Improvements in the Construction of Apparatus for Generating and Burning the Vapours of Oil or other Combustible Liquids, and in the Arrangements of their Applications to Lighting and Heating.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1890
Complete Specificat on Left, 4th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 20th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Apparatus for Generating and
Burning the Vapours of Oil or other Combustible Liquids, and in
the Arrangements of their Applications to Lighting and Heating.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of 23 Southampton Buildings in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention
a communication to me from abread by Adolphe Seigle-Goujon of 3 Place des
Terreaux, Lyons, in the Republic of France, Civil Engineer, to be as follows:
:―
The invention relates to apparatus for producing light and heat, which burns the
vapours of combustible liquids and which themselves generate these vapours in
proportion as they are required.
The generating burners of the present system are formed of one or several
chambered blocks A Figure 1, closed or separated by one or several perforated or
non-perforated washers B Figure 2, with which these chambered blocks are hermeti-
cally jointed by means of lugs or flanges and bolts or by central screws.
The end chambered blocks can be cast closed at one end like the one marked A¹ of
Figure 3.
The central hole of these chambered blocks forms the heating passage; it is
cylindrical or conical and furnished with longitudinal gills for increasing the heating
surface.
The annular space formed within the thickness of these chambered blocks is divided
by longitudinal divisions extending from bottom to top or leaving passages arranged
in zig-zag so as to form, in consequence of the union of the chambered blocks with the
washers pierced with holes of communication, a longitudinal serpentine the arrange-
ment of which can be varied according to the number of chambered blocks and
according to the arrangement and number of the divisions.
The serpentine of the apparatus represented, as example, in the drawings at
Figures 3 and 4, is formed by two chambered blocks A A', having 6 divisions and
separated by a perforated washer B pierced with two holes of communication e. e¹.
Figure 3. is a vertical section of this generating burner complete.
:
Figure 4. is a diagram representing the developement of a section of the serpentine
of this generating burner following a circular plane the generator of which is the
line a. y of the vertical section, Figure 3.
The washer B¹ closing the chambered block A is solid with a hollow stirrup C,
shown separately at Figure 3¹, into which the serpentine debouches at the end of its
course.
On the stirrup and in the axis of the heating passages is screwed a stopper D
carrying a filter tube E the summit of which is lodged in a circular recess in the
centre of which is screwed an escapement nib T.
This filter tube is pierced at its base with several holes of sufficient size and it is
filled with iron turnings, borings or shavings lightly packed.
A lantern receiver F is mounted upon the stirrup washer, and is fixed by the hand
bolt G..
Figure 2 represents two sections of a washer separating the chambered blocks.
This washer is really formed of two washers or discs joined together by inter-
mediate connecting pieces in which are formed the communication holes e e¹ already
referred to.
Figure 4 represents the circulation of the oil in the interior of the double serpentine,
it enters it by the opening i, traverses first the lower serpentine A, passing alternately
above and below the divisions which compose it, then passing through the orifice e¹ of

page_text: the perforated washer B passes into the upper serpentine which it traverses in the
same manner, it then again descends by the orifice e, traverses the insulated
chamber a of the chambered. block A, and finally enters the orifice a of the
stirrup C.
With a view to increase and regulate the vaporization, and above all to entirely
prevent or at the least considerably diminish the mechanical draft of non-vaporized
liquid globules. I reserve the right to partially or entirely furnish the serpentines
above described or any other serpentine of generating burner, with borings, turnings
or shavings of iron or other metal according to the nature of the liquid to be
vaporized.
During this traverse, the oil heated by. the flame of the burner T Figure 8, is
vaporized:and its vapour traversing the filter E itself feeds the burner.
The air necessary for combustion, enters by the openings of the lantern F and by
those of the perforated, washer B Figure 3.
In the centre of this double washer B is a cone H the base of which coincides with
the summit of the central tube of the chambered block A, and whose summit debouches
towards the base of the central tube of the chambered block A¹ which tube is
continued by an aperture formed in the thickness of the upper plate of the double
washer as shown in the drawing at d.
L
It is readily seen that this combination of the cone H with the tube A¹ and the
aperture in the washer B, forms in reality a Giffard's injector nozzle, by which is
caused the energetic and regular aspiration of the air necessary to an intense
combustion at the periphery of the gaseous jet passing into the heating passage which
follows this nozzle, in such manner that there is no formation of soot or carbon on the
sides of this-
s-passage..
The chambered block A carries at opposite ends of its diameter two trunnions- I' I',
one of which is pierced with a hole i penetrating the annular space of this chambered
block.
