AN IMPROVED ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE LAMP FOR THE BURNING OF BENZOLE, PARAFFIN, NAPTHA, OR OTHER VOLATILE OILS, WHICH LAMP MAY BE USED FOR ALL THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH LAMPS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED, EITHER FOR LIGHTING, COOKING, HEATING, OR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to William Bell Dalston, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
United States of America, but temporarily residing at Brecon, South
Wales, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE LAMP
FOR THE BURNING OF BENZOLE, PARAFFIN, NAPTHA, OR OTHER VOLATILE OILS,
WHICH LAMP MAY BE USED FOR ALL THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH LAMPS ARE
USUALLY REQUIRED, EITHER FOR LIGHTING, COOKING, HEATING, OR OTHER
PURPOSES." Partly a communication from abroad by John Joseph Riddle,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.
Sealed the 25th August 1865, and dated the 28th February 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Bell Dalston
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th February 1865.
I, WILLIAM BELL DALSTON, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of
America, but temporarily. residing at Brecon, South Wales, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE LAMP
FOR THE BURNING OF BENZOLE, PARAFFIN, NAPTHA, OR OTHER VOLATILE OILS, WHICH
LAMP MAY BE USED FOR ALL THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH LAMPS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED,
EITHER FOR LIGHTING, COOKING, HEATING, OR OTHER PURPOSES;" partly, a com-"
munication. to me from abroad by John Joseph Riddle, of Cincinnati, Ohio,.

page_text: United States of America, and partly my own Invention, to be as follows,
(that is to say)-
The principal feature of novelty is.the combustion of volatile oils, such or
others as herein-before named, without the use of a wick or cotton and chimney
so general in ordinary lamps. The capillary attraction afforded by the use of
cotton wick being rendered unnecessary by the oil being forced up to the
point of combustion by atmospheric pressure, which is kept under control or
regulation by means herein-after described, thus avoiding the necessity of
placing the oil to be burnt above the point of combustion, or using a wick for
capillary attraction, as described in Holliday's Specifications, No. 12,015, 1848,
and 12,965, 1850.
The reservoir for the oil may be placed in any convenient distance below
such point of combustion, and be larger or smaller according to the number
of lights required to be burned; and according to the height or position
above the reservoir so the elastic force of the air may be more or less exercised,
provision being in all cases made for holding the air, which is pumped in by
a pump of somewhat novel construction, as in every instance the piston valve
and other parts of the air pump may be below or in the oil, but is protected
from its action by an outer case, the air escaping from the pump above the
surface of the oil. The manner of regulating the flow of such volatile oil for
the purpose of increasing, regulating, or lowering such light is by a convenient
lever or knob, which engages itself with a vertical or other equivalent pointer
which contracts the space through which the oil is forced to the point of
ignition, and which is lit by preference by a small quantity of spirits of wine
or other alcoholic fluid placed in a little dish or receptacle immediately below
the burner, which has the effect of heating not only the part forming the jet
or small orifices through which the volatile oil rises, as well as the generator
herein-after referred to placed in the small centre tube through which the oil
ascends, but also all the parts in connection, so that the said volatile oil is so
far heated as to be converted into gas before escaping, which, passing up
centrally, spreads itself underneath a cap or dome, and escapes in jets through
holes pierced through its outer edge or rim for that purpose. This dome and
rim is made larger or smaller according to the amount of light that may be
required, as through each hole before described the said oil converted into gas
escapes, and burns in a brilliant jet pure and white as the best illuminating
gas, so that according to the size of this part, and the number of holes, so the
jets and consequent light will be regulated accordingly.
But I wish to be understood that this description of light produced by the
conversion of volatile oil into gas is not of itself new, as a Patent was granted

