New or Improved Method of Controlling the Distribution of Hydro- carbon and other Oils for Lighting Purposes, and in Means or Apparatus for Effecting the Lighting and Extinguishing of the Lamps used therewith.
Year: 1889

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 1st day of July 1890, Amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
Date of Application, 21st May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Method of Controlling the Distribution of Hydro-
carbon and other Oils for Lighting Purposes, and in Means or
Apparatus for Effecting the Lighting and Extinguishing of the
Lamps used therewith.
THOMAS PENN & ALFRED EDWARD PENN of No. 40 Westbury Street Wandsworth
Road in the County of Surrey, Engineers do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:
This Invention relates to a new or improved method of controlling the distribution
of petroleum oils or liquid hydrocarbons for lighting purposes and in the means or
apparatus for operating the lighting & extinguishing the flames of the burners jets &
the like used in conjunction therewith whereby petroleum or other oils can be
distributed over large or small areas, conveyed through pipes to the various
destinations from a central station or reservoir situated at any convenient position or
place above the level of all burners, which are arranged to be lit & extinguished with
the same ease as is now experienced with gas thus dispensing with many incon-
veniences which attach to attempts which have heretofore been made to place
petroleum on a par with gas.
Our said Invention has for its object the construction of apparatus for controlling
the supply of oil for consumption by the burners in such manner that the difference of
level due to undulated ground or varying heights and the varying pressure resulting
therefrom, does not affect or retard the effectual working of the mechanism employed,
as the valve or valves are of a special hollow conical form. The inlet for the supply
of oil is particularly arranged in the centre and on the side of the valve seating. We
employ in conjunction with the valve or valves any form of mechanism of a recipro-
cating nature, for instance on the side of the burner cylinder we attach a smaller
cylinder, to the bottom of which is secured the body of the valve seating and within
which works a float of a cylindrical form (but which may be any other kind or form)
connected by means of a rod to the before-mentioned valve. A small aperture is
provided between the cylinders in order to allow the level of oil to increase corre-
spondingly in each by passing from one to the other. When it has reached a
sufficient height the potential energy of the float closes the valve & so shuts off the
supply, and when the least diminution of oil occurs through consumption thereof by
the burner, the float falls and admits fresh oil. Sometimes we may prefer to use an
apparatus consisting of two cylinders one working within the other. To the bottom
of the outside cylinder is secured the body of the valve seating constructed similarly
to the before-mentioned seating but with the smallest part of the cone downwards.
The upper part is arranged to receive the burner and the wick therefrom is allowed
to dip into the inside of the inner cylinder to the bottom of which is attached the
valve by means of a rod or such like. Oil or other fluid is admitted from the external
source through the port in the valve seating into & between the two cylinders which
oil or fluid gradually rises and gives buoyancy to the inner cylinder until it flows
over into the same." As soon as the weight of oil exceeds the buoyancy possessed
by the inner cylinder it falls & closes the valve, when any diminution occurs it
recovers its buoyancy, rises, opens the valve and fresh oil is admitted giving back
[1

page_text: its previous weight which again closes the valve. It may be found advantageous
to work the valve or valves either at top or bottom of the cylinder or mechanism
employed, and to make the float of an annular or other special form surrounding
the wick cylinder with another chamber for it to work in and attaching the valve
or valves thereto, or to make the valves stationary and the valve seatings movable
so that they may be attached to the float or reciprocating mechanism intended to be
used in the place of the valve and providing a port or inlet suitably in the latter ;
or at times to compress the air contained in the float or floats. To adapt the cylinder
within cylinder arrangement to central draught burners, we provide tubes within
tubes to form continuation of central draught. We intend to adapt the before-
mentioned mechanism, modification or mechanical equivalent of the same to any or
all of our petroleumiers & fittings such as are described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 8882 dated the 18th day of June 1888 in order to make them self
supplying and regulating. To ensure a ready means of ascertaining the effectual
working of the controlling mechanism employed as hereinbefore described we provide
