AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Correspondence.

9th November 1905
Page 19
Page 19, 9th November 1905 — Correspondence.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Roadside Water Supplies.

Sir :—The enterprising offer of " TILE COMMERCIAL MOTOR " to instal a trial automatic water supply outfit in the London area should encourage everyone who takes an interest in the question to see that the very hest arrangement is arrived at before the money is expended. lThilst I recognise that the opinions expressed in your journal are favourable to the " Automatic," I still hold, and the result of the Gateshead meeting confirms my views, that at present personal re-sale is the more applicable plan, on the score of first cost and general utility.

I calculate that to lorries will have to use the automatic apparatus daily, to clear expenses, and doubt whether this demand exists, except in a few favoured spots in the centres of the large towns. Of the two designs you have illustrated, I prefer Mr. Sumner's so far as it goes, but he does not touch the difficult problem of the slot-controlled meter; this is a question the solution of which cannot be imported valve? On a highpressure service only a small valve can be used, so that to fill up without a tank will Lake a long time. In Messrs. Ham, Baker, and C anpany's design, what is to prevent any number of drivers getting water for id. each once the door has been opened?

Having pointed out what I conceive to be the faults in these two designs, it is fair that I explain my own idea for it in turn to be criticised. I have endeavoured to keep to established practice to reduce cost and to avoid automatic valves—excepting two ordinary hall valves such as are in use in every house. I propose two sets of apparatus, each consisting of a covered tank to hold too gallons, with ball valve, overflow, inlet and outlet valves (these coupled together), gauge, " penny-in-the-slot " control apparatus, and counter. The cisterns should be properly lagged, to ensure protection from frost, and placed side by side in a chamber under the footway. In this chamber, illustrated in the drawing herewith, there would also be a suction well, common to both cisterns, and therefore connected up to both outlet cocks. A properly-fitting cover would be provided, and part of this would be hinged to allow access to the valve handle and automatic slide, and to allow of insertion of suction hose. An enamelled sign should be affixed to the wall close to the apparatus, giving full instructions to motor drivers as to the method of operation. To c:aain a supply of water, the driver would first open the try and insert the suction hose to the. bottom of the suction well. He would then ascertain by the tank gauge that one of the tanks was full, and would have to place two pennies in the slots in line with that gauge. The insertion of the pennies frees the slide controlling the valve lever, so that the driver can now draw out the slide and give the valve lever a quarter turn to the left. This prevents the return of the slide, and at the same time locks the apparatus of the other tank. This quarter turn also closes the inlet valve, so that no more water can be taken than the too gallons in the tank. Another quarter turn of the valve lever opens the outlet cock, so that the water now flows into the suction well. The driver can turn on steam to his water lifter as soon as the water is flowing into the suction well, and he can only take the too gallons in the tank. lifting taken that, he must return the valve lever to its original position, when the slide will automatically shut.

Returning the valve lever opens the inlet control valve, and allows the tank to fill again through the ball valve: If the driver requires a further too gallons, he can repeat operations on No. 2 tank, and, as the well is common to both, he will not have to shift his suction pipe.

In this apparatus the two pennies do not have to work the valve; but they unlock the controlling slide, and at the same time the apparatus provides that no more than too gallons can be taken without further payment.--Yours truly,.

Manchester, November 3rd, 191)5. C. B. Nixox.

[A water supply station which is arranged to look after itself, as is rendered possible by the adoption of the automatic principle, generally offers advantages superior to those possessed by any other alternative. It is frequently impossible to lind people who can look after a supply such as that proposed in the Gateshead district, and many householders who are willing to perform such services in the daytime soon raise objections if they are called up. during the night. One serious objection which we see to Mr. Nixon's proposal is the large cost of excavation : Messrs. Ham, Baker, and Company's system is much more economical in that respect. We must also point out that the four-way valve in this company's arrangement is not operated by the weight of the coin, which is only utilised to release the catch from the hand lever. Again, no driver can obtain more than 30 gallons of water for one penny, as no water passes the valve except when the lever is pushed to one or other of the two extreme positions. We thank Mr. Nixon for his interesting communication, and hope that other users will evince the same practical spirit in reference to this most important subject.—Era]

Tags

People: Sumner, Nixon
Locations: Manchester, London

comments powered by Disqus