Page images
PDF
EPUB
[subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed]

GRIFFITHS'S PUDDLING MACHINE.

different parts of the machinery attached thereto | move vertically in traversing the ends of the with the shaft f, is nevertheless always main- rack, its lateral motion from side to side, pro

PUDDLING, iron is one of the most arduous tained. In fact, f is both the main driving shaft, duced by the pinion following the rack, is cond

and disagreeable labours falling to the lot and a pillar round which the machinery swings of man, and it is not strange that the class of me- in communicating the necessary traversing mochanics who perform it should occasionally be- tion to the rabble. f is driven by the bevelled come restive under the many annoyances of their gear i and k, communicating with the motive daily toil, nor that theirs of all the many depart-power by the shaft. The pulley m works loosely ments of labour connected with the manufacture on the shaft l, and the machine is thrown in and of the great staple of England should be the out of gear by the clutch n in the usual way. f most difficult to manage. Mr. John Griffiths, of might be connected directly to the shaft of a Litchurch, Derby, having made a number of ex- small rotary engine, or driven by any other periments during a long practical experience in means, but when the power for the machine is the management of puddling forges, and having taken from a line of shafting, the arrangement a desire to relieve the workman, so far as possible, here shown is the most convenient. x is a crank from an exhausting toil, and to promote a more attached to the upper end of f, and giving motion contented feeling among them, by lessening the to the hangerr by the connecting rod y. The opportunity for real or fancied grievances, at connecting rod y is joined to both the crank last perfected the machine shown in the above and the hanger r by universal joints, and as the illustration, which has been erected at the connection s of the hanger with the jib q is of the Northfield Ironworks, Rotherham. This ma- same free character, the motion communicated chine does not grumble at iron, however grey, by the crank to the hanger, and through it to the and will work in the hottest weather. It is puddling rabble, though mainly reciprocatory, not fitful nor moody in its temperament, or from the front to the back of the furnace, is and, as a consequence, its product is the same quite complex in its character, and resembles the from day to day, being always worked alike; movement produced by hand. The reciprocatory and, as it is also untiring, it is enabled to or back and forth motion of the rabble being work the iron longer and better than the strongest thus obtained, it now remains to show the man could do. The apparatus is not complicated traversing motion from side to side of the furnor costly, can be placed on any ordinary furnace, nace, so as to bring the rabble to bear on all and will not only work double the quantity of parts of the metal, and thoroughly stir it. metal usually operated upon, and finish it better, but will do it with a less percentage of waste. In our illustration, fig. 1 shows a front elevation, fig. 2 a vertical section, and fig. 3 a plan of the machine, of which the following is the description. c is a circular bed plate, provided with ears, through which it is fastened to the furnace; d is another circular plate, rotating on balls roll. ing in a grove in c, and bearing the jib q, to which the puddling rabble is suspended by the hanger r. This plate d also carries the standard h, which supports the main gearing of the machine. The shaft ƒ has its lower bearing at g in the plate c; its upper at g 2, in the curved end of the standard h; and it also works in a collar or journal on the plate d, so that while the plate d carries with it in its partial rotation the standard h, the proper relative position of the

municated by the bar 11 to the bed-plated, and thence through the jib q and hanger r to the rabble. The end of the jib q, and consequently the forked hanger r carrying the rabble, thus makes a sweep from side to side in front of the furnace, of precisely the same character as the curve of the rack 8; and by making this curve longer or shorter, the rabble can be made to travel to a greater or less extent in the furnace In practice, it is found unnecessary to vary the curve of the rack, as a length somewhat less than a quarter circle fulfils all the requirements.

It will be seen that the shaft f, around which, as before shown, all the movements of the ma chine are made, does not stand directly over the front of the furnace, and consequently, as the working hole is small, when the jib q approaches each extremity of the curve through which it sweeps, the rabble brings up against the sides of the working hole, thus producing a leverage in its operation. At the same time that this leverage occurs, that is, when the jib is at each end of the sweep, the pinion on the shaft 5 is working up or down the curved ends of the rack 8, and as the lateral motion of the shaft, and consequently the partial rotation of the plate d and sweep of the jib q, is thereby for the time being nearly or quite suspended, during this interval the crank a, gives the rabble a few back and forth strokes in nearly the same position in the furnace; and as at this time the rabble is working upon the jambs of the furnace, the leverage before mentioned, combined with the repeated reciprocating strokes, and aided by the suppleness of the joints of the rabble, sweep the jambs completely clean of any parti cles of metal which would otherwise adhere, and which could not be reached by a rigidly operat ting tool. The end of the hanger has a double f fork, which is used as follows:-When the fet ling in the furnace is new, the rabble is worked in the fork u. After the fettling is considerably worn, it becomes necessary to increase the length of the stroke of the rabble, which is done by altering the position of the crank pin z in its slot in ; but as the front of the furnace has no fettling, and

From the shaft f, the bevelled gear wheel 3, through the corresponding wheel 4, drives the shaft 5, on the end of which is a pinion working in the hollow endless rack 8, which is fastened firmly to the framing by which the machine is attached to the furnace. The shaft 5 has its chief support in the bearing 6 (which is consequently made of extra length), and it is provided with the universal joint 7, so that its pinion may traverse round the curves at either end of the rack 8. This rack is curved horizontally to an arc, described with the distance from the shaft as a radius, and it has a guide plate 10 between the upper and lower rows of teeth, whereby the pinion of the shaft 5 is kept constantly in gear. The bar 11 is fastened at one end firmly to the plate d, but at the other it is forked and encloses the shaft 5, so that while the shaft is free to

causes it to

[merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed]

ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR LIGHTING

BUOYS.

