January 29, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

247

of the gas to be obtained by the liquid streaming over the
surfaces of the .device. In this improved construction the
baffle is formed as a gallery or grid composed of plates or
strips, disposed so that they are substantially vertical and
present their flat surfaces to the liquid drops thrown out by
the sprayer. The plates may be concentric and formed in
sections assembled on suitable supports, or may be in the
form of one or more long strips spirally disposed so as to
give a similar effect. It is preferred to incline their sup-
ports so that one plate rises above the edge of the next, but
they may be in one plane if desired. They may be of metal
or other material in strip or like form, or may be of gauze
or like woven or inter-laced material. The accompanying
drawing is a sectional view of two superposed washing
chambers with the invention applied. (Two claims.)

27709 (1913). Improvements in or Relating to the Signal-
ling Apparatus Employed in Connection with the Winding
Engines of Mines and other Works. H. D. Bayley, of
Lenton Abbey, Lenton, and B. Froggatt, of 34, Thames-
street, Bulwell, Nottingham.—The object is to provide a
visible signal in connection with each bell, which will indi-
cate when each bell is rung, as well as the number of times
mechanism for permanently recording each time the two
bells are rung, and means controlled by the signalling appa-
ratus for automatically locking the engine steam valve lever,
and thus effectually preventing mistakes. Fig. 1 is a front
elevation; fig. 2, a plan of apparatus constructed according
to the invention; fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the
re-setting mechanism; fig. 4 is a side elevation showing
details of the re-setting mechanism; fig. 5 is a side elevation;
fig. 6, a cross section of the mechanism for locking the steam
valve controlling lever. A toothed escape wheel or sector A,
which is actuated by a spring or weight, and is controlled
by escapement pallets B which will let off one tooth at a
time, is provided in connection with one signalling bell, and
a corresponding escape wheel or sector a and escapement
pallets b are provided in connection with the other signal-
ling bell. When electric bells are used the two escapement
pallets B and b are actuated by means of electro-magnets,
and when mechanically operated bells are used, the said
escapement pallets are mechanically connected to said bell
mechanism, so that the toothed sector in connection with
each bell is in either case let off one tooth each time the
corresponding signalling bell is rung. The escapement
pallets B of the escape wheel or sector A are connected by an
arm E and link F to the armature G of the electro-magnet
H, which latter is in either series or parallel with the electric
bell controlled from, say, the bottom of the shaft. The
escapement pallet b is similarly connected with the electric
bell controlled from the top of the shaft. In conection with
the toothed sector A is an indicator arm J, which is mounted
loosely on the shaft C, but is connected to the toothed sector
A by connecting pins J1 in the latter engaging in openings
in the arm J. This arrangement permits of the indicator
arm or lever J sliding along the shaft, whilst still maintain-
ing its connection with the toothed sector A, so that it is
supported by the latter, and falls by its own weight when
the teeth of the sector are let off. The outer end J2 of the
arm J is sector shaped, and is provided with a series of
openings, J3, which pass in front of an opening K1 in the
main framing D, behind which is an electric or other suitable
lamp K. The openings J3 in the indicator arm J are so dis-
posed that as the teeth of the toothed sector A are let off, the
said arm drops step by step, the openings J3 register in
turn with the opening K1 in the main frame D and lamp K.
The lower opening in the arm J which normally registers
with the opening K1 and lamp K, is fitted with, say, red
glass, so that a red light is normally exhibited, whilst the
other openings may be fitted with glass of another colour or
colours, and bear the numerals 1 to 7 as shown. A corre-
sponding arrangement to that described is provided in con-
nection with the other toothed sector a. With the arrange-
ment described, it follows that on ringing either of the bells,
the corresponding light shown changes from red, which is
the preferred colour of the first opening, to, say, green. Both
bells must be rung, that is, the one from the top and the
other from the bottom of the shaft, before both red lights
change to green, and the engine driver can thus see at a
glance whether both bells have been rung, and, further, the
extent of the movement of the indicator arms J /, indicate
the precise number of rings given in each case. The toothed
sectors A and a and the indicator arms connected thereto are
returned to their normal positions again for each winding,
by means of re-setting mechanism which may be connected
to the props at the top of the shaft, so that the re-setting
takes place when the latter are moved out and in again, or
set to receive the cage. The re-setting mechanism is pre-
ferably arranged so that when the indicator arms havs been
returned to their normal positions, they are on the comple-
tion of this movement left free again so that they can be
immediately lowered again by means of the escapement if a
signal bell is rung. If preferred, the re-setting mechanism
may be connected to the winding indicator mechanism, so
that the toothed sectors are both re-set on the completion of
each winding. The re-setting mechanism which is shown in
figs. 3 and 4, consists mainly of toothed wheels M and M1
on the rear ends of the shafts C and c, on which the respec-
tive toothed sectors A and a are secured, vertical racks N
and N1 gearing with the said wheels, and a vertical slide 0
situated between the two racks. The racks N and N1 and
the slide 0 are carried in upper and lower guideways, O1
O2, secured to the framing D, the slide 0 is connected by a
stranded wire cable 04 or other convenient mechanical means
to and is moved longitudinally in one direction either by the
props or the winding mechanism, and in the reverse direction
by a spring O5, whilst the racks N and N1 are raised more
or less according to the extent of the fall of the corresponding
indicator arms. The slide 0 is provided with a pawl O3,
which is, when said slide is reciprocated, adapted to engage
with catches N2 N3 on the respective racks N N1, and thus
return the latter and the indicator arms J" j back to their
original positions again. On the completion of this move-
ment the pawl O3 is moved out of engagement with the
catches N2 N3 by cam parts D1 on the fixed framing D, so
that the racks N N1 and their connections are left quite
free as soon as they are returned to their original positions.
In order to make a permanent record of the winding .signals
on a paper band, the latter is carried up between the two
arrangements described, and the movement of the two indi-
cator arms are recorded thereon. Each indicator arm with
its arm T carrying the needle, is moved inwards every time
it is lowered one tooth, and this movement carries the needle
inwards and causes it to perforate the paper band at a
different point each time, and a perfectly legible record is
thus obtained. In conjunction with the apparatus means
are provided for locking the lever which controls the steam
inlet or throttle valve. For this purpose two catches or
detents W are pivoted one on each side of the quadrant V
of the steam controlling lever Y (see figs. 5 and 6), and

