AN IMPROVED GAS LAMP
Year: 1885

page_text: BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE Civil and Consulting Engineer and Chemist
Dartmouth Villa Fountain St Tranmere Cheshire do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for AN IMPROVED GAS LAMP to be as follows:-.
My invention relates to improvements in the form of gas burner, invented by
me and described in the "English Mechanic" of March 11th 1881, and known as
The Hygienic Lamp-by which the principle of recuperation is applied,-and
consists as follows-The products of gascous combustion from the burner I mako.
traverse horizontally and radially from the centre through passages formed between
two large discs of the same diameter but separated from each other by radial
divisions these divisions also providing borizontal passages for the flow outwardly
of the products of gaseous combustion, and for the passage inwardly of the air to
support gaseous combustion, the two agents air and products of combustion being
completely separated from each other by the divisions. I may form the two discs
and passages in one solid casting, or in two parts the upper disc being separated
from the lower one which has on its face the partition or divisions forming the
passages for the air and products of combustion. I plane the under surface of the
upper disc and the upper surfaces of the partitions which come in contact with the
lower and planed surface of the upper disc and bring the two discs together by
four tightening or clamping screws.
Near the outer edge of the upper of the two discs which form the cover of the
lamp or burner I form openings for the ascensional escape of the products of
combustion which I lead away by as many tubes as there are horizontal passages
provided between the two discs for the flow of the products of combustion, the
tubes leading away the products of combustion I conduct some distance above the
upper discs to a central chimney which I make of a height corresponding to
the size of the burners the pipe for the illuminating gas I pass downwards through
the centre of the two discs into which it is screwed or otherwise attached, or I may
lead the gas pipe from below upwards and through the centre of the air tight glass
globe but in this latter instance I make the globe in two divisions, and in such a
way as to slide radially, to allow the passage through its side of a light to ignite the
gas, or I provide an annular space for the ignition of the gas round the opening
formed in the globe for the passage of the gas pipe, such annular space being

page_text: provided with a simple closing arrangement, I make the two discs sufficiently
large in diameter and of such a highly heat conducting material as will ensure the
abstraction of a great portion of the heat from the products of combustion and
transmit it to the air in the flow in opposite and horizontal directions of the
products of combustion and the air through the passages formed between the two
discs; The illuminating gas I lead from the supply pipe into an ordinary inverted
Argand burner but with the perforations or orifices for the emission of the gas
formed on the side of the burner, so as to compell the gas to issue horizontally or
vertically from the point of emission.
The products of combustion from the flame pass upwards and enter into the
passages between the discs by means of perforations in the lower disc, formed close
to the edge of a porcelain tube, which I screw or otherwise attach to the lower
disc. I make the porcelain tube of such an internal diameter as to leave an
annular space between it and the gas supply pipe, the passages between the discs
for leading the air to support combustion terminate in the annular openings formed
in the lower disc for the passage of the heated air into the annular space formed
by the porcelain tube and gas supply pipe, this porcelain tube conducts the air
decensionally to the level of the emission of the illuminating gas.
In order to produce a large superficial surface for the heat abstraction from the
products of combustion and a large surface for the radiation and transmission of
such heat to the air flowing to support combustion, I form a special description of
network of metallic wire, such wire being threaded horizontally vertically and
diagonally in all directions and quite distinctive from ordinary wire gauze,-this
network to be made so as to completely fill up the space in the passages formed
between the discs for the flow of the air and products of combustion, but of course
leaving interstices through it for the flow of the air and products of combustion-
the air enters from the outside to the burner into the passages between the discs,
through perforations in the side of the ring of metal which connects the outside
edges of the upper and lower discs-such perforations being formed opposite to the
air passages.

page_text: I BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE Civil Engineer and Consulting Chemist
23 Fountain St Tranmere Cheshire, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for AN IMPROVED GAS LAMP 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 improvements in the arrangement of a form of gas
lamp, invented by me and described in the "English Mechanic" of March 11th
1881, and entitled the "Hygienic Lamp"-in this lamp descensional recuperation
is applied and my present invention consists as follows. The products of combus-
tion from the burner, which is somewhat similar to an inverted argand, I make
traverse horizontally and radially from the centre through passages formed between
two large discs or circular plates of the same diameter but separated from each
other by radial divisions, these divisions providing horizontal passages for the flow
outwardly of the products of combustion and for the flow inwardly of the air to
support gaseous combustion, the two agents air and products of combustion being
completely separated from each other by means of the divisions.
I may form the two discs-and recuperative passages in one solid casting or in
two parts the upper disc-being separated from the lower one which has on its face
the partitions divisions or sides forming the passages for the air and products of
combustion, I plane the under surface of the upper disc, and the upper surface of
the divisions or sides on the lower disc which come into contact with the lower
and planed surface of the upper disc, and bring the two discs together by four
or a greater number of tightning or clamping screws or bolts-I may however
cast partitions on the upper disc as well as the lower.
Near to the outer edge of the upper of the two discs which form the cover of
the lamp, I form openings for the ascensional escape of the products of combustion
which I lead away to the chimney by numerous tubes. I connect such tubes to a
central chimney which I make of a height corresponding to the size of the
burner.
The pipe for the supply of the illuminating gas I pass downwards through the
centre of the chimney-and through the centre of the two discs forming the
recuperator-I terminate such gas pipe by means of an elongated annular burner
somewhat similar to an argand-burner-tipped with a special ring of steatite,
I may however lead the gas upwards to the burner by means of a pipe passing
through the centre of an air tight globe-but in this latter arrangement I make
the globe in two divisions, and in such a way as to slide radially, to allow the
passage through its sides of a light to ignite the gas, or I provide an annular
space (for the ignition of the gas) around the gas pipe where it, (the pipe) passes
through the centre and bottom of the globe such annular space being provided
with a simple closing arrangement.
I make the two discs sufficiently large in diameter and of such a highly heat
conducting and diathermic material such as cast iron, as will ensure the abstraction