a tell tale or indicator attached to the inside of the fittings consisting of a lever
working in central bearings and bent at an obtuse angle to the ends of which are
attached discs or written tablets (marked "Full" and "Empty" respectively) which
shew through orifices provided in the float chamber. To one end of the lever we
attach a small float of any suitable kind or form to maintain position of the tablet
marked "full" so long as perfect working is existent. We construct our apparatus
for facilitating the lighting of petroleum fittings petroleumiers and the like to prevent
removal of glass shade or other parts. From the underneath or any other con-
venient part of the burner best suited to get a lighted taper in contact with wick,
we remove a part of the perforated or other metal or construct them suitably less
this portion and institute the same or a similar portion hinging it so that it may
either open horizontally or vertically providing it with a clasp or catch in order to
prevent it from opening when not required open for lighting. Sometimes we prefer
to construct the burner in two parts when required for street or other lighting;
hinging one part to the other and arranging a guide along which it may travel in
a horizontal direction when manipulated by a long arm by means of pulls or other
mechanical contrivances working over pulleys or such like in order to open it to
expose the wick for purpose of ignition by means of a lamp-lighters stick. We also
construct the glass in two portions to be used in conjunction with the burner,
arranged in best possible manner to exclude all draught and to form a complete
chimney when the burner is closed by means of any suitable spring. In the event
of round wick burners being used in conjunction with our gravitation principle
for street lighting hanging lamps and the like, we remove (or construct them
suitably) the spread supporter which is generally some distance down inside in the
tube forming central draught, & 1 arrange the spread in such manner as to leave
a perfectly clear passage through same in order to readily pass a lighted taper or
lamp up for purpose of ignition. Or make them self lighting or automatic by
providing a small tube attached to side of burner containing a wick which dips
into main wick cylinder providing it with the necessary oil to keep it constantly
burning, or it may be made to abstract its supply from main wick at any convenient
place. The tube containing wick is capable of oscillating to and from the burner,
which is operated by means of a pull or such mechanism as is necessary to effect
the desired object such as springs, pulleys, chains and the like to impart to the main
burner when required a light by means of a continuously burning jet. The
mitrailleuse type of burner may also be constructed to effect this object, by making
one tube or wick holder stationary and providing it with an independent winder or
arranging them in any other manner best to secure a portion of the burner always
burning and capable when required of readily & easily lighting the other portion
of the burner when required to do so. To facilitate the ready adjustment of the wick
from time to time we on the handle used for raising and lowering the same attach
a disc which is provided with a series of tapped holes near the outer edge. On
the front of the disc & working on a centre stud is arranged a lever secured to the

page_text: stud by means of a nut but capable of easy rotation. The lever is provided with a
hole for the purpose of allowing a set screw to pass through & screw into the disc
to prevent the lever from turning when it is required to be stationary. Immediately
below and attached to the burner cylinder or secured in any other suitable position
or place is a stop cock which forms the supply connection between reservoir & burner
cylinder. To the plug of the cock is attached a lever of the same length as that on
the wick winder and their ends are drilled through and connected together by means
of rods in order that they may work conjointly when operated by means of the pulls
connected to the lower or stop-cock lever & manipulated from the ground by the
lamp-lighter. Also in conjunction with these pulls are arranged the before-
mentioned pulls for operating either the automatic lighting, or the opening of the
door for performing the same operation by means of a lamp-lighter stick, or the
extinguishing apparatus which we propose to use as a part of this system any suitable
arrangement of lever or other method whereby a ball may be exhausted of the air
contained therein and made to impinge upon the flame for purpose of extinguishing
it when the lamp-lighter shuts off the oil supply. A spring may also be used to
assist the ball to its normal position and such other mechanical contrivances as are
necessary to effect the object in view. The exhau-tion of air contained in a ball
may be applied advantageously to the extinguishing of the flame by conveying the
forced air through tubes to a specially arranged spray piece attached to burner.
