Lapas attēli
PDF
ePub

LIST OF ENGLISH AND SCOTCH PATENTS FOR AUGUST.

peasantry instead of the obrok or fine they, as serfs, would have to pay their baron.

The proprietor of this manufactory is an accomplished and amiable nobleman ; his experiment in this case has been highly successful.

One great evil is the impossibility hitherto experienced of keeping the roots any length of time, which makes it expedient they should be worked as soon as possible after they are taken from the ground,

I have been favoured with a specimen of raw and refined sugar from these works, of which I send you a small sample, and am only sorry the distance does not allow me to send a larger one. The Russian lb. is equal to 14 oz. English; a pood 40 lbs. Russia 36 lbs. English; a rouble 100 copecks; sterling value 10d.

=

Your constant reader,

[blocks in formation]

LIST OF ENGLISH PATENTS, GRANTED BE-
TWEEN THE 27TH OF JULY AND 25TH
OF AUGUST, 1836.

Nathan Bailey, of Leicester, frame-smith, for certain improvements in, or additions to, machinery for manufacturing stocking fabric. August 1; six months to specify.

John Thomas Betts, of Smithfield Bars, London, rectifier, for improvements in the process of preparing spirituous liquors in the making of brandy; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. August 3; six months.

Webster Flockton, of the Spa-road, Bermondsey, turpentine and tar distiller, for certain inprovements in preserving timber. August 3; six months.

John Archibald, of Alva, Stirling, Scotland, manufacturer, for certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for carding wool, and doffing, straightening, piecing, roving, and drawing rolls or cardings of wool. August 4; six months.

Ramsay Richard Reinagle, of Albany-street, Regent's Park, Esq., for improvements in the construction of carriages for the conveyance of persons and goods or merchandise. August 6; six months. Thomas Binns, of Mornington-place, Hampsteadread, civil engineer, for improvements in railways and in the steam-engines to be used thereon and for other purposes. August 6; six months,

Thomas John Fuller, of the Commercial road, Limehouse, civil engineer, for a new or improved screen for intercepting or st pping the radiant heat arising or proceeding from the boilers and eylinders of steam-engines. August 9; six months.

John Burns Smith, of Salford, Lancaster, spinner, and John Smith, of Halifax, dyer, for a certain

367

method or methods of tentering, stretching, or keeping out cloth to its width, made either of cotton, silk, wool, or any other fibrous substances by ma chinery. August 10; six months.

Henry Pershouse Parkes, of Dudley, Worcester, iron-merchant, for improvements in flat pit chains. August 11; six months,

Joseph Douglass, of Morpeth, Northumberland, rope-maker, for improvements in the manufacturé of oakum. August 11; two months.

Edward Light, of Royal-street, Lambeth, civil engineer, for certain improvements in propelling vessels and other floating bodies. August 11; six months.

William Newton, of Chancery-laue, for improvements in the means of producing instantaneous ignition; being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad. August 11; six months.

Robert Allen Hurlock, of Whaddon, Cambridge, clerk, for improvements in axletrees. August 11; two months.

Joshua Butters Bacon, of Regent's-square, gentleman, for improvements in the structure and combination of certain apparatus employed in the generation and use of steam. August 13; six months.

Thomas Gauntley, of Nottingham, mechanic, for certain improvements in machinery for making lace and other fabrics, commonly called wash machinery. August 15; six months.

George Leech, of 25, Norfolk-street, Islington, carpenter, for a certain improved method of connecting window-sashes and shutters, such as are usually hung and balanced by lines and counterweights with the lines by which they are so hung. August 15; six months.

William Fothergill Cooke, of Bellay se College, Durham, Esq., for improvements in winding up springs to produce continuous motion, applicable to various purposes. August 17; six months.

Joseph Hall, of Margaret-street, Cavendishsquare, plumber, for improvements in the manufac ture of salt. August 17; two months.

Francois de Tansch, of Percy-street, Bedfordsquare, military engineer to the King of Bavaria, for improvements in apparatus or machinery for propelling of vessels for raising water, and for various other purposes. August 25; six months.

LIST OF SCOTCH PATENTS GRANTED BE-
TWEEN THE 21ST OF JULY AND 20TH
OF AUGUST, 1836, INCLUSIVE.

William Wainwright Potts, and William Machin, china and earthenware manufacturers, and William Bourne, manager, all of Burslem, Stafford, for an improved method or process, whereby impressions or patterns in one or more colours or metallic preparations are produced and transferred to surfaces of metal, wood, cloth, paper, papier-machée, bone, slate, marble, and other suitable substances, prepared or otherwise not being used or known as earthenware, porcelain, China, glass, or other similar substances. Sealed July 29.

