CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS BY ELECTRIC CURRENTS OR OTHERWISE
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Adrien Bonneville, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 6, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex,
and 18, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, France, Patent Agent,
for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING
GAS BY ELECTRIC CURRENTS OR OTHERWISE."-A communication from
Almon N. Allen and Rodney H. Dewey, residing at Pittsfield,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 10th May 1872, and dated the 5th February 1872.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 5th February 1872, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 6,
Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, and 18, Rue de la Chaussée
d'Antin, Paris, France, Patent Agent, send greeting.

page_text: which, when released, imparts motion to the mechanism for feeding and
exploding the fuses.
The various improvements referred to in the foregoing enumeration
are illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 repre-
sents a sectional front view of a gas lighter with a magneto-electric
machine operated by a current of air, which also controls the admission
of gas to the burner.
Figure 2 shows the gas valve detached when the same is closed in a
larger scale than the previous Figure.
Figure 3 shows the gas valve when open.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 are modifications of the previous mechanism which
will be explained as the description progresses.
Figure 7 shows a sectional front view of an apparatus, in which a
magneto-electric machine is driven by spring power, the action of which
is controlled by a flexible diaphragm which also controls the admission
of gas to the burner. Figure 8 is a sectional end view of the same;
Figure 9 is a longitudinal central section; Figure 10 is a transverse
section of the working mechanism of the same in a larger scale than the
previous Figure.
Figure 11 is a similar section of the working mechanism when a
machine producing frictional electricity is substituted for the battery.
Figure 12 is a sectional side view of an apparatus, in which the gas is
lighted by the explosion of fuses fed towards the burner and exploded
by spring power, the action of which is controlled by a flexible diaphragm
that controls also the admission of gas to the burner. Figure 13 is a
vertical section of the same in the line x, x, Figure 12; Figure 14 is a
sectional plan or top view of the same; Figure 15 is a vertical section in
the line y, y, Figure 12.
Figure 16 shows a modification of the flexible diaphragm to be used by
preference in the above apparatus.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive the letter A designates a gas
burner to which gas is admitted through a pipe B, which pipe is opened
or closed by a valve C. The gas is lighted by sparks produced by a
magneto-electric machine D, the helices a, a, of which are mounted on

page_text: an arm b secured to an arbor c. On this arbor is also mounted a bucket
wheel d, which may be enclosed in a stationary case d¹, and which is
acted on by a current of air or other fluid admitted by the pipe e. On
the arbor c is also mounted the commutator f, and from the commutator
springs extend wire i, j, up over the gas burner, where they are con-
nected by a coil k of thin platina wire. When a current of air is
admitted through the pipe e, the arbor c revolves, and an electric current
is passed through the wires i, j, whereby the platina coil is rapidly
brought to a red heat, and if gas is made to issue from the burner the
red-hot platina wire causes the gas to ignite. The valve C which serves
to open and close the gas pipe B is mounted on an arbor I, and it is con-
structed with a toe m, on which bears a spring n (see Figures 2 & 3),
and which is so situated in relation to the arbor that when the valve is
brought into the position shown in Figure 2, the spring acting on the
toe has a tendency to keep the valve closed down upon the mouth of the
pipe, but if the valve is turned open, and as soon as the point of the toe
has passed the line of equilibrium, the spring n throws the valve up to the
position shown in Figure 3. From the arbor / extends an arm o, and if
the arbor c is caused to revolve a pin p projecting from this arbor strikes
the arm o; and imparts to the arbor 1 a partial revolution, and by the
motion of the arbor the valve C is partially opened carring the toe m
beyond the line of equilibrium, so that the spring n throws the valve up
to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the arm o clears the pin p, and
allows the arbor c to revolve freely. As the valve C is opened the gas
issuing from the burner A strikes the heated coil of platina wire and is
ignited. The motion of the arbor c is then stopped, and the gas is kept
burning as long as it may be desired. When the gas is to be extin-
guished the gas valve C is closed by the action of a pin q, which projects
from an arbor r, and acts on an arm s, extending from the arbor I, as
shown in Figures 1 and 3. On the arbor is mounted a bucket wheel t,
inclosed in a stationary case u, and a current of air or other fluid
admitted through a pipe v imparts to said bucket wheel and to the
arbor the required rotary motion. When the pin q strikes the arm s
the arboris turned so as to close the valve C, and as soon as the toe m
on said valve has passed the line of equilibrium the spring n takes effect,
and the valve closes down upon the gas pipe, carrying the arm & clear of
the pin q. At the same time the arm o is turned back in the path of
the pin p of the arbor c, so that the gas can be let on and ignited as
before stated.

