Part 8
IMPROVED WATER WHEEL.
Isaac Mallery, Dryden, N. Y.--This invention relates to downward discharge turbine water wheels; and it consists in the employment, in combination with a stationary chute case and an independent adjustable frame, of a series of gates, which are pivoted to this frame and adjustable to the periphery of said case. The bucket wheel is formed of curved and inclined buckets arranged around a hub, and applied to a cap ring and a skirting. This wheel is keyed on a driving shaft, stepped on a bridge, and passed up through a tubular sleeve, which is cast on the top of a cylindrical chute or guide case. This case is rigidly secured to the base or bed frame, and constructed with oblique issues, which direct the currents of inflowing water against the buckets of the wheel.
IMPROVED VALVE MOTION FOR STEAM ENGINES.
Henry Haering, New York city.--This is an improved device for operating the slide valve of a steam engine from the piston rod of said engine, in such a way that the valve will be moved slightly to partially uncover the inlet and exhaust ports as the piston completes its stroke, and its motion will be continued in the same direction as the piston begins to move upon the return stroke, until the ports are fully opened, and will then stand still, with the ports fully open, until the piston has nearly completed its return stroke. It consists in the combination of a three-armed bar, two levers, connecting bar, and connecting lever, with the piston rod and the valve stem of a steam engine; and in the combination of a lockbar, spring, two cylinders, and pin, with the two levers and the three-armed bar. As the piston approaches the end of its stroke, the upper end of an upright arm of a bar strikes the concaved side of the upper part of one of the levers operating it, and moving the slide valve to close the ports and admit steam in front of the piston. As the piston begins its return stroke the inclined upper surface of one of the side arms of the three-armed bar comes in contact with the lower end of the said lever, and continues its motion in the same direction, fully opening the said inlet port, which remains fully open until the piston has again nearly completed its stroke.
IMPROVED REVERSIBLE ECCENTRIC.
George G. Lafayette and Pitt W. Strong, Brockville, Ontario, Canada.--This is an improved device to act as a substitute for the link motion on a reversible engine, or for adjusting the stroke of a boiler-feed pump, while in motion, so as to regulate the amount of feed water supplied to the boiler, without the use of an overflow pipe and cock, and keeping thereby the pump constantly in motion, which will save the annoyance frequently experienced in pumps by their refusing to prime after having been stopped for a short time. It may be further used to control the speed of all kinds of engines, whether with plain slide valve or with a cut-off valve working on top of the other by connecting directly to the device a suitable governor, so as to automatically shorten and lengthen the stroke of the valve, and give a uniform motion to the engine under different loads.
IMPROVED EXPANDING REAMER.
Robert Blair, San Francisco, Cal.--In this improved tool there is a clamping bolt by which the cutters are clamped fast after being adjusted. The cutters are arranged to slide directly across the stock in dovetail grooves, and are slotted to slide along the clamping bolt and washers, by which they are clamped fast after they are adjusted to the position required by a toothed pinion and racks. The pinion is arranged in the stock between the cutters, and the shaft extends out of the end of the stock, with a nick in the end for a screwdriver to turn it.
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NEW MISCELLANEOUS INVENTIONS.
IMPROVED TORTOISE-SHELL HANDLE.
Christian W. Schaefer, New York city.--The object of this invention is to mount the handles of canes, umbrellas, parasols, whips, opera glasses, and similar articles with a tortoise-shell covering, in such a manner that the present inefficient mode of attaching the same by glue may be dispensed with, the covering attached in tightly fitting and durable manner, and the joint or weld of the edges be not noticeable in the least.
IMPROVED HAND STAMP.
Leonard Tilton, Brooklyn, E.D., N. Y.--This invention consists in novel devices for giving positive rotation to the stamp heads after the impressions are made, in combination with a reciprocating inking pad, and in means for adjusting the throw of the inking pad with respect to the printing faces of the stamp heads.
IMPROVED BUCKLE.
John Fenton, Indianapolis, Ind.--This invention is an improved buckle, neat in appearance, strong and durable, which may be easily fastened and unfastened, which will not require the strap to be perforated, and will hold it securely in any position into which it may be adjusted. The buckle is formed of a plate having holes in its middle part to receive the rivets by which it is secured to the strap, and having cross slots formed in its ends to receive the free end of the said strap, and the eccentric, having its outer side corrugated radially, and provided with a handle.
