Lampas, or Descriptions of Mechanical Improvements of Lamps and Waterpoises

...the container original: "Receptacle" of a lamp in such a way that it will continue to supply the fuel original: "Pabulum" — Latin for food or sustenance to the flame at an equal rate for a very long time, until it is all consumed. Thinking about this problem first led me to search for a counterpoise counterpoise In this context, a mechanism that uses weights or balances to regulate the flow of liquids. for liquids or fluids, which is also very useful in hydraulics original: "Hydraulicks", as I will demonstrate later.

I can achieve this through many different inventions based on very different principles. Every one of these can be adjusted to supply the oil or fuel of the lamp in whatever quantity, manner, or proportion is desired. For now, I will omit all the other ways of achieving this effect, though several original: "divers" of them are as significant, or more so, than the ones I mention here. Since I promised on page 32 of my description of Helioscopes Hooke refers to his 1676 work, A Description of Helioscopes and Some Other Instruments. to publish a design for a counterpoise for liquids, I will only explain several ways these counterpoises can be used to meet any requirement regarding the manner and quantity of oil supplied to the flame.

The main purpose of the counterpoise in this investigation is to keep the surface original: "Superficies" of the liquid—whether oil, spirit of wine High-proof alcohol/ethanol., oil of turpentine, or something similar—at the same height, regardless of how much remains in the vessel. In this way, the fuel shall always be the same distance from the bottom of the flame. Once the wick or flame is placed at a suitable height or distance above the surface of the oil, it will not be left stranded original: "deserted" by the retreating surface until the entire quantity of oil is consumed. Furthermore, it is just as easy to design it to supply the oil in increasing or decreasing amounts. These are advantages original: "conveniences" that I have never seen in any other lamp that was actually practical to use. The most clever design is the one commonly known as Cardano's Lamp, which was published and likely invented by Cardano Gerolamo Cardano (1501–1576) was a celebrated Italian polymath; his "bird-fountain" lamp design attempted to use atmospheric pressure to regulate oil flow.. This lamp does, in some way, resupply the oil as it is wasted and diminished by the flame’s consumption. However, it is subject to many drawbacks original: "inconveniences",