398 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 22, 1918. matically cancels the signal on the signalling dial by bringing the pointers immediately back to zero. (Six claims.) 110147. Improvements in Making Basic Refractory Materials. C. B. Stowe, Lakewood, Ohio, and 1209, Rocke- feller Building, Cleveland, Ohio.—This invention relates more particularly to basic refractory substances. In carry- ing out the process, natural magnesite is used, which is practically free from iron contents. With the magnesite is mixed such a quantity of iron oxide, for example, in the form of rolling mill scale, as will give the desired iron content to be finished product, and grind the mixture, adding sufficient water to make the mass have the con- sistency of brick mud. The mud is next moulded into brick or other form and dried until the moulded forms are suffi- ciently hard to withstand the pressure of stacking. The bricks when so dried are set in a kiln. Flues are formed through the set bricks so that the hot furnace gases may heat all the bricks uniformly. The bricks thus stacked are burned in the kiln at a' suitable temperature and for sufficient time to drive off the carbonic gas and water from them to cause the magnesia and iron oxide to unite. The product of this treatment has the characteristics of the mineral known as magnesioferrite Mg0Feo0.t. The forma- tion of this mineral may not be entirely completed throughout the whole mass of material in one burning, but there can be no doubt that there is a union of magnesium oxide and iron oxide. Satisfactory material can be pro- duced by firing a kiln full of bricks for nine days and then allowing it to cool for five days. The temperature attained in the kiln is between the melting points of No. 11 and No. 19, Seger pyrometric cones. The absorption of iron oxide by the magnesia seems to be assisted by maintaining a temperature within these limits for from thirtv-six to- forty-eight hours. After this first burning, the bricks are removed and crushed. The crushed material at this stage of the process is perfectly suitable for use as grain material for making furnace linings. Or, it may be mixed with new raw materials, magnesite, magnesia, or iron oxide, to give any desired relative proportions of magnesia and iron oxide in the resultant refractory material and re-treated in the same manner as in the first process above described. It is to be noted that upon the relative proportions of magnesia and iron oxide in the mixture depends the tem- perature which the refractory material will withstand. T^e smaller the amount of iron oxide the higher will be the melting point, and the larger the amount of iron oxide the lower will be the melting point of the resultant refractory material. The smaller the amount of iron oxide the more friable becomes the refractory material, and it is therefore advisable to choose for a furnace lining a refractory material having a melting point only slightly higher than the temperature which the furnace will attain. It will be seen that bv the process the proportions of magnesia and iron oxide can be accurately governed to produce refractory materials of any desired characteristics possible with these materials. (Six claims.) 111799. Improvements in Apparatus for Measuring Liquids, Pulverulent Materials, such as Coal and Coke, etc. G. Robson and F. Marshall, Eclipse Engineering Works, Hodgson Street, Sheffield.—This invention,relates to apparatus for measuring liquids, pulverulent materials, such as coal and coke, grain, and the like, and is of the type in which the commodity to be measured is delivered into and is discharged from a measuring box by gravity, the entrance and the exit being controlled by mechanically operated valves, the upper set of which closes before the lower set opens and vice versa, the lower set closes before the upper set opens, in some of which forms of construction the valves are operated by wheels having continuous cam paths formed therein. Fig. la is a left hand sectional elevation of the apparatus. The apparatus consists gener- ally of a measuring box the upper and lower openings of which are controlled by mechanically operated valves. The lower valve box a contains two hollow segmental rotary valves, mounted on spindles. On the spindle is loosely mounted a chain wheel d, with a hand chain d\ The action is as follows : Motion is imparted