292 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 8, 1918. upwards, thereby engaging the clutches a with the end- less guide ropes or conductors b b‘. Immediately after- wards the full weight of the cage or lift is suspended from the chains connected to the actuating levers, which in turn force up the lock-wedges in the clutches still further, causing an effectual lock upon the endless guide ropes or conductors b b', causing said endless guide ropes or conductors b b' to travel over the pulleys e on the headgear and round the pulleys h at the bottom of the shaft g, and bringing into action the hydro-pneumatic buffer or braking engine m, that is to say, the rotation of the pulleys on the headgear, through the connecting rods, effects a reciprocatory movement of the piston of said buffer or engine, displacing the water and compressing the air on one side of the piston whilst forcing said air through the bye-pass to the other side of the piston and then displacing the water and compressing the air on said other side of the piston whilst forcing said air back to the other side of the piston, thus producing an effectual shock-absorber and brake to the fall of the'cage or lift. (Four claims.) 111339. Improvements in Mine Signalling Systems. John Davis and Son (Derby) Limited and W. H. Davis, All Saints Works, Derby.—It is usual in mines where the switches are very far apart or not employed at all for the two bare wires to be brought together to make contact and the object of this invention is to effect certain improve- ments in connection with such signalling systems by which sparking on the line, at the relay and at the bell is pre- vented, so ensuring safety in a gaseous area, and also preserving the life of the platinum points. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved relay with cover removed. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation 1, 1, of fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical con- nections and circuits. In this invention the arma- ture n has one contact spring and is attracted to the field magnet when the circuit is closed in the line wires and it is returned by means of a spring when the circuit is broken. On this armature is fixed a contact spring a and when the arma- ture is attracted to the field magnet b this spring contacts with stud h which connects in a local battery. The current from the battery passes through a magnet coil j to con- tact stud k through spring cl to pillar I then to terminal m1 and from there through the bell coils to the battery by way of m2. When the circuit is closed at stud h the arma- ture d' is attracted by magnet j and the attraction breaks the circuit at k causing spring d and armature d' to oscillate at every make and break, transmitting this same action to the bell hammer. The line terminals are f2, and the bell and local battery terminals m', m2. A non-inductive resistance e is em- ployed on the line circuit, and consists of a non- inductive winding of high resistance in parallel with the two line terminals to prevent sparking at the line switch or its equivalent such as is obtained by pressing the two wires together as in mine practice. In connection with tremulous action bells operated by direct current there is in the relayed circuit an extra make and break or con- tact maker d, and in order to eliminate the spark a condenser g is used. (One claim.) 111605. Improvements in the Treatment of Bituminous Shales. D. Simpson, 15, Eastmearn Road, West Norwood, and A. Simpson, 33, Eastcheap.—This invention relates particularly to the treatment of shale which when treated in the ordinary way yields an oil containing an objection- able amount of sulphur, the object being principally to provide a process by means of which the oil can be obtained free from a considerable amount of the combined sulphur in the shale treated, and in such a manner that sulphur present in the oil can be readily and economically separated, and so also that ammonia can be satisfactorily obtained, when desired. The apparatus comprises a retort 1 set vertically (or sufficiently inclined), with a charging door 2 at top, which door can be closed gas-tightly and with a slidable shutter 3, at bottom, beneath which is a receptacle 4 for spent shale from the retort 1 above, this receptacle 4 being capable of being closed gas-tightly by a door 5 at bottom. Above the shutter 3, there is an out- let 6 for vapours of volatile products of distillation to pass from the retort 1 into the reaction chamber 7, where they will, at the requisite temperature, come into contact with matter capable of decomposing hydrocarbon sulphides at that temperature. This reaction chamber may be of any suitable kind. It is illustrated as being a “Frasch] apparatus. A pipe 8 leads the purified vapours from