IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS AND OIL STOVES
Year: 1885

page_text: CUMI LELE
DIECIFICATION.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
GAS AND OIL STOVES," a communication to me from abroad by Walter Marsh
Jackson, of the Town of Providence, in the County of Providence, in the State
of Rhode Island, United States, Doctor of Medicine, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for, and the method of s
utilizing heat developed by combustion.
It is a well known fact that heat may be partially obstructed in its passage
through a stove, range or fire pot, such as is in ordinary use, and eliminated from
the products of combustion, which pass off through the flues, by the interposition of
diaphragms, syphons, dampers, or by the use of extended or circuitous stove pipes,"
but it is not found practicable to wholly arrest the developed heat, as some loss
must necessarily occur in conducting the products of combustion out of the room
where they can exert no prejudicial effect upon life.
In order to more fully obstruct the heat for utilization, and obtain a slow and
more perfect combustion of the fuel employed, without danger of explosion,
I proceed substantially as follows:
I fill a fire pot with any suitable refractory material, broken fire brick for
example, and place under the refractory material one or more burners. If the
gas or vapor be luminous, I destroy its luminosity by an admixture of steam or
air, before it is ignited; if the fuel be non-luminous, of course, this will not be
necessary. The vapors of volatile oils, carburetted air, carburetted water-gas,
petroleum and coal gases are examples of the former, while alcohol and what is
known commercially as water gas, a diffused mixture of bydrogen and carbonic
oxide, may be taken for examples of the latter. Having thus secured the advantage
of a smokeless flame, I can burn the same between the interstices of the refractory
material, without choking the interstical spaces with a deposition of lamp black or
Prim B71

page_text: unconsumed carbon, and thus insure continuous and free draft, with more perfect
combustion. To insure constant combustion and prevent the danger of explosions,
I provide a permanent opening below the surface of the refractory material for the
ingress of fresh air, and this opening is so arranged that it cannot be closed unless
a deliberate attempt be made so to do, by a wilful effort to destroy the utility of
the process.
It will readily be seen that where combustion takes place largely below the grate
bars and beneath the refractory material, following up into the spaces between the
fragments of the refractory material, an adequate supply of air must be never
failing, otherwise the flame might be extinguished by super-abundant carbonic acid
and the absence of oxygen, while the gas or vapor would continue to be supplied
thus filling the stove, fire-pot, flues and chimney with a combustible material, which
when exposed to air by opening the apparatus at any point, would violently
explode, upon contact with a flame. Therefore the permanent nature of the
opening, for the constant ingress of air, is of the utmost importance.
The improved apparatus for reducing this method, above outlined, to practical
purposes, consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts as
will be hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig 1 is a view in perspective of the apparatus.,
Fig 2 shows the same applied to a stove. Fig 3 is a vertical section through one!
of the branch feed pipes. Fig 4 is a detached view of one of the air feed valves.
Fig 5 is a detached view of the enlarged chamber provided with a fire stop. Fig 6
is a view of a modification, in perspective. Fig 7 is a vertical section of the modifi-
cation. Fig 8 represents the same applied to a stove. Fig 9 is a view of a second
modification, in perspective. Fig 10 is a view of the second modification, the
upper section of the burner being removed, and Fig 11 is a third modification.
A represents a cooking range which may be of any form and construction, the
particular form of apparatus represented in Figs 1 to 5 inclusive, being adapted to
a stove or range in which the fire pot is oblong, oval or the like in shape. B is
the fire-pot and C is a draft flue connecting the space above the fire-pot with the
outside air.
Within the ash chamber commonly formed in the hearth, or any suitable
receptacle D located in front of or below the fire-pot, is placed the apparatus for
supplying air and gas to the fire-pot. E represents a supply pipe through which
gas, which may consist of the vapors of volatile oils, carburetted air, carburetted
water gas, petroleum and coal gases, a mixture of hydrogen and carbonic oxide &,
is supplied to the burner. The pipe E is coupled on to the branch e of a T-coupling a,
to which is connected the small tube 6 provided with a stop-cock c and with a
pilot burner & at its outer end. By means of the stop-cock c the supply of gas to
the pilot burner may be regulated as desired.
