IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF GAS EMPLOYED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND
REGULATING THE FLOW OF GAS EMPLOYED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES,"
-A communication from abroad by Arthur Barbarin of New
Orleans, State of Lousiana, United States of America.
Sealed the 27th November 1868, and dated the 19th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 19th September 1868.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING
AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF GAS EMPLOYED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES,"
a communication by Arthur Barbarin, of New Orleans, State of
Lousiana, United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar combination, arrangement, and
constructio of apparatus whereby any number of gas jets may be

page_text: ignited and extinguished simultaneously and at any given hour by self-
acting mechanism, also to certain means for simultaneously lighting
and extinguishing any desired number of gas jets at the will of the
attendant in charge of the gas main or mains.
The first part of the said Invention is accomplished by the combined
action of electricity and clockwork, whilst under the second portion of
the Invention the clockwork and electric currents are dispensed with,
the result being obtained by the action of the pressure of gas in
overcoming or being overcome by the weight of a column of liquid
which seals the mouth of the pipe through which the gas is supplied to
the burner. Under the first part of this Invention a self-acting "gas
lighter," a "self-acting" circuit closer" and a timepiece or clock, with
suitable make and break contacts, are combined with a main and local
electric battery acting on electro-magnets in the " gas lighter" and
"circuit closer." The works of the clock, which may otherwise be
of the ordinary construction, are provided with arms or projections
which on coming in contact with one or other of a number of wires
representing different hours cause an electric current to excite the
electro-magnet in the "circuit closer" at the particular hour decided
upon. The resulting movement of the armature of the said magnet
releases a detent lever in the "circuit closer" and causes a needle or
pointer to revolve over a number of metallic contact pins arranged in
a circle corresponding to the hours of the clock, the revolution of the
pointer being effected by a barrel spring and toothed gearing. A rubber
on the pointer establishes the necessary contact with one or other of
the pins, and causes an electric current from the main battery to pass
through and excite the electro-magnet of the "gas lighter." The
resulting movement of the armature of this magnet also acts upon and
releases a detent lever in the "gas lighter," whereupon the toothed
wheels, which are acted upon by a barrel spring are caused to revolve
and set in motion a rotatory valve spindle; this spindle carries a
circular valve at each extremity, the one regulating the flow of the
ordinary illuminating gas through pipes of its own leading to the interior
of the burner, and the other valve regulating the flow of a current of
hydrogen gas through spiral pipes provided for that purpose outside the
burner. On one side of and near to the jet orifice of each burner is
fitted a piece of spongy platinum, and on the opposite side of the burner
is provided a small hydrogen gas jet so bent as to direct a stream of
hydrogen across the main burner to the spongy platinum. As is well

page_text: known, the hydrogen gas will become inflamed one being brought in
contact with the spongy platinum, and will consequently effect the
ignition of the illuminating gas jet. The two valves on the spindle
are so arranged as that the supply of hydrogen to the spongy platinum
will take place just before the flow of the illuminating gas commences.
The clockwork mechanism of the "gas lighter" having opened the
valve of the illuminating gas, its motion is arrested by the detent, but
not before the hydrogen gas valve has become closed, and consequently
the gas will continue to burn until the hour to which the clock is set
for extinguishing the lights. On the arrival of the appointed hour the
electric circuits are again established as before, and the rotatory valve
spindle of the "gas lighter" again commences to rotate; this rotatory
motion is however arrested by the detent lever so
illuminating gas valve has revolved far enough to effect the closing
of the gas orifice, when the lights will be extinguished and the gas
remain shut off till the proper hour arrives for its ignition, whatever that
may be.
soon
as the
.
Above or in inimediate
According to the second part of this Invention, which has for its
object the opening and closing of any number of gas burners simul-
taneously and the ignition of the gas jets without the aid of electricity,
it is proposed to employ in connection with hydrogen gas and ordinary
gas burners a reservoir containing mercury, glycerine, liquid hydrocarbon,
or other suitable liquid, which may be applied to each burner or to each
series of burners. The gas supply pipe enters the lower portion of the
reservoir and is bent down so that its mouth may dip more or less into
the liquid and be sealed thereby. Provision is inade for adjusting
From the top
the depth of the mouth of the pipe below the surface.
of this reservoir a pipe leads to the burner.
proximity to the burner there is placed spongy platinum, in some cases
combined with projecting platinum wire points or with a spiral or
basketwork cylinder of platinum wire. So long as the gas pressure
is not sufficient to unseal the pipe or pipes in the reservoir no gas can
pass, but immediately sufficient pressure is turned on from the works
or from any given locality the gas will unseal the pipe and pass into
the reservoir, thence to the burner, and on coming in contact with the
platinum will be instantly ignited. By using liquid hydrocarbons or
carburetting liquids in the reservoir a brilliant illuminating gas will be
produced. The coil or basket work of platinum wire or ribbon against
which the flame impinges also tends to increase the brilliancy of the