Walter Hancock, of Stratford, Essex, engineer, for an invention of an improvement or improvements upon steam-engines. July 29.

John M'Dowall, of Johnstone, Renfrew, Scotland, engineer, for certain improvements in machinery for sawing and cutting, and likewise in the mode of applying motive power thereto. August 2.

Henry Walker Wood, of No, 29, Austin-friars, London, merchant, for certain improvements in certain locomotive-apparatus, August 4.

[blocks in formation]

John Burns Smith, of Salford, spinner, and John Smith, of Halifax, dyer, for a certain method or methods of tentering, stretching, or keeping out cloth to its width, made either of cotton, silk, wool, or any other fibrous substances by machinery. August 11.

Henry Gore, of Manchester, machine-maker, for certain improvements in the machinery or appara.. tus for spinning or twisting cotton and other fibrous substances. August 11.

Samuel Hall, of Basford, Nottingham, gentle. man, for improvements in propelling vessels, also improvements in steam-engines, and in the method or methods of working some parts thereof; some of which improvements are applicable to other useful purposes. August 15.

Thomas, Earl of Dundonald, of Regent's Park, Middlesex, for improvements in machinery or apparatus applicable to purposes of locomotion. August 15.

Joshua Bates, of Bishopsgate street, London, merchant, in consequence of a communication by a foreigner residing abroad, for certain improve ments in machinery for cleaning and preparing wool. August 19.

NOTES AND NOTICES.

The New Steam-Boat Novelty.-The recent successful experiment of driving this boat, of the largest class, with anthracite coal, against the tide and a strong current from heavy rains, at the rate of 16 miles in the hour, has caused much remark in our city, as an astonishing fact of great importance on the subject of fuel, which may lead to reDr. Knott, the volutions in steam navigation. distinguished President of Union College, is the well-known proprietor of the Novelty, which he constructed, we believe, with machinery modelled after his own ingenious invention, so as to adapt it.. ultimately to the same economical principles of combustion which have given such deserved celebrity to his patented stove. The fact of the practicability of using anthracite being now ascertained: so as to produce as great a degree of speed as pinewood, with no longer compel steam-boat proprietors to import their wood at exorbitant prices from the remote forests of Maine and the shores of the Chesapeake. Nearer by, and almost at our own doors, we have the anthracite coal-mines of Pennsylvania, of every possible variety, in exhaustless quantities. In the trips to Albany for one season the difference in cost between wood and anthracite for the Novelty, it is ascertained, would be 19,000 dollars in favour of coal. The successful navigation of the Atlantic from America to Europe is made certain. Among the other great advantages would be the vast saving of human life, as it is believed the steady, intense, radiated heat of anthracite, will be in some degree a security against those sudden accumulations which arise from the inflammable blaze of pine-wood. There is also an entire free-. dom from the annoyance of smoke, and the danger of fire from showers of sparks. Wood is now selling at the Hudson at five or six dollars a cord. The cost, in fact, of pine-wood is about double that of anthracite. The passage and freight, therefore, must soon be reduced to half the present rates.. The Novelty is remarkable for the ease with which she glides through the water, the motion being without any jarring.-New York Evening Star.

Home-Grown Flax.-We understand the agriculture practice of sowing flax in this part of the country, for domestic purposes, is becoming much nore general than it was formerly. The returns from Riga and American seed have, in many instances, been very great. The Dutch seed has also been found to answer well; and there is every reason to think, if farmers would direct their atten tion more to the cultivation of this crop, it would

turn out a profitable one, not only for family pnrposes, but as an article for sale. The importance of flax crops in Ireland may be judged from the fact, that there has lately been brought into the market in Derry as much as 200 tons per week, averaging in value from 407. to 80l. per ton; and there has been imported this season, at Belfast alone, above 9000 hogsheads of flax-seed, Riga, America, and Dutch.-Aberdeen Paper.

Embossing on Wood.-A new and ingenious method of embossing on wood has been invented by Mr. J. Straker. It may be used either by itself, or in aid of carving, and depends on the fact, that if a depression be made by a blunt instrument on the surface of wood, such depressed part will again rise to its original level by subsequent immersion in water. The wood to be ornamented having first been worked to its proposed shape, is in a state to receive the drawing of the pattern; this being put in, a blunt steel tool, or burnisher, or die, is to be applied successively to all those parts of the pattern intended to be in relief, and at the same time is to be driven very cautiously, without breaking the grain of the wood, till the depth of the depression is equal to the subsequent prominence of the figures. The ground is then to be reduced by planing or filing to the level of the depressed part; after which the piece of wood being placed in water, either hot or cold, the parts previously de pressed will rise to their former height, and will thus form an embossed pattern, which may be finished by the usual operation of carving.

