IMPROVE- MENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING VOLATILE AND OTHER OILS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER of Buckingham Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING VOLATILE AND OTHER OILS" to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to lamps for burning petroleum and other liquid
hydro-carbons, and also fixed oils, and my said invention has reference particularly
to the mechanism or appliance for raising the oil from a storage or supply reservoir
to the wick chamber of the lamp to which my invention is applied, so that the
liquid oil contained within a collapsable chamber (which is at a lower level) shall
be forced in sufficient quantity to a higher one, for the proper feeding of the wicks,
whether the supply reservoir be wholly or only partially filled. The oil in the
supply chamber or reserve reservoir is always kept up to the wicks to within
a short distance of the point of ignition according to the character of oils being
burned; that is, the oil in the reserve storage and supply reservoir is forced or
raised from a lower to a higher level, for the purpose as described.
I will now describe my invention as applied to a lamp for burning petroleum or
other liquid hydro carbons. -
Within the centre of the oil reservoir and passing nearly from top to bottom
thereof, is a valve-sleeve or pipe which consists of a concentric tube larger in
diameter at its top end; the extreme summit of which is provided with a milled
flange which protrudes, or comes just above the top of the oil reservoir or jacket of
the lamp; this long concentric valve sleeve or pipe, is for the purpose of covering
and uncovering holes or passages which admit or allow oil to flow from the storage
reservoir chamber into a bag or sack; and from thence is forced up a tube as herein-
after described to the wicks of the lamp. The valve sleeve described by its
rotation also opens or distends the sack or bag containing oil which is effected by
a sliding collar working up and down the sleeve tube, and situated within and
running down the axis of this sleeve or pipe, is an oil feeding tube; that is, this
tube consists of a rod having a small passage running through its axis, through
which oil is forced to a wick chamber situated at the top thereof; the middle of the
tube or rod is wormed with a quick-threaded screw upon which a screw-box rise
and falls connected with a sliding collar. The screw box is prevented from rotating
by taking into longitudinal slots running down the outer sleeve. On the outside
of the wick chamber, a screw thread is cut, which compels the outer sleeve on being
Price 8d1

page_text: rotated to rise and fall as well as to rotate when turned. The bottom of the wick
or oil feeding tube has a flange and neck at its bottom; and immediately above
this flange, is a valve seat with open passages passing to the oil bag or sack.
Upon the neck of the flange, the mouth of the bag or sack is attached. The said
sack has a solid bottom.which is provided at its middle with a rod standing from
the inside thereof, the said rod which has taper flats passes up the oil feeding
passage in the wick feeding tube, for regulating the exact quantity of oil that shall
be allowed to pass to the wick chamber. The oil contained in the sack is forced to
the wick chamber by a coiled spring acting underneath its rigid bottom; a cord or
chain passing over pulleys is attached at the one end to the traversing collar, as
herein before described, and at its other end to the bottom of the bag.
The wick chamber into the top of which the burner of the lamp takes or is fitted
is provided with side holes passing downwards, so that when oil is poured into the
wick chamber, it overflows through the openings down the inside of the sleeve into
the reservoir.
The action of the lamp is as follows, when it is desired to effect a continuous
supply of oil to the wicks.
By rotating the milled head of the sleeve-valve or pipe from left to right; the
bottom of the pipe seat is removed from the valve openings passing to the bag,
which allows oil to pass from the oil chamber, and at the same time the traversing
collar on the sleeve to which the cord is connected, is drawn by the traversing or
moving downwards of the collar worked by the quick
ick threaded screw on the wick
feeding tube; the result is that the rotation of the sleeve or pipe, opens the inlet
valve from the storage oil reservoir, distends the gusetted supply, oil bag, and
compresses the spring thereunder, the inflating or opening out of the bag draws
oil-into and fills the said bag. By now rotating the milled head in the reverse
direction, the valve openings from the storage reservoir are closed and the cord
attached to the bottom of the bag is relaxed or runs loose, which allows the whole
tension of the spring underneath the bottom of the bag to press forcibly the oil
contained therein up the passage in the central tube, into the wick chamber at its
summit, thus constantly keeping the oil up to the wicks in the wick chamber or in
other words the oil to be consumed is always kept at a constant level up to the
wicks or not far removed from the point of ignition, and therefore a steady and
clear light is produced so long as any oil remains in the flexible supply bag.
