THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 25, 1916. vanes and the sides of the casing, thus forming suction chambers. In the interior of the wheel is mounted con- centrically to the same an axially slidable controlling valve e, which is constructed in such a manner that the side of the wheel, where an enlargement of the cellular spaces takes place, communicates with the suction pipe of the pump, while the air previously drawn in is expelled into the atmo- sphere through the port / of the controlling valve and through the opening g. As soon as water appears in the opening g, thus showing that the suction pipe is filled, the controlling valve e is drawn out of the wheel a, after which the pump continues to act as an ordinary centrifugal pump. In this case the opening g is closed against the suction pipe of the pump. The axial adjustment of the controlling valve e is effected by means of a lever mechanism. To ensure a more perfect cut-off a check valve opening outward may be mounted in the opening. Other examples are described and illustrated. (Six claims.) 9390 (1915). Improvements in Air Filters. G. A. Mower, and Sturtevant Engineering Company Limited, both of 147, Queen Victoria-street, London, E.C. — Relates to improve- ments in and connected with air filters, wherein the air is filtered in its passage through collapsible bags, which are shaken from time to time. Its object is to provide an apparatus where the bags are automatically and effectively shaken, the filters being caused to collapse from both ends simultaneously, and then become released again, so. that they extend and come to a sudden stop, whereby they are sub- jected to a distinct “ flick.” In the drawing, 1 designates the filter body or casing, which is in communication with a suction chamber 2 at the top, and a dust collecting hopper 3 at the bottom. The suction chamber is in communication with a fan, etc., to create the necessary vacuum. In such positions in the casing, 1 as will ensure the dust-laden air passing through them, collapsible filters 4 are arranged, the casing being divided into a number of chambers 5, in each of which a series of the filter bags 4 are located. These filter bags 4 are carried between upper and lower frames 6 and 7 respectively, to which they are attached, fol instance, by means of spigots 8. Beneath the lower frames 7 bellows-like members 9 form continuations of the filter bags. The frames 6 and 7 carrying the filter bags 4 are suspended from the roof of the casing 1 by means of flexible connections 10, which pass around the pulleys 11, the arrangement being such that the weight of the lower frames 7 overbalances the weight of the upper frames 6 so that the filter bags 4 are normally stretched taut. The filter bags in each section are shaken successively, while all the other sections are effectively operating. This is accomplished by means off mechanism, which periodically shuts off a filter section from the vacuum chamber, and opens it to the atmosphere, and then causes the depression of the upper frame 6 of the section being cleaned, with a corresponding rising up,of the lower frame 7. In this way. the upper and lower frames approach each other, and mechanism is provided for ensuring a sudden release, so that the lower frame falls, and pulls the upper frame up again, so that the bags suddenly tauten, and a distinct “ flick ” is imparted to the bags, which results in a very effective shaking. The mechanisms are arranged over each pair of filter sections, and actuated by a common shaft 12 con- tinuously driven, for instance, by a belt co-operating with the pulleys 13, 'and thus by means of the worms 14, all the worm wheels 15 are continuously driven. The common driving shaft 12 is continuously rotated, and drives a worm meshing with a worm wheel. Beneath the worm wheel is a peripheral cam, which co-operates with rollers or other devices on the ends of bell crank levers 17 and 17a, which it rocks periodically, and actuates the connecting rod 18 to cause the valve 19 to cut off the filter section it controls from the vacuum chamber 2, and open it to the atmosphere. On the upper side of the worm wheel 15 there is a cam path, which throws in alternately clutches to clutch up the “ shaking ” cams '22a. Each of the sams has a rise 23, which co-operates with a block fixed between parallel bars, which form the shaking ” lever 25, pivoted at one end, engaging the upper end of a rod 27, which slides through a bush 28 in the roof of the casing 1, and is connected at its other end to the upper frame 6, carrying the filter bags 4. In its rotation the cam depresses the lever 25, and forces the upper frame 6 down a distance dependent on the shape of the cam. Immediately the rise 23 of the cam passes free of the block 24, carried by the lever 25, the lower heavier frame 7 will immediately drop, and its rapid travel be brought to a sudden conclusion, thus shaking one set of the filter bags 4. After a sufficient number of “ shakes ” has been imparted to the bags in one section, a clutch control arm will operate to declutch the “ shaking ” cam, and the arm 18 will throw over the valve 19, to open the cleaned filter section to the vacuum chamber again, and close it to the atmosphere. (Five claims.) 