AN IMPROVED INEXTINGUISHABLE LIGHT FOR MARINE AND LAND PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: JOSEPH ROBERT HOLMES of 54 South Street Park Lane London in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN
IMPROVED INEXTINGUISHABLE LIGHT FOR MARINE AND LAND PURPOSES to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved method of construction in applying the
spontaneously inflammable phosphuretted hydrogen gas, or phosphide of calcium,
and combining the same with an excess of chemically prepared oxygen gas,
generated by heat or water automatically, and also arrangement in construction of
the receptacle, by which means the refuse, or decomposition of the phosphide of
calcium is separated or filtered from the mass of chemical still evolving the
phosphuretted hydrogen gas, and the whole being for use either on sea, or land in
any form, or with any mechanical-contrivance or manufacture.
Dated this 16th day of February 1884

page_text: I, JOSEPH ROBERT HOLMES of 54, South Street, Park Lane, London, W. in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
AN IMPROVED INEXTINGUISHABLE LIGHT FOR MARINE AND LAND PURPOSES,"
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The first of my present improvements relates to the construction of a closed
receptacle, in which the phosphuretted hydrogen is generated, or in which the
phosphide of calcium evolves gas from contact with water, or a liquid, and for this
purpose, I have a wood, tin or other metal cylinder or vessel to contain the chemical,
with hermetically sealed or movable plates, covers or caps at both ends, each
having one or more apertures in the center or side, closed or covered with soft
metal, plug or capsule, removable at will, either by hand, puncture or detaching
hold fasts, to allow free ingress or inflow of water or liquid at one end, and the
egress or outlet of the generated gas or gases at the other. Within the cylinder, or
receptacle is an air chamber either fixed or movable, regulated by size, and capacity
to give any desired floatation or buoyancy, and with such space to allow the
generated phosphuretted hydrogen gas free egress, either between the sides of the
outer cylinder or receptacle and air chamber, or through any prepared channel for
that purpose. In connection with the hole or holes of the lower cover of the
cylinder or receptacle, in which the phosphide of calcium is contained, is attached a
tube, or cone mathematically perforated for the equal, or otherwise distribution of
the ingress water or liquid, and attached thereto, at a regulated distance from the
base, or bottom cover, a perforated disc to uphold the chemical contents or phosphide
of calcium, and so allow, when required for use, the falling, or decomposed matter,
caused by chemical or other action to separate from the good, sound, or particles
evolving the generation of the phosphuretted hydrogen gas.
Second. In such cases where the cylinder or receptacle has no air or floatation
chamber, I divide the space between the top & bottom thereof with one or more
perforated discs upholding the gas generating properties, and in so doing, such
space as will allow a part; parts, or the whole immediate contact with the water, or
liquid inflow as may be desired to regulate the quantity and time of the evolving
liberated phosphuretted hydrogen gas.
Third. On the top, or below the gas egress of the upper end or cover of the
cylinder holding the phosphide of calcium, I have a fixed (or movable) and
independent capsule or chamber with a perforated, or wire gauze channel, through.
the centre, sealed at both ends, or so plugged as can be removed at will,-all of
which, is in direct communication with the sealed orifice of the receptacle containing
the phosphide of calcium.
Enclosed inside and round the wire gauze or perforated channel of this chamber
or capsule, I have an oxygen chemical compound. (such as mercuric oxide,
manganese oxide, potassium chlorate, bleaching powder used singly or combined, or
with other oxygen compounds) which evolves its gas from the generated heat,
caused by the passing flame of the phosphuretted bydrogen gas, or coming in
contact with water, so that as the gases are formed; amalgamate, and so produce a
greater intensity and brilliancy of flame or light, as compared to the ordinary
flame omitted by the phosphuretted hydrogen gas by itself. In connection with
the chemical contents of the oxygen chamber I may use combined therewith such
other chemical ingredient that will change the colour of the ordinary flame of
phosphuretted hydrogen gas, so as to give significance to any desired purpose, or

page_text: duration of time, and between the base, or bottom of the upper or oxygen chamber,
and the top or cover of the receptacle containing the phosphide of calcium, 1 may,
or not have one or more air passages severing the two, to cause an independent air
current to assist in the mixing of the generating gases.
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,
.
First. The perforated tube or cone for the equal distribution of the inflowing.
water, and the perforated disc by which the spent matter is allowed to separate
from the phosphide of calcium as hereinbefore described.
Second. Subdivision by one, or more perforated discs, of the whole part, or parts
of the phosphuret or phosphide of calcium, so as to regulate the intensity, strength
& duration of the evolving phosphuretted hydrogens.
Third. The chamber containing the ingredients for the generation of oxygen
gas & for colouring the flame substantially as, & for the purposes, herein before
described.
Dated this ifth dow of Mor Wighteen hundred and since form
JOSEPH R. HOLMES.