NEIMME: Lamps
No. 22.
CLANNY LAMP.
Presented by J.L. Scott.
Made by Mills, Newcastle upon Tyne.
CONSTRUCTION.
Gauze. Iron 28 mesh with gauze cap at the top.
11/2 ins. diameter.
Glass. 5/16 ins. thick, 2 ins high, 2 3/4 ins diameter.
Burner. ? ins flat wick.
Lock. Screw.
Standards. 6 round the glass.
3 round the gauze.
The air intake is through the bottom of gauzes, down the inside of the glass to the flame.
HISTORICAL NOTE.
Dr. W.R. Clanny, of Sunderland had maintained his interest in the lighting of gassy mines since he tried his first 'Blast Lamp' in 1813. He produced altogether six types and the last two of these, produced between 1839 and 1842 are the ones generally spoken of as Clanny lamps. They were very similar.
Davy's gauze having provided the safety element, though also reducing the candle power, Clanny set himself the task of maintaining the safety while increasing the candle power. He did this by introducing the glass, but no gauze, round the flame, the gauze continuing from the top of the glass.
His experiments convinced him of the safety of the gauzes on Davy lamps and indicated that an increased diameter of gauze decreased the safety so he maintained Davy's dimensions in his gauzes. The glass was the chief trouble because of the possibility of it cracking by the heat or by accidental blow. This often happened and the only way to reduce the risk were to thicken the glass and increase its diameter. He produced, therefore, lamps with small diameter gauzes (11/2 ins.) and large diameter glasses (about 3 ins.) Better proportion was obtained later when the quality of glass improved and reliable washers were available for its housing. Later, too, the gauzes were tapered which facilitated their cleaning.
This specimen is not quite true to Clanny's pattern, the variation being in the middle ring.
From about 1840 many people interested themselves in safety lamps and modifications are numerous, some being important and some not.
No. 24.
CLANNY LAMP.
Presented by J. Straker-Nesbit.
Made by Charlton, Newcastle upon Tyne.
CONSTRUCTION.
Gauze. Iron 28 mesh.
Glass. 2 ins diameter.
13/4 ins high.
1/4 ins thick.
Burner. ? ins flat wick.
Lock. Screw, through oil vessel.
Standards. 4 round the glass.
3 round the gauze.
(See description of No. 22.)
No. 25.
CLANNY LAMP.
A normal Clanny type of lamp fitted with the Protector patent. The lamp burns spirit; the oil vessel is packed with absorbent material.
The wick tube is long and screws into a sleeve which in turn screws into the base of the lamp. The sleeve is locked in that position by the spring locking bolt (the upper lock). To assemble the lamp the sleeve is screwed into position on the burner, the wick lit, and the whole screwed into position in the lamp; the screw bolt is pushed home, thus locking the sleeve. The oil vessel cannot then be detached without extinguishing the flame.
No. 25 A.
CLANNY LAMP.
Presented by T.C. Renwick.
Similar to No. 25 with the exception of a different shaped crown.
No. 35.
CLANNY LAMP.
(with W.H. Hall's patent).
Presented by T.E. Foster.
Made by Hall, Birmingham.
There are two special features of this lamp. The glass, which is shaped on its exterior into a series of vertical zones with concave surfaces to give concentrated beams of light.
The burner is fitted with a patent flame extinguisher to ensure that the lamp cannot be dismantled without first putting out the light.
The extinguisher has a snuffer mounted on a vertical arm which has a ratchet. This arm can be raised against the force of a spring and turned so that the snuffer is clear of the flame and the ratchet bears on the top of the oil vessel. When in this position the oil vessel can be screwed home. On unscrewing the oil vessel the ratchet catches and is turned by a projection so that the spring forces the snuffer downwards and extinguishes the flame.
(See description of No. 22.)
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No. 35. |
There are two special features of this lamp. The glass, which is shaped on its exterior into a series of vertical zones with concave surfaces to give concentrated beams of light.
The burner is fitted with a patent flame extinguisher to ensure that the lamp cannot be dismantled without first putting out the light.
The extinguisher has a snuffer mounted on a vertical arm which has a ratchet. This arm can be raised against the force of a spring and turned so that the snuffer is clear of the flame and the ratchet bears on the top of the oil vessel. When in this position the oil vessel can be screwed home. On unscrewing the oil vessel the ratchet catches and is turned by a projection so that the spring forces the snuffer downwards and extinguishes the flame.
(See description of No. 22.)
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No. 64. B. Click to view image |
This lamp has a single 28 mesh iron gauze. The air inlet and outlet holes in the bonnet are very small as an added safety measure.
The lamp burns spirit and has a Protector patent burner.
The Douglas Patent consists of a small spring device which allows the outer tube of the burner to be pushed into position easily, but holds it in position when the fuel vessel is unscrewed, thus extinguishing the flame.
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No. 51A. |
CONSTRUCTION.
Gauze. Two 28 mesh iron.
21/2 ins high, with cap.
Burner. ? ins flat wick.
Silvered reflector.
Lock: Screw.
Air inlet is through holes in the middle ring, through the gauze, down inside the glass to the flame.