To the other end of the T-coupling a, the branch pipes F F are connected, the
ends of which enter the enlarged chambers ff, and constitute injector nozzles f¹ fi
for the purpose of commingling air and gas and forcing the mixture onward to the
burner as will be hereinafter explained.
G is a stop-cock for admitting gas to the chambers ff, or for cutting it off
therefrom. The injector chambers are each formed with a coupling g which
extends downwardly through an opening in the lower wall of the chamber and
projects below the same a distance sufficient to admit of the attachment of the
check-nuts g'. The check-nuts g¹ serve to firmly secure the apparatus against
displacement; for example, when the apparatus is placed in a hearth recess, as
represented in Fig 2, the shoulder f' about the perforation in the lower wall of the
chambers f, will rest in contact with the upper surface of the bottom of the recess
while the check-nuts g' will engage the lower surface of the bottom.
The nuts gare constructed with annular flat seats g' on one end, and are also
provided with cross-bars H having screw threaded central openings h. I represents
a hand valve provided with a central screw that engages the opening in the nut.
By rotating the valve I it may be adjusted so as to admit any desired quantity of

page_text: air to the injector and commingling chamber. Different kinds of gas require
different quantities of air to be mixed therewith to insure perfect combustion, and
hence by the employment of the hand valves I, the proper quantity of air, for
different kinds of gas and for varying conditions of pressure or quantity of gas,
can be admitted and the most perfect combustion readily obtained.
The combustible mixture of air and gas is conveyed to the burner L by the
pipes K, and admitted to the burner near the opposite ends thereof. The burner L
is constructed with a continuous chamber or elongated receptacle in its lower
portion, and with a contracted upper portion provided with a series of
perforations through which the mixture of air and gas flows in jets and is
ignited.
Each pipe K is provided with an enlarged chamber k located between the burner
and injector chamber. The chamber & consists essentially of an enlarged socket k¹
preferably threaded and formed integral with one section of the pipe K, or it may
be cast integral with the burner, or it may be made a separate coupling and
inserted between two sections of the pipe K. Socket is provided with an annular
shoulder on which is placed a wire gauze diaphragm M, the meshes of which
are of such a size as to allow of the free passage of the gas, and yet prevent the
backward passage of a flame thus preventing the ignition of the gas or explosive
mixture contained in the supply pipe in the rear of the diaphragm. A coupling m
is screwed into the socket k, the end of the coupling engaging the outer edge of
the wire gauze diaphragm and retaining it in its place. As the wire gauze would
necessarily obstruct and impede the flow of gas, were it of the same diameter as the
supply pipe, the enlarged chamber is provided, to admit of the employment of
a diaphragm of such diameter that the combined area of the interstices in the
diaphragm will be equal to the area of a cross section of the supply pipe, thus
insuring a free and unobstructed flow of the gas to the burner.
The fire-pot B is filled, or partially filled, with refractory material N, against
which the jets of the burner impinge. The refractory material may consist of
broken pieces of fire-brick, or any other suitable material. The purpose of this
refractory material is, to arrest the heat developed by the combustion of the gas,
and having become heated to a high degree, communicate the heat to cooking vessels
in a manner similar to that of a bed of red hot coals, or radiate the heat throughout
the room, or fulfil any of the purposes to which an ordinary cooking or heating
stove may be adapted.
A small supply of gas is supplied to the pilot burner, which is kept constantly
ignited, or ignited before the gas is allowed to enter the burner L, for the purpose
of constantly igniting the gas when supplied to the main burner. Should the pilot
burner be dispensed with, and the gas turned on to the main burner, and lighted
with a match, there would be great danger of an explosion as such an operation
would result in a sudden accumulation of gas throughout the interstices in the
refractory material and in the fire-pot, and were this accumulated supply suddenly
ignited, a disastrous accident might result therefrom. But by the employment of a
pilot burner such an accident is avoided, since if the pilot burner is kept constantly
ignited, which is the better and safer plan, whenever any gas escapes from the
main burner it will be at once ignited and an accumulation of gas in the fire-pot
stove or flues obviated.
