November 27, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUAKD1AJN. 1141 avoided. The means for mechanically closing the nasal passages and the mouthpiece device are connected and carried so as to form a single structure, and to this end a strap is provided, adjustably connected at its upper end to a cap of leather or the like fitting the wearer’s head, while the lower end of the strap increases in width, is formed with an aper- ture for the passage of the wearer’s nose, and fixed to that enlarged portion of the strap is a spring device for closing the nasal passages. The lower end of the strap carries the tubular mouthpiece upon one side of a plate, said mouth- piece being fitted with an indiarubber teat of suit- able construction, while the tube passes through the said plate, and carries at its lower end tubular connections connected respectively through valved passages with tubes, through which air passes to and from the mouth- piece. Fig. 1 shows the aforesaid structure in front eleva- tion, the lower tubular portion of the structure being in section; fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the structure showing that side adjacent to the face of the user, the tubular con- nections being removed; and fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectibn of the parts shown at fig. 2. (Four claims.) 14589 (1914). Improvements in or Relating to Fuel Blocks. J. E. G-. M. de Jouffrey, of Chasselay (Rhone), France.—The agglomerant used for binding the coal dust or the like comprises substances capable of vitreous fusion at about 200degs. Cent., and is composed of five parts of fine glassmaker’s sand, 10 parts of carbonate of soda, and 18 parts of extra fine Portland cement of the first quality, and comprising about 60 to 70 per cent, of lime, 5 to 6 per cent, of alumina, and about 20 per cent, of silica. The coal dust is reduced by preliminary crushing into grains of from 0 to 5 mm. With the crushed dust 4 to 6 per cent, by weight of the agglomerant above referred to is mixed (accord- ing to the degree of cohesion desired to be obtained). The mixing is effected as intimately as possible, and in the dry state, and the whole is poured into a mixer as used in a fuel block factory whilst adding 8 per cent, of water. The mix- ture is heated for 12 minutes in the mixer in contact with steam at 8 kilogramme pressure and at a temperature of about 170 degs. Cent. The block is then made in the known manner. The carbonate of soda in the agglomerant can be replaced by marine salt or sulphate of soda or any salt capable of forming a flux with the silica of the sand. To increase the cohesion, the product obtained can be again heated when coming from the presses. (Two claims.) 17121 (1913). Improvements in the Conversion of Heavy Hydrocarbons into Lighter Hydrocarbons. W. A. Hall, of the Chemists’ Club Building, 50, East Forty-first-street, New York, U.S.A.—Relates to improvements in the hydro- genation of heavy hydrocarbons with the object of convert- ing them into hydrocarbons of lower specific gravity and boiling point, such as can be used successfully in internal combustion engines of the automobile type. The improved process consists in subjecting the volatilised heavy hydro- carbon, in the absence of water or steam, or any extraneous source of hydrogen, to the action of heat and pressure in the presence of a catalyst capable of effecting the fixation of hydrogen to hydrocarbons, allowing the products to expand and deposit carbon, and cooling the residual products to pro- duce by condensation a liquid hydrocarbon containing less carbon than the said heavy hydrocarbon, and especially adapted for use in high-speed internal combustion engines. By heating a hydrocarbon oil under a moderate pressure, say, a pressure of about five atmospheres, to a temperature of upwards of 600 degs. Cent., in the presence of a catalyst capable of effecting the fixation of hydrogen to hydrocarbons, preferably metallic nickel, in the absence of water or steam or any extraneous source of hydrogen, an efficient conversion of the oil takes place, the oil being partially decomposed and fixed gases set free, such gases being in turn decomposed by the heated nickel, with liberation of hydrogen, which, in a nascent state, is to a considerable extent affixed to the con- densable portion of the decomposed hydrocarbon oil. The catalysts employed are substances such as the metals or oxides of the metals, nickel, cobalt, silver, palladium, chromium, manganese, which are all well known catalytic agents used in the various processes for the hydrogenation of oils. Apparatus suitable for the performance of the pro- cess is shown diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing. (One claim.) 