page_text: light. If desired, magnesium, lime, chalk, or other light improvers may
be substituted for the platinum wire or ribbon, but in combination of
course with the spongy platinum. By using electricity for effecting
ignition it is obvious that ordinary coal gas may be substituted for
hydrogen, the hydraulic seal in the reservoir answering all the purposes
of stop-cocks when the gas is not being burned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors, administrators, or 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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND REGULATING
THE FLOW OF GAS EMPLOYED FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES," a communication
from abroad by Arthur Barbarin, of New Orleans, State of Louisiana,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby

page_text: declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say: -
The said Invention relates to a peculiar combination, arrangement,
and construction of apparatus whereby any number of gas jets may be
ignited and extinguished simultaneously and at any given hour by self-
arting mechanisın, also to certain means for simultaneously lighting
and extinguishing any desired number of gas jets at the will of the
attendant in charge of the gas main or mains.
The first part of the said Invention is accomplished by the combined
action of electricity and clockwork, whilst under the second portion
of the Invention the clockwork and electric currents are dispensed
with, the result being obtained by the action of the pressure of gas in
overcoming or being overcome by the weight of a column of liquid
which seals the mouth of the pipe through which the gas is supplied
to the burner.
It is well known that hydrogen gas will become inflamed when
brought in contact with spongy platinum. The main object of this
Invention is to utilize this property to effect the ignition of illuminating
gas, and a method has been devised, which constitutes the first part
of this Invention, whereby the supply of the hydrogen aud hydrocarbon
gases to the burners may be regulated by the action of a current of
electricity upon apparatus constructed substantially as herein-after de-
scribed so as to effect the simultaneous ignition of any number of gas jets.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 is a top view of all the different parts of the apparatus
arranged in their proper relations to one another; Figure 2 is a trans-
verse vertical section on the line x, x, of the gas lighter, Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same on the line y, y;
Figure 4 is a like section on the line z, z, of the circuit closer Figure 1.
and Figure 5 is a plan view of the hour and minute wheels of a clock
arranged and constructed for the purpose herein-after specified.
e
;