The stove or range is provided on its under side with a permanently open-draft
opening O while the pipe C constitutes a permanently open exit flue and permanent
draft. The permanent draft established by the opening O and the exit flue C which
connects with the outside air is a very important feature, as it not only provides
for carrying off the results of combustion which are prejudicial to life but causes
the jets of burning gas to completely occupy the interstices between the pieces of
refractory material and draws a sufficient amount of air through the perimanent
opening to complete any partial combustion that may have taken place at the
jets, and at the same time prevents an accumulation of gas, from any cause, below
the fire-pot,

page_text: The stop-cock c is adjusted so as to maintain a continuous limited flow of gas to
the pilot burner. By opening the cock G a supply of gas is admitted to the branch
pipes F, and issues with sufficient force from the injector nozzles f¹, to cause a
partial vacuum in the surrounding annular chamber o, in the chambers of the
injectors, and thus draw into the chambers a supply of fresh or outer air through
the air supply openings which extend through the bottom of the stove or range, the
air supply being regulated by the hand valves I. The gas and air are thoroughly
mixed and commingled in the chambers f, and this mixture is forced into the
burner from whence it issues in jets and is instantly ignited by the pilot burner.
The jets impinging against the refractory material and drawn through the spaces
between the pieces thereof store heat therein which is used for heating, cooking &c.
.as may be desired.
The modification represented in Fig 6, 7 and 8 consists in an apparatus of the
same general character as that hereinbefore described, the burner in this instance
being particularly adapted to use in connection with a cylinder stove or a stove in
which the refractory material is arranged in a cylindrical or annular form and also
showing an economical form of construction as follows:
A represents a stove provided with a cylindrical, annular or oval fire-pot a and
having the perinanent open-draft opening B, and the permanent exit flue b.
C represents a gas supply pipe which terminates in the enlarged chamber D, in
a nozzle c which forms an injector. The lower wall of the chamber D is provided
with an opening d in which is fitted a valve seat E the latter having a cross bar e
secured diametrically across its mouth. The cross bar e is provided with a threaded
perforation e centrally located, and adapted to receive a screw f secured at the centre
of the hand valve F.
By means of the hand valve F the supply of air is regulated.
A pipe section G is screwed into the end of the chamber D and by means of a
quarter turn coupling g connects with the safety chamber H.
The chamber H consists of an enlarged cylindrical lower portion and a dome
shaped upper portion, from the latter of which, the two diametrically opposite
upwardly curved branches / lead to the burner K. The bottom of the chamber H
is closed by the cap I.
The chamber H is provided with a wire gauze diaphragm L resting on the
shoulder formed at the point where the dome portion of the chamber meets the
cylindrical portion, and held in place by the annular flange i formed on the cap I,
which flange fits snugly within the cylindrical portion of the chamber and is secured
therein by cement, or the cap may be screwed into the chamber.
The cap I is further provided with a female threaded neck i which receives the
coupling. The safety chamber is of such diameter that the gauze diaphragm which
stretches across it, the meshes of which are of suitable size to admit a free flow of
gas and at the same time to form a fire stop, shall have a sum total of mesh-opening
equal to the opening in the pipe section G.
The safety chamber with its curved branches leading to the burner is cast
integral.
The burner K consists of an annular chamber drawn in at its upper portion and
provided with a series of perforations forming a circular line of jets k.
The burner is provided with two sockets k¹ opening into the burner chamber,
situated diametrically opposite and adapted to receive threaded couplings N by
which, with the coupling nuts n, the burner is connected with the branches h, or
the burner may be connected with the branches by any other device which
experience may prove to be best suited to the purpose.