these catches are raised by lifts X1 on slides X mounted in
guideways V1 on the. quadrant V. The slides X are con-
nected to the respective indicator arms J j so that when
the latter are returned to their normal positions, the slides
X are moved and the said detents W are raised, and are
then in the path of pivoted catches Y1 on each side of the
lever Y, which is thus locked. The detents W are lowered
again when the indicator arms are lowered by letting off
the first tooth of each of the sectors. As these detents W
are independent and controlled by the two different indicator
arms, it follows that the lever Y is not released until the
driver has received the proper signal from both the bottom
and top of the shaft. The connection described is set up by

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providing, slides Z on the main framing D (see figs. 1 and 2)
connecting the said slides to the locking slides X, and pro-
viding a stud Z1 on each of the .indicator arms to engage
with and raise said slides Z when the arms are returned to
their normal positions. The detents W may be set so that
the lever can be moved just far enough to admit sufficient
steam for lowering the cage on to the props, and they permit
of the man at the top of the shaft locking the steam valve
lever at any time when the escape wheel re-setting
mechanism is connected to the props as previously described,
as he can effect this operation by moving the said props.
(Eight claims.)

28309 (1913). An Improved Shaker Conveyor for Use in
Mines. V. Bramall, Shade House, Pendlebury, Lancashire.
—This improvement is in the simple form of carrying the
troughs and the facility with which they are moved about.
The conveyor consists of a number of light metal troughs of
usual type joined together by bolts or clips and supported
upon a series of round iron or steel axle bars, each cranked
down in the centre portion in such a manner as to form a
well upon which the trough rests. These bars are secured to
the underside of the troughs by straps, which allow the bar
to rotate freely. The ends of the axle bar project horizon-

tally, and are carried in slots in two cast or wrought metal
stands which are secured to two pieces of angle iron to act
as a base and keep them rigid. The reciprocating motion
may be given to the conveyor either by hand or by means of
one of the usual forms of motors. The accompanying draw-
ings show side and end views of the method of carrying the
troughs. A represents the conveyor trough, B the cranked
axle bar, C straps to keep bar in position, I) stands riveted
to angle irons, E, forming carriers for bar B. (One claim.)

28508 (1913). Improvements Relating to Safety Appa-
ratus Applicable to Mine Cages and the like. Lott, of
78, Wood-road, Treforest, and D. Davies, of 22, Bassett-

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street, Pontypridd. Cams or gripping members are mounted
on the cage at each side of the respective guide ropes imme-
diately beneath rope guides provided on the brackets carry-
ing them, and are connected together in such manner that

each set may be operated simultaneously by a single lever
connected by chains or links directly to the bridle or bridle
chain, the said lever being mounted under the action of a
spring tending to cause the cams or gripping members to
engage the guide ropes. Fig. 1 represents diagrammatic-
ally a mine cage supported within the top framing of a
shaft; fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view showing the cam
gripping gear in normal position. (One claim.)

