Improvements in the Method for Producing Intense Light by Magnesium or by other Glowing Materials.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
Improvements in the Method for Producing Intense Light by
Magnesium or by other Glowing Materials.
I, JOHN WILLIAM CHARLES COWEN SCHIRM of 20 Potsdamerstrasse, Berlin, W.,
in the German Empire, Landscape-painter, 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:-
One of the two methods hitherto known for producing magnesium light consists
in diffusing magnesium powder from above into the flame, while, with the other
method, the lightening material is supplied to the flame from below or sideways.
Though the latter method, owing to its comparative economy in the material
employed is to be preferred to the first named, it still involves great waste of
material as a proportional diffusion of the magnesium over the flame cannot bo
attained and consequently a portion of the luminous material fails to receive full
glowing heat.
The said waste of material is intended to be effectually obviated by the improved
method, in which the magnesium is not, as in the above methods, supplied to the
flame from outside, but mixed with the current of gas before the latter reaches the
mouth of the burner, while the velocity of said current is at the same time incrcased
so as to expel the magnesium powder in a diffused state from the burner.
In order to make my invention more clear, I refer to the accompanying drawings,
in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the several views.
Fig. 1 is a top view of the main arrangement.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section from left to right along line B. B¹ Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 and 2 represent respectively a top view and vertical section of a
modification.
Figs. 1 and 2 are the top view and vertical section respectively of another
modification.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a top view and vertical section of a burner adapted
for petroleum, alcohol, ligroine or benzine, and
Figs. 2 and 4 represent details.
In Figs. 1, 2 and 1 and 2 a Bunsen burner is employed producing a better effect;
the apparatus may however also be provided with a common gas burner.
In the gas inlet pipe of the burner terminates laterally a tube serving for
introduction of the powder of magnesium, zinc or aluminium, which is supplied either
continually or intermittently according as a continuous or a sudden or intermittent
effect is intended to be produced.
The rapid gas current pressed through pipe a instantly diffuses the magnesium
or other suitable powder and on being mixed with the atmospheric air and ignited
produces at the mouth a² (Fig. 1) a constant Bunsen flame, in which the continuous or
intermittent supply of magnesium or other powder burns with a very bright light.
a² is the funnel of the Bunsen burner.
The requisite gas pressure is produced in a gas-meter. The rapid current of
gas may also be caused to act by suction on the contents A of the magnesium
receptacle shown in Figs. 1" and 2ª and, operating like an ejector, carry the powder
out of receptacle r and tube b.
If sudden or flash light is to be produced a small auxiliary flame a³ is employed,
which is kept burning near the mouth of the Bunsen-burner and ignites the
luminous mixture at the desired moment.
The device for producing sudden or intermittent effects which is to be employed in

page_text: practice, is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. a a' is the Bunsen burner, m a caoutchouc
gas-tube ca receptacle for the luminous powder, pa leaf-valve in pipe a for the
Bunsen burner and q a small piston or plunger serving to supply to the pipe a the
magnesium or other powder falling in between valve and piston 7.
The mouth of pipe 6 is opened for admitting the corresponding supply of powder
and reclosed respectively by the forward or backward movement of piston 7. The
pipe a is provided with a button t carrying suspended therefrom an india-rubber
ball g
Said pipe encloses moreover a double-scat valve v¹ (Fig. 2º) the seat and the
passage of which are larger than the cross section of portion v. The two valves are
rigidly connected with each other and so determined relatively to their seats as to allow
only the one or the other valve to be closed at a time, Fig. 2°.
Normal pressure
obtaining in the caoutchouc tube m is sufficient to cause the valve v to be kept
closed.
When the india-rubber ball, which is filled with combustible gas is compressed by
the hand of the operator, the higher pressure produced closes the valve vl, while the
valve is opened and the amount of gas contained in rushes with corresponding
energy through pipe a towards the mouth a'. The force thereby produced causes the
magnesium or other powder, which has accumulated in the pipe, to be diffused into
dust and subsequently the mixture is ignited by the auxiliary flame referred to,-
which is entertained and fed from the caoutchouc tube t¹-and produces the desired
luminous effect.
The application of the improved method to benzine-, ligroine-, alcohol- and
petroleum-burners is illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. A reservoir filled with
sponge impregnated with the respective fuel, carries at the top a burner tube a
connected with a box for the magnesium or other powder. A small igniting flame '
likewise provided at the top of said receptacle is fed by the liquid contained in and by
the vapours arising from the impregnated sponge. An india-rubber ball and
caoutchouc tube s' are suspended by a button from the reservoir.
From the box or funnel the requisite quantity of luminiferous powder is delivered
into the burner-tube a, and in order to produce flash light, the photographer or
operator energetically compresses the india rubber ball, thereby suddenly expelling
an amount of combustible vapour from the reservoir through tube a while at the
same time causing the powder contained in the latter to be diffused by, and mixed
and expelled with the vapour. The intimate mixture thus produced is ignited by
the auxiliary flame and exhibits the desired flash light.
The burner tube a being in free communication with the sponge reservoir
atmospheric air is allowed to enter into the latter and mixed with the combustible
vapours contained therein. valve device similar to that above referred to may
normally keep the sponge reservoir closed, and open the same at the opportune
moment.
Preferably powdered magnesium, zinc or aluminium are employed as materials
for producing the luminous effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
'claim is:
1. The method of producing intense light for photographic or other purposes,
consisting in mixing luminiferous substance or substances, such as powder of
magnesium or equivalent material, with a current of gas prior to the arrival of
the gas at the mouth of the burner and diffusing said luminiferous material and
éxpelling the mixture from the burner by the pressure of the gas proper, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The method of producing intermittent or flash light consisting in mixing
luminiferous materials with a current of gas or other combustible vapour prior
to such current reaching the mouth of the burner diffusing them and conducting

page_text: the mixture to the burner or flame by means of a pressure produced by a gas- or
vapour-compression-device which is in communicating connection with the burner
tube, the whole combined and operating substantially as illustrated and described.
Dated this 28th day of July 1890.
JOHN WILLIAM CHARLES COWEN SCHIRM.
By Graham & Graham,
Agents for Applicant.
JOHN WILLIAM CHARLES COWEN SCHIRM.
By Graham & Graham,
Agents for Applicant.