IMPROVE- MENTS IN HYDROGEN GAS APPARATUS USED AS AN IGNITER AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Victor Nicolardot at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th October 1878.
VICTOR NICOLARDOT, Merchant, of 60, Rue de Rome, Paris (France). " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HYDROGEN GAS APPARATUS USED AS AN IGNITER AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention has reference to hydrogen gas apparatus used as an iguiter or for
other purposes, and the essential features of the improved apparatus are, first, that
the spongy platinum is protected and contained within a box; it issues therefrom
and comes opposite the hydrogen gas jet at the moment of lighting; secondly, the
spirit lamp or candle situated in the middle of the apparatus is not displaced at the
moment of lighting; thirdly, the liquid in the apparatus cannot be upset; fourthly,
the reservoir is lined with gutta percha to prevent contact of the acidulated water
with the metal; fifthly, the nodes of actuating the gas-cock and spongy platinum
as herein-after described; and, sixthly, a special frame or skeleton of platinum
wire to receive the spongy platinum.
My improvements will be fully understood by the following description of an
apparatus to which they are applied :-
=
The reservoir for the acidulated water has fixed internally to its upper part by
screwing or cement a conical or other shaped metallic piece, threaded at its lower
end to receive a ring, a leather or caoutchouc washer, forming a joint. This ring
supports a glass tube which dips into the acidulated water, and the ring is also fixed
to a tube which is formed in a piece with the cap or cover of the apparatus. A
cylinder open at the top is fixed to the said cap, leaving an annular space between
this and the tube above mentioned, by which space the hydrogen gas becomes dis-
engaged. A piece of zinc which is immersed in the acidulated water so as to
produce the disengagement of the hydrogen is supported by hooks jointed to the
end of a rod which depends from the bottom of the cylinder above referred to. The
hydrogen gas escapes by an orifice in the cap or cover and flows to a burner of
semi-vitrified porcelain. The opening of the cock of this burner is effected by
pressing on a button upon a vertical" rod which works a lever connected to the
Povice 9,17

page_text: cock; a spring closes, the burner as soon as the button is left free. The gas jet
impinges against a piece of spongy platinum placed on a framework or skeleton of
platinum wire enclosed in a grating which is fixed to a small hood; this platinum
burner is held in a frame. In the normal position the spongy platinum is concealed
in a small box below the level of the gas burner. When it is wished to light the
lamp the button before named is pressed down and at the same time that it opens
the cock it pushes down one end of a lever, the other ond of the lever rising lifts
the spongy platinum from the box, bringing it opposite the gas jet.
The admission of air necessary for the working of the apparatus is effected by a
small tube which contains the rod of a valve having a cork float. When the
apparatus is placed on a table or other surface the valve is open; if the apparatus
be inclined the liquid in the reservoir will lift the float and close the valve.
The spirit lamp or candle, the position of which is at the centre of the cover of
the apparatus, is removable. It may be surmounted by an opaque globe held by a
suitable support; or it may be surmounted by a reflector, above which a small
boiler or a dish may be placed so that the apparatus may be utilized in case of need
for culinary purposes.
Sometimes the rod for acting on the lever of the gas-cock is placed horizontally
instead of vertically, as before described.
The reservoir is as before mentioned lined with gutta percha so as to prevent
contact of the metal with the acidulated water.