Professor Ayrton.

Progress, Volume IV, Issue 6, 1 April 1909, Page 190

Professor Ayrton.

The intelligence of the death of Professor W. E. Ayrton, F.R.S., which occurred in the early morning of the Bth December, will be deeply regretted throughout the world of electrical engineering and physical science. As Professor of Physics at the Central Technical College since the foundation of that renowned institution in 1884, Professor Ayrton was most intimately connected with the early training of a very large number of engineers, a great proportion of whom now occupy leading positions in every part of the world, and who will all receive the sad news with painful surprise, for the deceased Professor was only sixty-one years of age, and was one who always took the liveliest interest in the work and welfare of his pupils engaged in the world of business. Educated at University College, London, "Sir. Ayrton entered the Indian Government Telegraph service in 1867, and from 1873 to 1878 was Professor of Natural Philosophy and Telegraphy at the Imperial College of Engineering, Japan, where he was intimately associated with Professor J. Perry. The results of the electrical and physical researches of this collaboration are known to everyone connected with electrical matters.

Professor Ayrton was president of the mathematics and physics sections of the British Association in 1888, president of the Physical Society, 1891-92, and president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers ia 1892.

The electric locomotive is fast demonstrating its superiority over its steam rival in America, more especially for tunnel work. Many of the largest tunnels are being fitted for them. * * # Electric generators were first adapted to be coupled to reciprocating engines, and hence were designed for comparatively slow speed. When it came to coupling the generator to a turbine it was necessary to operate it at a lower speed than was economical, so as to accommodate it to the slow-speed generator. Recently generators adapted for high-speed service have been designed and a special type of turbine, known as the double-flow turbine, is used to operate these generators. There are several 10,000-kilowatt two-pole machines now under construction adapted to operate at 1500 revolutions per minute. # # # The value of electricity for heating purposes is illustrated in a new electric glue pot which has recently been placed on the market. The economy of the device lies in the fact that the maximum amount of heat may be applied instantly when needed, while the glue may be kept warm at all times by a reduced flow of current through the heating coils The glue pot consists of a cup in which the glue is placed, and which is set in a casing filled with water. The electric heater is attached to the pot immediately below the water. A hot-water receptacle is provided in which the blushes may be kept. -:<= # * While a further trial is to be given to the surface contact tramway section of the London County Council, under the direction of Mr Mordey, the general future of this method of current collection appears to be much less favourable than was anticipated a year or two ago. The National Electric Construction Company, which has had experience of the Dolter system at Mexborough and Torquay, is now endeavouring to persuade the Oxford Corporation to vary the terms of its agreement for tramway construction in that city, so that instead of surface contact the conduit system shall be used in the centre of the town and the overhead elsewhere. So far the corporation is somewhat emphatically opposed to the change, and it will be interesting to observe future developments, as Oxford is certainly not a promising site tor conduit construction throughout, while, on the other hand, the famous High street is probably more picturesque without trolley wires. If the proposed surface contact system is unsound, theiefore, there seems to be no reasonable alternative to the company's proposal.