In order to prevent leakage & to construct sound joints where iron barrels are used
for conveying the oil from central station or reservoir to its destination we propose
to use Chattertons or similar compound. As it is essential that actual contact must
take place before a light can be imparted to the burner (where they are not auto-
matically lit) we construct our lamp-lighters stick accordingly. To the upper end
we attach a spirit or other lamp and arrange a tube provided with springs to slide
up & down and in so doing open & close a lid, which tube & lid protects the flame
from the influence of the wind, but is provided with sufficient ventilation to effect a
constant burning of the flame. Attached to the tube are two wires or cords which
run down to bottom of the stick and are again attached to a ferrule surrounding the
On pulling the ferrule downwards the tube slides downwards and the lid flies
back exposing the flame for purpose of igniting the burner, when by releasing the
ferrule the flame is covered up again. As a preventative against the consequences
due to the ineffectual working of the controlling apparatus, should it be thought
advisable, we propose to arrange a separate chamber in such manner that when filled
with superfluous oil shall by its descending weight engage with the lever of the stop-
cock and shut off supply. We would have it understood that we do not confine
ourselves to the exact lines laid down but to the use of any modification mechanical
equivalent or arrangement capable of effecting the object or objects herein stated.
same.
Dated this 21st day of May 1889.
THOMAS PENN.
ALFRED EDWARD PENN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
New or Improved Method of Controlling the Distribution of Hydro-
carbon and other Oils for Lighting Purposes, and in Means or
Apparatus for Effecting the Lighting and Extinguishing of the
Lamps used therewith.
We, THOMAS PENN and ALFRED EDWARD PENN, both of No. 40 Westbury Street,
Wandsworth Road in the County of Surrey Engineers 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 has for its object to provide safe and efficient means for supplying
by gravitation hydrocarbon or other oils to lamps at a uniform pressure at whatever
height the oil supply reservoir may be situated above the lamps: it has also for its
object to provide in connection therewith convenient means whereby lamps may be

page_text: readily lighted and extinguished at a distance from the burners and without removing
the chimneys or shades when such are used.
According to our Invention we employ in conjunction with an oil tank or reservoir,
a cock or valve or cocks or valves, and a valve seat or valve seats of peculiar
construction (as hereinafter described) in connection with a float or floats so arranged
that oil is supplied to a lamp burner or lamp burners as fast as it is consumed, and at
a uniform pressure.
A convenient way of carrying out our Invention consists in attaching to the
cylinder of the lamp a small vessel or chamber fitted with a valve preferably of a
conical form and recessed at the centre part so as to reduce friction. This valve is
connected by a neck or stem to a float of any suitable description placed in the small
vessel or chamber, which chamber communicates by a passage near the bottom with
the interior of the lamp cylinder into which the lamp wick dips. Through the side of
the valve seating or box there is provided a passage communicating by a pipe with
the oil tank or reservoir. Oil from the reservoir passes through the pipe to the valve
box, and past the valve into the float chamber, thence through the opening or passage
near the bottom of the said chamber into the tube or cylinder containing the lamp
wick. As the oil accumulates in the float chamber, the float rises carrying with it the
valve, and when the level of the oil has attained a certain pre-determined height, the
valve will close the passage from the oil reservoir and thereby cut off the supply. Any
diminution in the quantity of oil in the float chamber owing to the consumption at the
burner will cause the float to descend carrying with it the valve, thereby opening
the passage leading from the oil reservoir and admitting oil to take the place of that
consumed, thus maintaining a constant uniform level in the wick and float. Instead
of attaching a float chamber to the side of the lamp cylinder as described, the lamp
cylinder may contain the float which may consist of a vessel or chamber open at top
and into which the lamp wick dips the burner of the said lamp, being screwed or
otherwise fitted to the top of the outer vessel or lamp cylinder.
To the inner vessel or float is attached the conical valve which fits a corresponding
seat preferably arranged in the interior of the outer vessel.
The oil from the reservoir is admitted through a passage in the side of the valve
seat to the outer vessel and flows thence over the edge of the inner vessel into the
interior thereof the weight of the oil then causing the said inner chamber to descend and
the connected valve to close the passage in its seat so as to cut off the supply of oil
from the reservoir. As before stated the lamp wick dips into this inner vessel, so that
as the oil is consumed at the burner the vessel will become lighter and will con-
sequently rise so as to open the valve and admit more oil to take the place of that
consumed, thereby a constant supply of oil to the burner at a uniform pressure is
constantly maintained.
