River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-05-19

complete revolution in the machinery
OF the world. 1t consists simply of a
process whereby water is transformed
to vapor without the application or de-
l.clopment of beat, resulting in the pro-
ductlon OF motive power of greater
capacity than steam. The discovery is
the result of laborious experiments car
RED OF for twenty-five years by John
w. Kelly of Philadelphia. These ex-
periments were begun by Mr.. Kelly
before he had attained his twentieth
year, with view to the construction of
a perfect water wheel. He constructed
such wheel, but in the course of his
experiments he conceived the idea that
he would build an engine driven in part
by water and in part by the utilization
OF atmospheric pressure, which would
be as powerful as an engine driven by
steam, and of course infinitely less ex.
pensive, the use of fuel being dispensed
with. In this also he was successful ::
he constructed an engine whose motive
power was compressed air on one side
and vacuum on the other, and water
as an agent for holding the vacuum in
suspension. SO far as it was tried it
was claimed for this engine that it was
a vast improvement over steam machin-
cry, but in operating it certain effects
were manifested that convinced the in.
vGntor that he could construct still
simpler and far more powerful machine.
He acted upon this belief, and after
great labor produced an engine which
more than fulfilled his expectations.
The vital principle of Mr.. Kelly's
engine is that it converts water into
cold vapor, more powerful and elastic
than steam, without any agency other
than mechanical appliance. When
MIR. helly's discovery was first brought
to the notice of scientific men much
inquiry was excited, and it was pro-
nounced by many to be philosophical
lmpossibility. The machine was ex-
hlbited in operation. Its vast power
was apparent to all, but the manner of
producing this power was less obvious.
The presence of electric, magnetic,
chemical, or other hidden agencies was
suspected, and close and searching
investigation followed with the result
of satisfying those who examined that
the power was produced Inv mechani-
cal combination pure and simple. Mr..
Kelly originally expected to obtain a
pressure of about 500 pounds to the
square inch, and applied it to steam
guage which had a measuring capacity
of $500 pounds but the pressure pro-
duced was SO enormous that the guage
was insufficient to register it, and he
was compelled to construct mechan-
ism designed expressly for the purpose.
He then found that he could produce a
pressure of more than ten thousand
pounds to the square inch, and that he
could generate the power in any vol
ume required. 1t is a peculiar quality
OF the vapor that it can be used at any
pressure from 10 pounds to 0,00J
pounds to the square inch, and when
once generated it can be placed in re-
ceiving vessels and preserved without
loss of energy for an indefinite period.
In the course of his experiments Mr.,
Kelly has repeatedly charged an iron
receiver of a capacity of 81 gallons with
a pressure of 10000 pounds to the
square inch, and retained it without
appreclable loss of energy for a fort
night at time. Mr.. Kelly is building
an engine for practical purposes, and
thinks that his invention will, at no
distant date, supercede steam. His
confidence is shared by certain capt.
talists in New York, who are so conf
dent of the success of the invention that
they have made arrangements to pur-
chase half interest in the State of
New York.