IMPROVEMENTS IN, MINERS SAFETY LAMPS
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM MORGAN of Pontypridd in the County of Glamorgan Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN, MINERS SAFETY
LAMPS" to be as follows: -
My Invention relates to further improvements in miners safety lamps other than
those described in the specifications of previous Letters Patent granted to me and
dated respectively the 12th of June 1882 N° 2750 and the 12th of December 1882
N° 5925 my present improvements being partly designed to be used in combination
therewith by which more perfect combustion is obtained and greater efficiency of
light produced. Greater security from coal dust closing up the small holes or
meshes of the wire gauze is afforded, additional security and better means of
preventing explosions is obtained when the lamp is exposed to much greater
pressure and velocity of explosive gases than is likely to be met with in coal or
other mining operations.
My improved miners safety lamp constructed according to my present improve-
ments is provided with two or more specially designed inlet and outlet external
openings.
My improvements also comprise a new type of shield divided into sections or
spaces in order to break the pressure and divide the flow through the air passages
of any explosive mixture thus preventing same entering the lamp when encountering
fire damp of any great velocity or sudden blowers which unexpectedly and
frequently occur in mines.
The main object of my present improvements is to avoid the defects in the many
so called Miners safety lamps now in use all of which defects under scientific and
practical tests are proved to be dangerous and very unsafe when coming in contact
with foul gases especially when encountering explosive mixtures at a high pressure
and great velocity accordingly my present improvements are designed to obviate
these defects and further to place in the hands of the working miner.
1st a practical and safe lamp, 2nd a safety lamp unpickable when in use, 3rd a
safety lamp capable of giving a greater amount of light for underground work in
mines, 4th a lamp unexplodable under any known velocity of gas or explosive
mixture met with in mining operations.
.

page_text: Now in order to accomplish these objects and obtain more perfect combustion in
the lamp I find it requires a free yet safe inlet passage of air to support combustion
to attain which I place or fix at convenient parts of my lamp improved shields for
shielding the air inlet and outlet passages..
The lamp is arranged with an inner metal cone combined with a shield or air
divider formed in sections at the base in order to break or divide the inlet current
entering the shield at this part of the lamp.
A cone of wire gauze is placed within the cone previously described upon which
the inlet current of air impinges in an upward direction the space between the
cones acting to conduct the current upwards parallel with the gauze,
The base of the metal cone is formed with one or more internal rings so arranged
as to divide the inlet current in its passage upwards between the cone and gauze.
In order to facilitate combustion I place or fix a conical or inverted cone shaped
"air divider" which is placed within the upper outlet chamber to increase
ventilation by which means I obtain more perfect combustion in the lamp the
products from which pass through outlet spaces by suitably arranged air passages
and are carried away through the spaced openings in a divided chamber and shield
fixed at the top of the lamp.
•
Another part of my present improvements consists in the arrangement and
application of improved shields consisting of a number of plates and shield rings
arranged with spaces between them the bottom plate of the series being perforated
the combined shield being fixed upon the upper part of the lamp so as to prevent
any great pressure affecting the lamp when in use by any sudden draught or
shock acting upon or extinguishing the flame of the lamp. Further by the aid and
combination of these improved shields the lamp will not go out when placed in an
inclined position as the flame is protected froin the ascending currents when the
lamp is provided with a shield of this improved construction.
My improvements further consist in improved arrangements for keeping the oil
box or bottom chamber cool a defect experienced by the Miner from lamps now in
use which improvements I effect by arranging within a separately enclosed chamber
at the base of the oil box one or more tubes to allow of a freo and continuous flow
and passage of air through wire gauze to the interior of the lamp.
Or the base of the lamp may be arranged with an air chamber having a row of
holes or passages around the bottom part of the lamp the air being conducted from
the air chamber through vertical tubes or passages covered with wire gauze or
gauzes to the interior of the lamp, by which arrangement a slight draught is caused
by the rarefied air in the lamp. The air passages assist to divide break up and
carry away any extra pressure bearing at times upon the lamp by passing direct
through the air chamber and openings on the opposite side.
Another part of my improvements in miners safety lamps consists in the
arrangement and application of improved means of fastening same so as to render
them unpickable and thus prevent the miner from opening his lamp when engaged
in the workings.
