AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS BURNERS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the "International Patent
Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING
AND EXTINGUISHING GAS BURNERS." -A communication from abroad by
Baron Werner Oldershausen. of Vienna. Austria.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Haseltine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th May 1873.
I, GEORGE HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office,"
Southampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING GAS BURNERS," a communication,
to be as follows :―
This Invention relates to a peculiar method of lighting and
extinguishing gas burners, by means of which one, several, or a multitude
of house lamps, chandeliers, or street lamps can be simultaneously

page_text: lighted. The lighting is effected by means of a galvano-mechanical
apparatus, which when set in action either by hand or preferably by
pressure generated at the gas works or other convenient station, creates
an electric current and sufficient heat for igniting a gas jet.
"
The galvanic apparatus consists essentially of a holder containing a
liquid for exciting the electric current, an electro-negative plate
preferably of carbon, an electro-positive plate preferably of zinc, which
is only immersed in the liquid when the electric current is required,
and finally of platinum wires for conducting the current to the spot
where the gas jet is to be ignited.
The mechanical apparatus consists of an arrangement of floats, tubes,
valves, plungers, and excentrics in connection with clockwork; these
parts when set in motion by means of a pressure of gas or otherwise
cause the clectro-positive plate of the galvanic apparatus to be
temporarily immersed in the exciting liquid, thus creating the clectric
current igniting the gas jet. The extinguishing of the gas jets is
effected by the same mechanical apparatus being set in motion by a
change in the pressure of the gas.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Haseltine in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th November 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," Southampton Build-
ings, London, Doctor of Laws, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, givo
and grant unto me, the said George Haseltine, Her special licence that I,
the said George Haseltine, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said George Haseltine, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the

page_text: Fifthly. In the use of ratchet wheels and pawls for regulating the
opening and closing of the gas passages.
Sixthly. In various devices for rendering the working of galvano-
mechanical apparatus for lighting and extinguishing gas lamps
practically efficient.
The accompanying Drawings show the lighting and extinguishing
apparatus applied in three different ways.
Sheets 1 and 2 show two forms of a galvano-mechanical apparatus by
means of which especially street lamps can be lighted or extinguished
through the medium of a pressure generated at the gas factory..
Sheet 3 shows an apparatus for lighting and extinguishing, especially
house lamps for family use.
Sheet 4 shows an apparatus for lighting and extinguishing, especially
lustres or candelabra.
Numbers 1 and 2. Lighting and Extinguishing Apparatus for Street
Lamps. The glass vase g is closed at the top by the cover D, which is
either screwed on or else held down by the hydraulic closer shown in the
Drawing. This vase is filled to a certain height with a liquid composed
of bichromate of potash and dilute sulphuric acid. On the cover D are
fixed two burners (the principal burner and the lateral burner). To the
interior of the cover is fixed the cylinder body A which plunges into the
liquid. To the lower surface of the cylinder is fixed the tube R which
ascends to the principal burner in such a manner that the spaco R is
separated from the space W in the interior of the vase, or that it only
communicates with this latter by the small aperture O. The tube w
coming from the main pipe also opens into R above the level of the
liquid and communicates with it, either by an opening formed in the
bottom of the vase or else as is shown in the Drawing by passing round
the exterior of the vase and branching in two directions, one branch
going towards R and the other to the principal jet. The lateral jet
opens into the space W in the glass vase. A second tube S enlarged at
its upper end ascends from the cylinder A, passes through the cover to
which it is hermetically soldered and issues into the open air. The
lower and narrower end of the tube reaches as far down as the base of the
cylinder A. The carbon disc K is placed on the cylinder A and at a
certain distance from this disc is fixed the zinc plate Z in such a manner
that in its normal condition it is out of the liquid. The zinc and tho

