IMPROVEMENTS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James John Shedlock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th September 1882.
JAMES JOHN SHEDLOCK of Barnet in the County of Herts
GAS BURNERS
"
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention for improvements in gas burners, has for its object, the obtain-
ment of a high illuminating power, from the combustion of coal, or other hydro-
carbon gas.
The desired results are secured, by forming on the sides of the burner
body, a number of projections which are enclosed by an outer case, so that the gas
in its passage through the body, is forced to take a tortuous route, and being
divided into thin streams in contact with the heated sides of the burner, it becomes
considerably raised in temperature, and expanded before issuing at the orifices, or
point of ignition of the gas. The orifices may be vertical slots cut in the upper
part of the burner, which become tubes, when the outer case is fitted to the body;
but in some cases it may be preferred to have holes drilled in the usual manner, or
by simply leaving a space between the body, and the outer case.
The orifices may
be formed to produce either flat, or circular flames, and according to their arrange-
ment, and dimensions made to exhibit the required illumination. Gas is conveyed
from the centre, to the lower part of the body, by means of gas-ways formed
therein the areas of which are determined, so that they shall pass the required
quantity of gas. Burner bodies constructed as described may be combined
together in any number the spaces between them forming the channels through
which the air in its passage to the flames, becomes heated, and consequently in such
a condition, as to assist in developing the maximum illuminating power of the gas.
The body or bodies are enclosed in a sheath, or sheaths provided at their lower
parts, with a cover, or plate, but leaving between them apertures of such areas, as

page_text: will admit only, such a quantity of air as is necessary for the perfect combustion of
the gas, for which the burner was constructed. When it is desired that a burner
shall be capable of adjustment, with a view to its consuming a varying quantity of
gas, and thus to exhibit a greater, or less degree of illumination, then an arrangement
is provided, whereby the apertures for the admission of air to the flames, are
regulated to suit the increased, or decreased consumption of gas. The openings at
the upper parts of the sheath, or sheaths, are so arranged and regulated, as to admit
and direct the air currents onto the flame, or flames in such a manner, as not only
to provide the oxygen necessary for the perfect combustion of the gas, but also to
produce well developed, and steady flames. When it is desired, and in order to
render the supply of gas automatical, a governor is fitted in the base of the burner,
which regulates, and maintains the gas entering it at an uniform pressure.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James John Shedlock in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th March 1883.
JAMES JOHN SHEDLOCK of Barnet in the County of Herts
GAS BURNERS
"
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The said invention has for its object the production of gas burners, capable of
developing high illuminating powers, by the combustion of coal, or other hydro-
carbon gases. In order to obtain the desired results, burner bodies are constructed
with projections on their sides, which are enclosed by an outer case, but leaving
between the edge of the projection, and the inside of the outer case, sufficient space
for the passage of the gas. By means of these projections on the burner bodies,
the gas is checked in its passage to the orifices, and being thus brought into contact
with the heated body, its temperature is raised. The atmospheric air carrying the
oxygen necessary for the combustion of the gas, is also made to pass over the
heated surface of the burner body, and becoming heated, is in such a condition, as to
assist in developing the maximum illuminating power of the gas. Burner bodies
constructed as described may be combined together in any number, the spaces
between each body, being of only such an area, as to admit, and pass, the quantity
of oxygen necessary, for the perfect combustion of the gas.
The spaces or air channels between each burner body, will thus be very much
less than has hitherto been considered necessary, and as a consequence, the flames
are brought so closely together, as to impart each to the other its developed heat,
thereby raising to extreme incandescence the carbon particles contained in the gas
producing a flame of high illuminating power. Now in order to render the said
invention more easily understood and carried into effect, reference is made to the
accompanying Sheets of Drawings, in which the same letters indicate corresponding
parts in each of the figures respectively. On sheet 1 is produced the details of a
gas burner, in which is combined four bodies, their orifices producing circular flames.
Figure 1 is an elevation Figure 2 a plan Figure 3 a section Figure 4 a plan of
underside Figure 5 an elevation of the four bodies detached but in their relative
vertical positions Figure 6 a sectional elevation and plan of a burner body in which
the orifices are produced by vertical slots cut in upper part, and form tubes when
enclosed by the outer case; and Figure 7 is a sectional elevation and plan of a
burner body whose orifice is formed by the annular space between top of body and
the outer case.
The burner bodies A. A. A. A. provided with projections B. B. B. are enclosed by
the outer cases C. C. C. C. but leaving sufficient space between them for the passage
of the gas to the orifices D. D. D. Gas passes to the bodies A. A. A. A. from the
centre chamber E by the gas ways F. F. F. and each body is fitted with a tube a.
the lower end of which terminates in the chamber E. The spaces G. G. G. G.
between the burner bodies form the channels, through which the necessary air
passes to the flames. The burner bodies A. A. A. A. are enclosed by a sheath H
which not only protects the burner from currents of cold air but prevents loss of
heat by radiation and also forms the space or channel through which the necessary
supply of air is directed onto the outer flame, thereby controlling and keeping it
in its position relative to the other flames. The lower part of the sheath H is
supported by the shelf or gallery W to which is attached the cover I and on the
lower part of which is fixed a plate Z having apertures J. J. corresponding with

