IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET AND OTHER LAMPS AND BURNERS, ALSO IN MEANS EMPLOYED FOR INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER, BRIL- LIANCY, AND STEADINESS OF GAS FLAMES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Bray, of Leeds, in the County of York, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET AND OTHER LAMPS AND BURNERS,
ALSO IN MEANS EMPLOYED FOR INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER, BRIL-
LIANCY, AND STEADINESS OF GAS FLAMES."
Sealed the 17th February 1880, and dated the 19th August 1879.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Bray at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th August 1879.
GEORGE BRAY, of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET
AND OTHER LAMPS AND BURNERS, ALSO IN MEANS EMPLOYED FOR INCREASING THE
ILLUMINATING POWER, BRILLIANCY, AND STEADINESS OF GAS FLAMES."
My Invention has for its object the improvements in street and other lamps and
burners, also in means employed for increasing the illuminating power, brilliancy,
and steadiness of gas flames.
First. My improvements are in the lamp ventilators for which Letters Patent
were granted to me the 12th April 1879, No. 1454.
By means of these improvements I am better able to produce, sustain, and control
in atmospheric currents (such as street lamps are exposed to) the column of air
described and employed in the aforesaid Patent. I also use a modification of these
ventilators in other lamps.
Second. My Invention consists of improvements in lamp-frames, whereby they
are strengthened and rendered more efficient for glazing purposes.
Third. My Invention further consists in an improvement on my double flame
burner, for which Letters Patent were granted to me the 25th May 1865, No. 1437,
and is for use in lamps where the column of air alluded to above is produced. It
is also intended to be used with the other modes of producing the column of air
described in the Specification of the hereinbefore mentioned Letters Patent, and for
general purposes.
I have found in practice that the strong atmospheric currents, such as street
lamps are exposed to, retard the outcome of the products of combustion and air from

page_text: the top ventilator (though the air currents cannot get into the lamp through the
ventilator), and consequently decrease the speed at which the column of air is
moving upwards through the lamp. This produces inside the lamp the atmospheric
conditions observable in an ordinary lamp in which the flames burn loosely, and
with a tendency to smoke. By my improved ventilators I am enabled to avoid
these defects, and to increase if need be the upward flow of air.
The top ventilator is composed of two cylinders or chimneys of different diameters
and a cover at the top. The chimney of the smallest diameter is open at top and
bottom; the chimney bottom terminates at the top of lamp, and opens directly
into it, and its top terminates in such a position in the interior of the outer chimney
as with the aid of the top cover to completely prevent the wind getting into the
interior, at whatever angle it strikes the ventilator. Between the inner and outer
chimneys is an annular space of about the same area as that of the inner chimney.
The outer chimney is completely open at the bottom, and is fixed a sufficient
distance from the top of lamp to allow of perfect freedom of downward exit of the
products of combustion and air. The top of the outer chimney is partially closed,
leaving an aperture of about the same area as that of the inner chimney. This
closed portion may be flat, or..when preferred slightly conical, and is carried to a
sufficient distance above the top of the inner chimney to allow all the products of
combustion and air to escape down through the annular space between the two
chimneys, where the top of the outer chimney is almost "sealed" by a strong wind.
At a sufficient distance above the top of the outer chimney to allow of all the pro-
ducts of combustion and air to escape upwards I place a cover about the same diameter
as the outer chimney. This cover and the opening in the top of the outer chimney
and the top of the interior chimney are so arranged in relation to each other that
at whatever angle the wind strikes the ventilator the current is prevented striking
the inside of the inner chimney, and is thereby prevented getting into the lamp,,
while any current passing into the top of the outer chimney is deflected down, and
passes through the annular space and out at the bottom.