Maise Sugar.-Dr. Ballas having sent two specimens of the maise sugar to the French Academy of Sciences, M. Biot has submitted them to certain effects of polarisation in order to ascertain their precise nature. The deviation of the polarised rays to the right of the place of polarisation in an aqueous solution of this sugar after filtration, and the proportion of its inversion to the left by the addition of liquid sulphuric acid, have been found by M. Biot to agree with the pure sugar derived from the cane.-Athenæum.

Beneficial Effects of Railways.-Some idea of the employment which railways will find for the labouring classes may be formed from the fact, that at this moment between 10,000 and 11,000 men are employed on the London and Birmingham Railway only.-Spectator. Taking this number data, the average of accidents which occur in the prosecution of the works, is certainly under that which happens to an equal number of workmen engaged in the ordinary occupations of bricklayers, masons, carpenters, labourers, and so forth.

as

Time and Temperature Measurer in One.-M. Arago announced at the last sitting of the French Academy of Sciences, that a Danish watchmaker has invented a watch which at the end of the day indicates the mean temperature of twenty-four hours.

economy

British and Foreign Patents taken out with and despatch; Specifications, Dis-1 claimers, and Amendments, prepared or revised; Caveats entered; and generally every Branch of Patent Business promptly transacted.

LONDON: Published by J. CUNNINGHAM, at
the Mechanics' Magazine Office, No. 6, Peterbo-
rough-court, between 135 and 186, Fleet-street.
Agent for the American Edition, Mr. O. RICH,
12, Red Lion-square. Sold by G. W. M. REY-
NOLDS, Proprietor of the French, English, and
American Library, 55, Rue Neuve, Saint
Augustin, Paris.

CUNNINGHAM and SALMON, Printers,
Fleet-street.

Mechanics' Magazine,

MUSEUM, REGISTER, JOURNAL, AND GAZETTE.

[merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][subsumed][merged small]

370

BIRCH'S FIRST-CLASS RAILWAY-CARRIAGE.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"To rest on springs.

"Particular attention to be directed to the elastic mode of connecting one carriage with another; as also the various expedients which are already employed to prevent the jerking action of the carriage when the train is put in movement, and to the shocks which are generally experienced when the velocity of a train is lessened, or when it is brought to a state of rest.

"It is considered desirable to reduce, as far as practicable, the height of the body of the carriage from the ground, so that it be not less than twelve or fourteen inches above the level of the rail.

"The extreme width of any portion of the body of the carriage not to exceed seven feet.

"In furnishing the above particulars, the Directors are to be understood as simply stating what appears to them to be desirable with reference to the present state of railway experience in the construction of carriages for passengers. Plans. therefore, which may not be in strict accordance with these data will receive the most mature consideration, according to the advantages they may severally appear to possess."

The following are the few observations I addressed to the Directors:

"In submitting for your approval a de

sign for a first-class carriage, I have adhered as nearly as possible to the printed instructions, and beg to offer a few observations by way of explanation.

"The body is in three divisions, one double and two single. The double division is intended to carry eight persons, and each of the single ones four, which, with the two conductors' seats, allows room for eighteen passengers. The depth of and (in the former) the space between the seats is considerably more than those afforded by ordinary stage-coach conveyances, and the consequent ease and comfort of the passengers are thereby insured.

"The carriage having both ends alike, will not require turning on the rails; and may be drawn or propelled without altering the position of the passengers. The extreme length of it is fourteen feet; the width, six feet six inches; the height from the rail to door is two feet two inches; and the whole height is seven feet.

"It will be observed, that the springs attached to the connecting rods at each end of the carriage are different, and must be a matter of choice or experience. That marked A acting upon cranks will throw the pressure of the springs outwards, and will consequently prevent, or considerably lessen, the concussion and jerking action upon the train being put in motion or stopped.

"The one marked B acting with slidingrods, drawing from a long spring, and buffing against a double nut-cracker, will have a similar effect.

"From the axles cranks are attached to the springs, and pressing outwards will allow the wheels to rise in the slots, and surmount any obstruction of five or six inches without throwing the body out of its equilibrium.

