The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-14

OF selt'winding gears and weights. thus
there IS no possibility Of forgetting to tend
the central clock.
VICE every ninute-st twenty seconds
aud at sixty secOnds-the clock automa,i-
caliy opens the valve communicating with
Che receiver described, permitting the dis
charge OF the contained air in the receiver
TO one aud one-half pounds. In less than
twenty seconds the air thus liberated has
reached 10000 clocks and forced upward a
small valve at each clock, by which the
han1s OF the clocks are made to move for
ward one minute, the valve that liberated
the ar IS then automatically closed and the
reducing valve opened, and the receiver
again Charged with air, ready for the next
discharges until the operation is continued.
The location of the clock, though it may
De at the most remote part of the system,
makes no difference, the hand is advanced
WIN those on other clocks. Ia order to ac-
tuate the 10000 clocks on the system, three
cubic meters OF 81. cubic feet of compressed
! ar, ae ten pounds pressure per square inch,
Is used per minute. 1t can be noted that
about 5000 clocks could be operated as well
by the same expenditure of air. After the
CLOCKS have thus been actuated by the air
IL is allowed to escape from the pipes, which
usually requires thlrty-eight seconds.
THE BIG MAIN STATION.
Il next visited the large mpressing
station, wherein can be found the history of
this wonderful and most complete air-com-
pressing system in the various designs of
machinery, showing progressive improve
lnent and development in the efficiency of
the system as experience was gained and
the fleld OF application broadened.
Ihls great system found its origin in a
small pneumatic clock system established
by Nj. Popp in 1880 in Rue st. Anne, quite
near the commercial ceuter of Paris. The
success of the undertaking and the conse-
quent growth of the system compelled the
establishment of new and larger central
COMPRISING station, which was ere ted in
the Rue st. Fargeau, nearly FIVE miles from
the chamber of deputies, in the eastern
portion OF the city, called Belleville.
I'VE first entered the old COMPRISING
room, where two single horizontal and one
beam COMPRISING engine were pointed out,
which, up to little less than three years
years ago, furnished all the air e1uired in
the service. Now there ere ten large cross
compound condensing engines operating 20
compressors, representing 5000 horse
power, which by next February will e in
creased with the new plant to 1900 horse
power.
AFTER compression the air is forced at
pressure varying from s. 4 to GatmosDheres
into a series of large wrought iron receivers
or accumulators arranged longitudinAlly
along the building in front of the com
pressors. As the front or street end of the
building is approached receivers are placed
higher, atfording oppor unity for the free-
ing of water from the air before taking it
into the street mains.
SUCCESSFUL MOTOR SYSTEM.
1--WE made an examination Of the Me-
kerskl Compressed air motor system, which
is being successfully operated and has ueen
in actual use for several years at Nantes,
France.
"The guage OF the track in Paris is feet
inches; the rails are the grooved pattern.
The length of the track (single), in GLIDING
branch line. is about four miles, with a
very great number of curveS and excessive
grades-about eight feet IN 100. The motors
similar to an ordinary street car, having n
deck roof upon which seats are arranged
for passengers as we'll as seats inside the
motor car, no seating capacity being occu-
pied by motor appliances.
THE engines operating the motor are of
slide valve design, protected from dust by
means of al apron and dust pipe compart-
ment below the seats of the car. By rals-
ing the apron by the side of the car the en-
gines are exposed and can be examined if
desired. Under the floor of the car, at
tached TO the frames, are suspended a series
Of nine air receivers, the air being used
from the first three to make the down trip,
and from the second three for the re-
turn trip the Sther three being charged
with air, which can be used should ener-
gency require.
"These receivers are connected with a
small but round rehseting device twenty
inches in diameter arranged in the forward
platform of the motor, ia which is arranged
a reduction valve and pre- sing gauge con-
trolling the pressure Of air used in the en-
CINE. Each set of receivers has indepen-
dent throttling valves. The total weight of
the motor is ten tons, without passengers,
and it can seat fifty Of the latter"
Mr.. Gillian gives it as his opinion. after
an extended study, that compressed air is
already a formidable competitor of the
cable and electricity as means of surface
transit.