page_text: In practice a magneto-electric machine of the most approved con-
struction is proposed to be used, and it is not absolutely necessary
to confine oneself to the precise construction shown in Fig. 1 of the
Drawing.
When the said Invention is to be applied for lighting and extinguishing
the gas in the streets of a city, an apparatus, substantially such as
herein described, will be put up in each gas post, and the air pipes e
and are connected with a reservoir containing air under pressure, or
with the air trunk of a large fan blower, or any other machine capable
of impelling air either by force or by suction, and, if the gas is to be
lighted, the air pipes e leading to the several gas posts are opened for
a short time, until all the flames are burning, and then said pipes are
closed. When the gas is to be extinguished, the air pipes v are opened
and the valves C in the several gas posts are closed.
l
In Figure 4 is sliown an apparatus in which the gas valve is opened
by an impelled current of air produced by suction. In this case the
pipes e and vare branches of one and the same pipe e*, which connects
with an air pump capable of producing an impelled current of air or a
current by suction. Only one bucket wheel is used, and the case d¹ of
this wheel is closed at one end by a valve d*. The pipe v is also closed
by a valve v*, which is mounted on the spindle carrying the gas
valve C. When a current of air is forced through the pipe e*, the
bucket wheel d revolves, and the valve v* is forced open, so that the
gas valve is opened by the action of the tappet p on the arm o, assisted
by the pressure of the air having a tendency to open the valve v*. If
the gas valve is to be closed, the current of the air in the pipe e* is
reversed (being now produced by suction), the valve d* on the wheel
case d¹ closes, causing the gas valve C to close at the same time. The
valve d* on the wheel case is shown in Figure 5, and the valve v* on
the pipe v, in Figure 6. The last-named valve moves in a casing v³,
which is provided with a stop near its outer end to prevent said valve
from opening too far.
The magneto-electric machine shown in Figure 4 differs somewhat
from that shown in Figure 1, the wire j being hinged at j* and exposed
to the action of a spring 1, and a ratchet wheel j³, so that its point is
alternately brought in contact with the wire i and then removed there-
from, and every time the two wires are separated a spark is produced,