To facilitate the lighting of the lamp without removing the chimney or glass shade
or the like we provide in the lower part of-the-burner easing surrounding the wick
tube-or in any other suitable part-thereof an opening or passage to admit of a lighted
taper or the like being passed therethrough to the wick. Or a portion of the burner
may be hinged to the other portion so as to be capable of being opened to admit of
the passage of a lighting instrument to the wick, the said hinged part when not
required to be opened, being maintained closed by any suitable enteh.
Street lamps and other elevated lamps may be provided with a constantly burning
small jet which when the main wick is required to be lighted may be brought into
position to ignite the said main wick and then be withdrawn or caused to recede to its
normal position so as not to interfere with the light.
Or the main wick tube may have a partcut away so that when the wick is lowered for
the purpose of extinguishing the light a portion of the wick at the cut away part of
the wick tube will remain alight.
Instead of a continuously burning jet for lighting argand burners more especially
applicable for lighting elevated lamps such as street lamps we provide a convenient
instrument consisting of a rod having fitted on one end a taper or a spirit lamp or
other suitable lighting device, surrounded by a tube suitably perforated to admit air.

page_text: to support combustion. This tube is capable of being slidden longitudinally on the
rod or stick and is provided with a hinged flap or lid which may be closed by a spring
or by its own weight. To this lid is attached one end of a rod or cord or the like, the
other end of which is connected to a sliding ferrule or runner fitted to slide on the
lower end of the rod or stick so that by moving the ferrule or runner up or down
the rod, the lid may be opened and closed as required. To this ferrule or runner is
also attached by a cord chain or the like, the tube which surrounds the spirit lamp or
the like, so that by a further descent of the runner after the lid has been opened the
tube will also descend so as to expose the flame of the spirit lamp or the like through
the end of the tube convenient for application to the wick of the lamp. to be lighted.
Upon releasing the ferrule or runner the tube will be returned by a spring or its
equivalent to its normal position over the spirit lamp or the like; and the hinged lid or
flap will close the end thereof, and thus prevent the said spirit lamp or the like from
being extinguished. Or instead of connecting the tube to a sliding ferrule or runner
as described the said tube may have a shoulder or projection thereon which when the
tube is inserted in the passage through the lamp burner for the purpose of lighting it,
the said projection comes against the edge of the passage or other suitable stop on the
lamp so as to prevent the tube passing further through the passage the rod carrying
the spirit lamp or the like, then being passed through the tube to light the lamp, after
which the rod is withdrawn and the tube under the action of a spring, which by the
sliding of the rod through the tube had been compressed, will be returned to its normal
position over the spirit lamp or the like.
To facilitate the adjustment of the height of the lamp wick we provide on the spindle
of the wick elevator a disc having, preferably near the periphery, a series of holes and
on the same spindle we mount, so as to be capable of being turned thereon, a lever
having a bole therein through which is passed a pin or screw into one or other of the
holes in the disc thereby connecting the lever to the said disc. To the outer ends of
this lever are attached cords chains or the like by pulling one or other of which, motion
of rotation will be given through the lever and disc to the wick elevator so as to
adjust the height of the wick.
On the plug of the cock provided in the oil supply pipe between the main reservoir
and the controlling valve herein before described there is fixed a similar lever to that
fixed on the spindle of the wick elevator and connected thereto by rods or the like so
that when the wick is raised for the purpose of being lighted the said cock will also
be turned to allow oil to pass from the reservoir to the regulating valve the said cock
being turned in the reverse direction so as to cut off the supply of oil when the wick
is lowered to extinguish the light. When the lamp is required to be lighted by
means of the instrument hereinbefore described the hinged portion of the burner
casing hereinbefore described may be connected to these rods or cords so as to be opened
and closed thereby when required.