page_text: The gas lighter, Figures 1, 2, and 3, consists of a frame, in the upright
sides of which are held the rods and shafts which carry the gear and other
mechanism; in the upper part of the frame is secured an electro-magnet
A, whose armature a is rigidly attached to and hangs from a rod a¹
capable of a rocking motion. From the bottom of the armature projects
a pin a which crosses another pin 63 projecting from the face of the
arm 6 of a lever which regulates the revolution of the shaft which
carries the valves; this lever has three arms radiating from the rock
shaft upon which they are mounted; the upper arm b is provided with
the pin which engages with and transmits motion from the armature a.
The function of the middle arm b¹ will be presently described.
The lower arm 62 extends downwards and terminates in a tooth which
engages in notches c¹ formed in the periphery of a disk c mounted on
the rotary valve rod d; this rod has a pinion which meshes with the
teeth of a barrel e, within which is the coiled spring or other mechanism
for producing the rotation of the valve rod when the latter is unlocked.
The rod also carries a toothed wheel by means of which its motion
is communicated to a series of gears, the uppermost of which constitutes
the fly wheel. The shaft which carries the fly wheel is also provided with
another wheel, from the periphery of which projects a pin f, which when
the apparatus is at rest is caught and held by the lever arm 6', as shewn
in Figure 3; this arm has attached to it an auxiliary piece provided withi
a pin, which when the arm is drawn back by the movement of the
armature towards its magnet catches in a notch formed in the bent
lever g pivoted to the frame at g¹. The lower end of this lever extends
downwards so as to be lighted by pins c2 projecting from the face of the
notched wheel c (Figure 2), which during the revolution of the valve rod
d lift the lever g, and. allow the regulating lever arm 62 to fall in turn
to engage with the next succeeding notch, thus bringing the middle
arm in contact with the pin f, and stop the revolution of the valve
rod until the armature a is again attracted by its magnet. The valve
rod d extends through both sides of the frame, and its projecting ends
are enclosed by boxes B, C, with which are respectively connected the
hydrogen and the illuminating gas pipes. The ends of the rod are
enlarged, and have orifices d³, d, of an angular shape formed in them.
The main hydrogen and illuminating gas pipes C, B, are inserted in the
boxes B¹, C', in such position that they shall meet the openings d', d²,
when the rod revolves, and thus form a connection with the upper
pipes B, B². The arrangement of the openings d², d², relatively to each

page_text: other is such that the hydrogen gas valve d' shall come in communi-
cation with its pipe before communication is established between the
upper and lower portion B, B³, of the illuminating gas pipe. This
arrangement is shewn in Fig. 2, and its object is to supply the
hydrogen to the spongy platinum before the flow of the illuminating
gas to its burners cominences.
In the Drawings the gas is represented as being supplied to but one
burner B³. It will be understood however that the number of burners
regulated by one gas lighter may be one hundred, more or less, according
to circumstances. The magnet A of each of the gas lighters is connected
by an insulated wire with the "circuit closer," "shown in Figures 1
and 4. The mechanism of this apparatus resembles in most respects
that which I have just explained. Like the gas lighter it has a series
of gears terminating in a fly wheel upon whose shaft is mounted a
smaller wheel h provided with a projecting piu h. It also has three
regulating arms i, i, . The arm engages with the pin h¹. The
arm i is provided with a tooth which catches in a notch k¹ formed in
the periphery of the wheel k which is driven by the gear mechanism
when actuated by the spring or other suitable mechanism within the
barrel. The arm is provided with a pin which catches in a notch
formed in the bent lever when the arm i is drawn back by the
armature. The armature m located in the upper part of the frame is
arranged as described in the gas lighter and carries a pin which extends
out from the armature across the lever arm i¹, and when attracted by its
magnet caused the latter to disengage the arms i and 12. The lower end
of the beut lever / comes in contact with a pin or projection k³ on the
face of the wheel kc, by which when the wheel revolves it is raised so as
to release from the notch in its upper part the armn ' which falls back
into place and enables the end of the arm i to fall into the notch k¹
thus depressing the arm i sufficiently to cause it to again catch under
the pin h¹ and to arrest the movement of the wheel and other
mechanism. The "circuit closer," as its name implies, is intended to
close the circuit between a main battery and the several gas lights with
which it is connected; to accomplish this object the revolving rod upon
which the one toothed wheel k is mounted extends out through one side
of the frame, and upon this projecting end is secured a needle n (shown
in Figure 1 and in red lines in Figure 4) which revolves with the rod;
a wooden or other suitable plate D is placed between the needle and the
side of the frame, and in it are secured a series of pins or wires n³

