Improvements in Gas Lamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 5th Apr., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Lamps.
I, THOMAS GORDON, residing at No. 1325 South 16th Street in the City of
Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer
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 gas lamps constructed on the regenerative principle, and to
that class of such lamps in which the supply of air to support the flame is admitted to
the lamp at the base thereof, and also in which the burner is of the inverted form ;
and my improvements consist primarily in the division of the air supply chamber into
two parts so as to make two air chambers of comparatively high and low temperatures
respectively, the latter receiving the current of fresh air from the surrounding atmo-
sphere, directing the same against the sides of the gas chamber and its tubes, from
whence it passes into the high temperature chamber, and is discharged therefrom to
the burner tips at the point of ignition and within the body of the flame. My inven-
tion also comprises several of the minor details of the apparatus as hereinafter more
particularly described. The main design and purpose of my invention is to supply
an economically constructed regenerative gas lamp of the inverted pattern, and in
which the main defect in present lamps of that class, of overheating of the parts and
consequent clogging of the gas pipes, is, to a great extent, obviated, and this is
accomplished by dividing the air supply chamber into two communicating parts one
surrounding the other and entirely enclosing within the inner one the gas chamber
and its tubes, or vice versa, so as to expose the same to the constant influx of fresh and
comparatively cool air.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical section of an inverted burner illustrating the main feature of
my invention, showing the gas chamber and its tubes enclosed within the initial air
chamber, the latter being surrounded by a second and communicating air chamber.
Figure 2 is a like view of an inverted burner constructed on the same principle but
with the initial air chamber surrounded by, instead of surrounding, the gas chamber
and its tubes, the second and communicating air chamber being on the exterior as
before. This figure also illustrates minor details of the invention not shown in
figure 1.
Figure 3 is a like vertical sectional view of an inverted regenerative gas lamp con-
structed according to my invention and intended to illustrate a modification and
details not shown in the other figures, the chief feature being a sub-division of the
initial air chamber into two unconnected parts so as to form a deflector for a part of
the incoming air and provide a passage for one division of the volume of the same
downwards to the under surface of the flame.
Figure 4 is a modification of the base of the lamp intended to show how the gas
may be introduced from the bottom of the lamp instead of the top.
By reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the air supply chamber, constructed
in two parts, consists of the central chamber A having an extended lower end or
air conduit A passing through the base of the lamp and terminating in an end
provided with perforations b¹ which permit the entrance of fresh air in such
manner that the volume finds its way in divided quantities upwards into the main
body of the chamber A. The latter is surrounded by an annular casing forming
the outer air chamber C, the latter extending downwards to a line slightly above
the ends of the burner tips and having a closed base which is provided with an
annular series of perforations c and within which annular row of perforations the
annular series of gas tubes d are arranged, their burner tips projecting through
the base of said chamber C. The said air chambers A and C are connected

page_text: with each other at the top by means of a number of perforations or openings f
in the dividing wall between the said two chambers as shown in Figure 1. or open:
freely into each other as shown in figures 2 and 3. Within or around the air
chamber A is arranged a gas magazine B which is supplied with gas through a
conduit, either from the top of the lamp as shown in the several Figures 1, 2
and 3, or from the bottom of the lamp by means of a modification shown in
Figure 4. The said gas conduit b may be extended downwards through the initial!
air supply chamber A as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in order to expose a more:
extended surface to the incoming cool air. Projecting downwards from said gas
magazine B is an annular series of gas tubes d, the burner tips of which project
through the base of the chamber C as described. In Figure 2, on the right hand.
side, these tubes are shown constructed integral with the gas magazine B, while, as
shown in Figure 3, instead of tubes, the base of the magazine B may be thickened
and vertical or nearly vertical perforations made therein forming gas orifices d to
take the place of the gas tubes d. On the left hand side of Figure 2, the gas tubes d
are shown arranged in the same manner as on the right hand side of said figure,.
but are made separate or secured into or otherwise affixed to the base of said
magazine, and in this case may extend up into the body of the gas magazine and
may also be made of steatite, soap-stone, or other non-inflammable material, but of
low heat conducting power, the object in both cases being to prevent as far as possible,
a transmission of primary heat at the burner tips into the inlet ends of the gas tubes
or orifices of the gas magazine.
By reference to Figure 2 will be seen an arrangement of the gas magazine
relatively, to the two air chambers of comparatively high and low temperatures
respectively, in which, instead of the gas magazine and its tubes being enclosed
within the initial air chamber A, the latter is surrounded by the gas magazine and its
tubes, in both cases the principle of construction being the same, there being a single
dividing wall between the air chamber A and the gas magazine B, against which
latter the current of fresh air impinges on its passage through the initial air
chamber A around the hollow arms 63 (see Figures 2 and 3) and through the per-
forations (see figure 1) to the exterior air chamber C of high temperature, from
whence it is delivered downwards to the interior surface of the flame. In said
Figures 2 and 3, the gas chamber B is formed between the air compartments A and C
by one of the walls of each of the same respectively, and is closed both at top and
bottom, the burner tubes or orifices d always projecting for some distance below the
base of the magazine and also slightly below the base of the outer air chamber C.
