April 20, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

771

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

3841 (1915). Improvements in Electric Step by Step
Signalling Apparatus. Sterling Telephone and Electric
Company Limited, F. G-. Bell, and H. W. Barclay, all of
210-212, Tottenham Court-road, London, W. — Belates to
electric signalling systems in which a step-by-step indicator
is employed, that is to say, an indicator having a revoluble
arm adapted to be rotated one step at a time, and the most
usual means for effecting this is by pawl and ratchet
mechanism operated by an electro-magnet. The signalling
key is so constructed that upon a signal being completed, and
the key consequently being restored to its normal position and
a fresh signal commenced, the indicator is reset to its normal
position, but upon sending the distinct impulses of one signal
without restoring the signalling key to its normal position,
the indicator cannot be so reset. Usually a. plurality of
stations, for example, mine levels, signal to a common station,-
the engine room, and each signalling key actuates contacts
which close the circuit of the magnet adapted to restore the
signalling apparatus to its normal position when signalling is
begun from any one of the stations or levels. It is convenient
to provide at the receiving station or engine room a plurality
of visual signals which indicates at once what particular
station or level is sending the signal, and it is well to- arrange
these visual signals to remain showing which station signalled
last until a fresh signal is begun. The invention is more
particularly described as applied to an indicator, in which
the moving arm is, as is quite usual, a simple pointer moving
over a dial, or, as more generally employed, consists of an
arm carrying a conducting bridge touching a succession of
contacts, and thereby making the circuit of signal lamps or
other signalling devices. It preferably provides a contact
which is closed except when the indicator is in the
initial position, and this contact, besides controlling
the release magnet of the indicator, also controls the circuit
of the signals indicating which station has signalled. It is
preferred to provide at each station signals which operate when
an audible signal in addition to the step-by-step indicator
operates at the common receiving station, in order to tell
the signaller that the signal is being properly transmitted.
Further signals may be provided at each station, which the

engineman or receiver can actuate by means of separate keys
in case of a doubtful signal which he desires repeated. If
desired, these two latter types of signals may be combined,
and one method of effecting this is to use a single bell,
which during ordinary signalling times acts as a single stroke
bell to check the number of strokes, and for repeating pur-
poses is in series with a trembler. The drawing is a diagram
of connections. The signalling keys K1, K2, K3 . . . .
resemble generally the signalling key described in the specifi-
cation of prior British Letters Patent No. 13062 of 1914, but
modified so that in the lowermost inoperative position the
lower contact 2 is interrupted, but owing to the springiness
of the upper blade of this contact the contact itself is closed
as soon as the key is lifted. Once the .key has been lifted
it can be repeatedly pushed in to cause the upper contacts 1
to be closed as many times as is necessary for the particular
signal which it is desired to send. In the system shown, in
the figure, one side of the contact 1, as well as one side of
the contact 2, is connected by the conductor 20 to the nega-
tive pole of a suitable source of supply. The contact 2 on its
lower side is joined to a line 21 extending to the correspond-
ing contacts at the signal keys K2, K3 .... at the other
signalling stations. Each signalling station or level in the
mine has a relay M1, M2, M3 .... provided in addition
to its operating winding 22 with a hold-up winding 23, and
in addition there are three other relays B1, B2, B3 common
to all the signalling stations or levels, in addition to the
electro-magnet I for rotating the rotary arm of the indicator
D, and the electro-magnet C for releasing the indicator D,
which, in these circumstances, will return to the zero position
shown under the action of the spring 24. Suppose the upper
contact 1 is closed at any key, say, K1, the following circuit
is completed :—From negative through the contact 1, through
winding 22 of level relay M1, and through the winding of the
impulse relay B1 to positive. Hence the level relay M1 and
impulse relay B1 attract their armatures. The armature 25
of the impulse relay B1 completes at the contact 5 a circuit
over the magnet I, which rotates the indicator, through a
back contact 13 of a relay B3, which will be termed “ the
second preparing relay.” Magnet I is therefore excited, and
the needle 26 of the indicator D is rotated through one step,
and in so doing allows the upper spring 27 to close the con-
tact 18, which is only broken and held in the open position
when the needle or arm 26 is in the initial or normal position.
The hold-up circuit of the level relay M1 is completed from
positive through the indicator contact 18 and front contact 3
of the level relay, through the hold-up winding 23 to negative,
and in addition a circuit is completed through the lamp L1
which serves as 'a visual signal distinctive of the level or
signalling station which is signalling. The impulse relay B1
through its contact 6 closes a circuit from positive, over back
contact 13 of relay B3, contact 6, through the common audible
signal which is actually a bell B, to negative. Instead of
passing over the contact 13, however, this circuit may pro-
ceed direct from positive to the contact 6. The impulse relay
B1 also closes another circuit from positive, over back contact
13 of relay B3 to armature 25, contact 5, winding 28 of relay
B2, which will be called “ the first preparing relay,” and so
to negative. Hence the first preparing relay B2 is excited,
and completes for itself a hold-up circuit from positive through

