IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BURNERS FOR LAMPS AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard De Meuter, junior, of St. Gelles, near Brussels,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BURNERS FOR LAMPS AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH.”
Sealed the 9th September 1879, and dated the 14th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard De Meuter at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th March 1879.
EDOUARD DE MEUTER, junior, of St. Gelles, near Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BURNERS FOR LAMPS, AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of the burners
of lamps in which petroleum and other mineral oils are employed, and also in
apparatus which in some cases may be advantageously used in connection therewith.
The burners constructed in accordance with the present Invention are of such a
nature as to allow of the employment of circular wicks, which are made in one piece,
and whereby a more regular and perfect flame is obtained and a greater and superior
light is given than is the case with the burners of lamps for burning petroleum and
other mineral oils as hitherto constructed, whilst the escape of oil to the exterior of
the lamp is prevented and the unpleasant smell resulting from the combustion of the
oil obviated. Another advantage which results from the present Invention is that
all danger or liability of explosion from the flame being communicated to the
oil contained in the reservoir or from the latter becoming heated is entirely
removed.
The burners are so constructed as to avoid any communication with the oil
reservoir of the lamp except by means of suction or capillary attraction, which limits
to the quantity of oil taken up by the wick to that required to be consumed, thereby
obviating the danger of and liability to explosion.
The circular wick is contained in the interior of a cylindrical tube which is closed
at the bottom. Within the said tube is placed another cylindrical tube of smaller
diameter, the circular wick being held in position between the two tubes. A circular

page_text: chamber is provided which runs vertically through the reservoir for containing the
oil, which latter may be constructed of any suitable material and of any desired size
or form. The cylindrical tubes containing and holding the circular wick are placed
within the circular chamber of the reservoir so that the lower end of the exterior
cylindrical tube will nearly reach the bottom of the chamber, whilst the upper end
of the wick holder extends above the top of the reservoir. An annular air space is
provided between the wick holder and the circumference of the circular chamber.
The lower part of the oil reservoir is connected with the wick holder by one or more
small tubes by which the wick is supplied with oil. The wick is raised or depressed
by means of any suitable contrivance adapted for the purpose, and the requisite
supply of atmospheric air admitted by a small perforated tube which passes into the
upper part of the reservoir without having any communication with the air chamber,
the air passing down through the before mentioned annular space around the
exterior of the wick holder and through the inner tube thereof to the interior of the
circular flame. Another chamber is formed above the said small chamber before
mentioned, the same being provided with apertures or perforations for the passage
of the atmospheric air, which is guided by means of a circular plate to the exterior
of the flame. The chimney or glass rests upon the upper part of the last mentioned
chamber.
It should be mentioned that the upper part of the burner is provided with minute
perforations for the admission of air.
This Invention further consists in certain apparatus capable of being used in con-
nection with burners for lamps, constructed as above described, for extinguishing
the flame in the event of the lamp being overturned, but such apparatus is not
necessary when the reservoir is constructed of metal. Within the chamber which
contains the apparatus for raising and depressing the wick is placed a piece of lead
of a partially annular form, the same being pivoted to a small frame through which
the screw spindle for actuating the wick works. A small spring is attached to the
interior of the chamber and to the leaden weight for the purpose of holding the
latter in position. Sliding tubes are placed in juxta-position to the wick holding
tubes, the former being held in position by a catch or detent until the latter is
released by the upsetting of the lamp. When the leaden weight moves upon its
pivots, the catch or detent released, and the sliding tubes rise (such rising being
assisted by a spiral spring previously compressed) and projecting beyond the upper
ends of the wick-holding tubes, the supply of air is shut off from the wick and the
flame consequently extinguished.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edouard De Meuter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
September 1879.
EDOUARD DE MEUTER, junior, of St. Gelles, near Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BURNERS FOR LAMPS AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH."
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of the
burners of lamps in which petroleum and other mineral oils are employed, and also
in apparatus which in some cases may be advantageously used in connection there-
with for the purpose of extinguishing the flame. The burners, constructed in
accordance with the present Invention, are of such a nature as to allow of the
employment of circular wicks which are made in one piece, and whereby a more
regular and perfect flame is obtained and a greater and superior light is given than
is the case with the burners of lamps for burning petroleum and other mineral oils
as hitherto constructed, whilst the escape of oil to the exterior of the lamp is pre-
vented and the unpleasant smell resulting from the combustion of the oil obviated.
Another advantage which results from the present Invention is that all danger or
liability of explosion from the flame being communicated to the oil,contained in the
reservoir or from the latter becoming heated is entirely removed.
The burners are so constructed as to avoid any communication with the oil
reservoir of the lamp, except by means of suction or capillary attraction, which
limits the quantity of oil taken up by the wick to that required to be consumed,
thereby obviating the danger of and liability to explosion.
The circular wick is contained in the interior of a cylindrical tube, within which
is placed concentrically another cylindrical tube of smaller diameter, the circular
wick being held in position in the space which is closed at the bottom between the
two tubes. A circular chamber is provided, which runs vertically through the
reservoir for containing the oil, which latter may be constructed of any suitable
material and of any desired size or form. The cylindrical tubes containing and
holding the circular wick are placed within the circular chamber of the reservoir, so
that the lower ends of the wick holder will nearly reach the bottom of the chamber,
whilst the upper end thereof extends above the top of the reservoir. An annular
air space is provided between the wick holder and the circumference of the circular
chamber. The lower part of the oil reservoir is connected with the wick holder by.
one or more small tubes by which the wick is supplied with oil. The wick is raised
or depressed by means of any suitable contrivance adapted for the purpose.
admitted to the upper part of the oil reservoir through a small tube having no con-
nection with the air chamber hereinafter referred to. Above the oil reservoir and
around the wick holder is a small perforated air chamber opening into the before
mentioned air space round the exterior of the lower portion of the wick holder.
Above the said air chamber is a small chamber in which is the contrivance for
raising or depressing the wick, and above this is a second air chamber, the same
being provided with apertures or perforations for the passage of the atmospheric air,
which is guided by means of a circular plate to the exterior of the flame. The
chimney or glass rests upon the upper part of the last mentioned air chamber.
Air is
This Invention further consists in certain apparatus capable of being used in con-
nection with burners for lamps, constructed as above described, for extinguishing
the flame in the event of the lamp being overturned, but such apparatus is not
necessary when the reservoir is constructed of metal. In some cases the said extin-
guishing mechanism may be provided with a cord or other appliance whereby it
may be actuated at will, such arrangement being specially applicable to lamps
which are suspended at some height from the ground, and which are therefore not
readily accessible. The construction and arrangement of the extinguishing
mechanism is as follows:-Within the chamber which contains the apparatus