The oil bag or sack is made preferably of gold beater skin, bladder or such like
material, not impervious or not likely to be affected by the oil.
Where a low pressure is required to force the oil from a lower to a higher level,
I suspend the spring inside the sack or bag for the purpose herein before described,
so that the pressure is exerted upon the bottom of the yielding bag by contraction
instead of by expansion.

page_text: 60
I, FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER of Buckingham Street Birmingham in the County
of Warwick, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING VOLATILE AND OTHER OILS," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
My invention has reference to Lamps for burning Petroleum and other liquid
hydro-carbon and other fixed oils, and my said invention has reference particularly
to the mechanism or appliance for raising the oil from a storage or supply
reservoir to the wick chamber of the lamp to which my invention is applied; so
that the liquid oil contained within a collapsable chamber which is at a (lower
level) shall be forced in sufficient quantity to a higher one for the proper feeding
of the wicks whether the supply reservoir be wholly or only partially filled; the
oil in the supply chamber or reserve reservoir is kept up to the wicks to within a
short distance of the point of ignition according to the character of oils being
burned; that is, the oil in the reserve storage and supply reservoir is forced or
raised from a lower to a higher level for the purpose as described.
I will now describe my invention as applied to a lamp for burning petroleum and
other liquid hydro-carbons.
Within the centre of the oil reservoir and passing nearly from top to bottom
thereof is a valve sleeve or pipe which consists of a concentric tube larger in
diameter at its top end; the extreme summit of which, is provided with a capstan
handle which protrudes, or comes just above the top of the oil reservoir or jacket
of the lamp; this long concentric valve sleeve or pipe is for the purpose of
covering and uncovering holes or passages which admit or. allow oil to flow from
the storage reservoir chamber into a bag or sack; and from thence is forced up a
hole or tube as hereinafter described to the wicks of the lamp. The sleeve
described by its rotation also opens or distends the sack or bag containing oil
which is effected by a sliding collar working up and down the sleeve tube, and
situated within and running down the axis of this sleeve or pipe, is an oil feeding
hole or tube; that is, this tube consists of a rod having a small passage running
through its axis, through which oil is forced to a wick chamber situated at the top
thereof, the middle of the tube or rod is worned with a quick threaded screw
upon which a screw box rises and falls connected with a sliding collar. The screw
box is prevented from rotating by taking into longitudinal slots running down the
outer sleeve. On the outside of the wick chamber, a screw thread is cut, which
compels the outer sleeve on being rotated to rise and fall as well as to rotate when
turned. The bottom of the wick or oil feeding tube has a flange and neck at its
bottom; and immediately above this flange, is a valve seat with open passages
passing to the oil bag or sack. Upon the neck of the flange, the mouth of the
bag or sack is attached. Within the wick chamber a buoyant float carries a rod
or wire provided with taper flats; the end of this wire fits accurately the bore of
the supply passage running up the central axis, and through this passage as before
described, oil is fed to the wick chamber; so that when the flat or cut away part

page_text: of the wire or rod lies a little below a false nose, in the bottom of the wick
chamber, then liquid is allowed to pass, or be forced through the supply tube or
feeding passage into the wick chamber. The float regulates the exact quantity of
oil that shall be allowed to pass to the wicks. The oil contained in the bag is
forced to the wick chamber by a coiled spring acting underneath its rigid bottom;
A cord or chain passing over pulleys is attached at the one end to the traversing
collar as herein-before described, and at its other end to the bottom of the bag.