to the chain wheel d, either by any suitable form of ___* mechanical power or by an c attendant pulling the hand chain d\ which causes the I , i ) engaged pinion e and the spur jT Z ZJ wheel f to rotate. Assuming r/ ' - for the purpose of this / description that the valves \ 1 are in the opened position, \ / the chain wheel d would be / rotated in a clockwise / • direction with reference to fig. ( 1, which would, of course, ( result in the spur wheel /, \ moving in a counter clock- wise direction, consequently i F/c it will be seen that the arm <7, engaging the snail earn path f2, will be raised from the horizontal position by reason of the cam path receding from the centre of rota- tion of the wheel f. Such motion of the arm g causes the valve b\ and its spindles c2, c3, to make a partial rotation thus raising the valve. At the same time by means of the pinions h, A1, the valve b, is similarly raised, until both valves meet and close the lower opening of the box q. The cam path /2, is so designed that after the valves b, b1, have closed the roller end of the arm g is travelling in the concentric portion of the path and con- sequently no further movement of the arm is effected. While the beforegoing described operation has been in progress the gear connected with the upper valve box o‘, has been in motion through the medium of the sprocket wheels i, j, and chain i1. The rotation of the cam wheel k, thus effected, results in the arm I travelling in the cam path k2, but since for the first half of the revolution of the wheel k the arm I is in the concentric portion of the the cam path, its position will remain unaltered. When, however, the arm enters the portion of the cam path where jt approaches the centre of the wheel k, the said arm will be drawn downwards, causing a corresponding downward radial movement of the valve n, and likewise of the valve n\ through the pinions p, p\ In this way the entrance to the measuring box q is opened—but it should be here explained that before the upper valves commence to open, the lower valves have previously been completely closed. (Two claims.) Dr. S. Jackson has been appointed certifying surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts for Penarth, Glam. A seam of black coal of excellent quality, 3 ft. in thick- ness, has been discovered at Kilcunda, Victoria. MEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. z Motive power engines, or/and production of motive power therein. Internal combustion turbines, etc. (2610) H. Carbonising or distillation apparatus. Internal combustion engines. (2666) B., and Frost Patent Engine Syndicate. Applications for Patents. February 11 to 16 (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.] Barnes, P. G. and P. J. Fieldless rotary transformer. (2595) Baxter, C. Internal combustion engines. (2650) Bergasse, P. H. Internal combustion rotary engines. (2651) Berry, F. L. Folding jib crane. (2770) Blakeley, W. Stills or pre-heaters for dehydration of tar, etc. (2646) Booth, J. T. Internal combustion engines. (2761) Boyden, T. W. Clinometer. (2659) British Thomson-Houston Company. Automatic starting devices for electrically-driven air compressors and pumps. (2602) British Thomson-Houston Company. Electric distribu- tion systems. (2745) British Thomson-Houston Company (General Electric Com- pany). Elastic fluid turbines. (2513, 2663) Brown, T. T., and Thompson, H. .A. Heat exchangers for use as feed water heaters, evaporators, condensers, coolers, etc. (2737) Campbell, D. Burners. (2436) Chesshire, J. H. Tool for splitting coal, etc. (2696) Crowe, H. Gas manufacture. (2489) Dark, G. B., Hall, G. B., Reeves, J. W., and Spurgeon, R. A. Internal combustion turbine. (2578) Desgouttes, P. Explosion motor. (2538) Flugel, B. J. V. A., and Webb, H. F. (2649) Ford, A. E. Freeman, N. (2462) Frost, C. D. Frost, C. R. Compressors. (2639) Furniss, C. Oil fuel. (2688) Glasser, O. Tinning sheet metal. (2534) Gordon, J. Steam superheaters. (2724) Green, R. E. Internal combustion engines. (2761) Higgs, W. F. Direct-current electric motors. (2573) Hunt, L. J. Alternating-current dynamo electric machines adapted for synchronous working. (2615) Kirke, P. St. G. Gas-fired boilers. (2520) Lord, J. E. C. Process for manufacture of fuel oil from coal tar products. (2655) Malone, J. F. J. Power plant. (2772) Montgomery, C. J. Rotary pumps, compressors, etc. (2718) Moore, J. Internal