January 1, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 33 THE “KINGSWAY" SIGNALLING SYSTEM. Messrs, the General Electric Light Company Limited, of Witton, have recently devised a signalling sysiem to conform with the Home Office requirements, which has the merit of being adaptable to existing electric bell or mechanical rapper installations. The instruments are themselves of two types. In Type I. (fig. 1) the indicator is enclosed in a cast iron case withmachined joints,and a special terminal boxis provided for wiring. The pointer remains at the last signal given, returning to zero on the < ommencement of the next signal and registering step by step the number of rings. A special feature is the provision of two terminal connections for attaching to contacts on the winding- depth indicator, enabling the pointer to be returned to the zero position by the movement of the engine during 'LOWER. 2 STOP THE GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.LTD, LONDON, ENGLAND. RATENT H"? »»»»/•»> ITSia/19. IQStl, I2Z2I/I*. \L0ra A '’L /steady/ .STEAIJiy tWH/ MEN «,0N Fig 1.—Indicator (Type I). compliance with the order. This operation can be arranged to take place at any predetermined point on the depth indicator. This arrangement does not interfere with, and is totally independent of, the ordinary working of the indicator. Type II. ins l rument (fig. 2) is similar in construction, but is so ar ran ged that the pointer registers step by step the number of rings, and remains at the last number of rings until returned to zero (1) by an arrangement operating- after a time limit of three or four seconds, (2) by the engineman pressing a push, or (3) by the movement of the engine when the order is being executed. Bach indicator embodies the whole of the foregoing arrangements, and with each indicator a special com- bined push and switch is supplied, which enables the the engineman to put into operation any of the above conditions for returning the pointer to zero position. The method of operation is shown in fig. 3. MEN RAISI II KE SICHALLINCINOIC AT ft Ls THE imgs® THECENERAL ELECTRIC CO,LTD. LONDON, ENGLAND n? u.w------y Fig. 2.—Indicator'(Type II). The simple system for single level pits where electricity is employed necessitates the following apparatus Onsetter : one F.P. bell and one ringing key; banksmen: one F.P. bell, one relay and two ringing keys ; engine-room : one “ Kingsway ” combined bell and indicator, one trembling bell or hooter (instead of single-stroke bell, so as to give distinct signal from that of the banksmen). If desired one indicator can be used for onsetters only, in which case a second bell or hooter must be used. Where the signalling is done by mechanical “rapper” a special “pull key ” is attached to the rapper line at the surface, which actuates the electrical audible and visual indicator in the engine house and indicates the signal given, in like manner to the “all-electrical” system. Under the multiple level system the following apparatus is required :—Each onsetter, pit bottom: one F.P. bell and one ringing key ; banksmen: one F.P. bell, one relay, one luminous or non-luminous level indicator, one ringing key for each level for return signal, and one ringing key for signalling to engineman ; engineman : one combined indicator and bell for onsetter for onsetter signals, one ti embling bell or hooter for banksmen’s signals, one luminous or non-luminous level indicator. The second indicator and bell are not absolutely necessary, but are included to make the system complete. The cables required are as follow :— (a) For running down pit shaft—Each conductor 1/18 plain copper insulated with two layers of impregnated BANKSMANS KEY Fig. 3.—Method of Operation INDICATOR BANKSMAN BATTERY FOR VISUAL INDICATOR RESETTING KEY INDICATOR ENGINE HOUSE w r too i in SUCIRCUIT PIT BANK (LUMINOUS level\ ---—I INDICATORS ( —------- CIRCUIT 10° CIRCUIT N2I LEVEL. N23 LEVEL. paper, the required number of cores laid up together and lead covered, taped and armoured with a complete ring of No. 18 S.W.G. steel wires; (&) For overhead lines from engine house to banksmen—Multicore cable, each core composed of 1/18 tinned copper wire, insulated with two layers of vulcanised indiarubber, taped and waxed. The required number of cores cabled together, taped, waxed, strongly hemp braided and thoroughly impregnated with weather resisting and preservative compound. In connection with this system a fool-proof bell can be supplied, as shown in fig. 4. It has a cast iron case, Fig. 4.—The F P. (Fool Proof; Bell. with machined flanges of ample proportions to provide cooling-ofi path; is flame proof, all parts are insulated from frame, has heavy contacts, and the hammer is pro- tected by a shield. Belays, similarly protected, are also to be obtained. Fig. 5 shows a luminous level indicator for use in mines with a number of levels. These are fitted with battery lamps, but can also be fitted with lamp to work lighting mains if so desired. The General Electric Company are also listing a new series of flame-proof gear, comprising switchgear, cut-outs, circuit breakers, &c. In this connection glands have been designed which retain the explosive gases and prevent the entry of -water. In these the joint between gland and case is made gastight with a lead washer ; a lignum vita: bush is divided horizontally into two parts, the faces of each being cupped for the reception of tallow hemp packing. Screws are provided for anchoring the armoured wire of the cable. A special feature of tl e “ Salford ” type circuit breaker, which has been designed to comply with the KingswaY" Fig. 5.—Luminous Level Indicator. Home Office requirements, is a machined flange, the object of which is to cool to a safe temperature any escaping gases due to an internal explosion. An interlocking arrangement is also another feature of this breaker. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE AND WARWICKSHIRE INSTITUTE OF MINING ENGINEERS. A meeting was held at the University, Edmund- street, Birmingham, on Monday, December 21, 1914, Mr. G. M. Cockin, president, being in the chair. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. The following gentlemen having been approved by the council were elected :—As a member, Mr. D. S. Newey, Parade House, Dudley; as associate members, Mr. K. Mikawa, 22, Dartmouth-row, Blackheath, London; Mr. H. Sano, 22, Dartmouth-row, Blackheath, London. The President introduced Mr. James Lomax, who gave a most valuable and interesting lecture, illustrated with numerous micro-section lantern slides, on “ The Formation of Coal Seams in the Light of Recent Microscopic Investigations, and its Influence on Modern Mining Problems.” At the close of the lecture there was a short discussion to which Mr. Lomax replied. The President proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Lomax which was seconded by Mr. Langford Ridsdale and carried unanimously. Mr. Lomax briefly thanked the members.