page_text: arranged in a circle concentric with that described by the needle which
connects with the various gas lighters. When the needle n revolves, its
presser or rubber a' comes in contact with the heads of the wires n³, and
thus for a moment closes the circuit between the main battery and the
particular gas lighter represented by the wire over which its "rubber"
passes. The armature of the circuit closer is actuated by a small local
battery, and in order to lock the mechanism until the circuit of the latter
is broken an arm m³ extends from the rod on which the armature is
secured, which when the armature is drawn towards its magnet is
depressed so as to take the place of the arm 12 and to prevent the gear
mechanism from revolving, but as soon as the circuit is broken the
armature falls back from the magnet and the arm m² is lifted, thus
releasing the gearing and allowing the revolution of the rod and needle.
At the expiration of one revolution however the motion is arrested by
the dropping of the arm or crotchet i into the notch in the wheel and
the consequent depression of the upper arm, which again catches
against the pin h. I am enabled to cause the closing of the local
circuit of the "circuit closer" to take place at any desired hour by
connecting the local battery or batteries for actuating the armature
of the "circuit closer" with the hour or striking and minute
wheels of a clock, so that at a certain hour the wheels shall connect
with wires extending from the battery and thus complete the circuit.
To do this I proceed as follows:-I connect the platina pole of the
local battery L with a crank o, Figure 1, mounted on a circular plate p
provided with a number of screw cups or binding screws marked 5, 7, 9,
&c.; each one of these binding screws is connected with the hour or
striking wheel of a clock by a wire that meets a corresponding spur
on the hour wheel. For instance, the wire ssarting from the binding
numbered 5 is attached to the frame of the clock, and its end 5, Fig. 5,
is so arranged as to come in contact with a spur 5 on the hour wheel
the spur being placed so as to meet the wire at 5 o'clock, and the same
arrangement is made with respect to the 7 and 9 o'clock bin.ling
screws and wires which are connected with corresponding spurs 7 and 9
on the hour wheel. The platina pole of the battery L is also connected
through another crank o' with the minute wheel q' of the clock by
means of an insulated rod r and spring wire s which touches an ivory
disk secured to the minute, and provided with two platina points t about
half a minute apart from each, the first platina point being at the same
time placed nearly a half minute after the hour. Under this arrange-

page_text: ment the circuit of the battery L after being broken by the separation
of the hour spur 5; 7, 9, from its wire may be re-established by the
springs coming in contact successively with the points t, t, as the
minute wheel moves around, and the valves in the gas lighter may thus
be operated in order to regulate the flow of the hydrogen and illuminating
gases through the pipes.
The operation of the whole apparatus is shewn in Figure 1, and is
substantially as follows:-Let it be supposed that the hour to open and
light the gas is at 5 o'clock p.m. At any time before that time the
cranks o, o, are placed upon their respective buttons, so that when the
hour arrives the circuit may be closed. As soon as it is 5 o'clock
the circuit of the local battery L is closed by the contact of spur 5 of
the hour wheel with the wire 5. The course of this current is indicated
in blue lines. As soon as the circuit is broken the needle of the
"circuit closer" is revolved as above explained. During this revolution
the presser foot or rubber n¹ of the needle is brought in contact with
the points n, thus completing the circuit between the main battery and
the gas lighters with which the points n³ are connected. The circuit
from the main battery to the gas lighting apparatus is indicated in red
lines. When the circuit is thus completed the armature a of the gas'
lighter is attracted by its magnet and draws back with it the locking
mechanism b, 6, 6, &c., so as to disengage the same from the gears;
the valve rod d consequently revolves, bringing the opening dopposite
the mouth of the hydrogen gas pipe C. The hydrogen gas at once
passes up through the opening d', and box C', and pipe C², and issuing
from its burner C³ strikes against the spongy platinum S which becomes
incandescent and inflames the hydrogen. As soon as the valve rod d
has turned sufficiently the tooth of the arm 62 drops into the first
notch of the wheel c and stops the running of the machine, allowing
the hydrogen gas to flow freely until sufficient time has elapsed to ensure
its passage through all its different branches and burners. During this
time the minute wheel has been revolving, and the first point t now
strikes against the spring wire s', which again completes the circuit of
the local battery L. The course of this circuit from the binding screw V
on the plate is indicated in brown lines passing through the crank v³.
The needlen is thus caused to make a second revolution, again closing
the circuit between the main battery maud the different gas lighters,
and causing the valve rod d to continue its revolutions so as to open the
illuminating gas valve d³ and to partly close the hydrogen pipe C. The
2'

