The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-05-29
COMPRESSFD AIR AS A MO-
TOR. TIE

the availability Of compressed air as
a motive power. The examination
has led to the conclusion, based. not
upon speculation and theory merely,
but upon the test of practical expert
ence, that it possesses all the advan-
tages and few of the defects of ste am.
While it is more economical than
1steam,it promises to be more m anage-
able and far less liable to those terri.
BILE tragedies resulting from explosive.
ness. -aa25l8 ..tara 4 S Isl .ae1s
. One of the great difficulties which
long barred the way and prevented
the utilization Of compressed air as a
motive power was due to the imper-
feet machinery used in its application.
a great loss was incurred by friction,
and through, the waste of heat gener-
ated by compression, This loss
amounted, in most cases, to from sixty
five to seyenty-fve per cent. of the
whole power Of the COMPRISING en-
CINE, and, in many cases, reached as
high as ninety per cent. The prob
Item, therefore, which was presented
to the inventor for solution was, first,
to contrive compressor which should
remove the excessive heat by proyid-
ing for its absorption and conduetion
through all enclosing surfaces, and be
capable of absorbing all Objectionable
heat, with sufficient rapidity to allow
any desirable speed in the movement
of the COMPRISING piston and, Sec
ondly, to overcome the difficulty re-
sulting 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 en-
igine. Both these seemingly and, for
time, insurmountable difficulties, and
numerous others of less moment, have
been overcome by the patient skill
and ingenuity of American inventors,
and a machine has been constructed,
known as the Rand ard Waring Com
pressor, which seems to combine ev-
cry requirement of safety, economy,
adaptability to various uses, and faciI-
ity 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 indus
trial interest Of this country, and, in
deed, of all countries. The power
which they make available has this
great advantage-that it can be di-
rected to any point from remote dis
lance, and through the most devious
channels. It may be sent along great
areas, supplying its force to many
scores of shops or factories,at widely
distant points. 1t is therefore pecul-
jiarly adapted to working in tunnels,
adits, coal-mines, and other out-of.the
way places, as well as for supplying
power to mechan cal districts of our
country where the operatives live
widely apart, and are disabled from
congregating in factories. In coal.
mines, and for other underground
work, it should be added, the use of
compressed air has been found to
present the great advantage of fur
nishing purer atmosphere instead of
deterlorating it.
1t is impossible to foresee all the
uses Of which this new motive power
will be applied. Doubtless, it will be
applied to the propulsion of street
and railway cars, as we'll as to the
transmission ofpower to factories and
mines. Doubtless, also, there will be
multiplied forms of machinery adapt
ing it to every possible use for which
force is needed.