"I presume that a tender will be attached to the train for the conveyance of luggage; but if it is deemed indispensable, an imperial, and rods may be attached to the top, for the carrying of the same. There is room for stowage under each of the seats.

"I remain, Gentlemen, with respect,
"Your most obedient servant,
"EUGENIUS BIRCH.

"Feb 1, 1836."

NEW SYSTEM OF GEOLOGY.

Sir, I have read with much interest the various articles upon the " Electrical Theory of the Universe," and I am glad to find, from Kinclaven's last letter on the subject, that no great danger is to be apprehended of this earth or any of the other planets being "whirled into the body of the sun." But, Mr. Editor, there is another new system of geology which is now

M'GAULEY'S LOCOMOTION BY GALVANISM.

making some noise, the following ac. count of which I copy from the catalogue for the present year of the Society for the Illustration and Encouragement of Practical Science, Adelaide-street:

"No. 10, p. 46.-A Geological Globe, presented by Sir John Byerley.

"This globe, the invention of which is due to M. Guesney, of Constance, in Normandy, is intended to show the changes on the earth's surface, produced by the precession of the equinoxes, whereby the pole of the equator revolves round that of the ecliptie in 25,920 years (Delambre),

"The fixed circle is the ecliptic, or that line to which the sun would be vertical in the course of a tropical year, were there no diurnal motion. The moveable circle represents the equator, preserving the same angle with the ecliptic by cutting it in different points at every succeeding equinox; by which means the pole of the earth passes through 46° 56′ of latitude in about 13,000 years; by this means the Oural mountains become in the latitude of Mexico and Kamschatka within the tropics. The pole will pass over France and Germany; and then Edinburgh will be due south of London. The author thus accounts for the variation of the magnetic needle, the discovery of tropical fossils in the polar regions, the advance and retreat of the sea, the relative height of mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, &c."

According to Mr. Mackintosh's theory, all the inhabitants of this earth on some luckless day are to be roasted alive; but according to the above theory, all the inhabitants of Europe, at least, are to be frozen to death unless they remove their quarters. Edinburgh is to be due south of London in the space of 13,000 years! When this takes place, England will not be troubled with many Scotchmen-hey may then blow up the bridge of Berwick, for "Sandy" will still direct his course to the south (a favourite Scotch point of the compass), and will arrive at what is now the polar regions, but which will then be a most delightful climate. But, Mr. Editor, on this subject I should like to have the opinions of some of your scientific correspondents; my present opinion of the matter is, that it is all non

[blocks in formation]

371

M'GAULEY'S LOCOMOTION BY GALVANISM,

The announcement by the Rev. Mr. M'Gauley at the meeting of the British Association at Dublin last year, that he had invented a method of applying galvanism as a motive-power, has excited considerable interest in the mechanical world. The whole scheme has, however, come to nothing, as will be seen by the following statement of the proceedings upon the subject, which we extract from the Athenæum's report of the second day's (Tuesday, August 23rd) proceedings of the Association at Bristol:

The Rev. J. W. M'Gauley read "A series of Experiments in Electro-Magnetism, with reference to its application as a Moving Power."

Previously to the detail of the experiments on this subject, he thought it might be interesting to the Section to relate what he had done since the last meeting of the Association, in the application of electro-magnet. ism to machinery. He had intended, originally, to have exhibited the improvements, but should content himself, for the present, with the detail, rather than the exhibition. He was obliged to confess, that he was the less anxious prematurely to publish results, since he found that the working model of last year, given to the Section, undoubtedly with the intention of its future improvement, or the pursuance of experiments by other members, had led, on several occasions, to the production of papers, and the exhibi ion of models, y those from whom it might not be expected with a pretension to originality, but with no change in the principle, and almost none in the details.

The working model exhibited to the Sections at the last Meeting of the Association must be acknowledged as a proof, to some extent, at least, of the applicability and the manageableness of electro-magnetism as a moving power; but the question then remaining was, whether or not it was likely to be applied to useful purposes; for this, several things remained undone.

Powerful magnets were to be constructed. The ordinary formation of electro-magnets furnishes us, at best, with an apparatus clumsy in the extreme, and, as we shall see, of very limited power. This arises from the very nature of an electro-magnet; for the lifting power may be very great, although the attracting power at a small distance may be very trifling. There must be a limit, also, to the size of these magnets, for. if the mass of iron be too great for the helix, it is not saturated with magnetism, and the helix cannot be unlimited, as, beyond a certain

« iepriekšējāTurpināt »