page_text: motion of the valve rod is stopped as before by the tooth of the arm bª
falling in the next notch in the wheel c, thus depressing the arm b¹
sufficiently to cause it to catch under the pin f2; by this means the
illuminating gas is enabled to pass freely through its pipe B and
burner B³, and is ignited by the burning hydrogen issuing from the tip
or nozzle C³. The circuit of the local battery is a third time closed by
the contact of the second point u with the wire s, and the valve rod d
makes another partial revolution until the tooth of the arm b² drops
into the next succeeding notch c², this time fully opening the illuminating
gas valve d² and closing tightly the hydrogen gas opening; the minute
crank o is now turned so as to be disconnected from its button to
prevent any further working of the apparatus through the points t, t,
when the next hour rings, and the illuminating gas is thus free to flow
through its pipes during the whole night. At 5 o'clock the next
morning the hour wheel will have completed its revolution, at which
time the wire 5 will come in contact with the spur 5 and close the
circuit of the local battery. As soon as the local circuit is broken the
needle n revolves, closing the circuit between the main battery M and
the gas lighter, whose valves are revolved so as to shut off the gas for
the day. The gas may of course be allowed to burn as long as desired
by removing the head of the crank o, from the 5 o'clock button, or it
may be shut off or turned on at any other hour by placing the crank on
the button 7, 9, &c.
The second part of this Invention is intended to effect the opening
and closing of any number of gas burners simultaneously and the
ignition of the gas jets without the aid of electricity. The means by
which this result is attained are shewn in Figures 6 and 7.
In carrying out this portion of the said Invention I employ in
connection with hydrogen gas and ordinary gas burners a reservoir
containing quicksilver, glycerine, carburetted oil, or other suitable liquid,
which may be applied to each burner or each congerie of burners.
Into the lower part of the reservoir a the gas supply pipe A is screwed
in such manner that its bent or hook-shaped end may be adjusted to a
greater or less height within the reservoir, and from the top of the
reservoir passes the pipe which conducts the gas thence to the burner or
burners. Quicksilver, it is well known, is the only metal which is liquid
at common temperature, and owing to this peculiar property and its
freezing point being 40° below zero I find it to be a first-rate substitute

page_text: for the stop-cocks of gas burners, to prevent the air from entering the
gas pipes and to prevent the gas contained in those pipes during the day
from forcing its way out, unless the pressure of the gas is sufficiently
increased to overcome the weight and displace the quicksilver from the
curved or hook-shaped end A' of the section pipe A after the proper
adjustment of the same with the quicksilver has been effected.
In order that I may be more clearly understood, I will suppose that
the ordinary pressure of gas in a large city for the day's consumption of
private and other burners is equal to fifty pounds by weight. In such a
case each hook-shaped or curved end A¹ of the pipe A used for street
or other public burners must be sunk deep enough into the quicksilver
or substitute contained in the reservoir a to prevent that pressure of gas
from raising or displacing said quicksilver and liberating itself; but if
an additional pressure of gas be added to the fifty pounds of pressure for
which the hook-shaped or curved end A' has been adjusted, then the
quicksilver will be displaced and the gas will liberate itself and supply
the burner so long as that excess of pressure is supplied through the
main and branch pipes; but as soon as this excess of pressure is with-
drawn, the quicksilver or substitute being heavier than the first fifty
pounds of gas pressure at once returns to its first position, thus reclosing
the pipe A and keeping it so closed until the additional pressure is again
applied. By substituting gasoline or other cheap carburetted oil for the
quicksilver contained in the reservoir a of the burner it will serve the
double purpose of producing brilliant illuminating gas and of preventing
the entrance of air within the branch pipe to which the same may be
attached after the supply of the hydrogen gas bas been cut off from said
branch pipe. The light produced by this carburetted hydrogen is much
more brilliant than the ordinary coal gas, especially when the hydrogen
is made to pass through naptha; and by substituting a strong solution
of glycerine, or pure glycerine itself or coal tar, for the oil or quicksilver
placed in the reservoir a, it will act as well for a stop-cock and will not
congeal in cold water. I apply over the jet or orifice of the gas burner
a gas lighting device consisting of spongy or finely divided platinum
(to form one or more devices) in such a manner that when the hydrogen
gas is discharged from the jet or orifice of the burner it shall meet the
spongy platinum or its equivalent and become instantly ignited. The
spongy platinum may be held over the orifice of the burner in any
suitable manner, as, for instance, between pockets i, as seen in Figures 5
and 6. In some instances, however, I prefer to use the gas lighting

