Improvements in Electric Igniters.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
Improvements in Electric Igniters.
ALAN ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. SWINTON 66 Victoria Street, S.W. Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for the utilization of alternating
electric currents such as are now commonly furnished by many electric supply
companies, for igniting cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and such like. In previous
arrangements for this purpose it has been usual to make the platinum or other
wire that is heated by the passage of the electric current very thin, in order that
it should not require too large a current to bring it to the requisite high
temperature, while at the same time a resistance has been employed to reduce
the electro motive force supplied to the wire. Such resistances absorb a con-
siderable amount of energy and render the apparatus wasteful, while thermal and
mechanical forces, and chemical action between the hot wire and the tobacco, in
time are destructive to the thin and delicate wire.
According to my invention I obviate these difficulties by the use of a small
transformer or induction coil of any suitable description, having two coils, one of
comparatively many turns of relatively fine wire which is connected to the electric
supply, the other of comparatively few turns of relatively thick wire in circuit
with the strip or wire to be heated. In this manner I reduce the electro motive
force of the primary alternating current, and at the same time increase its
amperage in like proportion. By this means I am enabled to dispense entirely
with the wasteful resistance, and to employ wires or strips of platinum or other
suitable material of much greater sectional area, and consequently much superior
strength and durability. I am also able to make these stronger wires or strips
of such a form as renders them better suited for lighting pipes as well as cigars,
cigarettes, etc.
In connection with the apparatus 1 employ a push button or a switch which
may conveniently be automatic, and which may be of similar description to the
switch hooks ordinarily employed in telephones, operated by the weight of the
igniter, which button or switch breaks the primary circuit and cuts off all current
from the transformer when the apparatus is not in use, so that no energy at all
is consumed except during the time that the apparatus is actually at work.
The transformer may conveniently be contained with the switch mechanism in a
suitable case arranged either to fasten on the wall or stand upon a table, the
igniter being connected thereto by means of a double flexible wire, and the igniter
itself is preferably so weighted or made of such a shape that if left with the
current on it will not readily remain in such a position as to be liable to set fire
to neighbouring inflammable material. Or transformer, igniter, and switch may
be enclosed in the same case, which may be fixed or moveable. The transformer
may be arranged with the core or one or both of the coils moveable and capable
of adjustment, so as to regulate the secondary electric current and modify the
amount of heat produced.
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page_text: ALAN ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL SWISTOx of 66 Victoria Street Westminster
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:-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for the utilisation of alternating
electric currents such as are now commonly furnished by many electric supply
companies, for igniting cigars, cigarettes pipes, and such like. In previous
arrangements for this purpose it has been usual to make the platinum or other wire
that is heated by the passage of the electric current, very thin, in order that it
should not require too large a current to bring it to the requisite high temperature,
while at the same time a resistance has been employed to reduce the electro-motive
force supplied to the wire. Such resistances absorb a considerable amount of
energy, and render the apparatus wasteful, while thermal and mechanical forces.
and the chemical action between the hot wire and the tobacco, are in time
destructive to the thin and delicate wire.
According to my invention 1 obviate these difficulties by the use of a small
transformer or induction coil of any suitable description having two coils (ser
Fig. 1) wound on a soft iron core C. One coil, P. of comparatively many turns of
relatively fine wire, is connected to the terminals, T, T', of the alternating electric
supply by means of the conductors L., 12; the other coil, S. of comparatively few
turns of relatively thick wire, being connected by means of the conductors B
and the supports J, I, with the strip or wire to be heated, A. In this manner
1 reduce the electro-motive force of the primary alternating current, and at the
same time increase its amperage in like proportion. By this means I am enable!
to dispense entirely with the wasteful resistance, and to employ wires or strips of
platinum, platinum-iridium, or other suitable material, of much greater sectional
aren, and consequently much superior strength & durability, I am also able to
make these stronger wires or strips of such a form as renders them suited for
lighting pipes as well as cigars, cigarettes, etc.
In connection with the apparatus I employ a push button or switch which breaks
the primary circuit and cuts off all current from the transformer when the
apparatus is not in use, so that no energy at all is consumed except during the time
that the apparatus is actually at work. This switch, which is shown at Win
Fig. 1 may conveniently be automatic and of similar description to the switch
hooks ordinarily employal in telephones, being operated by the weight of the
igniter, which hangs upon the hook when not in use.
The transformer may conveniently be contained with the switch mechanismo in a
suitable case arranged either to fasten on the wall or to stand upon a table. Th
arrangement may be as shown in Fig. 2, which gives a sectional view of the whole
apparatus. Here is the case containing the transformer with its primary and
secondary coils P & S wound upon the core C of soft iron wire, which may be
arranged as shown so as to form a closed magnetic circuit. The primary coil is
connected through the contacts of the automatic switch hook W, with the electric
supply through the flexible conductors L, L. and the terminals T, T. The
igniter is connected to the secondary coil of the transformer by means of the
flexible cord B, and consists of a case, G, of wood, vulcanite, or other suitable
material, furnished at one end with a cap, E, and a suspension ring, D, for hanging
it upon the hook W, and fitted at the other end with the platinum band A, which
is electrically connected at each end to the supports J. J', which again are in
connection with the two conductors of the cord B. The band is kept in position
and prevented from becoming deformed, by the plug K of asbestos or other

page_text: suitable non-combustible substance. A weight, F, of lead or other heavy material
may be contained in the cap E so as to make the whole igniter sufficiently heavy
to effectively operate the switch hook W, the position of the weight & the shape
of the igniter itself being such that if laid down with the current on, the igniter
will take up a position with the hot portion uppermost and will not readily remain
in such a position as to be liable to set fire to any inflammable material upon which
it may be placed.
Or again, the case, H, containing the transformer may be arranged as shown in
Fig. 3, and the igniter may either be moveable as before or may be attached to the
case as shown at A. Again, the automatic switch hook may be replaced by a
push button, W, which when pressed puts on the primary current, turning it off
again when released, or the igniter may be moveable & may be connected to the
transformer as before by means of a flexible cord, having conductors for both
primary & secondary circuits, and the push button may be arranged in the primary
circuit, being fitted to the igniter itself.
The amount of heating produced in the strip or wire A may be modified by
suitably proportioning the windings of the transformer or by increasing or reducing
the sectional area or length of the said strip or wire, or by increasing or diminishing
the length of the connections B between the igniter and the transformer; or the
transformer may be arranged with the core or with one or both of the coils
moveable and capable of adjustment, so as to regulate the secondary current and
modify the amount of heat produced.
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
(1.) In an electric igniter, the combination of a transformer with a switch or
button controlling the alternating electric current supplied to the primary circuit,
with a strip or wire of conducting & highly infusible material connected to the
secondary circuit, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.
(2.) The combination, substantially as set forth, of the subject matter of the
foregoing claim with self-acting action for the switch or button, so that the
primary current is automatically cut off when the igniter is not in use.
(3.) The several arrangements of electric igniting apparatus, substantially as
described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of March 1895.
A. A. C. SWINTON.