:
On these two trunnions, are jointed the arms of a lyre shaped frame, J. One of
these arms is hollow and serves to effect the communication of the serpentine of the
generating burner with the combustible liquid reservoir.
By means of this combination, the generating, burner can pivot, without stopping
the feed, around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the figure, which
enables the frame to be directed' either from below upwards, or from above downwards
or horizontally, or in positions intermediate of the three preceding.
It is preferred to give to the flame. of generating burners. of the vapours of.com-
bustible liquids of the present or other systems, the direction from above.downwards,
in the applications of these apparatuses for lighting, as this position permits a perfect
utilization of the light produced, especially by combining each generating, burner with
a reflector furnished with a cover. forming a regenerator of heat.
This combination is of the present invention, it is represented at Figure 6, which
also represents a new system of balanced' suspension by which means the supply, tube
is prevented from weighing upon the reflector which thus retains a perfectly
horizontal position.
To cause the working of one of my generating burners in combination with the
system of balanced. suspended, regenerative reflector, it is put into. communication by
a flexible tube K with a reservoir M. Figure 5, containing, the combustible liquid
under pressure, taking care to pass this tube into the central' opening of the
reflector O. Figure 6 before uniting it by the union f to the lyre shaped frame of the
burner which is placed horizontally upon any convenient support at the height of
about metre.
The burner being in normal position petroleum is poured into the lantern receiver F
to about level with the central projection; see Figure 3'; and the burner is fitted
with its lighting bell or cover.
This lighting bell or cover Figure 5. is a part of the present invention. It consists
of a cone I having very slightly inclined sides, open at its base and closed at the top
by a roof S.

page_text: Two slots g. g. serve for the passage of the arms of the lyre shaped frame of the
burner, upon which the bell or cover rests.
Openings are formed at mid-height of the cone L and others / near the
roof S.
-
The lighting bell or cover being in position, the petroleum poured into the receiver
is lighted and the burner is allowed to heat during a lapse of time which varies
according to the nature of the liquid to be vaporized. Then the valve of the
supply reservoir is opened. A gaseous jet soon issues from the burner, strikes against
the roof of the lighting bell or cover and is thrown downwards to the base of the
cone L.
The particular arrangement of the perforations h, h¹ formed in the cone L permits
the integral combustion of the gaseous jet thrown down by the roof S, so that the
burner is completely enveloped with intense flames which communicate to it rapidly
the initial heat necessary for its working.
This initial heat being obtained the lighting bell or cover is removed, the burner is
turned on its trunnions so as to cause the flame to he directed from above downwards,
the lyre shaped frame remaining horizontal the lantern receiver is furnished with the
cover N Figure 6, the lyre shaped frame is removed from the horizontal to the vertical
position and it is made to slide in slots formed in the reflector O, which is then caused
to rest on the flange n of the cover N.
The lyre shaped carrying frame is furnished with a cross bar j at the extremities of
which are hooked two small chains joined to the extremity of the small arm of an
Llever P from the other arm of which is suspended the flexible tube K.
This lever is then itself hooked by its fulcrum to a chain or cord and by the aid
of a pulley the burner with its regenerative reflector is lifted to any desired height for
the proper utilization of the light produced.
When the flame is exposed to the wind it can be fitted with a glazed lantern.
The flame thus projected from above downwards heats the surrounding air which
rising under the reflector into the cover feeds the flame, the latter is thus more intense
and quieter than it would otherwise be if fed only with cold air.
The lighting such as I have just described is sufficiently long with certain heavy
oils, but I make it more rapid by what I call priming and which consists in previously
feeding the apparatus with a liquid capable of being more easily gasified, and lighter
than the heavy oil.
In order to obtain this result 1 introduce into the tube which leads the heavy oil
from the reservoir to the burner, by means of the special appendage R. Figures 5
and 7, or by any other suitable means a certain quantity of spirit, benzine, or any
other liquid giving the same results as indicated above.
This being done I now slightly heat the serpentine and give the necessary pressure
to the oil which rising in the tube K1 drives the light liquid above it, this latter then
reaches the serpentine where it is easily gasified and furnishes a flame energetically
heating the burner which thus attains rapidly the temperature necessary for the
gasification of the heavy oil which follows the volatile liquid.
By this contrivance of priming I obtain an immediate light and suppress in an
almost complete manner the previous heating of the burner by a special heater.
The appendage R shown separately at Figure 7 and which serves for the priming,
constitutes on the other hand a double circulation filter, the arrangement of which is
easily understood.