10290 (1915). Improvements in Picks for Coal-Cutting Machines. G. Shepherd, 4, East-street, and F. Sadler, 130, East-street, Blackball Colliery, Castle Eden, Durham.— Relates to picks for coal-cutting machines of the type wherein a cutter having a ring of teeth is mounted or secured to a bar or mandrel, and consists in the means of attaching the ring cutter to the mandrel and also in utilising the outer end of the mandrel as an additional prong or tooth. Fig. 1 shows a sectional elevation; and fig. 2 a plan view. The ring cutter B is formed with any desired number of teeth or prongs. The cutter has a central tapering hole adapted to engage with a correspondingly tapered mandrel A pro- vided at its inner end with a socket for connecting it to a coal-cutting machine. The outer end of the mandrel A projects beyond the face of the teeth or prongs on the cutter B, arid is suitably pointed and sharpened (according to the nature of the work to be performed), whereby it constitutes an additional prong or tooth to assist in the cutting opera- tion. When the pick is in use, the pointed end of the mandrel A is advanced into the material to be cut, and as it meets with less resistance than the cutter B, the result is to tighten the cutter on the mandrel, whereby absolute reliability in working is assured, and there is less likelihood of the cutter being broken or becoming detached and lost. In these picks there is also less loss in the weight of material to be scrapped when the cutter B is worn out, than in such tools as ordinarily made, as the cutter can be used until only a small portion is left, also the mandrel A will serve for the lives of a number of cutters without itself needing replacing. (One claim.) 11915 (1915). Improvements in Mechanical Stokers. Leach’s Limited, and T. Slater, of Healey Royd Iron Works, Burnley, Lancashire.—Relates to mechanical stokers wherein fuel descending from hoppers or the like is agitated and by 10 ff-I s n jo rp© \ io V a fW22 reciprocating rakes or rams distributed to fan boxes, in which work rotary shovels or fans for projecting the fuel into furnaces. The rams, instead of being riveted to the central coupling plate actuated by the usual oscillating lever, are connected thereto by pegs or pins which can be removed and replaced while the apparatus is at work, so that one side of the apparatus can be stopped for cleaning and other purposes without interfering with the other side. The agitators are directly connected to the rams, and the slides or dampers for preventing back draught and for regulating fuel supply are placed between the ram box and the fan boxes. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one ram box and its pair of fan boxes; fig. 2 is a plan; and fig. 3 is a section taken on the line A in fig. 1, with the inner end of the ram box removed; fig. 4 shows the inner end of a deflector. 1 indicates the ram box, 2 and 3 the, fan boxes, 4 the oscillating lever connected to the coupling plate 5, and 6 and 7 the two rams. A casing 8 on the back of the coupling plate encloses each ram, and a recess formed in the ram receives a peg 9 passing through a hole in the top of the casing 8, which peg forms the operative connection between the coupling plate and ram, and is preferably chained to the coupling plate as shown. Each ram carries an agitator 10. Instead of the usual slide or damper between the ram box and the superposed hopper, two slides 11 are inter- posed between the ram box and the two fan boxes. In fig. 2 these slides are shown half drawn out, so that the holes 12 through which the fuel is fed to the fans are half open. The deflectors 13 have each a V rib 14 on the under- side, to split the coal and direct a due proportion to the sides of the furnace flue. (Three claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. [Note.—Applications arranged alphabetically under the names of the applicants (communicators given in italics). A new number will be given on acceptance, which will replace the application number.] Behrens, J. (2280). Process for removal and obtainment of sulphur-dioxide from gases. Bennis, A. W. (2145). Conveyors, transporters, etc. Berry, A. F. (2346). Air purifying or conditioning apparatus. Berry, A. F. (2347). Oil cooled tranformers. Bjornstad, J., and Pulsometer Engineering Company (2158). Production of compressed gases, and means employed therein. British Thomson-Houston Company (2261). Regulation of induction motors. British Thomson-Houston Company (General Electric Company) (2329). Means for producing alternating cur rents. Burleson, H. L. and Prutzman, P. W. (2455). Distillation and fractionation of petroleum, etc. Carter, H. M., Jones, T. D., and Pressman, J. J. (2277). Motive power generators. Clarke, T., and Henderson, J. A. (2161). Mining detector. Davies, A. (2372). Automatic sampler of flowing liquids, pulps, ores, or fuel. Efficient