combustion engines. (2627) Moores, J. Pump. (2500) Morison, D. B. Condensing apparatus. (2463) Neal, S. E. ■ Tanks, etc., for holding liquid fuel, etc. (2795) Nomi, K. Utilisation of petroleum pitch. (2432) Reed, R. H. ~ ~ 1 .................... coal, etc. Roberton, J. (2776) Rollason, A. dolomite, Grates or fireplaces for burning anthracite (2509) Retorts for distillation of coal, shale, etc. Manufacture of hard, dead, shrunk, inert magnesite, etc. (2475) (Roth, P.), and Venturino, M. E. " ing heavy petroleum products (2521) (Soc. Anon. Italiana G. Ansaldo generating apparatus. (2736) (Soc. Anon. Italiana G. Ansaldo and Company. Heating furnaces with removable hearth. (2799) Taylor, J. Direct-acting steam pumps. (2406) Thomson, H. A. Internal combustion engines. (2548) Uchida, Y. Electric current controllers. (2494) (Vereinigte Hiittenwerke Burbach-Eich-Dudelingen Akt.- Ges.). Determination and regulation of blast in blast furnaces. (2532) Whitby, H. Double-action rotary internal combustion engine. (2407) Whitcher, J. Electric distribution systems. (2745)' Wood, C. C. Tubular conveyors. (2552) Complete Specifications Accepted, Process for transform- into lighter products. and Company). Gas (To be published on March 7.) 1915. 2588 and 2725. Ricardo. Internal combustion engines. 1917. [Note —The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1864. Nelson, J. Refining hydrocarbon oils and spirits. (113131) 1964. Commercial Research Company. Production of explosive compositions. (106086) 2506. Tedesco, G. Apparatus for purifying or refining liquids, more particularly mineral spirits. (111277) 2545. Carter, S., and Hawkins, R. E. Two-stroke rotary internal combustion engines. (113158) 3887. Ellis, F. E., and Ellis, R. H. B. Tipping mechanism for motor or like wagons or lorries. (113168)’ 4020. Stevenson, E. Compressed air boring machines. (113169) 4982. Stewart, J. Gas producers. (113182) 5463. Tissier, L. E. Process and apparatus for calcining and roasting certain ores. (105915) 5716. Crockford, C., and Allwood, S. J. R. Apparatus for cleaning boiler and other furnaces of non- combustible residue. (113190) 6173. Wallace, C. F., and Tiernan, M. F. Devices for indicating and measuring the flow of gases. (113197) 6261. Rollason, A. Manufacture of bricks, blocks, and the like from dolomite. (113199) 6366. British Thomson-Houston Company (General Elec- tric Company). Centrifugal compressors. (113200) 6626. Harvey, E. W., and Wright, E. N. Mechanical feeders for gas producers, furnaces, and the like. (113203) 13583. Fletcher, Russell and Company, Fletcher, T. W., and Singleton, J. H. Gas burners for fur- naces. (113239) 13919. Rayner, G. Valve apparatus for percussive rock drills, tools, and the like. (113241) 14207. Smal, F. Four-stroke-cycle internal combustion engines. (113242) 16094. Rayner, G. H. T., and Rayner, P. Valve apparatus for rock drills and the like fluid pressure oper- ated tools. (113246) 16570. Mazzacurati, A. Pumps. (111482) 16665. Prat, L. Apparatus for creating or promoting draught in the flues of boilers. (111484) Complete Specifications Open to Public Inspection Before Acceptance. [Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1917. ’ 16898. Day, R. T., Macdonald, F., and Day, R. B. Pro- cess of producing hvdrocarbon materials. (113264) 18697. Rudberg, S. Pneumatic rock drilling machines. (113267) 1918. 1159. Compagnie pour la Fabrication des Compteurs Materiel d’Usines a Gaz. Manufacture of pro- ducer gas. (113271) 2082. General Briquetting Company. Machines for the manufacture of briquettes. (113279) Application for Restoration of Lapsed Patent. Jens Orten Boving has made application for the restora- tion of the patent granted to him for “ An improved method of and apparatus for compressing air or other gases,” No. 11411/1910, which expired on May 9, 1914, owing to the non-payment of the prescribed renewal fee. Notice of opposition must be lodged on or before April 20, 1918. CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS RECEIVED. Engineering and Arc Lamps Limited (St. Albans).—The latest list of specially designed fittings for use with half- watt lamps contains a number of alternative designs suit- able for the lighting of works. All these specialities are manufactured at the Sphere Works, St. Albans. Henry Sotheran and Company (140, Strand, London).