The feeding tube K' is screwed at k into the summit of the appendage R at the
same time that its lower extremity fits into the space which is a continuation of
the regulating valve U. The part of the tube surrounded by the space R of the
appendage, has holes pierced in it and is furnished exteriorly with a metal gauze
sheath.
There is at m a division in the interior of the tube, so that the oil arriving at
leaves the tube'and enters the space R of the appendage to re-enter the tube above the
division m and filters itself through the metallic gauze sheath.
These generating burners such as I have just described and shown at Figures 1

page_text: to 4, are of a simple and practical construction and their cleansing which is excessively
easy and rapid is obtained by the simple scraping of the sides of the divided space of
the chambered blocks, after the taking to pieces of the bolted joint.
Thus arranged they can utilize for heating and lighting, mineral oils, petroleum and
heavy oils of ordinary quality.
But when it is a question of very impure products, such as unrefined tar for
example I suppress the filter tube E (see Figure 3) and the escape nib and I replace
them by a suitable superheated steam or compressed air pulverizer.
1 regulate the flow so that the combustible liquid which passes through the serpen-
tine cannot arrive there at a too high temperature, the pulverizer being there to
complete the vaporization.
By this means I avoid a too sudden fouling of the serpentine.
I utilize above all this last arrangement for the heating of boilers of ships and of
locomotives but it is generally applicable to all kinds of heating purposes.
D
T D MIT T
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Apparatus for Generating and
Burning the Vapours of Oil or other Combustible Liquids, and in
the Arrangements of their Applications to Lighting and Heating.
1, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of 23 Southampton Buildings in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a com-
munication to me from abroad by Adolphe Seigle-Goujon of 3 Place des Terreaux,
Lyons, in the Republic of France, Civil Engineer, and in what manner the same is to
be performed to te particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the drawings filed with
my Provisional
Specification.
The invention relates to arrangements of apparatus for producing light and heat,
which burn the vapours of combustible liquids and which themselves generate these
vapours in proportion as they are required.
The generating burners of the present system are formed of one or several chambered
blocks A Figure 1, closed or separated by one or several perforated or non-perforated
washers B Figure 2, with which these chambered blocks are hermetically jointed by
means of lugs or flanges and bolts or by central screws.
The end chambered blocks can be cast closed at one end like the one marked A' of
Figure 3.
The central hole of these chambered blocks forms the beating passage, it is
cylindrical or conical and furnished with longitudinal gills for increasing the heating
surface.
The annular space formed within the thickness of these chambered blocks is divided
by longitudinal divisions extending from bottom to top or leaving passages arranged
in zig-zag so as to form, in consequence of the union of the chambered blocks with the
washers pierced with holes of communication. a longitudinal serpentine the arrangement
of which can be varied according to the number of chambered blocks and according to
the arrangement and number of the divisions.
The serpentine of the apparatus represented, as example, in the drawings at
Figures 3 and 4, is formed by two chambered blocks A A¹ having 6 divisions and
separated by a perforated washer B pierced with two holes of communication e. e¹.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of this generating burner complete.
Figure 4 is a diagram representing the developement of a section of the serpentine of
this generating burner following a circular plane the generator of which is the line a. y.
of the vertical section Figure 3.
The washer B closing the chambered block A is solid with a hollow stirrup C,

page_text: shown separately at Figure 3', into which the serpentine debouches at the end of its
course.
On this stirrup and in the axis of the heating passages is screwed a stopper D
carrying a filter tube E the summit of which is lodged in a circular recess in the
centre of which is screwed an escapement nib T.
This filter tube is pierced at its base with several holes of sufficient size and it is
filled with iron turnings, borings or shavings lightly packed.
A lantern receiver F is mounted upon the stirrup washer, and is fixed by the
hand bolt G. .
Figure 2 represents two sections of a washer separating the chambered blocks.
This washer is really formed of two washers or discs joined together by
intermediate connecting pieces in which are formed the communication holes e. el
already referred to.
Figure 4 represents the circulation of the oil in the interior of the double serpentine,
it enters it by the opening i, traverses first the lower serpentine A, passing alternately
above and below the divisions which compose it, then passing through the orifice¹
of the perforated washer B passes into the upper serpentine which it traverses in the
same manner, it then again descends by the orifice e traverses the insulated chamber a¹
of the chambered block A, and finally enters the orifice a of the stirrup C.
With a view to increase and regulate the vaporization, and above all to entirely
prevent or at the least considerably diminish the mechanical draft of non-vaporized
liquid globules. I reserve the right to partially or entirely furnish the serpentines
above described or any other serpentine of generating burner, with borings, turnings
or shavings of iron or other metal, according to the nature of the liquid to be
vaporized.
