512 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. September 6, 1918 interior of the casing and, preferably an intervening piece or diaphragm of leather, rubber, or other appropriate material, suitably U- or trough-shaped in cross-section, is interposed between the bottom of each recess and the pack- ing piece to form a hermetically sealed diaphragm between the pressure fluid and the packing piece. Springs may be used in known manner for pressing the packing strips out- wards, but such springs would be only strong enough for holding the strips in place when no fluid pressure is avail- able. As the liquid pressure on the strips is reduced during alternate strokes, this represents a reduction in the effort required to drive the pump, as compared with con- structions in which the heavy packing pressure is always the same. A saving in the wear and tear of the pump is also effected by this intermittent reduction of the pack- ing pressure. In steam and other engines in which oscil- lating or wing pistons are employed it has been proposed to provide the edges of the wing pistons with flanged packing pieces, which are held in close contact with the corresponding surfaces of the cylinder by the fluid pres- sure or by suitable springs. The present invention, how- ever, provides a communication between the delivery space of the semi-rotary pump and the recesses containing the packing whereby the packing is pressed against the wall or walls of the casing, as above stated. (Four claims.) 117711. Mine, Props. A. Rush ton, Lark Hill, Astley, near Manchester, and 0. H. Bolton, Oak Cottage, Bold, St. Helens Junction, Lancashire.—This invention has reference to pit props for shoring or strutting roofing in coal pits, and generally for sustaining incumbent weights in mines. Prior to this invention pit props made of a metallic tube filled with concrete, wood or other solid material towards its centre have been proposed in which wooden plugs were inserted at one or both ends of the tube so as to abut against the solid material. For instance, one proposed arrangement consisted in part of a metal tube partly filled with concrete, and in part of a metal tube, into the end of which wood plugs were fitted, one of which was for the purpose of lengthening the prop, the plugs abutting against each other within the tube and projecting at the ends, the projecting end of one plug taking into the end of the tube, partly filled with concrete. These tubular props were heavy, cumbersome, and rather expensive, and the object of the present invention is to provide a wood prop, the foot of which, when it becomes splintered or mutilated, can be removed or replaced by a new one. By this means a wood prop will last as long as a metallic one, simply by replacing the foot member from time to time should it become splintered or mutilated. Such a prop being only slightly heavier than an ordinary wood prop, and being, moreover, much cheaper than a metallic one, the advantages of the present invention will be obvious. The present mine prop comprises in combina- tion a prop member made of timber, a wood peg or block, and an open-ended metallic tubular member or connector about one-half of the length of whose interior is adapted to receive the shank of the peg, while the other half of whose length is adapted to receive the lower end of the prop member, the adjacent ends of the peg and prop either abutting against each other inside the connector, which connector is secured by a bolt or otherwise to the prop member or the interior of the side walls of the connector, so made as to form a support for the peg and prop to - rest against. (Five claims.) 117756. Runners of Centrifugal Fans. Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co., Limited, F. Lyon, and J. N. Collins, all of Great Western Works, Sydenham- road, Birmingham.—This invention has particular refer- ence to the construction of the runners of rotors of centri- . fugal fans of the type in which the fan blades are mounted between a pair of ring-like discs, technically termed “ shrouds,” and the said invention consists of the improve- ments hereinafter described in the construction of the said runners whereby the same is simplified. In constructing a centrifugal fan of this type the hub or boss by which the said runner or rotor is mounted on its shaft or spindle is provided with a flange at one side,’and the said hub or boss is connected to the annular rings or “ shrouds ” carry- ing the series of fan blades in the following manner. A disc is made having a series of radially projecting arms or branches and a central hole or aperture of a size proper to take on to the shaft or