4465. D. Luigi, London. March 3rd.-Impro:ements in and connected with water and like taps.

4475. M. M. Dessau, London. March 3rd.-Improvements in and relating to rolling tube packings.

4476. The Warwick Machinery Co., Ltd., London. March 3rd.-Improvements in and relating to elastic fluid turbines. (The General Electric Co., U.S.A.)

4491. D. Muckley and A. Payne, Warrington. March 4th.-An improved drum for winding or coiling wire rope-copper, iron, or steel-electric cable, lead tube, hemp, or cotton rope. 4511. W. Rowbotham, Birmingham. provements in gas, oil, and like engines.

March 4th.-Im

4516. C. Tu kfield and W. G. de F, Garland, East Molesey. March 4th.-An improved apparatus for propelling ships, vehicles, and other purposes.

4528. The Haste Pump Co., Ltd., and J. M. Hewitt, London. March 4th.-Improvements in pumps.

4540. The Elektrizitats-Actien-Ges., vormals W. Lahmeyer and Co, London. March 4th.-Improved means for alternately driving from a reciprocating engine and a rotary engine. (Date applied for, March 4 h, 1904.)

4559. The Tangye Tool and Electric Co., Ltd., and C. Pendlebury, London. March 4th.-Improvements in lathes for turning railway carriage and o:her axles.

4563. S. Turton, London. March 4th.-Improvements in and relating to brickwork for boiler setting, and for similar purposes. 4569. C. H. Read and E. Jones, London. March 4th — New or impro.ed water bridge or arch for the furnaces of steam generators.

4574. R. H. Rice, London. March 4th.-Improvements in shaft bearings. (Date applied or, March 4th, 1904.)

RECENT SPECIFICATIONS.

ELECTRICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS. J. T. Armstrong and A. Orling, of London. Jan. 27th, 1904. This invention relates to the arrangement of electro-capillary receiving apparatus, and has for its object improvements whereby transient and other currents or disturbances occurring in the line or other circuit, or part thereof, may be obviated or discharged without disturbing or interfering with the proper working of such apparatus. The object of the invention is to overcome the difficulties of stray currents, or other disturbances, for instant constantly varying potential. A shunt is employed through which such di turbances may find relief. According to one arrangement a variable resistance is used which may or may not be inductive, which is connected up in the place of the usual

parallelism of the valve discs when opening and closing the valve. According to one form of this invention, the back of each valve disc is p-ovided with a projection, or groove, and the inner end of the valve >pindle is also furnished with a groove or projection, on both sides, to engage with the projections or grooves on the discs, for the purpose of operating the discs to open and shut the valve. To retain the substantial parallelism of the valve discs, two or more retainers are provided, having ears or projections at the sides to hold the discs, and to prevent the latter from being moved apart by the action of the spring when the valve is open, while not interfering with the pressing of the discs against their seats when the valve is shut. To allow of fixing the valve on its side without straining the spindle, or unduly wearing the stuffing-box through which the spindle passes, a ring is provided enclosing the spring between the discs, and an annular projection from each disc, and having ears at the sides adapted to rest on the valve body, and support the weight of the discs. To prevent rotation of the ring, the latter is furnished with a pin or projection, or with lugs or ears engaging with the inner end of the valve spindle. The drawings illustrate one form of the invention, and detailed views of the retainer for preventing undue spreading of the valve discs.

AUTOMATIC REGULATING APPARATUS FOR BOILER AND THE LIKE.

H. B. Kershaw, of Stalybridge. March 26th, 1904.-This invention is designed to provide an improved automatic regulating apparatus for controlling the dampers of steam and hot-water boilers, for regulating the steam or other supply to heaters, coolers, calorifiers, radiators, and the like, for governing pumps, pumping hot water, and for similar purposes. A hollow bulb is placed in the boiler pipe, tank, or the like, the temperature in which it is desired to maintain constant, or with regard to which it is desired to govern the damper, valve, or the like. This bulb is connected with a suitable piston or ram, preferably placed externally to the pipe, tank, or like, which is pivoted to a lever suitably fulcrummed, so that the movement of the lever by the piston or ram will give an increased movement at the other end of the lever, which is connected with the damper, valve, or like, which it is desired to regulate in any convenient way. A spring or weight is provided to return the lever and ram to normal position. To actuate the ram any suitable liquid expansible on an increase in temperature is placed in the bulb, a suitable filling hole with plug being provided for the purpose, preferably externally of the pipe, tank, etc., which, on any increase in the temperature round the bulb, increases in volume and presses against the piston or ram, causing it to move outwards and actuate the lever or other device, which regulates the dam,e: valve or other governor as desired.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

"MECHANISM."

By S. Dunkerley, M Sc., A.M.Inst. C.E., M.I.Mech. E. Longmans, Green and Co. 9s. net.