[graphic]

HE invention which the annexed engraving

Tillustrates consists in the employment of the

electric light for lighting buoys without requiring any communication from the shore, by which they can be increased in number and placed as far from the land as the sea or river navigation requires. It has been patented by M. Adolphe Miroude, of Rouen, his object being to light buoys by means of the light produced by electricity in the apperatus known as Geissler's tube, and the invention is carried out in the following manner:-He places in the buoy to be lighted, arranged so as to keep in equilibrium, a receiver or battery (of a size and weight in proportion to the size of the buoy) producing an electric current, then a Ruhmkorff induction bobbin, and lastly at its upper part he places a lamp furnished with glasses, in which lamp he sets one or several glass tubes or spheres known as Geissler's tubes. A plate or roofing of metal or other suitable material may be placed above as a shelter for the apparatus.

The main object of the invention is the rendering the production of this light independent'

[graphic]

3

3

is consequently unaltered, it is only desirable to compensate for the wear at the back, and then the rabble is worked in the fork t. Thus, while by the increase of the length of stroke, the wear of the back is compensated for, by shifting the rabble forward it is still made to traverse to its original position in the front of the furnace. Besides the machine put up at the Northfield Ironworks, one has been at work at the Rhymney Ironworks, South Wales, and another at the Regent Ironworks, Bilston, for about three years; and both are giving perfect satisfaction.

[ocr errors][merged small]

We may add that Mr. Griffiths is now working a M

double furnace, with two machines, at the Northfield Ironworką,

KENNAN'S PATENT LATHE. ESSRS. KENNAN and SONS, of Fisham. ble-street, Dublin, have forwarded to the In doing this, he Brewer's Journal a photograph of their patent lathe dispenses with one rack for giving the reci- for turning bungs and shives for casks. The acprocating motion, which is effected by means companying sketch, which is an accurate copy of of the crank connecting the two tables, as shown the photograph, shows the manner in which this in dotted lines in fig. 2. We understand that machine operates; and the amount of labour saved these machines are giving thorough satisfaction, in its use may be judged from the fact that 7,000 upwards of 40 per cent. saving being effected in bungs and shives of any size or taper may be made in a single day with the attendance of one lad. The power required to work it is about that of half a horse, and it may be worked by a belt attached to the usual motive power provided in all breweries. The space of flooring which it occupies is 3ft. by

coal.

JOINTS FOR WROUGHT IRON TUBES. So OME useful improvements in the manufacture

of C joints or connections for wrought-iron tubes for the conveyance of gas, steam, and water, such as, for instance, tees, crosses, or joints having any number of ways, have been patented by Mr. G. H. M. Muntz, of Birmingham. In carrying out his invention he takes a plate of wrought iron and punches a hole through the centre. He then takes a bar rolled to a proper section and bevelled on one edge, and forms this into a short socket and scarf weld in the usual way; this socket is inserted into the plate and almost through the centre hole, the bevelled edge of the socket being on the inside. He then places both plate and socket in a suitably formed con. cave bottom die, and employs a top die convex in form and provided with a tapered plug, by which the bevelled edges of the socket are bent down and welded, whilst the plate is at the same time bevelled on its meeting edges and dished or turned up into a form of section which will, when the edges are subsequently brought together and welded, form a complete circle with the edges scarfed and lap-welded; this constitutes a threeway or tee joint. In making a four-way or cross joint Mr. Muntz proceeds in precisely the same way as that last described, but the plate will be shorter to form one half the barrel of the tee

joint only, and putting two of these parts together and welding them forms the cross or four-way joint. By another mede two holes are punched in a longer plate and two sockets are inserted in them; the plate being then bent round in the direction of its length and the meeting edges being welded the four-way joint is formed. In making joints with more than four ways Mr. Muntz proceeds in a similar manner, but employs longer plates to receive a greater number of sockets, so that when the plate is bent round, each socket forms a radiating arm from the common centre formed by the plate. This description of joint can also be formed by using more than one plate if preferred, as it may be convenient to use

4ft.

The pieces of wood being sawn roughly to convenient sizes, a wood blank is placed against the chuck a, and the spring catch of the poppet being released, the belt lever b is shifted to the right. hand side, and the slide rest lever c is traversed once and back again. The belt lever b is moved back, and the poppet lever e is drawn back to the spring catch, when the bung is released. The lathe may be set to any size by changing the position of the slide-rest and tool. The lathe be driven at 800 to 1,000 revolutions per minute, or faster, but care must be taken against the bearings heating when first started.

may

The suspension bridge over the Ohio River at Cincinatti, which is 2,252ft. long, was opened lately. It is the longest single span bridge in the world, costing over two million dollars. The railway tracks are laid over its span from centre to centre of towers 1,057 ft.

[graphic]

In

that is to say, dispensing during a certain time with all communication between the buoy and the shore for the production of this light. this way the buoys may be left at any distance from the shore without danger of being struck by ships during the night, whilst reefs, banks, rocks, and other obstructions, passages, deep water, and other like characteristics which they are intended to point out by day will be equally visible by night. When the battery is exhausted, which will be perceived by the diminished intensity of the light, it will only be necessary to raise the battery through the man-hole and replace it by another, and to charge if required the Geissler's tube; for experience shows that after working a certain time the gas, whatever it may be, is more or less decomposed according to its nature (nitrogen gas has been found to be the best). In the engraving, which represents a buoy furnished with the above-described apparatus, A is the buoy; B is the lamp for spreading the light furnished by the Geissler's tube C; Ď and E are the wires from the bobbin G to the tube ; F is the roof or cover for protecting the Geissler's tube C; G is the Ruhmkorff bobbin or other suitable apparatus producing analogous effects as required; H is the battery for producing electricity; and 1, the manhole.

Forty years ago the United States had but three miles of railroad in operation. They now have 35,341 miles in operation, and 15,943 miles building. The value of the completed roads is 1,502,464,085 dollars, an average of 40,723 dollars a mile. On an average, four miles of road per day are now built in the United States.

