768 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 20, 1916. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 13142 (1915). Improvements in Rock Drills or Impact Engines. G. W. Howell, 539-541, South Hope-street, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.—Relates particularly to engines for rock drills, and comprises two members reciprocated by fluid pressure and a valve, the engine working on the principle of expanding an initial fluid pressure charge, step by step, to do all of the work in the machine. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; fig. 2 a section on line 2—2 of fig. 1. The numeral 10 designates a cylindrical casing having two bores 11 and 12 of different diameters. In this double-bored cylinder a piston or hammer 9 is fitted, which has a large head end 13 and a smaller rear end 14; and this piston or hammer is preferably made solidly of a single piece, so that it becomes an effec- tive hammer to strike a blow, upon each reciprocation, on any suitable member 15 at the forward end of the cylinder. Two ports 16 and 17 lead into the rear small end 11 of the cylinder, the port 16 entering against the head 18, and the port 17 somewhat behind the foremost position of the rear end of the hammer. At the forward end of the large bore 12 is a port 20; and a port 21 also is placed just forward of the rearmost position of the forward end of the hammer. This port, the initial exhaust port 21, has a peculiar function in causing the movement of the controlling valve. The rear end of the cylindrical casing is enlarged at 10a to hold a stationary valve sleeve 30, which has a small bore 31 at its rear end, and a large bore 32 at its forward end. A valve 33 reciprocates in this valve sleeve 30, having a large head end 34 and a smaller rear end 35; and a longitudinal passage 36 extends rearwardly from the head end face of the valve to a point near the rear end where it connects with the ports 37. When the valve is in the position shown in fig. 1, the ports 37 register with a port 38 through the valve sleeve 30, which port 38 registers permanently with the port 16. When the valve 33 is in its rearmost position, ths ports register as shown in fig. 1; while, when the valve is in its forward position, the rear end of the small part of the valve passes the port 38, and leaves this port open for direct entry of air or other fluid pressure from the intake port 39 through the bore 31 and ports 38 and 16 to the rear end of the smaller cylinder bore 11 to press the hammer forwardly. The port 20 is connected by a passage 40 with a port 41 in the valve sleeve, which port 41 is just forward of the head end of the valve when the valve is'in its rearmost position, and just behind the head end of the valve when the valve is in its forward posi- tion. Port 21 is connected by a passage 42 with a port 43 through the valve sleeve at the rear end of the large forward bore 32 of that sleeve. Port 41 communicates with port 43 when the valve is forward, and this communication is stopped when the valve is rearward. The port 43 and the port 21 both communicate with the atmosphere through the passage 44, which connects with the passage 42, and leads, through the valve 45, to the atmosphere 46. The valve 45 is provided to choke the exhaust, but, during full operation, is left wide open for free exhaust. (Six claims.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE FREIGHT MARKET. With tonnage almost—if not quite—unprecedentedly scarce on the north-east coast (a circumstance Largely due to steamer detention at French ports, plus stormy weather off our coast) outward coal freights are rising sharply at the time of writing, especially so far as Mediterranean ports are con- cerned. Ship owners are evidently determined to make good use of the time intervening between now and the date—with reference to which no public announcement has yet been made—when the scheme for restriction of coal prices and coal freights for Italian and other Mediterranean ports shall have come into operation. Thus, Genoa is now quoted at fully 80s. per ton, an advance of 7s. 6d. on the week, with other West Italian figures similarly enlianced. French coke rates, too, have shown a smart advance, figures being increased by from Is. 6d. to 3s. 6d. The Baltic, on the other hand, is rather weaker. Coasting rates are still based on 12s. to London from the Tyne. The River Plate, Lisbon, and Barcelona show no change. At South Wales, the tonnage supply is more plentiful, and rates are, in conse- quence, not altered greatly. Gibraltar, for instance, is Is. lower, and