CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS BURNERS
Year: 1841

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
DOCKREE, of Galway Street, in the Parish of Saint Luke's, Old Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Gas Fitter, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
bearing date at Westminster, the Fifteenth day of March now last past, did give
and grant unto me, the said John Dockree, Her especial licence, full power, solo
privilege and authority, that I, the said John Dockree, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Dockree, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others.
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS BURNERS;" in which said
Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said John
Dockree, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her
said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Dockrec, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the following
description thereof, that is to say :-
My improvements in what are termed four-hole burners consist, firstly, in
drilling two holes in the centre of the top iron plate obliquely, and then
drilling two other holes, one on each side of the centre ones, at right angles;
so by the holes on the sides, the gas passing out immediately strikes on the
side of the flame from the centre holes, and thereby causes the flame to
elongate, and by that means allow the flame to burn in what are called
straight gas chimnies, such as are commonly in use for argand burners of
twelve or fifteen holes. Although I have mentioned only four holes, I do not
confine myself to that number; extra holes may be made, one on each side of
the centre one, but I have found those with four holes only answer the purpose
very well.
Secondly, in the use of a cone to go inside of the glass holder, having one or
two rows of holes perforated through the cone to admit the atmospheric air,
and thereby make the combustion more complete. Great care should be
observed in making the hole at the top of the cone, which should be one-half
and one-sixteenth part of an inch in diameter, and the cone should stand about
half an inch higher than the head of the burner.
My improvements in argand burners consist, firstly, in brazing, burnishing,
or fastening on the top of the burner a blank plate of metal, then drilling
the holes for the gas to pass out. That part which is the centre should be
drilled with six or more holes in a circular form, and one in the centre, to
admit a suflicient portion of atmospheric air to make the combustion more
complete, and by that means regulate the supply of atmospheric air to the
flame.
Secondly, in making circular caps or plates perforated with holes, as
herein-before stated, and fitting them on to burners now in use. It is of little
consequence whether these plates or caps are placed on the top, middle, or
bottom of the burner; but I prefer them to be on the top. By using these
caps or plates there will be a great saving of gas in burners as are now in
common use.

page_text: holder, perforated on the top to allow the atmospheric air to pass through,
as shown in plate B. Fig. 5 shews an argand burner as now commonly
made, with this difference: it has a plate of iron brazed on the top. After
drilling the required number of holes, then drill in the centre six or seven holes
to allow the atmospheric air to pass through. Figs. 6 and 7 shew two side
burners with their caps and tops brazed on the outer holes for the gas to pass
through, and the inner ones for the atmospheric air. Fig. 8 represents an
argand burner. Figs. 91, 93, shew the inner linings, and by contracting the
neck will only allow a sufficient quantity of air to pass through to make the
combustion more complete. By so doing will answer the purpose of the caps,
or making the tops, as herein-before stated. Fig. 10 is the top of argand
burner to Fig. 8. Figures 11, 12, and 18, shew the brass caps..
In witness whereof, I, the said John Dockree, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-one.