page_text: to Read Holliday in 1848, No. 12,015, for that purpose, before referred to, not-
withstanding the obtaining of an overflow by atmospheric or other equivalent
pressure, the oil being below the point. of combustion, and without the use of
wick cotton, or other means to induce capillary attraction, is new, and permits
of such lamps to be made of any elegant symmetrical form or design, or of
any delicate material for table or bracket lights, lamps, chandeliers, carriage,
street, signal, and other lamps where great brilliancy and force of light is
desirable, and at the same time capable of being regulated with the facility
of ordinary gas as supplied and used for the general purposes of lighting. So
secure is this description of lamp rendered, that whether the oil used be
explosive or not an accident from such a cause is rendered impossible as the
oil is held in a confined chamber, and forced up to the burner by the
elastic force of air pumped into and held, as before described, in a
confined chamber, so that the only possible escape is at the burner itself,
and should that at any time foul from dust or neglect it has only to
be unscrewed, and an extra charge of air sent into the air vessel by means
of the air pump, that the oil may be forced through unconverted or in
its natural fluid state to swill or force through the small orifice or escapement
any dirt that may have lodged in and about this part, provision being made in
all cases for a supply pipe and stopper for applying the oil to be used. In
addition to the air essential to be pumped into the interior of this description
of lamp, an airway is also conveniently placed above, and disconnected from
the air chamber, but below the burner, which being more or less opened or
regulated by a screw cap so the atmospheric air is admitted to supply the
necessary oxygen for supporting and completing the perfect combustion of the
oil, and prevent the evolving of any smoke. The generator before referred
to may be made of a small piece of fine copper wire gauze, rolled into a cir-
cular form to fit the central tube, or other like equivalent means that will
divide and disperse the jet of oil forced up by the pressure of air, that it
may at that point from the heat imparted, by the use of spirits of wine or
alcohol, as before described, or other equivalent means, more readily
volatilized or converted into gas before it escapes through the small orifices
above.
The general details attending the construction of this improved lamp or
mode of burning volatile oils by compressed air are capable of considerable
difference of form, construction, or modifications to apply the improvements to
the various lamps made on this principle according to their requirements.
which modifications will be fully set forth and exhibited in my complete
Specification.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Bell Dalston in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th August 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BELL DALSTON, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America, but
temporarily residing.at Brecon, South Wales, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Bell Dalston, Her special licence that I, the
said William Bell Dalston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Bell Dalston, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 "AN IMPROVED ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE LAMP FOR
THE BURNING OF BENZOLE, PARAFFIN, NAPTHA, OR OTHER VOLATILE OILS, WHICH
LAMP MAY BE USED FOR ALL THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH LAMPS ARE USUALLY REQUIRED,
EITHER FOR LIGHTING, COOKING, HEATING, OR OTHER PURPOSES," partly a com-
munication to me from abroad by John Joseph Riddle, of Cincinnati, Ohio,
United States of America, and partly my own Invention, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, said William Bell Dalston, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, 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 Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Bell. Dalston, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner. the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say) :-
The improvemedts in lamps herein referred to relate entirely to the
description of atmospheric pressure lamp recently patented and introduced
into use in the United States, but I believe new. in this country to the extent
of the use of atmospheric pressure. The principal feature of novelty is the
combustion of volatile oils, such or others as herein-before named, without

page_text: the use of a wick or cotton and chimney so general; if not indispensable, in
ordinary lamps, the capillary attraction afforded by the use of cotton wick being
rendered unnecessary by the oil or fluid used being forced up to the point of
combustion by atmospheric pressure, which is kept under control or regulation
by means herein-after described, thus avoiding the necessity of placing the
volatile oil to .be burnt above the point of combustion, or using a wick for
capillary attraction, as described in Holliday's Specification, No. 12,015, A.D.
1848, and 12,965, A.D. 1850: The reservoir for the oil fluid may be placed
in any convenient distance below such point. of combustion, and be larger or
smaller, according to the number of lights required to be burned. And
according to the height or position above the reservoir, so the elastic force of
the air may be more or less exercised, provision being in all cases made for
holding the air which is pumped in by a pump of somewhat novel construction,.
as in every instance the piston valve and other parts of the air pump may be
below or in the oil chambers, but is protected from its action by an outer case;
the air escaping from the pump above the surface of the oil. The manner of
regulating the flow of such volatile oil for the purpose of increasing, regulating,
or lowering such light is by a convenient lever or knob which engages itself
with a vertical or other convenient pointer, which contracts the space through
which the oil is forced to the point of ignition, and which is lit, by preference,
by a small quantity of spirits of wine, or other alcoholic fluid, placed in a
little dish or receptacle immediately below the burner, which has the effect
of heating not only the part forming the jet or small orifices through which
the volatile oil rises, as well as the generator, herein-after referred to, placed
in the small centre tube through which the oil ascends, but also all the parts
in connection, so that the said volatile oil is so far heated as to be converted
into gas before escaping, which, passing up centrally, spreads itself underneath
a cap or dome, and escapes in jets through holes pierced through its outer
edge or rim for that purpose. This dome and rim is made larger or smaller
according to the amount of light that may be required, as through each hole
before described the said oil converted into gas escapes, and burns in a brilliant
jet, pure and white as the best illuminating gas, so that according to the size
of this part, and the number of holes, so the jets and consequent light will be
regulated accordingly.
But I wish to be understood that this description of light produced by the
conversión of volatile oil into gas is not of itself new, as a Patent was granted
to Read Holliday in A.D. 1848, No. 12,015, for that purpose as before
referred to, notwithstanding the obtaining of an overflow by atmospheric
pressure, the oil being below the point of combustion, and without the .use

