616

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

September 20, 1918.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

118150. Tunnel Linings. R. H. Bicknell, 16, Victoria-
street, Westminster.—According to this invention, concrete
or other cementitious material, and water, are projected
against the interior wall of a tunnel by means of a rotating
vessel containing the concrete or other cementitious
material. If reinforcing is used it is previously arranged
in place against the wall of the tunnel. (Five claims.)

118159. Pumps. E. J. J. Salmson, 9, Avenue des
Moubineaux, Billancourt, Seine Department, France, and
the Dudbridge Iron Works Limited, Stroud.—This inven-
tion relates to piston or plunger pumps more particularly
for pumping lubricating oil to various parts of engines
such as aeroplane engines, of the kind comprising two
piston or plunger pumps of different capacities, the larger
of which draws oil or other liquid from the engine sump
or other collecting chamber to be kept cleared as far as
possible, and delivers it to a reservoir, whilst the smaller
one draws from the reservoir and delivers directly or
indirectly to the parts to be lubricated or place where the
liquid is to be used. The two pumps are of the type
having cylinders so mounted as to be caused to oscillate
by the reciprocation by means of a single crank or equiva-
lent of the pistons or plungers, the oscillation of the
cylinders bringing at the required times cylinder ports
opposite suction and delivery ports in a fixed faced surface
in contact with which the ported portions of the cylinders
work. (Three claims.)

118187. Winches. M. B. Wild, 60, Holly-lane, Erding-
ton, Birmingham.—This invention relates to winches of the
type employed for the loading and unloading of a vessel’s
cargo and having one or more drums or barrels driven
through epicyclic or other gearing from an electric or other
motor constantly running in the one direction. The object
of the invention is to provide improved means for the
positive overhauling or lowering of the ropes or lifting or
winding tackle when no load is suspended therefrom and
without reversal of the motor. Also, to adapt the said
means for controlling the rate of the lowering or the
descent of the load under gravity. The invention comprises
the combination with a drum or barrel freely mounted on
a driving shaft from which it is driven though epicyclic
or other gearing, of automatically applied means for the
positive driving of the barrel (without reversal of the
driving shaft) in a reverse direction to that obtained
through the said gearing, such means being also adapted,
if required, to control the rate of the lowering or descent
of a load under gravity. The construction and arrange-
ment of the automatic clutch may be varied to meet
varying services or requirements. Thus, for example,
instead of employing a series of arms or levers with con-
tacting . blocks as aforesaid, the clutch may comprise a
brake wheel or the like secured to the motor-driven shaft,
and embraced by a band or strap connected with the
barrel and having at one end a spring which normally
maintains a sufficient tension to set up the required clutch
effect. When the load is being raised the said tension can
be released by arranging that the lever of the brake em-
ployed to control lowering, shall also operate the band
against the spring action and so relieve the friction which
it normally sets up. (Three claims.)