page_text: which serves to ignite the gas issuing from the burner. In this case
the coil k of platina wire can be dispensed with.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8 of the Drawing, the letter A designates
a frame, in which is mounted a coiled spring B, that is inclosed in a
suitable drum, and the axle C of which extends beyond the side pieces
of the frame A, as shown in Figure 8. On one end of said axle is
mounted a cog wheel a, which connects by a train of wheels b, c, d, e,
with the axle of a magneto-electro machine D. On the opposite end
of the axle C is mounted a cog wheel g, which connects by an inter-
mediate cog wheel h with a cog wheel i, mounted loosely on a stud or
arbor j. On this stud is also mounted loosely a ratchet wheel k, which
receives an intermittent rotary motion by a pawl 7, mounted on a
lever m.
This lever swings loosely on the arbor j, and its outer end
connects by a rod n with a lever o, which is connected by a rod p with
another lever q that has its fulcrum on a standard r, and the end of
which is provided with an oblong slot to catch over a studs projecting
from a sleeve E that is fitted over the shank of the gas burner F, or the
pipe leading to the same. The standard rises from a spheroidal or
lentil-shaped case G, through the top of which passes the sleeve E, and
this sleeve is secured to a flexible diaphragm H, extending through the
centre of the case G and dividing the same in two compartments. The
lower compartment connects with the gas supply pipe I, while the
shank of the burner F is perforated with a hole t (see Figure 7), which,
when the diaphragm is down in its position of rest, is covered by the
sleeve E; but if gas is admitted to the chamber beneath the diaphragm,
said diaphragm is forced up in its centre and the sleeve E is raised.
By raising said sleeve the hole t is uncovered, and gas is admitted to
the burner, and at the same time the motion of the sleeve is transmitted
by the levers q, o, and m, to the pawl 1, and the ratchet wheel k is
turned for the space of one tooth. As this ratchet wheel turns, one of
its teeth acts on a nose u, projecting from a slide v, thereby forcing
said slide upward and causing it to raise a stop x, which, when per-
mitted to follow its own inclination, drops in gear with a cam secured
to the side of the cog wheel i, and by abutting against the shoulder of
said cam retains the same, and with it the entire train of wheels a,b,c,d,e,
which transmit the motion produced by the spring B to the magneto-
electric machine. As soon as the stop x is raised, the magneto-electric
machine begins to act, and the gas admitted to the burner through the

page_text: hole is ignited. The motion of the magneto-electric machine, how-
ever, continues only until the cam has completed one revolution, for,
as soon as the tooth of the ratchet wheel has passed the nose u of the
slide v, the stop a bears upon the circumference of the cam, and when
this cam has completed its revolution its shoulder strikes the stop, and
the motion of the magneto-electric machine is arrested. When the
gas is shutt off from the pipe I, the flame goes out, the diaphragm H
returns to its original position, and the pawl is carried down ready
to take the subsequent tooth of the ratchet wheel. If the gas burner
should be at a distance from the case G, the pipe F would be closed on
top, and connected by a pipe F* with the burner.
. The magneto-electric machine may be of any desired construction,
but it is proposed to use a machine known as Wilde's machine, and in
this case the helix of the magneto-electric machine revolves between a
series of permanent magnets composing the frame A. It is obvious that
in this apparatus the spring B must be wound up from time to time, but
since the motion of the magneto-electric machine takes place only once
a day, and then for a very short time, the apparatus requires but very
little attention. By the action of the gas itself the supply opening for
gas to the burner is uncovered, and the gear communicating motion to
the magneto-electric machine is set free; but, if desired, compressed
air might be used to actuate the diaphragm.
· Referring to Figures 9, 10, and 11, the letter A designates a lamp post
which supports a spheroidal or lentil-shaped case B that contains an
clastic or flexible diaphragm C. The case B communicates by means of
channels a, a, with the gas pipe D, which passes up through the post A
and connects with the gas mains in the usual manner. From the bottom
of the case B rises a pipe E which connects with the burner F, and on
this pipe is fitted a sleeve b, which is clamped to the diaphragm C, and
which, when said diaphragm is down, covers a hole c in the pipe E. If
gas is admitted to the pipe D the diaphragm together with the sleeve
are forced up, the hole c in the pipe E is uncovered, and the gas passes
up to the burner. Over the burner extend two tongues d; d', and one of
these tongues connects by a wire 10 with one pole of a battery G situated
in the bottom part of the post A. The other pole of this battery con-
nects by a wire 11 with the sleeve b, and if this sleeve is raised by the
action of the gas on the diaphragm C it comes in contact with a wire e,
that connects with the tongue d'. This tongue receives a vibrating

