Improvements in Electrical Ignition Apparatus for Petroleum and other Lamps and Candles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec, 1896-Accepted; 6th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electrical Ignition Apparatus for Petroleum and
other Lamps and Candles.
I, Dr. WILLIAM KAISER, of 48 Haupt-strasse, Fioridsdorf, near Vienna, in
the Empire of Austria, Commissioner of Police, 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 :-
The electrical ignition devices beretofore used for domestic purposes, in which
the ignition has been effected by means of a spark-induction-coil, cau oaly be used
for volatile hydrocarbons, such as benzine, ligroine, &c., whilst they are not
applicable for the ignition of an ordinary petroleum-lamp or a candle. If the
latter are to be ignited by means of an ordinary spark-inductor, the latter must
comprise a large induction-coil which has to be energized by a strong battery.
Such an arrangement, however, cannot be used for domestic purposes; for these
purposes it is necessary that the device shall be capable of being handled easily
and shall occupy only a small space.
I have found, by thorough trials, that. I can use an ordinary small Ruhmkorff
induction-coil together with a small battery for the ignition of a petroleum-lamp,
by so arranging the vibrating spring or hammer of the induction-coil that it will
make say from 1000 to 3000 vibrations per second.
In the ordinary spark-induction-coils, in order to obtain the maximum length of
spark, the velocity of oscillation of the spring or hammer must be only moderate,
since otherwise, by reason of the extra-current produced on "make" or closing of
the primary circuit, a weakening of the magnetization and thereby of the magnetic
induction strengthening the induction-spark takes place, if these extra-currents are
not discharged or suppressed when the current on "break"
occurs.
Such spark-inductors can, as aforesaid, only produce sparks in a portable
ignition apparatus which will ignite benzine, ligroine and similar volatile
combustibles.
But if the vibrating spring is made so short and so weak that it can make say
from 1,000 to 3,000 vibrations per second, the intensity of each single spark
becomes less, whereas the sparks passing between the electrodes follow each other
in such rapid succession that an extremely intense heat is generated, which is
sufficient to ignite instantly the wick of an ordinary petroleum-lamp or of a
candle.
An ignition-device in accordance with this invention is represented in a vertical
section in the accompanying drawing.
In a box A are arranged the dry elements B, the poles of which are connected
with the primary coil of the spark-inductor C. In the lower part of the box the
condenser D is provided. The wires E, F, of the secondary coil are connected
with two current-closing pieces G and O insulated from each other, which are
arranged in such a manner that, when the lamp H is placed over them, the
piece G will come in contact with the wire K which is conducted through an
insulated pipe J, whilst the current-closing piece O will be in electrical connection
with the metallic foot or base of the lamp. The wire K is provided at its upper
extremity with a knob upon which will lie a wire L arranged on the burner and
insulated in a cover, the upper extremity of this wire lies closely in front of an
auxiliary wiok N connected with a metallic wick-pipe M of the lamp. When, by

page_text: means of a pressure-knob P, the cirouit of tho primary coil is closed, a spark passes
between the upper. end of the wire L and the wick-pipe M, which spark will
instantly ignite the auxiliary wick N and by this the main wick.
The provision of an auxiliary wick is not absolutely necessary, as the main wick
may, if desired, be ignited direct.
The igniting arrangement may be carried out in different ways, and may, for
example, be connected with or form part of the lamp. When the igniting device
is to be used for candles, the wick is to be arranged, between two electrodes,
between which the spark will pass.
The special arrangement of the electrodes depends upon and is adapted to the
different applications.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. An electrical igniting device for petroleum and other lamps and candlos,
comprising a spark-induction-coil the vibrating spring of which is made so short
and so weak that it will make from 1,000 to 3,000 vibrations per second for the
purpose of generating spark-currents by means of small clements to be arranged in
narrow spaces, in such rapid succession that a petroleum-lamp or a candle will
instantly be ignited thereby, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. A lamp provided with my improved electrical igniting apparatus
constructed, arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying drawing.
D. YOUNG & Co.,..
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London,, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant..