IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS BY ELECTRICITY APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Leigh Clarke of Manchester in the County of
Lancaster for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS BY ELECTRICITY APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER
ELECTRICAL PURPOSES
»
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Leigh Clarke at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1883.
CHARLES LEIGH CLARKE of Manchester in the County of Lancaster,
'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS BY
ELECTRICITY APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES."
The invention relates to the construction of a static induction apparatus in a
convenient cylindrical form in the manner hereinafter described for the purpose
of developing a spark for lighting coal gas or other inflammable aëriform fluids.
It is also equally applicable for other electrical purposes where the induction of
static electricity is desired.
The apparatus consists principally of two parts, vizt: an outer fixed cylindrical
case and an inner revolving cylinder or cell, both made of ebonite or other suitable
insulating substance. The outer fixed cylinder has attached to its inner surface
two "inductors" formed of metal and each covering about one third of the inner
circumference so as to leave two spaces between them, each equal to about one
sixth of the circumference. The inner or revolving cylinder is made of thin
vulcanite or other insulating material open at the top and closed at the bottom.
The inner surface of this cylinder is provided with six metallic strips or " carriers,"
or the carriers may be supported at each end by discs, if preferred, the cylinder
being dispensed with.
Above the top of the inner cylinder is fixed a disc (also of insulating material)
to which are attached, by screws, six fine steel springs, extending downward to
about the middle of the inner cylinder, and each carrying a small friction roller,
pressing and revolving against the inner circumference or surface of the revolving
cylinder,

page_text: On the top of the outer fixed cylinder is a metallic cap, to which is fixed a
metal tube or spire of any convenient length and provided in the centre with
a bush of ebonite or other insulating material, through which pass two insulated
wires.
The upper ends of these wires are bare and are brought into proximity with
each other so as to form electrodes for the spark.
The lower ends of these wires bear upon springs attached to two of the fine
steel springs before mentioned carrying the collecting rollers. Two others of these
fine springs are connected one to each "inductor" on the inside of the outer fixed
cylinder or case, and the remaining two are connected together.
The inner cylinder or cell is carried upon an axle to which a quick rotary motion
may be imparted by suitable gearing actuated by the pressure of the thumb on a
button projecting from the outside of the casing.
This button is provided with a spiral spring placed inside an india rubber tube
so as to prevent the ingress of air or moisture.
Beneath this is a space in which may be placed blotting paper or other absorbent
material charged with suitable chemicals to absorb moisture if necessary in order
to ensure the perfect dryness of all the interior surfaces
The inner cylinder may be caused to revolve by any other suitable mechanism.
Whenever the inner cylinder revolves static electricity is induced and a spark
(or succession of sparks) is discharged between the ends of the electrodes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Leigh Clarke in the Patent Office on the 30th June 1884.
CHARLES LEIGH CLARKE of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING GAS BY
ELECTRICITY, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES
"
This invention relates principally to improvements in portable gas lighting
apparatus, but it will be evident from the following description that with very
slight modifications the apparatus may be used for other electrical purposes.
The object of the invention is to provide a convenient durable and portable
instrument for generating and utilizing electricity for lighting inflammable gases
or vapors and for various other purposes such for instance as the firing of explosive
charges in mining operations or for torpedo or artillery work. My object is attained
in the apparatus which I shall hereinafter describe more especially for gas igniting
purposes and which consists generally in an induction generator combined with
mechanism to operate the same, and a conducting wire or wires and electrodes
contained in a convenient tube, whereby the electricity generated is conducted to
any suitable distance in order to apply it to its designed purpose.
In addition to these elements I also provide a drying cell enclosing a drying
substance whereby the interior surfaces of the apparatus are kept perfectly dry,
and its effectiveness greatly increased.
To produce or develope the electricity necessary for the purpose required I
preferably employ a generating device in which an electrified body is made to act
by induction on a movable system in such a way as to produce a practically
continuous generator of electricity which is discharged between the extremities or
points of the conducting electrodes.
By utilizing such a source of high tension electricity I am enabled to dispense
with the costly and unenduring adjuncts of electric gas lighting (i.e. a voltaic battery
induction coil and circuit breaker) which have heretofore been indispensable.