And in order that our said invention may be fully understood we shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a lamp (suitable for use as a street lamp) having a
round or argand wick burner and being provided with an oil supply governing device
according to our invention arranged at the side of the burner. Figure 2 is a section
of a lamp having a flat wick the wick chamber or vessel into which the wick dips
forming part of the oil supply governing device. Figure 3 shows, the application of
our improved oil supply governing device to a two light pendant: Figure 4 is an
elevation of a lamp burner partly in section illustrating means whereby the lamp may
be lighted without removing the chimney or shade. Figure 5 is an elevation and
Figure 6 a vertical section of a lamp illustrating another arrangement of the oil
supply governing device and also means according to our invention for adjusting the
height of the lamp wick and for lighting the lamp from a distance from the burner.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustrating an arrangement for lighting the

page_text: lamp by means of a small permanently lighte jet and Figure 8 is a sectional elevation
of an instrument for lighting elevated lamps when not provided with permanently
lighted jets.
Referring to Figure 1 A is the lamp cylinder or chamber into which the lamp wick
dips. This chamber is of annular form and the burner a (which is round) is screwed
or otherwise fitted into or onto the top thereof. The central passage B through this
lamp cylinder corresponds with and forms a continuation of the central passage
through the burner through which air passes to support combustion and through
which passages an instrument may be passed from below for the purpose of lighting
the lamp. Attached to the side of the chamber A and communicating therewith by
a passage C is a small chamber D preferably of a cylindrical form, in which is a
float E. This float is connected by a stem or rod to a valve G which may be
cylindrical but is preferably of a conical shape (as shewn) to facilitate its action.
This valve is fitted to work in a conical seat in the bottom of the chamber D or in a
box or case attached to the said bottom.
Through the side of the valve box or seating is a passage H with which is con-
nected a pipe I communicating with the main oil supply reservoir (not shown in the
drawing) situated in any desired or convenient position above the level of tho lamp
burner to be supplied with oil. Oil admitted by the valve G to the chamber D passes
through the passage Cinto the chamber A and as it accumulates in the said chambers
the float E rises and carries with it the valve G until the latter closes the passage H
and thereby cuts off the supply of oil to the chamber D.
K is a bye-pass in the valve seating to admit of oil from the chamber D passing to
and from beneath the valve G so as not to interfere with its proper action.
When the lamp is burning the level of the oil in the chambers A and D will,
owing to the consumption of oil at the burner, lower and cause the float E and valve G
also to descend, the latter thereby opening the passage H in the valve seat and
admitting more oil to the chambers so that as fast as the oil is consumed at the burner
fresh oil is admitted to take the place thereof and thus the normal level of the oil in
the chambers A and D is constantly maintained as long as there is oil in the main
reservoir whilst owing to the position of the passage H in the valve seat with reference
to the valve G the pressure of the oil at the burner is always the same regardless of
the position of the oil supply reservoir.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figure 2 the float consists of a vessel E open at
top, into which vessel the lamp wick dips. This float or vessel is placed in an outer
vessel A constituting the lamp cylinder or holder, the burner a being screwed into a
mount or fitting b attached to the upper end of the said cylinder by screws or other-
wise. The mount b is provided with the seat for the valve G which valve is connected
by the rod F to the inner vessel or float E. The pipe I communicates with the
interior of the outer vessel A by the passage H in the side of the valve seat as in the
arrangement Figure 1 and when the float ascends so as to cause the valve to uncover
this passage the oil will enter the outer vessel A and flow thence over the upper edge
of the inner vessel E until this vessel becomes sufficiently heavy to descend and
carry with it the valve G so as to close the passage H and thus cut off the supply of
oil from the reservoir. When the lamp is in use the oil consumed at the burner is
drawn from the inner vessel E into which vessel the lamp wick dips and consequently
the weight of the said vessel decreases as the consumption proceeds until the vessel
rises and with it the valve G so as to open the passage H to admit more oil to take
the place of that consumed. The oil thus admitted enters the vessel E thereby
increasing its weight and causing it and the valve G to again descend so as to close
the passage H. Thus as fast as the oil is consumed at the burner fresh oil is admitted
to the vessel to take its place whereby the level of the oil in the vessels is constantly
maintained uniform or approximately so.
In applying our oil supply governing device to pendants having several burners one
regulating device only is required for each pendant the said device being arranged at
the junction where the tubes leading to the various burners on the pendant ineet.