page_text: device shewn in Figure 8, which consists of spongy platinum & combined
with fine platinum wire 1, the points of which project towards the
burner and become at once highly heated, communicating the heat to
the spongy platinum.
I also for the purpose of obtaining a more brilliant light place over or
around the gas lighting device a basket or coil of platinum wire or
ribbon, as seen in Figures 6 and 7. The flame of the burning gas will
thus be brought within the basket or in any other way in immediate
contact with the walls of the platinum basket, heating it intensely and
causing it to shine with a most brilliant light. Instead of a platiuum
basket or other devices of the same metal, I also contemplate applying
over the jet or orifice of the gas burner a cylinder or any other device
of magnesia, lime, or chalk (or of any other material to produce the
same effect) in combination with the spongy finely divided platinum
or its equivalent to ignite the gas and to emit an equally brilliant light.
It will be seen that my burner or burners can practically be made to open
themselves, to ignite themselves, and to close themselves at will, and
especially to reignite the gas at any time that it may be blown out; they
can therefore be applied with perfect safety to street or other lamps,
and they can be made to open and ignite all street or other lamps at
a given time, as well as they can be made to close those lamps air-tight,
without the employment of extra main or branch pipes and without the
use of electricity. But if desirable, especially when a large number of
burners are used, as in lighting a city, a different and extra main and
branches may be employed for the especial supply of gas to the street
lamps, as in that case any number of lamps can be placed under the
control of one man at a main or central station, and the lamps be lighted
or not at the will of that man without interference with other public or
private lights; in such a case two main gas stoppers can be used in
order to regulate the flow of the gas through either side of the two
main pipes independently of the other. In this last case the adjustment
of the curved ends A' of the section pipes A, Figures 6 and 7, need not
be sunk as deep in the quicksilver or its substitute as when but one
main pipe and branches are used, because in this case the pressure of
the gas is completely cut off during the day and only applied in the
evening, while in the other case a certain pressure of gas must be supplied
during the day for private or other burners, while the additional pressure
is only applied in the evening for the night's consumption of all gas.
lamps.

page_text: While these burners have been described as constructed with a view
to operate mostly with hydrogen gas for street and other public lamps,
they are as effective to operate with other gas, and can be employed as
well for either, and while the ignition of the hydrogen gas, as herein
explained, is effected through the agency of the spongy platinum or its
equivalent, either gas may be ignited with equal success by means of
electricity, if it should be desired to employ that mode of igniting the
gas.
1 am aware that gas burners have heretofore been combined with
reservoirs containing a hydrocarbon liquid, and that the upper ends of
the gas conduits have been made adjustable within the reservoirs, but
the object of such Inventions and the only result attained by them has
been carburet the gas or to increase its illuminating properties, the
flow of the gas burner being regulated in the usual manner; but the
principle of this Invention is different. Whether the liquid possesses
carburetting properties or not it is intended to regulate the flow of gas
to the burner, and the column of liquid must bear the relation to the
pressure of gas in the conduit herein-before fully set forth. The
adjustability of the end of the conduit is not intended for the purpose
of effecting the more or less perfect carburetting of the gas, but for
equallising or adjusting the pressure of the column of liquid and gas in
the conduit.
.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The application and use of clockwork or equivalent mechanism
in combination with the armature of an electro-maguet to let in or shut
off the gas and control at the same time the operation of the illuminating
agent, substantially as described.
Second. The combination of the rotary valves for supplying gas to
the burners and the mechanism for operating and supplying the same,
with the armature of an electro-magcet under such an arrangement that
the notion of the said armature towards its magnets shall leave the said
valves free to revolve, substantially as set forth.
Third. The arrangement relatively to each other of the valves for
supplying the hydrogen and illuminating gases to their respective burners

