Improvements relating to the Utilization of Liquid Hydrocarbons for Lighting and Heating Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 13th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Utilization of Liquid Hydrocarbons
for Lighting and Heating Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of 30, Glengall Road, Old Kent Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, and ROBERT DANIEL BRETT, of 4, Trafalgar Road,
Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the utilization of liquid hydrocarbons for lighting and
heating purposes, and to apparatus therefor.
The main object of our said invention is to provide for the burning of liquid
hydrocarbons in apparatus of the kind or class known as search-lights or search-
light projectors. In apparatus of this kind or class, it has heretofore been customary
to use an electric light. But, by our invention, we are enabled to conveniently and
advantageously use, in such apparatus, a light produced by the burning of liquid
hydrocarbons, whilst preserving for the said apparatus the requisite property of
free universal movement of the apparatus, that is to say, the movement thereof
(either about horizontal trunnions or about vertical pivot) as may be required to
project the light in any desired direction.
Our improvements are, however, also applicable for the production of light for
various other
purposes.
Our said invention comprises an improved method of burning liquid hydro-
carbons for lighting purposes, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is vaporized and the
vapor is forced into a mixing-chamber together with an induced current of air, and
the mixture of hydrocarbon vapor and air is then forced from the said mixing-
chamber in the form of an annular jet which, when ignited, produces a disc of flame,
and which turns inward into a chimney concentric with the said mixing-chamber
and with the vaporizing chamber.
In making a search-light projector according to our present invention, we
combine, with the usual cylindrical casing or chamber mounted upon trunnions
arranged to turn about a vertical pivot, an apparatus for burning hydrocarbon
vapor in the form of an annular flame, which apparatus comprises an annular
vaporizing chamber concentric with the chimney, and connected with a reservoir
for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon, by means of a flexible tube or a pipe
provided with universal joints, to permit the required movement of the lamp
about the said trunnions and also about the said vertical pivot. Or the desired
connection is made through one of the said trunnions. We provide the apparatus
with one or more suitable lenses, and also, if desired, with a parabolic or other
suitable reflector. To keep the cylindrical casing or chamber and the reflector
cool, we sometimes surround the same with a jacket through which air is allowed
to flow. The air heated in its passage through this jacket, we sometimes supply to
the flame for the purpose of supporting combustion.
We find it advantageous to construct our improved apparatus with a casting
comprising a central tube, which serves as a part of the chimney of the lamp, and
comprising also a tube concentric with the chimney, so that, between these tubes,
there is an annular space. This annular space is closed at its rear end by a suitable
cover surrounding the chimney, and is preferably so constructed as to compel the
hydro-carbon to pass one or more times completely around the said chimney so as
to ensure the thorough vaporization of the said hydrocarbon. For instance, the
said annular space is divided by partitions into several annular chambers. One of
these chambers is in communication with a tank or reservoir for the supply of

page_text: liquid hydrocarbon under a suitable head or pressure, such, for example, as a tank
or reservoir from which the liquid hydrocarbon is forced by means of compressed
air. The said annular chamber communicates through suitable pipes or passages
with the next adjacent annular chamber. The flame, in its passage through the
central tube, vaporizes the hydrocarbon in the said annular chambers, and from
these vaporizing chambers, the vapor is conducted through a suitable pipe or
passage preferably to an injector whereby it is directed into another annular
chamber surrounding the chimney. The said injector is preferably so constructed
that the jet of vapor from the same will induce a current of air to flow into the said
chamber with the hydrocarbon vapor, the said injector being provided with
suitable means for regulating or controlling its action. The vapor and air are
mixed in this chamber, and the mixture flows therefrom in the form of an annular
jet surrounding the end of the chimney, which jet, when ignited, will produce'a.disc
of flame. We provide means whereby an annular jet of air within and concentric.
with the jet of vapor will be supplied to the said flame, and will impinge against
the interior thereof, air being also freely supplied to the said flame on the exterior
thereof.
We find it advantageous to make the central tube somewhat enlarged at its
front end, and to secure therein, in such a manner that it can be readily removed
and replaced when worn or damaged, an annular piece of metal or other suitable
material, thus forming at the front end of the central tube an annular chamber
having a narrow circular slit or opening. This chamber is supplied with air,
preferably through a passage extending along the exterior of the chimney, so
that the said air will be heated on its way to the said chamber. The air flowing
into this chamber passes through the said slit or opening in the form of an annular
jet which impinges upon the interior of the flame.
We provide one or more suitable baffle-plates for deflecting the hydrocarbon
vapor flowing from the rear vaporizing chamber away from the pipe or passage
leading to the mixing-chamber, so as to prevent the carrying of any liquid hydro-
carbon through the said pipe or passage.