The bolt or other fastening which secures the Inmp when closed is retained in
position by a permanent magnet or magnets and cannot be withdrawn or released
to permit the lamp being opened without the aid and application of a more
powerful magnet than the magnet which holds the bolt or other fastening in
position when the lamp is closed.
The magnetic apparatus used for unfastening the lamp by withdrawing or
releasing the bolt or other fastening is placed at the pit's mouth or lamp room and
is immoveable consequently a miner cannot open his lamp without the aid and
application of the apparatus for withdrawing or reloasing the said bolt or fastening
used for securing the oil box to the other part of the lamp.
My improved lamps are also applicable as safety lamps for preventing explosions
in ships coal bunkers and when used for this purpose I find it advantageous to
employ the lamp described and represented in the specification and drawings of
.

page_text: my former Patent dated December 12th 1882 N° 5925 but with the addition of
an air shield placed round the centre of the lamp by which means two or or more
lights can be safely used and a more brilliant light obtained and a larger and
stronger lamp introduced for ships use when made upon this principle in
combination with my present improvements.
I WILLIAM MORGAN of Pontypridd in the County of Glamorgan Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS
SAFETY LAMPS 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 further improvements in miners safety lamps other than
those described in the specifications of previous Letters Patent granted to me and
dated respectively the 12th of June 1882 N° 2750 and the 12th of December 1882
N° 5925 my present improvements being partly designed to be used in combination
therewith by which more perfect combustion is obtained and greater efficiency of
light produced. Greater security from coal dust closing up the small holes or
meshes of the wire gauze is afforded, additional security and better means of
preventing explosions is obtained when the lamp is exposed to much greater
pressure and velocity of explosive gases than is likely to be met with in coal or
other mining operations.
My improved miners safety lamp constructed according to my present improve-
ments is provided with two or more specially designed inlet and outlet external
openings.
My.improvements also comprise a new type of shield divided into sections or
spaces in order to break the pressure and divide the flow through the air passages
of any explosive mixture thus preventing same entering the lamp when encoun-
tering fire damp of any great velocity or sudden blowers which unexpectedly and
frequently occur in mines.
The main object of my present improvements is to avoid the defects in the many
so called Miners safety lamps now in use all of which defects under scientific and
practical tests are proved to be dangerous and very unsafe when coming in contact
-

page_text: with foul gases especially when encountering explosive mixtures at a high pressure
and great velocity accordingly my present improvements are designed to obviate
these defects and further to place in the hands of the working miner
1st A practical and safe lamp 2nd a safety lamp unpickable when in use, 3rd a
safety lamp capable of giving a greater amount of light for underground work in
mines 4 a lamp unexplodable under any known velocity of gas or explosive
mixture met with in mining operations.
Now in order to accomplish these objects and obtain more perfect combustion in
the lamp I find it requires a free yet safe inlet passage of air to support com-
bustion to attain which I place or fix at convenient parts of my lamp improved
shields for shielding the air inlet and outlot passages.
The lamp is arranged with an inner metal cone combined with a shield or air
divider forined in sections at the base in order to break or divide the inlet current
entering the shield at this part of the lamp.
A cone of wire gauze is placed within the cone previously described upon which
the inlet current of air impinges in an upward direction the space between the
cones acting to conduct the current upwards parallel with the gauze.
The base of the metal cone is formed with one or more interual rings so arranged
as to divide the inlet current in its passage upwards between the cone and gauze.
In order to facilitato combustion I place or fix a conical or inverted cone shaped
"nir divider" which is placed within the upper outlet chamber to increase
ventilation by which means I obtain more perfect combustion in the lamp the
products from which pass through outlet spaces by suitably arranged air passages
and are carried away through the spaced openings in a divided chamber and shield
fixed at the top of the lamp.
Another part of my present improvements consists in the arrangement and
application of improved shields consisting of a number of plates and shield rings
arranged with spaces between them the bottom plate of the series being perforated
the combined shield being fixed upon the upper part of the lamp so as to prevent
any great pressure affecting the lamp when in use by any sudden draught or shock
acting upon or extinguishing the flame of the lamp. Further by the aid and
combination of these improved shields the lamp will not go out when placed in an
inclined position as the flame is protected from the ascending currents when the
lamp is provided with a shield of this improved construction.
