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Detecting Contamination
Page 67
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DETECTION of lubricating oil dilution by fuel oil has previously involved chemical analysis of the mixture, a relatively slow process, F.M.I. Electronics, Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex, have now introduced an instrument which gives a direct measurement of the dilution, on a meter, without any skill on the part of the ope,Tator.
When used with an oil of known characteristics, the instrument will give a true dilution measurement to an accuracy of + 25 per cent. of the indicated reading. Readings can be taken under operating conditions at the rate of one every five minutes, a claimed improvement, for each operation, of 45 minutes on existing methods. The instrument is self-contained and transportable.
Hinged Mirrors
DARTICULARLY suitable for buses I which are cleaned by washing machines and goods vehicles which must be worked in confined spaces, a hinged mirror is now being manufactured by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Great King Street, Birmingham, 19..
The mirror is located by four slots placed at 90 degrees to each other. The hinged mechanism is spring-loaded and once pre-set, the mirror may he movedthrough 90 degrees backwards or forwards, regaining its original position when returned to the appropriate location slot.
Finished in black, the mirror with a 10-in.-arm costs 11 7s. 6i1
Testing Brakes
ROAD and garage test equipment for brakes are described in "Automobile Brakes and Brake Testing," by Maurice Platt, published by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, at 15s. The author, who is a director and chief engineer of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., is chiefly concerned
with private-car braking, and does not deal with air:pressure systems, hydraulicpowered circuits and other commercialvehicle applications.
1-Ie outlines the general principles of braking, gives constructional details of a few light braking systems, but touches only briefly upon disc brakes, vacuum servos and friction materials.
In-his view, decelerorneters are the best means for checking brake performance on the road. Tests by The Commercial Motor and Government-sponsored bodies, however, show that misleading figures may be obtained from such devices compared with actual stopping distances recorded by a marker gun tired by a switch on the brake pedal.
Hydraulic Digger
THE Hydra-Digga is the latest tractorI mounted hydraulically operated excavating appliance offered by 1. C. Bamford (Excavators), Ltd., Roc.ester, Uttoxeter. Staffs. It comprises an articulated jib hinged to an A-frame to slew through 180 degrees. The A-frame is attached to the rear of a tractor, and when the digger is operated is forced downwards. This action raises the rear wheels of the tractor and provides great stability.
The appliance, for which buckets of various widths are available, can dig to a maximum depth of 13 ft., and can load ..at a height of 11 ft. at a forward reach of 1 ft. 6 in.-,
Plastics Door
AN up-and-over type garage door made of reinforced plastics is being mann. factured by Coburn Engineers, Ltd., Coburn Works, Peasmarsh. Measuring 7 ft. square and said to be less than a third the weight of an equivalent wood door, the one-piece plastics panel is rotproof and may be colour impregnated.
Although primarily intended for garages, the door which, complete with rollers, tracks and counterweights, costs about £33, can equally well be used for small industrial buildings.
Storing Drums
ALLOWING 40to 50-gal. steel drums to be stacked on to five tiers high by a fork-lift truck, cradles:produced by Powell and Co., Ltd., Bury Port, Carms, South Wales, should find many applications.
Made from tubular steel, the cradles are light, and obviate the risk of slipping when drums are stored in pyramid stacks. The cradle drums save space, whilst the contents of the drums may be drawn off when they are stacked.
Purifying Water
A PPARATUS for producing a constant
supply of purified water from the mains supply is being produced by Deionisation (Elga), Ltd., Railway Place, London, S.W.19. Tap water is fed into the base of the instrument, known as the Top-it-up, and passes through a column of ion-exchange resins which remove all impurities, pure softened water flowing from the outlet pipe.
Battery Covers
F0UR types of battery cover have been introduced by Holsun Batteries, Ltd., 137 Victoria Street, London, S.W.I., to protect Dagenite batteries mounted in exposed positions. They are fitted by means of spring clips.
Disc Caliper -THE latest type of Girling disc brake,
the type 16, has an improved caliper design. As with previous designs, it features automatic adjustment, and the pads can easily be replaced.