page_text: .
motion by means of a lever ƒ actuated by a spring power, which is
liberated whenever the sleeve 6 is raised, the connection between said
sleeve and the spring power being of such a nature that the ratchet
wheel which imparts to the lever f the required vibrating motion is
permitted to make one revolution or only part of a revolution.
In Figure 10 is shown the mechanism which may be used to connect
the sleeve with the spring power. In this Figure the letter H designates
the barrel containing the spring. From this barrel motion is trans-
mitted to the shaft i on which is firmly mounted a cam j, while the
ratchet wheel k turns loosely thereon. The motion of the spring arbor
is also transmitted to an arbor 1, which carries the tappet wheel m that
actuates the lever f. On the shaft i swings a lever n which carries a
pawl o that engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel k, and the loose
end of said lever connects by a rod p with an arm extending from
the sleeve b. The cam ; catches up against a stop 9, which drops down
between the teeth of the ratchet wheel k. When the sleeve b rises the
ratchet wheel is propelled for one tooth, and thereby the stop 9 is raised
so as to liberate the cam j and with it the spring power, but as soon as
the cam has completed one revolution it catches up again against the
stop q, and the spring power is arrested. When the spring power is
liberated the tappet wheel m'imparts to the lever fand through it to the
tongue d¹ the required vibrating motion.
q
When gas is admitted to the case B the diaphragm C is raised, the
gas passes up to the burner, and at the same time the spring power is
liberated, the tongue & is alternately brought in contact with the
tongue d and then removed therefrom, and by the sparks produced,
whenever the tongue & recedes, the gas issuing from the burner is
ignited.
The battery G may be placed in a vault dug beneath the lamp post to
prevent it from freezing, or the bottom part of the lamp post may be so
constructed that it protects the battery against frost.
The diaphragm, instead of being actuated by the pressure of the gas,
may be actuated by means of compressed air, and the mechanism for
vibrating the tongue d' or for closing and opening the circuit may be
changed in various ways without deviating from the said Invention.
If desired a machine producing frictional electricity may be sub-
stituted for the battery G, as shown in Figure 11. In this Figure the

page_text: letter m designates a disk of plate glass, which is mounted on the
arbor, to which motion is imparted by the spring power H whenever
said spring power is liberated by the action of the gas on the diaphragm C,
as previously described. The disk m* acts upon friction pads of any
desirable construction, and the electricity produced by these means
passes off through the conductor f* to the tongue d', the tip of which
stands opposite to and close to the tongue d, so that the electric
sparks will jump across the tip of the burner from the tongue d¹ to
to the tongue d. By these means the gas issuing from the burner
will be ignited.
It must be remarqued that the construction of the electric machine
employed in this apparatus may be changed in manifold ways, but
that any machine which will produce frictional electricity may be
used.
Referring to Figures 12, 13, 14, & 15, the letter A designates a
spheroidal or lentil-shaped case made in halves, which are united by
screws a. Between the halves of said case is clamped the elastic
diaphragm B, and through the top of the case extends a pipe C,
which connects with the burner D. The lower half of the case A
communicates by a pipe E with the gas-holder or reservoir. The
pipe C extends through the diaphragm B, and it is secured in the
bottom of the case A. On said pipe is fitted a sleeve F, which is
made in two parts, each of which is provided with a flange b, and
between these flanges the diaphragm B is clamped, as showin in
Figure 12. Said sleeve fits gas-tight on the pipe C, and when
the diaphragm B is down in the position shown in Figure 12, a
hole c in the lower part of the pipe C is covered by the sleeve F,
and no gas can pass up to the burner. But when gas is admitted
through the pipe E the diaphragm is forced up, and the hole c is
uncovered, so that the gas from the lower compartment of the case A
can pass up to the burner. From the case A rises a frame G, which
contains a spring power or clock movement H of any suitable con-
struction. This spring power acts on a shaft d, which carries a cam e,
the shape of which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 15, and which
acts against a stóp f seen in Figures 12 & 15. Said stop is secured to a
lever g, which carries a nose that engages with the teeth of a ratchet
wheel mounted loosely on the shaft d. With this ratchet wheel
engages a pawl j pivoted to a lever k, which swings on the shaft, d,

