PATENTS SUMMARIZED.
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A Comprehensive Thermostatic Control.
This invention is covered by two patent speccations, Nos. 119,888 and 120,001, and forms a most comprehensive arrangement of thermostatic carburetter control, depending entirely upon the actual temperature of the engine as evinced either by the circulating water as it rises to the radiator or by the metal of the top of the cylinder jackets. In one arrangement the thermostat is carried in a bee mounted on the water connection, and in the other it is bolted to
• the cylinder tasting. The main object is stated to be that of ensuring the high efficiency of the working of the carburetter' and it is effected by automatic control of the temperature of the entering ' air.
,Normally, the main air supply to the carburetter is drawn from an eahaustheated chamber of special construction which surrounds a part of the outlet pipe from the engine. The temperature of the incoming air is further increased by means of an electric resistance coil carried within the pipe. Adjacent to the carburetter itself, and still on the intake side, are two valver opening into the pipe to the atmosphere, and these valves take the form of hinged flaps. They are so disposed that when closed a free passage of warm air to the carburetter Is permitted; but when open, and in proportion to the degree of opening, the one nearer the carburetter admits coldair direct to the intake, and that m5re remote tends to close the passage for heated air, and divert it to the atmosphere.
The thermostat operates through a. simple mechanism to open these vilves when the temperature of the engine is raised beyond the critical point. It has already, a short time previously, interrupted the circuit of the electric heating coil, so that the process of cooling down the incoming mixture is to a degree gradual. Means of adjusting the limits between which this device works are provided, so that for heavier fuels, the engine is allowed to get hotter ; for light spirits cooler running obtains. Tins means of regulation is a mechanical one, and operates through the lever setting.
Additionally, and showing the comprehensiveness of the scope of this invention, an opening is made in the roof of the bonnet, and in normal circumstances this aperture is covered by a hinged lid. The thermostat, however, is coupled to this lid, and during periods when the heat of the engine is above the critical point, the door is opened so that a freer passage of air through the bonnet, and an increased tendency to cool the engine is permitted. This door is fitted with a depending index plate, which is calibrated, and the figures, when the lid rises, are exposed to the view of the driver, who can gather therefrom, to a certain extent, the conditions under which the engine is at the moment operating. With a similar object in view, it is suggested, in the course of the specification, that a small dashboard lamp may he inserted in the electric circuit of the air beater.
There is a feature about the exhaust heated box which is worthy of special mention. The box is of considerable length, and is divided into two parts, approximately equal, by a vertical par titan. The carburetter air intake pipe opens into one portion of the ethaust box only. Connection with the other half is by a hinged valve, which is operated by the suction of the engine, so that it opens only after a certain speed of revolution is passed. It is ,stated that in operation, tho throttled engine will draw .air from one half of the chamber only, but as the engine speeds up, heated air will be drawn from both portions, the idea being that for slow speeds the small chamber provides ample heated air, but as the speed is increased an additional supply becomes necessary, since the rapidly flowing air of the small chamber would not, therefore, be sufficiently heated. The ether specification deals with the carburetter which is recommended for embodiment with this device. The patentee, G. W. Donning, is an American.
Detail Improvements.
A novel construction of a two-way 'plough is described in No. 114,156, by H. Banchet. A tubular projection from the rear of the two-wheeled tractor serves as a bearing for a second tube to which are secured two sets of ploughs. The shares are diametrically opposite to one another on this external tube, and are also opposite handed. Traversing the field in one direction, one set of these ploughs will be in operation, and would throw the earth to the right of the machine as iti travelled. In the reverse direction, however, the opposite set of shares would be swung into place', and would throw the soil to the left of the machine, that is to say, in the mune actual direction as the first set. No. 119,879 refers to electrically-heated .carburetters, and the principal novelty appears to be that it covers the dual use of such means of heating, namely, direct heating of the mixing .chamber by Conduction through its walls, and heating the air supply to the carburetter, which air supply is drawn past the heater. Alternatively, heat may be adapted to warm the extra air or the air for the rich mixture past the jet for starting. The patentee is W. R. Parker' and in No. 119,880 a similar type of heater is described as being fitted in a well or stunp below the jet for the purpose of heating the fuel on its way to the carburetter.
-. An interesting gas carburetter, or mixer, which is perhaps the better term, is described in No. 119,8187, by H. Tankard. N. 119,945. This is a modification of a differential gear, a brief reference to which occurred in these columns in our issue of the 28th November, the object being simplification. The patentee is G. MBlackstone.
In No. 119,948, by J. Craddock, the tube plate of an ordinary tubular radiator is made in strips which dovetail into one another. The construction allows of the ready dismantling of the radiator.