In the annexed drawings which form a part of this Specification
Fig. 1. is a vertical section of the complete apparatus with the electrode containing
tube partly broken away and shortened.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional plan view of the cylinder A, on the line a, a Fig. 3 is
a cross section of the cylinders A and H, in their relative positions.
Figs 4 and 5 are sectional views of part of the cylinder H, slightly modified.
Fig. 6. is a diagramatic development of the cylinders A. and H. showing the
electrical connection of the inductive generator.
Figs 1. to 6 are full sized views. Fig. 7. is an enlarged and exaggerated plan of
the cylinder B. with the top plate removed.
The entire apparatus comprises four distinct parts or elements via the
inductional generative apparatus, the lighting tube containing the operative or
sparking points: the actuating mechanism suitably encased and furnished with
means for operating from the outside, and the drying cell, charged with some
drying substance or compound.
These separate instrumentalities I design however to incorporate in a single
instrument similar to that described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted'
to myself and John Leigh bearing date the 1st day of March 1882. N° 985.
The inductive generating apparatus which constitutes one of the principal
elements of my invention is specifically shown at Figs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. and 6. and is
based partly upon Varleys electrostatic machine, and partly upon the "mouse mill "
of Sir William Thompson.
It consists mechanically of a hollow cylinder of non conducting material such as
vulcanite, mounted delicately upon pivots or journals within another cylinder and´

page_text: caused by proper mechanism to rotate rapidly therein. Inasmuch as it is very
difficult to clearly show in the drawings the electrical arrangements I have in
Fig. 6. endeavoured to show them by supposing the cylinders to be split open and
rolled out so as to present a flat appearance.
In the drawings A, is the outside vulcanite cylinder, which also constitutes the
external casing and which is closed at the upper end by a partition p, p of like
material through which the conducting wires extend, terminating in contact
springs p¹ and p the wall of this cylinder however extends upwards a little above
the cover p, p and is threaded for the attachment of the lighting tube or base
plate z, z thereof.
Two armatures or inductors o, and o¹ of thin metal foil are fastened to the
internal surface of the cylinder A. opposite to one another, each equal in width to
about one third of the internal circumference of the cylinder A.
Six contact springs (each consisting of a wire terminating in a small roller or
bent to a circular form at its free extremity) are permanently attached at one end
to the closed end P, of the outer cylinder A. These are arranged in three pairs
1, 1, 1 and 12, 12. The springs l, at their fixed ends are connected together by a
wire m (or fastened to the opposite ends of a light metal bar) which is let into the
cover p, p of the cylinder A, so that from the free end of one of the springs / to
the other free end of the other, there is a continuous conducting path.
The springs, at their fixed ends are permanently united to the electrode
contact springs p₁ and p² and provide the route for the escape and neutralization
of the electricity.
· The springs 1, 2 are each connected to the projecting end or terminal of one of
the inductor armatures o and o¹.
The inner hollow cylinder H, has an axis u, u extending through it from one
end to the other terminating at both ends in an arbor or journal by which the
cylinder is rotatable in suitable fixed bearings, the upper bearing being a brass
bush screwed into the centre of the cover p p (or if a metal bar joins the springs 1, 1
formed in the centre thereof) while the lower bearing is in the lower or base
plate b, b of the metal motor case B hereinafter described. The cylinder H is
provided with six metal foil carriers or conductors m, m, each carrier being a strip
of foil, extending nearly the whole length of the cylinder and having a width of
about three eighths of an inch. If preferred the carriers may be supported upon
discs at each end instead of the cylinder H.
These are preferably cemented to the interior surface of the cylinder H, and
terminate at the lower end in a series of metal buttons or studs n, n (or short
strips of metal as shown at Figs 4 and 5) which project for a short distance into
the cylinder H. or are turned flush with the surface of an extra thickness of
vulcanite at the lower part of the said cylinder.
The carriers m, m have no electrical connection with one another or with the
electrodes or inductors o, o' except by means of the curved ends r, r of the contact
springs,, which are brought into contact successively with the carrier buttons
or plates n, n.