[blocks in formation]

lecture on Telegraphic feature in country that working

the Royal Institution, on the evening of this day week, the lecture being illustrated by numerous experiments on two artificial telegraph cables. One cable was an electrical copy of the Atlantic Telegraph; the other of a cable of similar dimensions to the Atlantic, but 13,000 miles in length, and supposed to be extended from England to Australia. In the latter cable ten reflecting gal. vanometers were inserted at equal distances. These ten stations Mr. Varley named Gibraltar, Malta, Suez, Aden, Bombay, Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Java, and Australia. By means of this

copper and 4001b, of gutta-percha to the nautical
mile;" and he added that "it was at least some
reward for the years of arduous labour he had had
in connection with this great enterprise, to find
that everything he had predicted as to the capa-
bilities of the cables had been entirely verified.

LONDON ASSOCIATION OF FOREMEN
ENGINEERS.

THE fourteenth annual dinner of the above

means which they put in the reach of the work. their own trades and business. It ought to be a ing classes for instruction in the technicalities of people should be technically acquainted with their respective employments. The toast was responded to by Mr. Newton, the president of the association, after which numerous other toasts of a complimentary character were proposed and duly acknowledged. The proceedings lasted till a late hour, and numerous subscriptions, amounting in all to £100 128. were made to the superannuation fund of the association during the evening.

Siilustrated how electricity is transmitted through Tassociation was held on Saturday evening WROUGHT SCRAP IRON FOR FORGINGS.

conductors. While light and sound have a definite velocity, electricity has not, and he explained that the question "What is the speed of electricity?" does not admit of a categorical answer. On pres sing down the key in England the current was seen to rush in, the instrument at Gibraltar was the first to move; a second or two after Malta begin to respond; then Suez, Aden, and Bombay in slower and slower degree; and lastly, after the duration of about half a minute, Australia gave sluggish indications of a current. He illustrated various methods of expediting the signals through cables, and also demonstrated what were the limits fixed by nature. He pointed out that electricity does really begin to appear at the distant end instantaneously, but in insignificant strength. After the lapse of a time definite for each particular cable, it begins sensibly to augment in strength and gradually to approach to (but in strict language never attains to) an equally definite maximum strength.

The question "What is the speed of electricity?" only admits of a definite answer when put in some such manner as the following:-How long is it reaching a quarter (or half, or any other fraction) of this maximum strength? Electricity has been represented by high authority to have a a speed greater than light, but he showed that through a distance of only seven yards he could make it so slow that there was no visible indica. tion of the current until after the lapse of many seconds. The artificial Atlantic cable was connected, in the first instance, as follows:-At the distant end a Geissler's tube was inserted between the cable and the earth. On applying a battery of 800 cells to the English end, several seconds elapsed before any visible indication of electricity was shown by the Geissler tube at the other end. Suddenly the tube shone with a brilliant violet light, indicating that the current at the distant or Newfoundland end of the cable had acquired ufficient force to overcome the resistance of the Sube, which tube by previous experiment was ound to resist currents of less power than 400 cells Dariel's battery. The light was seen to augment gradually in brilliancy during several more seconds. The English end was then removed from the battery and connected through a second Geissler's tube to the earth. The current was then seen flowing out of the cable at both ends, and continued to do so for a long time, each tube gradually diminishing in brilliancy as the charge in the cable decreased in power.

[ocr errors]

at the Freemasons' Tavern, Queen-street; Mr.
E. J. Reed, Chief Constructor of the Navy, in
the chair. There was a numerous gathering, the
company including Mr. Joseph Newton, of the
Royal Mint, president of the association; Major
Palliser, Captain Nolloth, R.N., Dr. Woolley, Mr.
Chetwynd, Mr. John Penn, jun., Mr. Ravenhill,
Mr. J. Keith Rennie, Mr. Joshua Field, Mr.
Telford Field, Mr. Edward Humphrys, jun., Mr.
Blyth, and numerous other representatives of
large engineering establishments. After the usual
loyal toasts had been drunk and duly honoured,
the chairman gave the toast of "The Army,
Navy, and Volunteers." Major Palliser, Captain
Nolloth, and Captain Webber, of the Volunteers,
acknowledged the toast on behalf of their re-
spective services.

The Honorary Secretary, Mr. Thos. Sanson,
then read the report, which recorded continued
progress in the various branches of its opera-
tions, and pointed to a career of increasing use.
fulness. Their numbers steadily increased
twenty ordinary and six honorary members
having been enrolled during the past year. The
effective list now consisted of ninety-seven
ordinary, and fifty-three honorary members. The
ordinary fund showed an increase larger than on
any previous year. The total income was £212
7s. 6d., and the total expenditure £161 1s. 5d.
The superannuation fund had been increased
at, and shortly after, the previous anniversary, by
subscriptions to the amount of £67 178., which
made a total of £629 83. 9d. which was invested in
the three per cents., and with interest now due,
might be said to represent £700 stock, yielding
an interest of £21 available for superannuation;
within £4 of the sum required for two aged or
inflrm members. The report then enumerated
the various papers on scientific subjects which
had been read during the past year; and con-
cluded by stating, that the working of the
association had been such as the members had
every reason to be satisfied with.

The chairman in proposing the toast of the evening, "Prosperity to the Association," said that the Association of Foreman Engineers had two special objects-viz., mutual support and comfort under circumstances of individual trial; and next, under circumstances relating to scientific employment. It was a pleasure to know that the depression of trade which had undoubtedly existed had not materially crippled their progress or their power. There were two points Mr. Varley then showed his invention for pre-in the report just read which deserved special venting the disturbances arising from earth-cur- remark. One was, that it was the object of this rents, and for expediting the signals through the association to obtain, by friendly agencies, cable, which did not record the strength of the renewed employment for foremen engineers, and current but "the rate of increment of potential." that, if possible, not an inferior employment to He placed a reflecting galvanometer between the that which they last possessed. That appeared distant or Newfoundland end of the cable and the to him to be most unexceptionable. The next earth, and also a second one with a con-point was that relating to the superannuation denser" between it and the earth; at the English end there was an apparatus, which produced currents through the cable similar to those produced on telegraph circuits by the Aurora Borealis, and other causes. These experiments were eminently successful. The slow but large wave of the earth current was seen to produce scarcely any action upon the galvanometer with the condenser, while the ordinary one was seen running 20ft. on either side of the scale, in consequence of the earth currents. "The small waves on the back of the great swell of the earthcurrents" were, however, perfectly disentangled from the great wave by this simple contrivance, and the signals were perfectly legible on the one instrument while illegible on the other, whose image ran wildly over the wall of the institution. In addition, signals were transmitted more rapidly and clearly by this arrangement. In concluding, Mr. Varley remarked that "it was upon the data furnished by this artificial cable that he designed the present Atlantic cables, and that without it

fund. He mentioned, that in the manner he pro-
posed to do, because it was possible that a
casual observer, taking up their balance-sheet,
might suppose that the superannuation fund was
subscribed for by employers, and was a thing
totally apart from their own efforts and deter-
mination. Now, if that were true-which it was
not-he did not think it would be a wise thing,
because the superannuation fund should be a
permanent fund-a permanent growth. That
could possibly be the case if it depended on
donations. At the same time he was happy to
find that the employers of labour had subscribed
to the fund. One or two other points had also
occurred to him during the reading of the report.
One was, that he might be the means of instuct-
ing the people of this country in technical
subjects. It was most essential that they
should give the people the means of instructing
themselves in the technicalities of their employ.
ments. We were signally inferior to Prussia,
France, and other countries with reference to the

TH

HE breaking of so many shafts of our seagoing steamers-instance those of the steamers "Atlantic" and "Pacific," several years since, in the Collins Liverpool line, and more recently, several shafts as well as cranks, of the Pacific Mail Company's ships-has led us (Scientific American) to examine the subject, and inquire of what material these shafts, cranks, &c., were made. From the most reliable infor

mation we have gathered, we find they were made of wrought scrap iron, of which it appears there are several kinds. The first is the "com. mon scrap of commerce," which is gathered from the thousands of smiths' shops throughout the country. The second is what is known as "railroad scrap"" which consists of old rails, bolts, plates, &c., that have been used in ordinary railway operations. The third is "boiler scrap," which is composed of sheets and rivets from condemned steam boilers. The fourth is what is called "selected scrap." This consists of old horse-shoes, horse-shoe nails, and the clippings from the tack-plate mills of the country. The first two of the kinds of scrap iron above enumerated are made up of all and every kind of iron manufactured in this country and in Eng. land, from the most inferior Welsh bars up to the best American brands in the market. Russia, Swede, and Norway irons are not generally med for ordinary purposes, on account of their high price. The third class of scrap iron ought to be of the best iron that can be made; but unfortu nately such is not the case; an evidence of which is the frequent boiler explosions from one end of the country to the other; consequently there is no certainty of getting a sound, uniform piece of forging, even if boiler scrap is used. As for the fourth class--selected scrap-its quantity is so inconsiderable that any discussion of its merits or demerits will avail nothing in the object sought to be obtained by our remarks on the subject under consideration. As for old horseshoes and nails, they are scattered over such a vast extent of country that to make them a speciality would cost more than their value, after re-manufacture into the kind of forgings we refer to; and as for tack-plate scrap, we feel safe in saying, the very nature of tack manufacturethe cutting the plates into articles so small as carpet tacks for instance-precludes the possibi lity of any large quantity of "scrap" remaining after the tack maker has used every delicate little piece his machine will cut.

The results of our investigations convince us that at least 90 per cent., if not more, of all scrap forgings are made from the first three kinds of scrap mentioned; it is practically im. possible to make, with certainty, any piece of forging, and more particularly large shafts, cranks, &c., which shall be reliable, and which can be depended upon for strength and tenacity, where scrap iron, composed of such great varie ties and qualities as we have shown, is used. The various kinds of iron will not unite-will not weld thoroughly, heat and hammer them as much as you may. From the examination we have given this subject, we are of the opinion that the only reliable and safe course for our forgemasters to pursue is to make their forgings of one kind of iron. Let them test the various brands of foreign and American irons, and use only the strongest and most tenacious that can be procured; and we feel confident we shall hear no more of broken steamer shafts, endangering a loss of life and property. We are well aware that a judicious mixture of cast irons often improves the quality, and gives a stronger and better casting than otherwise; but such is not the case with wrought iron. We would as soon think of making a railway bridge of oak, pine, and whitewood, and expect it to be as strong as though it were made exclusively of the best of

white oak, as to suppose that a steamer shaft made of mixed scrap iron would be as strong and reliable as it would be if made of one quality, and that the best iron that can be manufactured.

SKI

TEMPERING STEEL.

Legal Intelligence.

VICE-CHANCELLORS' COURT.
February 14.

(Before VICE-CHANCELLOR SIR W. P. WOOD.)

MORGAN V. FULLER.

the personal honour of the directors, he disclaimed any such imputations.

The Lord Chief Justice said he thought this He was a very satisfactory ending to the case. certainly thought some passages in the article reflected on the character of the directors, but as these imputations were disclaimed, there could be no better ending to the case.

Meetings for the Week.

MON.-Royal Geographical Society." Exploration of the Purus and Aquiry in the Amazons Basin," by Mr. W. Chandless. "On the rivers of Caravayn, South Peru," by Don Antonio Raimondy, 8.30.

Royal United Service Institution.-" On Manning the Navy," by Mr. J. Reddie, 8.30.

Mr. Barlow's "Description of the Clifton Suspension Bridge "; and time permitting "On the Working of Steep Gradients and Sharp Curves on Railways," by Captain H. W. Tyler,

8.