page_text: of wick cotton or other means to induce capillary attraction is new; and
permits of such lamps to be made of any elegant symmetrical form or design,
or of any delicate material for table or bracket lights, lamps, chandeliers;
carriage, street, sigual, and other lamps where great brilliancy and force of
light is desirable, and at the same time capable of being regulated with the
facility of ordinary gas as supplied and used for the general purposes of
lighting. So secure is this description of lamp rendered, that whether the oil
used be explosive or not, an accident from such cause is rendered impossible,
as the oil is held in a confined chamber, and forced up to the burner by the
elastic force of air pumped into and held as before described in a confined
chamber, so that the only possible escape is at the burner itself, and should
that at any time foul from dust or neglect it has only to be unscrewed and an
extra charge of air sent into the air vessel by means of the air pump, that the
oil may be forced through unconverted into gas, or in its natural fluid state,
to swill or force through the small orifice or escapement any dirt that may
have lodged in and about this part, provision being made in all cases for a
supply pipe and stopper for applying the oil to be used. In addition to the
air essential to be pumped into the interior of this description of lamp, an
airway is also conveniently placed above and disconnected from the air chamber;
but below the burner, which being more or less opened or regulated by a screw
cap, so the atmospheric air is admitted to supply the necessary oxygen for
supporting and completing the perfect combustion of the oil, and prevent the
evolving of any smoke from imperfect combustion. The generator before
referred to may be made of a small piece of fine copper wire gauze rolled into
a circular form to fit the central tube, or other like equivalent means that will
divide and disperse the stream of oil forced up by the pressure of air, that it
may at that point from the heat imparted (by the use of spirits of wine or
alcohol, as before described, or other equivalent means) be more readily
volatilized or converted into gas before it escapes through the small orifice
above.
The general details attending the construction of this improved lamp, or
mode of burning volatile oils by compressed air, are capable of considerable
difference of form, construction, or modification to apply the improvements
to the various lamps made on this principle, as will be more fully compre-
hended by referring to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the various
figures and letters marked thereon, and which Drawing I will now proceed to
describe.
Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of a lamp constructed in accordance
with the general improvements. herein-before referred to as suitable for an

page_text: economic or general table or stand lamp, and which stand or bottom part is
marked A, the body or reservoir for holding the fluid is marked B, the fluid
being represented by the dotted broken lines, terminating at a, and which
fluid is supplied through the feedway C by first removing the stopper D,
partly shown in dotted lines, or which may be modified in size and form as
may be desired; E is the outer knob attached to the piston rod 6 of an air
pump, all the other portions being represented in section in their respective
positions, and like the feed plug and pipe may be modified as to general
construction and position, but for the lamp here shown the general details of
the air pump will be found to answer well. But I will observe that the
outer case marked c may be dispensed with altogether, as the air forced into
the reservoir will rise in bubbles up to the surface of the fluid; but in the
mode here shown the escape way for the air is above the surface of the fluid
as indicated by the arrows d, while again the self-acting valve E is secured
and protected from the action of the fluid which otherwise it would be
subjected to. The valve e is composed of a centre, shown separately at Fig. 2,
of stout wire, the upper part being reduced for the purpose of receiving a
metallic flange for the better holding of the packing f, which may be of cork
or other suitable material, the lower end of the pump cylinder marked 9, 9,
terminating with a keen edge for the purpose of indenting itself in the packing
which is held against it by the slight pressure afforded by the helical spring
exerting its force against the bottom of the extended pump barrel, shown
detached at Fig. 3. also in section, and the metallic projecting flange that
supports the packing f; by this means no oil or fluid can possibly pass up the
valve with the upward stroke of the piston, but at the return stroke the
piston being pulled right to the top of the pump case or barrel as at h, h, the
air will rush in and fill the barrel through the airways at i, i, and the piston
being forced down the compressed air acting upon the surface of the packing f
will permit the air to escape to rise up between the cases c, c, and j to enter
the top of the reservoir as before stated at d, d, and which air must be forced
to a sufficient extent as to force the oil in the direction of the arrow d up the
centre tube, which terminates with a contracted orifice at b, and which part I
term the nipple, and to the lower end of which a coiled wire, by preference,
is attached, and which I term the heat generator, and may be made in various
ways; as, for instance, a thin piece of sheet copper rolled up so as to preserve
a circular concentric way for the concentric regulator. marked n, n, to pass
up. This concentric regulator I have shown detached at Fig. 4, as also the
heat generator at Fig. 5, composed of thin sheet copper as before described;
and in like manner also a heat generator may be made. of fine wire gauze