page_text: and which is connected to or rests on an arm 7 projecting from the
sleeve F. When the sleeve F rises the pawl j imparts to the ratchet
wheel i a partial revolution, and as this ratchet wheel turns the nose h
is forced up and the stop fis raised so as to clear the cam e, and thereby
the spring power is released and the shaft d is permitted to make one
revolution, when the cam e catches up against the stop f, said stop being
free to drop down as soon as the nose h has passed the tooth of the
ratchet wheel. On the shaft d is also mounted a camm, which acts on
a tappet arm n projecting from the stem o of a hammer p. This hammer
is exposed to the action of a spring g, which has a tendency to drive the
same upward, and it works in a cylinder situated under a disk s, which
is perforated with six (more or less) holes t. This disk is mounted on
the top of a vertical shaft u, which connects by a bevel gear v with the
shaft d, and the holes in said disk are at such distances apart that if
one stands directly over the hammer cylinder r, the preceding one
stands directly over the tubular magazine w, which contains the fuses
or matches. Close over the disk s is placed an abutting plate x, and if
the shaft d is permitted to revolve, said disk progresses far enough to
carry the hole previously situated in line with the magazine over the
hammer cylinder, and by these means the fuse which is forced into said
hole by. a spring acting on the fuses in the magazine is brought in line
with the hammer. At the same time the hammer is depressed by the
action of the cam m, and as soon as the tappet n is released by said cam
the hammer flies back and the fuse is exploded.
It is obvious that in order to produce the correct motion of the
disks, the proportion of the bevel gear v must correspond to the number
of holes in said disk, so that said disk is moved the proper distance cach
time the stop f is raised.
With the hammer may be connected a clearer to clear out the
cells of the disk s after each explosion. The diaphragm may also be
actuated by the pressure of air, and in this case the pipe C .would
be connected directly with the gas reservoir, so that, when the gas is
turned on and compressed air admitted through the pipe E, the gas
will be lighted by the action of the percussion mechanism, as above
described.
In Figure 16 is shown a diaphragm B, which consists of a rigid
plate a fastened to a slack ring 6 of any suitable flexible material:
The outer edge of this ring is clamped between the two halves of the

page_text: spheroidal case A. By these means a diaphragm is obtained which
presents a uniforme surface equal to the area of the plate a to the
pressure of the gas or air, so that comparatively small pressure is
sufficient to produce the desired effect. If the diaphragm is constructed
of a continuous piece of some flexible material it is found that the
power exerted by said diaphragm constantly diminishes as the diaphragm
is expanded or raised, and with such a diaphragm it is barely possible to
produce the desired effect with the ordinary pressure of gas, which does
not exceed two ounces to the square inch. The said new diaphragm
has also the advantage that the sleeve F can be easily fastened to the
same..
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the
manner of the said Invention, and the manner of carrying it into effect,
what I claim is, referring to Figures 1 to 16 inclusive,―
1ly. The method substantially as herein described for admitting.gas
to a burner, and igniting the same by a magneto-electric machine con-
nected with the burner and actuated by a current of air or other fluid,
which also serves to open the gas valve, as set. forth.
•
2dly. The air pipe e and bucket wheel d in combination with the
arbors c, l, magneto-electric machine D, gas valve C, and burner A,
substantially as shown and described.
3dly. The arbor r and bucket wheel t in combination with the arbor 7,
valve C, and burner A', substantially as shown and described.
4thly. The toe m and spring n in combination with the valve C,
arbor 1, arms o, 8, and pins p, q, projecting from the arbor c, sub-
stantially as described.
5hly. The method substantially as described of extinguishing gas
flames by means of a current of air or other fluid acting on the valve,
which controls the flow of gas to the burner, as set forth..
Referring to Figures 7 and 8,-
1stly. The combination of a magneto-electric machine acted upon by a
spring with a gas burner, substantially as described.
2dly. The arrangement of a diaphragm acted on by gas, air, or other
fluid under pressure, and serving to control the motion of a spring power
acting on a magneto-electric machine, substantially in the manner herein
set forth.

page_text: H. BONNEVILLE. (L.S.)