Heating and Ventilating Company, and Sharr,.F. J. (2426). Means for circulating, washing, and cooling air employed for ventilating. Ellis, R. E. (Pringle) (2406). Crushing machinery. Evans, R. R. (2355). Appliance to be used oh hand trucks to increase their carrying capacity. Girling, W. H., and Williams, E. (2532). Making fire bricks, etc., and cores for use therewith. Hall, I. (2214). Furnaces of the tilting type. ; Hall, I. (2215). Shell drying ovens and trucks. Hall, I. (2487). Crucible, etc., melting furnaces. Hanappe, E. (2392). Washer-scrubbers for purification of gas. Lewers, W. H., and O’Donnell, J. P. (2513). Steam super- heaters, and superheater elements or pipes therefor. Lewis, G. P. (2509). Cracking hydrocarbons. Long, C. (2299). Means for converting small coals, peat, etc., into lumps, and accelerating combustion of same. M-L Magneto Syndicate (2283). Dynamo-electric machines. Naamlooze Vennootschap A. Jurgens’ Vereenigde Fabrieken (2331). Process for absorbing carbon-dioxide from gaseous mixtures. Nya Aktiebolaget Atlas (2313). Rock drilling engines. Parkyn, P. A. W. (2316). Automatic regulation of tempera- ture of gases or superheated steam. Parsons, R. C. (2395). Fluid pumps, turbines, etc. Paterson, E. A. (2530). Preparation of peat for fuel or for distillation and carbonisation. Pearse, D. (2212). Device for automatically effecting release of electrically operated mine signals, etc. Perks, C. C. (2134). Rotary pumps. Rabett, T. E. H. (2225). Fuel proportioner. Radcliffe, J. (2367). Portable boiler. Rollason, A. (2356). Treatment of coal for use in domestic grates or furnaces. Taylor, M. T. (2204). Device for use in concentrating ores, minerals, earths, etc. Thom, J. C. (2521). Packing pulverulent material in travelling conveyors. Whitham, F. E. (2142). Air compressor or blower. Wordingham, C. H. (2201). Systems for distributing electric energy. Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on March 9.) 1914. 1405. Continuous current generators. Fried. Krupp Akt.- Ges. 4 12282. Poly-phase commutator dynamos and motors. Heyland. 19597. Transporting apparatus, more especially intended for charging articles into furnaces, and withdrawing them therefrom. Wellman, Seaver, and Head Limited, and Smith. 1915. 210. Apparatus for delivering and compressing gases. Wegmann. 685. Manufacture of explosives. Jackson and Blanch. 2012. Means for controlling the temperature of heated bodies. Kirkland and Kiernan. 2250. Convertible electric fire. Welch. 2473. Rock drill bits and chucks. Marks. (Macdonald.) 2738. Dynamo-electric machines. Crompton and Company, and Pensabene. 2738. Superheating or steam drying apparatus. Campbell and Campbell. 2779. Rock drilling and other pneumatic and like tools. Macadam and Thirwell. 4195. Air or ejector nozzles for air-lift pumping plants. Matthews. 4708. Linings for concrete walls, floors, and roofs. Thackeray. 5701. Hand operated pumps for compression of gases. Pickford. 7262. Appliances used in the manufacture of tin-plates or sheets, and other like metal coated plates or I sheets. Thomas, Thomas, Davies, and Lewis. 10283. Jigging or shaking conveyors. Jackson, Greenhalgh, and Robertson. 14968. Rotary engines, pumps, compressors, and the like. Wittig and Wittig. 15717. Gas producer. Morgan. 17989. Rollers of band conveyors. A. Sauvee and Company, and Ross. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Board of Education : Certificate Examination Papers, 1915, 7Jd. Trade Reports : China, Trade of Tachienlu, 1913, l|d.; Spain, Trade of Corunna, 1914, 4d. Boiler Explosion Report (No. 2403) from a Cast Iron Exhaust Steam Pipe, at Rotherham Forge, 2Jd. Statutory Rules and Orders, 1916 : No. 26, Contraband of War Proclamation, ljd. ; No. 27, Defence of the Realm, Order in Council, IJd. ; No. 28, ditto, l|d.; No. 60, ditto, l|d.; No. 61, ditto, l|d. Registration of Firms Bill, IJd. Woods and Forests, Abstract of Accounts, 1914-15, 2|d. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. ‘ The Engineering Magazine ” (Vol. 50, No. 5), February, price Is. ; “ Compressed Air Magazine ” (Vol. 21, No. 2), February; “Employees’ Magazine” (published by the Lehigh Valley Coal Company), January; “ Transactions of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland ” (Vol. 59, Part 4), February; “ The Journal of the Monmouthshire Colliery Officials’ Association ” (Vol. 14, No. 1), February; “ Transactions of the North- East Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders ” (Vol. 32, Part 4), February, price 5s.; “Magnetic and Other Properties of Iron-Silicon Alloys, Melted in Vacuo,” by T. D. Yensen (Bull. 83, Engineering Experiment Station,. University of Illinois);“ Bull. No. 137 of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy”; “Bull, of the American Institute of Mining Engineers,” February; “ The Journal of the Franklin Institute ” (Vol. 181, No. 2), February; “ Rubber Facts and Figures ” (No. 13), February (F. C. Mathieson and Sous, London) price Is.; “Bulletin of the Imperial Institute” (Vol. 13, No. 4), October-December 1915, price 2s. 6d. net.