Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13

morning. the engineer need give IL no more
attention than he would a windmill. The
boiler, suspended I'm mid-air, devoid OF fur
naces and smoke-begrimed stokers, also
takes care of itself.
The steam generated is transferred from
the boiler overhead to the cylinders of the
engine on the ground through flexible
bronze tube, and another pipe traversing
the aerial bridge carries fresh water when
ever supply is needed-thus obyiatIng the
danger or an explosion which would de-
stroy the delicate though powerful appa-
ratus. Even the oiling is done automatic
ally.
Intense Heat Generated.
These automatic arrangements are nee
essary, for any one coming within the
range of this solar inferno to adjust the
machinery, or for any other purpose, would
be burned to a crisp. The intensity Of the
heat generated at the apex Of this solar
reservoir is almost inconceivable A great
pole thrust into the vortex of the sun bath
flames like a match. Copper or iron Is
melted in a few seconds. and granite is
fused in slightly longer period.
Were it possible for any living thing TO
make its way within this magic circle com
plete humiliation would result almost more
quickly than the eve OF a spectator could
follow the consuming flame. That the
boiler itself is not melted into unrecos 1iza-
BILE shape is due only to the fact that 1t is
made of specially prepared steel covered
with absorbent material. This novel steam
generator has length OF thirteen and a
half feet and holds over one hundred gal
Ions of water while still allowing a space OF
reasonable dimensions for the accumulation
of steam.
Less than an hour Is usually REQUIRED
after the reflector has been brought into
range to catch the suns rays ere the water
receptacle appears to be literally glowing
with heat and the steam gauge. such as Is
attached to the ordinary steam engine
shows a pressure OF 40 to 200 pounds On
every square inch of surface.
Not at All Unwieldy.
AS is obviously necessary I'm any struc-
ture which presents so large a surface to
the wind. the construction of the solar mo-
tor is of the stanchest character All the
principal parts are of steel of the greatest
strength. The whole apparatus weighs,
perhaps, six tons, and yet ponderous and
apparently unwieldy as It is, il can be
moved with ease Naturally this is en- i'm
portant requisite, since the reflector must
be turned to face the sun exactly. No
lenses are used, the heat being conferred
fiom the plain mirrors upon the boiler
which. as has been explained, is located at
the central or focal point. In order to IA
cilitate the speedy handling OF the reflector.
1t is mounted much after the fashion OF
a'large telescope and is as easily regulated
What will this solar motor and its sue
cessors do, Is natural question. This
pioneer engine In the Golden Gate state has
already demonstrated its ability to raise
water from a well of ordinary depth at the
rate of 1,4o0 gallons per minute. Granted,
as has been claimed, that il can develop fif-
teen horse power, it will be seen that il
would not require a great number of solar
motors to operate a manufacturing plant
Of ordinary size. To the resident of the
country where this initial motor has been
erected, however, a land where sunshine
is plenty and water is exceedingly scarce,
this power easily developed has sug-
gested another and bigger possibility
Irrigation.
Value I'm Irrigation.
Government officials have estimated that
fully one-third of the area OF the United
States is embraced in Arid America-that
immense tract where water can be had
only by sinking wells of varying depths. and
where even then there is no means of dis
tributing the life giving fluid to the FAM
ished land.
To this region the solar motor is likely
to prove a godsend. Here the sun shines
almost continuously during the daylight
hours and when a model engine such as has
been erected at Los Angeles is capable Of
lifting sufficient water to irrigate several
hundred acres, IL may readily be imagined
what will be accomplished when the des-
erts of the southwest are dotted with
Solal motors as the plains of Nebraska
now are with windmills.
Moreover, vast mining interests are de-
yeloping in this section of the country and
practical men who have investigated the
question within the past few weeks de-
ergy captured from the sun should not
prove OF the greatest assistance in secur-
ing the treasures of natures storehouses.
Two Points of View.
From Puck.