IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC GAS BURNERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent
Solicitors, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC GAS BURNERS." A communi-
cation from Wilhelm Klinkerfues, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor and Director
of the Roval Observatory at Göttingen, in the Empire of Germany.
*
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTO-
MATIC GAS BURNERS." A communication from Wilhelm Klinkerfues, Doctor of
Philosophy, Professor and Director of the Royal Observatory at Göttingen, in the
Empire of Germany.
This Invention consists in automatically lighting a gas burner flame by means of
a sudden increased pressure, the augmentation of pressure being effected at the gas
works, so that any number of gas jets can be ignited or extinguished at will.
The apparatus is provided with two burners, one the burner proper, the other a
small burner, which serves to turn on and light the gas of the large burner proper.
The extinguishing of the light of the large burner is accomplished in the same
manner, that is to say, by a sudden enlargement of the small flame, which after-
wards subsides to its original size.
A distinct and novel part of the Invention consists of an apparatus to be named
distinctor," and by which the small flame is regulated, that is to say, can only
increase in size at sudden pressure, and not when the pressure gradually augments.
This insures the proper working of the apparatus at any pressure.
As the small second flame (which may be produced with advantage by a "Bunsen "
burner) shoots up it causes a liquid with suitable boiling point to expand and
give off vapours, which cannot escape, as the liquid is contained in a strongly made

page_text: chamber, one end of which is provided with a piston, which being lifted by the
pressure of the liquid turns on the gas to the large and chief burner and ignites
the same, whereupon the small flame sinks down to its normal size, and so allows
the liquid to cool, which condensing, permits the piston to fall to its first position.
"
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th April
1879.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTO-
MATIC GAS BURNERS." A communication from Wilhelm Klinkerfues, Doctor of
Philosophy, Professor and Director of the Royal Observatory at Göttingen, in the
Empire of Germany.
This Invention consists in automatically lighting a gas burner flame by means of
a sudden increased pressure, the augmentation of pressure being effected at the gas
works, so that any number of gas jets can be ignited or extinguished at will.
The apparatus is provided with two burners, one the burner proper, the other a
small burner, which serves to turn on and light the gas of the large burner proper.
The extinguishing of the light of the large burner is accomplished in the same
manner, that is to say, by a sudden enlargment of the small flame, which after-
wards subsides to its original size.
A distinct and novel part of the Invention consists of an apparatus to be named
distinctor," and by which the small flame is regulated, that is to say, can only
increase in size at sudden pressure, and not when the pressure gradually augments.
This ensures the proper working of the apparatus at any pressure.
او
As the small second flame (which may be produced with advantage by a "Bunsen'
burner) shoots up it causes a liquid with suitable boiling point to expand and give
off vapours, which cannot escape, as the liquid is contained in a strongly made
chamber, one end of which is provided with a piston, which being lifted by the
pressure of the liquid turns on the gas to the large and chief burner and ignites
the same, whereupon the small flame sinks down to its normal size, and so allows
the liquid to cool, which condensing, permits the piston to fall to its first position.
I proceed with reference to the accompanying Drawings to describe more par-
ticularly in what manner the Invention may be carried into effect.
Figure 1 represents in elevation an automatic gas burner constructed according
to the Invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the same; and Figure 3 is a sectional
elevation of the body of the burner.
A is the burner proper, and B the small burner; C is the chamber containing
the liquid, and D the piston; E is a three-way cock, which is turned by the piston.
The liquid is introduced into the chamber C through an orifice closed by the plug F.
The letters x indicate the positions of the cock when opened, and the letters y when
it is closed.

page_text: is the gas pipe, which is in connection with the pipe f leading to the burner
proper, and closed above by the cock E (Figs. 1 and 2). The Drawing, Figure 3,
represents the state of the apparatus when the gas is at its normal pressure. In
this state a small quantity of gas can pass through the orifice o¹ up the tube e, and
thence by the pipe w to the small burner B. When however a sudden pressure is
put on the diaphragm m, attached to the sides of the chamber C* at q, and in the
centre to a ring n, rises, and thus allows a short but strong flow of gas through the
orifice o to the small burner, producing the effect as described. The rings and 21
allow the diaphragm the required play.
2"
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
sane may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
The improved automatic gas burner, having its parts arranged, combined, and
operating substantially as herein described and shewn for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-nine.
FRANK WIRTH. (L.S.)