Improvements in Oil Burners applicable for Incandescent Lighting.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897
[Communicated from abroad by THE CONTINENTAL GAS-GLUHBICHT ACTIEN-
GESELLSCHAFT "METEOR" vorinals KROLL BERGER & Co., of 28 Brunnenstrasse,
Berlin, in the German Empire, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Oil Burners applicable for Incandescent Lighting.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present application for Letters l'atent relates to certain improvements in
the construction of oil burners especially for incandescent lighting.
These improved burners are characterized by the production of a flame which
will burn as long as sufficient combustible is supplied without the least flickering
or smell. The blue flame is completely free from any white tinge, whilst the
violet part projects to a considerable height (say ten centimetres) above the same,
and possesses a corresponding diameter.
The blue flame is the joint product of at least three distinct air currents of
which the first is a sluggish current arranged to pass over the interior edge of the
wick and below a baffle or flange projecting over the wick in such a manner that
only a small flame can exist at this point. This small flame serves to volatilise
a sufficient quantity of the combustible to supply the requisite material
for the blue flame above it. The second essential current is a strong
stream passing in a vertical, or or nearly vertical upward direction and
past the outer edge of the wick. This strong current carries off
the volatilised fuel which intermingles with it and supplies the same in a
steady stream to the point at which the blue flame is burning. The third current
is of approximately equal speed to the second but usually of less volume, and is
conveniently supplied centrally through the apparatus hereinafter described
whereby it is directed outwards and approximately at right angles to the previous
current.
The principal object of this third current is to stop at the burning point the
flow of combustible gas and air carried up by the first and second currents. At
the point where these three currents commingle the intensely hot blue flame
ignites and maintains itself. This flame takes an upward direction on a diagonal
line which is the resultant of the direction of the various currents forming it,
slightly modified however by a fourth current which is arranged to pass through
the gallery below the base of the chimney and through perforations in the outer
cone or support hereinafter described.
A very important feature of this invention consists in the supply of perfectly
pure air unmixed with combustion gases or volatilised fuel in the horizontal

page_text: current above described. Unless this third current were present for this purpose,
the lamp would gradually evolve an increasing proportion of combustible vapour
as it became heated in use, and thus gradually alter the relative proportions of
air and fuel until it reaches a point at which the air supply would be insufficient
to prevent the development of a white smoky flame.
With this third current, however, this drawback is obviated because the air
forming it is drawn from a point below that at which any vapour can pass into it
being delivered to the central tube before the combustion point and is conse-
quently left quite free from combustible vapour.
The invention may obviously be carried into practice in various ways, the
method at present preferred is as follows:-
The lamp is of the Argand pattern having a central air tube communicating
with the outer atmosphere by a side aperture; within the central air tube a
cylindrical inner air tube is fixed having a flange projecting immediately above
the wick of the Argand burner and an enlarged head with upper cover and
perforated sides for the escape of the central air draught. The central air tube
aforesaid is of such dimensions that relatively only a very narrow annular space
is left between it and the surrounding wick tube, whereby the draught passing
between the two tubes is materially retarded by the narrowness of the opening
which may moreover be further contracted in any convenient manner if requisite.
Around the said burner is placed a cone or cap arranged so as to enable the outer
draught, of sufficient strength and volume, to pass freely between it and the wick.
The gallery holding the chimney or equivalent device is provided with perfora-
tions at its base through which a relatively small current of air is admitted to
the interior of the chimney. This current is divided by a second cone or cylinder
superimposed upon the first one. This second cone or cylinder is perforated and
serves primarily to admit an air draught to the blue flame slightly altering its
direction as aforesaid, whilst the remainder of the air passing in through the
perforations in the gallery is directed upwards between the outer cone or cylinder
and the inside of the chimney which assists the draught.
When the apparatus is in use the outer cone or cylinder serves to centre the
base of the mantle and hold the same fixed at the exact distance requisite from
the blue flame which would otherwise be liable to be disturbed by any swinging
or displacement of the mantle. In certain cases the outer cone or cylinder may
be replaced by an equivalent device in the shape of rings, preferably three in
number, serving the same purpose, namely that of suitably centreing the base of
the mantle with regard to the flame to hold it exactly in the position most suitable
for maintaining it in incandescence.
It is obvious that the details of construction herein set forth are capable of
considerable modification in view of special requirements.
Dated this 16th day of December 1896.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Oil Burners applicable for Incandescent Lighting.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer,
do herby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to

