AIR CONDITIONING

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1933, Page 13

AIR CONDITIONING

A MOTORING POSSIBILITY

People who are following^the subject of air conditioning —a subject very much .to the ;fore in America at the present time in connection with factories^ offices, and houses—will lie interested to know that the'principle is being studied .from, the motoring point of view.:and that an air., conditioned car has actually made, its' debut. It is not, however,-in production, but has been developed' with the object of delnonstratijig what can be accomplished, and theiadvantafjes to be derived from such a'ear infuse. ' The', following are' extracts from a report fbllQwing a test ride in the machine in the 4ity of Now York:— "Those who rode in it felt cool and comfortable in the midst of traffic heavy with fumes; and heard only faint echoes of roaring elevated trains and clattering trolley cars (i.e., tram's).* v "The air conditioner is intended particularly for driving in extremes of weather and for use on long trips which may lead over dusty or sandy i stretches. In addition to acting' as-, a car heater and cooler, the device by purifying the air also tends to prevent car-sickness due to petrol and exhaiist vapours. It quickly dissipates smoke in the car. V' ■ ' ' ■ '. The device is for, use only in closed types of cars, such as coupes, sedans, and limousines.; A mechanical signalling arrangement to indicate. ;when the driver wishes to turn or stop would have to bo used in conjunction with the air conditioner in cars whose' touneau may not be shut off -.from the driver's compartment. Its application to buses is also being studied. "The-air conditioned unit for cars is a compact edition of similar devices now on the market for "homes and .offices. With the car windows all closefl, air is brought in through a duct which filters- itj removing dirt and dust,theii passed- over coils which cool it in summer and, heat it in winter. The air conditioner may bo turned on or o2 by means.of a switch:! :. "While-at present the air conditioner, for ears is not produced commercially, if has been dovclopcd to tho point'of. practical use and needs only perfecting before it can be generally applied." ' :