THE STEAM AUTO.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 18

THE STEAM AUTO.

WILL IT RETURN?

An exhaustive and interesting article in the "Scientific American" points to the possibility that the steam automobile may return to stay. The writer s^ys: — } There has recently been tested in Niew York traffic a steam bus which has been so successful that the old questions of the relative value of steam and gasoline propulsion have heeu revived with considerable pertinency. Steam of 6001b per square inch pressure is generated in a seamless, welded boiler of entirely new construction, the upper part being of the fire-tube type, while the lower part is of water-tube design, the roll of the tubes being welded to the 'boiler head. Between the above two parts is placed the first superheater. Steam is drawn through this to the throttle, which is operated by foot, from whence it passes to the second superheater, which forms the lining of the burner, and is then delivered to the engine. Twelve independent water coils all feed a common reservoir, and they are arranged so that, should one coil prove defective, it can be cut out by merely turning a valve. The boiler weighs 4001b, and delivers ISS h.p. It is the invention of Frank J. Curran. A vaporising type of burner is used with a specially-designed pilot light, both of which burn any grade of fuel oil, kerosene or gasoline, between 23 and (>sj gravity, without change of adjustments. A steam bus with 11 tons load was driven over various grades in the outskirts of the city, averaging better than eight miles per gallon. The engine is of the three-cylinder reciprocating, simple, uniflow type with improved valve action, which regulates cut offs from full stroke to 5 per cent. Tests show that one horsepower is developed for every 221b of- steam consumed. The engine takes the place of the usual clutch and gear housing in the gas aiitomobile. The exhaust steam enters a radiator, or condensing system, from which the water returns to a reserve tank. From this tank a small positive-feed pump supplies the boiler again as needed, the water level being controlled by an automatic regulator. An ingenious hand pump makes it possible to operate the contributory devices to the boiler and burner by 'hand instantly at any time the automatic devices should fail. The throttle has an automatic by-pass or cylinder relief; when the throttle is closed the pressure m the steam chest and cylinder is immediately by-passed to the condenser. The engine becomes dead as Soo n as the foot-pedal \hrottle is released, and itself acts as a brake when desired thus relieving the wheel brakes when'stopping.