should have a.
constant pressure. The piston rod C is jointed to a lever G fastened on the handle
of a valve H connecting on the one hand with the high pressure pipe P and on the
other with the pipe E for gas at the regulated pressure. This lever G has at its
extremity a balance weight M adjustable according to the regulated pressure
required.
The open top of the cylinder can have a perforated cover which will give access
of air to the upper surface of the piston.
This apparatus works in the following manner. When not working, the valve
of the small pipe F is shut the piston is at the bottom of its course and the
connecting valve H is full open, but if the balance weight M be placed at a suitable
point on the lever in order to obtain the constant pressure wanted and if the small
valve R be opened, the piston B will rise in the cylinder by the pressure and partly.
shut the valve H which then only allows a lesser quantity of compressed gas to
pass at a pressure which will remain constant. So long as the gas at this constant
pressure is not used, the pressure tends to augment and the piston rises till it shuts
the valve H completely, but if this pressure diminishes, the pressure under the
piston being also diminished, it will fall and open the valve Ĥ more, so that the
pressure will be brought up to the given standard. When the consumption is
constant the piston remains stationary, leaving the valve H always open the same
amount. It is by the aid of these apparatus that the necessary pressures both of
gas and air are regulated in order to obtain light of invariable intensity and
steadiness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
1 claim is.
1st In a system of gas lighting of the kind herein specified, the general arrange-
ment of apparatus described with reference to figure 1, consisting in the combination
of. meter B, mercurial pressure regulator C, high pressure dry regulator F, low
pressure mercurial regulator H and reservoirs G and K.
2nd In a system of gas lighting of the kind herein specified, the arrangement
and combination with motor M of the fans C K, reservoir F, meter B, mercurial
regulator G reservoirs N and P and pressure regulator O as described with reference
to figure 2, for the purpose specified.
3rd In a system of gas lighting of the kind herein specified, the employment of
a dry regulator for high pressures, consisting of cylinder A open at top, piston B,
and piston rod O jointed to a balance lever G connected to valve H, as described
with reference to figure 3.
t

page_text: 4th In a system of gas lighting of the kind herein specified, the employment of
a mercurial regulator for low pressures, consisting of an external and internal
cylinder having an annular space between them to contain mercury, a bell C and
valve seats D and K as described with reference to figure 4 for the purpose
specified.