The top of the gas magazine B communicates with the gas conduit 6 by means of
hollow arms, the air passing freely between the said hollow arms from the first air
chamber to the second which open into each other at the top. In said Figure 3 is also
shown a peculiar construction of the inner compartment A of the air chamber..
Instead of the lower extended end or air conduit A¹ of the said chamber A being of
the same diameter as the main body thereof, it is made smaller in diameter and dis-
connected therefrom and extends up into the body of the chamber A so as to form an
annular passage y for a divided current of air to flow downwards to the under surface
of the flame; the said smaller cylinder A¹ of the inner air compartment being sup-
ported within the larger one by means of an arm H extending from the inner wall of
the gas magazine, the object of this arrangement being to supply directly from the
incoming volume of fresh air, a divided portion thereof in a partially heated condition
through the annular opening g to the under surface of the flame at or about the point
of ignition; and by this construction, and due regard being had to the aggregate area
of the perforations c of the outer air chamber relatively to the area of the annular
opening g of the inner air chamber, I am enabled to divide the current of fresh air
and deliver it simultaneously in equal or nearly equal volumes to the inner and under
surfaces respectively of the flame. Other air perforations m are provided in the air
supply tube A of the chamber A in order to maintain an equilibrium within the
enclosing globe and prevent a vacuum at the base thereof; as all the air required to
feed the flame is in this construction supplied from the base of the lamp solely through

page_text: the central air supply conduit. In figures 1 and 2, additional openings or outlets g are pro-
vided in the initial air supply chamber at such point that cool air issuing therefrom will
pass around the lower end of the burner tubes and to the under surface of the flame.
of ignited gas; and in this construction correspond in principle to the annular open-
ing g of Figure 3 so that the deflected and divided current of entering air will pass
against the inner sides of the tubes of this construction (See Figures 1 and 2) pre-
cisely as against the vertical orificed wall in the other (Figure 3) and be ejected in
both cases downwards in a heated and expanded condition to the under side of the
flame of ignited gas. The volumes of air thus fed to the upper and under surfaces
respectively of the flame being thus of high temperature and expansion are regulated
in quantity by the relative areas of the discharge openings so as to be of equal or
nearly equal volume and pressure. An enclosing globe E, forming the combustion
chamber, of any well known form may be employed, and which in itself will constitute
a conduit for carrying away the waste products of combustion although in Figure 1 a
specifically constructed conduit K is shown for that purpose; which has at its base
draught openings k and a bell shaped device operating to bring the heated waste
products of combustion into more intimate contact with the outer walls of the
chamber C and heat the air therein on its passage to the flame. In Figure 3 the gas
conduit b is shown insulated from the combustion chamber and its flue by means of a
surrounding cylinder of some non-heat conducting material marked F on the
drawings, whereby an annular space T is formed between the conduit 6 and the
insulating tube Fin order that inmoving air in said space will tend to keep the gas
conduit 6 in a comparatively cool condition. In said figure 3 is also shown what may
be desirable in large lamps to prevent the burning away of the material of the outer
air-chamber, viz. an insulating cover marked & of non-heat conducting material
surrounding the lower portion of the outer wall of said chamber.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
Gas enters the magazine B and issues from the tips of the gas burner tubes d
thus forming a flamme which becomes spherical in its tendency to curve upwards
around the sides of the outer air chamber C the waste products of combustion passing
upwards around the outer walls of said chamber and heating the same on its passage
to the escape flue. The heat from the ignition of the gas draws in a constant
supply of fresh and comparatively cool air through the perforations b¹ of Figures 1, 2
and 4, or through the entirely open base as shown in Figure 3, the latter being so
provided in some cases to enable a torch to be more easily inserted to light the lamp
and without opening the globe, which is an important feature in a suspended lamp.
Said air will pass upwards through the inner compartment A of the air chamber and
circulate freely around the gas magazine and its tubes, the moving current of air in
its fresh condition tending to keep these parts from becoming overheated. The same
volume of air then passes downwards on its passage through the outer compartment C
of the air chamber, where it will become heated by contact with the outer walls of
said chamber and be discharged in a heated and expanded state through the
openings e directly within the body of the ignited flame. The course of the travel
of the air and gas as above described is shown also by arrows in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is
First. The combination in a regenerative gas lamp, having an exterior combustion
chamber, of a central air chamber communicating directly with the open air at the
base of the lamp, a second air chamber surrounding the first and communicating
therewith at the top and terminating at the base at a point slightly above the ends of
the burner tips, and an inverted burner consisting of a gas magazine, and down-
wardly projecting gas tubes, both supported within or around the central air
chamber, with burner tips projecting into the combustion chamber; substantially as
described.