My improvements further consist in improved arrangements for keeping the oil
box or bottom chamber cool a defect experienced by the miner from lamps now in
use which improvements I effect by arranging within a separately enclosed chamber
at the base of the oil box one or more tubes to allow of a free and continuous flow
and passage of air through wire gauze to the interior of the lamp.
Or the base of the lamp may be arranged with an air chamber having a row of
holes or passages around the bottom part of the lamp the air being conducted from
the air chamber through vertical tubes or passages covered with wire gauze or
gauzes to the interior of the lamp, by which arrangement a slight draught is caused
by the rareified air in the lamp. The air passages assist to divide break up and
carry away any extra pressure bearing at times upon the lamp by passing direct
through the air chamber and openings at the opposite side.
Another part of my improvements in miners safety lamps consists in the
arrangement and application of improved means of fastening same so as to render
them unpickable and thus prevent the miner from opening his lamp when engaged
in the workings.
The bolt or other fastening which secures the lamp when closed is retained in
position by a permanent magnet or magnets and cannot be withdrawn or released
to permit the lamp being opened without the aid and application of a more
powerful magnet than the magnet which holds the bolt or other fastening in
position when the lamp is closed.
The magnetic apparatus used for unfastening the lamp by withdrawing or
releasing the bolt or other fastening is placed at the pits mouth or lamp room and

page_text: is immovable consequently a miner cannot open his lamp without the aid and
application of the apparatus for withdrawing or releasing the said bolt or fastening
used for securing the oil box to the other part of the lamp.
My improved lamps are also applicable as safety lamps for preventing explosions
in ships coal bunkers and when used for this purpose I find it advantageous to
employ the lamp described and represented in the Specification and drawings of
my former patent dated December 12th 1882 N° 5925 but with the addition of an
air shield placed round the centre of the lamp by which means two or more lights
can be safely used and a more brilliant light obtained and a larger and stronger
lamp introduced for ships use when made upon this principle in combination with
my present improvements.
And in order that my improvements may be clearly understood, and readily
carried into praction I will need
my present improvements.
And in order that my improvements may be clearly understood, and readily
carried into practice I will pressed to describe the drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 9 and 10 of the drawings hereto annexed the air inlet and
outlet shields are represented in the several views of my improved lamps by the
letters a and a¹ the inlet shield being marked a. and the outlet a¹.
The air inlet shields a are formed by means of an outer ring or short tube a.
which surrounds annular divided rings a annular air spaces being left between the
outer and inner rings a. a² and the upper tubular body b of the lamp.
The annular air spaces between the outer and inner rings a. a' are divided and
connected by bars a³ see Figure 9 into six or any other suitable number of sections
a central space being left between the inner rings a² for the passage of air to the
interior of the lamp.
The air can pass either down or up the annular air spaces formed by the shield
or into the interior of the lamp the current of air being further split up or divided
in its passage into the inner metal cone c by one or more internal annular
rings c c advantageously fixed one above another the air spaces between them
being divided by metal blocks or bars as in the shield a previously described.
The air outlet shield a' is arranged and constructed with annular air spaces in a
similar manner to that of the air inlet shield as previously described.
A cone of wire gauze d is placed within the metal cone c upon which the inlet
current of air impinges in an upward direction the spaces between the cones c
and d. acting to conduct the current upwards parallel with the
gauze.
Within the cone d another wire gauze cone e. and tube or chimney e¹ is arranged
as represented in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings.
The wire gauze cones are formed with flanges at the bottom by which they are
held in position with asbestos or other washers between them.
In order, to facilitate combustion I fix a conical or inverted cone shaped air
dividerf within the upper outlet chamber of the lamp to increase ventilation by
which means I obtain more perfect combustion in the lamp the products from
which pass away through the divided air spaces and outlet passages in the outlet
shield a at the upper part of the lamp as previously described.