The inlet ventilator at the bottom of the lamp is made to take in more air when
the atmosphere is in motion than when it is at rest, so that while the escaping
products of combustion and air are retarded in proportion to the strength of the
wind, the air is forced in at the bottom in the same proportion, and by that means
the speed of the vertical column of air is kept in an efficient state. The ventilator
also equally diffuses or distributes the inrusli of air before it passes through the bed
of tubes and wire gauze into the lamp proper. This ventilator is composed of two
parts, one being placed with the other; the outer one is of cylindrical form, closed
at the bottom (except to allow the service pipe to pass up the centre), and perfo-
rated at the side, the perforations being countersunk at the outside. The depth of
the cylinder is arranged so that the perforated area shall be adequate to admit air in
sufficient quantity to keep up the required current within the lamp. The interior
part is made of perforated plates of any suitable shape set vertically, or nearly so
The most preferable form is a perforated cylinder or centre about the same depth as
the outer one, but smaller in diameter, the perforations being countersunk outside
round this is set vertically a number of perforated wings or strips, extending to the
outer cylinder. The cylinder or centre round which these wings or strips are set
may be of any suitable diameter. The ventilator works as follows:-When the
atmosphere is still, air, passes into the ventilator all round; when the atmosphere is
in motion, there is a pressure produced on the wind side and a tendency to vacuum
on the opposite side, both of which effects vary in proportion to the power of the
wind. To secure an excess of incoming air to supply the outgoing caused by th
tendency to vacuum, and to keep up the air current in the lamp and secure
pressure wherewith to overcome the resistance to the outlet at the top, I counter
sink the holes on the outside of the outer cylinder, by which means I obtain an
required amount of freedom of inlet, while the holes in the inside of the oute
cylinder being kept plain or parallel make it difficult for the air to pass out. Th
vertical plates or wings of which the interior part of the ventilator is compose

page_text: intercept the air as it rushes in through the outer case or cylinder, and turns a por-
tion upwards at each contact with the wings or plates, while the remainder passes
through the perforations of the first plates onto the next line of plates, when another
quantity is turned upwards, and when the incoming air has got to the lee side of
the ventilator it has spent its force in driving itself up into the lamp, and there is.
no force left whereby any material quantity can be driven out on the lee side., The
air has its force and eddies reduced by a small portion only being turned up at a
time in its passage horizontally through the ventilator, and by the currents being
mixed up and turned in various directions by the perforations of the interior.
The second part of my Invention consists of a thin strip of metal being placed
lengthwise, edgeway up, along the centre of inside lamp ribs of sufficient width to
add considerable strength to the rib, and sufficiently high above the rib sides on
which the, panes of glass rest to form a separating barrier between the panes, and
prevent each pane entrenching on the other's portion of the rib.
The third part of my Invention consists in forming out of sheet metal, in one
part and of any suitable shape, the case or socket for holding the non corrosive tips
or burners (flat flame), whether these are first fixed in a metal or earthenware base,
which is afterwards fixed in the socket, or whether the tips or burners are fixed.
directly in the socket. Hitherto the cases in which these have been placed were
made of cast metal turned and bored into shape, or of tubes joined together in.
various ways.
I use the herein before mentioned improvements in combination with the arrange-
ments described in the Specification of the Letters Patent granted to me the 12th
April 1879, No. 1454.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Bray in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th February
1880.
>
GEORGE BRAY, of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET
AND OTHER LAMPS AND BURNERS, ALSO IN MEANS EMPLOYED FOR INCREASING THE
ILLUMINATING POWER, BRILLIANCY, AND STEADINESS OF GAS FLAMES."
My Invention has for its object the improvements in street and other lamps and
burners, also in means employed for increasing the illuminating power, brilliancy,
and steadiness of gas flames.
First. My improvements are in the lamp ventilators for which Letters Patent
were granted to me the 12th April 1879, No. 1454.
By means of these improvements I am better able to produce, sustain, and control
in atmospheric currents (such as street lamps are exposed to) the column of air
described and employed in the aforesaid Patent. I also use a modification of these
ventilators in other lamps.
Second. My Invention consists of improvements in lamp frames, whereby they
are strengthened and rendered more efficient for glazing purposes.
