The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-23

A Wonderful r.sscnts,.x, !.

We witnessed last week the practical
working of the invention of Robert Spear
who has, by a simple device in the constrlc-
ton Of the conducting pipes, secured the
Transmission Of compressed mir any required
distance, absolutely without loss of power.
The Importance of this discovery can scarcely
be oycr-es,imated even by mn Imagination
allowed the freest fight. It will bring cheap
power to every workshop and every house
hold, rs Gas and water are now brought.
MISUNDERSTANDING worked by tidal forces.
en- supply any city on the sca-coast. A
waterfall can supply the whole region about
il with cheap power for mills and work
shops. This city is peculiarly favored. The
narrow entrance to the Black Cove, easily
damned. would supply all the comprcsscdair
tho machinery of Portland could use. The
falls Of The PresumpScot could be made to
pump us air enough ut a cost for conducting
the pipes Of not over 100000.
But we will not enlarge upon the posi-
bif;icS and probabilities opened to us by this
GRAND invention. What Is already Being
done is Sufficiently wonderful showing even
that when the air must DC compressed by
costly steam power, it may be used protitably.
The invention Of Mr.. Spear consists in the
wonderful discovery that. while in tubes OF
uniform size, fluids i'll their passage gradually
lose their force and velocity. by making at
short intervals peculiar contIactions in tic
pipe, thc. original power is transmitted with
out loss-ahSolutcly without loss. BY using
colorcd fluids in glass tubes, provided with
Mr.. Spears invention. il Is demonstrated
that The propelled current is kept in the ccD-
trc OF the tube, without amy friction at the
sides. II by diaphragm pierced with
los nj 10 Sjs ic 10
divide and Srck passage next the inner sur
face of tic pipe. it at once resumes its course
in tn" centre ai!Dr the obstacle is passed. He
haS also discovered that while any angle or
bond in All ordinary pipe obstructs 4 fluid
flowing through, 10y cnarging the pipe ut
angles the friction and loss OF power is over
come. At Mrnt Cents and ut the Hoosac
tunnel il has been found necessary to greatly
enlarge the whole conducting pipe for every
mile Of distance compressed air has to be
forced. This Of course seriously increases
the expense Sir. spears invention greatly
reduces lie size OF conduit necessary for long
distances.
Upon the wharf ut the foot OF Park street
Mr.. Spear and his associate, Captain W. \.
Beard, have erected an ciylit-horSe power
compressor. run by the small stcam-engine
used for hosting coal at jackson 4 Eaton's
elevator. A two and half inch pipe con-
ducts the air 4S0 feet to al old twclyc-horse
power engine in the l!oilyukc mill, which ii
moves with all it, machinery as well rs steam
could dc, besides moving two Or three
smaller engines. Heavy haCknntack ship
kccl> were handsomely shaved on IL large
Daniels vlamcr, the engine used for the pIlr-
pose being ridiculous little discarded steam
engine in which steam could not have been
forced to do such heavy work. TIE power
Of an engine is greatly increased by the use
OF air, 4 tiirty-pound pressure Of air being
equal to forty pounds Of steam, and perhaps
more. Mr.. Spear explains this by saying
that moisture reduces elasticity, and he finds
that wetting the compressed air he uses at
once >cli>illy Affects its power.
Wcwcrc Showna little engine large enough
to run 4 SeWinm-lnac hine, to which the air
WAS conducted by small rubber hose. Mr..
Spear proposes III running nlacine-Shon TO
SAY" half the power usually wasted in rum
ming great bets and shafts, by carrying the
| compressed air IN small pipes to each lathe
and drill. which snail have its own small,
cheap engine. which CONSUMES no power eX-
crpt when in active use.
Mr.. Spear hiss also Invented q governor,
which is operated ly pressure Instead Of me-
ton. like he governor OF steam engine lis
op,ra!;un is shown iy the following illusiT;l-
ton. Suppose the pressure 1t the reservoir
i 100 pounds 10 the square inch, and me-
c!mnic mile away requires but - pounds
10 drive his works. lie graduates his cover
nor. wlc, is attached 10 his engines, ut that
rate. ana no matter what the fluctuations at
the reservoir are so long rs they Go DO. go
below lis initial point, he receives steady
and uniform r0Wrr.-l0rt'd1d D$pGtch.