Royal Institution.-"On Vibratory

Motion

In this cause a bill was filed for the purpose of restraining an alleged infringement by the defendants, who are coach builders at Bath, of the plaintiff's patent for improvements in carriages, and the case came before the Court upon the trial, without a jury, of certain issues for the purpose of determining the several questions of iufringement, novelty of invention, and sufficiency of specification. Mr. Willcock, Q.C., Mr. W. Pearson, and Mr. Aston were for the plaintiffs; Mr. Grove, Q.C., Mr. Fooks, and Mr. Macrory were for the defendants. The invention of the plaintiff, for which a patentTUES.-Institution of Civil Engineers.-Discussion upon was obtained in 1862, consists in the application of apparatus for opening and closing the heads of carriages. The movable heads of the carriage are pressed back or raised by levers, which are moved by cranks or rods concealed within the lining of the carriage, and are operated upon by a handle turned by the driver, who does not require the assistance of another person to enable him to open or close the carriage, the handle being fixed at his side. This handle acts upon a second, and by means of rods and levers (known as headjoints) works the heads of the carriage to or from one another. In the process of the defendants, which is under a patent obtained in 1864 by a Mr. Martin, head-joints are not employed, but the heads to be lifted are acted upon by an endless wire rope round a pulley, by which a direct pulling action both for lowering and raising the scribers of £1 1s. 8d. yearly, or 10s. 10d. half-yearly, payheads of the carriage is obtained. Advertisements are inserted in the MECHANICS' MAGAThe Vice-Chancellor decided in favour of the ZINE at the rate of 6d. per line, or 5d. per line for 13 insists of about 10 words. Woodcuts are charged at the same

with Special Reference to Sound," by Professor
Tyndall, 3.

THURS.-Royal Institution.-"On Vibratory Motion,
with Special Reference to Sound," by Pro-
fessor Tyndall, 3.
FRI.-Royal Institution. -" Breech-loading Small-arms,'
by Capt. Magendie, 8.

Architectural Association. -Members Soiree, 8.
SAT.-Royal Institution. On Harmony," by Mr. G.
A. Macfarren, 3.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The MECHANICS' MAGAZINE is sent post-free to sub.

KILL and judgment in the manipulation of steel are qualities of which the expert workman may well be proud; yet there is nothing so difficult about it but that anyone of common abilities may become possessor of it, and the following information from the American Artizan will be of interest to mechanics :-The forging of steel tools requires great care, and for delicate instruments that are to be nicely tempered, too great care on the part of the workman cannot be taken. The quality of the steel ought to be attended to, particularly for dies or cutting tools. Of this you can judge in a great measure by the fracture. Break the bar you wish to work. If the piece presents a clear, bright cleavage, that shows as if it had taken some force to separate it, the separate crystals or granulations scarcely observable, and the appearance that of a fine, light, slaty-grey tint, almost without lustre, timay be considered to be good. After the tool or article that is to be tempered is finished up by the mechanic, it is to be hardened. To the inexperienced it appears to be a simple operation, and one that anyone could easily perform, consisting in nothing more than heating it and snddenly quenching the heat in cold water. A very simple process surely; then why so much ado about it? Surely the greenest apprentice can do it. So he might; but perhaps when the said apprentice takes the tool from the water in which it has been chilled it is warped, cracked, and entirely spoiled. The once nice tool is now only plaintiff as to the novelty and utility of the in-sertions, or 4d. a line for 26 insertions. Each line confit to be thrown into the scrap-pile. Surely, after vention and the sufficiency of its description by rate as type. Special arrangements made for large adverthe specification. Upon the question of infringe- tisements. all, it does require some experience and judgment he was of opinion that the defendants had ment to temper steel. We will give a few hints adopted a bona fide different process for effecting that may not be wholly lost to the less experienced who aspire to success in this art. The the same result, and not anything which could be called a colourable equivalent. Their apparatus water that you use must not be too cold, and the consisted of wire cords acting, not upon the head steel must not be too hot. The heat should never exceed a low red. The reason why the water joints of the carriage, as in the process of the should not be too cold is this:-The water acts plaintiff, but upon levers attached to the frame too suddenly on the outside of the steel, contract- of the carriage; the cords being lighter than iron rods and levers, while the disadvantages arising ing it, and the expansion in the middle being from joints were dispensed with. The first two more than the outside can bear, it causes the hardened and brittle covering to break. If the issues (novelty of invention and sufficiency of spe. water is too cold throw a few coals into it, or cification) would be decided in favour of the plainplunge a bar of hot iron into it and take the chill tiff, that of infringement for the defendants. off the water. When this is done, look well to the heating of the article, heat it quite slowly and very evenly, and, when it is ready to harden, if there is a thick and thin part, plunge the thickest part into the water first and be careful to plunge it in the centre of the vessel of water, so that the (Before the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE and a Special for the Prussian Government. She is to be 280ft.

heat of the article will warm it equally on every side, if not, the unequal warmth may cause the article to warp. A worse thing will happen if the thin edge be put in first, for if the thick part has to contract after the thin part is chilled, the thin part cannot give, and will be consequently broken. By chilling a piece of steel and lifting it from the water before it is entirely

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, GUILD.
HALL.
February 19.
Jury.)

GALE'S PROTECTED GUNPOWDER COMPANY
(LIMITED), V. LATIMER.

This was an action for an alleged libel con-
tained in an article published in the Western Daily
Mercury, reflecting upon the character and pros-
pects of the company.

Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Serjeant Ballantine were for the plaintiffs; Mr. R. Collier and Mr. Lopes

were for the defendant.

able in advance.

All communications should be addressed to the EDITOR, 166, Fleet-street.

To insure insertion in the following number, advertise ments should reach the office not later than 5 o'clock ou Thursday evening.

We must absolutely decline attending to communications unaccompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for insertion, but as a proof of good faith.-ED. M. M.

RECEIVED.-G. W. H.-W. N. K.-E. B.-J. H.W. D.-W. H. M.-B. T. F.-J. B. T.-T. C.-J. N.R. and B.-R. C. P.-W. R. P.