page_text: for raising and depressing the wick is placed a piece of lead of a partially annular
form, the same being pivoted to a small frame through which the screw spindle
for actuating the wick works. Two sliding tubes are placed respectively on the
interior and exterior of the wick holder. To the interior sliding tube is attached
one end of a bar or rod which extends down the whole length of the interior of the
wick holder, and is then bent in such a manner as to pass up through the annular
air space around the latter, so that its opposite end is caused to bear against a collar
on the lower part of the exterior sliding tube. When the wick is alight the said
sliding tubes are pressed down so that their upper edges are level with the upper
part of the wick holder, and they are held in that position by a catch or detent
connected to the before mentioned leaden weight, which catch or detent bears on
the collar of the exterior sliding tube. On the lamp being overturned, or on it being
desired to extinguish the flame, the said catch or detent is thrown out of gear with
the said collar, and the before mentioned rod heing actuated by a spring causes the
sliding tubes to be raised beyond the upper portion of the wick, thereby shutting
off the supply of air to the same and thus extinguishing the flame.
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings, from which the nature of
my said Invention will be more clearly understood. The same letters of reference
indicate similar parts in the several Figures. Figure 1 is a vertical section of a lamp
constructed in accordance with this Invention. In this Figure A is the oil reservoir;
B, B, are the tubes forming the wick holder, which is placed in the circular
chamber C; D is a tube connecting the wick holder with the oil reservoir, and the
tube for admitting air to the latter is shown at E; F is the mechanism for raising
and depressing the wick; G is the perforated air chamber opening into the chamber C;
His the small chamber above; and I is the second perforated air chamber for
supplying air to the exterior of the flame.
On the wick being lighted air passes through the apertures in the chamber G
through the annular air space between the wick holder B, B, and the circumference
of the chamber C and up through the centre of the wick holder to the interior of
the flame, as indicated by arrows, the supply of air to the exterior of the latter
being effected as herein before described. By these means a brilliant and regular
flame is obtained, whilst at the same time owing to the complete insulation of the
wick holder from the oil reservoir all danger of the oil contained in the latter coming
into contact with the flame or being heated thereby is entirely avoided. Figures 2,
3, and 4 represent the before described mechanism for extinguishing the flame;
Figure 2 is a vertical section of a lamp through the line A, B, in Figure 4, Figure 3
being a similar section through the line C, D, in the same Figure. The latter is a
cross section through the line E, F, in Figure 2. In these Figures J is the leaden
weight, K, being the catch or detent attached to and actuated by the same; L is
the interior and N the exterior sliding tube; m is the collar on the latter; N is the
bent bar or rod, one end of which is attached to the tube L, while the opposite end
bears against the collar m; O is the spring for actuating the said bar or rod. One
end of the said spring is immovably fixed at o, and the other end is attached to the
bar or rod. When the wick is alight the sliding tubes are depressed, as shown in
Figure 2, being held in that position by the catch K gearing on to the collar m, but
upon the lamp being upset the leaden weight J turns on its pivot, thereby causing
the catch or detent K to release the collar m, the spring o (which has been pre-
viously extended) immediately regains its normal position, carrying with it the bent
bar or rod N, which in its upward movement raises the sliding tubes L and M and
causes them to project beyond the end of the wick holder; the supply of air is
thereby shut off from the wick and the flame consequently extinguished. This
position of the mechanism is shown by dotted lines in the same Figure. The catch
or detent K may also, when desired, be actuated by the cord or other contrivance P,
as will be well understood.
Having thus, described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and the
manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what

page_text: I consider novel and original and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the said herein before in part recited Letters Patent are,—
First. The improvements in the construction of burners for lamps, and mechanism
used in connection therewith, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and set forth.
And, Secondly. The combination and arrangement of mechanism constituting the
extinguishing apparatus, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard De Meuter, junior, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
DE MEILTER Jeune (r.g)