page_text: carbon are isolated from each other and only communicate either by the
metal cylinder A or else by the platinum holders d which are mounted
on the cover, or by the platinum wire itself in such a manner that the
circuit is closed by the rising of the liquid. The two jets are closed
hydraulically by the closers h, h', which are constructed as follows:-
The tubes, r, have lateral openings 8, 8¹, by which the gas onters the
inverted bell-shaped jars g, g', and lifts up a certain quantity of the
closing liquid (mercury) corresponding to the existing difference of
pressure, and causes it to enter into the cylinders c, c', which com-
municate with the burners. By this means the gas can only escape if
the mercury falls below the level of the bell-shaped jars 9, 9', Both the
raising and lowering of the mercury can only be effected by the lifting
and plunging of the cylinders v, v¹. Consequently the mercury will
enter into or flow away from the passages K, K³, and thus the level of
the mercury will be lowered or raised. The plungers, v, v¹, are set in
motion by the eccentrics or cams E, E¹, which according to their
position cither lower or raise the plungers by acting on the friction
rollers t, t. The eccentrics or cams are kept in position by the ratchet
wheel M and the detent p. A train of clockwork L (which must be
wound up once a month) turns the eccentrics. The catch p is acted and
disengaged by means of the immerged bell-shaped jar H. The latter
floats in the liquid of the tube S and is equilibrated in such a manner
that it always preserves its lowest position except under the influence of
excess of pressure. The air enclosed in the jar communicates with the
outside air by means of a small hole formed at O', and as any air in tho
jar H can escape by this hole the liquid can displace itself in S without
lifting the jar.
The lighting and extinction of the jets is effected as follows:-In its
normal condition the levels of the liquid in A or R and W are equal,
because the tension of the gas compensates itself rapidly through the
aperture O. In the tube 8 the acid rises above the level due to the
atmosphere by a quantity due to the pressure which the gas attains. If
then an excess of pressure is produced suddenly the gas cannot escape
fast enough by the aperture O nor attain a state of equilibrium in W.
The consequence is an immediate and rapid fall in the level of the liquid
at A. The liquid forced out of A is compelled to enter almost entirely
into the tube S, for the raising of the liquid in W can only be effected
imperceptibly by reason of the compression of the gas confined in this

page_text: space. The ascension in S and the lowering in A continue till the new
level corresponds to the excess of pressure of the gas. The liquid which
rises rapidly in the tube S lifts up the jar H and thus disengages the
catch and sets the train of clockwork in motion, which turns the ratchet
wheel to the extent of one tooth. The eccentric or cam E fixed on the
same axis effects the opening of the lateral burner B (which burner has
a very deep slit); thus communication with the air outside is established
in W, wherein the liquid rises rapidly, and the zinc is immersed so as to
give rise to an electric current, the platinum becomes hot and kindles
the lateral jet. In the meantime the train of clockwork which continues
to move slowly opens the principal jet by means of the second eccentric
or cam E¹, and a light is then kindled; the eccentric or cam E¹ now
closes the lateral jet, the catch or detent takes hold of the neighbouring
pin of the ratchet wheel and stops the movement. The floating jar H
offers no resistance in this caso, because in the first instance the level in
S is lowered by the opening of the lateral jet, and the air recovers its
equilibrium by opening the aperture o'; the principal jet then continues
to burn till the arrival of a second momentary increase of pressure from
the gasometer; the jar is then raised as before and the catch disengaged.
The eccentric is however formed in such a manner that the lateral jet
is maintained closed, the effect of which is to prevent the acid from
rising ineffectually to the zinc. On the other hand the eccentric E
closes the principal jet, and the catch maintains the wheel in the new
position. Each time the pressure is renewed the apparatus will act.
The apparatus above described has the special and important peculi-
arity that it is possible by the action of a slight (sudden) increase in the
pressure of the gas on the floating jar H to make use of the power in
the clockwork L; thus for every time that the jets are lighted or
extinguished only that amount of force necessary to open or shut the
principal and lateral burners need be employed. The floating jar may
therefore be regarded as a "relay" or introducer of force; the force
contained in a train of clockwork L can be made to work the apparatus
in a different manner if desired. Instead of causing the liquid to ascend
to the zinc by the direct pressure of the gas the zinc can be withdrawn
from and immerged in the liquid by means of an eccentric, a lever, and
an hydraulic stuffing box.
It is necessary to add that the arrangement of the eccentric is such
that it is possible to extinguish a certain number of flames sooner than