contact 18 at the indicator, line 19 contact 8, winding 29, to
negative. Belay B2 also completes the circuit of both wind-
ings 30 and 31 of the second preparing relay B3. This relay
is differentially wound. One of these circuits is completed
directly from negative over contact 9 of the first preparing
relay B2, winding 30 of relay B3, to positive, while the other
circuit extends from negative over the contact 2 of key K1,
over contact 10 of first preparing relay B2, and winding 31
of relay B3, back contact 11, to positive. Thus both wind-
ings 30 and 31 are excited, and act • differentially at the
moment therefore the armatures of relay B3 are not attracted.
When the contact 1 is allowed to open by drawing back the
key K1, the impulse relay B1 becomes unexcited, and releases
its armatures, but relay M1 retains its armatures owing to
the hold-up winding 23, and therefore the lamp L1 remains
alight through contact 18, as mentioned above. If key K1
is pressed again, making contact 1 once more, the circuit of
rotating magnet I is completed in exactly the same way as
described above/and therefore the needle or arm 26 is rotated
through one more step. At the same time, the circuit of
bell B is closed again through the contact 6, and therefore
rings once more. This is continued until the desired number
of audible signals have been given upon the bell B, and the
needle 26 has been rotated through the desired number of
steps. Then the key K1 is allowed to fall again into the
normal position shown in the drawing. The effect of this is
to break the contact 2 once more. This interrupts the circuit
of winding 31 of second preparing relay B3. This relay can
therefore now attract its armature, and first of all makes
another break at contact 11 in the circuit of its own winding
31. Also in attracting its armature, at the contact 12 it
connects the indicator release magnet C by conductor 32,
contact 12, contact 10 of first preparing relay B2, and contact
2 of the key E1 to negative, and this release magnet is con-
nected to positive, as the contact 18 is closed, so that the
next time key K1 or any other signalling key K2, K3, . . . .
is lifted, the circuit of the release magnet is completed, and
it will actuate its armature, and release the arm 26, wThich
will return to the original position. Until one of these keys
is lifted, however, the rotary indicator remains in the position
indicating the number of rings that have been given upon
the bell B, the lamp L1 remains alight, showing from which
level or signalling station the signal is given. If, however,
the key K1 or any other signalling key is lifted, the rotary
indicator returns under the action of the spring 24 to the
zero position, and therefore breaks contact 18. This contact
breaks the hold-up circuit through winding 23 of the level
relay M1, and also the circuit of level lamp L1. In addi-
tion, it also breaks the hold-up circuit through winding 29 of
the first preparing relay B2. Consequently the armatures of
relay M1 and B2 all return to their initial position as the key
is being lifted for the purpose of operating the upper contact.
Since, however, the dissolution of any existing signal depends
upon the mere lifting of the key K1, K2, K3 . . . .it is
apparent that one signal might be dissolved in this manner
without being replaced by another, so that an error could be
obliterated. An error in signalling, instead of remaining,
can be obliterated without actually sending a further signal.
If this is not desired, the system may be so arranged that
dissolution of the existing signal only occurs upon the next
subsequent making of the upper contact 1 of the signalling
key K1, K2, K3 . . . . (Nine claims.) . .

5982 (1915). Improvements in Stands for Miners' Safety
Lamps. C. Henderson, of Harpenden House, Blyth, North-
umberland; and C. Hunter, of Fallowfield House, town and
county aforesaid.—Belates to that type of stand for the tem-
porary storage of miners’ lamps, which consists of a series
of independently rotatable trays mounted on a common axis.
Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation, partly in section; and
fig. 2 is a view in plan thereof. On a vertically arranged
shaft a, fixed and supported in a suitable manner at each end,
are mounted (at a suitable distance apart) a series of bosses
or hubs b, which are free to rotate on said shaft, and are
supported by means of collars c, detachably mounted on said
shaft, and preferably having ball bearings d interposed. On
each of the bosses or hubs b are fixed, by bolts b1 or the

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like, a series of radially arranged arms e, each of which
carries either a duplex, or, as shown in the accompanying
drawing, two independent radially arranged trays f for carry-
ing the lamps. These trays f are arranged side by side on
the radial arms e, and have upturned flanges f1 on their back
and side edges, the width between the side flanges being
that required to receive the lamps, and the length of the
trays being proportional to the number of lamps each is
desired to carry. The trays f are fixed to the radial arm e by
bolts, rivets e1, or the like. The side flanges not only
operate to keep the lamps in position, but also provide space
for the numbering of the positions of the lamps. Means may
be provided for fixing any two or more of the sets of arms
together to facilitate manipulation of the stand. (Four
claims.)

