IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR IGNITING INFLAMMABLE GASES AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander. Reid Molison, of Swansea in the County
of Glamorgan, Science Teacher for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR IGNITING INFLAMMABLE GASES AND FOR OTHER
LIKE PURPOSES
31
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Reid Molison
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th March 1883.
ALEXANDER REID MOLISON, of Swansea in the County of Glamorgan, Science
Teacher "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR IGNITING INFLAMMABLE
GASES AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
"
My invention consists of an improved apparatus for producing a spark of so
called "static electricity "which I intend chiefly as an improved electric gas
lighter, but which of course can be employed wherever an electric spark may be
of use such as for experimental electrolysis, firing fuses and other kindred purposes.
It consists of the employment of means for more effectually preventing the deposi-
tion of moisture from the air on the machine for producing the spark, which is the
well known cause of both the ordinary frictional and statical induction machines
failing to act in certain states of the atmosphere. It also relates to an improved
construction of machine. I employ for my purpose a modification of some of the
known forms of self-charging induction machines by preference of that known as
the "Voss." To secure my end I take a case of suitable shape and design and
made of material which is impervious to moisture, such as a metallic or vitreous
substance and enclose completely and hermetically seal in the whole of the
apparatus bringing the metallic terminals from which the spark is to be drawn
through plugs of vulcanite or other insulating material, so that while the spark
can be drawn from the outside no moist. air can penetrate to the machine or
generator. The driving apparatus or gear which is also enclosed may be varied in
arrangement. One convenient form is simply a weighted lever or arm attached to
the moveable disc either directly or by means of multiplying gear, so that when

page_text: the case is simply swung round or shaken, the machine is set in action. Another
arrangement is where a weight is enclosed and by a movement of the case is made
to change its position in relation to the case and so act on the moveable disc. as to
make it rotate through cords, wheels or spring's. Another arrangement is where
one of the discs or plates is weighted at one side and so hung that while the other
parts which are rigidly attached to the case may be rotated by rotating the case,
the weighted disc will be kept from turning, through gravity and so a relative
motion of the discs or plates may be secured. In each and all of the arrangements
it will be noticed the apparatus for generating the electricity will be entirely
enclosed and sealed hermetically into the case or holder so that once dried and
filled with dry air or dry gas, which is done once and for all, all the usual defects
due to atmospheric moisture will be removed and the machine will be ready for
action at any moment

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Reid Molison in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th September 1883.
ALEXANDER REID MOLISON of Swansea in the County of Glamorgan Science
Teacher "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR IGNITING INFLAMMABLE
GASES AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
"
My Invention consists of an improved apparatus for producing a spark of so
called "static electricity" which I intend chiefly as an improved electric gas
lighter, but which of course can be employed wherever an electric spark may
be of use such as for experimental electrolysis, firing fuses and other kindred
purposes.
It consists of the employment of means for more effectually preventing the
deposition of moisture from the air on the machine for producing the spark which
is the well known cause of both the ordinary frictional and statical induction
machines failing to act in certain states of the atmosphere.
It also relates to an improved construction of machine.
I employ for my purpose a modification of some of the known forms of self
charging induction machines by preference of that known as the " Voss," To
secure my end I take a case of suitable shape and design and make of material
which is impervious to moisture such as a metallic or vitreous substance and
enclose completely and hermetically seal in the whole of the apparatus bringing
the metallic terminals from which the spark is to be drawn through plugs of
vulcanite or other insulating material so that while the spark can be drawn from
the outside no moist air can penetrate to the machine or generator. The driving
apparatus or gear which is also enclosed may be varied in arrangement.
One convenient form is simply a weighted lever or arm attached to the moveable
disc either directly or by means of multiplying gear so that when the case is simply
swung round or shaken the machine is set in action. Another arrangement is
where a weight is enclosed and by a movement of the case is made to change its
position in relation to the case and so act on the moveable disc so as to make it
rotate through cords, wheels or springs. Another arrangement is where one of the
discs or plates is weighted on one side and so hung that while the other parts
which are rigidly attached to the case may be rotated by rotating the case the
weighted disc will be kept from turning through gravity and so a relative motion
of the discs or plates may be secured. This latter form of apparatus as being
perhaps the cheapest and simplest for portability I have shown in the drawings
annexed to this specification. In each and all of the arrangements it will be
noticed the apparatus for generating the electricity will be entirely enclosed and
sealed hermetically into the case or holder so that once dried and filled with dry
air or dry gas which is done once and for all, all the usual defects due to atmo-
spheric moisture will be removed and the machine will be ready for action at any
moment.
The apparatus may be used as a portable gas lighter or as a permanent attachment
to a gas bracket or a pendent for gas lighting or as an igniter for the charges of
gas motor engines as one of the chief uses of my invention is for igniting coal gas
and the form and arrangement can be varied without departing from the general
principle.
I proceed with the aid of drawings to describe one form probably about the
simplest and cheapest and before referred to of portable apparatus from and by
which the other forms such as herein before referred to may be easily understood.
'