this reaction chamber to the condensers, which may be of any suitable kind. Heat is applied to the retort 1, in any suitable way, which will most efficiently apply the heat n. open, or, when it is to heat the reaction one not much exceed- as required. The retort is shown, for example, as being set in a gas-heated furnace 9, supplied with gas from the pipes 10, whilst air enters at 11, to mix with the gas, the mixture being ignited and the flames passing into the furnace 9. The products of combustion pass to the chimney flue 12, through the flue 13, controlled by a valve 14, operated from outside by a rod 15, so that the products of combustion can be drawn through the flue 13, direct to the flue 12, when the valve 14 is closed, pass through the flue 16, chamber 7. The heat applied to the upper part of the retort 1, soon raises the shale last fed in to a temperature of 100 degs. Centigrade, and the said shale parts with its water in the form of a current of steam, to which additional steam from a boiler, or other suitable source, may be added if desired through the pipe 20. The said steam travels down- ward and becomes superheated. The dried shale in the middle,'or main, part of the retort 1, is raised to a higher temperature (say ing 500 degs. Centigrade), and in 'its hydrocarbon vapours are distilled off and join the current of superheated steam. In the lower part of the retort 1, the shale, although exhausted of all its readily volatisable matters, still con- tains a considerable quantity of resistant compounds of carbon with sulphur and other elements which are only decomposable at higher temperatures than those main- tained in the retort 1, as aforesaid, or by the oxidation of their carbon element. The heating of the retort is restricted, with the object of preventing the decomposition of the said compounds of carbon, sulphur, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The proportion of ammonia usually formed at this stage is not obtained, but a large amount of sulphur is kept out of contact with the oil vapours, by retaining it in the spent shale. Further beneficial effects of the process are that it reduces the usual volume of permanent gases in the vapours, say, for example, an amount of as much as 14,000 cubic feet per ton of shale is reduced to as little as 3,000 cubic feet per ton, and the chemical char- acter of such permanent gases is also changed by their being practically free from carbonic acid. In cases where the amount of nitrogen left makes it desirable, a separate ammonia recovery producer plant may be used. The oil vapours, which are given off in the middle of the length of the retort 1, as aforesaid, pass down, and leave the retort 1, by the outlet pipe 6, and pass into the reaction chamber 7, at a temperature which, in the method of work- ing according to this invention, is much in excess of that applying with upward distillation, the said vapours keeping the. reaction chamber 7 hot enough to promote chemical action between the said vapours and the desulphurising agent, or agents, which the chamber contains, such, for example, as oxide of copper, or oxide of iron; the inven- tion providing the conditions required for desulphurising the hydrocarbon vapours direct from the shale (that is before their condensation into oil), namely :—the requisite temperatures, the small volume of accompanying per- manent gases, and practical absence of carbonic acid, which carbonic acid would have a reverse action on some of the metallic sulphides formed. (Four claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. January 28 to February 2 (inclusive). (Note.—Applications arranged alphabetically under the names of the applicants (communicators in parentheses). A new number will be given on acceptance, which will replace the application number.] Adams, J. H. Internal combustion engines. (1763.) Butt, W. H. T. Clinometer. (1575) Cohen. A. Internal combustion engines. (1951) Donald, W. Treatment of waste gases from furnaces, kilns, etc. (1596) Foggo, M. J. Pit props. (1759) Fuller Accumulator Company. Variable speed dynamo electric machines. (1773) (General Engineering Company). Liquid fuel burner mechanism. (1818) Gittins, H. V.. and Reeve, E. T. D., and Smith, F. J. Gripping device or eye for cable, wire or rope. (1739) Glover, S. Destructive distillation of coal, etc. (1815) Greenawalt, J. E. Turbine compressors, blowers or pumps. (1684) Hall, I. Burning liquid fuel. (1922) Hiller, H. K. Apparatus for low temperature distillation of coal, etc. (1746) (Industrial Electric Furnace Company). Electric furnaces. (1896) Juhlin, G. A. Dynamo electric machines. (1690) Knight, J. Two or four stroke cycle internal combustion engines. (1588) Lessing, R. Separation of oils and pitch from tar. (1635) Peck, J. S. Dynamo electric machines. (1690) Rebs, H. Process for purifying mineral oil or its distil- lates and concentrates. (1767) Richardson, J. G. Internal combustion engine. (1846) Rollason, A. Retorts, and utilisation therein of emana- tions from carbonates of alkaline earths to increase the yield of gases and hydrocarbons from coal during carbonisation. (1724) Schraeder, F. J. Hoisting apparatus. (1904) Smallwood, A. Furnaces. (1925) Soc. Lorraine des Anciens Etablissements de Dietrich et Cie de Luneville. Drive for pumps. (1875) Sopwith, S. F. Pit props. (1759) Stirling, R. Apparatus used in air-lift pumps. (1756) Submersible and J.