We prefer to provide means for inaintaining the temperature of the vaporizing
chambers while the light is not burning, so as to facilitate the ignition of the vapor
when required. For this purpose, we sometimes provide a small burner supplied
with hydrocarbon from the aforesaid tank or reservoir.
Our improved lamp can be used either horizontally, vertically or at any suitable
angle or inclination. When the said lamp is to be used for projecting the light
downward, we provide in the uppermost vaporizing chamber, a tube or pipe which
extends from near, the top thereof into the vaporizing chamber next below it.
And we modify as required the arrangement of the baffle-plate and of the pipe
or passage for conducting the hydrocarbon vapor to the injector or mixing-
chamber.
We sometimes provide a vaporizing coil surrounding or arranged within the
chimney of the lamp, and connected with a suitable injector for directing a jet of
the hydrocarbon vapor together with an induced current of air into the annular
mixing chamber. This arrangement is very advantageous for the lighter kinds of
hydrocarbon oils.
Moreover we sometimes modify the construction of our improved apparatus
so that we can supply the requisite air to the burner without using an injector.
Dated this 16th day of May 1892
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Utilization of Liquid Hydrocarbons
for Lighting and Heating Purposes, and to Apparatus therefor.
We, FREDERICK BARKER HILL, of 30, Glengall Road, Old Kent Road, in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, and ROBERT DANIEL BRETT, of 4 Trafalgar
Road, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, 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:-
Our invention relates to the utilization of liquid hydrocarbons for lighting and
heating purposes, and to apparatus therefor, and is chiefly designed to provide for
the production of a light of very high illuminating power.
For this purpose we construct a lighting apparatus in which a vaporizing coil or
chamber and a burner are combined with a casing or lantern provided with a
chimney and with a lens or a reflector or with both a lens and a reflector so that'
the light will be projected from the said casing or lantern in a parallel or approxi-
mately parallel beam.
We find; moreover, that a better light for this purpose is produced when air is
mixed with the hydrocarbon vapour before the latter issues from the orifice or
orifices of the burner. We therefore, in some instances, construct our hydrocarbon
lamp or burner with a vaporizing chamber, and a mixing chamber, and with an
injector connected with the said vaporizing chamber and so arranged that the
hydrocarbon vapour, as it is forced into the said mixing chamber, will cause an
induction of air into the mixing chamber, in which the mixture will be heated
and whence the said mixture will flow through the orifice or orifices of the
burner.
One important object of our said invention is to provide for the burning of
liquid hydrocarbons in apparatus of the kind or class known as search-lights or
search-light projectors.
Our improvements are, however, also applicable for the production of light .for
various other purposes. For example, for use in light-houses or light-ships.
In search-lights or search-light projectors, it has heretofore been customary to
use the electric light. But, by our invention, we are enabled to conveniently
and advantageously use, in such apparatus, a light produced by the burning of
liquid hydrocarbons, whilst preserving for the said apparatus the requisite
property of free universal movement of the apparatus, that is to say, movement
thereof (either about horizontal trunnions or about a vertical pivot or about an
universal joint) as may be required to project the light in any desired direction.
With
To this end, our invention comprises an improved method of burning liquid
hydrocarbons for lighting purposes, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is supplied
under a suitable head or pressure through a flexible tube or a jointed pipe per-
mitting universal motion of the apparatus, and is introduced into a vaporizing
chamber in which it is vaporized and the vapour is forced into a mixing-chamber
together with an induced current of air, by a suitable injector, the mixture of
hydrocarbon vapour and air being then forced from the said mixing-chamber
through an annular or other suitably shaped orifice or slit in the burner.
the annular form of burner, the vapour when ignited produces a disc of flame,
the flame turning inward into a horizontal chimney concentric with the said
mixing-chamber. The construction of the apparatus in such a manner that it
will produce a circular sheet or disc of flame at one end of a horizontal chimney,
is an important feature of our invention, as by this means we provide a light which
is very advantageous for use in search-light projectors and other apparatus for
projecting a parallel or approximately parallel beam.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set
forth.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings we have shown various forms of our improved
lighting apparatus.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section of a search-light projector
constructed according to our said invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of
a portion of a lamp or burner in which the circular sheet or disc of flame is produced
at the lower end of a vertical chimney.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical longitudinal central sections illustrating other forms
or modifications of our improved lighting apparatus, and
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation illustrating a further modification thereof.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a cylindrical casing or chamber mounted upon trunnions A' in a forked
piece B arranged to turn about a vertical pivot B'..