page_text: the apertures in the plate K which being free to move a certain distance over
the plate Z determines the opening of the apertures J. J. The air supply for
the combustion of the gas passes through the apertures J. J. and is regulated
by the area of the apertures so that no more shall pass than is necessary for
perfect combustion.
For the purpose of regulating the pressure and maintaining a constant supply
of gas to the burner, a governor is fitted in the lower part, the chamber L con-
taining a bell P having attached to it a valve R. The gas enters by the holes
M. M and passes through the conical chamber N on the upper part of which is
formed the valve seat Ŏ, wherein the valve R is free to move diminishing or
increasing the gas way as the bell P rises or falls. The bell P and the valve R
are kept in their proper position by means of a pin which passes up the centre
of the valve R, but allowing perfect freedom of action thereon." A non conducting
collar Y is placed between the burner and the governor in order to prevent loss
of heat by conduction and also to keep the working parts of the governor cool.
A pilot flame is provided by means of the tube S which passes through the centre
and is attached to the lower part of the burner, gas being supplied thereto by the
gas way T and the tube U. The pilot flame is protected from the up currents of
air by being enclosed in the case X which is provided with holes in its lower part
for the supply of the necessary air to support the pilot flame. The glass chimney V
is carried by the gallery W having openings Q. Q. Q. through which a supply of
cold air is drawn in, carried upward, and projected against the sides of the glass
chimney V by means of the sheath d, thereby keeping the glass chimney V
cool, removing the risk of breakage, and obviating the necessity of frequently
cleaning the glass.
Sheet 2 contains the details of a gas burner in which the orifices are arranged
to produce flat flames. Figure 1 is an elevation Figure 2 a plan Figure 3 a section
Figure 4 a plan of underside and Figure 5 an elevation of the burner bodies
detached, but in their relative vertical positions. The burner bodies A. A. A. A.
having projections B. B. B on their sides are enclosed in the outer cases C. C. C. C.
between which and the edges of the projections B. B. B. the gas passes to the
orifices D. D. D. Gas is admitted to the bodies A. A. A A. by the gas ways F. F. F.
communicating with the central chamber E to which gas is supplied after it has
passed through the governor. The air supply to the flames passes through the
spaces or channels G. G. G. G. which are of such an area as to pass the requisite
quantity of air for the perfect combustion of the gas issuing from the orifices
D. D. D. As the spaces or air channels G. G. G. G. are narrow the flames approach
so closely to each other that their temperature becomes very high, thereby
producing a compound flame of great power. The burner bodies as combined
are enclosed in a sheath H, the object of which is to prevent loss of heat by
radiation and to direct the upward current of air onto the flame. The lower part
of the sheath H is attached to the gallery W to the under side of which is secured
the cover I closed at its bottom end by the plate Z between which and the cover I
is left narrow apertures J. J. These apertures J. J. may be opened or closed by
causing the tube K to slide up or down the cover I. Gas is admitted to the burner,
through the governor, by the holes M. M which communicate with the conical
chamber N on the upper part of which is the valve seat O. The gas in passing
through the valve seat O. is regulated by reason of the valve R which is attached
to the bell P being made to rise or fall as the pressure of the incoming gas increases
or diminishes. The gas after passing the valve seat O enters the bell P from
whence it escapes into the chamber L, thence through the passage way r, into the
central gas chamber E. The bell P. and valve R are supported and held in position
by means of a pin which passes into the valve R but so freely as to allow it to
move thereon with the greatest ease. Instead of the usual cylindrical gas chimney
it is necessary to provide this burner with a rectangular one, either formed to fit t
the gallery W or produced by four pieces of flat glass, brought together at their

page_text: edges and held in position by means of suitable framework. The glasses are kept
cool by directing an upward current of cold air over their surfaces and regulated
in its passage by the openings QQ in the gallery W.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of
carrying it into effect I would have it understood that modifications may be
made in the details without departing from the essential features of the invention
but I claim and therefore desire to have secured to me by the Grant of Letters
Patent.
First. The method of constructing gas burner bodies, and combining them so
as to form powerful burners substantially as herein before described.
Second. Combining two or more burner bodies in such a manner that their
flames are brought into close proximity without touching substantially as and for
the purposes herein before set forth.
Third. The method of regulating the supply of atmospheric air to the flames
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before explained.
Fourth. The application of the governor for regulating the supply of gas to the
burner substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The improvements in gas burners substantially as herein before set forth,
described and illustrated by the accompanying sheets of Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said James John Shedlock have hereunto set my
hand and seal this ninth day of March in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
JAMES JOHN SHEDLOCK. (L.S.)