San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-08-17


and have power to pump back into |
reservoirs, against q pressure of 200 |
pounds, sufficient air to raise the |
gauge pressure pounds in running |
2, 100 feet, and restore sufficient air.
when heated, to run the meteor nalf
that distance upon a level.
BY this remarkable contrivance
power can be stored on descending
grades. The down hill portions not
only use no power, but give back q
portion Of that which was expended
IN ascending.
The compressed air can be used ex-
pansively to any extent, and cut of
at any part of the stroke. II can act
as brake, or the motion can be in
stantIy reversed and the braking sp
psratus is exceptionally complete and
satlsf- Glory.
The power of al ton motor is suf-
ficieot to propel three cars on a
straight and level road. With full
power on the motor cylinders and full
adhesion on the rats the motor can
overcome grades OF 800 feet to the
mile.
| Although. during rain, the pres.
sure 10 the reservoir lie constantly
dIuinIshirg, yet by means of q re-
duciug valve the ~"rklng pressure in
the motor cylinder is maintained at
constant limit.
Each motor, allowing for increased
speed, would take the place Of ten or
fifteen horses, the cost OF which would
about equal the cost OF the motor.
81 $40.
The system would be particularly
adapted to suburban localities and
would afford better facilities for rap d
transit than are afforded by elevated
roads. for while the speed would be
twenty miles or more per hour, the
stops would not be limited to stations.
but could be made at any point
With the small class OF motors,
three cars, or two in addition to the
motor, can ascend grades as steep rs
any usually found on horse railroads.
This is q point OF greatest value for
pubIic accommodation. 1t will enable
y company to utilize all their old cars
and supply additional cars at the hours
when rush of travel requires them
without additional expenses for
power or conductors.
The Delamater Iron works offer to
supply a compressor plant of suffi-
minute for 10000.
Compressed air can be transmitted
without loss except for friction IN
pipes. If pipes are large and velocity
low, the loss will be inconsiderable.
Several lines could therefore be oper-
ated from large central plant, and
in many localities natural water
power could be utilized to compress
cd oil IRE mi
by pipes to large motors, generate
electric currents, or drive machinery
by direct application TO cylinder.
To charge motors az II central sta
ton or nozzle between tracks and
snort piece Of pressure hose to screw
on to the air reservoir IL all that would
be required to connect with reservoirs
located in building. 1t need not b.,
necessary 10 run the cars into house
10 renew the air supplies.
The running expenses are less than
one-half; in fact, the estimate shows
less than one-third the cost of horse
power.
The motors can run without noise,
ashes or smoke, are perfectly under
control. and would furnish the best
possible power 10 operate elevated
railroads.
skilled engineers are not required,
al ordinary car driver can be taught
to ruu aD engine in single trip.
| No fuses are burnt or boilers. ex'
ploded through carelessDess, and rs
air reservoirs last lndetinit-iy in tran
SIT from causes which render steam
dangerous Is impossible.
| Even If All explosion should occur
| no If Unu la ha u lille 0harp.
Ing the reservoir at the time of maxi
mum pressure, and not IN transit, and
The air would simply escape with a
noise Cold, not heat, would result
from the explosion.
| The car acts as its own governor,
and as no more air can be used than
| is necessary 10 overcome the resls-
lance, there can be no waste.
| There are no horses III front TO oo-
strucr clear view of the track
Alta speed OF twelve miles per hour,
the motor can be Stopped on lever
within It's length, and the braking
apparatus can not get out OF order so
long hs the motor can move at all.
The pneumatic motor would be pc.
cuiiariy adapted 10 underground
roads, as the escape Of pure air would
assist ~ ventilation.
But is the best possible for all
urban or suburban roads, whether
elevated. surface or in tunnels.
In thi' paper results oily have
heen gwen; the first report gwen in
1879 gives the facts upon which the
conclusions have been based.
A detailed estimate was made from
data furnished by the operations OF
the Second avenue railroad, and
comparison of cost of operation by
horse power and by pneumatic motor
In this estimate il was assumed that
a compressor plant was located at