IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATus FOR THE COMBUSTION OF AIR AND GAS FOR HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Van der Straten, of Antwerp, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATus FOR THE COMBUSTION OF AIR AND GAS FOR
HEATING PURPOSES."
Sealed the 16th October 1874, and dated the 18th July 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Van der Straten
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 18th July 1874.
I, EDMUND VANDER STRATEN, of Antwerp, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE COMBUSTION OF AIR AND
GAS FOR HEATING PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
"
The object of this Invention is to substitute a new combustible pro-
duced by the simultaneous combustion of the smallest quantity of gas
mixed by a mechanical process with the oxygen of the air in lieu of
other more costly fuel for heating purposes, and this Invention will be
peculiarly useful in places where gas is used for lighting.
[Price 8d.1

page_text: The apparatus consists of the following arrangement:-To a gas pipe
which is an ordinary pipe or an india-rubber pipe, according to the
locality, is applied an end in metal which ends in a jet of conical form
slightly lengthened. On this jet is adapted a pipe fitting as hermeti-
cally as possible, so that the holes are axial in regard to the flame; this
pipe or condenser is closed by a cap which forms the base of it, and
of which the under side is furnished with rectangular openings with
small square holes intermediately. This cap or moderator is besides
provided on the pierced plate with metallic gauze, so that the current
which is formed in the cap shall be at the same time permanent, soft
and regular.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:- The apparatus being
lighted the current which is formed in the cap drives the flame of the
gas to the extremity of the pipe and gives to it in its course a con-
siderable intensity of heat, in effect the oxygen which enters by the
base of the cap is driven through the openings into the flame and
undergoes with this a concentration renewed without ceasing, and is
consequently forced to diffuse itself in the pipe by the action of the
current of air producing a heat sensibly higher than that of a jet
burning in free air, as there cannot be any humidity nor maintenance
humidity if it is induced artificially (the horizontal portion of the
plate, protected by the belt, preserving this even from the dust) it
follows that the action of the current of air can never be deranged,
and that there is always production of oxygen and forced condensation.

page_text: our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edmund Vander Straten, Her special
license that I, the said Edmund Vander Straten, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edmund Vander
Straten, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE COMBUSTION OF AIR AND GAS
FOR HEATING PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Edinund Vander Straten, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention may be better understood and
more readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe my said appa-
ratus and to refer to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed.
To a gas pipe A which may be of the ordinary construction, or when
suitable an india-rubber pipe, is applied an end in metal terminating in
a jet of conical form slightly lengthened. On this jet is adapted B
fitting as closely or as nearly hermetically as possible so that the holes
are axial in regard to the flame; this pipe B or condenser is closed by a
cap C which forms the base of it, and of which the under side is fur-
nished with rectangular openings with small square holes intermediately.
This cap C or moderator is besides provided on the pierced plate with
metallic gauze, so that the current which is formed in the cap shall be
at the same time permanent, soft, and regular.
The Figure E represents the apparatus which constitutes my Inven.
tion, and which is placed altogether on the jet A. The action of the
apparatus is as follows :-The apparatus E being lighted the current
which is formed in the cap C drives the flame of the gas to the extremity
F of the pipe E, and gives to it in its course a considerable intensity of
heat, in effect the oxygen which enters by the base of the cap is driven
through the openings B into the flame, and undergoes with this a con-
centration renewed without ceasing, and is consequently forced to diffuse
itself in the pipe F by the action of the current of air, producing a
heat sensibly higher than that of a jet burning in free air; as there
cannot be any humidity nor maintenance of humidity if it be induced
artificially (the horizontal portion of the plate, protected by the belt,
preserving this even from the dust) it follows that the action of the
current of air can never be deranged, and that there is always pro-
duction of oxygen and forced condensation.
Having now described my said Invention, and the manner of con-
structing and using my apparatus, I may remark that it is possible to
employ this apparatus for heating steam boilers, and for locomotives
running short distances, and the use of the oxygen of the atmosphere
affords great economy. I am aware that apparatus for similar purposes
have been before invented and made partial use of, but at present there
is no apparatus commercially useful other than mine for heating by
means of the admixture of gas with oxygen, and I wish it to be under-
stood that I make no claim to the parts constituting my Invention

page_text: taken separately and uncombined otherwise than to that marked E in
the Drawing annexed hereunto.
In witness whereof I the said Edmund Vander Straten, have here-
unto set my hand and seal this Twenty-fourth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
E. VANDER STRATEN. (L.S.)