The wick chamber into the top of which the burner of the lamp takes or is
fitted is provided with side holes passing downwards so that when oil is poured
into the wick chamber, it over-flows through the openings down the inside of the
sleeve into the oil reservoir.
The action of the lamp is as follows, when it is desired to effect a continuous
supply of oil to the wicks.
.
By rotating the capstan or milled head of the sleeve valve or pipe from left to
right, the bottom of the pipe seat is removed from the valve openings passing to
the bag, which allows oil to pass from the oil chamber, and at the same time the
traversing collar on the sleeve to which the.cord is connected, is drawn by the
traversing or moving downwards of the collar worked by the quick threaded screw
on the wick feeding tube; the result is, that the rotation of the sleeve or pipe,
opens the inlet valve from the storage oil reservoir, distends the gussetted supply
oil bag, and compresses the spring thereunder; the inflating or opening out of the
bag draws oil into and fills the said bag. By now rotating the milled head in the
.reverse direction, the valve openings from the storage reservoir are closed, and the
bag released from the tension or opening out by catch springs carried by a sleeve,
so as to allow the whole tension of the spring for collapsing the bag; the release
being effected by a travelling nut. The cord or cords attached to the bottom of
the bag is or are relaxed or runs or run loose which allows the whole tension of
the spring underneath the bottom of the bag to press forcibly the oil contained
therein up the passage in the central tube into the wick chamber at its summit,
thus constantly keeping the oil up to the wicks in the wick chamber or in other
words the oil to be consumed is always kept at a constant level up to the wicks or
not far removed from the point of ignition, and therefore a steady and clear light
is produced so long as any oil remains in the flexible supply bag.
The oil bag or sack is made preferably of gold beater's skin, bladder or such
like material, not impervious or not likely to be affected by the oil.
Where a low pressure is required to force the oil from a lower to a higher level,
I suspend the spring inside the sack or bag for the purpose herein before described,
so that the pressure is exerted upon the bottom of tlie yielding bag by contraction
instead of by expansion.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings,
the manner in which my invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a complete longitudinal vertical section of a lamp constructed
according to my invention, provided with flexible bag, oil raising expedients, and
parts for the raising and lowering of the bag, combined with releasing and other
arrangements for effecting a continuous flow of paraffin or other oil from a lower
to a higher level. The bag in the said view being shown in its collapsed state
ready to be filled with the oil contained thereunder, and around the jacket,
surrounding the said bag and other parts, the supply valve being shown closed, and
the wick tube regulating valve being shown open-Figure 2 is a part longitudinal
section of figure 1, the regulating valve in the wick chamber being closed; that is,
the wire or stem entirely fills up the hole in the false nose, so as to interrupt the
flow of oil to the wicks, the bag being shown in the act of supplying the oil
reservoir Figure 3 represents that portion of the lamp mechanism which refers
to the releasing of the bag, after it has been inflated or filled with oil, prior to the
action of the spring, for producing the necessary raising pressure; the spring arms
being shown distended or pushed outwards, and the ring carrying the gut hooks
hear the bottom of the sleeve, resting upon the trunnion arms of the raising

page_text: screw nut-Figure 4 is the same section as figure 3 (spring carrying' sleeve)
Figure 5 is a section of the valve sleeve, showing the concave of the valve seat ✓
Figure 6 is a side view of a portion of the raising and lowering mechanism and
bag. This view is shown principally to represent the slide attached to the rigid
bottom of the bag, and also the position of the pullies with respect to the other
parts.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the Drawings.
a is a concentric tube larger in diameter at its top edge, which constitutes a
valve sleeve or pipe; the extreme summit of this tube is provided with a capstan
handle a², for the distension of the bag for filling, and also for the releasing of the
bag when filled; so that this sleeve a rises or falls and rotates according to the
direction in which the capstan handle a is rotated-a³ is a screw thread on the
upper or enlarged part of the valve sleeve, which worms upon a screw thread b
on the outside of the wick chamber b-a' is an opening in the said sleeve a
through which oil escapes, by the overflow b³ to the outer casing of the lamp
hereinafter described-a³ is a longitudinal slot running down the contracted part
of the said valve sleeve and in which trunnion arms or pins move up and down
on the capstan a² being rotated-a is the concave of the valve seat, the solid part
thereof, closing over the valve openings leading to the interior of the bag. In
figure 1 the valve end is shown closed upon the said openings, or sluices c is a
square threaded screw of a moderate pitch and d is a quick threaded screw, the
former works the liberating screw box l, while the latter works the bag opening.