page_text: be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The present application for Letters Patent relates to certain improvements in
the construction of oil burners especially for incandescent lighting.
These improved burners are characterized by the production of a flame which
will burn as long as sufficient combustible is supplied without the least flickering
or smell. The blue flame is completely free from any white tinge, whilst the
violet part projects to a considerable height, say ten centimetres above the same,
and possesses a corresponding diameter.
The blue flame is the joint produce of at least three distinct air currents of
which of the first is a sluggish current arranged to pass over the interior edge of
the wick and below a baffle or flange projecting over the wick in such a manner
that only a small flame can exist at that point. This small flame serves to
volatilize a sufficient quantity of the combustible to supply the requisite material
for the blue flame above it. The second essential current is a strong stream
passing in a vertical, or nearly vertical direction up and past the outer edge of
the wick. This strong current carries off the volatilized fuel which intermingles
with it and supplies the same in a steady stream to the point at which the blue
flame is burning. The third current is of approximately equal speed to the second,
but usually of less volume, and is conveniently supplied centrally through the
apparatus hereinafter described, whereby it is directed outwards and approxi-
mately at right angles to the previous current.
The principal object of this third current is to stop at the burning point the
flow of combustible gas and air carried up by the first and second currents. At
the point where these three currents commingle the intensely hot blue flame
ignites and maintains itself. This blue flame takes an upward direction on a
diagonal line which is the resultant of the direction of the various currents
forming it, slightly modified, however, by a fourth current which is arranged
to pass through the gallery below the base of the chimney and through perfora-
tions in the outer cone or support hereinafter described.
A very important feature of this invention consists in the supply of perfectly
pure air unmixed with combustible gases or volatilized fuel in the horizontal
current above described. Unless this third current were present for this purpose,
the lamp would gradually evolve an increasing proportion of combustible vapour
as it became heated in use, and thus gradually alter the relative proportions of
air and fuel until it reaches a point at which the air supply would be insufficient
to prevent the development of a white smoky flame.
With this third current, however, this drawback is obviated because the air
forming it is drawn from a point below that at which any vapour can pass into
it, being delivered to the central tube before the combustion point and is
consequently left quite free from combustible vapour.
This invention may obviously be carried into practice in various ways, the
method at present preferred is as follows:-
One modification of this invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, Figure 1
being a central vertical section of the burner, and Figure 2 a cross section drawn
to line -x of Figure 1.
The lamp is of the Argand pattern having a central air tube D, communicating
with the outer atmosphere by a side aperture F, but the said communication
might as well be established by extending the central wick-tube down through
the oil reservoir, in a well known manner. Within this central air tube D, a
cylindrical inner air tube A, is fixed, having a flange A¹ projecting immediately
above the wick of the Argand burner and an enlarged head with upper cover C
and perforated sides for the escape of the central air draught. The central air-
tube A, aforesaid is of such dimensions, that relatively only a very narrow annular
space is left between it and the surrounding wick tube D, whereby the draught:
passing between the two tubes is materially retarded by the narrowness of the

page_text: opening, which may moreover be further contracted by a circular corrugation a¹
of the tube D, or in any other convenient manner. Around the said burner is
placed a cone or cap E arranged so as to enable the outer draught of sufficient
strength and volume to pass freely between it and the width. The gallery holding
the chimney or equivalent device is provided with perforations at its base through
which a relatively small current of air is admitted to the interior of the chimney.
This current is divided by a second cone or cylinder G, superimposed upon the
first one E, and this second cone or cylinder G, is perforated and serves, primarily,
to admit an air-draught to the blue flame slightly altering its direction, as afore-
said, whilst the remaining part of the air passing in through the perforations in
the gallery is directed upwards between the outer cone G or cylinder, and the
inside of the chimney which assists the draught.
When the apparatus is in use, the outer cone or cylinder G serves to centre the
base of the mantle and hold the same fixed at the exact distance requisite from the
blue flame, which would otherwise be liable to be disturbed by any swinging or
displacement of the mantle. In certain cases the outer cone or cylinder may be
replaced by an equivalent device in the shape of rings, preferably three in number
serving the same purpose, namely that of suitably centreing the base of the
mantle with regard to the flame, to hold it exactly in the position most suitable
for maintaining it in incandescence.
Figure 3 llustrates another modification of this invention. Instead of inserting
a central inside tube into the wick-tube D, a short tubular piece A is arranged
immediately above the said wick-tube, carried by a rod or pin a fitting into a
suitable socket or support within the wick-tube D. The said tubular piece A, is
open at its lower end and closed at the top by a plate C; the lower end of said
tubular piece A, carries a flange or ring A, and the sides of said tubular piece A
are perforated. The effect of this modification is essentially the same as with the
construction described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The central draught
of air rising within the wick tube D, will pass upwards in a straight line and the
main part of its volume enter directly into the tubular piece A, from which it will
be forced to pass out in horizontal direction through the perforations in the
sides, to commingle with the two other currents of air rising outside of the burner.
A small and sluggish part of the central current of air will pass to the outside
below the flange A and it will flow over the inner edge of the wick, to develope
the vapours which serve to feed the flame. The cone or cap E, surrounding the
wick-tube D, in this modification is fixed to the inside of the outer cone or
cylinder G, and the base of the latter is extending downwards, forming a slotted
or perforated cylinder G, through which the current of air may rise, which enters
through the slots or perforations of the gallery-support B. The object of this
downward extending cylinder G is to provide means to adjust the said cylinder
or cone G, together with the cone or cap E, secured to its inside, with reference
to the wick or upper end of the burner. It will be seen from Figure 3 that the
support g of the cylinder G¹ rests on or is carried by a nut H arranged to turn on
a threaded pin or stud I, which is placed within the mantle of the gallery-
support B. The said nut H, has a corrugated circumference and may be easily
turned to rise or descend on the threaded pin I, whereby the support 9 of
cylinder G¹ will be raised or lowered accordingly. By means of such screw and
nut, the adjustment of the cap E, and cone or cylinder G, with reference to the
upper end of the wick tube may be varied to the minutest degree and thereby the
flame may be adjusted to the exact requirements.
In incandescent petroleum lamps and other such lamps producing a blue flame
from liquid fuel raised by a wick from a basin below, a great inconvenience has
been experienced through the considerable heat communicated by the burner tube
to the lower parts of the lamp, the gallery support and to the oil basin. To
overcome this difficulty, a ring or cylinder K of a suitable non-conductive material,
resistant to heat, is placed within the upper end of the wick-tube D Figure 4 to

