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COMPRESSED AIR FOR MANY PURPOSES.
Page 124
Page 125
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In the Garage and the Workshop Many Applications of the Use of Compressed Air in Addition to Tyre Inflation are Possible.
FOR large motor establishments modern practice calls for the installation of a compressed-air plant which can not only be used for tyre inflation purposes but can also be employed for a variety of other purposes as well in the vehicle cleaning and maintenance departments as in the repair shop. In this section of garage equipment, manufacturers have been quick to respond to the rapidly growing demand, with the result that the manager of a transport fleet is easily able to choose a plant for his particular requirements. Thus, sets are available in which an air compressor can be either belt driven off existing shafting OT by a entail individual electric motor where a supply of current is available, whilst where neither of these sources of power is at disposal, it is possible to install a compressor complete with petrol engine with which to drive it. -Then again, makers are offering users, the choice of either fixed or portable— movable would perhaps be a better word —plants, so that garage managers must decide whether, according to their particular requirements, it is better that vehicles and tyres shall be taken to the pump or the pump to the vehicles. One advantage of a fixed set is that air pipes can be fitted up between the pressure storage tank and different sections of the garage so that a supply of compressed air is available simultaneously for tyre inflation, brazing work, upholstery cleaning and paint spraying—to name only a few of the many modern applications of compressed air. On the other hand, it is not always possible or convenient to bring the vehicle to the inflating stand, in which case the portable pump becomes a convenience. -'As we have said, and as will be further appreciated from the different plants alluded to below, there is no lack of choice of either type. Each of the plants described has features a;.f merit, so that all that can be said in a general manner is..that it is well to remember that cheap first cost is not always the most important factor. Compressed-air plant is a form of garage equipment that the buyer expects to render him efficient service for many years, and therefore it is more probable that a good one at the start and of a capacity likely to meet increased calls for compressed air as tore and more vehicles are added to the fleet may, in the long run, prove the more profitable investment.
Sir W. H. Bailey and Co., Ltd., of Albion Works, Salford, Manchester, is the maker of a wide range of beltdriven and electrically operated air compressors for garage use. Special attention may, however, be drawn to their "Air-on-Wheels" electric pump, an extremely compact portable set specially designed for inflating giant tyres up to a pressure of 150 lb. per sq. in. The set comprises a h.p. electric motor— which can be arranged to work with either direct or alternating current— coupled direct to a vertical water-cooled two-cylindered compressor fitted with metallic valves and seats and laving a capacity of 2-1 cub. ft. of free air per minute. An adjustable air relief valve is provided to suit the pressure to which the tyre is to be inflated.
Another portable electrically operated tyre inflator is the " Aldwych," made by the Aldwych Engineering Co., of 71, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.2. Two sizea are made, one fitted with a
h.p. motor adapted to run with current from any available circuit and capable of delivering 24 cub. ft. of air per minute and attaining a pressure of 100 lb. per sq. in., whilst the other has a h.p. motor for delivering 3-6 cub. ft. of air per minute and for pressures up to 170 lb. Both sets are adapted to be transported by hand and are very compact, the weight being respectively 22 lb. and 45 lb.
Air compressors of all sizes suitable for tyre inflation or other purposes are made by the Bristol Pneumatic Tools, Ltd., of Fishponds, Bristol, these being constructed so that they can be operated either by belt, electrically or by their own engine. For garage use, where a supply of current is available, the firm supplies an electrical set in two forms, and each in two sizes of respectively 24 cub. ft. and 5 cub. ft. per minute capacity. In one, the motor and compressor are permanently fixed at the side of a large receiver, in which compressed air can be stored ready to be drawn off for tyre inflation and other purposes at any time. The other is a portable set which, being fitted with 20 ft. of flex, can be taken to a vehicle for tyre pumping purposes, a 10-ft. length of hose and pressure gauge being attached to the compressor outlet.