Second. A regenerative gas lamp comprising a combustion globe, an enclosed gas

page_text: chamber having tubes which project downwards for some distance from the gas
chamber and forming an inverted burner, and an air heating chamber surrounding
the gas chamber to a point slightly above the burner tips, and having outlets for air
at its lower end, an air conduit communicating with the open air at its base, a fresh
air chamber communicating with the air conduit and enclosing the gas chamber;
whereby a constant current of cool air is directed against the sides of said gas
chamber, heated on its passage through the hot air chamber, and from thence
delivered to the interior of the flame; substantially as set forth.
Third. A gas lamp comprising a combustion globe, a central gas magazine, a series
of gas tubes projecting downwards therefrom and forming an inverted gas burner, an
air heating chamber surrounding said gas magazine and tubes and having air
apertures at its base arranged to discharge air of high temperature to the interior
surface of the flame, a primary air chamber communicating at the base of the lamp
directly with the open air and extending upwards around and enclosing the gas
magazine supplying a current of air of low temperature to the sides thereof and
communicating at the top with said air heating chamber, and other air apertures
arranged within and opposite the annular row of gas tubes to deliver air to the lower
or exterior surface of the flame; substantially as described..
Fourth. A regenerative gas lamp comprising a gas chamber having downwardly,
projecting gas tubes of non-heat conducting material secured thereto and forming
an inverted burner, an air heating chamber exteriorly surrounding the gas chamber
and its tubes to a point slightly above the burner tips and having outlets for air at
its lower end, an air conduit communicating at the base of the lamp directly with the
open air and a fresh air chamber communicating with the air conduit and enclosing
the gas chamber; substantially as described.
Fifth. A regenerative gas lamp comprising a combustion chamber, a gas chamber
having tubes or orifices delivering gas downward to the flame; a gas conduit convey-
ing the gas to said gas chamber; an air heating chamber surrounding the gas
chamber to a point slightly above the gas jet orificies, and having discharge outlets
at its lower end; an inner air chamber passing through the gas chamber and com-
municating at its top with said outer air chamber, and at its base with the open air,
and provided with discharge outlets for air at points therein opposite the gas tubes,
and with other discharge outlets for air, near its base and within the combustion
chamber; substantially as described.
Sixth. A regenerative gas lamp comprising a combustion chamber, a gas chamber
having a thickened base pierced with vertical orifices and forming an inverted burner,.
a gas conduit conveying gas to said gas chamber, an air heating chamber surrounding
the gas chamber to a point slightly above the gas jet orifices and having discharge
outlets for air at its lower end, an inner air chamber composed of two sections of
unequal diameter, partly within each other, the larger one being wholly within the
gas chamber and communicating at its top with said outer air chamber, and the smaller,
one supported partly within the larger, and communicating at the base of the lamp
directly with the open air; substantially as described.
Seventh. In a regenerative gas lamp the combination, with a combustion chamber,,
of an inverted burner delivering gas downward to the flame, an air heating chamber
surrounding the burner and provided with discharge outlets at its base for delivering
heated air upon the upper surface of the flame, an inner air chamber located wholly
within the gas chamber and an air supply tube communicating with the atmosphere
at its lower end and extending upwards to a point within the inner air chamber above
the level of the burner tips, said air supply tube being of smaller diameter than the
said inner air chamber, whereby an annular passage is provided between the same for
the downward discharge of a deflected volume of heated and expanded air to the under
surface of the flame; substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination, in a regenerative gas lamp, of an outer casing forming the
walls of an air heating chamber C, a gas magazine B, with vertical gas tubes or orifices d,
a gas conduit 6, connecting arms b², an enclosing globe, or combustion chamber, an
inner air chamber A, an air supply tube A¹ communicating at its base directly

page_text: with the atmosphere and extending upwards through the combustion globe into the
said air chamber A to a point on a line above the burner tips and supported therein by.
means of the arm H; substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination in a regenerative gas lamp, of an outer casing forming the
walls of an air chamber C, a gas magazine B with vertical gas tubes or orifices d, a
gas conduit b, hollow arms 6 leading therefrom to the gas magazine, an outer conduit
supported upon the apex of the air chamber C and forming an air passage surrounding
that part of the gas conduit 6 which is located above the combustion chamber and
within the escape flue of the lamp; an enclosing globe or combustion chamber, an
escape flue, and an inner air chamber passing through the gas chamber, communi-
cating at its top with said outer air chamber C, extending downwards through the
combustion chamber and communicating at its base with the open air; said parts
being constructed, combined and arranged substantially as set forth.
Dated this 4th day of March 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.