MARINE DIESEL ENGINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 10

MARINE DIESEL ENGINES

NORTHERNER'S INVENTION WIDE USE EXPECTED VICKERS BUY BRITISH RIGHTS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] , KOHUKOHU. Wednesday A device which is expected to make a great improvement in the efficiency of largo marine Diesel engines has been invented by a resident of Kohukohu, Mr. H. D. Dall, who has already sold the British and Canadian rights to tho Vinkers organisation for £SOOO, plus a substantial royalty. Mr. Dall is an engineer of long experience in Britain and other parts of the world. His device, described as a pnlsator valve, dispenses with the need for extremely high-pressure fuel injection in largo Diesel engines. It is claimed to reduce the fuel consumption by 10 per cent, and tho first cost of engines by from 8 to 12 per cent. On a 10,000 liorse-powor Diesel ship, this is equivalent to a saving of from £6OOO to £BOOO on first cost of machinery, and from £25 to £3O a day on cost of fuel.

In the ordinary Diesel engine the fuel is injected by an air blast at a pressure of 10001b. to 12001b. to tho square inch, through an extremely small aperture of .0025 in. to .0040 in. in diameter. This was liable to cause trouble by becoming choked. Moreover, the protracted period of injection rendered it impossible to make engines of more than 100 horse-power to 120 horse-power per cylinder. Mr. Dall'a pulsator valve, which is inserted in the pipe conveying fuel to tho injector, is claimed to do away with these drawbacks. It enables tho use of an aperture three-sixteenths of an inch or more {n diameter. Tho British and Canadian rights have been Bold to Vickers, Limited, the well-known British shipbuilding firm, for £SOOO, plus a royalty of 2s 6d a horse-power on all engines constructed in Britain and Canada. Negotiations have been opened with a leading firm of shipbuilders in Italy, which has paid a deposit of £l5O for a 60 days' option to purchase the Italian rights for a sum of £SOOO.

Mr Ball states that the invention Is so important and necessary that several other countries are expected to apply for rights. If it comes into general use his returns will be very large indeed. He estimates that on two ships now building for Canadian owners the royalty payment, if the device were incorporated, would bo £2500. . The discovery, according to Mr. Dall, was made in quite a simple way about 15 years ago. At that time he had insufficient capital to patent the idea, but about three years ago he developed the patent, and at a cost of £6OO had it protected in every country except Russia. Mr. Dall served in an engineering capacity with the British, forces during the Great War, and subsequently camo to New Zealand as representative of a company interested in the marketing of Diesel engines. He retired a few 3'ears ago and took over the management of. the Kohukohu Hotel,, but he has retained his keen interest in all matters -appertaining to Diesel engine developments,