The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (April 1895)

The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. 61 The inventor very soon improved upon this | uncouth design, as will be seen in the next illustration. In examining a section of the saturator you will see that the passage of oxygen is controlled by a two-way tap, by which when partly opened a current of gas is directed to the bottom of the saturating chamber, charged with benzoline, ** then passing upwards it becomes fully ** See illustration in April, 1893, issue of this Journal. charged with the vapour, and is once more passed downwards to the jet; on further turning the tap, a current of pure oxygen is also admitted to the mixing chamber of jet. It is a most ingenious contrivance, and has many users; my only objection to it is the twoway tap, it could easily be arranged for two separate taps, which would I think much improve it. It was thought by many that the benzoline would get too hot, but experience has proved that it does not. This is due, nc doubt, to the fact that ether or benzoline when passing into vapour reduces the temperature, so that the containing vessel after an hour’s run is not uncomfortably warm. Mr. Timberlake the well-known cycle maker, who had been experimenting for over twenty years, with saturators, introduced in 1893 new patterns, tt one of which was intended to be tt See illustration in September, 1893, issue of this Journal. used with a separate jet; it will be seen that two perpendicular tubes are connected with a quadrangular hollow base containing ether or other light hydro-carbon. The oxygen passes into the top of one of the tubes, it then traverses the base, and finally up the other column, leaving the apparatus, as you will notice, at its warmest part. Mr. Timberlake prefers his other pattern, which has a jet combined, he has kindly lent me one, that I propose showing at work. {} tt See illustration in April, 1894, issue of this Journal. Another saturator invented by Mr. Parvin, and called the ‘‘Gridiron,” was also introduced about this time, it somewhat resembles a model engine. The diagram on the screen shows it in its early form, it is now a very claborate instrument.§§ §§ See illustration ‘in November, 1893, of this Journal. If you will examine the section, you will see that oxygen admitted by the further valve is spread by an annular perforated tube into the upper part of outside chamber; passing downwards it enters the bottom of inner chamber (£), and finally from the upper and therefore warmer part of apparatus; the pure oxygen is controlled by the nearest valve and passes downwards under the saturator, rising into the bottom of the mixing chamber. ‘There is a valve under the jet for regulating the ether vapour. The “Gridiron,” although it may seem rather complicated, is really very simple indeed, and the more I useit the more I am delighted with its performance. The next diagram I have to show you represents Suter’s saturator, partly in section ; it consists of a lower vessel containing benzoline connected with an upper chamber which it keeps supplied as quickly as it is used. Adjustable copper heaters are provided on either side of vapouriser. The oxygen to be charged with vapour is admitted to the base of upper chamber, the same tube is continued up to the base of jet, so you will see that the oxygen is divided in the apparatus itself, instead of externally as hitherto. I have not had an opportunity of using this saturator, but should hardly think it gave so good a light as the other makes. 4\|| [:| See illustration in November, 1893, issue of this Journal. Lanternists who are still afraid that a saturator is likely to get too hot, may use an ‘Optimus’ which although used inside, is in the coolest part of the lantern, and which will also allow them to use any jet they may prefer." { See Illustration in April, 1894, issue of this Journal. As to which is the best saturator, I am afraid that my opinion will hardly be of service to you ; it is well known that, as in the case of a cyclist, the particular make of machine that he rides is the best, so a lanternist’s apparatus is always so. Honestly, I think that all the leading makes, such as *‘ Lawson’s,” ‘‘ Optimus,” ‘‘ Timberlake” and ‘“‘ Gridiron”’ are good. As to safety, there can be no doubt but that if kept properly supplied with ether or benzoline, as the case may be, they are quite safe. I want to impress upon you the fact that if oxygen is saturated with ether, it is absolutely nonexplosive ; to effect this with any of the saturators J have named, it is only necessary to have a good supply of ether at a warm temperature. If you are silly enough to use 4 saturator exhausted of ether, then you will probably have an explosive mixture, but in a properly stuffed saturator an explosion is not likely to be serious, excepting so far as to terminate an