22738 (1913). Improvements in and Relating to the Manufacture of Fuel and other Briquettes and of Briquette and other Binders. D. J. Davis, B.Sc., of 29, Dornton- road, Balham, S.W.; J. T. Armstrong and J. Mordan, both of Desburga Walters Ash, Hughenden, Bucks; and the Petroleum Solid Fuel (Parent) Company Limited, of 11, Southampton-row, London, W.C. — Mainly relates to the manufacture of artificial fuel, and more particularly of coal briquettes. The present invention consists in the use of a binder for artificial fuel and road making purposes obtained by adding gilsonite to an untreated heavy hydrocarbon oil, such as bituminous oil, and it has been found that the addi- tion of gilsonite permits of converting the heavy hydrocarbon oil into a very efficient binder by an inexpensive process of short duration. In carrying out the invention according to one mode, gilsonite is first melted in a suitable vessel, and a bituminous oil, such as Mexican oil, which has previously been rendered sufficiently liquid added thereto, the two sub- stances being stirred together for the purpose of bringing them into intimate contact with one another, and the vessel containing the mixture being kept sufficiently heated to prevent solidification. In making coal briquettes, this mix- ture is poured on to the coal already heated, and the whole is thoroughly mixed in a heated mixing apparatus for a comparatively short period of time, which varies according to the quantities used, the temperatures of the materials, and other circumstances. Instead of pouring the mixture of gilsonite and oil on to the coal, the same may be sprayed on to it through a suitable nozzle by the aid of steam or com- pressed air. After the mixing has been completed the mass is removed from the apparatus and briquetted in any well knowm manner, and in any shape. It is important for the carrying out of the invention that no water should be added to the gilsonite, and to the hydrocarbon oil mixed therewith, before or whilst they are mixed together in order to form the binder. The following is an example showing the propor- tions of gilsonite, bituminous oil, and coal which have been found suitable, it being obvious that these proportions may be varied as required according to circumstances. :—G-ilsonite 18 oz., Mexican bituminous oil 34 oz., coal 341b. (Four claims.) 24305 (1913). Improvements in and Relating to Electric Rotary Converters with Commutating Poles. Akt.-Ges. Brown, Boveri et Cie., of Baden, Switzerland.—The inven- tion consists in constructing the wound parts of the commu- tating poles entirely without iron, or at least with iron of such dimensions that it is practically magnetically saturated, even with a small load on the converter, in which case it is well known its permeability is equal or not substantially different from unity. The accompanying diagrammatic drawing illustrates one manner of carrying the invention into effect. In this form the yoke e is formed with a projection d, constituting the unwound part of commutating poles, the wound part being constructed as a light frame c, having the windings b thereon. This frame is situate close to the armature a, so that dispersion shall be low, and, as shown, is provided with apertures for efficient cooling. It is made of material equivalent in effect to non-magnetic material, for instance, iron so designed that it is very highly satur- ated from, say, a quarter-load upwards. The form described is given as an example only, and may be modified; for instance, the part d may be formed with the yoke e, or may be formed separate therefrom, and subsequently attached thereto. A convenient alternative manner of effecting high saturation at low load is to form the commutating pole as to its wound part of thin iron bars or of sheet iron of suit- able area of cross section. Also the commutating pole wind- ing can be placed on a non-magnetic shell attached to the part d, the shell being, for instance, made of wood, and similar in form to the frame c. By this invention the advan- tage is gained that the armature field produced by a short circuit will not find any iron path having any but high magnetic reluctance. (Five claims.) 24426 (1913). Improvements in or Relating to the Manu- facture or Production of Gas, Oil, and Ammonia. R. Maclaurin, of Homesteads, Cambusbarron, Stirling.— Relates to improvements ih the manufacture or production of gas, oil, and ammonia in a producer by the known process of causing highly heated gas containing hydrogen to ascend through a deep column of coal or other bituminous fuel. According to the invention, the diameter of the gas gener- ating chamber is made relatively wide and the walls of this chamber made thick, and of non-conducting material. On the other hand, in the upper chambers, where condensation has to take place, the walls are constructed of metal, but the wide diameter is still adhered to in order to keep down the heat losses in the centre where the fuel is distilling, and also to keep low the pressure of the blast necessary to force the gas through the fuel. In this process the oils or con- densable products of distillation (hereinafter referred to as oil) given off from the column of fuel under the action of the heated gas passing therethrough, and subsequently con- densed on and by the cooler portions of the column of fuel and by the cooler walls of the fuel chamber, are collected within the distilling chamber and run off so that they cannot run back on to the more highly heated