page_text: rolled up into a cylinder to freely fit the regulator h and the interior of the
centre tube, and used in the position of the helical spring, shown at Figure 1,
attached to the nipple 1. The reservoir and air space of the lamp terminates
underneath the neck or part marked m, m, and which part is tapped above
the flange for receiving the part F, to which is fitted the cup hereafter to be
referred to. G may be said to be a burner closed at the top, but has a circular
ŕow of perforations at p, p, through which the gas escapes, as will be here-
after shown; the part G is capable of being removed from the part F by the
inner tube or principal part being tapped on to the part q, q, which is soldered
to and attached to the centre tubes; the part F, as seen by the section, is
made of thin metal, and consequently hollow within; and attached to this
part at H is an airway, so arranged that by screwing in or out of the trumpet
part H, the airway will be more or less open or contracted so as to regulate
the flow of atmospheric air in the direction of the arrow to the interior to pass
up within the tube t, t, and to escape through openings into the concentric tube
of the burner. The part into which the trumpet part H screws, thereby
regulating the air admitted to the burner I have shown in a side and top view
at Fig. 7.
Having thus given a general description of this improved lamp, I will
assume that the internal space below the neck of the lamp m, m, and above
the surface of the oil is filled with compressed air injected by the air pump,
and that the elastic pressure of such condensed air pressing on the surface of
the oil has forced it through the oilway K, and up the centre tube l, the small
escape way of which is closed by the point of the regulator m, being forced up
into it by the handle I attached to the axis J securely held in the socket v
and stay piece w; and which lever and axis I have exhibited detached in a
top view at Fig. 6, for the purpose of showing the excentric x working in a
slot formed in the lower end of the regulator n, as shown at y, Fig. 8, and
by which means the regulator n is raised or lowered; and we will further
suppose that we desire to obtain a light from this description of lamp; for
this object we pour a small quantity of alcoholic fluid, by preference, spirits of
wine, into the cup p, and ignite it, so that by the time it has consumed it will
have so heated all the parts in and about the same, together with the part
termed the heat generator within and at the top of the centre tube, so as to
convert the volatile oil (forced up to this part by the pressure of the compressed
air) within the lamp into a gas, which, being allowed to escape through the
nipple by lowering the regulator n, will ignite of itself from the flame of the
burning of the alcohol in the cup p by the gas ascending the tube 1, spreading
and dividing itself under the cap g, and escaping through the perforations p, p.

page_text: In order to make the combustion of such gas more perfect it has been found
advisable to admit a small quantity of oxygen, and for which purpose the air-
way H has been provided, and by. these means a lamp is constructed and
adapted for general purposes affording a brilliant and unencumbered light
without a wick, glass, or chimney, such light being supported by a cheap and
I have not
inexpensive volatile oil now commonly and extensively used.
thought it necessary to elaborate the Drawings with the various shapes and
modifications to which these improvements are capable either for lighting or
heating, according to position, use, or object desired, as the principle is capable
of any extent or diversification of general arrangement or construction; and I
have merely introduced Figure 8, not as a guide for the realization of any
particular design, but merely to show that the central body of a chandelier
may be used as a general reservoir, and branches may be placed radially around
the same, each branch being fitted with all the attendant parts, such as the
burner G, airway H, upper chamber F, regulator n, which in this case I have
represented as working through suitable stuffing as at a', the end of the
regulator being fitted with a knob K, which, being tapped into the case 8,
affords the means of raising and lowering or regulating the position of the
regulator. In this Figure, which is principally exhibited in section, I have
omitted, for the purpose of avoiding confusion, the heat generator, which in
all cases will be found an important part, as it divides the fluid into minute
particles that the heat imparted to the generator, as herein-before described,
acting on the volatile nature of the oil more readily converts it from the liquid
to the vaporous or gaseous condition. I have represented in this view at L
a stop cock, by which the flow can be cut off or permitted. The air pump
(which in all its details is the same as at Figure 1) may be worked as here
shown, or passing up concentrically from the bottom of the vessel M, and the
knob by which the piston rod is actuated may be the usual pendant concentric
terminating ornament of the lamp body, or may be otherwise placed as
convenience or taste may desire.
Having thus given a general description of the Invention, and the manner
in which the same may be carried into effect, according to the purpose for
which it may be required, I wish it understood that I do not claim the
conversion of volatile oils into a gas, and using the same for the purposes of
illumination, as that is old and has been variously effected; but what I claim,
and wish to protect under these my in part recited Letters Patent is, the
general construction of lamps for the object and purpose herein-before named,
by clevating the fluid used to the point of combustion by the means of

page_text: compressed atmospheric air, and converting the same into gas, at that point,
by the means or their equivalents, as herein described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bell Dalston, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
JAMES S. COCKINGS, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
26, Ann Street
WILLIAM BELL DALSTON. (L.s.)
Birmingham.