When the cylinder H is revolved each carrier m, m is brought into successive
contact through the contact springs 12, 1, 1 with the armatures o, and o¹ the
electrode wires and sparking points and the short circuiting wire m¹, m³ (or bar).
The lighting tube E. is in metallic connection by means of its base plate Z with
the spring p², p² and is provided at its end with a point which thus forms one of
the sparking points, the other poiut k¹, k¹ is at the end of the central wire k², k²
which is in metallic connection with the spring p¹, p¹ and I prefer to form a
condenser in this tube by casing the wire k², le in the foil and passing it through an
insulating bush k³, les which is also wrapped in tin foil. The central wire k², k² at
its lower end makes contact with the contact spring p', p' which terminates the
wire spring and passing through the tube terminates at its upper extremity in
the spark point or electrode k¹ k¹.
- Between the points k, and k¹ when the apparatus is operated sparks freely pass.

page_text: The point consists preferably of an adjustable screw by which the distance
between the points can be controlled.
The lighting tube E screws into the metal plate Z which in turn screws on to the
outer cylinder H.
If preferred two wires, suitably insulated may be used inside the tube E one in
metallic contact with the spring p' and the other in connection with p² their
unprotected ends projecting at the sparking points in the said tube.
This arrangement practically constitutes a condenser (or rather two condensers)
The wires forming inner conductors the insulating material the dielectric, and the
tube an outer conductor common to both. I will now describe the actuating
mechanism of the induction apparatus which is separately enclosed in a metal com-
partment B screwed to the cylinder A, and also to the drying chamber g forming a
connecting link between them.
In addition to the parts shown in Fig. 1 the mechanism is also shown by the
exaggerated plan view Fig. 7. The spindle or axis a, a of the inner cylinder H
passes through the cylinder B centering at its end in the lower plate ba
pinion a², a is fixed to the spindle a. This pinion is engaged by the spur wheel i, i
and a second pinion g¹, g¹ on the arbor of the arbor of the spur wheel gears with
the rack g, g carried on the movable frame d, d, this frame being attached to and
actuated by the push button c, c the shank of which passes through the casing B.
The interior of this hole in the casing B is fitted with a valve seating so that when
the button is retracted the whole is air tight.
The spur wheel i, i works loose on its arbor as is maintained in mechanical
connection with the said arbor and pinion g', g¹ when the button c, c and movable
rack frame d, d are being pushed inward by the ratchet and pawl h¹, h¹. When
however the pressure is removed from the push button c, c the said button and its
spindle are retracted by the spiral springs 8, a fixed to the interior surface of the
casing B, B.
When so retracted the pawl slides backwards over the ratchet teeth so that all
backward movement of the cylinder H. is prevented.
The inner cylinder H of the induction machine is thus readily revolved by
simple pressure of the thumb upon the button c, c.
The only undescribed part of the instrument is the chamber g screwed to the
part B and forming the base of the handle; it may be formed of any convenient
material and is filled with blotting paper, muslin, or other suitable fabric permeated
or saturated with chloride of calcium or other similar absorbent or drying
substance or compound. By the use of this chamber g the working of the
apparatus is improved and its efficiency greatly increased.
The operation of the instrument is as follows.
When the instrument is to be used the button c, c is pressed inwards by the
thumb or fingers and causes the cylinder H. to revolve rapidly thus developing
electricity in the following manner.
The inductors or armatures o and o¹ may be regarded as having always a
somewhat different potential, so that, so that one practically has a slight positive, and
the other a small negative charge; it is in fact found to be difficult, if not impossible
to reduce them to the same potential, and as the smallest conceivable charge on one
inductor of the machine is sufficient to start it after a few revolutions of the inner
cylinder the inductors and carriers become highly charged and discharge themselves
by means of the electrodes.