118204. Production of Motive Power. C. McCallum,
14, High-street, Paisley, Scotland.—This invention has for
its object means whereby water or other fluids may be
utilised in the production of motive power suitable for
all purposes. An apparatus is provided with four recep-
tacles which may be cylindrical, square, or of any suit-
able shape, for holding or containing fluids such as water,
oil and the like. The said receptacles are designated
(A), (B), (C), (D). Each pair of sections, such as (A)
and (B), and (C)* and (D), are separate from each other;
that is to say, (A) and (B) are connected together, and
(C) and (D) are connected together, and have communica-
tion one with the other by forming an opening near the
base or bottom of, and at the inner part of, the wall that
separates or divides section (A) from section (B), and
section (C) from section (D), and thus forming a channel
or passage from section (A) to section (B), and from
section (C) to section (D). Sections (B) and (D) are much
less in depth, vertically, than sections (A) and (C), and
are provided with a flange or lip round the top, so that
a detachable hood or cover may be fixed thereon. Into
these sections (A) and (C) are placed hollow or solid
vessels which may be of cylindrical or other shape, and
may be made of metal, wood, or any suitable material, and
are adjusted to a given weight in order to float in water
or any other fluid. Also connecting rods are fixed to the
said vessels. Into section (B) and (D) are placed flexible,
cylindrical or other shaped what may be termed sleeves,
envelopes or shields, each having a flange or lip round
the top. This flange or lip rests on the metal flange or
lip of the said section (B) and (D). The said sleeve,
envelope or shield may be made of rubber or any flexible
material. Also into sections (B) and (D) and inside the
said sleeve, envelope or shield, are placed what may be
termed pressure pistons, which may be made of metal,
wood, or any suitable material, and may be made hollow,
or solid. To these pressure pistons connecting rods are
attached. A revolving or power shaft is placed horizontally
across or over sections (A) and (C), and rests in plummer
blocks placed in a suitable position. On the said revolving
power shaft and in the centre of sections (A) and (C)
are fixed or keyed or ratchet wheels with detachable sides
or jaws. These ratchet wheels are attached to the con-
necting rods of the vessels in sections (A) and (C). Studs
or pawls protrude from the sides or from the centres of
the aforesaid detachable sides or jaws. At the sides and
on the top of the vessels containing the sections (A), (B),
(C), (D) are placed bearing or fulcrum blocks, and to
these side levers are attached. These levers are made with
a movable lug or pawl at the end of each, so that they
will work in conjunction with the ratchet on shaft, and
at the other end an adjustable weight is attached thereon,
so that an upward stroke will pass freely, but a down-
ward stroke will pass only when a certain weight or pres-
sure is obtained to overcome the weight at the other end
of the lever. Between section (B) and (D), and fixed
horizontally to the bearing or fulcrum blocks, are
attached what may be termed a double-sided cradle or
plane lever with studs or pawls protruding from the sides,
and having a spherical moving or running metal ball
thereon as a balance weight. The ends of the said double-
sided cradle or plane lever are attached to the connecting
rods of the pressure pistons in section (B) and (D), and
the cradle operates in conjunction with the aforesaid side
levers. Two hand levers are placed in a suitable position
for starting the balance ball in motion. All movable parts
being now in their respective positions, a given or certain
amount of water, oil, or any suitable fluid is admitted to
all the receptacles. The hand lever is drawn and the
metal balance ball moves forward, thus putting its weight

on the pressure piston in section (D), and causing the
said pressure piston inside the flexible sleeve or envelope
to descend and displace the water or other fluid to the
equivalent of its bulk. The water or other fluid so dis-
placed passes through the channel formed for the purpose
into section (C), thus raising the fluid and the vessel
in the said section (C) to a certain height. But the water
or fluid in section (D) rises only to that point where the
flexible sleeve or envelope is flanged. Simultaneously, and
at the opposite end of the said cradle,the pressure piston in
section (B) is ascending, but the hollow or solid vessel in
section (A) will not descend until a certain weight or pres-
sure is obtained, since the said hollow or solid vessel is
held in position by the pawl or jaw at the end of the side
lever. When desired, weight or pressure is obtained by the
water or other fluid passing into section (B), thus leaving
the vessel in section (A) suspended, until by its weight it
causes the side lever to descend, and the weighted end of
of the said side lever to ascend, the pressure on the side
lever being relieved, the weighted end descends, and
coming in contact with the protruding stud or pawl of the
cradle or plane *lever, causes the said cradle to descend
and at the same time causes the metal ball to run or
move towards the opposite end of the said cradle or plane
lever, and thereby gives the desired weight or pressure
to the pressure piston at that section. The hollow or solid
vessel in section (A) descends at the same time, and being
attached to the ratchet wheel, which is fixed or keyed to
the power shaft, causes the shaft to rotate, and thus give
out the power accruing from the descending hollow or
solid vessel, less the amount expended on the pressure
piston. (Three claims.)

118248. Signalling Device for Colliery Winding Engines.
A. E. Davies, Newdigate-street, West Hallam, Derbyshire,
and F. M. Brown, Mapperley Colliery, West Hallam, Derby-
shire.—This invention relates to improvements in visible
or indicator signalling devices operated by electricity, and
of the type used in connection with colliery winding
engines, and in which a finger is advanced step by step
until a signal is completed, and may be repeated with-
out advancing the finger, and has for its object the pro-
duction of a device so constructed and arranged that when
a signal- has been given such signal may be repeated with-
out advancing the finger, and in which the finger cannot
be returned to its zero position by the means used for
giving the signal, and also improvements in the construc-
tion and arrangement of the signalling device. There is
an electro magnet and a solenoid in the signalling circuit,
and when such circuit is completed the magnet, through
a lever and pawl, advances a ratchet wheel one tooth, and
means are provided by which the wheel is held from
returning to its zero position until after the engine has
been started. The solenoid, in the same circuit as the
magnet, raises a bar which actuates a trip lever by which
the ratchet pawl and a retaining pawl are raised clear
of the ratchet wheel, and when the circuit is broken the
solenoid cross bar is held from falling rapidly by a dash
pot. If the circuit is completed twice or oftener for the
same signal, the first circuit acts as above described, and
the following circuits actuate .the ratchet lever before the
solenoid cross bar has fallen below the trip lever. If the
signal given is afterwards repeated, the first circuit made
would advance the ratchet wheel another tooth, and the
trip lever would raise the pawls and allow the ratchet to
return to its first tooth. When the engine is started it
completes the circuit to a second solenoid, which raises
the pawls and liberates the ratchet holder, thus allowing
the ratchet wheel to return to its zero position. (Two
claims.)

