August 11, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

275

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

8455 (1915). Improvement in Mining Machines. E. C.
Morgan, of 1,830, Lytton-building, Chicago, U.S.A.—
Relates to mining machines in which a number of cutters
are secured to an endless band which moves in a vertical
plane, and has for its object the provision of an improved
machine of the above character in which the section cut from
the mine wall is automatically dislodged and broken up into
smaller sections, which are removed automatically to the
rear of the machine into position for loading into trucks.
Fig. 1 is a plan, and fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section.
The machine comprises <a main frame 3, which may be
mounted on skids 7, 7, and a supplemental frame 4, pivoted
to the main frame at 5 between the vertical standards 6. The
main frame is also provided with jacks 8,8, mounted at the
upper ends to the standards 6. The supplemental frame 4
comprises upper horizontal bracket arms and a lower hori-
zontal platform, w’hich serve to support the various parts of
the automatic mechanism. A motor 9 (fig. 1) is mounted
on the rear end of the platform. The pinion 11 on' the shaft
of the electric motor 9 meshes with gear 12 keyed to the
transverse shaft 13, mounted in the bearings 14, 14 on the
frame 4. At the central portion of the shaft 13 is a worm 15
meshing with worm gear 16, below which is a sprocket 17
meshing with the sprocket chain 18, which is provided with
a plurality of laterally-extending lugs, or arms, 19■, 19, which
move over the upper surface of the platform 10. The sprocket

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chain conveyor 18, 19, is endless, and meshes with a sprocket
wheel 20 mounted on a vertical shaft between the platform,
10 and the lower end of the forward intermediate connecting
frame 21, the upper end of which is connected by means of
the stationary bearing 22 to the forward end of the horizontal
bracket arms 23 and 24, which extend from the cross-piece
25 of the supplemental frame and join at their outer ends
where the bearing 22 is located. Mounted on the shaft of the
sprocket wheel 20 so as to rotate therewith is a pinion 26,
which meshes with a gear wheel 27, mounted in the inter-
mediate frame 21 and provided with .a worm 28 meshing
with the worm wheel 29. The shaft 30 of the worm wheel
29 is also mounted in the intermediate frame 21, and carries
a sprocket wheel 31 (fig. 1). Meshing with the sprocket
wheel 31 is a sprocket chain 32 extending around the frame
33, which is provided with suitable guideways for
said sprocket chain, and is supported by the intermediate
frame 21. The sprocket chain 32 is provided with laterally-
extending cutters 34 (fig. 1), and may be tightened or
loosened by means of nuts 35 and 36, on the screw-threaded
rod 37 extending rearwardly from the frame 33. The opera-
tion of the chain cutter is controlled by clutch 38, provided
with a groove 39 to be engaged by an operating lever. When
the current to the electric motor 9 is turned on in the proper
direction, motion will be transmitted to the transverse
shaft 13, and thence through the worm 15 and worm gear 16
to the vertical shaft 40, the upper end of which is journalled
in the bearing 41 at the rear end of the horizontal bracket
arm 42 attached to the cross-piece 25 of the supplemental
frame. The rotation of the vertical shaft 40 imparts motion
to the sprocket 17, which in turn actuates the endless con-
veyor 18, 19, and imparts motion to the sprocket wheel 20,
the pinion 26, the gear 27, the worm 28, the worm wheel 29,
the sprocket wheel 31, and the chain cutter 32. The arrow-
43 indicates the direction of movement of the conveyor, and
the arrow’ 44 indicates the direction of movement of the
chain cutter. The entire chain cutter is also advanced
laterally over approximately a semi-circular path,
during the cutting operation, by a peripherally grooved
wheel 45 connected to the upper end of the inter-
mediate frame 21, so as to rotate therewith on the
bearing 22 and on the bearing in the platform 10 pro-
vided for the sprocket wheel 20. To the wheel 45 at 46 is
secured one end of a rope 47, the other end of which is
secured to a grooved wheel 48, mounted on a vertical shaft 50
carrying the worm wheel 49. The worm wheel 49 is mounted
loosely on the shaft 50, and a clutch 51 is provided for con-
necting the worm wheel 49 to the wheel 48, so as to transmit
motion to the latter from the shaft 50, by suitable means
engaging the groove 52 of the movable member of the
clutch 51. The upper end of the shaft 50 is journalled in the
rear end of the bracket arm 23, and the lower end of the
shaft 50 is journalled in the bracket arm 53 extending from
a portion of the supplemented frame. Meshing with the
worm wheel 49 is <a worm 54 on the transverse shaft 13.
Therefore, when the electric motor 9 is operated in the proper
direction, motion will be transmitted to the worm gear 49
so as to rotate the same in anti-clockwise direction. When
the clutch 51 is thrown in, motion will be transmitted
through the wheel 48, the rope 47, and the wheel 45 to the
intermediate frame 21, thereby swinging the cutter frame

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laterally from right to left looking forward, or in an anti-
clockwise direction when viewed in plan. (Ten claims.)