spindle of the runner or rotor or a projection of the hub. The arms or branches, which are preferably six or eight in number for a rotor of average size, are bent outwardly or sideways from the plane of the central disc-like part, alternate arms being bent to one side of the said plane and the intermediate arms to the other side thereof, the length of the arms and their inclination being such that their outer ends which are bent in one or other direction fit against and may be secured by riveting or otherwise to the annular rings or shrouds carry- ing the fan blades. The rotor is connected to its hub or boss preferably by screw bolts or rivets passed through the flange on the said hub and the central disc-like part of the shroud supporting arms. Corrugations or ribs may be formed on the arms or branches described and radial or circumferential corrugations may be formed in the central disc for the purpose of giving rigidity thereto. (Four claims.) 117769. Operating Switches for Tram-roads in Mines and Quarries. T. Dixon, 17, Langley-street, Langley Park, Durham.—This invention relates to means for operating facing. points in which a T shaped lever is adapted to be moved by a passing vehicle, the stem of the T lever being pivoted to a bar joining the tongues of the switch. The object of this invention is to provide an improved appara- tus of this type for automatically operating switches so as to divert tubs, bogies, or other vehicles, alternatively, . one to one road, and another to another road. Apparatus made in accordance with this invention is characterised in that the cross arms of the T shaped lever are connected by links to cranks mounted on a shaft on which is also mounted a spoked wheel adapted to be given two quarter turns by the axles of a vehicle striking the spokes as the vehicle passes over the shaft. (Two claims.) 117858. Rotary Pumps. A. Herbert, Dunley Manor, near Whitchurch, Hants, and J. Ridley, “ St. Winifred’s,” Belvedere-road, Coventry.—This invention relates to im- provements in rotary pumps of the type wherein two mesh- ing spur wheels are driven by a third spur wheel, all the wheels being peripherally surrounded by the casing, and the inlet to the pump chamber is on the disengaging side of the first-mentioned two wheels, and the outlet is on the engaging side. According to this invention, in a rotary pump of the type described the three wheels are arranged substantially in a line, with the third or driving wheel at the end, and separate suction and delivery passages are provided for the driving wheel, and the pump wheel which it engages, and are so arranged that the suction passage communicates with an annular space round the driving spindle, and the delivery passage is connected with the main outlet of the pump. By this arrangement a low-pressure area is produced in the major part of the circumference of the driving gear to prevent fluid leakage along the spindle. In this way the usual stuffing box for the driving spindle may be omitted, and such fluid as is carried round from the suction side of the driving gear is discharged by the delivery conduit into the main outlet of the pump. (Two claims.) 117884. Atomisers or Spraying Devices. Babcock and Wilcox Limited, Oriel House, 30, Farringdon-street, London.—This invention relates to liquid atomisers or spraying devices, and more particularly to atomisers of the type provided with a tip formed with a chamber having a discharge orifice and with ducts tangential to the wall of the chamber, such atomisers being adapted for atomising fuel oil, whereby the oil may be atomised and injected into the combustion chamber of a furnace in the form of spray by means of mechanical action induced by pressure. In an atomiser of this type the discharge orifice must be of less area than the combined cross sectional areas of the tangential ducts so as to increase the pressure under the influence of which the fuel is atomised. The areas of said orifice and ducts depend upon the quantity and quality of the liquid fuel to be atomised in a given time and under given conditions, such as natural or forced draught. In certain prior constructions there was inter- posed between the tip and the face of the nozzle a separate member formed with ducts which, when the parts were assembled, were tangential to the wall of the tip chamber. In the use of atomisers it is frequently necessary, when working conditions are changed, to substitute a tip having a different sized discharge orifice, or the member having the tangential ducts and, due to faulty assembling of atomisers having the discharge orifice in one piece and the tangential ducts in another piece, the proper