118258. Air Compressors. Fullerton, Hodgart, and Bar-
clay Limited, Vulcan Foundry and Engine Works, Paisley,
and W. McGregor, 56, Causey side-street, Paisley.—The
main object of this invention is to prevent oil from being
drawn into the cylinders in excessive quantities during the
period the compressor is unloaded. In the said proposed
arrangement an electro-magnet of the double solenoid type,
yiz., an electro-magnet having two cores controlled thereby,
is provided with two valve boxes, each of which is provided
with a ball valve. One of these boxes is provided with a
port connected to the back of the low pressure discharge
valve, a port connected to the intercooler, and a port
leading to the atmosphere. The other of the boxes is
provided with a port connected to the back of the high
pressure discharge valve, a port connected to the receiver
and a port leading to the atmosphere. Under normal
working condition the ball valves close the ports in both
boxes leading to the atmosphere and pressure air from the
low pressure cylinder is discharged into the intercooler and
pressure air from the high pressure cylinder is discharged
into the receiver. When the pressure in the receiver
reaches the desired degree the electro-magnets are ener-
gised, the cores of the same slide endways and raise the
ball valves to close the ports to the intercooler and to
the receiver respectively. The air from the low pressure
and from the high pressure cylinders is therefore dis-
charged to the atmosphere. With this said proposed
arrangement the ports in the valve boxes are connected
to the back of the low and high pressure discharge valves,
the intercooler, and the receiver by means of pipes and
the two ball Valves are brought close together so as to be
operated by the one electro-magnet. The ball valves are
only suitable for compressors of a small capacity, and are
not suitable for compressors dealing with large quantities
of air. This invention consists in providing a valve
between the low pressure discharge and the high pressure
suction branch and a valve between the high pressure
discharge and the receiver. These two valves are inde-
pendent of each other, and are of such a construction that
they are suitable for any size or capacity of compressor.
A suitable construction of valve is that known form in
which the valve spindle is fitted with a piston adapted
to open the valve when the pressure in the receiver reaches
the desired degree and acts on same. In the present
arrangement the control valves are simply arranged in
the discharge passages, and the intercooler and compression
cylinders are kept cool by the free passage of atmosphere
air when the compressor is unloaded. According to this
invention the suction throttle valve is dispensed with at
the inlet of the low pressure cylinder and instead two
discharge unloading valves are fitted, one between the low
pressure discharge and the high pressure suction branch
and the other on the high pressure discharge branch. The
normal position of these valves, i.e., the position when the
compressor is running and delivering air, is closed. When
the air pressure rises to a maximum a small air governor
or the like allows the compressed air to pass into the
cylinders of the two valves, and opens them, allowing the
discharge from both cylinders to pass into the atmosphere
so that both cylinders are delivering against atmospheric
pressure only. With this arrangement of valves, when the
air compressor is unloaded, the air is simply drawn into
the cylinders through the suction valves and delivered
through the discharge valves into the atmosphere without
being compressed at all. The air pressure in the cylinders

therefore does not vary appreciably from the atmospheric
pressure, and there is no tendency to create a vacuum.
During the unloaded period the constant stream of cold
air through the cylinders, intercooler, and pipes helps to
cool these and improve the efficiency of the CQmpressor.

NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE
COAL AND IRON TRADES.

Applications for Patents.

September 9 to 14 (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.]