29009 (1913). Improvements in or Relating to the Manu-
facture of Coal Briquettes. H. J. Phillips, of the Boyal
Colonial Institute, Northumberland-avenue, London, W.C.,
and A. Phillips, of The Nook, Tredegar, Monmouth.—One
object of the invention is to produce non-porous and weather-
proof briquettes from small coal, without the use of a bind-
ing agent. The accompanying drawings .show a particular
construction of mould and plungers for compressing the wet
pulp from which the briquettes are made. The process com-
prises (a) Grinding the coal with water to a pulp in the
proportion of 100 parts by weight of coal to 45-60 parts by
weight of water; (b) feeding this pulp directly to a mould
having two oppositely acting plungers, and subjecting it
therein to a pressure of 3-5 tons per sq. in. to eliminate a
large proportion of the water, and consolidate the pulp to
briquette form; (c) passing the partially-formed briquettes
through a tunnel wherein the temperature gradually .increases
from 80 degs. Cent, at the entrance to 250-500 degs. Cent, at
the exit according to the quality of the coal used for the
briquetttes; and then (d) subjecting the briquettes thus dried
and incipiently softened to a pressure of 5-15 tons per sq. in.
in a mould heated by superheated steam, and comprising two
oppositely acting plungers to complete the consolidation of



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the briquettes. For use in carrying out steps (b) there is
used a mould (for example, a rectangular mould) lined on the
interior with a series of vertical bars (for example, the bars
B, B5) whereof the adjacent .side faces (for example, B2, B3)
converge and meet at the edges situated at the interior of
the mould (for example, B4), characterised in that the bars
(B, B5) are secured to the casing (for example, A) of the
mould by means of flanges (for example, B1) on the bars
which are received in recesses in flanges (for example, A1) on
the casing. Plungers (for example, the oppositely acting
plungers C, D) are fluted on their vertical faces and on their
end faces (for example, as at C1, C2, D1, D2), and provided
on their end faces with a series of bars (for example, C3,
D3) which run transversely of the flutes in the said end faces,
and whereof adjacent side faces converge and meet at the
edges situated at the interior of the mould (for example, as
at C5, D5). (Six claims.)

29773 (1913). Absorbent Material for Use in Forming
Explosives with Liquid Air or Oxygen. Societe 1’Air
Liquide (Societe Anonyme pour 1’Etude et 1’Exploitation des
Procedes Georges Claude), of 48, Hue St. Lazare, Paris,
France.—The cartridges are made of lamp black, the density
of which ,is sufficiently low to enable the cartridges to absorb
enough liquid air or oxygen to permit of the unavoidable
evaporation prior to explosion, and yet ensure complete com-
bustion. For this purpose the density should not exceed 0’25,
preferably ranging from about 0’23 to 0’25. Lamp black of
this density can be obtained by the incomplete combustion
of naphthalene and the heavy oils extracted from coal; such
lamp black, which is light as compared with that obtained by
the incomplete combustion of petrols and lanthracenic oils, is
obtained industrially by passing the smoke through a series
of chambers, in which the lamp black becomes deposited in
order of density, the lightest fraction collecting in the
remotest chamber. A lamp black cartridge of the density
above specified absorbs oxygen with such avidity that on
being taken out of the bath of liquid air or oxygen into which
it is dipped before use it allows but a few drops of the liquid
to drain from it; capillary forces also exert so powerful an
action that, notwithstanding the superficial losses by evapora-
tion, the distribution of the liquid oxygen throughout the
entire sectional area of the cartridge remains substantially
uniform up to the moment of explosion. Consequently the
employment of a protecting sheath or casing impregnated
with liquid air or oxygen for the purpose of preventing
evaporation from the core is quite unnecessary; the elimina-
tion of such a casing constitutes an important simplification.
With the range of densities indicated above, it has been
found that the lamp black is able to absorb a weight of
oxygen (more than four times its own weight), greatly
superior to that which would be sufficient for producing
exclusively carbonic acid. Finally, it has also been found
that the explosive force of the cartridge can be increased by
incorporating in the lamp black a certain proportion of
naphthalene, say, from 5 to 25 per cent. In this case, how-
ever, the proportion of liquid air or oxygen absorbed by the
naphthalene, being much less than that absorbed by the
lamp black (while, on the other hand, the quantity required
for its combustion is much greater than in the case of lamp
black), the addition of naphthalene is made at the expense
of the available duration of the cartridge, and is more suit-
able for cartridges of large diameters. (Four claims.)

(For Patent List see next page.)

Grimsby Coal Exports.—The official returns for the week
ending 22nd inst. show that the coal exports from Grimsby
totalled 15,765 tons foreign, as against 26,399 tons foreign
and 126 tons coastwise for the corresponding period of last
year. Shipments:—Foreign: To Bergen, 1,003 tons;
Christiansund, 827; Dieppe, 676; Elsinore, 595; Esbjerg,.
310; Gothenburg, 2,813; Hangesund, 277; Horsens, 871;
Korsor, 608; Malmo, 125; Norrkoping, 1,264; Odense, 615;
Banders, 1,609; Rotterdam, 1,711; and Ystad, 2,461 tons.
Coastwise, nil.