8607 (1915). An Improved Method* of Manufacturing
Explosive Charges by means of Liquid Air.—W. Weber, of
Hayingen, Lorraine, Germany.—Liquid air is poured into
an absorbent (of the kind described in English Patent 8606,
1915) in the blasting hole previous to tamping the same;
this permits of complete saturation since the vapours may
readily escape from the untamped hole and do not offer any
resistance to the introduction of the liquid 'air. Owing to
the special nature of the absorbent, and the fact that the
combustible metallic powder is separate from the absorbent,
the saturation is maintained for a longer time after the hole
is tamped. Fig. 1 shows in section an explosive charge
directly embedded into the blasting hole, while fig. 2 shows
in section a blasting cartridge ready for insertion. To
produce a large explosive charge, a chamber a of the form
shown in fig. 1 is worked in the rock by means of a specially
constructed tool. Powdered aluminium ct enclosed with the
primer c2 in a case c is introduced into the chamber and
surrounded by an absorbent mass b whereupon liquid air is
led into the mass through the tube d by means of a funnel
or by directly connecting
the tube d to a vessel con-
taining liquid air. The
blasting hole e is then pro-
vided with tamping f. A
conical tubular needle g is
inserted in the boring
before it is tamped and
withdrawn after tamping,
leaving a channel for the
escape of the vaporised air.
The charge thus produced is
caused to explode by elec-
trical ignition from a safe
position. If a smaller explo-
sive charge is required, it’
is used in the form of a
special cartridge (fig. 2), con-
sisting mainly of a case h,
(usually made of cardboard)
of a perforated tube i placed
in the centre of the casing,
of a primer k embedded in
powdered aluminium, and of
the substance I to be satu-

rated with liquid air. The

liquid air is introduced into the cartridge through the
tube i after the cartridge is placed into the blast hole,
through a pipe that fits into the tube i. When the
cartridge is saturated with liquid air the tube i
may be closed by means of a perforated • stopper s.
The hole may thereafter be tamped in such a manner that a
small space is left between the cartridge and the tamping.
The vapourised air may escape through a channel provided
within the tamping, in the same manner as in fig. 1. The
shot is fired by electrical ignition from a safe position.
(Four claims.)

12269 (1915). Improvements in Coal-cutting Machines. H.
N. Wood, of Sun Building, Collingwood-street, Newcastle-on-
Tyne.—Consists of improvements in or relating to coal-
cutting machines of the long wall type. Fig. 1 is a side
elevation of part of a coal-cutting machine; fig. 2 is an end
view; and fig. 3 a plan. A vertical guide plate f of suitable
depth and length is arranged parallel to the side of the
machine a and near the driving wheel e of the chain c, and
on the side opposite to the cutter arm b when the latter is at
right angles to the machine, the said guide plate being
indirectly supported by or carried from the side of the



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machine, and kept clear of the picks or cutters d on the
chain c as it bends round the driving wheel e. The inner
end of the plate f is bent as at / towards the wheel e. Two
plates g and h for connecting the guide plate f to the machine
are fastened to the guide plate and machine by bolts or
screws, so that they can be easily detached and fixed on the
other side of the machine, with the guide plate reversed,
additional holes being provided in the guide plate if neces-
sary. In lieu of the two plates g and h a single plate or
member of suitable shape may be used for this purpose. By
these means the dust is diverted by the guide plate and
thrown clear of the machine. (Two claims.)

13928 (1915). Improvements in Signalling Apparatus such
as is employed in Collieries and the like. J. Davis and Son,
Derby, Limited, and W. H. Davis, both of All Saints Works,
Derby.—Relates to the type of apparatus for releasing
signals in collieries and the like in which the contact making-
device is driven or operated from the winding engine or other
source of power, and in which revolving cages are employed
containing balls for making electrical contact for releasing
signals that have previously been given and complied with;
the object of the present invention is to provide improved
forms of cages and electrical contacts therein. Fig. 1 is a
sectional elevation on line a—a of fig. 2, and fig. 2 is a plan.
A hinged cage of varying form is provided, in which the
ball b only makes contact upon ascending or on its outward
traverse along the channel c while upon its return it traverses
down a separate channel d, the inside of the cage being thus
formed with a central longitudinal division e; the two
channels c and d are open, and connected with each other at
Hie ends f, g, to permit free movement of the ball. This
cage is so constructed that when at rest, as shown in the

drawings, the ball b is opposite the ascending channel c
containing the contact device, which consists of a piece of
metal h, hereinafter referred to as the contacting piece,
hinged at one pole j to an insulated bed k in the bottom of
the cage ; the other pole I is arranged to come under one end
or portion of the contacting piece which is normally set away