fuel below, thereby enabling the production of gas, oil, and ammonia Fi$Z to take place in a continuous and better manner than here- tofore. The oil may be collected and run off at different levels in the distilling chamber so as to roughly fractionate it, the heavier oils being collected and run off at a lower level than the lighter oils. For this purpose the upper part of the producer is provided on its inner side at one or at different levels with channels or wells, into which the dis? tilled and subsequently condensed oil will run, and from which it can be run off through suitable outlets. The method of working the producer depends on the quality of gas which it is desired to produce. In some instances the gas that has been produced in the distilling chamber may be introduced into the lowest chamber, either alone or mixed with tar oils, alternately or simultaneously with air or steam, or air and water vapour. When producer gas is being made, part thereof may be passed direct from the lowest chamber through a lateral or central outlet and utilised in any way desired. The lowest part of the producer may be so con- structed and the air or air and steam nozzles therefor so disposed that part of the fuel can be completely drawn off from points above, in a manner known per se, before being much acted upon by the blast. A sufficient quantity of the hot gas produced in the lower part of the producer, and con- taining a large percentage—at least 14 per cent.—of hydro- gen is passed up through the column of fuel extending up- ward from the lower gas outlet, and constituting the ammonia generating column, and through that in the upper chambers, constituting the distilling and condensing cham- bers, to keep the fuel at any temperature desired, and pre- ferably such that the temperature of the ammonia gener- ating column decreases from about 700 degs. Cent, at the bottom to about 500 degs. Cent, at the top, from which point the temperature will still further decrease in the distilling and condensing chambers. To obtain a good yield of ammonia, the rate of combustion in the lower part of the gas producer should be so regulated that the fuel in the ammonia generating column will remain in that column for several hours, say, for example, from four to six hours. By proceeding in the way described, the ammonia obtained can be concentrated in a comparatively small portion of gas. Fig. 1 shows in vertical section a gas producer or apparatus suitable for carrying out the invention when two qualities of producer gas are desired; fig. 2 is a similar view of a producer of modified construction suitable for making illu- minating gas and coke, as well as oil and ammonia. (Nine claims.) 24624 (1913). Improvements Relating to Brakes for Railway Wagons and like Vehicles. S. R. Parkes, of Pretoria Works, Willenhall, Staffordshire, and F. D. Pilkington, New-street, New-road, Willenhall, aforesaid.— Relates to brakes for railway wagons and like vehicles, and is especially applicable to hand brakes of the type known as “ either side brakes,” and refers to braking mechanism of the kind in which means are provided for simultaneously applying shoes to the wheel at two substantially opposite points, pressure being applied to both shoes in opposite direc- 6 4? JO & JJ I T9y tions by the movement of a single lever; and in which also a lever upon one side of the wagon is adapted to apply the shoes upon one of the wheels upon the near side of the wagon and upon the far side of the wagon, preferably that at the opposite corner. According to the invention a lever upon the other side of the wagon is adapted to apply the brakes to the remaining two wheels. Fig. 1 is a diagram representing a truck in elevation; fig. 2 is a plan showing that part of the apparatus that is actuated by a single lever. (Four claims.) 29327 (1913). Improvements in or Relating to Appliances for Fracturing or Breaking Down Coal, Stone, Earth, and Similar Materials. R. W. Bullick, of North End House, Wingate. Durham.—A breaking down appliance in accord- ance with this invention comprises a wedge member or ram comprising a central tapered rod and a plurality of side members adapted to be together driven into a split barrel or cylinder or between two segments, side cheeks, or the like, the arrangement being such that, should the coal or the like not be fractured or broken down when said wedge member or ram has been driven home, the central tapered rod of the wedge member can be withdrawn, leaving the 1__ —fr side members in position to keep the portions of the split barrel or the like apart, and a central tapered rod or rode of larger size inserted and driven in to force the portions of the split barrel or the like further apart until the fracture or breaking down of the coal or the like is effected. Fig. 1 is a side elevation, the cylinder or barrel being shown in section; figs. 2 and 3 are plan views; and figs. 4, 5, and 6 are sections on the lines X—X, Y—Y, and Z—Z in figs. 1. 2, and 3 respectively, all looking to the left, said sections being drawn to a larger scale than figs. 1, 2, and 3 for clearness. (Three claims.)