Improvements in Lamps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd May, 1893-Accepted, 24th June, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamps.
1, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE of 45 Clyde Place, in the City of Glasgow,
Nautical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to lamps intended mainly for burning solid or viscous
hydrocarbons, and it has for its objects the provision of means whereby lighting
of the lamp may be readily effected without previous melting of the contents of
the oil vessel and of improved means for conducting the heat of the lamp flame
to the hydrocarbon in proximity to the wick tube to ensure melting of the
hydrocarbon and its regular supply to the wick.
For the purpose of conveying the heat of the flame to the contents of the
oil holder, I employ a heater composed of a tube of copper or other conductor
and which may terminate in a coil or dome over the flame at its upper
extremity and in contact with the wick tube at its lower extremity. Or it may
resemble any of the other known forms of solid wire conductors employed in
lamps for the like purpose, excepting as regards its tubular formation which
has the advantage of offering a larger conducting surface for a given weight
and of enclosing a quantity of air which is expanded by the heat of the lamp
flame and forced in a heated state into the oil chamber to melt the hydrocarbon
in proximity to the wick.
To facilitate lighting of the lamp I provide a small shoot or hopper which
is fixed around or to one side of the wick holder over the gallery and preferably
also in metallic contact with the heater, and whereon when lighting the lamp
a piece of the hydrocarbon is laid so as to be gradually melted by the flame
and feed the wick by gravitation from above until the heat of the flame acting on
the heater before described shall have melted sufficient of the hydrocarbon
within the oil vessel to maintain the supply for the wick by capillary action
from below. The wick tube or holder is perforated to permit of the hydro-
carbon as it melts finding its way to and through the wick and any surplus
reaching the oil vessel.
For filling the oil vessel a small orifice is or may be formed in the tubular heater
and into this orifice the lower end of a filler is inserted the filling being effected
whilst the lamp body is heated and the flame alight so that heat to melt the hydro-
carbon which is placed in the filler may be conducted thereto by the tubular
heater. This orifice is covered with a plain or screw cap, which may be removed
while the lamp is cooling so that the liquid may not be attracted into the open end
of the conductor because of a partial vacuum being formed.
Dated this 19th day of August 1892.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamps.
I, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE of 45 Clyde Place in the City of Glasgow, Nautical
Instrument Maker 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 lamps intended mainly for burning solid or viscous

page_text: hydrocarbons and it has for its objects the provision of means whereby lighting of
the lamp may be easily effected without previous melting of the contents of the oil
vessel and of improved means for conducting the heat of the lamp flame to the
hydrocarbon in proximity to the wick tube to ensure melting of the hydrocarbon
and its regular supply to the wick.
As represented in sectional elevation and plan at Figures 1 and 2 of the accom-
panying drawings I employ for the purpose of conveying the heat of the flame to
the contents of the oil holder A a heater composed of a tube B of copper or other
conductor and which may terminate in a coil or dome over the flame at its upper
extremity and in contact or in proximity with the wick tube C at or near its lower
extremity. Or it may resemble any of the other known forms of solid wire
conductors employed in lamps for the like purpose, excepting as regards its tubular
formation which has the advantage of offering a larger conducting surface for a
given weight and of enclosing a quantity of air which is expanded by the heat of
the lamp flame and forced in a beated state into the oil chamber to melt the hydro-
carbon in proximity to the wick.
To facilitate lighting of the lamp I provide a small shoot or hopper D which is
fitted around or to one side of the wick holder C over the gallery E and preferably
also in metallic contact with the heater B and whereon when lighting the lamp a
piece of the hydrocarbon is laid so as to be gradually melted by the flame and feed
the wick by gravitation from above until the heat of the flame acting on the
heater B shall have melted sufficient of the hydrocarbon within the oil vessel A. to
maintain the supply for the wick by capillary action from below. The wick tube
or holder C is perforated at c to permit of the hydrocarbon as it melts finding its
way to and through the wick and any surplus reaching the oil vessel.
For filling the oil vessel a small orifice is or may be formed in the tubular
heater and into this orifice the lower end of a filler is inserted the filling being
effected whilst the lamp body is heated and the flame alight so that heat to melt
the hydrocarbon which is placed in the filler may be conducted thereto by the
tubular heater. This orifice is covered with a plain or screw cap which may be
removed while the lamp is cooling so that the liquid may not be attracted into the
open end of the conductor because of a partial vacuum being formed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a lamp for burning solid or viscous hydrocarbons a heater of tubular
formation extending at its upper extremity over the lamp flame and having its
lower end in close proximity to the wick tube or holder substantially as described.
2. In a lamp for burning solid or viscous hydrocarbons the combination with the
wick tube of a shoot or hopper for use in facilitating the lighting of the lamp
substantially as described.
3. In a lamp for burning solid or viscous hydrocarbons the combination with the
wick tube of a tubular heater and a shoot or hopper substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 19th day of May 1893.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.