The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-03
Keely's Motor.

For the past six years the keely motor
has gained no little notoriety, but never
as yet has an opportunity been afforded
the CURIOUS scientist for critical exam
nation of the machine; so that many
have been led to believe 1t was destined
at some day in the near future to super
sede steam as motive power.
Recently several of tie most eminent
mechanical engineers have been con-
suited on the subject, among others one
who has been employed by Keely, and
who does not hesitate to declare the
whole thing a delusion, utterly devoid of
scientific merit. One of the gentlemen
states that in 1871 John w. Keely in
serted in newspaper in this city an an
nouncement to the effect that he had dis
covered new motive power, consisting
of hollow sphere, which revolved rap
idly and, as he declared, automatically.
AS it was well known that Keely was not
practical mechanic his statement was
received with considerable caution, and
being finally found to be of no practical
use it soon dropped from the public
mind.
The next thing he attempted was a
hydraulic motor, which he termed "hy-
dro-pneumatic pulsating vacuum en-
CINE" In this he claimed that the only
force eXerted on the machine was water
from an ordinary hydrant, that this
water had to create vacuum in the ma
chine, had to actuate pulsating dia
phragm, had to operate piston in a cyl
inder, to raise weights and to turn
I---i-.-1+, --l-;eh yra @ 90 Si~o out moro
| mower than the ifcn1f
but this scheme was pronounced utterly
fallacious, being based on a contradic-
ton of all physical laws.
About this time Keely applied for
patent on the hydro-pneumatic" en-
CINE, but from the fact of his never hay
ing produced the required working model
1t was abandoned as impracticable Then
followed what he termed the ''Keely
motor" evolved by expulsion from a
multiplication or generator, without the
aid of any chemical compound, heat,
electricity or galvanic action. The only
means he employed, according to his
own account, was the introduction of
atmospheric air and limited quantity
of hydrant water. By this simple proc
ess he claimed to be able to send train
OF cars from Philadelphia to New York,
the sole motive power being quart of
water in his multiplication, which pro-
duced vaporic substance. This scien-
lists declare to be nothing more than
compressed air, compressed by the ny
drant pressure, which is made powerful
by proper machinery. But mere pressure
is not motive power-it is a resultant of
IL. According to the best accounts Keely's
motor does not possess any power what
ever, and can never be applied to any
practical use. The pressure is not con-
tlnuous, and only exists for short time.
while the machine is not automatic in
the same sense that a steam engine or
other motor is, and he has so far utterly
failed to show continuity for more than
fifteen or twenty minutes at time.
1t is said that Keely has sold the ma
chine over and over again, the Patent
Office records exhibiting no fewer than
thirty four transfers in the following in
ventions: independent fly-wheel";
"hydro-pneumatic pulsating vacuo en-
gine"; "globe motor; dissipating en-
CINE, multiplication or generator; "auto-
matte water lift" The first assignment
is dated July II, 1871, and the last Feb.
10, 1879. Eighteen parties have been
engaged during this time in buying or
selling interests in this invention, which
does not include subscribers to the stock.
who will probably lose all they have in
vested in the concern through its failure
to perform the work claimed for it.
PHILADELPHIA Record. ...