Has the Compressed-air Engine Arrived
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First News of a New Prime Mover which Dispenses with Petrol and Oil Fuel. Elimination of Both Clutch and Gearbox SOMETHING approaching a sensation has been caused in-road-vehicle circles by news of a new form of power . unit, the invention of Mr. F. Perry, of Los Angeles, California'. It is understood that a•Perry "compressedair power unitis being adapted to a British-built chassis as an experiment.
Simplicity is the outstanding feature of this new power plant which requires no sparking plugs, clutch or gears. The media consist of a green-coloured liquid and a little paraffin,, both of . which, normally, are readily obtainable in any country.
The engine is built up of five castings.. 4 car produced by Mr. Perryis considered, in America, to be the greatest revolution in road-vehicle engines since the introduction of the internal-combustion engine. It has taken seven years 'to'clevelop and cornbines the principle of the oil engine, steam engine arid gas-type refrigerator, Dismveum,e It is claimed to be only half the weight of an equivalent petrol engine, has few working parts, needs little upkeep,, and is almost foolproof. The largest component of the power plant has the appearance of a small gas
heater, encased metal with small jets showing 'through a slit in the bottom of the casing.
Inside and above the jets are metal coils containing a green liquid which boils at from between 130 and .160 degrees P.; it requires less heat than water to vaporize.
The vapour produced forces 'air at 150 lb. per sq. in. into the cylinders, and after use it returns in liquid form to a small storage tank, again to be circulated through the coils.
The burners to heat the tluid are fed by butane. Compressed air is contained in a larger tank, which can be carried.under the driver's seat, or any
where that is found most convenient. . A small pilot light keeps enough pressure in reserve for a quick start. To start the vehicle a small lever, located benea:th the steering wheel, is' moved. This -lever is the main control from zero up to, it is understood, a speed of 60 m.p.h.
There is said to be no noise or vibration, and as the power is delivered straight through to the back axle there is no need for clutch or gearbox. If this preliminary report be substantially accurate—so far there is no practical confirmation of it—the motor industry throughout the wrld will be faced with a new post-war problem.