Marseilles is weaker, whilst Lisbon is unaltered. West Italian ports, however, are rather stronger. Homewards, grain freights are monopolising the main interest, in consequence of recent Parliamentary utterances. Australian rates are being much debated. North America is quiet, with neutral tonnage from Northern Range to French Atlantic being taken up at about 85s., net form. Grain tonnage for United Kingdom or on Government terms for France cir Italy is neglected. Cotton freights are quoted at 220s., Savannah to Mersey. Coals are easy, at 8dols. to Callao. Lumber and deals business is dull, but steady. The River Plate has been done at 125s. for a handy-sized vessel, but large tonnage would hardly command more than 100s. for Nov.-Dec. loading from up river. With a prospective shortage of tonnage in the final two months of the year, Eastern business is small. Kurrachee has paid 110s. on scale for wheat carriage, and Calcutta to France has been fixed at 190s., d.w. Bombay is quoted at from 132s. 6d. to 135s., and rice ports are mentioned at up to 175s. from Saigon to France. Tyne to Bilbao, 2,000, 45s.; Boulogne, 300, 40s., coke; Barcelona, 2,500 , 60s.; 1,800, 60s.; 2,100, 60s.; Buenos Ayres, 4,500, 32s. 6d., Oct.-Nov.; Caen, 1,200, 39s., coke; Dunkirk, 300, 37s., coke; 500, 37s. 6d., coke; 400, 38s., coke; Drammen, 1,200, 25 kr.; 1,400, 24 kr.; Geno>a, 4,200, 72s. 6d.; 4,000, 74s.; 3,000, 75s.; 2,000, 78s.; 4,000, 80s.; Leghorn, 4,000, 80s.; La Plata, 4,500, 32s. 6d., Oct.-Nov.; London, 1,200, 12s.; Lisbon, 3,000, 40s.; Malta, 4,800, 65s.; North French Range, 500, 36s. 9d., coke; 1,000, 31s., pig iron, voyages; 500, 39s., coke; 900, 39s., coke; 200, 40s., coke; Port Said, 3,000, 65s.; Rouen, 700, 40s., coke; 600, 40s., coke; 800, 37s., coke, voyages to the end of the year; 800, 40s., coke; Savona, 4,200, 72s. 6d.; 4,000, 80s.; Spezzia, 4,000, 80s.; Valencia, 2,000, 60s. Cardiff to Algiers, 2,400, 40s.; Brest, 1,200, 22s.; 700, 23s.; Cadiz, 600, 30s.; 1,400, 31s. fid.; Chantenay, 700, 24s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 1,200, 27s. 6d.; Duclair, 650, 27s.; Genoa, 2,200 and 2,400, 76s. 6d.; 3,000, 75s.; 5,000, 75s.; 2,800, 77s. 6d.; 5,500, 76s.; 2,600, 75s.; 2,500, 77s. 6d.; 3,000, 77s. fid.; 5,200, 77s. fid.; Gibraltar, 1,200, 29s.; Havre, 1.600, 22s. fid.; Honfleur, 700, 24s.; Leghorn, 2,200 and 2.400, 76s. fid.; 2,800, 77s. 6d.; 5,000, 75s.; 3,000, 75s.; 2.600, 75s.; 3,000, 77s. 6d.: Lisbon, 1,100, 30s., 350; Mar- seilles, 2,600, 67s. fid.; Malta, 3,800, 63s. 9d.; Nantes, 1.800, 29s.; Oporto, 700, 32s. 6d.; Oran, 2,700, 40s.; 3,000, 35s., 500; Rochefort, 1,800, 39s.; St. Malo, 950, 22s.; Savona, 2,200 and 2,400, 76s. 6d.; 3,000, 75s.; 5,000, 75s.; 2.800, 77s. fid.; 2,600, 75s.: 2,500, 77s. fid.; 3,000, 77s. 6d.; 5,200, 77s. 6d.; Spezzia, 2,200 and 2,400, 76s. fid.; 2,800, 77s. fid.; 3,000, 75s.; 5,000, 75s.; 2,600, 75s.; 3,000, 77s. fid.; 2,500, 77s. fid.; Seville, 1,050, 32s.; St. Servan, 700, 22s. Swansea to St. Nazaire, 2,000, 29s. 9d., fuel; Algiers, 41s., reported; 3,600, 41s. 6d. coal, 42s. 3d. fuel; St. Malo, 500, 22s.; Nantes, 1,800, 29s., Oct. 20; Havre, 850, 23s. 6d.; Rouen, 24s. 6d.; 780, 25s. fid.; Marans, 600, 33s. 9d., fuel; West Italy, 2,500, 77s. fid.; St. Servan, 670, 22s. Grimsby to Dieppe, 700, 27s. Newport to Rouen, 2,200, 24s. 6d.; 600, 25s.; St. Nazaire, 1.700, 29s.; Bordeaux, 2,500, 34s.; Cadiz, 600, 30s.; Mar- seilles, 1,400, 67s. 6d. ; Algiers, 41s.; Oran, 3,000, 35s., 500; 2.700, 40s.; Genoa, 5,200, 77s. fid. Wear to Cromarty, 18s., sail. Tees to Gravelines, 300, 30s., pig iron; Honfleur, 350, 35s., pig iron. London to Tyne, 300, 13s. fid., burnt ore; 270, 14s., burnt ore. Glasgow to Leghorn, 77s. 6d.; Buenos Ayres, 2,000, 30s., 250; Nantes, 33s. Hull to Rouen, 1,900, 27s. fid.; 2,200, 27s. fid.; London, 1.400, 12s. 6d.; Nantes, 1,450, 35s.; Dieppe, 700, 27s. Port Talbot to St. Nazaire, 1,400, 29s. 9d., fuel; Oran, 2,700, 40s.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn, 3,000, 77s. fid. Llanelly to Dublin, 300, 12s. 6d. Methil to Trelleborg, 1,000, 26 kr.; 2,000, 25 kr. Burntisland to Trelleborg, 2,000, 25 kr.; 1,000, 26 kr. West Hartlepool to Aarhuus, 1,000, 26 kr. Humber to Iggesund, 1,500, 27 kr.; Stockholm, 2,000, 27 kr. Goole to London, 1,400, 12s. 6d. the tank. Water then is siphoned out of the tank, and the governor valve is lowered. At an intermediate position of the lever 13, when the moving contact point 8 does not touch either of the fixed contact points 11 or 12, the pipe 15 is shut off from both pipes 16 and 17, there is no flow of water to or from the tank, and the governor valve remains stationary. (Four claims.) 