The news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1882-1891, 1882-06-15

as much importance to have properly
formed water passages for the water to
approach the wheel, as it is to have the
buckets correctly shaped, because all of
the force expended in overcoming fric-
ton or shock from abrupt changes of direc-
ton, Is that much power lost. If more
power is required two-thirds of the whole
number OF chutes can be fully opened
and the ether third remain closed; or if
there is an ordinary supply of water, and
the full power of the wheel is desired, all
the chutes can be opened; or to diminish
its power all of them can be closed to any
fractional part. The case is in one cast
ing with properly proportional chutes for
the application of the water to the wheel.
The direction of the water through these
chutes is tangential to the periphery of
the wheel at all positions of the gate.
The Importance of this feature is clear 10
all, and is the best application of water
that can be employed. There is scarcely
bolt in any part Of the casing, no small
parts to get loose and wear out. 1t has a
projecting fange which rests upon the
floor of the pen-stock, and this Aange is
laced Oft true at right angle with the
wheel shaft, so as to insure the wheels set
ting plumb, provided the aoor of the pen
stock is level. 1t is then placed upon
boring-mill and is turned out true to re-
ceive the inside register gate, which re-
wolves within it.
The movable register gate, is cast in one
piece, with fixed water ways correspond
ing with the chutes in the outer case.
The two combined form perfect water pas
sages. The gate is bored out to receive
the wheel proper, and is turned off to fit
the outer case, within which it rotates.
This register gate is suspended within
the outer case by means of central bear
ing, or depending sleeve, and arms Sc
cured to gate located under the crown
plate; and is moved back and forth for
the purpose Of admitting or shutting off
the water, by means Of rack and pinion
completely shielded under cover from all
foreign and obstructive matter. The in
ventor has recently secured from Wash
ington reissue on this part of his pat
ent. The central bearing being of the
greatest importance and value in enabling
them to fit the gate so very close that il
cannot leak, and yet have it work easily,
the arms Strengthening the gate, hold il
ridigly to shape, reduce its friction in
moving to its minimum, and entirely obvi-
ate every objection hitherto urged against
a register gate.
The movement of this register regu-
ates the amount of water and secures an
equal and uniform delivery on all parts
of the wheel. This movement is common
to all gates of its class, and while the AL
colt embraces all that is claimed for anv
other register gate it also embraces new
feature not found in others. With AL
colts improvement, if the water is to be
used sparingly, certain number of chutes
may be closed while the others remain
fully open as explained above.
The cost Of Turbine wheels is a small
item when compared to the aggregate
cost of a large manufacturing enterprise
but, if water is to be the motive power
water wheels are the most important piece
of machinery. Hence it is to the interest
of those who contemplate engaging in
any branch of manufacturing to select the
best water wheels; those that will yield a
good percentage from the water used, and
well-made and durable, and that will be
reliable after being put in operation, and
from the above description, the Alcott
wheel would seem to be of that class.
Mr.. Thomas J. Alcott, the surviving
member of the firm also manufactures q
pillow which has gained wide celebrity.