The burner with its jets and feed openings is cast integral.
The apparatus as a whole may be placed in the usual hearth or ash recess
commonly found in a cylinder stove or in any suitable receptacle provided for the
purpose of receiving it, the jets being situated immediately beneath the bed of
refractory material.

page_text: The air feed connected with the injector chamber extends, conveniently, through
the lower wall of the hearth, the valve seat E forming, if desired, a check-nut, to
lock the apparatus in position.
The supply pipe is provided with a stop-cock O to regulate the flow of gas.
The commingling of air and gas in the injector chamber, forcing the mixture
onward to the burner, igniting the same as it issues from the perforations in the
burner, and the permanent draft for supplying additional air and drawing the
burning gas through the interstices between the pieces of refractory material, in
fact the whole operation of this apparatus is quite the same as that herein before
described.
The modifications represented in Figs 9, 10 and 11, consist in certain details of
construction whereby this improved apparatus is adapted to receive a pot or kettle
and spread a hot flame over the greater portion of the bottom.
In these Figs 9, 10 and 11, A represents a gas supply pipe which projects into the
enlarged chamber B in the form of a nozzle a, which, when the gas is turned on
forms an injector. The enlarged chamber B is provided with an air supply
opening having a hand valve b for regulating the supply of air to the gas. A
pipe section C connects the injector chamber B with a safety chamber D. The
chamber D is provided with a wire gauze diaphragm suitable to form an effective
fire stop and at the same time allow a free flow of gas.
The general construction, operation and purpose of the injector chamber B
valve b and safety chamber D are quite the same as those which have been herein-
before described. The safety chamber D is provided with branch pipes & which
lead to the lower section e of an annular burner E.
The burner E consists of an annular chamber formed of two sections, a lower
section e and an upper section e. The lower section e is provided with an outer
upwardly extending flange F threaded on its inner face, and with an inner
upwardly extending flange f the upper edge of which is provided with a series of
radial teeth f¹ similar in appearance to saw teeth. The upper section e of the
burner is provided with an outer depending flange G threaded, and adapted to
register with the upwardly extending threaded flange F on the lower section. The
inner edge of the section e is flat, and is adapted, when the section is screwed into
position, to rest upon and project slightly over the edges of the teeth f¹, thus
forming a series of radial openings extending inwardly from the burner chamber.
The section e is further provided with three or more upwardly extending plates g
cast integral therewith, said plates forming rests for supporting a pot or kettle over
the flame of the ignited-jets issuing from the saw tooth perforations f.
The gas supply pipe A is provided with a stop cock x to regulate the flow of
gas, and the apparatus as thus constructed may be secured to the supply pipe in
an upright position for use.
The advantages of this apparatus consist in the regular flow of gas from the saw
tooth notches about the entire inner circuit of the burner, the distance between the
jets being of no appreciable value at the edges of the teeth, while a supply of air
from below the burner causes the most perfect combustion, and the highest degree
of heat. The construction of the burner is also extremely simple and durable and
its combination with this improved air injector chamber for furnishing any required
amount of oxygen to the gas, and the safety chamber to prevent any possible
accident, make the apparatus a most efficient and safe heater.
In Fig 11 the lower section of the burner is provided with legs H. The legs are
preferably cast integral with the section e, and, to allow the burner to be placed
upon a table or any horizontal support, the gas and air supply pipe enters the
safety chamber at the side instead of the bottom.
I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the forms and constructions of burners
shown and described, as for example, the burner may be made zig-zag in form or
may have lateral branches provided with jets, or it may consist of two parallel
burners. Again, the safety chambers may be constructed in different forms from
those shown and while I have shown and described the apparatus as applied to

page_text: common stoves it may be applied in numerous other ways in cooking or heating
stoves constructed expressly for its employment.