Among its varied activities Harvey Frost and Co. (1924), Ltd., Great Portland Street,London, W.1, is devoting considerable attention to the use of compressed air in garages, not only for the different purposes already mentioned, but also for vehicle lifting and for the operation of pneumatic tools. For these purposes it supplies both fixed and portable sets, the former being arranged either for belt drive from existing shafting or off a small electric motor. The fixed sets, which are all capable of giving a pressure of 150 lb. per sq. in., are made in' various sizes, from a capacity of 1.8 cub. ft. to 7.88 cub. ft. per minute. The compressors are of the air-cooled vertical cylinder type, the cooling being assisted by the incorporation of a fan in the flywheel. They can be eupplied with or without vertical air storage tanks complete with all necessary fittings, 20 ft. or 25 ft. of hose and pressure gauge.
Where it is preferred to have a plant that can be taken to the vehicle instead Of vice versa, the firm recommends the H.F. Curtis portable compressor, which is mounted on a light trolley furnished with two wheels and a pair of swivelling castors. The outfit comprises a horizontally arranged air tank with the electric motor and compressor fixed on a platform directly above the tank.
Gerrard and td., 15-19, Great Titehfield Street, Co.,London, W.1, are the British agents for the electric air compressors known as the "Lectroflater." This is made in three forms—for transport by hand, on a light three-wheel trolley or for fixing to a wall. It comprises a special electric motor—which can be arranged to operate with either direct or alternating current and for 32volt. 110-volt OT 220-volt circuits—driving through enclosed gearing a special piston-type compressor with detachable cylinder head. The air on its passage to the tyre passes through a condensing chamber. The set, which is supplied with 15 ft. of twin-wire flex, attachment plug, pressure gauge and 20 ft. of hose, is claimed to be able to inflate a .34-in. by 4-in. tyre from zero to 70 lb. per sq. in. in 11 minutes.
Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd., Norwich, is another firm that is devoting considerable attention to modern garage equipment. This includes a fixed complete compressor plant which can be utilized for all the different purposes that have been mentioned, a choice being also available of either drive by belt or by a 1-1 h.p. electric motor. The air compressor comprises two horizontally opposed air-cooled cylinders, which at a speed of 350-400 r.p.m. will supply a constant flow of air at from 50 lb. to 150 lb. pressure per sq. in.
Another firm which has devoted special attention to equipment for the rapid inflation of giant pneumatics is the Norman Engineering Co., Ld., of Leamington. Inflators both for permanent installation on the vehicle and for garage use are made. The permanent set consists of a small air-cooled compressor designed to be either belt or chain-driven off the main engine, a feature being the provision of a filter which ensures that only dry, clean air passes into the inner tubes. For garage use, the Norman Co. supplies both electrically operated and petrol-driven sets, the latter being intended for use where a supply of current is not available.
The Davox air tyre pumps marketed in this country by A. Picard, of 4, New Burlington Street, London, W.1, represent the type which is used by several of the large tyre companies, also by the L.G.O.C. and the Leyland and Warner concerns. The air pump is of a special type comprising four cylinders contained within a drum which rotates around a fixed edcentric axis. No valve springs or balls are used, holes in the cylinder block, which communicate with holes in the eccentric axis, serving as inlet and exhaust valves. The Bavox pump is intended for garage use and is made in two forms—fixed gland portable. The fixed set is adapted to be driven by belting off fast and loose pulleys, whilst the portable outfit, which is mounted on a light trolley, is equipped with an electric motor and direct-coupled compressor enclosed in a detachable hood or bonnet. ; Research Engineers, Ltd., of Harmood Place, Chalk Farm, N.W.1, is the maker of the R.E. portable electric air compressor designed not only for the inflation of tyres but also for use in motor repair shops and coach-building departments. The set consists of a small electric motor, which can be arranged to be run in connection with either direct or alternating current circuits of any voltage up to 250, and a specially designed four-cylindered compressor capable of giving a pressure up to 175 lb. per sq. in., 2 cub. ft. of free air per minute being delivered when run at a speed of 1,800 r.p.m. The outfit, which weighs 60 lb., is supplied with 15 ft. of flexible leads, 6 ft. of hose, pressure gauge, oil separator, rubber feet and carrying handle.