IMPROVED LIQUID DIFFUSER.
George M. Smyth, Brooklyn, N. Y.--This invention consists in the combination of an air compressor, an air reservoir, and a receptacle for the liquid, and an arrangement of pipes and nozzles for atomizing the liquid. An air compressor of any ordinary construction is connected with the reservoir by a pipe, in which two stopcocks are placed. There is a receptacle for containing the liquid to be diffused or atomized. A pipe passes through a stopper placed in the neck of the said receptacle, and extends nearly to the bottom of the same, and its upper end is provided with a stopcock and nozzle. A nozzle is arranged at right angles to the first-mentioned nozzle, and is attached to a brace that is secured to the pipe.
IMPROVED OIL CAN.
John Graves, New York city, assignor to himself and James L. Miller, Westfield, N. J.--This is an improved case for packing oil cans for transportation, the case furnishing the additional facility that the can may be readily inserted into the same and tilted for use. The invention consists of a wooden projecting case with side slots, in which trunnions of the can are guided and supported for swinging the can on pivot hooks, which serve also for the purpose of locking the lid to the case.
IMPROVED HARNESS TUGS.
Charles Hauff, Ashland, O.--The body of the carrier is made in the form of a ring with outwardly projecting flanges around its edges. The strap is passed around the ring in the groove formed by its flanges, and its inner end is sewed to its body at the side. Small wedge-shaped blocks of leather are inserted in the angle between the parts of the strap where they meet and the ring, which angular blocks are covered by angular projection of the flanges of the ring.
IMPROVED COMPOSITION FOR CASTING ORNAMENTAL FIGURES.
August Kiesele, New York city.--This consists in a composition formed by the admixture of dry pulverized sugar, melted paraffin, and stearine. It is poured into moulds and allowed to cool. The article is then removed from the mould, and powdered starch or sugar is dusted over it to destroy the gloss and give it the appearance of alabaster.
IMPROVED PEN RACK.
Harvey W. Forman, Golden City, Col.--This consists of an upper frame with intercrossing wires, forming wide spaces or meshes, and of a second frame with closer wires below the same, for holding the pen in upright position, in connection with a bottom pad or absorbent below the rack frames.
IMPROVED STOPPER FOR MUCILAGE BOTTLE.
James Tilghman, New York city.--This is a combined brush and stopper, consisting essentially of a handle having a stem and a flat end corresponding to the top of the cork. The brush has a flat head, corresponding to the bottom of the cork. The cork is interposed between the said head and end of the handle, and held in place by the central stem.
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BUSINESS AND PERSONAL.
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_The Charge for Insertion under this head is One Dollar a line for each insertion. If the Notice exceeds four lines, One Dollar and a Half per line will be charged._
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Metallic Letters and Figures to put on patterns of castings, all sizes. H. W. Knight, Seneca Falls, N. Y.
How to make Violins--Write J. Ranger, Syracuse, N. Y.
Blake's Belt Studs.--The best and cheapest fastening for Rubber or Leather Belts. Greene, Tweed & Co., 18 Park place, N. Y.
All kinds of new Lift and Force Pumps for all purposes, at half price, or trade for firearms or tools. W. P. Hopkins, Lawrence, Mass.
Steam Yacht for sale. 31 feet long, 6½ beam; new. John Howard, No. 1720 Rittinhouse st., Philadelphia.
Mothers make selections for themselves uptown, but they always go to Baldwin the Clothier in New York and Brooklyn for boys' outfits.
Wanted--The Agency of small article of merit or novelty for the Hardware or House furnishing lines. W. M. Ernst & Co., 26 Cliff street, New York.
Thermometers and Hydrometers for scientific and other purposes. Goldbacher, 98 Fulton street, N. Y.
For Sale.--One 3 ft. Planer, $195; one 8 ft. do., $350; one 26" Lathe, $295; one 22" do., $175; one 15" do., $120. At Shearman's, 132 North 3d street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Inventors.--Send 10 cents for the "Journal of Invention," 4 months. 37 Park Row, N. Y. Room 2.