page_text: line the inside surface of the said wick tube. The said ring or cylinder K,
however must not be of a porous quality, as otherwise it would become soaked with
oil and act as a wick. It has been found, that lardite, glazed at its surface, will
answer best for this purpose, but other suitable material, such as glazed porcelain
or other similar ceramic material, also glass, will do. In oil lamps provided with
a ring or cylinder K, of this kind, the oil-reservoir and lower parts of the burner
will remain comparatively cool.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
In incandescence lamps for producing a blue flame from liquid fuel:-
1. An oil lamp burner so constructed to produce at least three distinct air
currents, viza sluggish current passing from inside the burner tube to the
outside, over the edge of the wick to volatilise part of the liquid combustible, a
strong current passing upwards past the outer edge of the wick, and a central
current of considerable volume, being deflected to commingle with the two other
currents at the point where the 'flame is burning, the said third current being
unmixed with the combustible gases.
2. An oil lamp burner so constructed to produce a blue flame particularly
destined for incandescent lighting, said blue flame being the product of four
distinct air-currents, viz;-a sluggish current rising inside the burner-tube and
passing to the outside over the edge of the wick, to develope therefrom com-
bustible gas, a second current rising outside and past the outer edge of the wick,
to carry the gas upwards, a third current of comparatively considerable volume
rising centrally and being deflected to enter the flame at the point where it burns,
and, finally, a fourth current rising outside of the second current and commingling
with it to change the direction of the combined other currents.
3. An oil lamp burner comprising a wick-tube a cylindrical air tube placed
inside the said wick-tube and projecting from the same, said inner air tube being
closed at the top and perforated below the top and having a
flange or baffle
projecting over the wick, a narrow space being left between the wick-tube and
inner air-tube and a cone or cap surrounding the wick-tube to produce an outside
strong air current, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. An oil lamp burner comprising a wick-tube, a short perforated piece of tube
arranged immediately above the wick-tube, said perforated piece. being closed at
its top and carrying a baffle or ring at its base, and a cone or cap surrounding
the wick tube, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. An oil lamp burner comprising a wick tube, within which rises a central
air current, means to divide the said central air current into a sluggish current
passing over the edge of the wick to the outside and a central current
being deflected at a more elevated point to commingle with the other air currents, a
cone or cap surrounding the wick-tube and producing an air draught past the
outer edge of the wick, and a second cap, cone or cylinder, surrounding the first
cap and admitting air from below the chimney, the said second cap also serving
as a guide to centre the base of the incandescent mantle, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
6. An oil lamp burner comprising a wick tube, means to divide the central air
current rising within said wick tube, a cap or cone surrounding said wick tube,
a second cap, cone or cylinder surrounding the first cap and means to raise said
second cap in its relative position to the wick-tube substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
7. An oil lamp burner comprising a wick tube, means to divide the central air
current rising within said wick-tube, a cap or cone surrounding said wick tube,
said cap being secured inside a second cap cone or cylinder admitting air through
perforations said second cap being carried by a nut turning on a threaded pin or

page_text: stud to raise or lower said combined caps with reference to the wick-tube,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The improved oil lamp burner substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The improved oil lamp burner substantially as described with reference to
Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
10. The improved oil lamp burner substantially as described with reference to
Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Datad this 11th day of September 1897
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.