Another mechanical tyre pump which is meeting with increasing favour is the Southwell, made by Simpkins Engineering Works, London Road, Nottingham. The pump is of the double-acting type, the compressor cylinder having the bellbearing crankshaft mounted above it. The valves are of the automatic ball type, Self-contained in bronze housings. Designed to be run at a speed of 850 r.p.m., the pump is supplied for garage use in two forms—a fixed one for belt driving from an existing source of power and the other as a portable electrically operated set, the electric motor, which can be adapted to suit any electricity supply system, being connected with the compressor by enclosed silent chain. The sets only require h.p. to give a maximum pressure of 150 lb. per sq. in.
Williams and James, of Chequers Bridge, Gloucester, judging from the long lists of names of users they have sent us, amongst which lire several municipal and private transport undertakings, bare met with considerable success in connection with mechanical tyre inflators. Every requirement is provided for, the range including a light trolleymounted, electrically operated set, one for fixed-position garage use arranged to be belt-driven, and two patterns for installation on the vehicle itself to be operated off either the main engine or the gearbox, the latter having been adopted as standard on a number of well-known vehicles. The electrical set is supplied suitable for single and threephase a.c. and for direct-current circuits; the motor is coupled to a Davis horizontal twin-cylindered compressor, the air from which is passed through a combined cooler and filter. Above the motor are fixed rotating drums, one carrying 18 ft. of hose and the other 30 ft. of flex. The belt-driven machine has been introduced to meet the needs of establishments where a supply of power is already available, and those requiring something efficient yet less costly than the electric outfit.
Two useful forms of garage pump are made by Reavell and Co., Ltd., Renelagh Works, Ipswich. First, there is a compact electric set comprising motor and air compressor mounted on a light three-wheel trolley. Designed for a maximum pressure of 150 lb. per sq. in., it is claimed that by means of this pump a tyre can be inflated from fiat to 80 lb. in 11 minutes. The motor, which is of h.p., can be adapted for either direct or alternating current and for voltages from 100 to 500. The feature of the machine, which is provided with two lifting handles, 30 ft. of flexible cable with wall plug, and 6 ft. of air hose, is a cylindrical cooler mounted on the top of the electric motor. The cooler is filled with water and contains a coiled pipe through which the air passes on its way to an oil separator.
A system of tyre inflation which is gaining in popularity in this country, where it is handled by Leo. Swain and Co., Ltd., 3 and 5, Deansgate, Manchester, is the Luchard, which comprises an air compressor which is utilized to compress air into cylinders or bottles of a capacity of 1 cub. ft. at a pressure of
1,800 lb. per sq. in. The compressor, which is arranged to be belt-driven, requiring 3 h.p., is of the three-stage type, each stage being water-cooled. It is capable of delivering 130 cub. ft. of air per hour at a speed of 900-950 revs, per minute. One of the air bottles may be carried on the vehicle for emergency inflation purposes, or it may be used in the garage or roadway, a light trolley for its transport being available.
Other makers of portable and stationary air-compressing plans for inflating large tyres include Alley and MacLellan, Polmadie, Glasgow ; Broom and Wade, Ltd., High Wycombe ; Peter Brotherhood, Ltd., Peterborough ; The Globe Engineering Co., Ltd., 1, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.1 ; Arnold Goodwin and Son, Ltd., Sumner Street, Southwark, &EA s Lacy Hulbert and Co., Ltd., Boreas Works, Beddington, Surrey, and S. Landsberger, 68, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.1 .
Only those who have had much to do with the inflation of tyres by manual effort, particularly those on heavy vehicles, can realize the great advantages conferred by the employment of power-operated pumps, such as those we have just described. In tests of foot pumps inflating large pneumatics, we have watched a man pumping for an hour or so at a time before sufficient pressure was attained.