C, C¹ indicate the vaporizing chamber which is connected at one end with a
pipe D for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon under a suitable head or pressure, and
at the other end with an injector E comprising a nozzle E¹ arranged in combination
with a tube F for the induction of air to mix with the hydrocarbon vapour from
the said nozzle E'. The said vaporizing chamber is so arranged that it will be
heated by the flame or the products of combustion, passing through the chimney G, G¹
a part of which is concentric with the said chamber.
In the arrangement of our apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is a hori-
zontal central tube G which serves as a part of the chimney of the lamp, and
another tube H concentric therewith which tubes may, if desired, be formed in a
single casting; between these tubes, there is an annular space forming the vaporizing
chamber. This chamber is closed at its rear end by a suitable annular cover C
surrounding the chimney, and is preferably so constructed as to compel the hydro-
carbon to pass one or more times completely around the part G of the chimney
so as to ensure the thorough vaporization of the said hydrocarbon. For instance,
the said annular space is divided by a partition C³ into two annular chambers C, C¹.
The chamber C is in communication with a tank or reservoir for the supply of
liquid hydrocarbon under a suitable head or pressure, such, for example, as a tank J
from which the liquid hydrocarbon is forced by means of compressed air. The
connection of the chamber C with the tank is made through the hollow or
tubular standard J' on which the casing or lantern A is supported and through
a flexible tube D¹ whereby the said tubular standard is put in communication
with the pipe D. The annular chamber C communicates through a suitable passage
in the partition C3 or through a pipe Q, Figure 2, with the annular chamber C'.
K is the mixing chamber which also surrounds the part G of the chimney, and
which is provided with an annular orifice K' for the egress of the mixture of air
and vapour. The said chamber is, moreover, provided with a perforated
diaphragm K to ensure the efficient mixture of the air and vapour. Within and
concentric with the chamber K is another chamber L into which air flows
through a passage L' extending along
is provided with an annular orifice L
the egress of the air within the flame.
the exterior of the tube G, and which
concentric with the orifice K¹, to permit
We find it advantageous to make the central tube G somewhat enlarged or bell-
mouthed at its front end, and to construct the said tube with an annular piece M of
metal or other suitable material, which can be readily removed and replaced when
worn or damaged.
We provide one or more suitable baffle-plates N for deflecting away from the
pipe or passage E the hydrocarbon vapour flowing from the rear or the upper
portion of the vaporizing chamber so as to prevent the carrying of any liquid
hydrocarbon through the said pipe or passage.
Our improved lamp can be used either horizontally, vertically or at any suitable
angle or inclination. When the said lamp is to be used for projecting the light
downward, we provide in the uppermost vaporizing chamber, a tube or pipe Q,
Figure 2, which extends from near the top thereof into the vaporizing chamber

page_text: next below it. And we modify as required the arrangement of the baffle-plate N
and of the pipe or passage E' for conducting the hydrocarbon vapour to the injector
or mixing-chamber.
The flame in its passage through the central tube G, vaporizes the hydrocarbon
in the chambers C, C', and from the chamber C₁ the vapour flows through the
pipe or passage E' to the injector E, whereby it is directed into the annular mixing
chamber K. The vapour flowing through the said injector induces a current of
air into the said chamber K, with the hydrocarbon vapour, through the tube F,
the action of the said injector being regulated or controlled by means of the
hand-wheel E. The vapour and air are intimately mixed in the chamber K and
the mixture flows therefrom through the annular orifice K' surrounding the front
end of the chimney G. The said mixture when ignited, burns in the form of a
circular sheet or disc of flame, the air from the annular chamber Limpinging
against the interior of the flame, and air being also freely supplied to the said
flame on the exterior thereof, and the flame being drawn towards the centre of the
tube G by the natural draught.
The vaporizing chamber is connected with the reservoir-for the supply of liquid
bydrocarbon either by means of a flexible tube D¹ as shown, or by a pipe provided
with universal joints, to permit the required movement of the lamp about the
trunnions A' and also about the said vertical pivot B¹. Or the desired connection
is made through the vertical pivot B' and through one of the said trunnions A¹
We prefer to provide means for maintaining the temperature of the vaporizing.
chamber while the light is not burning, so as to facilitate the ignition of the vapour
when required. For this purpose, we sometimes provide a small burner P supplied
with hydrocarbon from the tank or reservoir J through a flexible tube P₁ con-
nected with the tubular standard J. Moreover we enclose the said vaporizing
chamber in a casing R secured to the rear of the casing A.
We sometimes provide the apparatus with one or more suitable lenses-secured in
the casing A in any well-known manner, and also, if desired, with a parabolic or
other suitable reflector. Or we provide the said apparatus with a parabolic
reflector S, and with a disc T of plain or other suitable glass in the front of the
casing A. To keep the reflector cool, we sometimes surround the same with a
jacket S through which air is allowed to flow, the air after being heated in its
passage through this jacket passing through holes S2 in the reflector to the flame
for the purpose of supporting combustion. We also form holes A2 in the rear end
of the casing A to permit the circulation of air through the same to keep the parts
cool.
