Pilot Flame Ignition of Incandescent Gas Lamps. C. xvV. JOR-DAN. (Transactions of the Illuminating Engineering Society, September 20--23, i915.)--The subject of pilot flame ignition of incandescent gas lamps may appear to many to be rather a minor or unimportant detail of the broad general subject of gas lighting, and yet on analysis it will be found to be extremely vital for the successful operation of lamps i n practice. Convenience in gas lighting has become a necessity, and many devices have been perfected for securing automatic ignition, in some cases controlled from distant points. Despite the ingenuity shown in the design and mechanical devices for securing automatic ignition, the): have not met the practical requirement of service.
Other devices, such as pyrophoric ignition, self-lighting mantles, etc., are not extensively used because of the ease with which the mechanical parts get out of order or on account of the short life of the active material. The simple pilot by-pass and gas-cock actuated by pulling a chain meet the demand for convenience, economy, and service in a most satisfactory manner.
Consumers are often badly misinformed or entirely ignorant of the consumption of gas by pilots. The consumption of a one-burner indoor pilot is in the neighborhood of IOOO cubic feet per year. The consumption by pilots varies from 8 to 2o per cent. of the total consumption with the usual type of burner.