Another part of my improvements consists in the arrangement and application
of improved shields placed on the top of the lamp consisting of a number of
plates g and shield rings g' with spaces between them, the bottom plate of the
series being perforated. This combined shield is fixed on the upper part of the
lamp as represented in Figure 5 so as to prevent any great pressure affecting
the lamp when in use by any sudden draught or shock acting upon or extinguishing
the flame and the lamp will not go out when placed in an inclined position as the
flame is protected from the ascending currents when the lamp is provided with a
shield of this improved construction.
The air inlet in this lamp is protected by a shield a with divided annular air.
spaces as previously described,

page_text: Another part of my improvements consists in improved arrangements for keeping
the oil box or bottom chamber cool a defect experienced by the miner from lampa
now in use.
In carrying out this part of my improvements I arrange within a separately
enclosed chamber h at the base of the oil box (as shown in Figures 6 and 7) one
or more tubes h¹ h¹ to allow of a free and continuous flow and passage of air
through wire gauze at ' into the interior of the lamp.
Or the base of the lamp may be arranged with an air chamber having a row of
holes or passages i. i. around the bottom part of the lamp as shown in Figures 11
and 12 the air being conducted from the air chamber through vertical tubes or
passages covered with wire gauze or gauges to the interior of the lamp by which
arrangement a slight draught is caused by the rarefied air in the lamp. The air
passages assist to divide break up and carry away any extra pressure bearing at
times upon the lamp by passing through the air chamber and openings on the
opposite side.
In Figures 14 and 15 A. A. is a double perforated air shield placed round the
lamp by which combined with the other improvements two or more lights can be
safely used and a more brilliant light obtained and a larger and stronger lamp
produced for ships use whereby explosions in ships coal bunkers may be prevented.
Figures 16 and 17 show separate views in section of the inner perforated shield A
formed with ribs or channels A' to impart strength thereto.
Another part of my improvements in miners safety lamps consists in the
arrangement and application of improved means of fastening the same so as to
render them unpickable and thus prevent the miner from opening his lamp when
engaged in the workings.
According to this part of my improvements the bolt or other fastening which
secures the lamp when closed is rotained in position by a permanent magnet or
magnets and cannot bo withdrawn or released to allow the lamp to be opened
without the aid and application of a more powerful magnet than the magnet
which holds the bolt or other fastening in position when the lamp is closed.
The magnetic apparatus used for unfastening the lamp by withdrawing or
releasing the bolt or other fastening is placed at the pits mouth or lamp room and
is immovable consequently a miner cannot open his lamp without the aid and
application of the apparatus used for withdrawing or releasing the said bolt or
fastening used for securing the oil box to the other part of the lamp.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The improved (arrangement and construction of miners safety lamps
having air inlet and outlet passages protected by shields a. a¹ a' which form
annular air spaces as a open above and below and divided into sections by bars a³
to control the admission and discharge of air or gas into or from the interior of
the lamp substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described and
represented by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The arrangement and application of an internal metal cone c and
annular rings c¹ to regulate the current of air or gas from the inlet passages to the
interior of the lamp through wire gauze cones or tubes e a' substantially in tho
manner and for the purpose herein described and represented in Figures 2 and 4
of the drawings annexed.
Third. The arrangement and application of an inverted cone shaped air divider f
within the upper outlet chamber of the lamp substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and represented in Figures 2 and 4 of the Drawings annexed.
Fourth. The improved arrangement construction and application of the shield
at the top of the lamp substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
represented in Figures 5, 14 and 15 of the drawings annexed-I also claim the
g

page_text: arrangement and application of the perforated shield A substantially as and for
the purpose herein described with reference to Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 of
the drawings annexed.
Fifth. The improved method of keeping the oil box cool by forming it with an
air chamber and passages h h¹ by which air is admitted to the lamp substantially
in the manner described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings
annexed.
I also claim the improved method of constructing the oil vessel with an air
chamber and passages i to admit air to the lamp substantially in the manner
and for the purpose herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 12 of the
Drawings annexed.
Sixth. The improved method of locking or fastening miners' safety lamps by
means of a permanent magnet combined with the lamp holding the locking bolt
or other fastening to prevent the miner or other person from opening it without
the aid of a more powerful magnet in charge of a responsible person authorized to
do so when required as herein described.