Nabal, Military, and Gunnery Items,

A plated frigate, named "Prince Frederick Charles," is in progress of construction in France

Her long, 50ft. broad, and of 4,050 tons burthen. draught will be 23ft. and her engines of 950-horse power. Her plates will be 44in. thick, and her armament is to consist of twenty-six 72-pounders. A large number of Palliser shot and shell were recently shipped from Woolwich Arsenal for supply to our foreign stations in Jamaica, Bermuda, and various other ports in the East and West Indies and the Mediterranean. In order to meet the demand an additional number of men has been added

to the foundry.

We see by the Times that the Danish Government has introduced into the Lower Chamber a Bill for the re-organisation of the army. The duty of the will be admitted under certain conditions. Of inmilitary service is to be general, but substitutes fantry it is intended to provide 37,000 men; of cavalry, 2,300; artillery, 6,100; engineers, 600; commissariat, 4,200. The total, to number 14,500 man in peace, is to be capable of increase to 46,000 in war.

cold, will produce the same effect. The outside be. ing hardened and the inside quite hot, it begins to expand when taken from the water and the breaking of the chilled surface is the result. In dipping articles in water that one part requires to be left soft, it often happens that it breaks where the water-line comes on the article. This is caused by the contraction of the portion in the water, while that above the water is not contracted in the same proportion. To remedy this, move the article up and down a little, so that the water-line shall not be at a stationary point. This will be particularly applicable to tempering points of drills and chisels. Water that holds soap in solution is unfit to temper with. The water should be clean and pure. To ensure a greater hardness, common salt may be added to the water, so as to form a saline solution. Gauges and burnishers that require to be very hard can be tempered to regretted that they should have been so misunder- Rear Admirals on the active list and seventeen on advantage in this solution.

When the case was called on a long consultation
took place between counsel, at the close of which
article in the defendant's newspaper, containing
Mr. Coleridge said, this was an action for an
comments upon the character of the company,
and, as was alleged, on the character of the
directors. So far as related to the comments upon
the nature and prospects of the company, they
were not the proper subject of an action for libel,
as they were fair topics of public discussion; but
there were certain statements in the article which
appeared to reflect, directly or indirectly, upon
the character of those who had been acting on the
direction. These statements, however, it was
declared by Mr. Latimer, had not been intended to
have that effect, and so far as they had been so
understood they had been misunderstood, and he

stood; and, under those circumstances, he was
willing to consent to withdraw a juror.

Sir R. Collier said he appeared for Mr. Latimer, A Canadian paper states that there is a family in the editor of the Paper, who had inserted the Trafalgar, near Milton, "raised on clay land," article from a sense of duty, believing it proper of a length and breadth that the province may be that the public should be warned against entering challenged to beat. There are six boys, all over 6ft. high, weighing respectively 2191b., 220lb., 224lb., into a concern which he believed not likely to suc 220lb., 2171b., and 1991b., making an aggregate ceed. So far as regarded the comments on the weight of 1,800lb., or an average weight of about company, he adhered to them, believing them to 15) stone. be true; but so far as regarded any reflections upon

The United States Navy Register for the year 1867, which has just been issued, shows that since January, 1866, 25 vessels have been sold and one, Of the the "New Ironsides," destroyed by fire. ironclads, 21 are laid up at League Island, 10 at New Orleans, 8 at Mound City, 6 at Washington, 2 at Boston, and 2 at San Francisco. The entire number of vessels of all kinds is 274. Besides Admiral Farragut and Vice-Admiral Porter, there are ten

[blocks in formation]

Major Palliser's 9-inch gun, rifled on the Wool. wich principle, has lately been received at Woolwich, and has passed proof with charges of 551b of powder and shot of 250lb. weight. The gun weighs 12 tons, of which 10 tons are composed of cast-iron cast over coiled wrought iron barrels, weighing 2 tons. The Ordnance Select Committee are also carrying on experiments at Shoeburyness with several 32-pounder and 24-pounder cast-iron guns converted on Major Palliser's plan into 64-pounder and 56-pounder rifled guns. These experiments are being made in order to decide upon the precise weight of the charges as well as the sizes of the bores for the new rifled guns.

Mr. Richardson's petroleum boiler trials have resulted satisfactorily. During the latter period of the experiments, 18:91lb. of water was evaporated per lb. of creosote, during a trial of seven hours. The new fuel gave off at times a great deal of offensive smoke, owing to the construction of the boiler, which impedes a full gaseous blast sufficient to destroy and consume the smoke, as intended. Mr. Richardson has, therefore, applied to the Admiralty for the use of a large common marine boiler for the purpose of future trials.

A Japanese metal cannon, weighing 5 tons, and a mortar, weighing 22 cwt., have arrived at the Gunwharf, Portsmouth, from Woolwich, a present from her Majesty to the borough of Portsmouth. A proper site is being prepared for mounting these valuable trophies of war on the Esplanade at Southsea.

Miscellanea.

An effort is being made to induce the British Association for the advancement of Science to visit Norwich in 1868. Among the gentlemen who are moving in the matter are Viscount Bury, Professor Sedgwick, Sir Willoughby Jones, Sir S. Bignold, Colonel Fitzroy, Mr. R. J. H. Harvey, M.P.,

&c.

Some workmen have recently been employed at Levens, Westmoreland, in the removal of large stones which interfered with the plough in a field by the roadside between Milnthorpe and Kendal. In this work, nine skeletons were found, and from the information furnished to archeologists, there can be little doubt but these e British cist burials. Arrangements are being made for a scientific examination of the cists and the remains.