page_text: others. The Drawing shews the shapes of the two different eccentrics or
cams employed for this purpose.
The acid may be renewed by the tube S without incurring the necessity
of raising the cover D. The level of the mercury may be rectified by
means of the screws g, g.
At places where the supply of the gas presents unfavorable conditions
the ratchet wheel may be set free by means of a train of clockwork,
which at a given moment will seize the catch and permit the movement
to work to a fixed distance. Either a weight or a spring may be
employed in the clockwork, the ratchet wheel being modified accord-
ingly.
Instead of the arrangement of pipes for the principal and auxiliary
burners, shewn in Sheet 1, the arrangement shewn in Sheet 2 of the
Drawings may be employed with vertical pipes connected by a horizontal
cross piece. This plan enables the platinum wire, its holders, and the
auxiliary flame to be protected from the influence of the weather by
means of the cylinder which is shewn surrounding them.
Number 3. The Lighter and Extinguisher for House Lamps for Family
Usc.―The gas which passes through the conducting tube C fixed to the
bottom of the glass vaseg enters by the lateral openings o, o¹, into a
larger tube R which communicates below with the hardened caoutchouc
or india-rubber float immersed in the liquid, and is closed above by
the picce S penetrated by the tubes 2, 7, of the principal and lateral
burners. On the tube b is fixed a little vase Q filled with mercury, and
the openings o, o¹, are immersed therein. The tube 2 of the principal
burner is immersed still deeper. The larger tube R passes through the
cover and rises and falls with the two burners when the float rises and
falls. In the normal condition the two small tubes are closed by the
mercury. The liquid in the vase G is at a higher level than that in the
float, and does not wet the zine which surrounds the carbon K. If an excess
of pressure takes place the float rises until it touches, and the liquid is
pushed towards the zinc, and thus the galvanic current is generated.
By raising the float the ends of the tubes 1, 2, leave the mercury and
the gas can escape freely. The circuit is closed by means of the platinum
wire mounted on the two platinum holders d, d, the wire gets red hot
and kindles the principal and lateral jets. On the piece s which carries
the burner is fixed the ratchet wheel M which rises and falls with the

page_text: float. The catch or detent z screwed on the cover bears on the pin of
the wheel when the float is lifted, and when it is lowered the catch
engages the wheel and turns it as far as the adjoining pin. If the
pressure ceases the liquid is lowered, the float tends to fall, being
hindered or not in this operation according as the wheel M is placed by
the catch in the position that a tooth or a recess of the wheel M bears
on the piece S. If it is the tooth so situated the float can only fall by
the amount necessary to close the small tube by means of the mercury,
thus closing the lateral burner while the principal burner remains open.
If a new momentary pressure takes place the float rises again, and as
soon as the pressure ceases the catch 9 turns the wheel through the
space due to one pin, but at this moment a recess of the wheel corre-
sponds with the piece s, the float is completely lowered and then closes.
the principal burner.
Number 4. Lighter and Extinguisher for Candelabra and Lustres.-The
gas supplied by the tube L enters by means of the openings 1, r, into
the cock h, in which are made two passages o, o¹, corresponding with 1, 1 ;
one of these openings communicates with the principal burner B, the
the other with the lateral burner e. The rotation of the cock his
effected by means of the ratchet wheel M (which in the Drawing is
provided with eight pins) as well as by the double acting detent C which
plays in the slide S, S, the teeth z, z¹, of which are maintained in position
by a spring. If the double acting detent is pulled down by means of
the mechanism hercin-after described the tooth z engages the adjoining
pin, while the tooth slides over on the opposite pin without moving it ;
the cock is thus turned through 45° and fully opens the passage into the
lateral burner, while the passage to the principal burner is only opened
to a very slight extent at the same time as the galvanic current as
herein-after described is produced and the gas lighted; when the double-
acting detent C rises the tooth z slides, and the tooth causes the pin
in contact with it to rise again; thus the lateral burner is closed while
the principal burner is fully open. A new lowering or a new pressure
closes o and keeps o' still shut, and thus extinguishes the flame, the
ascension then leaves the two openings closed; the galvanic clement is
placed in the vase G. The carbon K plunges into the liquid, and is
arranged in annular discs surrounding the leaden tube V which is
screwed into the cover D. The zinc cylinder z surrounds the carbon, and
the former is in its normal condition out of the liquid. The lead in