page_text: Figure 3 shews a two light pendant as an example from which it will be readily seen
how the invention may be applied to a pendent bracket or the like having any other
number of burners.
I is the supply pipe leading from the oil reservoir and passing down the interior of
vertical stem M of the pendant. At the lower end of the stem M there is connected a
vessel A A¹ containing a float E attached by a rod F to a valve G working in a
valve seat or box N arranged on top of the vessel A¹ A¹ and connected to the oil
supply pipe I by a union coupling at P. From the pipe I the oil is conducted by a
passage to the passage H arranged in the valve box or seat at right angles to the
line of motion of the valve G. Oil admitted by the valve G into the vessel A' A
passes through by the valve G into the tubes R, forming the horizontal arms of the
pendant, to the lamp cylinders or vessels A into which the lamp wicks dip. The level
of the oil in the vessels A is always the same as that in the vessel A' A' and when
by the consumption of oil at the burners the level of the oil descends the valve G
will also descend with it and open the passage H in the valve seat so as to admit more
oil from the reservoir into the vessel A' A to restore it to its normal level as in the
arrangements hereinbefore described.
The vessel A¹ A' and valve box N and also the lamp cylinders or vessels A may if
desired be enclosed in ornamental casings. The lamps herein before described may be
mounted on brackets or on or in other suitable supports or holders parts of which
may be made hollow and serve as conductors of the oil from the main reservoir to the
lamp cylinders or vessels into which the lamp wicks dip.
To permit of a lamp being lighted without removing the chimney or shade, a
portion of the-perforated part of the burner easing may be ent away as shown at K
Figure 4 so as to provide an opening which will admit of a lighted taper or other
lighting instrument being passed therethrough-to-light the wick. This opening may
be closed, when not required to be used, by a hinged-piece L which may be provided
with a spring fastening to retain it in its closed-position. This arrangement may be
used in any lamps that will not permit of a passage being formed through the centre
for-the-introduction of a lighting instrument.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate means according to our invention for adjusting the
height of the wick and for lighting the said wick from a distance. A is the lamp
cylinder to the bottom of which is secured a tube B forming a central passage for air
to the burner and through which an instrument may be passed for lighting the wick.
The annular chamber surrounding the tube B is divided into two annular compart-
ments c and d by a perforated tube e connected to the top of the cylinder A by a
mount or fitting b. In the inner annular compartment c the lamp wick dips and in
the outer compartment d is placed an annular float E connected by a rod F to the
conical valve G which is constructed and operates in like manner to that hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
The burner a is screwed into the mount or fitting 6 the inner tube of the burner
fitting onto the central tube or passage B. The wick carrier 9 is fitted to slide on
the inner tubo f of the burner, and is provided with a rack with which gears a
pinion i fast on the wick elevator spindle k so that by turning the spindle k the wick
may be raised and lowered as required. In. order to operate the wick elevator at a
distance from the burner, (for example when the lamp is fitted in an elevated position
such as on the top of a street lamp post) we provide on the spindle k of the wick
elevator a disc having near its periphery a series of holes in and on the same spindle
we also mount, so as to be capable of being turned thereon, a lever n provided at p
with a hole or with holes situated at a distance from the spindle k corresponding to
the positions of the holes m in the disc l. In starting the lamp the wick is adjusted
to the required height to last a certain length of time without requiring to be trimmed
or re-adjusted and the lever n is then connected to the disc 1 by means of a pin or
screw 9 passed through one of the holes at p in the lever n and screwed into one of
the holes m in the disc l. To each end of the lever n is connected a cord, chain or
rod r,
which may extend below to a convenient distance from the floor or ground
to be within reach so that by pulling one or other of the cords, chains or rods r, r

page_text: motion of partial rotation will be imparted through the lever n to the disc and thereby
raise or lower the wick as required to light or extinguish the lamp. Instead of the
rods extending directly to within reach from the floor or ground as described they
may be connected to a similar lever s as shown in Figure 5 fast on the plug
of a cock t on the pipe I through which oil is conducted from the main reservoir to
the valve G.
