CERTAIN IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LAMPS FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND OTHER MINERAL OILS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Price, of Mill Street, Crewe, in the County
of Chester, Gas Engineer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LAMPS FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND
OTHER MINERAL OILS."
Sealed the 16th April 1875, and dated the 22nd February 1875.

page_text: the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I am the first and
true Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Price, do hereby declare
that the following Complete (Specification, under my hand and seal,
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed and to the
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say: —
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in the con-
struction of lamps for burning petroleum and other mineral oils, and
whereby the necessity for a glass chimney, also an outer case for carrying
lamps for any known distance is dispensed with, and the liability to
failure in burning and the flame being extinguished is avoided.
My said Invention is especially applicable to the construction of
lamps to be employed as railway and marine "signal lamps" and railway
engines or carriages and wagons' "head and tail lamps."
The lamp is provided with a reservoir for oil, the sides of which are at
right angles with the base for a short distance so as to cause the outer
case to fit firmly over it, and thereby making the base of the lamp air-
tight, and so preventing the flame from being blown out. Upon the
reservoir is placed two tubes that have direct communication with the
oil which will allow the escape of any gasious vapour which may be
generated without contact with the flame.
On the base of the reservoir and surrounding the flame is placed a
case formed partly of glass and partly of metal and constructed of any
suitable shape, such case is supported on the sides of the reservoir and
fits closely over it so as to prevent the admittance of any air in the base-
ment of the lamp or below the flame, which causes a vacuum, and so
preventing the flame from being extinguished, and also to insulate the
case so as to prevent the heat being conducted therefrom too freely to
the oil reservoir.
In the sides of the case are fixed suitable glasses or lenses to allow of
the passage of light from the burner. Upon the upper portion of the
case is fixed a tube or metal chimney placed in the centre, extending
downward to within a short distance of the flame for the purpose of
carrying off the heat and products of combustion. Attached to this is a

page_text: perforated box in the head of the lamp, there furnished with a metallic
plug which answers as a midfeather to prevent any downward draught
being projected on the flame. On the exterior of this tube is placed a
tubular case to act as a protector and to allow of a regulated supply of
air which is drawn within the case through the vacuum which is caused
by the non-admittance of air in the basement of the lamp or below the
flame, and so carries away the aqueous vapour and hot air, thereby
keeping the lamp always cool, clear, and free from moisture. Upon the
top of this tubular case is placed a metal cap so arranged as to leave a
space between it and the tube to admit of the regulated supply of air.
On the outside of the last mentioned case and perforated box is placed
a wind guard to give additional protection to the chimney, and upon the
top of which is placed a metal flap or shield for the purpose of preventing
the light from being affected by the wind and also of causing it to burn
717

page_text: in conclusion that what I consider novel and original and therefore claim
as constituting the Invention secured to me by the said herein-before
recited Letters Patent are,-
First. The non-admittance of air within the basement of the lamp or
below the flame, thereby preventing it from being extinguished by the a
means and in the manner substantially herein-before set forth.
And, Secondly. The combination of parts and mechanism, substantially
as and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Price, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of February, in the year 1
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
HENRY PRICE