During this traverse, the oil heated by the flame of the burner T Figure 3 is
vaporized and its vapour traversing the filter E itself feeds the burner.
The air necessary for combustion, enters by the openings of the lantern F and by
those of the perforated washer B, Figure 3.
In the centre of this double washer B is a cone H the base of which coincides with
the summit of the centra! tube of the chambered block A, and whose suminit debouches
towards the base of the central tube of the chambered block A' which tube is continued
by an aperture formed in the thickness of the upper plate of the double washer as
shown in the drawing at d.
It is readily seen that this combination of the cone H with the tube A¹ and the
aperture in the washer B, forms in reality a Giffard's injector nozzle, by which is
caused the energetic and regular aspiration of the air necessary to an intense com-
bustion at the periphery of the gaseous jet passing into the heating passage which
follows this nozzle, in such manner that there is no formation of soot or carbon on the
sides of this passage!
The chambered block A carries at opposite ends of its diameter two trunnions I. I¹,
one of which is pierced with a hole i penetrating the annular space of this chambered
block.
On these two trunnions, are jointed the arms of a lyre shaped frame J. One of
these arms is hollow and serves to effect the communication of the serpentine of the
generating burner with the combustible liquid reservoir.
By means of this combination, the generating burner can pivot, without stopping
the feed, around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the figure which enables
the flame to be directed either froin below upwards, or from above downwards or
horizontally, or in positions intermediate of the three preceding.
It is preferred to give to the flame of generating burners of the vapours of
combustible liquids of the present or other systems, the direction from above
downwards, in the applications of these apparatuses for lighting, as this position
permits a perfect utilization of the light produced, especially by combining each
generating burner with a reflector furnished with a cover forming a regenerator
of heat,

page_text: This combination is of the present invention, it is represented at Figure 6, which
also represents a new system of balanced suspension by which means the supply
tube is prevented from weighing upon the reflector which thus retains a perfectly
horizontal position.
To cause the working of one of my generating burners in combination with the
system of balanced suspended regenerative reflector, it is put into communication
by a flexible tube K with a reservoir M Figure 5, containing the combustible liquid
under pressure, taking care to pass this tube into the central opening of the reflector O,
Figure 6 before uniting it by the union to the lyre shaped frame of the burner
which is placed horizontally upon any convenient support at the height of about
1 metre.
The burner being in normal position petroleum is poured into the lantern receiver F
to about level with the central projection see Figure 3 and the burner is fitted with
its lighting bell or cover.
This lighting bell or cover Figure 5 is a part of the present invention. It con-
sists of a cone L having very slightly inclined sides, open at its base and closed at the
top by a roof S.
Two slots g. 9 serve for the passage of the arms of the lyre shaped frame of the
burner upon which the bell or cover rests.
Openings are formed at mid height of the cone L and others h¹ near the
roof S.
The lighting bell or cover being in position, the petroleum poured into the receiver
is lighted and the burner is allowed to heat during a lapse of time which varies
according to the nature of the liquid to be vaporized. Then the valve of the supply
reservoir is opened. A gaseous jet soon issues from the burner strikes against the
roof of the lighting bell or cover and is thrown downwards to the base of the cone L.
The particular arrangement of the perforations h. h¹ formed in the cone L permits
the integral combustion of the gaseous jet thrown down by the roof S, so that the burner
is completely enveloped with intense flames which communicate to it rapidly the
initial heat necessary for its working. This initial heat being obtained the
lighting bell or cover is removed, the burner is turned on its trunnions so as to
cause the flame to be directed from above downwards, the lyre shaped frame remaining
horizontal the lantern receiver is furnished with the cover N Fig. 6, the lyre shaped
frame is removed from the horizontal to the vertical position and it is made to slide
in slots formed in the reflector O which is then caused to rest on the flange n
of the cover N.
The lyre shaped carrying frame is furnished with a cross bar j at the extremities of
which are hooked two small chains joined to the extremity of the small arm of an
Llever P, from the other arm of which is suspended the flexible tube K.
This L lever is then itself hooked by its fulcrum to a chain or cord and by the aid
of a pulley the burner with its regenerative reflector is lifted to any desired height
for the proper utilization of the light produced. When the flame is exposed to the
wind it can be fitted with a glazed lantern.
The flame thus projected from above downwards heats the surrounding air which
rising under the reflector into the cover feeds the flame, the latter is thus more intense
and quieter than it would otherwise be if fed only with cold air.
The lighting such as I have just described is sufficiently long with certain heavy
oils but I make it more rapid by what I call priming and which consists in previously
feeding the apparatus with a liquid capable of being more easily gasified and lighter
than the heavy oil.