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
1. The method of utilizing the heat developed by combustion substantially as
herein before set forth consisting in, first, the employment of a non-luminous or
nearly non-luminous flame below a body or mass of refractory material, secondly,
introducing a continuous and unobstructed supply of air to the non-luminous flame;
thirdly, causing the flame and air to pass through interstices between the frag-
ments of refractory material, and fourthly, conducting the products of combustion
to the outside air.
2. In a heating or cooking apparatus, the combination with a fire-pot or
receptacle filled with refractory material and provided with a permanently open
air draft below the refractory material, and a pipe forming a communication
between the chamber above the refractory material and the outer air, of a burner
located below the refractory material, and a commingling chamber and valve, for
supplying mixed air and gas to the burner for producing a non-luminous or nearly
non-luminous flame, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with a burner provided with jet openings; a gas and air
injector and commingling chamber, and valves for regulating the relative supply
of air and gas, of an enlarged chamber provided with a safety diaphragm
interposed between the burner and the cominingling chamber, substantially as
set forth.
4. The combination with a burner consisting of a chamber provided with a
series of jet openings; a gas and air injector and commingling chambers and
valves for regulating the relative supply of air and gas, of an enlarged chamber
provided with a safety diaphragm interposed between the burner and the com-
mingling chamber, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with a receptacle or fire-pot filled with refractory material;
a burner located below the same and provided with a series of holes or jet
openings; a gas and air commingling and injector chamber and valves for regu-
lating the relative supply of air and gas, of an enlarged chamber provided with a
safety diaphragm interposed between the burner and the commingling chamber,
substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with a burner consisting of an elongated chamber provided
with a series of holes or jet openings, of two gas and air injector and commingling
chambers communicating with the opposite ends of the burner, valves for regulating
the relative supply of air and gas, safety chambers interposed between the injector
and commingling chambers and burner, and a single gas pipe for supplying gas to
both of said chambers, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with a receptacle or fire-pot filled with refractory material;
a burner located below the fire-pot and provided with a series of holes or jet
openings; gas and air commingling chambers communicating with the burner, aud
valves for regulating the relative supply of air and gas to the burner, of a pilot
burner located in close proximity to the main burner and secured to a separate and
independent gas supply pipe, and a separate stop-cock for regulating the supply of
gas to the pilot burner, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination with a stove; a burner, and gas and air injector and com-
mingling chamber located within the stove, of an air supply coupling extending
through an opening in the wall of the stove and provided with a hand valve on its
outer end, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination with a stove and devices for supplying gas to the stove, of
air supply couplings extending through the wall of the stove, check-nuts con-
structed to engage the couplings and lock the gas supply apparatus to the stove,
and at the same time form valve seats for hand valves, substantially as set forth,

page_text: 10. An annular burner constructed with a series of perforations and provided
with two pipe connections located diametrically opposite each other, said parts
being cast in a single piece, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with an annular burner having pipe connections cast
integral therewith, of a safety chamber having branch pipe connections cast
integral therewith, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with a burner, of a gas supply pipe and a safety chamber
interposed between the supply pipe and burner, said safety chamber provided with
a wire gauze diaphragm and having two or more branch pipes cast integral there-
with, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with an annular burner having two or more branch supply
pipe connections cast integral therewith, of a safety chamber provided with branch
pipes, and an injector and commingling chamber, substantially as set forth.
14. A burner consisting of two sections, the wall of one section being provided
with a series of saw tooth notches, and the wall of the other section constructed to
overlap said notches, substantially as set forth.
15. A burner consisting of two screw threaded sections, the inner wall of one
section being notched and the corresponding wall of the upper section formed to
overlap said notches and form gas jets, substantially as set forth.
16. A burner consisting of two screw threaded sections, the inner wall of one
section being provided with a circuit of saw tooth notches and the corresponding
wall of the upper section formed to rest upon and project over the edges of the
notches and form gas jets, substantially as set forth.
17. A burner consisting of a lower section with notched wall and having gas
supply branches cast integral therewith, in combination with an upper section
constructed to overlap the notches in the lower sections, substantially as set
forth.