Third. My Invention further consists in an improvement on my double flame
burner, for which Letters Patent were granted to me the 25th May 1865, No. 1437,
and is for use in lamps where the column of air alluded to above is produced. It
is also intended to be used with the other modes of producing the column of air
described in the Specification of the herein before mentioned Letters Patent, and for
general purposes.
I have found in practice that the strong atmospheric currents, such as street
lamps are exposed to, retard the outcome of the products of combustion and air from
the top ventilator (though the air currents cannot get into the lamp through the
ventilator), and consequently decreases the speed at which the column of air is
moving upwards through the lamp. This produces inside the lamp the atmospheric
conditions observable in an ordinary lamp in which the flames burn loosely, and
with a tendency to smoke. By my improved ventilators I am enabled to avoid
these defects, and to increase if need be the upward flow of air.
The top ventilator is composed of two cylinders or chimneys of different diameters
and a cover at the top. The chimney of the smallest diameter is open at top and
bottom; the chimney bottom terminates at the top of lamp, and opens directly
into it, and its top terminates in such a position in the interior of the outer chimney
as with the aid of the top cover to completely prevent the wind getting into the
interior, at whatever angle it strikes the ventilator. Between the inner and outer
chimneys is an annular space of about the same area as that of the inner chimney.
The outer chinney is completely open at the bottom, and is fixed a sufficient
distance from the top of lamp to allow of perfect freedom of downwards exit of
products of combustion and air. The top of the outer chimney is partially closed,
leaving an aperture of about the same area as that of the inner chimney. This
closed portion may be flat, or when preferred slightly conical, and is carried to a
sufficient distance above the top of the inner chimney to allow all the products of
combustion and air to escape down through the annular space between the two
chimneys, where the top of the outer chimney is almost "sealed" by a strong wind.
At a sufficient distance above the top of the outer chimney to allow of all the pro-
ducts of combustion and air to escape upwards I place a cover about the same diameter
as the outer chimney. This cover and the opening in the top of the outer chimney
and the top of the interior chimney are so arranged in relation to each other that

page_text: at whatever angle the wind strikes the ventilator the current is prevented striking
the inside of the inner chimney, and is thereby prevented getting into the lamp,
while any current passing into the top of the outer chimney is deflected down, and
passes through the annular space and out at the bottom.
The inlet ventilator at the bottom of the lamp is made to take in more air when
the atmosphere is in notion than when it is at rest, so that while the escaping
products of combustion and air are retarded in proportion to the strength of the
wind, the air is forced in at the bottom in the same proportion, and by that means
the speed of the vertical column of air is kept in an efficient state.
The ventilators also equally diffuses or distributes the inrush of air before it passes
through the bed of tubes and wire gauze into the lamp proper. This ventilator is
composed of two parts, one being placed within the other; the outer one is of cylin-
drical form, closed at the bottom (except to allow the service pipe to pass up the
centre), and perforated at the side, the perforations being countersunk at the outside.
The depth of the cylinder is arranged so that the perforated area shall be adequate
to admit air in sufficient quantity to keep up the required current within the lamp.
The interior part is made of perforated plates of any suitable shape set vertically, or
nearly so.
The most preferable form is a perforated cylinder or centre about the same depth
as the outer one, but smaller in diameter, the perforations being countersunk outside;
round this is set vertically a number of perforated wings or strips extending to the
outer cylinder.
