Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-06-05
Compressed AR ASA Motor.

"A BTeaI amount OF 0CCenClOn mas been
given by practical scientists to the
availability of compressed air as q mo-
tive power. The examination has led
to the conclusion based, not upon
speculation and theory merely, but
upon the rest Of practical experience
that it possesses all tho advantages
and few of the defects of steam. While
it is more economical than steam, it
promises to be more manageable and
far less liable to those terrible TRACED
les resulting from explosiveness.
One Of the great difficulties which
long barred the way and prevented
utilization of compressed air as mo.
tive power was due to the imperfect
machinery used in its application. A
great loss was incurred by friction, and
through the waste of heat generated
by compressor. This loss amounted,
in most cases, to from sixty-fve to
seventy. five per cent. of the whole
power of the COMPRISING engine, and,
In many cases, reached as high as ninety
per cent. The problem, therefore,
which was presented to the inventor
for for solution was, first, to contrive
. compressor which should remove
the excessive heat by providing for its
absorption and conduction through all
enclosing surfaces, and be capable of
absorbing all Objectionable heat, with
sufficient rapidity to allow any desira-
BILE speed in the movement of the CON-
pressing piston; and, secondly, to
overcome the difficulty resulting from
the formation of ice caused by the
precipitation of the moisture of the air,
and its effect in clogging the pipes and
passages, and especially the exhaust
ports of the engine. Both these seem
ingly and, for time, insurmountable
difficulties, and numerous others of
less moment, have been overcome bv
the patient skill and ingenuity Of
American inventors, and q machine has
been constructed, known as the Rand
and Warning Compressor, which seems
to combine every requirement of SAFE
ty, economy, adaptability to various
uses, and facility of control.
The perfection of an engine by which
compressed air can be utilized as
motor, accessible at all times, and in
any and all situations, is a matter of
direct interest to the entire industrial
interest of this country, and, indeed.
of all countries. The power which
they make available has this great
advantage that 1t can be directed to
any point from remote distance, and
through the most devious channels
1t may be sent along great areas, sup.
plying its force to many scores of shops
or factories, at widely distant points.
1t is therefore peculiarly adapted for
working in tunnels, adits, coal mines,
and other out-of-the.way places, as
we'll as for supplying power to mechan-
ical districts of our country where the
operatives live widely apart, and are
disabled from congregating in factor
les. In coal mines, and for other I'M
derground work, it should be added,
the use of compressed air has been
found to present the great ADVANCE of
furnishing purer atmosphere instead
of deteriorating it.
It is impossible to foresee all the uses
to which this new motive power will be
applied. Doubtless, it will be applied
to the propulsion of street and railway
cars, and as we'll as to the transmission
Of power to factories and mines.-
Doubtless, also, there will be multip.
lied forms of machinery adapting it to
every possible use for which force is
needed.