Reliable Oak Leather and Rubber Belting. A specialty of Belting for high speed and hard work. Charles W. Arny, Manufacturer, Phila., Pa. Send for price lists.
Shaw's Noise-Quieting Nozzles for Escape Pipes of Locomotives, Steamboats, etc. Quiets all the noise of high pressure escaping steam without any detriment whatever. T. Shaw, 915 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
For 13, 15, 16, and 18 in. Swing Screw-Cutting Engine Lathes, address Star Tool Company, Providence, R. I.
John T. Noye & Son, Buffalo, N. Y., are Manufacturers of Burr Mill Stones and Flour Mill Machinery of all kinds, and dealers in Dufour & Co.'s Bolting Cloth. Send for large illustrated catalogue.
Removal.--Fitch & Meserole, Manufacturers of Electrical Apparatus, and Bradley's Patent Naked Wire Helices, have removed to 40 Cortlandt St., N. Y. Experimental work.
Power & Foot Presses, Ferracute Co., Bridgeton, N. J.
For Best Presses, Dies, and Fruit Can Tools, Bliss & Williams, cor. of Plymouth and Jay Sts., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lead Pipe, Sheet Lead. Bar Lead, and Gas Pipe. Send for prices. Bailey, Farrell & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hydraulic Presses and Jacks, new and second hand. Lathes and Machinery for Polishing and Buffing metals. E. Lyon & Co., 470 Grand St., N. Y.
Solid Emery Vulcanite Wheels--The Solid Original Emery Wheel--other kinds imitations and inferior. Caution.--Our name is stamped in full on all our best Standard Belting, Packing, and Hose. Buy that only. The best is the cheapest. New York Belting and Packing Company, 37 and 38 Park Row, N. Y.
Steel Castings from one lb. to five thousand lbs. Invaluable for strength and durability. Circulars free. Pittsburgh Steel Casting Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Leather and Rubber Belting, Packing, Hose, and Manufacturers' Supplies. Send for list. Greene, Tweed & Co., 18 Park place, N. Y.
For Solid Wrought Iron Beams, etc., see advertisement. Address Union Iron Mills, Pittsburgh, Pa., for lithograph, etc.
Blank Book Back-Shaping Machine. Illustrated circular free. Frank Thomas & Co., Home St., Cincinnati, O.
Hand Fire Engines, Lift and Force Pumps for fire and all other purposes. Address Rumsey & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., U. S. A.
Help for the weak, nervous, and debilitated. Chronic and painful diseases cured without medicine. Pulvermacher's Electric Belts are the desideratum. Book, with full particulars, mailed free. Address Pulvermacher Galvanic Co., 292 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio.
Silver Solder and small Tubing. John Holland, Cincinnati, Manufacturer of Gold Pens and Pencil Cases.
Patent Scroll and Band Saws. Best and cheapest in use. Cordesman, Egan & Co., Cincinnati, O.
Mill Stone Dressing Diamonds. Simple, effective, and durable. J. Dickinson, 64 Nassau St., N. Y.
Best Glass Oilers. Cody & Ruthven, Cincinnati, O.
For Boult's Paneling, Moulding, and Dovetailing Machine, and other wood-working machinery, address B.C. Machinery Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
Chester Steel Castings Co. make castings for heavy gearing, and Hydraulic Cylinders where great strength is required. See their advertisement, page 30.
Reliable information given on all subjects relating to Mechanics, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Steam Engines, and Boilers, by A. F. Nagle, M.E., Providence. R. I.