The cylinder or centre round which these wings or strips are set may be of any
suitable diameter. The ventilator works as follows:-When the atmosphere is still,
air passes into the ventilator all round; when the atmosphere is in motion, there
is a pressure produced on the wind side and a tendency to vacuum on the opposite
side, both of which effects vary in proportion to the power of the wind. To
secure an excess of incoming air to supply the outgoing caused by the tendency.
to vacuum, and to keep up the air current in the lamp and secure a pressure
wherewith to overcome the resistance to the outlet at the top, I countersink the
holes on the outside of the outer cylinder, by which means I obtain any required
amount of freedom of inlet, while the holes in the inside of the outer cylinder
being kept plain or parallel make it difficult for the air to pass out. The vertical
plates or wings of which the interior part of the ventilator is composed intercept the
air as it rushes in through the outer case or cylinder, and turns a portion upwards
at each contact with the wings or plates, while the remainder passes through the
perforations of the first plates onto the next line of plates, when another quantity is
turned upwards, and when the incoming air has got to the leeside of the ventilator
it has spent its force in driving itself up into the lamp, and there is no force left
whereby any material quantity can be driven out on the leeside. The air has its
force and eddies reduced by a small portion only being turned up at a time in its
passage horizontally through the ventilator, and by the currents being mixed up and
turned in various directions by the perforations of the interior.
The second part of my Invention consists of a thin strip of metal being placed
lengthwise, edgeway up, along the centre of inside lamp ribs of sufficient width to
add considerable strength to the rib, and sufficiently high above the rib sides on
which the panes of glass rest to form a separating barrier between 'the panes, and
prevent each pane entrenching on the other's portion of the rib.
The third part of my Invention consists in forming out of sheet metal, in one
part and of any suitable shape, the case or socket for holding the non-corrosive tips
or burners (flat flame), whether these are first fixed in a metal or earthenware base,
which is afterwards fixed in the socket, or whether the tips or burners are fixed directly
in the socket. Hitherto the cases in which these have been placed were made of
cast metal turned and bored into shape, or of tubes joined together in various ways.
I use the hereinbefore mentioned improvements in combination with the arrange-

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2,, a part transverse section showing top venti-
lator; Fig. 3, a part transverse section showing bottom ventilator; Fig. 4, a plan
looking at the top; Fig. 5, a sectional plan of bottom ventilator; Fig. 6, a sectional
plan of arrangement of bed of tubes and wire gauze; Fig. 7, a transverse section
shewing construction of lamp ribs.
The top ventilator is composed of two cylinders or chimneys a and b of different.
diameters, and a cover c at the top. The chimney b of the smallest diameter is
open at top and bottom; the chimney bottom terminates at the top of lamp d, and
opens directly into it, and its top e terminates in such a position in the interior of
the outer chimney á as with the aid of the top cover c to completely prevent the
wind getting into the interior, at whatever angle it strikes the ventilator. The
position of chimney b may be made adjustable. Between the inner and outer chim-
neys a and b is an annular space f of about the same area as that of the inner
chimney b. The outer chimney a is completely open at the bottom, and is fixed a
sufficient distance from the top of lamp to allow of perfect freedom of downwards
exit of the products of combustion and air. The top of the outer chimney a is par-
tially closed at h, leaving an aperture of about the same area as that of the inner
chimney b. This closed portion may be flat, or when preferred conical, and is
carried to a sufficient distance above the top of the inner chimney b to allow all the
products of combustion and air to escape down through the annular space f between
the two chimneys a and b when the top of the outer chimney a is almost "sealed "
by a strong wind. At a sufficient distance above the top of the outer chimney a to
allow of all the products of combustion and air to escape upwards I place a cover c
about the same diameter as the outer chimney a. This cover c and the opening h
in the top of the outer chimney a and the top of the interior chimney t are so
arranged in relation to each other that at whatever angle the wind strikes the ven-
tilator the current is prevented striking the inside of the inner chimney b, and is
thereby prevented getting into the lamp, while any current passing into the top of
the outer chimney a is deflected down, and passes through the annular space fand
out at the bottom.
The inlet ventilator j at the bottom of the lamp is made so as to have a tendency
to take in more air when the atmosphere is in motion than when at rest, so that
while the escaping products of combustion and air are retarded in proportion to the
strength of the wind, the air is forced in at the bottom in the same or similar
proportion, and by that means the speed of the vertical column of air is kept in an
efficient state.
