Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-06-23
A Rival for the Keely Motor.

Tor notices over 1Our lines
A Rival for the keely Motor.
Mr.. Nicholas Thomas, master mechanic at
the extensive car works OF the Chicago & North
western Railroad, at Chicago, has invented
motor engine which, it is said by prominent
men who have seen it, ecpses all that is claim
ed for the Keey motor. The machine aud its
working are thus described:
1t is machine the jsct OF which is 70 gen
crate power By the use 'ooly of Water. 1t con-
sists so far as could be seen, of a cast-irou re
tort, l43 iDches high by l2 inches in diameter,
surrounded by cast-;rou reservoir, where the
pressure is obtained, 81 By inches, on he iD-
side. Within this plays half inch rod, about
inches long, which supports lever about
feet long, 90 the extreme end OF which Is al
iron weight Of over 200 pounds, requiring to
raise it pressure OF 7 500 pounds, as comput-
ed By MIR. Thomas, the inventor. The theory
is, that water is elastic, aud that this elasticity,
combined with the pressure OF the air, will fur.
nish greater power than any other know.
This is also the principle OF the Kelly motor.
In the bottom of the retort is valve to which
is attached small rubber hose, connected with
the hydrant and the machine is ready to 90
off.
In few seconds after the water was turoed
on the immense weight began to rise, and soon
was up to an angel of nearly torty-6Ge degrees.
Thus far it was success, aud this is abcut all
that the KeelY motor will do. MIR. Thomas
says that with this machine he has generated
pressure of 20, 900 pounds. Attached to the
generator, by e-sixteeuth iuch brass tube,
il an engine of about ouehorse power, which
vas kept runDiDg for about ao hour with
stesds motion. This is partial realization OF
the aims of both inventors, keely aud Thomas,
but which the former has not reached, as be
has been able ooly to generate the pressure
ran the engine till it is exhausted, then stop
and regenerate and start up agaln, while lhom
ass machiue generates as 1t exhausts. and 1t
has run whole day at time, or untili Mr..
Thomas shut it off, and there is 40 rcaSoo Why
it should not run perpetually as long as tee d W
of water is supplied The thing now to De ac:
comnlished is to make it available tor large en-
gines aud to so perfect it that It WILL not easily
oct ont of repair. Thus far Mr. Thomas ls
upuuestionaby corrcc; 10 his theory WINE
he does DOT claim, as the Keely does, 10 gene
rate 5000 pounds pressure with three DIE,
fnDS If water in 10 seconds, he has generated
10000 pounds pressure 10 10 seconds with not
over two gallons of water, as this Is all me
water used at time. 1t the hopes OF hlr.
Thomas aud his many friends sh. u'1 be real'z
ed, which they seemingly bid fair TO 90, me Will
soon be raised from the position OF 40 obscure
mechanic, working at a moderate salary as he
now is. to be one Of the worlds greatest beoe
factors. Steam power would be superseded,
danger OF fire aud explosions where steam
is used would be obviat d, while an Immense
amount Of expense would be saved.
The Inventor of this motor englne, hlr.
Nicholas Thomas, is by firth an Eugllshman,,
but he has beeu 25 years in this cuntry, aod
pue years in the employ OF the N"rth thWestern
Railroad Company as master mechanic 10 lts
car-shops He has devoted but little money
aud only bis spare hours to the development OF
bis theory. While keeley has been blowing
about what he expected to do, Thomas mas
been quietly at work, aud, without letting the
world know until DOW, has beaten his rlVAl 10
many respects, and even now ne Is reluctant 10
have ANYTHING said about it. No capital has
been invested, no company formed, but many
of our leading capitalists are ready TO Invest 10 10
q stock company as 5000 as Mr.. Thomas WILL
declare bis readiness.
MIR. Thomas, on May 25 issued challenge
to Mr.. Keely for trial OF their respective en-
eioes, with forfeiture of 1000 by each side,
conditioned on the decision OF committee,
uuder the f,llowiDg conditions:
|. The trial to take place on or before July
l, 1876, and within five days from this date 40
acceptance or reJectloD or THIS cnaleuge ~ oe
given. IF accepted, sum of $1,000 forfeit
money to be deposited by each side, with re
sponsible and disinterested party, within ten
days after such acceptance.
Nothing to be used to operate the ma
,.hines other than air and water.
3. A test to be made of the greatest pres
ssuro produced in given time. -,
4. A test of the shortest time occupied 10
nroaucing given pressure.
5. A test of the time an engine can oe run
with each machine, aud Of the amount OF work
A dissemination of the relative simplicity
and durability of the two machines, r.
7 Two experts shall be appointed on behaif
Of each party, the principals being eligible to
act as such experts the duty OF the experts on
each side being to examine thorous bly, the op
nosipe machine, and 10 the event OF either
party being discovered to have used or to oe
ns;ng any other than the elements OF air ano
water, the party SO doing to forfeit 10 the other
the amount of money deposited by him.
Should both parties be discovered ln such de-
ception. the whole amount deposited oy ooth
to be forfeited and applied to charitable pur
poses divided equally between their respective
cities.
At last accounts the challenge had not been
accepted.