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NOTES & QUERIES
It has been our custom for thirty years past to devote a considerable space to the answering of questions by correspondents; so useful have these labors proved that the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN office has become the factotum, or headquarters, to which everybody sends, who wants special information upon any particular subject. So large is the number of our correspondents, so wide the range of their inquiries, so desirous are we to meet their wants and supply correct information, that we are obliged to employ the constant assistance of a considerable staff of experienced writers, who have the requisite knowledge or access to the latest and best sources of information. For example, questions relating to steam engines, boilers, boats, locomotives, railways, etc., are considered and answered by a professional engineer of distinguished ability and extensive practical experience. Inquiries relating to electricity are answered by one of the most able and prominent practical electricians in this country. Astronomical queries by a practical astronomer. Chemical inquiries by one of our most eminent and experienced professors of chemistry; and so on through all the various departments. In this way we are enabled to answer the thousands of questions and furnish the large mass of information which these correspondence columns present. The large number of questions sent--they pour in upon us from all parts of the world--renders it impossible for us to publish all. The editor selects from the mass those that he thinks most likely to be of general interest to the readers of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. These, with the replies, are printed; the remainder go into the waste basket. Many of the rejected questions are of a primitive or personal nature, which should be answered by mail; in fact, hundreds of correspondents desire a special reply by post, but very few of them are thoughtful enough to inclose so much as a postage stamp. We could in many cases send a brief reply by mail if the writer were to inclose a small fee, a dollar or more, according to the nature or importance of the case. When we cannot furnish the information, the money is promptly returned to the sender.
J. P. D. will find directions for colored whitewash on pp. 235, 236, vol. 36.--A. M. will find directions for electroplating on p. 59, vol. 36.--H. P. can recover silver from photographers' waste by the process detailed on p. 250, vol. 27.--A. W. A.'s difficulty as to 64 and 65 squares in the puzzle can be solved by an inspection of the diagrams on p. 323, No. 21, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SUPPLEMENT.--I. A. will find a description of a magneto-electric machine on p. 195, vol. 34. A clock thus would go for 12 hours, and wind itself at the same time for 12 hours more, if such a machine could exist, would be a perpetual motion. As to tempering small drills, see p. 186, vol. 26.--R. B. can prevent rust on iron or steel by the means described on p. 26, vol. 25. For a recipe for a depilatory, see p. 186, vol. 34.--A. T. R. is informed that the hydrocarbon engine is reversible.--T. W. will find directions for making sand belts on p. 235, vol. 36.--M. G. should address a manufacturer of oxygen cylinders.--J. S. C., who inquires as to a water fountain, sizes of pipes, etc., should send us a sketch with dimensions.--O. L. is informed that the proper way to ascertain the relative strengths of corrugated and plain sheet metal is by experiment.--G. H. B. will find directions for making colored printing inks on p. 90, vol. 36.--P. M. will find on p. 250, vol. 36, directions for making a polishing starch.--C. H. B. can braze the ends of his brass plate to make a cylinder of it. See p. 219, vol. 36.--W. H. C. is informed that his method of fluting reamers is not new.--C. C. G. will find his method of raising coal or other weights impracticable.--E. S. G. had better test so simple an experiment and satisfy himself.--W. H. C. is informed that the most satisfactory plan would be to get his tools nickel-plated.
(1) J. H. N., of Christ Church, New Zealand, asks: Is the stearin from which the olein has been extracted by Dr. Mott's process fit to be made at once into good stearin candles, without any further treatment? A. Yes.
(2) B. B. says: I wish to express the strongest coloring matter from certain herbs, sage leaves, for instance. How can it best be done cheaply and quickly? Evaporation during several days, after boiling and simmering, has the effect; but it is inconveniently slow. The color produced is a medium brown. A. Dry the leaves, etc., thoroughly, and grind to a fine powder. Digest this for several days in enough warm water to thoroughly moisten it throughout. Then add enough wood naphtha to make a stiff paste, and after standing an hour transfer to a fine linen bag and express the thick liquid in a screw press. 2. Is there anything that will set the color? A. Try a strong hot solution of alum.
(3) H. K. F. M. says: I have a box made of Bohemian crystal. The cover, which was held to the box by a brass frame, has come apart from its frame. It seemed to have been cemented by a hard substance resembling plaster of Paris. How can I make it? A. Boil 3 parts powdered rosin for sometime with 1 part of caustic soda and 5 parts of water; then stir into the soap formed one half its weight of plaster of Paris, and use immediately.
(4) F. N. Y. asks: Would a canvas bag, coated with a varnish made of india rubber dissolved in naphtha, be suitable to hold oxygen gas? A. Yes; but bags made of double pieces of cloth, cemented together with the varnish, are better.
(5) J. A. B. asks: Is there any difference between electricity and magnetism? A. Electricity and magnetism are supposed to be manifestations of the same force whose actions are produced at right angles to each other; the action which occurs in the line of polarization being called electricity, and the one at right angles to this line, magnetism. There is an important difference between them, however, as electricity is essentially a dynamic force, while magnetism is purely static.