The ventilator also equally diffuses or distributes the inrush of air before it passes
through the bed of tubes / and wire gauze into the lamp proper. This ventilator j
is composed of two parts, one being placed within the other; the outer one m' is of
cylindrical form, closed at the bottom n (except to allow the service pipe o to pass
up the centre), and perforated at the side as shewn, the perforations being by pre-
ference countersunk at the outside., The depth of the cylinder is arranged so that
the perforated area shall be adequate to admit air in sufficient quantity to keep up
the required current within the lamp. The interior part q is made of perforated
plates of any suitable shape set vertically, or nearly so..
The most preferable form is a perforated cylinder about the same depth as the
outer one, but smaller in diameter, the perforations being countersunk by preference
outside; round this is set vertically a number of perforated wings or strips 8,

page_text: extending to the outer cylinder m. I find from experiment in some cases it is
advisable to use more perforated cylinders than one, and to dispense with the
wings or strips s.
The cylinder round which these wings or strips s are set may be of any suitable
diameter. The ventilator works as follows:-When the atmosphere is still, air passes
the ventilator j all round; when the atmosphere is in motion, there is a pressure
produced on the wind side and a tendency to vacuum on the opposite side, both of
which effects vary in proportion to the power of the wind. To secure an excess of
incoming air to supply the outgoing caused by the tendency to vacuum, and to keep
up the air current in the lamp and secure a pressure wherewith to evercome the
resistance to the outlet at the top, I countersink when preferred the holes on the
outside of the outer cylinder, by which means I obtain any required amount of
freedom of inlet, while the holes in the inside of the outer cylinder being kept plain
or parallel make it more difficult for the air to pass out than in. The same object
may be acheived, though to a less extent, without countersinking the holes in the
outer cylinder. The vertical plates or wings s, of which the interior part of the
ventilator may be composed, intercept the air as it rushes in through the outer case
or cylinder m, and turns a portion upwards at each contact with the wings or
plates 8, while the remainder passes through the perforations of the first plates onto
the next line of plates when another quantity is turned upwards, and when the
incoining air has got to the leeside of the ventilator it has spent its force in driving
itself up into the lamp, and there is no force left whereby any material quantity can
be driven out on the leeside. The air has its force and eddies reduced by a small
portion only being turned up at a time in its passage horizontally through the ven-
tilator, and by the currents being mixed up and turned in various directions by the
perforations of the interior.
The second part of my Invention consists of a thin strip of metal t being placed
lengthwise, edgeway up, along the centre of inside lamp ribs u, and sufficiently
high above the rib sides, on which the panes of glass rest, to form a separating
barrier between the panes, and prevent cach pane entrenching on the other's portion
of the rib.
The third part of my Invention consists in forming out of sheet metal, in one
part and of any suitable shape, the case or socket for holding the non-corrosive tips
or burners (Blat flame, whether these are first fixed in a metal or carthenware base,
which is afterwards fixed in the socket, or whether the tips or burners are fixed
directly in the socket. Hitherto the cases in which these have been placed are
made of cast metal turned and bored into shape, or of tubes joined together in
various ways.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and described with the aid
of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise details or configuration of the parts
I have described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without
departing from the nature of my said Invention, but what I do claim and desire to
be secured to me by Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement, construction, and application of top ventilator, and mere
modifications of the same, forming the outlet for the products of combustion, sub-
stantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
Second. The arrangement, construction, and upplication of inlet or bottom venti-
lator, and mere modifications of same, substantially as and for purposes herein
set forth.
Third. The construction of parts forming the ribs of lamps, arranged substantially
as and for purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. The application of sheet metal in the construction of the cases for double
flat flame burners, substantially as herein set forth.
Fifth. The combination of any of the parts herein described and set forth with

page_text: any of the various parts described in the Specification of the Letters Patent granted
to me the 12th day of April 1879, No. 1454, and also with any of the various parts
of street or other lamps.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Bray, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
GEO. BRAY. (L.S.)