-L. motors Limited. Dynamo electric machines. (1627, 1632) Suchostawer, D., and Whitehorn, H. K. Dynamo electric machines. (1687) Tuckfield, C. Internal combustion expansion engine. (1800) Vincent, W. J. Internal combustion engines. (1906) Welch, A. P. Variable speed dynamo electric machines. (1773) West, J. Destructive distillation of coal, etc. (1815) (Whyte, J. N.). Tipping platform for wagons, etc. (1787) Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on February 21.) (Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1916. 9650. Eastville Engineering and Rock Drill Company, and Levermore, W. Pneumatic percussive tools. (112785) 9651. Eastville Engineering and Rock Drill Company, and Levermore, W. Pneumatic percussive tool. (112786) 9652. Eastville Engineering and Rock Drill Company. Pneumatic percussive tools. (112787) 1917. 11739. Davis, R. H. Air supply and respiratory apparatus in diving and like apparatus. (112788) 576. Bilbrough, S. B. Distillation of coal, oil shales, and other similar carbonaceous materials, and retorts therefor. (112793) 999. Electromotors Limited, Longbottom, B., and Greenhalgh, E. Dynamo electric machinery. (112,800) 1557. Hall, I. Furnaces and the like. (112827) 1587. British Electric Transformer Company, and Berry, F. E. Polyphase electric transformers. (112829) 1651. Ogawa, Y. Forced draught arrangements for boilers. (112831) 3235. Ellison. G.. and Anderson, J. Electric controllers and the like. (112849) 4093. Guy, T. Coal cutting machines. (112856) 5043. Parker, N. J. Multi-stage compressors. (112869) 5568. Thuman, F. (Evans, O. B.). Manufacture of toluol and like hydrocarbons. (112878) 8271. Pohl. R. Alternating current machinery. (112890) 11797. Johnson. J. Y. (Ulberg, J. A.). Rotary engines. (112902) 12699. Knolles, E. M. Clinometers or angle-testing devices. (112906) 13459. Robertson, U.M. Pit prop. (112908) 13770. Thuman, F. Gas producers. (112909) 14411. Siemens Schuckertwerke Ges. Electrical trans- formers and the like. (111837) Complete Specifications Open to Public Inspection Before Acceptance. (Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1917. 17585. Chinese-American Company. Internal combustion engines. (112930) 1918. 478. Corbino, 0. M. Transformation of polyphase into practically constant direct currents. (112938) 1114. Soc. d’Exploitation des Appareils Rateau. Apparatus for the production of water gas. (112942) Liability for Subsidence.—The Chancery Court, sitting in Manchester on January 30. 31, and February 1, heard the claim of the Westhoughton Urban District Council against the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Limited for damage to land and buildings alleged to have been caused by subsi- dence. Counsel for plaintiffs stated that the mining oper- ations caused a subsidence, accompanied by damage to the tanks, filters, and drains. A portion was made unsuitable for irrigation purposes. Defendants refused to pay com- pensation, the contention being that the rights of the plaintiffs were limited by the provisions in the lease. They pleaded the Wigan and District Mines and Sewers Act, 1883, and the Waterworks Clauses Act, 1847, and said they gave notice in 1895 of their intention to work the mines in question, and the plaintiffs did not intimate any wish to purchase support. This point, argued counsel, was not of importance; the Council were in exactly the same position as a private owner, and had an absolute right to support except so far (if at all) as it had been taken away by the lessors under the reservation in the lease. Mr. H. J. Walker, mining engineer, produced a section showing the seams of coal, and attributed the damage to the workings in 1912 and 1913. The surface had not yet come to rest, and if the upper mines were worked further, subsidence would occur; there would, be a repetition of what had already occurred, but probably more severe. The defen- dant company submitted that the documents proved that no right of support had been granted to the plaintiffs.— Judgment reserved. —■ SIZES” TO CARRY 3 and 5 TONS. .--•♦>- With or Without Tipping Bodies. MANN’S STEAM CART & WAGON Co. Ltd., Hunslet, LEEDS. London Office: 9, Fenchurch Avenue, E.C.