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COAL-GAS CONVERSIONS.

21st March 1918, Page 17
21st March 1918
Page 17
Page 18
Page 17, 21st March 1918 — COAL-GAS CONVERSIONS.
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Recent Developments, Improvements, Hints and Wrinkles.

Novel Gas Bag Coupling.

There has been introduced to our notice during the past few days, a, novel gas bag coupling _possessing many intereeting features. It is the invention of Mr. J. E. Wild, who has been intimately

associated with the development of coal gas for. motor vehicles since it was first, advocated in the pages of Tirig COMMERCIAL MOTOR. While we are not at liberty at this juncture to describe the invention in detail, we may say that it, has for its object the instantaneous opening and closing of the pipe charging the gas bag upon making and breaking the connection with the gas standard attached to the main. The device, designed for n in. and 2 in. connections respectively-, is in two parts, one of which forms a. permanent fitting to the gas bag, being in fact the terminal of the charging sleeve, in place; of the usual cock or plug. The slecond is carried and is readily attachable to the standard. These twia sections are brought together and given a. slight twist, somewhat after the lines of a bayonet joint, which completes the coupling. In so doing, the valve in the permanent section is opened, allowing the gas to flow into the bag. When the container is filled, reversal of the movement breaks the coupling and 6imultaneously closes the valve, making a perfectly gas-tight seal. The invention is compact, light, and meat, while it is

also inexpensive. '

Gas Bag Progress in Bradford.

Among the enterprising provincial firms to further the gas fuel movement from the manufacturing side may be mentioned the Thornton Engineering Co.,. Humboldt Street, Bradford. One of the oldest established houses in the motor and allied trades, the Thornton Engineering Co. was quick to realize the importance and possibilities. of coalgas as a commercial fuel. For some considerable time past it had been engaged upon the production of balloons, and this experience stood it in excellent stead for the manufacture of flexible

containers for motor vehicles. The firm has fashioned and fitted a ..ritunber of such installations, an illustration of one of which appears on this page.

While the war has naturally detached much of 4 the firm's attention from ordinary motor buainess, the bulk of the employees being engaged upon morn vital national .work, the firm has contrived to supply a round 300 lorries for pressing official duties. We might also mention in passing, that every attention is being devoted to urgent repair work and to the fitting of tyres, the plant and machinery being kept up to a high standard of efficiency to assure prompt attention to both steam and petrol vehiees. • So far as the gas situation is concerned, the firm is equally alive. It has installed a special meter, capable of filling a container of 300 cubic ft. capacity within five minutes. It is also prepared to supply gas 'toall corners at the rate of 3s. 4d. per 1000 cubic ft.

Ford Truck Gas Equipment.

. We have given munerous illustrations of the conventional Ford van converted to gas. On this page we now depict what many be termed a double conversion, -representing as it does one of these ubiquitous vehicles with Baico make-atruck attachment, as carried out by. the British American 'Import Co., Ltd., 11, Haymarket, Lohdon, S.W., and the familiar flexible container. The vehicle is used by Lookers' Ltd., of Manchester. It would seem to be a happy combination, the greater length of the vehicle as a result of the Baico attachment facilitating the installation of the tray, and thus giving a neater and more attractive appearance to the whole.

Simplifying the Filling Problem.

It would be difficult to conceive a simpler and morp efficient means of expediting and facilitating the charging of gas bags than that introduced by the . Croydon Gas Co. It has been evolved essentially to meet the requirements of local tradesmen, since this company; in common with many others, considers that the claims of its local patrons should receive first consideration. When the applicant 'has secured 'his official permission to use coal.gas for his vehicle, he presents his ear to the head office. His bag is then measured and officially stamped with its rated cubic capacity-250, 400, 500 cubic ft., as the case may be. The owner is then given a small card or certificate -on which is inscribed his name, address, description of the vehicle, it registered -number, and the capacity of its gas container in cubic ft., and is -completed be the signature of the acting engineer to the gas company. The owner upon presentation of this -card is free to have his Container charged -at any. station within the company's territory without metering the gap, This arrangement has proved eminently satisfactory to both the gas company and the user. It appreciably facilitates and expedites filling.

Filling Stations Around Manchester.

We reproduce herewith the map showing the coal-gas charging stations which are to-day available to motor vehicles running on this fuel, within a radius of 40 miles of Manchester. The preparation of this highly useful reference is due to the enterprise of Messrs. Brannen and Co., 43, Edgehill, Shudehill, Man

chester, who it may be recalled have carried out many gas installations upon commercial vehicles of all descriptions. The map is produced upon such .a. scale as to give four miles to one inch, and the area embraced is to Leeds, Barnsley, and Chesterfield, on the east; Ashbourne, Stoke-on-Trent and Wrexham on the south; Liverpool, Morecambe and Blackpool on the west; and Lancaster and Skipton on the north. Altogether within this radius of 40 miles, no fewer

than 77 gas supply centres are indicated. The map is completed with .a complete schedule of the address of the gas-charging station at each point, hours during which the fuel is obtainable, charge, connection, together with the nearest stations adjoining any one centre. The map, which is folded to slip into the pocket) should prove invaluable for reference among gas users in the Manchester area, and should successfully

prevent any vehicle from becoming stranded from exhaustion of the container. Application to Messrs. Brannen and Co. at the above address will bring a copy of this map by return post.

At Glasgow Corporation Gas Committee the manager reported difficultr,in getting petrol for the motorvans, and!he was authorized to purchase two of the latest Lyon-Spencer type of gas containers.

Ploughing on Gas at Nottingham.

The interesting experiment which has been conducted L near Nottingham with coal-gas power for tractors, and to which we referred recently in Tax Comunaciar. MoTon, has aroused interest. So far as the fuel cost of the system is concerned, we learn that this comes out at a very low figure. To our mind it

should be possible to accomplish an appreciable amount of tractor ploughing on gas, more particularly when the fields are in relatively close proximity to the village gas works. These undertakings for the most part are in the position to supply gas of high quality for the simple reason that they are not called upon to strip their gas. In such dittrictifi the gas being richer than that available in town, should give higher mileage or work per 250 cubic ft.


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