An Ethnographic Exhibition is to be held in the ancient capital of Russia next autumn. The Moscow committee is actively engaged in collecting specimens of national dresses, implements, and curiosities, not only from all parts of Russia, but also from the neighbouring countries. The exhibition, says the Times, is to comprise all the various tribes of Sclavonic descent; and, from a political point of view, will be no less Austrian and Turkish than Russian. Even the Prussian Sclavonians will not be forgotten, nor the few forlorn Vindians, the last remnant of the once aumerous aboriginals of Brandenburg and Saxony.

The whale fishery off Iceland had long ceased to be carried on until, recently, an enterprising American finding that a century of repose had caused the fish to increase abundantly, established himself at Seydisfjord, on the east coast, where, in company with his four brothers, he adopts a peculiar method of fishing. He puts out to sea in a small screw steamer, with a large whale-boat in tow, and strikes the whale by means of a harpoon shot from a sort of rocket apparatus. The handle or stock is charged with some detonating compound, which explodes as the weapon enters the fish, killing the whale almost instantly, but the generation of gas in its body prevents the sinking of the carcass. This destructive missile is the American's own invention.

The Bergisch-Markische Railway Company have received permission to construct a railway bridge over the Rhine, at Hamm, near Dusseldorf. The bridge, as is the case with all Prussian bridges over that important river, is to be so built as to admit of the principal pillars being blown up at any moment. The arrangements are to be such that the explosion extending equally below the water as above will prevent the bridge from being easily repaired. Fortifications to be erected in front, in accordance with the royal order, must be strong enough to secure the bridge from a coup de main, and be teneable at least as long as is required for laying and firing the trains.

Lofty and spacious market-sheds, for the sale of meat, vegetables, and the various other articles to be found in an Indian Bazaar, have recently been introduced into Bombay. These erections were to be opened about the middle of January, by the holding therein of a horticultural exhibition.

Sponge may be bleached almost snow white by the repetition of the following process: Soak it in diluted muriatic acid ten or twelve hours, then wash it with water, and immerse it in a solution of hyposulphite of soda to which a small quantity of diluted muriatic acid has been added. Wash and dry it.

The Imperial Review says that the increase of business in the railway department of the Board of Trade has rendered necessary the appointment of an additional inspector of railways to the three now employed, and that the post thus created will be filled by Captain Hutchinson, R.E., at present professor of fortification in the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.

A remarkable discovery has been made by Mr.
C. Siemens, which demonstrates in a striking man-
ner the convertibility of dynamic into electric
force. A bar of soft iron, enveloped with copper
wire, not transversely, but in the direction of its
length, if inocnlated in the slightest degree with
magnetism, and then made to rotate rapidly, gene-
rates electricity to such a degree that wire is melted
by the current, and effects are produced which
have hitherto required the aid of an electro-magnet.
The subject is to be brought before the Royal
Society and we, Atheneum, hear, that a similar
discovery by Professor Wheatstone will be noticed
at the same time.

The number of papermakers in the United King-
dom is declining. In 1864, 414 took out licences;
in 1865, 402; in 1866, 392. Smoking, however, is on
the increase, as the Inland Revenue returns show
that in the year 1841, the weight of tobacco con-
sumed in the United Kingdom was less than 14oz.
per head of the population; in 1851, it had risen
to a fraction over 1lb. per head; in 1861, it was
1lb. 34oz.; in 1863, 11b. 43oz.; in 1864, 1lb. 4oz.
A solution of copper in ammonia is said to be a
solvent not only for lignine, and thus for vegetable
fibres generally, but also for animal fibres, as wool
and silk; forming elastic water-proof substances,
and capable of so penetrating one kind of fibre
with a solution of another as to unite certain of
receive and retain the same dies with woollen, and
their qualities; for example, enabling cotton to
with a similar tendency.

Windsor Castle.
Extensive alterations are being carried on in
connecting the Round Tower with the Castle, is
The exterior of the covered way
being entirely refaced, and the wall between the
Third's Tower is also being restored.
Military Knights' residences and King Henry the
grand staircase, which has been in course of erec-
The new
tion for some time past, is gradually approaching
completion.

the serious decline in the English watch trade, one
The Horological Institute are calling attention to
of the reasons being, as they assert, the cost of
stamping the cases at Goldsmiths' Hall. Formerly
now Coventry can send up cases to be stamped,
the Hall could mark London-made cases only, but
and pass them off as "London made." The num-
ber of Swiss watches imported for sale into Eng.
land is about 35,000 annually; the number of
watches manufactured in this country in the year
is about 26,000.

the Atlantic telegraph cable a distance of about
In ascertaining the exact longitude by means of
1,900 miles has been measured, and the measure is
not probably more than 40ft. from the truth. The
time required for a signal to pass through the
cable has been discovered with still greater pre-
not in error by 100th of a second.
cision to be 31-100ths of a second, which is probably
lent to a velocity of 6,020 miles a second, and is
This is equiva-
notably less than the velocity of the electric fluid
shown to average 16,000 miles a second.
upon land lines, which numerous observations have

Dr. Ori, an African traveller of some reputation
in Italy, has just returned to Milan from Soudan.
He has brought with him a very rich botanical col-
lection, part of which will be sent to the Paris Ex.
hibition.

Patents for Inventions.