page_text: so that the hydrogen gas shall be supplied to its own burner before
the opening of the valve through which the illuminating gas passes,
substantially as shewn and described.
Fourth. The method of transmitting a current of electricity from a
main battery to the magnets of one or more valve operating apparatus
by means of an apparatus arranged and operating so as to effect the
momentary closing of the circuit between the said battery and magnets,
substantially as shewn and for the purposes described.
Fifth. The circuit closing apparatus herein described, the same con-
sisting of the combination of a revolving needle and its actuating and
stopping mechanism, with the armature of an electro-magnet, the whole
being constructed and arranged so that the momentary passage of a
current of electricity through the said magnet shall so move its armature
as to effect the revolution of the needle, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the said circuit closing needle of a
plate or disk in and to which are secured the insulated wires of one
or more apparatus for operating the valves which supply the gas to the
burners, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Seventh. The method of closing the circuit of the local battery by
which the circuit closing apparatus is actuated by connecting the same
with the operative works of a clock or other timepiece under the
arrangement herein described, so that the said circuit may be closed at
any desired hour.
Eighth. The combination and arrangement of the mechanism for
closing and breaking the circuit between the operative works of the
clock and the battery connected with the magnet of the circuit closing
apparatus, substantially as shewn and described.
Ninth. The combination with the operative mechanism of a clock or
other timepiece of the gas lighting and circuit closing apparatus herein
described, the whole being constructed and arranged so as to cause the
simultaneous ignition of any number of gas jets at any desired hour,
substantially as set forth.
Tenth. The method herein described of letting on the gas to the burner
or shutting it off therefrom by the employment, in connection with the
pipe or conduit for supplying gas to one or more burners, of a reservoir
of quicksilver, glycerine, oils, or other non-freezing liquid in which the
end of said conduit is immersed, the pressure of the gas in such conduit

page_text: being regulated in the manner specified, so that so long as the pressure
does not exceed a certain limit the gas will be retained in the conduit by
the resistance of the said liquid without the use of stop-cocks or other
means ordinarily employed, but whenever the pressure is increased so
as to exceed the said limit the gas will overcome the resistance of the
liquid and pass from the conduit to the burner, as set forth.
Eleventh. The use and application for the purpose specified in the
preceding clause of naptha or other hydrocarbon liquid, substantially in
the manner described.
Twelfth. The combination with a reservoir containing quicksilver or
other suitable liquid, and carrying the gas burner, of the bent end of the
gas induction pipe held within the reservoir and arranged as described,
so as to be adjusted to a greater or less depth in the liquid in which
it is immersed, the said liquid operating in connection with the pressure
in said pipe to shut off and let on the gas to the burner, as set
of
gas
forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with a burner to which the flow of gas
is regulated by means of quicksilver, oils, or other liquids in connection
with the pressure of gas in the gas conduit, as described, of a gas igniting
device composed of spongy or finely divided platinum arranged above
the orifice of the burner so as to be brought in contact with the gas
issuing therefrom, as and for the purposes set forth.
Fourteenth. A gas lighting device consisting of spongy or finely
divided platinum combined with fine projecting platinum wire and fine
projecting wire points or ends in the manner herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to
this my Specification set my hand and seal, the Eighteenth
day of March One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.