Professor Dunkerley's elementary treatise on the kinematics of machines is the outcome of his many years' experience acquired in lecturing on the subject at the Universities of Cambridge and Liverpool, and at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. The writer's intimate knowledge of students' requirements fits him admirably for the authorship of this work, which was specially designed for their use. The introductory section describes in detail various machine tools and mechanism required for special purposes. Then follows a complete account of straight line motions, couplings, velocity diagrams, approximate solutions to link motions and radial valve gears, acceleration diagrams, toothed wheels, non-circular wheels, cams, and machines for cutting teeth. Tre book is well got up, the illustrations excellent, and the student who makes a careful study of this work will be assured of a solid grounding in the fundamental principles of applied mechanics.

"GERMAN TECHNICAL WORDS AND PHRASES.' An English-German and German-English Dictionary of technical and business terms and phrases, used in commerce, arts, sciences, professions and trades. By C. A. Thimm, F.R.G.S., and W. von Knoblauch. E. Marlborough and Co. Cloth, 2s. 6d. Leather, 3s. 6d.

This is a companion volume to "French Technical Words and Phrases," and is an excellent attempt to collect, within the compass of a pocket volume, technical terms and phrases such as are passed over by the ordinary lexicographer. Roman type is employed throughout, and there is a useful appendix with tables We understand that of money, weights and measures. a similar volume of Italian technical terms is in preparation and have little doubt but that the series will be readily taken up by business men. Of course, in a miscellaneous collection of technical terms, it would be easy to point out omissions, but the publishers welcome suggestions and the utility of future editions should be greatly enhanced by the co-operation of readers and In the meantime we think that every business man who is in touch with Germany, will find it worth while to possess a copy of "German Technical Words and Phrases."

users.

"SELL'S DIRECTORY OF REGISTERED
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESSES,

And National List of Large Commercial Houses, and
Price
Buyers' Guide, 1905."
(including three
supplements issued quarterly), 21s. Henry Sell, 166,
Fleet Street, London, E.C.

To manufacturers and traders of every description this compilation, holding as it does a unique position among the many "annuals," is quite indispensable. With the present issue, the work which has been carefully revised, reaches its twentieth year of publication. Firms interested in exporting industries will find the new feature-an authentic list of British Consuls abroad-of great assistance.

The Mitcham Motor Company, of Cowes, Isle of Wight have issued a catalogue of marine motors and launches, with numerous illustrations and line drawings.

Messrs. Burnham, Williams and Co, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. Booklet No. 48 is a record of recent construction by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The locomotives illustrated show to full advantage on a slightly tinted ground with a red border line, while the general dimensions are given on the opposite pages in English and French.

Blue Asbestos, as mined in Cape Colony by the Cape Asbestos Company, Ltd., is the subject of a handsome publication issued by this firm. It is claimed that the Cape Blue Asbestos is the most efficient material extant for coverings on account of the natural high non-conducting qualities it possesses, and also because it remains unaffected by atmospheric influences, is neutral, resilient, strong, and light in weight Many interesting blocks illustrate the application of these coverings to boilers and pipes, etc. Attention is also drawn to asbestos packings, cloth, curtains, rope and cord, thread and yarns, paper, felt, etc., and lists and illustrations are included of vessels of many nations which have been supplied with this material by the company.

Messrs. W. and T. Avery, Ltd., of Soho Foundry, Birmingham, forward Sheet No 89, drawing attention to their patent weighbridges, specially designed for public use to print the weights on tickets and also to count the number of lo ids weighed Sheet No. 150 illustrates the firm's special Mo'or-Wagon weighb idge, for weighing motor-wagons and trailers.

An illustrated price list of Albion cars has been issued by the Albion Motor-Car Company, Ltd., of South Street, Scotstoun, Glasgow. Excellent half-one illustrations are included, as well as some press notices and testimonials from owners of Albion cars. The Preliminary List, 1905, of the "Duryea" Power Carriages, which we note are British built throughout, has been issued by the Duryea Company, Ltd., of Duryea Works, Widdringtonroad, Coventry.

The General Electric Company, Ltd, 71. Queen Victoria Street, E.C. A finely printed catalogue with a striking blue and gilt cover has just been issued by this company, dealing with their "Witton" continuous current motors, open protected, semi-enclosed, enclosed ventilted, and totally enclosed types. It is interesting to note that the motors in question have been entirely remodelled. The design of the bearings is such that the motors can be fixed on a horizontal base, a vertical wall, or overheat. All ports are made to gauge and strictly interchangeable. Measurements are given both in inches and centimetres, and weights in lbs. and kilos. There is also some very instructive information as to the approximate power required to drive various classes of machinery. Altogether it will be seen that great pains have been taken to make the catalogue thoroughly up-to-date and of the greatest utility to manufacturers in search of motors.

MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. FRIDAY, MAR. 17.-National Physical Laboratory: Presentation of Report, 3 p.m.-Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, 8 p.m.: Paper, First Report to Steam Engine Research Committee," Frofessor David S. Capper.-NorthEast Coast Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders.

SATURDAY, MAR. 18.-Agricultural Hall Motor Show opens. -Glasgow Technical College Scientific Society: Paper. “Independent Condensing Plant," Mr. Charles Day, 7.30 p.m.