6986 (1915). Improvements in Hydraulic Appliances for
Breaking Dozen Material in Mines. D. V. Sickman, of
968, Downing-street; and FI. B. Byers, of 435, 17th Street,
both of Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.—Has special reference to
that type of apparatus comprising a casing, in which are
formed chambers containing pistons, and a duct for the
purpose of conducting fluid under pressure to the said
chambers for the ejection of the -said pistons. The special
feature of the invention is that means are provided wThereby
the pistons are ejected separately one after the other in
progressive order from the rear to the front. Fig. 1 is a
vertical longitudinal section taken through an hydraulic
appliance equipped with the improvements ; fig. 2 is a view

showing different sized pistons and their chambers unequally
spaced; fig. 3 is a view similar to fig. 2, but showing the
pistons of equal size and unequally spaced; fig. 4 is a
cross sectional view of fig. 1; fig. 5 is a view illustrating the
manner of preparing the coal, for instance, within a mine
preparatory to the use of the improved appliance for break-
ing down the same. The water is first introduced to the
appliance through a duct 26 formed in a conduit 27, and
registering with a duct or orifice 28 formed in the body of
the appliance, and which leads rearwardly to a port 29
communicating with the rearmost piston chamber 6. After

the piston has been ejected some distance, a port 30 is
uncovered, the same being formed in the partition 25,
separating the rearmost chamber from that next in front.
This port 30 communicates at its forward extremity with
the upper extremity of the piston chamber next in front.
4s soon as the water begins to enter the last-named
chamber, its corresponding piston begins to move outwardly,
and shortly uncovers a port 31, which places the central
chamber 6 in communication with the foremost chamber, the
forward extremity of the port 31 communicating with the
upper extremity of the foremost chamber. (Five claims.)

8766 (1915). Improvements in and relating to Gas
Scrubbers. T. V. Miles, and Newton Chambers and Com-
pany Limited, both of Thorncliffe Iron Works and Collieries,
Sheffield, Yorkshire.—Belates to gas scrubbers or washers of
the type in which the gas is caused to flow through a vertical

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tower furnished with numerous horizontally-disposed grids,
through which water is circulated, and the present invention
consists in an improved construction, designed to effect a
more thorough washing of the gas and separation of the
solid particles therefrom. The upper end of the tower is
provided with a ring of adjustable nozzles projecting
inwardly, and converging downwardly beneath a gas inlet,
which inlet may be formed by tapering the upper end of the
tower to an opening. Steam at low pressure is conveyed to
these nozzles, and issues therefrom, with the effect that the
gas is drawm into the scrubber through the inlet above the
nozzles. The steam is condensed on the dust particles
carried by the incoming gas, and the water of condensation,
together with the gas, then pass through an upper grid, to
which water is supplied, the water being sprayed over the
upper surface of the grid and trickling through the latter.
From, the grid the gas and water pass through numerous
grids superposed one on the other, and finally the gas escapes
through an outlet at the lower end of the scrubber, while the
dirty water is drawn off separately. Fig. 1 is a view in side
elevation of the scrubber; fig. 2 illustrates one of the valves
employed for supplying steam; and fig. 3 is a plan view of
the means for spraying water. (Three claims.)

16804 (1915). Improvements in Draft Regulating Devices
for -Chain Grates. Societe Anonyme des Anciens Etablisse-
mente Hotchkiss et Cie., 6, route de G-onesse, St. Denis,
Seine, France.—Belates to a draft-regulating device
intended for mechanical grates in the form of a continuous
chain, consisting of grate bars, carried by supports which
are provided with dampers. The device is constructed in
such a manner as to ensure that, when the actuating and
controlling members for the dampers are in the position
corresponding to the maximum opening, all the dampers are
wide open. Fig. 1 is a diagram, illustrating the drawback,
attaching to previous systems, that some of the dampers
are always partially closed; fig. 2 is an elevation, partly
in vertical section along the line 2—2 in fig. 3; fig. 3 is a
plan view, partly broken away; and fig. 4 shows a detail
in cross section along the line 4—4 of fig. 2. The device
is constructed as follows :—The slideway d, to which are
connected at various points the various dampers to be
controlled, which are actuated thereby (the position of two
dampers only being shown at e, e1 in fig. 3), is formed, as
in the previous arrangements, in two portions (a—b and
b—c, fig. 3) placed end to end and hinged together at d1.
Two slideways such as d are arranged, one on each side
of the longitudinal axis x—y of the grate, and derive move-
ment from the same transverse driving shaft f, to which an
oscillatory movement can be imparted from the exterior, of
the boiler by the lever f1 (fig. 2) which is coupled by the
connecting rod f2 to a lever f3 keyed on the said shaft. On
the transverse shaft f is keyed a lever g, which, by means
of a socket h forming a hinge, is connected to a cam h1
rigidly connected in its turn by a link i to another cam h2