A Useful Water Motor.
Page 10
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Engineers in charge of garages and motor-running sheds will be interested in the "Hector " water motors, which are constructed by Mr. Percy Pitman, of .Bosbury, Ledbury, Herefordshire. The direct-coupled type, which we illustrate, is specially designed for the charging of accumulators. It possesses the advantage of being suitable for connection to either the ordinary house water supply, where the pressure may vary between 40 and Oolb. on the sq. in., or to a hydraulic supply. The charging set consists of a directcoupled dynamo, bolted to the same bed-plate as that which supports the water motor, all parts being accurately machined and finished. A half-inch supply pipe is provided, and the approximate speed of running is 2,000 revolutions per minute. If the water is furnished from a hydraulic supply main of high pressure, as is obtainable in London and many cities, one b.h.p. can be obtained for a consumption of two gallons of water per minute, and higher powers in exact proportion. The water motor illustrated is an improved Pelton type wheel, fitted with three interchangeable nozzles, one only being used at a time, the bore of these nozzles being r-ifith, 1-8th, and 3-32nds of an inch. When the pressure is 4o1b. on the sq. in., the consumption of water does no: exceed fifty gallons per hour for a dynamo to provide a current of five amperes at an E.M.F. of ten volts., This current and pressure is suitable for the charging of motor vehicle accumulators, and the low price at which the whole of the outfit is marketed—twelve pounds, complete, with voltmeter and ammetershould lead to a free enquiry and numerous orders for so compact and useful a fitting. If the water pressure is below 4o1b. on the sq. in., belt driving is necessary in place of direct coupling, whilst Mr. Pitman is prepared to supply special sets to run under a 6ft. head of water only, which is equivalent to only 2.61b. on the sq. in. He points out that, in order to obtain the highest efficiency in working his motors, the supply pipe should be free from
sharp elbows or bends which tend to throttle the flow. A supply pipe should be larger than the actual inlet to the motor to avoid frictional losses in the pipe line, and the exhaust
should have a free outlet so that waste water cannot back Up on the Wheel. Knowing, as we do, the wasteful methods which are in use in many garages for charging batteries, we think that this small adjunct to the equipment of such an establishment is one that would very quickly earn its first cost for the purchasers. Water motors have obvious advantages over most other motors, among which may be mentioned cleanliness, economy, and simplicity.