BRITISH RESEARCH RESULTS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 3

BRITISH RESEARCH RESULTS

UNCANNY PRECISION. MAKING THE CAR BETTER. Some details of experiments and apparatus of great interest to motorists were.given to visitors at the annual inspection of the National Physical Laboratory of England. In the engineering department, for example there was on view a small model vehicle used to determine the effects of skidding of variations of the braking arrangements and of the weight distribution. A special propelling apparatus operated by weights and pulleys gave the model any desired initial velocity. Another exhibit which attracted much attention was the experimental trailer designed ifor use in tests to determine the relative destructive effect on roads of wheels of different sizes and the tractive resistance of wheels fitted with tyres of different types. The dynamometer fitted on this trailer was capable of measuring the tractive resistance to an accuracy of 21b while the speed and distance travelled were also recorded.

Of considerable interest also were the highly sensitive instruments used for recording the disturbances of the ground due to traffic. These instruments are designed for the measurements of the amplitude and periodicity rtf vibrations set up by vehicular traffic, and records are obtained of the vibrations in vertical and horizontal direction, to a magnification of 1000. Both instruments are readily pc.'table and a vibration record can be obtained in a few minutes.

AH these experiments were being car ried out on behalf of the British 'Ministry of Transport. In the photometry division red rear reflectors for bicycles are tested for the makers or any private individual. The reflectors are set up afr one end of a long photometric tunnel, and illuminated by a- motor-car headlight beam of 2000 candle-power. The reflected light from the device is then compared with other red lights, which can be varied in intensity at the will rtf the observer, Gear research includes the study of the effects on the efficiency of transmission power and on the life of gears, of the common errors which occur in practice in the formation of gear teeth Among the objects of interest in the metallurgy department were specimens of new alloy representing some of the results obtained in recent researches on the ; production rtf materials for use at very high temperatures. The development of modern internal combustion engine has created a strong demamP'for metals and alloys capable of standing relatively large forces at high temperatures, and this requirement is :npw:.being met: to..a remarkable degree:.