To the outer ends of this lever are attached chains, cords or rods u u² extending to
within reach from the ground. By this arrangement when one of the chains or the
like u is pulled so as to elevate the wick for the purpose of lighting it the cock t
will be at the same time turned so as to open communication between the main oil
reservoir and the lamp.
The lamp may be lighted from below by means of the lighting instrument
hereinafter described passed up the tube or passage B or otherwise. In the drawing
we have shown means whereby a portion of the wick may be kept alight after the
main part has been extinguished. For this purpose a portion of the exterior wick
tube is cut away as shown at v² which cut away part is covered when the lamp is
burning, by a piece w carried on a rod and kept in position by a spring y. The
lower end of the rod x is connected to a rod z attached to the lever n in such a manner
that when the lever is moved so as to lower the wick for the purpose of extinguishing
the lamp the piece w will also be lowered and uncover the opening v².
บ
The portion of the wick situated at the opening will therefore remain alight
ready to ignite the rest of the wick when it is again turned up for the purpose.
When the wick is raised the piece w rises with it and covers the opening v² that the
flame may be uniform. Instead of retaining a portion of the main wick alight as
described a small auxiliary jet may be provided as shown at a² in Figure 7, whicli jet
may remain alight after the main wick has been extinguished and caused to again
ignite the said main wick when required.
This auxiliary jet consists of a small wick contained in a tube 2 fitted so as to slide
in a socket in the top of the cylinder A of the lamp and preferably made in two
parts connected together by a pin c² to admit of them being readily separated when
the burner is required to be removed from its holder. The wick passes through the
tube 6 into the oil contained in the cylinder A. This jet a² is raised and lowered by
means of a connection d2 one end of which is attached to an eve e² on the tube 62 and
the other end to the lever n which operates the main wick elevator. When the
main wick is being raised by means of the lever n the auxiliary jet (which is
alight) is caused to descend and in passing the main wick ignite the said wick.
When the main wick is extinguished by turning it down into the wick tube the
auxiliary jet a² is simultaneously raised above the wick tube ready to again light
the main wick when it is again elevated.
For convenience of lighting elevated lamps (not provided with permanently lighted
jets) without the necessity of mounting a ladder for the purpose we provide a lighting
instrument (Figure 8) consisting of a spirit lamp S taper or equivalent lighting device
fixed on one end of a long rod T of wood or other suitable material the said lamp S
or the like being enclosed in a cylinder U fitted to slide on the rod T. The
cylinder U is closed at its outer end by a hinged lid or cover V and is perforated
at W to admit air to the lamp to support combustion.
On the cylinder U is a flange or projection X against which one end of a
spring Y bears the opposite end of the said spring bearing against a flange or
projection Z on the lamp cylinder S-the spring thus maintaining the cylinder U in
position around the burner of the spirit lamp or the like when the instrument is
not in use.
To light a lamp (such for example as that illustrated by Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings) with this instrument the cylinder U is passed from below into the central
passage in the lamp cylinder until the shoulder or projection X on the cylinder U
comes into contact with the lower edge of the central passage or other suitable
projection in the lamp whereupon the cylinder U will be prevented from entering
further into the lamp, then by continuing to push the rod T the hinged lid V will be

page_text: forced open by a projection 2 on the spirit lamp or the like and permit of the burner
of the said lamp being passed through the end of the cylinder U and thus expose the
flame thereof to the wick of the lamp to be lighted.
When the burner of the spirit lamp S is thus projected through the end of the
cylinder U the spring Y is compressed so that when the lamp has been lighted and
the instrument is being removed the spring Y will again expand and slide the
cylinder U along the rod T into its normal position so as to again enclose the spirit
lamp or the like.