In order to obtain this result I introduce into the tube which leads the heavy oil
from the reservoir to the burner by means of the special appendage R, Figures 5 and 7,
or by any other suitable means a certain quantity of spirit, benzine or any other liquid
giving the same results as indicated above.
This being done I now slightly heat the serpentine and give the necessary pressure
to the oil which rising in the tube K' drives the light liquid above it, this latter then

page_text: reaches the serpentine where it is easily gasified, and furnishes a flame energetically
heating the burner, which then attains rapidly the temperature necessary for the
gasification of the heavy oil which follows the volatile liquid.
By this contrivance of priming, I obtain an immediate light and suppress in an
almost complete manner the previous heating of the burner by a special heater.
The appendage R shown separately at Figure 7, and which serves for the priming
constitutes on the other hand a double circulation filter the arrangement of which
is easily understood.
The feeding tube K' is screwed at k into the summit of the appendage Rat
the same time that its lower extremity fits into the space which is a continuation of the
regulating valve U. The part of the tube surrounded by the space R of the appendage,
has holes pierced in it and is furnished exteriorly with a metallic gauze sheath.
There is at m a division in the interior of the tube, so that the oil arriving at I leaves
the tube and enters the space R of the appendage to re-enter the tube above the
division m and filters itself through the metallic gauze sheath.
These generating burners such as I have just described and shown at Figures 1 to 4
are of a simple and practical construction and their cleansing which is excessively
easy and rapid is obtained by the simple scraping of the sides of the divided space
of the chambered blocks after the taking to pieces of the bolted joint.
Thus arranged they can utilize for heating and lighting, mineral oils, petroleum and
heavy oils of ordinary quality.
But when it is a question of very impure products, such as unrefined tar for
example, I suppress the filter tube E (see Figure 3) and the escape nib and I replace
them by a suitable superheated steam or compressed air pulverizer. I regulate the
flow so that the combustible liquid which passes through the serpentine cannot arrive
there at a too high temperature, the pulverizer being there to complete the vaporization.
By this means I avoid a too sudden fouling of the serpentine.
I ultilize above all this last arrangement for the heating of boilers of ships and of
locomotives but it is generally applicable to all kinds of beating purposes.
Finally, without limiting myself to the details of construction above described by
way of example I claim the right to apply the invention generally to generating
burners of vapours of combustible oils or liquids for the production of light and heat.
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
1-The combination of one or several chambered blocks having a central space
traversed by the flame and an annular space divided by longitudinal partitions,
forming a serpentine and traversed by the liquid to be vaporised, with one or several
washers having also a central space in continuation of that of the chambered blocks,
and openings causing the serpentines of the different chambered blocks to communicate
at convenient points. The said washers closing or separating the chambered blocks with
which they are hermetically joined, and capable of being perforated in their thickness
to permit the external air to feed the flame which traverses them.
2-The arrangement in the interior of the above mentioned perforated washers of
an injector Fig. 2 by which the air is forcibly drawn in.
3-The direction from above downwards given to the flame of generating burners
of vapour of combustible liquids, whilst working to produce light.
4 The suspension of the burner on a horizontal tubular axis conveying the com-
bustible liquid. This suspension permitting the turning up of the burner for lighting
and its direction at any convenient angle during the coutinuation of the lighting.
5--The addition to a burner of a regenerative reflector permitting the feeding of
hot air and its equilibrated suspension counteracting the weight of the supply tube of
the liquid Figure 6.
6-The special arrangement of the lighting bell Figure 5 effecting the preliminary
heating of the burner by the turning down of the lighted jet.
7-The method of lighting by "priming" consisting in first causing to arrive at

page_text: the burner a small quantity of liquid, lighter than the ordinary liquid and capable of
evaporating at a much lower preliminary heat..
8-The arrangement of a filter for the liquid, obtained by placing around the feeding
tube a reservoir R. Figure 7, communicating with the tube by wide openings covered
with a sleeve of metallic cloth, and in closing the tube at the centre. of the height of
the sleeve, to compel the liquid to pass into the reservoir by twice traversing the
metallic cloth. This reservoir being utilized to receive the volatile liquid used for
lighting by "priming."
9-The arrangement of a filter E, Figure 3, formed of borings, turnings or shavings
of iron or other metal, to purify the vapours before their escape.
10 The introduction of metallic borings, turnings or shavings into the serpentine
above described or other serpentine of generating burner to assist the complete
evaporation of the liquids.
11-The peculiar arrangement and combination of parts referred to in the above
claims for the purpose described.
Dated this 4th day of November 1890