ABRIDGED SPECIFICA CIONS OF PATENTS
classified, according to the subjects to which the respective
THE Abridged Specifications of Patents given below ar
inventions refer, in the following Table. By the system
of classification adopted, the numerical and chronological
order of the specifications is preserved, and combined with
all the advantages of a division into classes. It should be
understood that these abridgements are prepared exclu-
sively for this Magazine from official copies supplied by
Proprietors of this Magazine. Other papers are hereby
the Government, and are therefore the property of the
warned not to produce them without an acknowledge-

ment:

BOILERS AND FURNACES,-1962, 1935
BUILDINGS AND BUILDING MATERIALS,-1970, 1974, 1994
ÜHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY-1969, 1978

[blocks in formation]

such engines from running away in the event of part of the
The first part of this invention is intended to prevent
engine or driving gear breaking whilst ascending or de-
scending an incline. In order to prevent an engine from
running backwards after such accident whilst ascending an
incline, the patentee proposes to key a ratchet wheel on the
driving axle, and to attach a dog or ratchet to the frame, so
that the axle can revolve forwards, but immediately upon its
falling into the teeth of the ratchet wheel. When it is
attempting to run backwards it is stopped by the dog
desired to back the engine the driver must lift the dog out
of the ratchet wheel. This arrangement is automatic, but
only acts in one direction; and this part of the invention
is equally applicable to locomotive engines and wheeled
engine in either direction, in the event of the engine or
carriages. If it be desired to stop the running away of the
driving gear breaking, the patentee uses two ratchet wheels
with their teeth reversed; or he attaches a deg stop or bolt

to the framing, and connects the same as a lever in such a
way that, by pulling or pushing the lever the driver can
axle.
throw out the dog or bolt, and back the driving wheels or
engines consists of a peculiar arrangement of the engine
The second part of the improvement in traction
itself, whereby no part of the engine is placed on the top of
the boiler, as hitherto practised. He places the two cylin
ders inside the main framing and below the boiler, and bolts
then strongly to a transverse frame, the centre lines of the
of the main frame. The crank shaft is also placed below
said cylinders being parallel to the longitudinal centre line
the boiler, being parallel to the axle of the travelling
wheels, which it actuates by means of a spur pinion and
spur wheel, or an endless chain and stud wheels. The
cessity for bolting or rivetting brackets or other fixtures to
whole of the working parts of the engine being thus placed
below the boiler, and fastened to the main frame, the ne-
the boiler (which is a certain cause of leakage) is thereby
dispensed with; besides which the engine and gea ing work
much more steadily, and the patentee is enabled to place a
steam dome of larger size on the top of the boiler, and

thereby ensure a good supply of dry steam, and prevent

priming. Patent completed.

1958 W. CLARK. Improvements in rotary engines. (A communication.) Dated July 28, 1866.

series of cylinders and pistons upon a revolving drum This invention consists, first, in the arrangement of a mounted on a shaft in combination with a face plate and steam chest, in such a manner that a constant pressure of ports, and adapted to segmental apertures in a stationary leverage and power of the engine will be increased without steam may be alternately applied to the piston where the a corresponding increase in the consumption of steam. provided with trucks or pins, and with a common reciproIt consists, secondly, in the arrangement of one or more curved tracks, in combination with a common crosshead, revolving drum in such a manner that the reciprocating cating piston fitted in a cylinder, which is secured to a motion of the piston is converted into a vibrating motion of the drum and cylinder, whereby a rotary engine of considerable power is obtained. It consists, thirdly, in the the drum containing the said cylinders, in such a manner in combination with the face plate of the cylinders, or of arrangement of a steam chest with an oscillating joint, the motion of the engine thereby reversed. Patent abanthat the said steam chest can be reversed one quarter, and doned.

1959 J. ADAMS. Improvements in the construction of manufacture, also in cartridges to be used therewith. Dated revolver firearms, and in apparatus employed in their July 28, 1866.

quoted here at length, but one portion of the invention is

The specification of this invention is too elaborate to be

it.

carried out as follows:-In constracting revolving fire-arms the patentee takes a forging of iron or steel, which has ver, pistol, or tire-arm, with the solid frame for the revolving been reduced roughly to the form of the barrel of the revolcylinder, and the bres out the barrel from end to end, making also a small hole concentric with the bore in the back of the frame for the r volving cylinder. This forging may either originally have a space left in it for the revolving cylinder, or such a space may be subsequently cut out of He then places the forging between two centres in a hollow which is fixed to a slide rest. One of these centres fits into the bore, and the other into the aforesaid small hole concentric with the bore, and one of these centres travels by means of a screw thread parallel with the bore, of the slide rest up to two revolving cutters, between which in order to secure the, forging firmly and accurately in its proper position. The forging is then advanced by means passes, and is reduced to the proper dimensions, so as to the lower portion of the frame for the revolving cylinder receive the breech-piece hereinafter described. He then transters the forging to another holder, which is fixed to a slide rest, where it is secured between similar centres to those above described. This holder is furnished at one end angles to the barrel of the revolver are obtained with perwith a dividing plate, by means of which all the necessary fect accuracy. The forging is then advanced by means of the slide rest up to one revolving cutter, which in succession performs all the necessary outside cuts to the barrel. The manner in which the forging is held during these operations between centres, as above described, ensures perfect accu

OULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, including agricultural imple- racy in the required thickness of the sides of the barrel,

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,-1789
ments and machines,-1991
FIBROUS FABRICS, including machinery for treating fibres,
pulp, paper, &c.,-1967, 1980, 1988, 1998
FOOD AND BEVERAGES, includin. apparatus for preparing
food for men and animals,-1966, 2000, 2003
FURNITURE AND APPAREL, including housenold utensils,
time-keepers, jewellery, musical instruments, &c.,-
1961, 1964, 1973, 1977, 1993, 1995, 200
GENERAL MACHINERY,-1965, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986,
LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING,-1971, 2002
METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture,

1987, 1990, 1992, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014

1968

MISCELLANEOUS,-1972, 1997, 2007, 2008

and also ensures that all the barrels shall be alike. He then lays the work on a metal holder with the barrel between two studs or blocks thereon, and he passes a spindle fitting the barrel accurately down the barrel and through corresponding holes in hardened steel bushes fitted into the studs or blocks. The work is in this way accurately set on the holder for two pas ages or holes to be bored underneath the barrel and truly parallel to the bore thereof. ing cylinder, and the other the plunger of the ramming One of these holes is to receive the pin or axis of the revolvbushes fitted in the aforesaid studs or blocks on the holders, appara us. To ensure the required truth in the positions and directions of these holes there are other hardened steel and the drill is guided up to the work by the passages in these bushes with constant uniformity. Then in order to

« EelmineJätka »