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by means of a light spring m. When the ball rolls along the
contacting piece h in its outward and upward passage it
causes it to be depressed and so form electrical contact,- a
stop n being preferably arranged to limit the downward
movement of the contacting piece; the ball then passes to
the outer end of the return channel d, and when the winding-
engine stops passes along said channel to its normal posi-
tion, taking the course shown by the arrows in fig. 2; the
ends of the cages are preferably recessed to ensure of these
movements of the ball taking place. The above form of
cage is only used for signalling Men ” or “ 3 ” of the
Home Office Code of Winding Signals. Another form of
cage o (left hand side of the figures) is arranged on the oppo-
site side of the same arm, and is used in conjunction with
the foregoing. It has a single channel p, and contains a
similar contacting device hl, which is operated on both the
outward and return journey of the ball, that is to say upon
the starting and stopping of the winding engine. Springs
q are provided to prevent any jumping of the ball in the
cages where the latter are recessed at the ends of the
channels, and also at r along the tops of the channels to
prevent the balls from rising upwards. The cages are
covered in preferably with glass s, and have access doors in
any suitable position to admit of removal of the balls and
glasses for cleaning or replacing purposes, a suitable type
being one t forming the end of the cage and fitting upon
slotted studs u passing through the access door which is held
in position by spring clips v fitting in the slots of the studs ;
the glass top sliding in grooves in the sides of the cages and
engaging a slot in said access door. (Seven claims.)

14771 (1915). Improvements in the Manufacture of Com-
position Fuel.—C. T. Hopkins, of 30, Grove-road, Waltham-
stow, Essex.—Relates to the manufacture of composition
fuel from coal and soot, with or without other ingredients,
to produce a satisfactory fuel, which shall be firm and hard,
of a size and shape convenient to handle and hold together
during combustion burning gradually away with little or no
smoke and free from smell. Small coal and soot are mixed
with water, with or without cinders, flour, washing soda,
to form -a plastic substance which is then under pressure
formed into spherical or other shaped masses while in a
particular condition of consistency. As an example, one
method or process adopted in carrying out the invention is
as follows : To 16 lb. of fine coal or coal and cinders in pro-
portions by weight of two-thirds coal and one third cinders,
such coal and cinders being preferably sufficiently fine to
pass through a sieve of | in. mesh in its greatest width,
are added 8 1b. of soot and, if used, | lb. of wheat flour,
these ingredients being thoroughly mixed. Three pints of
water in which is previously dissolved, if used, one ounce of
washing soda, are added, but other proportions of any of
these constituents approximating thereto may be used, the
result aimed at being to make a mixture in which the soot
which constitutes the chief binding medium should be at its
greatest binding efficiency in regard to the materials used,
and at the same time the mixture should be in such a con-
dition that under pressure necessary to produce such result
a thick semi-liquid or slimy substance rich in crystalline
matter in solution should ooze to the exterior making of such
exterior a smooth surface free from air passages. The
materials are then mixed until every part is thoroughly
moistened, then run or forced into suitable moulds or worked
up by hand into spherical masses of any size ranging within
the limits of half an inch and 4 in. in diameter, sufficient
pressure being used to produce approximately the result
mentioned. When taken out of the moulds the masses of
fuel can be stacked in a suitable place to dry and are ready
for use. (Three claims.)

100524. Improvements in Valves and Valve Gear for
Rock Drills. G. H. T. Rayner, of Grange Farm House,
Carter Knowle-road, Abbeydale, Sheffield.—Relates to
valves and valve gear for rock drills of the type in which the
valve is thrown in one direction by air fed directly from the
main inlet constantly on to one surface of the valve, and
thrown back by the air compressed by the main striking
piston during its return stroke, and consists in an improved
construction which economises compressed air and gives a
long stroke in both directions, whilst also preventing striking
on the back cover of the machine The figure shows a sec-
tional elevation of the valve and valve gear fitted to the
cylinder of a rock drill. The valve is in one piece with two
collars a and c and a central reduced annular groove cl as
shown. The left hand collar a has a projecting button a1,
which is under pressure from main inlet b. The space x is
in communication with exhaust through the passage y, and
the annular groove c1 in the. valve and port e. When the
valve is in the position shown, only the surface of the pro-
jecting button a* is under pressure. The surface between the
button a1 and the collar a is open to exhaust, as is also the
right hand side of the striking piston p, through ports /, /*,
the annular groove c1, in the valve and the exhaust port e.
Air passes by port g and groove h to the left hand side of
main position p, forcing it to the right. The valve is held in
position shown by the air pressure on the right hand side of
valve collar c, that surface of collar c exposed to air pressure
being greater than the surface of the button a1. As soon as
piston p passes exhaust z the pressure falls in the cylinder
and consequently also on the right hand side of collar c. The
pressure on button a' becomes dominant and pushes the
valve to the right until the space .r and the passage y are
shut off from exhaust. The whole left hand surface of
collar a and button a1 then come under direct pressure, and.