page_text: tube R penetrates the bottom of the vase G by means of an opening in
which the tube is hermetically screwed, and reaches above the level of
the liquid, and the vase G is pushed from below as far as the cover D,
in such a manner that the tubo R places itself between the tubo V' and
a second tubo of brass I screwed into the cover. The vase is solidly
screwed to the cover by means of tho nut N. A spring fenclosed in
this tube I is intended to assure the rising movement of the doublo-
acting detent 6 already mentioned. In order to lower the double-acting
detent C the knob $ must be pulled down, the knob carries with it the
rod T, and with it the catch d which is fastened to it. On this same
catch or detent is fastened and isolated the zinc. When the detent is
lowered the zinc plunges into the liquid, and the circuit is completed by
means of the platinum wire fixed to the wire carriers d, d.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I do not confine myself precisely to the
constructions described although I generally prefer to employ the same,
but can if desired modify them by the substitution of electric coils
instead of cylindrical floats, the use of platinum or copper instead of
carbon, the use of the clectric spark instead of the platinum wire, the
use of valves instead of mercurial closers, the substitution of other
liquids, the application of arrangements to provent freezing, the use of
reservoirs to maintain the right level of the liquid, and other means,
which in order to simplify the present description and the Drawings are
not herein described. Furthermore I do not claim the principles of
lighting by means of hot platinum wire and of moving a liquid by gas
pressure which are well known, but I claim,-
As regards a galvano-mechanical gas lighter and oxtinguisher for
street lamps,―
First. A so called floating cylinder (or plain float), by means of which
through a sudden pressure applied to the gas a train of clockwork
worked by means of a spring or a weight is set in motion, and thereby a
greater amount of force introduced, essentially as described.
Second. An auxiliary burner whose flame is extinguished as soon as
the main jet is lighted, so that the platinum wire is only for a moment
exposed to the action of the gas, and is thus saved from rapid
deterioration whilst the auxiliary flame is fed by the same gas that must

page_text: escape from the space W to allow the liquid to be raised to the level of
the zinc by the pressure of the gas, essentially as described.
Third. The screening cylinder which surrounds the platinum holder,
and at the same time serves the purpose of protecting the auxiliary
burner from the action of the wind, thereby enabling the gas to be 5
kindled under all circumstances by the action of the red hot platinum
spiral, essentially as described.
Fourth. The closing of the principal and auxiliary burners by means
of mercury, also the form of the inverted jars g, g¹, and the bodies v, v¹,
floating on the mercury, which being pressed down by the eccentric 1
cams allow the mercury to mount into the inverted jars.
And, the various forms of the eccentric cams, by means of which
it is possible to extinguish the flames of several different burners at
different times, all essentially as described.
As regards a galvano-mechanical lighter and extinguisher for gas 1
lamps for family use, I claim,―
First. The burners which are raised by the increased pressure of the
gas from the mercury receptacles and allow the gas to escape and burn,
but which on the ratchet wheel M being turned by the decrease of the
pressure sink so deep that the auxiliary flame is again extinguished 2
while the main jet continues to burn, essentially as described.
Second. The manner in which by repeating the pressure and turning
the ratchet wheel M the main burner will be closed while the auxiliary
burner remains closed, essentially as described.
As regards a galvano-mechanical lighter and extinguisher for gas
lustres, I claim,―
First. The peculiar form of the passage in the cock, and the movement
of the same by means of pin or tooth wheels, and two sliding catches
moving up and down, essentially as described.
Second. The cylindrical carbon element which is fixed firmly in the 3
casily removable glass, the lower rim of the neck of the same serving
as a level mark essentially as described.

page_text: First. The use of ratchet wheels and pawis for opening and closing
the communication of gas burners with the gas supply, essentially as
described.
Second. Creating a temporary lighting flame at an outlet near the
principal burner instead of lighting the gas at once at the principal
burner, essentially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Haseltine, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
H. J. NOON,
.
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.S.)