1. Is not the idea of the world moving around the sun in an elliptic form absurd? A. No. 2. My idea is that the north star is the center of the universe, or in fact is the magnet that all the suns or fixed stars move around, and that the attraction of the pole of the earth, although it moves around the sun, is the cause of the change of seasons, or, in other words, the angle of light. A. There is nothing whatever to support the idea. But a supposed center of the universe has really been designated by some astronomers.
(6) P. S. asks: How much copper wire does it require to construct an electro-magnet that will uphold 100 lbs., and what size of wire should be used? A. Probably 500 or 600 feet of No. 14 copper wire would be sufficient with 3 or 4 very large size Grove cells and cores about 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.
(7) H. S. B. says: Water falls about 16 feet per second. My overshot water wheel moves about 4 feet per second. Do I in that way lose that percentage of the actual power of the water? A. Not necessarily.
(8) C. N. B. asks: Can a steam engine be worked with compressed air the same as with steam? A. Generally speaking, it can; but not in every respect.
(9) J. Y. says: If all the measures of length, surface, and capacity in the world, and all the weights were lost, by what means could new ones be made corresponding exactly with those we now have? A. It would be impossible, as all the measures in use refer to certain arbitrary standards.
(10) R. B. G. asks: If a horse be pulling at the end of a lever and traveling 3 miles an hour, how many lbs. pressure against his collar must he exert, to raise 33,000 lbs. 1 foot per minute? A. The force exerted by the animal will depend upon the length of the lever, which should be given.
(11) C. H. McK. asks: Would a pump so constructed as to create an incessant suction draw water an indefinite distance, or how far would it draw it? A. Such a pump would raise water no higher than any other that was equally tight.
(12) J. W. says: I wish to get some boilers made about 12 inches in diameter and 13 inches deep. I want them to stand a pressure corresponding to 400° Fah°. Do you think it would be safe to have them made of cast iron? A. We think it will be better to use wrought iron. Make the shell about 7/16 of an inch thick.
(13) J. R. S. says, in reply to E. W. P., who says that he has an artesian well which does not flow; but from which he pumps by inserting a pipe inside the well tubing, and asks: "If we attach the pump to the well tubing directly, allowing no air to enter the tube, would it not be like trying to pump water from an airtight barrel?" If such were the case, the drive well would be a miserable failure; for in all drive wells the pump is attached directly to the tube. I would advise E. W. P. to attach his pump to the well tube direct, and he will gain three times the amount of water that he now gets. By having his pump attached to the well tube directly, the working of the pump creates a vacuum, and the atmospheric pressure on the earth's surface violently forces the liquid to fill the vacuum thus formed, thereby giving a much greater amount of water than can be otherwise obtained. It is a well established fact that more water can be obtained by the drive well than by any other. A. In our answer to E. W. P., it will be evident, we think, to most of our readers, that we only referred to the case in which the well had no connection with the atmosphere, when the pipe was tightly fitted. It appears, however, that it might have been better to have stated this more definitely, and we gladly embrace the opportunity afforded by the interesting letters of our correspondents. We would be glad to receive from J. R. S. some experimental data in proof of his assertion as to the great gain from a tight connection. This also answers J. T. G. and W. H. F.
(14) H. H. S. says: 1. Given, a boat with a 35 feet keel, of 6 feet beam, with fine lines; also a two-cylinder engine, each cylinder 4 x 5 inches; and a wheel 28 inches in diameter and of 3½ feet pitch. Will an upright boiler, with 135 square feet heating surface, and 4 square feet grate surface, be sufficient to run the engine at 250 or 300 revolutions per minute with 100 lbs. steam? A. With good coal and a forced draft, the boiler may be large enough. 2. What will be the probable speed of boat? A. In smooth water, 7 to 8 miles an hour.
(15) F. A. asks: What would be a safe outside pressure for a cylinder of wrought iron, ½ inch thick and 4 feet in diameter, and 8 feet long? A. According to tables given in Wilson's "Treatise on Steam Boilers," the working pressure for such a tube would be about 65 lbs. per square inch.