page_text: Referring to Drawings. Figure 1 is a view of a complete apparatus of the
portable form. A A is a circular box containing the generating apparatus. This
box is provided with pivots and is free to rotate in bearings in the fork or holder
which holds or supports it.
Figure 2 is a section of the box or case and contained apparatus but shows in
section only the lower part of fork with bearings. A A is the case or box of
suitable material as before referred to in two or more parts fitting together in the
usual fashion of box and lid or in any other suitable manner.
In the Drawings the rim of the lid is as deep as the box. When complete the
box is hermetically sealed by a layer of paraffine or bees-wax, resin, cement or
such like substance between the sliding parts of box and lid or other modes of
sealing may be adopted such as soldering etc, but the former I frequently find
advantageous or the case and lid may fit tightly such as by screw or otherwise
which is unless made airtight by such means a less perfect form. B B and C. C.
are the plates of the generating apparatus (of course of a non-conducting substance
by preference I use vulcanite). B B is rigidly attached to the box at the circum-
ference and has a hole at its centre. C. C. is attached to the hollow axis or tube D
which turns freely on the metallic rod or axis E.
This axis passes through the box or case in the insulating arrangement shown
at F or by other suitable means and enters the bearing G also of insulating
material forming one of the pivots on which the box turns.
This axis is in metallic connection with the collector H and thus acts as a
conductor to carry the electricity to the outside of the box. The electricity from
the collector I is carried in a similar manner to the other pivot.
L is a nut to prevent C. C. moving from its place.
J is an arm attached to the hollow axis having a weight attached at K. Fig. 3
is a section through X—Y.
The lined sections P P represent thin metallic plates (such as tin foil) attached
to the discs C. C. These may be of any number. I here represent eight. QQQQ
are four small brushes or pads of metallic tinsel or fine wire attached to four light
springs. The springs press the brushes or pads lightly against the disc. Q' and Q
are attached to the side of the box while Q and Q are in metallic contact with
armatures fastened to the back of the plate B B.
These armatures are not shown as this part of the arrangement is similar to
that of the well known "Voss" machine and I lay no claim to it.
Referring back to Fig. 2 the plates B B and C. C. are shown recessed this to
obtain strength with lightness and thinness at the parts through which induction
takes place.
The armatures before referred to lie in the recess of B B.
The brushes or pads and springs are not shown in this section for the sake of
non-complication of the drawing. The dotted lines M M represent insulated wires
carried from the pivots of the box to the points N. N. at the top of the tube
through which they are carried across which the sparks are discharged or pass.
O is the handle or holder.
The pivots of the box may turn directly without insulation in the prongs of the
fork in which case the fork forms part of the conductors and the prongs must be
insulated from each other and each connected with its respective insulated wire
which leads to the discharging points. To use the apparatus in this form the box
has to be rotated. This can be done by a motion of the hand directly on the box
or by any of the well known mechanical devices for producing circular motion.
Or only one pivot may be insulated from the box in the manner described and the
other electrically connected with the tube when one conducting wire from the
insulated axis to the top will be sufficient the tube itself forming the other
conductor or pole.
One or both pivots may be brought through its bearing in the fork for mechanical
arrangements to rotate the box as for example in a gas motor engine in which case
the discharging points may be fitted in the ignition chamber and the case rotated

page_text: by the engine shaft or off it. It will be seen that an inferior arrangement would
be to directly rotate the spindle of the generating plates from the outside of the
box, but this would involve the sacrifice of the perfect sealing of the box.
It will be noticed that when the box is rotated the weighted lever or arm J
keeps the disc C. C. at rest or nearly so while all the other parts are rotated with
the box.
This is equivalent to rotating C. C. and keeping all the other parts at rest so far
as the generation of electricity is concerned.
It is evident also that the parts could be so arranged that the plate B. B. would
remain at rest while C. C. would be rotated with the box but the one shewn is
the one I prefer.
Instead of filling the apparatus with a specially dry gas I find a few drops of
petroleum or similar oil to be effective in preventing the deposition of moisture on
the plates while the closed case prevents the evaporation of the same.
Another form of apparatus is made by having the box and tube or taper as two
distinct parts the electricity is carried through the box at any convenient part in
the manner described and from this by two flexible metallic cords to the tube or
taper.
The box is held (by a suitable handle) and swung in the manner of a rattle so
that the interior mechanism may be set in motion. As a fixture to a gas pendent
or bracket the box may be placed at any convenient place and the insulated wires
carried from the pivots to the burner either through the gas pipe or outside and
the box might be set in motion by a clock so that at a given hour (by mechanical
devices the gas being admitted to the burners) the gas would be lit.
Having now described the nature of my said invention and the best mode known
to me of carrying it into practical effect I would have it understood that I claim
as my said invention.
First. In self inducing apparatus for producing electric sparks for igniting
inflammable gases and like purposes the enclosing of the generating mechanism in
a closed box or case as and for the purposes described.
Second-The general arrangement and combination of parts forming the said
apparatus substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Alexander Reid Molison have hereunto set my
hand and seal this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three
ALEYR REID MOLISON
ALEYR REID MOLISON
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