Aids to Transport Efficiency
Page 59
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A Useful Fog Lamp for Commercial Vehicles.
Known as the type C.F:T.-37, a new fog and pass lamp of interesting design is being marketed by C.A.V.-Bosch, Ltd., Acton, London, W.3. Having an all-steel body and a strengthened base, the lamp has been produced for use on commercial vehicles._
The reflector is of special constructioii. and projects a white, flat-topped beam of high intensity, with no upward glare. in front of the bulb is a shield, which, whilst preventing directslight from the filament spreading upwards, allows full use of it in a downward direction.
The fiat-topped beams projected slightly towards the near side, is found of particular use in fog, anti, at the Caine time,' it is Val4able at a paSs` larrip on vehicles not equipped With any form of lamp-dipping or dimming device.
Finished in all-black or black with a _ chromium rim, and supplied with a 12-volt 60-watt bulb, this new lamp is priced at £2 15s. It is arranged for insulated return wiring.
A Fuse That Does Not Need Replacing.
Incorporating a mercury conductor, the Pol permanent fuse, marketed by S. Guiterrnan and • CO., Ltd., 85-36, Aldernaanbury, London, E.C.2, which costs is. 6d., can be easily repaired, after it has blown. All that is necessary is to .give it a slight tap, which at once renders it fit for use again. Moreover, this fuse will withstand a slight overload for 10-15 minutes, although, of course, it blows immediately if there there be a heavy discharge.
An Electro-magnetic Fatigue Tester.
A new type of fatigue tester, that provides a life test on sample steel bars and can be adapted for testing non-magnetic metals, has recently been developed by Salford Electrical Instruments, Ltd., an associated company of the General Electric Co., Ltd. In this apparatus, the sample bar or rod is supported at its two nodes and vibrated electro-magnetically, so that it resonates—a method that allows a large number of cycles of stress to be applied to the bar in a relatively short time.
By measuring the deflection of the bar at an antinode, the actual stress applied can be calculated, using the modulus of elasticity E, which can he determined from the fraquency of the vibrating bar; the number of cycles applied to the test bar before failure can be indicated by a recorder, A means for tripping the whole gear is provided, this operating on the occurrence of a crack in the specimen. The complete apparatus comprises three parts:—the bar-holder and electro-magnets, the power-supply units and the recorder, the last-named not being essential.
Novel Features in a New Lamp.
We have received from James Neale and Sons, Ltd., Graham Street, Birmingham, 1, details of the Magnalite electric lamp, which retails at 7s. 6d., including the bulb, flex, two-gin plug and socket, or spring clips for attachment direct to the battery. This lamp is both novel and practicable. It coilsists of a base containing an eleetro magnet, and a'lamp holder protected by a metal cover, one side of which is open whilst the other has a red window. Immediately the current is switched on, ,the lamp grips any iron or steel part on which it is placed, and is not released until the current is switched off. It can be used as an inspection, fog or tail lamp.
New Pulling-tool Kits.
A useful universal set of pulling tools known as Sykco is being marketed by Frederick J. Gordon and Co., Ltd., 11411€, Euston Road, London, NAVA. The set comprises both hydraulic and shock-type plungers, with various extension pieces and adapters to deal with all types of commercial vehicle, In addition to the universal set, which is supplied in a strong wooden case, the concern is marketing a wide variety of pulling tools to cover all types of maintenance work. A Useful Injection-nozzle Testing Pump.
A valuable item of equipment for all users of oil engines is an injectionnozzle testing pump, and a neat hands operated high-pressure tester for setting oil-injection nozzles to spray at the correct pressure is now being marketed by Messrs. H. and W. Armstrong, Dewsbury Road, Leeds.
The pump is capable of testing up to a pressure of 4,000 lb, per sq. in., and a steel-tube pressure gauge is incorporated, with a throttling valve for steadying the gauge needle. The oil container is integral with the main casting, the pump being centrally located. An easily removable filter of fine-mesh gauze is provided, together with an adjustable tray.
A further product of this concern is the Armstrong hand-operated tippipg gear mounted on an all-steel underframe. The drive is by means of a hardened-steel worm and a malleableiron worm wheel, both of which run in oil. Thrust is taken on ball races, and run-back is prevented by means of a ratchet and pawl.
The gear is mounted beneath the body, and advantages claimed are those of low loading and no wastage of space between the driver's cab and the front of the bqdy. This tipping gear is available in two types—a doublearm gear for loads of 3 tons and upwards, and the standard gear for loads up to 3 tons.
A Four-wheel-steering Trailer.
An ingenious system of steering works trucks, trailers, etc., has been evolved by F. T. Murdoch, Central Engine Works, 29, Azdenlee Parade, Cregagh, Belfast. A drawing of a model, made to show the principle, is reproduced; the picture is self-explanatory. The idea, we understand, is patented and the applications are numerous.
Another Murdoch product is the Universal Loader. This consists of a loading ramp incorporating a handleoperated winding gear, which hauls up a pair of arms by means of which a barrel, packing case or other heavy object can be raised from the ground to the lorry platform. This device is of particular interest in view of the fact that we recently suggested that such an appliance would possesspractical advantages.