screw box or nut f-The combined wick holder b. and screws c and d are made in
one piece, and is screwed into a socket or flange g³ made with the fixed top g' of
the flexible bag g-h, is the outer jacket of the lamp surrounding and covering up
the bag g and coiled spring i; 'this spring i rests at its upper end against the
solid bottom g' of the flexible bag, and abuts at its lower end upon the frame j
carrying the guide rods and other parts supporting the lamp and lamp.
mechanism. kk are guiding slides attached to the rigid bottom of the bag, which
are best seen in figure 6-7 is a cord passing over a pulley on 'the underside of the
bag and passing over other pulleys m m m, situated around the framing of the
bag The terminal ends of the said cord or chain is attached to hooks carried by
a collar q raised by a nut or screw box d working on the quick threaded screw; so
that the cord or chain is connected to the traversing collar moved by the capstan
sleeve, while the other end is connected to the rigid bottom of the flexible bag; so
that the rotation of the capstan turning on the summit of the pillar of the lamp
opens the valve by raising the valve sleeve, and at the same time distends the
sack or bag containing oil.
In the axis of the combined wick chamber and screwed spindle of two pitches.
(which is a fixture) an oil feeding hole or passage n runs from the interior of the
bag to the wick chamber; and through this passage oil is forced by the pressure of
the spring exerting itself upon the underside of the flexible bag. The screw
boxes e and frise and fall and are prevented from rotating by taking into longitu-
dinal slots as running down on opposite sides of the sleeve a; so that the screw
thread b as described, compels the outer sleeve on being rotated, to rise fall and
rotate; the rotary motion causing the traversing up and down of the nuts e and f.
The valve seat a covering the passages oo leading to the bag or sack; when
the valve is down, oil can only escape up the passage n to the wick chamber,
but when open, oil passes therethrough from the jacket surrounding and lying
under the bag when the said bag is not distended.
Within the wick chamber b is a buoyant float r which raises and lowers the wire
or rod s within the hole in the false nose t-s² is a flat or cut away part on the
said wire; so that by the raising and lowering of the float, the cut away part of
the rod is raised or lowered within the bore of the false nose, and oil allowed to
flow into the wick chamber, or be stopped. This in fact constitutes the regula-
ting valve, so that no more liquid is allowed to pass into the wick chamber than

page_text: is absolutely necessary; the buoyant float always keeping the liquid at a constant
level; the bore of the false nose leading to the oil passage n is counterbored to the
exact size of the wire 8, so that when the cut away part 2 lies a little below the
entrance to the false nose, by the falling of the float, then oil can freely pass to
the wick chamber, the rising of the level of the oil therein, causing the float to
rise, and carrying with it the valve stem, which fills up the entire passage of the
false nose, until the float again falls by the consumption of the oil, and so on con-
stantly allowing the wicks to be supplied with oil a little below their points of
ignition-The float is carried and supported by suitable frame-work which is
situated in the middle of the wicks u. u. All superfluous oil is taken off by the
openings 63 63 leading to the lamp jacket. v is the burner of the lamp, the socket
fitting into the open end of the wick chamber.
The action of the lamp is as follows, when it is desired to effect a continuous
supply of oil to the wicks.
