IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth of the Firm of Wirth and Company
Patent Solicitors at Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of Germany, for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY
LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." A communication froin Christian
Westphal, of Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1881.
FRANK WIRTH of the Firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." [A com-
munication from Christian Westphal of Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of
Germany]
This Invention relates to improvements in the gas' lighting and extinguishing
apparatus described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated the
22nd day of January A.D. 1880, No. 289 and comprises various novel features
hereinafter described.
This lighter consists essentially of the following four principal parts, viz., a
chamber at the base; a valve; igniting and burning devices; and a protecting
casing.
The chamber is divided into three parts viz. a lower, a central and an upper, part
which are united by means of flanges and screws. Firmly clamped in between
the flanges there are supporting rings and membranes or diaphragms. The upper
part of this chamber affords communication between the valve and the igniting
and burning devices; openings are provided at the top to receive a tube through
which the gas passes to the burner, also the tube through which the gas passes for
igniting the gas at the burner, and an isolator. In thel ower opening is screwed a
valve-guide, and a groove is connected with one of the openings; the upper part of
the bore is connected with another of the openings
The central part of the chamber forms the connection between the upper and
lower parts and holds in their places the diaphragms and supporting rings.
The lower part of the chamber, and which is funnel-shaped, serves for fastening
the apparatus to the inlet pipe and carries, with a ring, the outer protecting
casing.

page_text: The valve consists essentially of two parts: a valve guide with the valve seat,
and the valve proper. The valve guide is a tube having a wider bore at the top
than at the hotton thereof. On its upper end, a screw thread is cut by means of
which it can be screwed gas-tight into the base of the upper casing. Over this
part is placed a pipe firmly soldered. Four apertures lead into the inner part of
the tubing, and eight apertures, of which four lie in each of the two superposed
grooves of the central part of the guide-lead into the interior of the valve-guido.
The lower stronger end of the valve-guide serves as a valve seat. In the inner
bore of this part passes also the feeding pipe for the igniting flame. This pipe has,
at its upper end a shoulder, and at its lower end, a screw-thread and nut. By the
screwing of the latter against the valve-guide, the isolator is held fast in the upper
casing, and at the same time a gas-tight closing of the feed-pipe against the other
parts is effected. The valve is made to fit, gas-tight, as far as two circular grooves
on the central part of the valve-guide and the igniting tube, so that it can easily
move up and down. The four apertures of the same correspond with those of a
double flanged piece and of the valve-guide. A flange with the double flanged
piece and the ring screwed on, holds the membranous edges and two pressure-
plates.
The burning and igniting devices are divided into five parts, that is to say
(1) The igniting tube with openings (2) The tube for supplying the burner
(3) a socket screwed to the said tube, and which can be fitted, when desired, with a
pressure regulator (the burner is screwed to this socket) (4) An inner tube for
protecting the igniting flame and having upper and lower protecting rings. This
latter is fastened to the socket by means of a bayonet fastening (5) The igniting
burner secured in the isolator.
All these parts are contained in the upper part of the casing and are united by
means of protecting rings of the inner protecting tube.
Protecting covers or cases surround the whole apparatus. One of these covers
consists of two parts pressed together, which are united to each other and are made
fast with the casing through the supporting ring. Air-slits are provided in the
inclined surface of the under part. The neck of the upper part grasps a straight
tube of which the lower edge rests upon the edge of the case. A finely perforated
helmet or cover forms, with a plate, placed over the burner-socket, the upper part
of the straight tube. It renders possible the lateral escape of the products of
combustion generated by the igniting flame, and also allows the igniting flame to
reach the gas-burner where the gas for illumination is to be ignited.
The isolator is made of asbestos or some other material which is a bad conductor
of heat; the burners for the igniting flame and the outer light are made of
steatite; the valve and valve-guide are of nickel
In using my Invention with argand burners, the igniting flame is produced by
a small Bunsen burner. The inner protecting tube of the igniting flame reaches
to a point over the isolator; An inclined slit provides for the lighting of the gas
escaping through the apertures and thereby of the argand burner. This consists
of a ring of steatite which is cemented upon a brass ring
In the said brass ring is fixed an inner protecting tube and in its upper
enlargement is fixed a glass chimney which reaches with its upper end to a
protecting cowl or cover. The latter is connected either with a reflector or with
the lantern-roof. The products of combustion of the lighting flame keep the
chimney hot, and determine à continual draught through the cowl or cover. The
air necessary for the flame of the gas which feeds the argand burner is supplied
through slits in the lower protecting envelope or case and enters the straight tube,
and thence, already warmed by the igniting flame, flows to the inner flame, of
the argand burner and between it and the chimney. The strong draught
originated by the burning, in the cowl, gives the flame the steadiness which is
generally sought by means of an outer cylinder, whilst the loss of lighting power
thereby occasioned is avoided.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th June
1882.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the- Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS." A com-
munication from Christian Westphal, of Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of
Germany.
This Invention relates to improvements in the gas lighting and extinguishing
apparatus described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated the
22nd day of January A.D. 1880 No. 289 and comprises various novel features
hereinafter described.
This apparatus consists essentially of the following principal parts, viz.; a
chamber at the base; a valve; igniting and burning devices; and a protecting
casing.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 represents the said apparatus in its position when not required for
lighting purposes.
Figure 2 represents part of the same in its position when in use for lighting
purposes
Figure 3 represents the said Invention as applied to so called "argand"
burners.
Figures 4 to 18 are detail views.
The chamber is divided into three parts, the lower part A, the central part B,
and the upper part C, which are united by means of flanges and scrows. Firmly
clamped in between the flanges are the supporting rings xy and the outer edges
of the membranes or diaphragms a, b, the upper part C affords communication
between the valve and the igniting and burning devices; the openings c, c', and c",
are provided at the top to receive a tube D, through which the gas passes to the
burner, also the tube E through which the gas passes for igniting the gas at the
burner, and an isolator F. In the lower part of the opening c" is screwed the
valve-guide J, and the groove therein is connected with the opening c¹ by the
aperture ; the upper part of the bore of the valve-guide is connected with tho
opening c by the aperture w.
The central part B of the chamber forms the connection between the upper
and lower parts, and holds in their places the diaphragms and the supporting
rings x, y.
The lower part A of the chamber, which is funnel-shaped, serves for fastening
the apparatus to the inlet-pipe, and supports the outer protecting casing Q, by
means of the ring d screwed upon the end of the part A.
The valve consists essentially of two parts, vis;-the valve-guide J provided
with the valve-seat, and the valve proper H. The valve-guide J is a tube having
a wider bore at the top than at the bottom thereof, and on its upper end a screw-
thread is cut by means of which it is screwed gas-tight into the base of the upper
casing. Over this valve-guide is placed a pipe or tube e firmly secured and
provided with four apertures which lead into the inner part of the said tube; and
eight apertures are provided in the valve guide, four apertures in each of two
superposed grooves in the central part of the said valve-guide, which apertures
lead into the interior of the valve-guide. The lower end of the valve-guide serves
as a valve seat. Within this part is secured the supply-pipe K, for the igniting
flame. This pipe K, has at its upper end, a shoulder, and at its lower end a screw-
thread and nut, and by screwing the latter against the valve-guide, the isolator F

page_text: is held fast in the upper part of the chamber, and at the same timo a gas-tight
closing of the said supply-pipe against the other parts is effected. The valve
proper H, is made to fit gas-tight as far as the circular grooves f, f', on the central
part of the valvo-guide, and also on the tube e, so that it can easily move up and
down thereon. Four apertures in the said valve correspond with apertures in the
double flanged piece g and with those in the valve-guide. The flange m, tho
double flanged piece 9 and the ring d¹ serve to secure the inner edges of the
diaphragms and the pressure plates a², b¹.
The burning and igniting devices are divided into five parts, that is to say:-
(1) the igniting tube E with the openings n, o. (2) the tube D for supplying
the burner. (3) the socket L screwed to the said tube D and which can be fitted
when desired, as shown in Figure 1, with a pressure regulator; the burner is
screwed to this socket. (4.) the inner tube N for protecting the igniting flame O,
and having upper and lower protecting rings u, u'. The tube N is fastened to
the socket L by means of a bayonet fastening. (5) the igniting burner o¹ secured
in the isolator F.
All these parts are contained in the upper part of the casing, and are united by
means of the protecting rings u, u¹, of the inner protecting tube.
Protecting covers or cases P and Q surround the apparatus, the cover Q consisting
of two parts pressed together and united to each other at q, and secured to the
apparatus by means of the supporting ring d. Air-slits are provided in the
inclined surface of the under part of the said cover.
The neck of the upper part
grasps the straight tubo P the lower edge of which rests upon an internal
projection on the said cover. The finely perforated cap or cover R forms, with the
plate v placed over the burner-socket, the upper part of the straight tube P, and
permits the lateral escape of the products of combustion generated by the igniting
flame, and also allows the igniting flame to reach the gas-burner where the gas
for illumination is to be ignited.
The isolator is made of asbestos or some other material which is a bad conductor
of heat; the burners for the igniting flame and the outer light are made of
steatite; the valve and valve-guide are of nickel.
Figure 3 shows the said Invention as applied to so called "argand" burners;
the igniting flame is produced by a small Bunsen burner. The inner protecting
tube N of the igniting flame O extends to a point over the isolator; the inclined
slit t provides for the ignition of the gas escaping through the apertures n, o, and
thereby that of the gas escaping through the argand burner M. This burner
consists of a ring of steatite which is cemented upon a brass ring M', represented in
section in Figure 4. In the said brass ring M' is fixed the inner protecting tube N
and in an enlargement at the upper end of the tube N is fixed a glass chimney S,
which extends upward to the protecting cowl or cover T. This latter is con-
nected either with a reflector or with the lantern roof. The products of combustion
of the igniting flame keep the chimney S hot, and cause a continual draught through
the said cowl or cover. The air necessary for the combustion of the gas escaping
from the argand burner is supplied through slits in the lower protecting envelope
or case and enters the straight tube and thence, already warmed by the igniting
flame O, flows to the inner part of the flame from the argand burner and between
it and the chimney. The strong draught, caused by the heat in the cowl, gives
the flame the steadiness which is generally sought by means of an outer cylinder
or chimney whilst the loss of lighting power thereby occasioned is avoided.
When the apparatus is screwed onto the gas inlet-pipe and the regulator-tap is
opened, the gas enters beneath the diaphragm a passes through the supply-pipe K
of the igniting flame to the burner o' and thence out of the casing or tube, and
there being ignited, recoils back upon the igniting burner, where it burns as the
igniting flame. During the day-time when the pressure in the inlet is reduced
there is no gas in any part of the valve.
If the pressure in the inlet-pipe is increased so that by its action upon the
diaphragm a it lifts the valve H the latter is moved from its seat and gas flows

page_text: into it through the valve-guide and thence under the diaphragm 6; the valve will
then remain stationary for a moment during which the gas will pervade all parts
of the apparatus open to it and will reach the burner M and the igniting tube E
and passing through n will impinge against the igniting flame o and thus ignite
the gas issuing from the holes o and thereby the gas escaping through the burner.
Meanwhile the equalized pressure against the diaphragm b has completely lifted
the valve and the tightly fitting surfaces of the valve close the holes in the valve-
guide thereby cutting off the supply of gas to the pipe E and holes o, n. The
whole operation in practice occupies a very short time when there is sufficient gas
in the main. Any air that may be above the diaphragm is, by the rising valve,
driven through the holes 8.
The pressure which was necessary for raising the valve may now be reduced to
the normal pressure without any fear of the falling of the valve, because the
working surface of the diaphragmn b is so large that the valve will be held up by
the pressure of the gas upon it, until the "extinguishing pressure" has been
reached. When this takes place the valve slowly falls on to its seat and the outer
flame is thus extinguished. The gas in the valve escapes and is replaced by air
which enters through the openings o, n, r, and passing in an uninterrupted stream
escapes through the burner, thus removing all traces of gas out of the valve, and
preventing the accumulation of dust upon the burner. This draught of air is caused
by the heat from the permanent or igniting flame, the said igniting flame being
in no way disturbed throughout the whole operation.
After the extinction of the gas, the diaphragm b being no longer acted upon, and
the gas pressure acting upon the diaphragm a, the normal pressure can be
re-established without producing ignition or an escape of gas from the burner.
The air necessary for the burning of the igniting flame enters through the slits of
the lower protecting case, thence it passes into the straight tube to the igniting
Hame, while the products of combustion escape through the perforations in the
protecting tube N, and the openings of the cover or cap.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim, in apparatus for automatically lighting
and extinguishing gas.
First. The igniting burner in the centre of the apparatus in combination with
the cap or cover perforated laterally and closed at the top, through which the
products of combustion of the igniting flame may escape without disturbing the
flame from the main burner, substantially as set forth.
Second. One or more diaphragms each in combination with a pressure plate
placed above it, substantially as set forth
Third. The combination of the valve with the, valve-guide provided with a valve-
seat, and with passages for conducting the gas to the igniting burner, the igniting
tube and the main burner, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. The combination with an "argand" burner of a "Bunsen " burner for
the igniting flame, fixed in the centre of the apparatus, and a glass chimney in the
centre of the said "argand" burner, whereby an outer cylinder or chimney, and the
protecting cap for the escape of the products of combustion, are rendered unnecessary,
substantially as set forth."
In witness whereof I the said Frank Wirth have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Seventh day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hund nd niche L
FRANK WIRTH. (L.S.)