By means of our improved supply controlling device hereinbefore described,
petroleum and other oils may be distributed with safety through pipes from a
reservoir to various places over a large area. in a similar manner to that in which gas
is at present distributed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In apparatus or means for supplying hydrocarbon or other oils to lamps by
gravitation, a valve or plug arranged between the chamber or vessel into which the
lamp wick dips, and the main oil supply tank or reservoir the said valve or plug
being connected to a float or equivalent device operated by the varying level of the
oil in the wick chamber so as to cause the valve or plug to open and close a passage
arranged in the side of the valve seat through which oil is admitted from the reservoir
to the wick chamber the said passage being arranged at an angle to the line of motion
of the valve so that the motion of the valve is not affected by the pressure of the oil
whatever may be the position of the oil reservoir substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. In apparatus for supplying hydrocarbon or other oils to lamps by gravitation, a
conical valve or plug and a correspondingly formed seating in which it is caused to
rise and fall by variations in the level of the oil in the wick chamber of the lamp so
as to open and close a passage in the valve seat to admit oil to and maintain a
constant level in the wick chamber the passage in the valve seat being at or about a
right angle to the line of motion of the valve substantially as and for the purpose
bereinbefore described.
3. In apparatus or means for supplying hydrocarbon and other oils to lamps by
gravitation a governing device consisting of a float having attached thereto a conical
valve hollowed out or recessed between its opposite ends and caused to move longi-
tudinally in a conical seat so as to open and close a passage arranged in the seat at
an angle to the line of motion of the valve the said governing device being situated
between the main oil supply reservoir and the lamp and operating substantially in the
manner herein before described.
4. For controlling the supply of hydrocarbon or other oils to lamps by gravitation
the combination of the float E in a chamber D situated outside the lamp cylinder or
chamber into which the lamp wick dips, valve G connected to the float and arranged
to move in a longitudinal direction in a seat having a passage H communicating with
the oil supply reservoir and arranged at an angle to the line of motion of the valve
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
5. In apparatus for controlling the supply of hydrocarbon and other oils to lamps
by gravitation, the combination with the valve G, valve seat and passage H therein
as described of the vessel E connected to the valve into which vessel the lamp wick
dips and which is caused by the varying level of the oil therein to rise and fall so as
to cause the valve to open and close the passage in the valve seat substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. In a multi-burner bracket, pendant or the like, for burning hydrocarbon or
other oils supplied thereto by gravitation a controlling device constructed substantially
as hereinbefore described and arranged at the junction where the passages leading to
R

page_text: the several burners meet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figure 3 of, the accompanying drawings.
7. In apparatus for controlling the supply of hydro-carbon or other oils to lamps
by gravitation, the combination with the valve G and its seating having a passage H
arranged at an angle to the line of motion. of the valve, of the annular float E
attached to the valve G and placed in the lamp cylinder or vessel A into which the
lamp wick dips so as to operate the valve by the rise and fall of the level of the oil
in the vessels substantially as and for the purpose herein before described with reference
to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In lamps for burning hydrocarbon and other oils an opening in the easing of
the burner to admit of a lighted taper or other lighting appliance being passed to the
burner to light the lamp without removing the chimney or shade substantially-as
hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
98. In lamps for burning hydrocarbon and other oils, means for adjusting the
height of the lamp wick and for raising and lowering the wick to bring it into
position for lighting and for extinguishing the light the said means consisting of a
disc fast on the spindle of the wick elevator and a lever mounted loosely on the said
spindle so as to be capable of being turned thereon and of being connected to the
disc in any required position by means of a screw or pin passed through a hole in the
lever into one of a series of holes provided in the disc so that by operating, the lever
either by cords or the like, attached thereto or otherwise the wick may be raised or
lowered as required substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5
and 6 of the accompanying drawings..
.
10. 9. The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding claiming clause of
a lever on the plug of the cock on the oil supply pipe leading from the oil reservoir to the
wick chamber of the lamp, the said lever being connected to the lever on the spindle
of the wick elevator substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
11. 10. In lamps for burning hydrocarbon and other oils, providing a notch or
opening in the top of the wick tube for the purpose of maintaining a portion of the
wick alight when the main portion of the wick is extinguished substantially as and
for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the
accompanying drawings.
12. 11. In lamps for burning hydrocarbon and other oils, an auxiliary jet which may
remain burning when the light from the main wick is, extinguished for the purpose
of lighting the main wick when required substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings..
,13. 12. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting an instrument
for lighting elevated lamps substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.