page_text: of a great portion of the sensible heat from the products of gaseous combustion,
and transmit it to the air in the flow in opposite and horizontal directions, of the
products of combustion and the air, through the passages formed between the two
discs but for Lamps of 100 candles or more I may use as the material for
formning the discs, either earthenware or porcelain.
I lead the illuminating gas from the supply pipe into a special inverted argand,
tipped with a specially shaped perforated ring of steatite, the perforations or
orifices for the emission of the gas are formed at the side of the burner so as to
compel the gas to issue horizontally obliquely or vertically-from the holes-or
perforations through the steatite.
The products of combustion from the flame-pass upwards-and enter into the
recuperator passages, formed between the two discs by means of openings-in the
lower disc formed close to the inverted argand burner-which is externally lined
with some reflecting and refractory substance such as porcelain.
The inverted argand burner is attached to the recuperator discs by being screwed
or shrunk on to them or by being attached with the small tubes which in one
form of my invention, lead the air into the centre of the argand burner, in another
form of my invention, the two discs forming the recuperator chambers are shrunk
or screwed on to the argand burner which has tubes passing through its annular side,
the tubes being placed opposite each of the air passages in the recuperator for
leading the air from such recuperator into the centre of the argand burner-I also
lead the air to the gas, outside the argand burner by providing in the lower disc
air passages by which the air can descend into an annular space around the argand
burner such space being formed by a porcelain or metal ring which directs the air
onto the gas as it issues from the burner-I attach such metal or porcelain ring to
a flange on the lower disc-In order to provide sufficient metal for the insertion or
screwing of a number of the air distributing tubes into or through the sides of the
argand burner, I make the latter of a diameter at the point where the air tubes
pass through it, as will provide sufficient metal for this purpose, reducing such
diameter by coming at the end of the burner-when necessary, or when a small
consumption of gas is desired-The air becoming highly heated in passing through
the recuperator descends to the mouth of the burner and passes under or through
slots or openings formed in the steatite ring between each orifice or perforation
through which the gas issues, the air thus surrounds each jet of gas, and complete
oxidation is effected.
In order to produce a large superficial surface for heat abstraction from the
products of combustion and a large surface for the radiation and transmission of
such heat to the air flowing to support combustion I form a special description of
network of metallic wire, such wire being threaded horizontally and vertically-
and quite distinctive from the ordinary wire gauze, this network to be made so
as to completely fill up, and touch every side of the air passages and products of
combustion passages in the recuperator formed by the two discs but of course such
gauze leaving interstices, through it for the flow of the air and the products of
gaseous combustion.
I also place such gauze in the interior of the argand burner-and also place the
gauze in the annular gas space thereof, to prevent the gas emission holes from
being stopped up by the deposition of carbon. The air enters the passages of the
recuperator formed by the two discs, through perforations or openings in the side
of the ring of metal which connects the outer peripheries of the upper and lower
discs, such openings being of course opposite to the air passages or I may provide
openings for the admission of the air, in the lower disc, or close to the edge of its
outer periphery.
In order to permit the gas to be safely ignited I provide a disc over all the
openings through which the products of combustion enter the recuperator-this disc
which is shrunk on to the argand burner I perforate with small holes, above which
I place a small chimney which connects the small holes in the disc with the main

