Hydraulic Torque-converter Improvements
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A Résumé of Recently Published Patent Specifications
A UNIT consisting of a torque con.1-1.verter, a reverse gear and a straightthrough drive is described in Patent No. 408,098 by D. S. de Lavaud, 52, Rue de la Jonquier4 Paris. The torque converter is of the turbine type, in which oil is impelled by centrifugal force from a vaned driving rotor (1) into the path of the driven rotor (3). From the driven rotor the oil passes through a free rotor (2) and, flowing in the ditection, of the arrow, commences another circuit.
The free -rotor has movable or deformable vanes (4) so arranged that, under load, the curvature is increased. This, it is Claimed, enables the difference between the driving and driven torques to be "taken up."
To the right of the hydraulic gear is shown an epicyclic gear for reversal. purposes, also a dog-clutch for locking the drive straight through, after the converter elements have synchronised. The casing contains, in addition, an oil pump for maintaining a pressure in the rotor system.
Heat Insulation of Oil-engine Combustion Chambers.
ACCORDING to patent No. 408,808, a compression-ignition engine de-. signed to run at a high speed often performs indifferently if the speed be re
duced, owing to the longer time required for injection and the reduced temperature of the walls of the air-cell, both resulting in imperfect combustion,
The inventor, S. Nadal, of Balmes
17-19. Barcelona,. Spain, proposes to line the air-cell with a non-conducting refractory substance such as silicon car b i de (earborundum), in order that the internal temperature may remain at a high value, and so assist the combustion of the fuel.
The drawing, which needs little explanation, shows a cylinder head containing an air-cell according to this invention. The lining, shown in heavy shading, encloses the whole of the chamber, but the inventor states that, in some cases, a hemispherical piece may be sufficient.
It is interesting to observe. that, whilst some inventions are directed towards entirely surrounding the aircell with cooling water, this one claims advantages for the exact reverse.
An Improved Hot-wire Plug for Oil Engines.
'IMPROVEMENTS in the design of oil 1 engine heater plugs form the subject of patent No. 408,917, by A. Ruptecht, 35, Wernerstrasse, Ludwigsburg, Germany, The object is to provide a plug which can be operated from the higher voltage in use on the vehicle instead of the more usual two-volt supply. In addition, it is claimed that the construction used results in increased reliability and longer life.
The drawing shows a conicalended tube (1) having within it a metal bush (2) which is insulated from the body by a mica sleeve (3). A porcelain sleeve (5) has a deep screwthread housing, a spiral of wire forming the heating element, the whole being held together by a central bolt (4). Careful study of the drawing fails to disclose any means for holding the central member in position, other than the friction of the insulating sleeve (3) ; which seems inadequate to withstand the pressure.
Interesting Vacuum Operated Clutch Modifications.
TO free the clutch by engine suction is now becoming standard practice, but circumstances may arise when it
is desired to keep the clutch engaged, even when the engine is running on a shut throttle. When running downhill using the engine as a brake, is an example. The Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd., Wolverhampton, describes 'in Patent No. 405,035 a design in which a governor is used to influence the operation of the vacuum valve.
Referring to the drawing, the servocylinder (3) is controlled by a Valve (8) of the normal type. A governor (5) moves links (6 and 2) so that the valve keeps the vacuum cylinder at atmospheric pressure at high. .engine speeds. A veiticaliy movable slotted link (4), resembling the . Stephenson link motion as used on steam:.engines, can be moved by the driver by means of rod'? so that the vacuum:valve can be put under the control of' either the governor or the accelerator pedal (1).