14016 (1915). Signalling Mechanism for Mines. W. Mack, of Newtonfoot, Douglas Water, Lanarkshire, Scot- land.—Relates to mine signalling mechanism of the type in which a pull rope is fitted in connection with the signal mechanism, and is adapted to operate 'a pointer (or pointers) to give the required active (or cautionary and active) signal, whilst means are also provided whereby the signal is auto- matically cancelled on the engine having been operated in obedience to the signal given. Fig. 1 is a front view of part of the indicating mechanism, the face plate being removed; fig. 2 is a side view of part of the same mechanism; fig. 3 is a back view of the ratchet wheels; fig. 4 is a view of the face of the indicator; and fig. 5 is a side view of the cancelling gear. A radial pointer 1 is carried on the end of a shaft 2, which is operated step by step by means of a ratchet wheel 3. Mounted loosely on the shaft 2 is a second ratchet wTheel 4, adapted to give a step by step motion to a second shaft 5, which carries a radial pointer 6, both ratchet wheels 3, 4, being operated by means of a hinged pawl or the like 7 on a rod or slide 8, operated by the pull rope 9, and both ratchet wheels having pawl retaining means 10, 11, whilst weight and pulley means 12, 13, are provided on the shafts 2, 5, for returning the pointers to zero on the ratchets being released by such retaining means. The ratchet 4 drives the shaft 5 through a pair of tooth wheels 14, 15, one of which is secured to ratchet 4, whilst the other is secured on shaft 5, and the tooth wheel 14 is provided with teeth only on a portion of its periphery (see fig. 1), so that both ratchets may be operated a certain distance before the shaft 5 is brought into operation. The ratchet wheels 3, 4, are coupled together by a pin and slot arrangement—a pin 16 on the ratchet 4 extending through a concentric or quadrant- shaped slot 17 in the ratchet 3, and being secured to the pulley 12 (which is free on the shaft 2), so that the wheels 3, 4, may be both returned to zero. In the teeth of the ratchet 3 (fig. 3) a blank or gap is provided so that the pointer 1 may be moved a certain predetermined distance, and there- after remains stationary, whilst the ratchet 4 and pointer 6 are operated, both pointers being automatically and simul- taneously returned to zero. The pointer 1 indicates one, two, or three strokes of the pull rope, whilst any number of strokes above three are indicated by the pointer 6, the pointer 1 at the same time remaining in position to indicate three strokes which may show that men are in the cage, and may thus serve as a cautionary signal. At each stroke of the pull rope 9 the rod 8 is raised, and on the return stroke the pawl 7 moves the ratchets 3, 4, or the ratchet 4 only. (The upper position of the pawl 7 is indicated by dotted lines in fig. 1.) In order that the indicator may be non-accumulative, and the signal repeated without confusion and error, the rod 8 is connected by a chain, etc., 18 to a weighted cylinder 19, which works on a fixed piston 20, and has an air inlet 21, with a regulating screw 22. Should the signal be repeated, the lower weighted 13292 (1915). Improvements in the Automatic Control of Processes of Gas Manufacture. J. F. Simmance, 1, West- minster Palace-gardens, London, S.W. — Relates to apparatus for the automatic control of various processes in the manufacture of gas, and is applicable to plants for the production of gas from retorts or producers for lighting, heat- ing, or power purposes. The drawing shows the invention as applied to a gas making plant, in which a recording calorimeter C is caused to operate the governor. The water tank 5 .may be coupled directly or by suitable connective mechanism to the governor valve 20 at a convenient point in the gas.main from the retorts. An electrical battery 7 has one of its terminals in electrical connection with a contact ______________________________ Coal Supply (Ireland). — Replying to a question in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr. Duke said that he was in communication with the Irish Local Government Board and the Board of Trade regarding the supply of coal to the poor in Dublin, and the necessity of a coal fund to avert a coal famine. Pit Explosion. — Five men, named H. Caine (under- manager), G. Day and A. Peace (deputies), A. Kaye (dataller), and C. V7. Allott (miner), are inmates of the Beckett Hospital, Barnsley, in a rather serious condition, as the result of an explosion at the Darton Main Colliery, near Barnsley. The