Referring now to the diagram Fig. 6 we may assume therefore the armature or
inductor o to have a small initial charge of electricity (say positive). The
cylinder H carrying on its interior surface the foil carrier m m¹ m² m³ m m³ is
supposed to be revolving in the direction of the arrow. The inductor o will induce
a negative charge through the substance of the revolving cylinder in the carrier m²
a the said carrier rotates past the contact spring . The carrier m² makes
momentary contact with the round head r of the said spring and the positive

page_text: electricity flows by way of the contact spring 1, metal wire (or bar) and
complimentary spring to the opposite carrier m³ charging it positively. The
negative charge of the said carrier m² is by the continued rotation of the said
cylinder H. conveyed onward until the next contact spring is reached and the
round end of that spring impinging on the carrier conducts the said charge away
to the second inductor o' augmenting the original negative charge and leaving the
carrier m² almost neutral.
As the said carrier continues to rotate past the inductor o' a positive charge is
induced in it and what negative charge there is remaining flows off by the second
contact spring which by this time is reached. Still passing on, the positive
charge n, n is brought to the first inductor o and as the carrier makes contact with
the round end r² of the spring 12 the said carrier is transferred to the inductor
augmenting the original positive charge existing therein. When the same carrier m³
again passes the first spring of the pair it receives by induction from the
inductor o through the substance of the cylinder H a greater negative charge than
before which is again carried on to augment the negative charge in the inductor o'
thus inducting a strong positive charge in the carrier m² as it passes that inductor,,
which charge is for the second time added to that in the first inductor o, Each
turn thus augments the charge on both inductors in a constantly increasing ratio,
and the only limit to the charge which can thus be accumulated on the inductors
is that determined by the third pair of contact springs, leading to the sparking
points and k¹: and when the difference of potential between the inductors become
sufficiently great the electricity instead of continuing to augment the charges of
the charges of the inductors is delivered by the carrier to the contact springs,
and passes up through pl and p² to the points le² and k re-combining in the form of
sparks, in a continuous supply the condenser aiding in the effectiveness of the sparks.
I have merely described the operation of one of the carriers but it is very evident that
the same succession of electrical changes is continually occurring in all of them the
whole working harmoniously together first to excite the conductors to their
maximum capacity and then to conduct the surplus electricity by way of the
sparking points.
It is evident that the arrangement which I have described may be reversed, the
inductors being placed on the inner revolving cylinder and the carriers on the outer
cylinder without departing from my invention. It is also evident that the details
of the actuating mechanism may be greatly varied without departing from the
spirit of my invention, which in this particular merely requires any mechanism
which by manual pressure on a button tends to rapidly rotate the inner cylinder.
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.
First. An electrostatic generating device constructed in a cylindrical form and
comprising an outer cylinder of ebonite or similar material supporting armatures
or inductors of metal foil; an inner cylinder of like material supporting carriers of
metal foil; contact springs whereby the charges induced upon the said carriers are
redistributed and means as indicated whereby one of the said cylinders may be
rotated with reference to the other, substantially as herein before described and
either with or without a drying chamber filled with a suitable fabric impregnated
with chloride of calcium or similar compound.
Secondly I claim further the use of the case made of ebonite or other suitable
dielectric, and supporting on its inner surface the armatures (or the carriers, if it
be preferred to place the armatures on the inner revolving cylinder) so that should
the apparatus require at any time a small starting charge (as for instance after
being out of use for some time) this may readily be imparted by simply rubbing
for a second or two the outer surface of the case in any convenient manner.
Thirdly The use of the "commutator" upon which the collecting or distributing
s, rings are in rubbing contact (instead of on and to prevent the wear of the tiu

page_text: foil) consisting of a bush of ebonite or other non-conductor into which are fitted
strips or pegs of brass (or other conducting material) so that brass and ebonite are
"flush" with each other substantially as described.
Fourthly The contact springs made of suitable wires curled or provided with
rollers at the ends fixed in a position parallel to the axis of the cylinders and
supported on the disc so as to conveniently make the necessary connections
substantially as described.
Fifthly The mechanism for revolving the internal cylinder consisting of a rack
actuated by a push button from the outside of the outer cylinder, and reacted
upon by springs in combination with accelerating gear and a ratchet and pawl
substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Leigh Clarke have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty four
CHARLES LEIGH CLARKE (L.S.)