— Catalogue No. 770 (price 2s. 6d.) deals with books on exact and applied science, .including the scientific portion of the library of the late Lord Justice Stirling, and selections from the libraries of a number of well-known scientists. The catalogue is an extensive one, with price and descrip- tion appended to every volume. Malcolmson Briquet Engineering Company (Old Colony Building, Chicago). — A handsome booklet, profusely illustrated, relates to several types of plant, including the large installation built for the Pacific Coast Coal Company. The illustrations include the edgerunner used by the General Briquetting Company, of New York (petroleum residue being used as a binder), the Rutledge briquetting press, the Komarek ditto, the Berwind Fuel Company’s plant, the Standard Briquette Fuel Company’s plant, and others. Davis Furnace Company (Diamond Foundry, Luton).— Important features of the demonstration plant at the Diamond Foundry, Luton, are described and illustrated in the booklet relating to the Davis gas-fired and oil-fired furnaces. The demonstration consists of a comprehensive range of their own standard productions, fitted up under practical working conditions, enabling clients to witness actual tests of furnaces designed for their own industries. The installation includes working examples of the usual types of natural draught ovens, muffles, and metal melt- ing furnaces, which provide varying temperatures up to about 1,150 degs. Cent, without the use of pressure- inducing plant for either gas or air. Practically the fur- naces can be utilised for any high temperature heat treat- ment operation. The high-speed steel furnaces, the gas- fired tool maker’s outfit, and the Davis forging furnace are merely examples of the comprehensive range. The production of large industrial furnaces is such a successful speciality of the firm that economical use is assured. Ed. Bennis and Company Limited (28, Victoria-street, Westminster). — The new catalogue on coking stokers is excellently illustrated. Until recently, coking stokers laboured under the disadvantage that, though they were often able to prevent the emission of smoke and grits, they attained this object only at the cost of a considerable reduction of the steam-raising power of the boilers, and the difficulties therefore of designing a coking stoker which should combine high steam-producing capacity with abso- lute smokelessness were extremely great. The nucleus of the present satisfactory apparatus was found in the “ Bennis ” self-cleaning compressed air furnace, and the net result of prolonged experiment is seen in increased steam production, maximum efficiency, absolute smokeless- ness, and total avoidance of grit emission. Two satisfac- tory tests are detailed—one by the National Boiler and General Insurance Company Limited. The results were uniformly in favour of the “ Bennis ” stoker and com- pressed air furnace. A copy of the new catalogue will be sent by the firm in response to any reader’s application. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. *** Any of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Colonial Reports (Annual) : (No. 950), Bechuanaland Protectorate, Report for 1916-17. (London : H.M. Stationery Office.) Price l^d. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. li Railway Reform and Traffic Distribution as they Affect the Mersey ”—an Address by Mr. Marshall Stevens, delivered under the auspices of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce at the Town Hall, Liverpool, on Dec. 20, 1917; “Swedish Export” (Vol. 1, No. 12), December 1917 (published by the General Export Association of Sweden); “ The Institution of Mechanical Engineers— Proceedings—Annual Report of the Council for the Year 1917 ”—“ The Journal of the South African Insti- tution of Engineers ” (Vol. 16, No. 6), January 1918, single copies 2s.; “The Journal of State Medicine” (Vol. 26, No. 2), February 1918 (37, Russell-square, London, W.C. 1), price 2s. net; “The Mining Maga- zine ” (Vol. 18, No. 2), February 1918, price Is. The Trade Marks Committee of the Federation of British Industries has decided to oppose Part 2 (“ Prevention of Abuses ”) of the proposed Bill “ To amend the Trades Marks Act, 1905,” on the ground that it will inflict serious injury on the owners of perfectly legitimate trade marks. It has also been decided to oppose the proposed British Empire Trade Mark.