ratio of the area of the orifice and the ducts is not maintained. When a tip having a relatively small discharge orifice is assembled with a separate piece having relatively large tangential ducts, the fuel may emerge in a stream and not be properly atomised. Also, when a tip with a rela- tively large discharge orifice is assembled with a separate piece having relatively small tangential ducts, the atomi- sation of the oil may be excessive and fail to meet the required working conditions. With the use of a plurality of unitary members, each having a definite area ratio between the discharge orifice and the tangential ducts, means are provided to meet varying working conditions of fuel and pressure and obviate all faulty assembling. (Three claims.) MEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. August 26 to 31 (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.] Bailey, W., and Hall, I. Furnaces for melting steel, etc. (14139) Barnard, D. J. Grabs. (13953) Bergasse, P. H. Rotary internal combustion engines. (13930) Black, G. J. F. Compressed air motors. (13970) Boyd, C. J. Emergency boiler-flue stopper. (14076) British Thomson-Houston Company. Dynamo-electric machines. (14078) British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany. Condensers of the jet type. (13990) British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany. Steam-actuated ejectors. (13991) British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany. Condensers for steam, etc. (13992) Brown, H. R. Fuel briquettes, etc. (13899) Burney, C. D. Apparatus for distillation of solid car- bonaceous material. (14176) Choquet, L. Rotary internal combustion engine. (14172) Clayden, A. Power friction hoists attached to cranes. (13983) Cocker, W. Fuel economiser for ovens. (14069) Crawford, F. W. Mask for protection against poisonous gases. (13966) Davidson, W. B. Gas-cleaning apparatus. (13938) Edwards, G. Rotary engine. (13856) Erith, C., and Erith’s Engineering Company. Apparatus for drying and carbonising materials. (14057) Evans, I. B. Gas producers, etc. (13957) Ferranti, S. Z. de. Electric transformers. (13922, 13923) Feuerheerd, E. Turbines. (14161) Galloway, W. Fuel briquettes, etc. (13899) Gerrard, S. Miners’ safety lamp holder. (14027) Harris, A. T., and Neilson, W. M. Rock drills, pneumatic tools, etc. (14047) Hydro-Dynamics Limited and Lamplough, F. Rotary blowers, etc. (14181) Jones, T. A. Miners’, etc., safety lamps. (14060) Keene, A. D. Electric furnaces. (14079) Lang, C. R. Air ejectors of steam-condensing plant. (14094) Liversedge, A. J. Gas-cleaning apparatus. (13938) Luntz, M. Internal combustion engines. (14048) Mayen, E. Rotary pump or motor. (13864) Monk, W. C. K. Internal combustion engines. (14048) Moore, G. E. Direct reading anemometer. (13980) Morris, H. Process by which coal tar and/or dehydrated coal tar may be utilised in conjunction with mineral and/or shale oils. (13859) Munro, H. Boilers. (13835) Oakbank Oil Company and Wishart, J. Manufacture of sulphate of ammonia. (13842) Pradairol, J. M. Apparatus for purifying and drying steam. (14098) Prikler, L. A. Internal combustion engines. (14048) Schofield, H. Forced draught arrangements for steam boilers. (13858) Shields, H. F. H. Aerial ropeways. (13878) Stein et Cie, C. M. Regenerative furnaces. (14177) (Sullivan Machinery Company.) Coal-cutting machines. (14058) Taylor, H. W. Dynamo-electric machines. (14078) Virr, L. K. Motor starters, rheostats, etc. (13961) Weir, G. and J. Air ejectors of steam-condensing plant. (14094) West, C. H. Circulators for steam generators. (13839) Wood, A. Feed-water heaters for steam boilers. (13994) (Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation.) Feed- water heating systems. (14116) Young, W. G. Apparatus for removing dust, soot, etc., from flues, tubes, chambers, etc. (13996) Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on September 19.) [Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1917. 10497. Jones, J., and McConwell and Company, A. Furnace fronts for steam boilers. (118302) 11828. Babcock and Wilcox, and Kemnal, J. Steam boiler installation. (118310) 12009. Aktiebolaget Carlit. Ammonium perchlorate ex- plosives. (112417) 12066. Marks, E. C. R. (Ashford, J.). Centrifugal pumps. (118325) 12199. Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Company and Remington, C. Electric signalling systems, more particularly for use in mines. (118330) 12763. Pickston, W. T. Coal saver for domestic grates. (118343) 13062. Fitzpatrick, H. D. (Fitzpatrick, M. J. M.). Steam engines. (118347) 13289. Bennis, A. W. Conveyors. (118350) 13822. Clay Cross Company and Strong, J. W. Mine signalling apparatus. (118354) 13956. Wade, H. (Booth-Hall Company). Electric fur- naces. (118357) 14709. Crossley, Sir K. I., and Webb, W. L. Internal combustion engines. (118362) 15668. Gresham, H. E. Feed-water heaters. (118364) 16198. Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany. Geared turbine installations. (112123) 18053. Godfrey, C. D., and Way, A. J. Manufacture of tin plate. (118377) 1918. 1906. Vincent, W. J. Internal combustion engines. (118383) 2138. Davies, E. G. Mechanical feed to tinning terne machines and the like. (118384) 3690. Burleigh, J. W. Dynamo-electric machinery. (118392) 10048. Aktiebolaget Atlas Diesel and Andersson, G. Pneu- matic rock-drilling machines. (118401) Complete Specifications open to Public Inspection before Acceptance. [Note.—The number following the application is that which the specification will finally bear.] 1918. 12152. Soc. Anon, des Ateliers Piccard, Pictet et Cie. Explosion motors. (118407) 12388. Clarke, C. W. R. - Internal combustion engines. (118408) GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. *#* Any of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Reconstruction Problems: I.—The Aims of Reconstruc- tion; 2.—Housing in England and Wales (published by the Ministry of Reconstruction, 2, Queen Anne’s Gate Buildings, Westminster, S.W. 1), price 3d. each. Ministry of Reconstruction. Coal Conservation Com- mittee. Final Report. Cd. 9084. Price Is. 3d. (London : Published by H.M.S.O.) Report of the Committee of the Privy Council for Scien- tific and Industrial Research for the Year 1917-18. Cd. 9144. (London: Published by H.M.S.O.) Price 4d. net. Technical Supplement to the Daily Review of the Foreign Press. Issued by the General Staff War Office, Fort- nightly, September 3, 1918, Vol. 11, No. 5. (Published by H.M.S.O.) Price 6d. First Report of the Mine Rescue Apparatus Research Committee. (Published for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by H.M.S.O.) Price Is. lid. Statutory Rules and Orders, 1918, No. 1,049 : The Coal (Pit’s Mouth) Prices (No. 3) Order, 1918, dated August 17, 1918. Price 2d. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. “ Power Plant, Installation, Upkeep and Economical Operation: A Manual for Owners, Managers and Engi- neers,” by T. Roland Wollaston (Manchester: Sherratt and Hughes, 34, Cross-street), price 5s. net; “The Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa ” (Vol. 19, No. 1), July 1918, single copies 3s. ; United States Bureau of Mines, Depart- ment of the Interior : “ Monthly Statement of Coal Mine Fatalities in the United States, July 1917—List of Per- missible Explosives, Lamps and Motors tested prior to August 31, 1918,” compiled by Albert H. Fay; “ Monthly Statement of Coal Mines Fatalities in the United States, August 1917—List of Permissible Explo- sives, Lamps and Motors tested prior to September 30, 1917,” compiled by Albert H. Fay; Ministerio de Fo- menta—Boletin Oficial de Minas y Metalurgia (Ano 11, Num. 14), Julio 1918; “The Smith” (Vol. 1, No. 1), August 1918 (published by Messrs. Blacker Limited, Staley Iron Works Stalybridge); “The Institution of . Mining and Metallurgy, Bulletin No. 167, August 29, 1918 (published by the Institution of Mining and Metal- lurgy, 1, Finsbury Circus, London, E.C. 2); “Trans- actions of the Manchester Geological and Mining Society, Part 9, Vol. 25, issued July 1918, Session 1917-18 (published at Queen’s Chambers, 5, John Dalton- street, Manchester); “ Cheap Steam,” 6d., Vol. 2, No. 5, September 1918 (published by Ed. Bennis and Company Limited, 28, Victoria-st., S.W.; “The Naturalist,” No. 740, September 1918 (London : A. Brown and Sons Limited, 5, Farringdon-avenue, E.C. 4); “The Geo- logical Magazine, No. 651, Decade 6, Vol. 5, No. 9, price 2s. net, September 1918 (London : Dulau and Com- pany Limited, 37, Soho-square, W. 1); “ Income Tax for Year 1918-19 (London : Fred. C. Mathieson and Sons, 16, Copthall-avenue, E.C. 2), price Is. net. “ Bulle- tin of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, No. 140, August 1918; “Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 186, No. 2, August 1918; “Boletin del Cuerpo de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru,” No. 89, 1918. Coal in Algeria.—The French Government, it is said, has taken over the working of a newly discovered bed of anthracite coal of considerable extent near Bona, Algeria. The anthracite is stated to be equal to the best Cardiff coal, and to be sold at a price not higher than 150 lire per ton. Exported to Italy, its price would be about 210 lire per ton, and the first consignment of 30,000 tons will be ready for shipment shortly.