The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-25

Tho flexible shaft which has come into use in
machine operations is unique mechanical
device. transmitting rotary motion TO any de-
sired distance from the motive power source.
through any number OF curves thus allowing
the power to bc carried to the work instead OF
the work to the power An improved form Of
this arrangement Is now being introduced-a
series Of coils Of steel WIRE wound hard uaou
each other. each alternate layer running in an
opposite direction. and the numhr: 81 wires
in different layers varying according to
the work to which the shaft is adapted.
| On, being brought to size about, ono
hrazed solid. and to these solid ends i the nt +
tings are attached. the one to receive tine tools
from tie pulley inclosing It. which in turn re-
! ceives its nower, from belt. Ne.yt a case is
prepared consisting Of single coil Of special
covered with some flexible material Of a
preferably over which ut either end forrule
is fastened. and into this fetrrue at ono end is
screwed tho hand Piece. ut the opposite end
the frame which carries the pulley.
Tho soldering Of glass and porcelain with
met oils is n novel French process. and its adap-
tations nre likely to he as numerous as they are
valuable. 1t is also simple. The portion OF the
tube that is to he soldered Is first covered with
q thin layer of platinum, this deposit being
by means Of brush. with very neutral chic.
ride Of platinum. mixed with essential
oil of "hamonile, the latter being slowly
Gus vapors cease to he given off. the ten pera-
ture is raised to red heat; the platinum, is
layer OF bright metal. On, connecting the tube
thus etallzed and PLACED in I, hath OF sulphate
OF corner. to the negative S pole OF 4 battery OF
platinum ring Of copper; which will le malle-
able and very adhesive Il the ~. 1,peration has
glass tube. covered with copper. can he treated
like n. genuine metallic tube. and he soldered
by To iron. copper. bronze. platinum or any
metals that can be united with tin solder.
Experiments made at the Main collieries.
Rotterdam, England. have demonstrated the
great advantage OF the shield. or bonnet. as
protection to mining lamps which would
otherwise Immediately explode in n strong
current. But still more interesting. perhaps.
is the invention OF an apparatus for testing
safety lamps in respect to their relative merits
as fire damp detectors. The apparatus Is n
wooden box. with an inlet tube for gas at the
top and an outlet for air AT the bottom, and the
mixture can he so varied that any desired per-
centaRe OF gas may be obtained In the air.
THIS device. 1t appears, falls to verify the gem
detect three per cent. Of gas and. indeed. with
any OF the newly contIived lamps. tho per
fentage had to he greater TO sn%w any n1isa
ernl result. however. Is mentioned In the case
OF II lamp fitted to burn henZoline through
sponge. a lamp giving a brilliant light. and by
n very delicate arrangement the flame can be
lowered until 1t assumes the character OF the
Bunsen burner flame: the glass OF the lamp is
even the most minute olongation OF the name
Is immediately detected by means OF this
lamp; e.fourth per cent. OF gas does not ss-
cape unnoticed
In view OF the fact that no method OF chemi-
cal analysis is available for determining the
quality OF yulcanized india-rubber. series OF
valuable experiments have been made by
Nladimron at the st. Petersburg Technical
Institute, by which the following conclu-
sions are arrived at: First, lndia-rubber
should give no sign Of superficial cracking
when bent to IN anglo OF 100 degrees after
five hours exposure In closed air bath TO
OF 5 hh9 test seees
t%a Sn', half It; S Weight nS Of netaIt OXIDES
shaHd fte,Gf to Aye hts Length
from all foreign matter except the sulphur
used In vulcGniZing It, should stretch at least
seven timss Its length before rnpddnre; toaftn;
rupture has taken nlace should not exceed
IL per cent OF the original length Of the test
piece Of rubber. This test piece to re from three
to twelve nm. long. three ON. wife. ana not
more than six MN. thick: fifth, goftness may
be determined by measuring the percentage
Of ash formed on Indignation: and may form
the basis for deciding between different
grades OF rubber for various purposes.
In order to arrive at o satisfactory solution
OF the effect OF wide-tire or narrow.tire
wagons on roads q series OF exhaustive tests
have been made by the aid OF dynamometer
recently, and the results, as described In q
shSw that broad dsi %onS
not make good roads simply having less ten.