Atkinson, J. S. H. Promoting and increasing heat from
domestic fires. (14905)

Babcock and Wilcox. Steam superheaters. (14978)

Barfield, E. P. Determination of decalescence in treat-
ment of steel. (14797)

Bennis, A. W. Conveyors. (14960)

British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com-
pany. Steam condensers. (14721)

Brown, W. J. Automatic grips for lifting steel ingots,
etc. (14685)

Browning, A. G. Hydraulic pumps. (14669)

Bullock, P. W. Rotary pumps. (14843)

Cargill, H. M. Riddle rake coal saver. (14972)

Chance, T. M. Washing coal and concentrating ores and
minerals. (14645)

Christie, A. C. Coal tips, etc. (14871)

Christie, J. R. Coal tips, etc. (14871)

Crawcour, H. I. Economisation of hydrocarbon engine
fuel. (14620)

Cryer, J. W. Devices for preventing over-winding in
transporters, hoists, etc. (14831)

(General Electric Company.) Centrifugal compressors.

(14626)

Hale, F. A. Coal-cutting machine cutter-pick. (14683)

Hale, F. A. Coal-cutting machine cutter-pick lock or
fastening. (14684)

Handley, G. Rotary pumps. (14843)

Harris, R. D. Apparatus for blasting. (14939)

Hart, W. Suction gas plants. (44628)

Henry, J. Steam superheaters. (14978)

Kemnal, J. Steam superheaters. (14978)

Lang, J. H. Fuel-saving device. (14849)

Larter, W. H. Centrifugal pumps. (14855)

Mangnall, N. Devices for preventing over-winding in
transporters, hoists, etc. (14831)

Morris Limited, H. Electrically operated pulley blocks,
hoists, etc. (14815)

Motala Verkstads Nya Aktiebolag. Feeding devices for
pulverulent fuel. (14802)

Parsons, W. S. Centrifugal pumps. (14855)

Peakman, P. Determination of decalescense in treatment
of steel. (14797)

Peirce, A. W. Automatic grips for lifting steel ingots,
etc. (14685)

Robinson, J. J. Transmission gearing. (14760)

Soc. Franco-Beige de Fours a Coke. Construction of flue
bases or piedroits for coking ovens. (14725)

Solomon, J. Economisation of hydrocarbon engine fuel.
(14620).

Spagnoli, A. Steam boiler, etc., furnaces. (14839)

Stafford, O. F. Process of destructive distillation of
wood. (14708)

Stone and Company, J. Centrifugal pumps. (14855)

Thomas, D. N. Coal, etc., saving. (14650)

Weston, W. N. Electrically operated pulley blocks,
hoists, etc. (14815)'

White, A. E. Cracking hydrocarbons. (14865)

White, W. W. Distillation of solid carbonaceous
material. (14773)

Willey, S. J. L. Steam generators. (14883, 14884)
Complete Specifications Accepted.

(To be published on October 3.)

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

1917.

171. White, J. W. Aerial ropeway carriers. (118643)

8366. Greaves, H. A., and Etchells, H. Method of con-
verting iron ores directly into steel. (118647)

13049. Dowson and Mason Gas Plant Company and Webb,
F. A. Open hearth gas producers and the like.
(118689)

13574. Brown, W. Tipping wagons and the like.
(118696)

15923. Marbais, D., and Deguide, C. Extraction and frac-
tional distillation of oils from coal gas. (118730)

16072. Wild, L. W., and Barfield, E. P. Indicating the
condition of steel, iron, or other magnetisable
metal during heat treatment. (118732)

18663. Wood, E. Furnaces of steam boilers. (118761)

1918.

1251. British Thomson-Houston Company. Centrifugal
compressors. (118781)

4749. Stevens, A. E. Signalling apparatus for automatic
telephone system. (118805)

10306. Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Company and
Remington Company. Electric signalling
systems, more particularly for use in mines.
(118828)

Complete Specifications open to Public Inspection before
Acceptance.

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

1918.

10489. Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com-
pany. Mechanical stokers. (118838)

Coal from Peat.—Mr. Samuel C. Davidson, chairman of
the Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, has patented a
method of treating peat 'and forming it into synthetic
coal, which should in some measure meet the serious short-
age in the Irish supply at the moment and assist
eventually the British supply. Mr. Davidson’s method
consists of putting back into the peat certain oils washed
away from it owing to its proximity to the surface of the
land previously disintegrating it and mixing it up with
a 15 per cent, of pitch dust. The pulp thus formed is
subjected to hydraulic pressure, which turns out in square
blocks of fuel, which burns well. Many attempts have
been made in Ireland to treat peat in a manner that would
give it the' approximate heating and lasting powers of
coal, but most of these were failures, the cost in most
cases outrunning the profit. Mr. Davidson’s process is
simple and comparatively cheap. Peat in Ireland is
running up to the unheard-of price of £2 10s. per ton.