224. Shaw’s Reflector.
Another economizer of light is the Shaw self-cleaning reflector, made by the same firm. It consumes its own smoke, is easily fixed to present gas fittings, and is simple, efficient, durable, and cheap. It is shown in Fig. 224 in its plainest, simplest form. Many other more elaborate designs are made in ornamental wrought ironwork and enamelled ware.
225. Müller’s “Alpha” Gas-maker.
Fig. 225 illustrates the most convenient and useful plant adapted to the home manufacture of illuminating gas, known as the “Alpha.” It is constructed by the patentee, H. L. Müller, of Mary Ann St., St. Paul’s Square, Birmingham, and has recently had some improvements added. The process of gas making by this plant consists simply in combining atmospheric air with a light hydro-carbon in a state of vapour. There are many available forms of such light hydro-carbon derived from mineral oils, shales, and coal tar. When air is charged with such vapours it forms a mixture that can be ignited and burned. But the most successful results cannot be attained without certain important conditions are fulfilled, which are carefully provided for in Müller’s apparatus. In many respects the illuminating agent thus produced is superior to coal gas. Its cost is certainly no greater, and in some instances considerably less; the supply can be placed under control, instead of being liable to interruption through strikes and other causes; the light is bright and pleasant; and the vapour being pure is much less unwholesome to breathe, less unpleasant to smell, and less injurious to furniture, pictures, &c. The object of Müller and Adkin’s recent improvements is to completely control the flame, preventing any sudden increase above the normal, when fresh supplies of hydro-carbon are furnished to the apparatus. This is accomplished by a self-acting feed-box, which enables the reservoir to be replenished whilst the apparatus is in use, without in any way interfering with the lights which are burning. The system is being largely adopted in mansions and rural districts, where coal gas is not obtainable or is very dear, and can successfully compete with coal gas, even in localities where it is cheap. An additional advantage it possesses is that it furnishes a most convenient motive power for pumping, chaff-cutting, and the numerous other operations conducted in a country house.
Sugg’s Specialities.—In all matters relating to the use of coal gas in the house, whether for lighting, warming, or cooking purposes, the name of Sugg stands pre-eminent. To attempt to illustrate or describe all the appliances introduced by him, and sold by William Sugg & Co., Limited, Grand Hotel Buildings, Charing Cross, London, would require the space of a good-sized volume; even then it would not do justice to the inventor, because it could not include new things which are continually being perfected under his direction. This is especially the case with regard to gas burners, globes, and governors, of which hundreds of forms and designs can be seen at the show-rooms, all possessing some special quality of usefulness or ornament. Instead, therefore, of selecting a few examples for illustration, which would very inadequately represent the subject, it will be more just to recommend every user of gas to procure Sugg’s catalogue, and observe for himself those articles which best furnish his needs, not forgetting that the advice to be obtained from the maker is the result of a unique experience and long study, and therefore well worth taking to heart.
Lighting: Electric. Continued from p. [95].
During the past few years the manufacture of incandescent lamps has been developing rapidly, numerous improvements having been introduced, and by the use of high class of photometrical instruments in the examining rooms, the exact light-giving power of each lamp in standard candles is registered, the ordinary sizes being 5, 8, 12, 16, 25, 30, and 50, those of higher power being only suitable for halls, ball-rooms, &c. The manufacture in this country is, owing to patent monopolies, confined to two types, the Edison-Swan and the Woodhouse and Rawson, the difference between which is chiefly in the shape of the carbon. In the former, the carbon has a loop in it; in the latter, it is like a plain horse-shoe. In both cases the price is 3s. 6d. each for all sizes up to and including 30 candle power, but the Woodhouse and Rawson lamps consume less current for an equal amount of light, while the length of life is phenomenal, in one instance being close on 11,000 hours.
It is a very good plan to use the Trotter dioptric shades, in which the light is subdivided by numerous prisms, without any appreciable loss.
Formerly switches, to turn the lamps on and off, were a great source of trouble, being as a rule cheap and nasty. They are now, however, made of superior quality, being thoroughly mounted on either porcelain or slate, with ornamental covers harmonising with the wall of the room, fitted with spring arrangements preventing any sparking from taking place when turning the switch off, the brake being practically instantaneous. Those called the “W. & R. Diamond,” can be safely recommended as fulfilling all the requirements of the Fire Insurance Office rules. Various sizes are of course made, from a small switch to turn on one light to others to turn on say all the lights in a room, and large main switches which are used below in the engine-room for turning on as many as 500 lights. One great advantage is that the switch can if necessary be fixed outside the door of the room, so that the light can be turned on before entering.