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AN INTEGRATING MACHINE,

20th June 1922, Page 32
20th June 1922
Page 32
Page 32, 20th June 1922 — AN INTEGRATING MACHINE,
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Résumé of Recently Published Patents

To state that specification 'No. 179,311 describes a machine for integrating one quantity with respect to another is not, neeessarily, to convey mach in the way of information to all but the more tech. nically informed of our readers. To integrate is, according to the dictionary, to give the total, so that, applying this knowledge of the bare meaning of the word, we understand that this particular invention has to do with the totalling of one quantity With respect to another. It may be applied to the integration_ of a pressure with respect to a distance, and the result is to giVe the whole effect of the pressure with respect to distance for the total period during which the mechanism is set to work. In a ca.% of this sort the total, as found by integration, would appear as work done.

As an illustration which may make a more direct appeal , to many of our readers, and particularly those whose concern is more with the commercial employment of a lorry than with its design, construction or testing, we may consider the calculation of net ton-mileage, never an easy matter, and rendered almost impracticable when the loading is irregelar. This machine could be made to register the varying loads carried by the wagon throughout a journey, and would integrate the load carried—total it—with respect to the distance, showing the result as ton-mileage.

This somewhat complicated calculation is effected mechanically by the apparatus which is the -subject of etheiinvention, and the principles underlying tlae.operalion are quite simple. A pi,mp is driven at a rate directly proportional to the "'distance," ; outflow at any instant. is determined by the " pressure' which governs the pump stroke. The total 'output of the pump for a period is thus a direct measure of the pressure and diss Lance combined. This output.. is measured by a small hydraulic motor, turbine, watervane, or the Iik-e;eand is recerded.

Those of our readers who are interested in the agricultural motor tractors may remember that this patentee, Mr. G. W. Watson, designed a special drawbar dynansometer for measuring the power output :of machines of sthat type which took part in the Society -of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' trials which wore held last year at Shrewettery. This attachment was designed for that dynamometer, to integrate the drawbar efforts of the tractors over the distance through which they travelled whilst on test.

The pressure, pull, or whatever -force it is, that has to be integrated, ie transmitted hydraulically through the tube which appears on the extreme left of the drawing (which we reproduce herewith

from the patent specification). It acts upon the small piston shown there, and moves it to • the right accordingly, against the resistance of the substantial coil spring whieh bears on the other side of the piston. This ensures that, the movement of the piston shall be in pro. portion to the pressure upon it. The movement is transmitted to the small cam-disc, which appears near the middle of the drawing. With no pressure on the piston the disc is vertical, as it there appears. As the piston move; it tilts the disc, moving the lower edge to the right, and the angle of tilt is proportional to the pressure supported by the piston.

To the right of the disc, and kept in close contact with it by springs, are four round-nosed plungers (only two of these appear in the drawing). All four fit into their respective bored cavities in

the pump, which is free to rotate, and is actually, rotated while the integrator is operating, by a chain which drives the sprocket. shown attached to this pumps, The chain itself is driven off some part, of the machine from • which the record is being taken at a speed proportionate to that at which the pressure is operating. Where, for example, the machine is to be used for measuring the work done bya tractor the chain could be driven off the tractor road wheel. So long as the cam disc is vertical (which means that there is no pressure ,, to register) the piimp revolves idly, and the plungers de no work. When the disc is displaced from the 'vertical the plungers reciprocate according to the displacement, pumping liquid to and fro through the ports in . the fired ported plate at the bottom of the pump cylinders

At the other side of the ported plete there is a hydraulic motor, driven by the

liquid delivered by the pump. This motor operates on a similar principle to the pump. It has four plungers, which at their outer ends are in contact witha fixed ewash plate. Pressure of the liquid behind the plungers causes the motor to rotate, and its revolutions are recorded by the counter -which is shoWei mounted at the right-hand end of the mechanism.

The pump is driven by the combined efforts of the chain (driven off the machine from which the record is re

quired) and the pressure-operated camdisc. Its output is a measure of the two combinedThe speed of the meter is directly governed by the output of the pimp, and its speed is, therefore, also a measure of the two things—pressure and distance. The record of the revolutions of the motor is, therefore, the record required of the integration of pressure with respect to distance.

Other Patents of Interest.

John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), .Ltd., patent, in No. 179,228, an ingenious method of increasing the usefulness of the. light locomotive, whether internalcombustion or steam-driven. The Object is to provide increased adhesion where required, without the need for increasing. the•weight of the locomotive. 'The extra adhesion will usually be required on an incline. The lecomotive is fitted with an extra central wheel, .rubber-tyred, and designed to cones into contact with a ceetral raised track :provided wherever the extra adhesion is required. The extra wheel is gear or cams-driven off one of the locomotive axles, and, when in use, supports a considerable proportion of the trailing weight of the engine.

J. A. Luke, in No 188,845, uses two transverse springs to each axle, one behind and one before. They are shackled to a pair of levers pivoted on the axle, and having arms of unequal length, so that the springs Conte into action separately, with cumulative effect.

A. A. Remingten'e specification, No. 179,200, describes a construction designed to restrain, rolling in meter vehicles. Instead of endeavouring absolutely to prevent this movement by the employment of heavy maims rods,. he utilizes light " stabilizing " rods, which will resist auch motion as would a spring.

A cleaner and cooler for sucton-gas is the subject of No. 179,202, by IL W. Bumble.. The gas after leaving the producer enters a chamber so designed and so equipped with baffles that most of the dust held in suspension in the gas is deposited where it is easily accessible for removal.

The heavy vehicle axk, which is described by A. E. Alexander in No. 179,223, is an open frame, carrying the i

final drive and differential gears n a case. It is connected to the chassis by parallel linkage, and much is made of

the D feature that there is no positive CO., nection between chassis and springs.

Tags

People: G. W. Watson
Locations: Leeds

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