Mechanism of a Petrol Motor.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 3, 2 January 1906, Page 56

Mechanism of a Petrol Motor.

A, petrol inlet to carburetter B ; B, carburetter ; C, throttle, or air gas inlet control ; D, air inlet to carburetter ; E, float ; F, petrol level ; G, air gas discharge pipe to valve box ; H, valve box; J, valve ; X,

mixture lever ; L, air inlet to valve box H valve M, inlet valve for the mixture ; N, exhaust for the exploded charge ; Ni, exhaust outlet ; N2, muffler ; N3, valve for controlling the muffler (when open it discharges into the open air, when closed it follows arrow points) ; O, cylinder ; Oi, water jacket ; P, piston ; Q, connecting rod ; R, crank pm ; S, crank arms or counter weights , T, crank shaft ; U, fly wheel ; V, exhaust valve rod ; Vi, plunger for lifting exhaust valve ; W, cam for lifting plunger ; Wi, two to one shaft ; X, spark plug ; V, two to one toothed wheel ; Z, two to one pinion; Ai, clutch; Bi, transmission gearing; Ci, make and break contact; Di, brushes; El, batteries , Fi, switch for using two batteries ; Gi, jump spark coil ; Hi, wire to engine or ground ; Ji, wire to plugX.

A recent English patent is an improved motor car radiator. The radiator is composed of thin, flat, vertical tubes spaced by horizontal gills of that section, viewed endwise. These gills are perforated so that the air may pass vertically through, as well as horizontally along them, giving greater cooling effect. The flanges of the gills are also serrated. The radiator is surmounted by a filling cap of special form, maintained in space in the filling neck by balls thrust outwardly by springs. The balls press against an inclined rim and so keep the cap closed tightly. Should pressure increase within, the cap is raised slightly and steam allowed to escape, }he balls being forced inwards by the inclined rim.

A few months ago Mr. C. W. Darley, M.lnst.C.E., inspecting and consulting engineer for New South Wales Government in London, reported strongly in favour of the adoption of motor buses by the Railway and Tramway Department of that State. In his opinion, motor omnibuses are exactly suitable for the roads and conditions of traffic there. Mr. Deane, the late engmeer-in-chief for railway construction in New South Wales, also holds a similar view. He has forwarded to Sydney the results of interviews he has had here with officials and managers of British railway companies on their experiences. He considers that there is a wide field of usefulness for motor buses in Sydney, to run in conjunction with and as feeders to the State electric trams. The Railway Commissioners in New South Wales, upon the receipt of these communications, went into the matter, and reported to the Government in favour of expending 111 experiments with motor omnibuses to be employed as tramcar and tram feeders, and also to test new routes for which demands are made by the inhabitants for trams or trains. Further, the buses are to be used for another purpose, shown by the following extract from the Commissioners' report :—": — " Whilst it is not expected that motor omnibuses would be able to compete successfully 111 this State with trams on long-distance routes, they might be able to do so in selected portions of existing routes or along parallel streets. Should this prove to be the case, it would, if competition were established, be difficult to deal with the question, and for this reason — having due regard to the fact that of public money has been expended on the tramway system — it might be prudent to anticipate it." Upon this report the Ministry brought in a Bill to empower the State to run motor omnibuses, and this measure was carried through both Houses of Parliament with

but little opposition. Should the experimental buses now being sent out to Sydney be as successful as it is hoped they will, the Railway Commissioners intend to build the bodies of the other vehicles which will be required in the State, but to continue to import the chassis from Great Britain.

A powerful new motor fire engine has just been built for the Johannesburg Corpoiation by Msssrs. Merryweather and Sons, Limited The engine, which will be the first of its kind in South Africa, is capable of pumping 500 gallons a minute, and is to travel at a speed of 30 miles an hour. The motive power is steam, and the firing is done with common paraffin. The engine has double cylinders and pumps, and is fitted with solid rubber tyres. The machine carries fuel and water for several hours' continuous running. It can turn out within one minute of the alarm being given, the motor not only running the engine to the scene of the fire, but being ready at the same moment for pumping work. The engine carries 10 men and 1,000 feet of hose. A similar machine is being built for Capetown.

The Russell patent pneumatic steel tyre is another attempt to deal with the ever-present tyre question. In this arrangement we find circumferential bands and galvanised steel hooks restraining flat tread pieces of the same metal, the edges of which are upturned in the shape of lugs to secure on the tread of the tyre the stone rubber tread. Whether this tyre is likely to solve the whole question or not must remain for experience to prove, but from examination on the stand it appears to us that considerable wear and friction would be set up by grit engaging with the innumerable hooks and links of which the sides of the tyre are composed. — J. Russell and Co., 4-5, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.