MONDAY, MAR. 20.-Society of Arts: Second Cantor Lecture, "Telephony," Mr. H. Laws Webb, 8 p.m.-Institute of Marine Engineers, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAR. 21.-Royal Institution, Albemarle Street: Professor Dalby on "Engineering Problems," 5 p.m.-Institution of Civil Engineers.

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 22.-Liverpool Engineering Society: Paper Electric Traction on Main Line Railways." -Geological Society, 8 p.m.-Sciety of Arts, Ordinary Meeting. THURSDAY, MAR. 23.-Royal Society, Ordinary Meeting, 4.30 p.m.Institution of Electrical Engineers, Great George Street: Discussion on Papers read at the previous meeting.

VOL. VI.

The Offices of "Page's Weekly,"

T

regrettable

Wednesday Evening.

HE deluge of rain which fell last Friday must have interfered considerably with the attendance of invited guests at the National Physical Laboratory, a circumstance all the more that when it is remembered an institution of this kind can only on rare and occasions throw open wide its doors welcome interruptions. The drive of Bushy House was about as soddened as it could possibly be and in the entrance hall Lord Rayleigh (President of the General Board), and Lord Kelvin received the guests in an atmosphere of mackintoshes and umbrellas. Thereafter it was a case of go as you please." The visitors had full liberty to wander along the corridors and view the work in process in the different departments entirely at their own discretion. That veteran of science, Lord Kelvin, was encountered in several of the rooms taking the keenest interest in the work of the laboratory and showing a decided dis. position to forget all about the inspection and on his own start experimenting once more account.

No. 28.

afford an adequate view of the work which is in progress. Devoting ourselves to special points of interest however, it may be noted that in Room 20 (thermometry), Dr. Harker showed in operation, furnaces of a new type for the attainment, electrically, of temperatures between 800 deg. C. and 2,200 deg. C., while in room 55 was shown a new resistance box and installation for platinum thermometry, with tank for highest grade thermometer comparisons. The engineering department, under Dr. Stanton and Mr. Jakeman, is in a

There is so much to see at Teddington and there are so many fascinating things of divergent interest, that we almost despair of being able, within the limits of our space, to

Photo. by Elliott & Fry.

DR. R. T. GLAZEBROOK, F.R.S., Director of the National Physical Laboratory.

D

separate building. Here we saw a quantity of apparatus which has already been freely described and also several additions, perhaps the most interesting of the latter being a I-ton testing machine for alternate tension and compression which has just been acquired, and a photomicrographic outfit for metals.

A conspicuous object is the apparatus for the measurement of the pressure on surfaces in a uniform current of air, and we understand that the experiments carried on in the laboratory are now being applied to the measurements of wind pressure which are being undertaken out of doors at the tower. The Whitworth standard screw cutting lathe in another building also attracted a good deal of attention. In the Electro-technical Department, under Mr. Paterson and Mr. Rayner, the latter explained the investigations of temperature rise in transformers, by means of thermo junction wires, and excited our wonder at the extreme sensitiveness of the delicate portable voltmeter by which the temperature readings are made. In the chemical laboratory, under Dr. Caspari and Mr. Naylor, a metallurgical analysis was watched attentively, and elsewhere Mr. Campbell and Mr. Melsom (electricity), Mr. Smith (electrical standards), Mr. Paterson (photometry), Dr. Carpenter and Mr. Longmuir (metallography), Mr. Jeffcott and Mr. Attwell (metrology), Mr. Selby and Mr. Hugo (optics), Mr. Selby and Mr. Brookes (tidal prediction) ably seconded the efforts of the director, Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, F.R.S., in making the visit profitable and instructive.

Both as regards the work done and the state of its finances, the laboratory can look

back upon a very satisfactory year. In physics department the work included, inter alia, a comparison of the mercury standard of resistance constructed in the previous year, the investigation of certain anomalies in standard cells, of both the Clark and cadmium.

patterns, the construction of the electrical portions of the ampere balance for the British Association, and numerous tests of the dielectric resistance of different varieties of gutta-percha. Progress was made in equipping an electrotechnical department to undertake the testing of electrical apparatus on a commercial scale, and electrical research work was carried out on behalf of the Engineering Standards Committee to determine the maximum temperatures permissible in electrical machinery. (See PAGE's WEEKLY, page 571.)

In the thermometric department a considerable amount of new apparatus was installed, and the work included the final stages of a research on the specific heat of iron at high temperatures and the beginning of a study of the resistance and thermo-electric properties of solid electrolytic conductors such as are used in Nernst lamps, with the view of designing a system of electrical high-temperature measurements based on some of the properties of zirconia, yttria, etc. In the metallurgical department extensive tests were carried out on a series of nickel, carbon, and manganese iron alloys, prepared by Mr. Hadfield at the Hecla Works, Sheffield, and also an inquiry into the critical ranges on heating and cooling of modern high-speed tools.