colliery, which is a new one, and employs about 600 hands, is still set down owing to the mishap. Early on Tuesday a fire broke out in the Parkgate seam. Though this was of slight dimensions, it was deemed safer to withdraw’ 63 men working in that seam, and also 45 men in the Flockton seam. A working party, with the officials, endeavoured to extinguish the fire, and for that purpose a “ storming ” was erected. Whilst this was being done, a small outburst of gas occurred, and several of the working party were burnt. end of the cylinder 19, in rising, operates bbe rocking lever 23, and thereby withdraws the pawls 10, 11, and permits of the pointers returning to zero. The pointers are stopped at their zero positions by means of fixed brackets or the like 24, 25, on the dial or face 26 (fig. 4). For automatically cancelling, the signal on the engine having been operated in obedience to such signal, the winding drum 27 is engaged (fig. 5) by a wheel or disc 28, having a tyre of rubber, and a connecting wire 29, which extends from a crank 30 on the wheel or disc 28 to a catch device 31, so that the rotation of the wheel 28 operates •the catch and releases a rod 32 suit- ably connected with the pull rope 9, and adapted to automatic- ally cancel the signal and move the wheel 28 out of contact with the winding drum 27. The operation of the pull rope to give a further signal brings the wheel 28 again into action. The rod 32 has a weight 33, and a notch 34 engaged by the catch 31, so that the arm 35 is released by the pin 36, and the wheel 28 is held in engagement with the drum 27 by the spring 37. The catch 31 is held in engagement by the weighted arm 38, and is only withdrawn on the crank 30 being operated from the drum 27. For automatically can- celling the signals when the drum is operated, the pawls 10, 11 ((fig. 1) are both connected through wires, etc., and through the double armed lever 39, the chain 40, and the lever 41, which latter is operated by a projecting pin 42 on the rod 32, when this rod is released by the catch 31. (Five claims.) 14249 (1915). Improvements in Mechanical Appliances for Loading and Unloading Coal, etc.—T. Thomas, 12, Park- street, Clydach Vale, Rhondda.—Relates to a mechanical device to deal with coal, etc., and to automatically load and unload same into any place or receptacle. The drawing is an end view. A designates a carriage, with wheels B and rails C, to provide a track for a bogie D, mounted on wheels E, and engaging the rails C. On the bogie D is fixed a metal grabber F, operated by the levers G. The bogie D is fitted with a metal shovel H to work in conjunction with the grabber F. The lever G has its fulcrum at x, and fits easily on fulcrum pin x attached to the bogie D. The pin x also carries one end of link G3 which has its fulcrum at this point, link G4 has its fulcrum at x3, and fits easily on fulcrum pin x3, which is attached to bogie D, and is connected to shovel H at r5, and provides a fulcrum for grabber F at r4. The link G and grabber F are connected by G2 and G3 at x1 and x2 by an easy fitting pin passing through the three links, and securely fastened thereon. The grabber F is operated by a rope or chain attached to the lever G at G1. The rope I is connected to a crab winch or other means, so that when tension is put on I the grabber F will dig itself point 8 fixed to and moving with a convenient part of the pen carrying mechanism of the recording calorimeter, which moves relative to the record drum D. The other terminal of the battery 7 is in electrical connection with one terminal of each of two sole- noids 9 and 10. The other terminals of the two sole- noids are in elec- trical connection re- spectively with two fixed contact points 11 and 12. Accord- ing a>s the moving contact touches other of the fixed contact points 11 or 12, the electric current through one other of the noids 9 or 10. cores of the solenoids are nected and together, moving operate the lever 13 of a three- way cock 14. From the cock a pipe 15 leads upwards and is inside the water tank __, ___ ____ __ ____ __________ In one extreme position of the lever 13 the pipe 15 is in communication with the pipe 16 from a water supply, and water then flows into the tank, thereby further raising the governor valve. . In the other extreme position of the lever . 13, the pipe 15 is in communication with the pipe 17, which terminates in an open end at a level considerably lower till an /6- .15 ‘io 20 n a /z point 8 one or flows i or sole- . The two con- move and in bent downwards, its open end being 5, and below the water level therein.