By turning the capstan a², the sleeve a is rotated and raised, which lifts the end
or seat as of the valve from off the passages or sluices o o passing to the interior of
the bag. The opening of such passages allow oil from the oil chamber P to pass
therethrough into the interior of the bag on its inflation or opening out, by the
rotation of the sleeve compelling the nut f to rise by its trunnion arms f' taking
into or through the slot as of the said sleeve a; the rising of this nut f upon the
quick threaded screw d compels the collar q carrying the screwhooks, on which
the ends of the gut l are attached to rise until the said ring or collar q has risen to
the top of the catch sleeve w, as represented in figure .4 which is held suspended
by the catch snugs x x of the spring ; And at the same time that the nut f
has risen on the coarse threaded screw d, the nut e has risen upon the screw c to the
upper end thereof, under the wick chamber. The bag being now distended and
filled with oil which has passed from the jacket by the partial vacuum created on
the opening out. of the bag; the spring thereunder being also compressed.
The bag being now filled, and the spring compressed, it can be left in this
condition until it is required to be used.
To start the lamp, turn the capstan handle a² in the reverse direction to that
already described, when the screw boxes e and fare lowered; to the positions
represented in figure 1, the trunnion ends e³ of the former bending outwards the
springs xx, so as to liberate the ring 9 which falls to the position as represented in
figure 3-The valve openings o o are closed by the solid of the valve as closing over
them.
The valve being now closed, and the bag liberated from its distended position by
the removal of the spring catches, the whole force of the spring is expended upon
the underside of the flexible gussetted bag g, which presses or forces the liquid
contained therein up the channel n into the wick container b which is regulated in
height by the float r rising and falling the rod s with its cut away part & lying
within the bore of the false nose t when oil is to be admitted, and filling it up with
the solid of the wire when it is to be stopped. By employing such a regulating
expedient as described, oil is constantly kept up to the wicks in the wick Chamber,
or in other words, oil to be consumed is kept up to a constant level or thereabouts,
not far removed from the points of ignition, and thereby obtaining a steady and
clear light so long as oil remains in the flexible bag, which is preferably made of
gold beater's skin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The improvements in lamps herein before described and illustrated in
figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings; consisting of a flexible
gussetted bag, distended or opened out for tilling and working, by the rising and
falling of a screw nut or box acting upon a ring or carrier slide, to which the
-terminal ends (on one side) of a cord or chain is attached; the other end or ends,

page_text: being connected to the underside of the bag. The opening out of the said flexible
bag, and the opening of the inlet valve being effected by the turning in one
direction of a capstan handle, which rotates and raises a slotted sleeve in which the
trunnion arms on the nut or screw box takes and moves-The slots in the sleeve
carry the screw nut round, and raise and lower it upon the quick threaded screw;
up the centre of which an oil tube or passage passes and terminates in a wick
holder;
the liquid being forced to the said wick holder or chamber by a coiled
spring under the bag-The liberation of the filled distended bag for the forcing of
the oil being effected by liberating a spring catch, on rotating the sleeve by the
capstan handle in the reverse direction, the oil being kept at a constant level
within the wick chamber by a float which raises and lowers a wire or regulator
working within the top of the oil passage or false nose, the parts being constructed,
arranged, combined and working substantially in the ways, and for the purposes
herein before described and set forth.
Secondly. The raising of oil from a lower to a higher level for lamps herein-
before described and set forth in the several figures of the drawings; that is to say,
forcing oil by means of a flexible bag or sack and a coiled spring or springs The
former distended and liberated and the latter compressed by the mechanical means
hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The distension of flexible bags or oil reservoirs, and the opening of
the inlet valve thereto by a-rotating sleeve,, combined with a central stem having
three varying pitched screws cut thereon as described and illustrated.
Fourthly The flexible bag releasing catches and nut e and parts connected
therewith as described and illustrated.
Fifthly. The means of regulating the flow of oil to the wick chamber so as to
effect a constant level of oil therein hereinbefore described and set forth.
Lastly. The general arrangement or combination of the parts as hereinbefore
described and represented in the whole of the figures of the drawings.
Dated this Twenty sixth day of March 885
885
FRANCIS ROBERT BAKER.
By Henry Skerrett,.
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicant.