Improvements in Oxyhydrogen Lime Light Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Oxyhydrogen Lime Light Apparatus.
KEET
EIGESTE
I WILLIAM CHARLES HUGHES, of Brewster House, Mortimer Road, Kings-
land, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturing Optician, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved apparatus for automatically regulating the
supply of oxygen and hydrogen gases, from the metallic bottles, or reservoirs, in
which they may be stored under great pressure, to the point at which it is desired
both gases shall be united and ignited, and impinge upon the cylinder of lime, for
the production of what is known as, oxyhydrogen lime light, as used in theatrical
and optical lantern entertainments, the objects of which are that, by the method
and means afforded by my invention, a much steadier and less intermittent light is
obtained, and maintained, to the full exhaust of the contents of the reservoirs,
without the objectionable hissing noise that usually accompanies the discharge
thereof, and to prevent the flicker of the light, which frequently occurs in the
apparatus and methods hitherto adopted, and through which many otherwise good
entertainments and splendid effects have been spoiled.
In order that my invention and the manner of carrying out the same, may be
clearly understood, I have appended the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in
which, similar letters of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.
Fig. is a perspective view of the apparatus forming the subject of my
invention, as it would appear in actual use.
Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged side view of one of the gas bags, and its accessories,
as shown in use in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an external view of one of the tap valves, or regulators forming part of
my said invention.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a view of part of the internal arrangement of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the manner adopted by me, and also forming part of
my invention, of compounding the tap-valve, or regulator Fig. 3 to be hereinafter
fully explained.
I may here mention that oxygen and hydrogen gases when intended for use as
an illuminant, are, for the purposes of portability, either stored in large air tight
bags, and exhausted by the application of a heavy weight placed thereon, or highly
compressed within strong metallic bottles, said bottles being provided with a tap
operated by a pass key, and two of such bottles are shewn in Fig. 1 Sheet 1, and
marked O, and H, as indicating their respective contents.
In carrying my invention into effect I cast or otherwise construct of brass or any
other suitable metal, a tap-valve, or regulator A, the external configuration of
which is, preferably, as that shewn at Fig. 3, Sheet 1, and presents four points, or
projections, a. b. c and d, each radiating from the centre of A, at right angles to
cach other. Two of said projections a and c are provided with internal screw
threads, the others band d with external screw threads, the latter two having an
internal bore, or passage e extending therethrough, broken only by the hollow
interior of c. The diameter of e lessens at the centre for so much of its length as
is represented by the diameter of the body of A, or thereabouts, the reduced
diameter of e being about equal to that of a small pin hole. I have previously men-
tioned that the projection is provided with an internal, or female screw thread,
said projection being hollow. The chamber thus formed in extends towards and
beyond the centre of A, but the threaded portion terminates with the length of c

page_text: externally, or thereabouts, the remainder being plain and perfectly smooth. At
the internal extremity of the chamber thus formed in c is a very small hole, or
passage extending therefrom into the hollow projection a, and of about the same
diameter as the smaller part of e. A metallic rod g, upon the end of which is fixed,
or formed integrally therewith, a metallic disc h, to which is attached by means of
screws, pins, or the like, passing through holes, a disc i made of horn, vulcanite,
vulcanized fibre, or the like, is pushed into e until i abuts against, and makes air
tight contact with the end of said chamber. A stout washer of leather or other
suitable resilient substance or material, is pushed, or threaded upon, and fits
closely within the chamber in c, and in close contact with h, the junction of h and j
occurring within or in line with the narrow part of e. The edges of the joined
surfaces of hand jare bevelled so that collectively they form a V shaped annular
groove otherwise the connection between and jis perfectly air tight when
these are pressed together. A hole is bored through and preferably slightly
larger than but in such a position as to coincide therewith, when and are
turned so as to be opposite thereto, by the spindle g, thus forming a continuation of
from a into the before mentioned annular groove when i and are in this
position, but when turned by g so that is away from f, the disc forms an air
tight cover for f. By reference to Fig. 5 Sheet 2 this will be clearly understood.
Other discs of metal and leather, or the like are placed alternately upon g, until
they extend within the threaded portion of c, each of the resilient washers, like j
fitting closely to, and in air tight contact with, the interior of c. The last men-
tioned discs and washers are shewn by and . A threaded bolt m provided with
an internal longitudinal bore, through which may freely pass the rod 9: is screwed
within c, forcing the discs and washers together so as to keep j and
contact with each other, but the former free to turn by the movement of the
spindle g.
in air tight
A valve or regulator thus formed is connected to each of the bottles O and H
either by the projection d or being screwed into the neck of the bottle when said
neck has an internal screw thread formed therein, or by means of a junction piece B
when said neck is screwed externally. The junction pieces B may be provided with
one or more arms or levers to assist their being turned, or formed externally to
receive a spanner. The projection (if d be connected to the bottle, or rice versa)
may either have an air tight cap C screwed thereon or a junction piece B for the
attachment of a pressure gauge as in Fig. 6 Sheet 2. An adjustable arm or lever »
is fitted upon, and rendered adjustable to any position by means of a screw or the
like n', and by means of n the spindle is operated, as will be hereinafter
explained.
It will be understood that if d (or b) is connected to O or H in the manner
described that, if the gas be turned on at the tap D it will enter e in d (or b) and
fill the groove j¹ and the bore e in the upper projection, but the latter being covered
by. C, the gas cannot escape if i be in a position to cover f, but if the arm n be
moved up or down so as to operate g and turn i until & faces the gas would escape
from through and finto a.
In Fig. 1 Sheet 1 each of the bottles O and H are fitted with one of the
regulators or tap valves A covered by a cap C, and I have previously mentioned
that the object of my invention is to prevent the hissing noise that usually accom-
panies the discharge of gas from the reservoirs arising from imperfect regulation,
and at the same time to prevent flicker of the light, and to insure a perfectly steady
and unvarying supply of gas, by automatically regulating the supply to, and the
pressure at, the burner.
To attain this I attach to the projection a by means of a hollow screw or other
device, a flexible tube E, connected to a small gas bag G. A pair of flaps FI¹
and I hinged together at and provided with an opening r receive the bag G. An
exhaust cock G upon & passes through » as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1.
Upon H,.in any suitable position, I fix a swivel or the like J provided with a
screw, or other devices, to which is attached an adjustable rod K, the upper end of

page_text: which is connected by any suitable and adjustable device to the arm, or lever n.
A small weight L (Fig. 2 Sheet 1) is caused to rest upon H', and is prevented
from slipping therefrom, by a ridge or ledge M, hinged or otherwise connected to
H. To each of the cocks G' I attach a flexible tube which conveys the gas
therefrom to the burners in the usual way, and the manner of operation is as
follows.
9.
In Fig. 1 Sheet 1 I have shewn the arrangement described, in duplicate, one for
each of the bottles O and H. Therefore presuming that the valves A are properly
adjusted and regulated by m to permit the necessary movement of the spindle
and the discs i and h, the cocks D are turned on in and H, the gas then enters e
in into the groove 7, and the bags G being in a state of collapse, and the flaps H¹
depressed by I, the arms or levers would be down, or depressed by reason of
their connection with K, and H, and the length of K and n having been previously
so adjusted that when down as described the hole & would be opposite the aperture,
the gas would now be forced through and a into E and G, and as the bags G
become inflated, H¹ and consequently the rods K, would rise and operate the levers n
which acting upon the rods and the discs and, these would be turned so that k
would be moved from f, and become covered by and thereby stop the supply
from the reservoirs. In order that a sufficient quantity of gas may enter G to
inflate it to the extent desired, may be depressed by the hand until this is
attained, n may then be readjusted upon so that the quantity of gas now in G
may be maintained, the tap valve formed by and i acting upon, so that the
moment G has parted with a small portion of its contents, would be brought
opposite and that quantity replaced in G, but no more. The cocks Gmay now be
turned on to the extent needed and the gas conveyed to the burners and used in the
usual way, and as G becomes more or less emptied, H becomes more or less
depressed, K acts upon n, and the supply renewed in the manner just previously
described, and this motion continues to the exhaust of O and H notwithstanding
that the initial pressure from O and H becomes less and less as these are exhausted,
and by this means I am enabled to get a perfect and unvarying supply of the
united gases at the point of combustion, and by reason of the automatic action of G
upon the supply valve A, further regulated by the cock G it is impossible for the
supply at the burner to be at any moment more or less than that desired, and by
this means the previously mentioned flicker of the light and the objectionable
hissing noise before referred to, is entirely prevented, hence the full attainment of
the declared object of my invention.
In certain cases where it may be advisable to use one of the types of regulators
in general use, I attach the arm or lever n to the tap of such regulator, and the
tube E to the exhaust thereof, so that the depression of G would operate said tap
and regulate the supply to G; H'. L, K and n operating as before.
I may where necessary compound the valve A as shewn in Fig. 6 Sheet 2, which
describes a triplex valve or regulator, the three converging at or within a receiver N,
connected to O or H, the parallel lines P and Q indicating the supply tubes to the
second and third valves, or regulators, not shewn, but which would be exactly the
same as Fig. 1, Sheet 1. The central valve or regulator rising from N in a vertical
direction may have a pressure gauge fixed thereon as shewn, in lieu of C, thus
shewing the initial pressure to each valve.
I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to any particular outward con-
figuration of any of the parts herein described, nor to any particular substance or
material from which to construct them, but may employ the use of any form or
material suitable for the purpose without departing from the principle of my
invention.
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 :-
1st. In an improved apparatus for oxyhydrogen lime light entertainments, the

page_text: use and application of the several appliances forming the subject of my invention
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by the drawings
hereunto appended..
with
2nd. For improvements in oxyhydrogen lime light apparatus the construction
and use of a tap-valve or regulator A with projections a b c d bored internally as
shewn bye and f, with chamber formed in c, the bolt m, carrying the rod
fixed discs and h, with annular groove, and holek, operating upon and con-
trolling the supply of highly compressed gas to the bag G, the manner of con-
necting A to the pressure reservoirs O or H by b, or d, with or without the junction
piece B, the cap C, or pressure gauge connected by B, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth and shewn by Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings appended.
3. For improvements in oxyhydrogen lime light apparatus the construction and
employment of a gas bag G with cock G¹ within flaps H' and I and weight L the
manner of automatically regulating and controlling the supply of gas to the burner
by means of G operating H¹ and K, and n, connected to and operating in the
manner set forth in the preceding claim, substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 11th day of March 1891.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.