In the form or modification of our invention shown in Figure 3, the vaporizing
chamber is made in the form of a coil C arranged within the vertical part G¹ of the
chimney and connected with the injector E for directing a jet of the hydrocarbon
vapour together with an induced current of air into the annular mixing chamber.K.
This arrangement is very advantageous for the lighter kinds of hydrocarbon oils.
In some instances we provide the chamber L with a perforated diaphragm L³ to
ensure the more effectual heating of the air flowing through the said chamber.
We sometimes modify the construction of our improved apparatus so that we can
supply the requisite air to the burner without mixing the vapour with air before it
issues from the orifice of the burner.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the orifice K₁ of the burner is arranged
a short distance below the bottom of the casing A, and the said casing is provided
with an aperture A' through which the jet of vapour from the burner is directed
and through which a current of air flows to support combustion. By arranging
the orifice of the burner below the bottom of the casing, we are enabled to prick or
clear the said orifice without opening the casing.
1
The apparatus shown in Figure 4 is provided with a lens T in the front end of
the casing and with a reflector S, and the various parts are so arranged relatively
to each other that the part of the flame which yields the most intense light, will be
in the axis of the said lens and reflector.

page_text: In Figures 5 and 6, we have shown a modification of our invention wherein we
provide for the use of a flat flame. For this purpose we make the burner with a
narrow elongated orifice K¹, and use tubular vaporizing chambers C, C¹ of oblong
form to correspond to the shape of the flame.
In the apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 6, the vaporizing chamber C' is con-
nected by a pipe E' with an injector E the nozzle E¹ of which is provided with an
orifice through which the vapour is directed into a mixing chamber K. Air for
mixing with the vapour is admitted through an opening in the underside of the
injector, governed by a valve U, whereby the quantity of air mixed with the
vapour can be regulated.
By mixing air with the vapour as above described before it issues from the orifice
of the burner, we are enabled to make the said orifice much wider and to obtain a
steadier and more brilliant flame than would otherwise be practicable, and also to
produce the flame without the noise occasioned in vapour-lamps as heretofore
usually made.
We sometimes combine with the burner suitable devices to be rendered incan-
descent by the flame therefrom, so that we can produce a light of great intensity
with a comparatively small amount of heat.
It is evident that our improved vapour-burner may, if desired, be used for
heating purposes.
It is evident, moreover, that our improved apparatus can, if desired, be con
structed without the means for permitting universal motion of the same as above
described whilst providing for the supply of the liquid hydrocarbon to the vapor-
izing chamber, as, in lamps for light-houses, light-ships and the like, such motion
of the apparatus is not required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. A lighting apparatus in which a vaporizing-chamber and burner are
combined with a casing or lantern provided with a chimney and with a lens or
reflector or with both a lens and a reflector, substantially as hereinbefore described
and for the purposes specified.
Second. The herein described method of providing for the burning of hydro-
carbons by vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon and directing the vapour thereof by
means of an injector into a mixing-chamber together with an induced current of
air, from which chamber the mixture is forced through the orifice or orifices of the
burner, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination, with a vaporizing-chamber, of a mixing-chamber pro-
vided with one or more suitable orifices, an injector connected with the said
vaporizing-chamber, and a tube surrounding the nozzle of the said injector for
conducting an induced current of air into the said mixing-chamber together with
vapour from the said nozzle, substantially as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Fourth. A search-light projector in which suitable provision is made for pro-
ducing light by the vaporization and burning of liquid hydrocarbons, whilst
permitting the required universal motion of the apparatus, substantially as herein-
before described.
Fifth. A vapor lamp or burner comprising a vaporizing-chamber, a mixing-
chamber, and an air-chamber, all surrounding the chimney, and an injector con-
nected with the said vaporizing-chamber and having a nozzle extending into a tube
connected with the said mixing-chamber, substantially. as, and for the purposes,
above specified.
Sixth. A vapour lamp or burner which is so constructed as to produce a circular
sheet or disc of flame at one end of a horizontal tube or chimney, for the purposes
above specified.
Seventh. The burner arranged in combination with the casing in such a manner
'

page_text: that the orifice for the vapour can be cleaned without opening the said casing,
substantially as described.
Eighth. The modification of our invention wherein we provide for the production
of a flat flame, substantially as described.
Ninth. The improved apparatus constructed substantially as described with
reference to either of the arrangements shown in the accompanying drawings and
operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dhe 10th 1...
1000
F. B. HILL.
R. D. BRETT.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.