page_text: himney. When the gas is first lighted the products of combustion partly pass
hrough the small holes and then pass into the main chimney, which on becoming
ot draws the products of combustion through the horizontal recuperator chambers
nd up the small connecting tubes to the main chimney.
The accompanying drawings are intended to form part of this specification-but
wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details shewn,
s it will be easily understood that I could vary them without departing froin the
ature of my invention:
Figure 1 is a full transverse section taken through air recuperator passages.
chimney. When the gas is first lighted the products of combustion partly pass
through the small holes and then pass into the main chimney, which on becoming
lot draws the products of combustion through the horizontal recuperator chambers
and up the small connecting tubes to the main chimney.
The accompanying drawings are intended to form part of this specification-but
wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details shewn,
as it will be easily understood that I could vary them without departing from the
ature of my invention:
Figure 1 is a full transverse section taken through air recuperator passages.
Fig. 2 is a full side elevation.
Fig. 3 is a half plan in section through recuperators.
Fig. 4 is a half plan of top shewing tubes for escape of products of combustion
to the main chimney.
Fig. 5 is a plan in section of steatite ring of argand inverted-burner.
Fig. 6 is an alternate arrangement of attaching recuperator to inverted argand
burner.
Fig. 7 is a part section of above arrangement.
Figure 8 shews the Lamp arranged as a ventilator, and shewing arrangement for
igniting the gas shewn in detail at figure 8ª.
Figure 9 shews conical form of burner for small candle power lamps.
Figure 10 shews alternate zigzag side arrangement of recuperator passages.
The following letters of reference refer to all the figures.
is the upper disc of recuperator, bolted to the lower disc b, by means of the
tightening screw or bolts c.
The air enters the air recuperator passages d, by means of the openings c, and in
its flow through the passages d, it comes into contact with the special wire gauze f,
by which it becomes highly heated-The air then enters by means of tubes g,
through the sides and into the centre of the inverted and elongated argand
burner h, when it comes into contact with the special wire gauze i,-the air flows
downwards to the edges of the burner passing through the slots j,-formed in the
stratite ring k, The air is diverted uniformly under the edge of the ring burner,
by means of a spherical pendant l, of some refractory substance, but I prefer to use
a special glass reflecting material-The steatite burner ring is held in position by
lips m-The air also descends to the gas through the annular space and openings n
Around the Argand burner there is a lining of white porcelain n² or some other
refractory and light reflecting substance, the flame takes a bulb or tulip form, and
the products of combustion enter the recuperators in the manner shewn in figures 1
and 3, or. as shewn in figure 6 and 7 in the first form it enters openings at the inner
ends of the passage, in the second form, or as shewn in. figures 6 and 7, it enters
into openings o, in the lower disc b, directly into the recuperator The products of
combustion flow along the passages p, in which their heat is given up to the sides
thereof, and to the special wire gauze, escaping into the main chimney q, by means
of the tubes 7'.
When the gas is first lighted part of the products of combustion escape into the
chimney q, by means of the small holes 8, in the disc t, and the small chimney u.
The gas passes into the argand burner by incans of the pipe v,-inside the
chimney q
When the lamp is of small candle power the diameter of the argand burner is
reduced conically as shewn in figure 9.
For ventilating purposes the chimney q, is prolonged up to the ceiling and then
continued to the open air, the heat of the products of combustion inducing the
abstraction of foul air through the perforated centre ceiling piece.
The air tight transparent globe w, is held or supported by a metallic ring x,
wrapped with silicate of cotton, slag wool or asbestos-this ring is attached to a
hinge y, which is in its turn attached to the underside of the lower disc b-The
ring is held in position by means of a jointed and weighted lever z, which on being
lifted allows the globe to be opened.

page_text: The under surface of the lower disc b, forming the cover of the lamp is enameled
or otherwise treated so as to make its surface light reflecting but at the same time
heat resisting.
The gas may be lighted by means of the following simple arrangement shewn in
figures 8 and 8A
A semi-circular glass disc 1, is attached to a vertical spindle 2,
which is in its turn attached to a ring held by the globe; on turning the spindle
by the knob 3, of the spindle 2, the semi circular opening is uncovered, and through
which a light can be passed to ignite the gas.
The dotted lines in figure 1 shew the manner in which the gas can be led to the
burner from below and through the centre of the globe which is in this instance
made in two halves-cach half being movable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same may be performed I now claim the following-as
novel features in my invention
1st The manner of constructing the disc recuperator of cast iron or earthenware
or of porcelain and through which the products of gaseous combustion are made
to flow in a distinctly horizontal direction substantially as herein shewn and
described.
2ndly The manner of causing such flow in a horizontal direction, of the products
of combustion by means of tho small tubes leading to the main chimney, and
attached to the recuperator, substantially as herein shewn and described.
3rdly The manner of inducing the flow of the products of combustion through
the recuperator by means of the secondary chimney and the small holes over each
of the openings forming the entrance for the products of combustion into the
recuperator passages substantially as herein shewn and described.
4thly The system of coning the inverted argand burner-for the purpose of
reducing the combustion of the gas and at the same time permitting tubes for
distributing air to the centre of the burner to be inserted in or through the side
thereof substantially as herein shewn and described.
5thly The system of providing slots in the lower edges of the burner and steatite
ring by which the air can pass around each of the jets of gas, substantially as
herein shewn and described.
Claim 6th The general construction of the lamp substantially as herein shewn
and described.
Claim 7th The manner of distributing air to the gas burner substantially as
herein shewn aud described.
Din third day of October 1885