The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-25
; HOFFMAN'S ROTARY ENGINE
Promises a Revolution in Fields OF Industry
and Transportation.

BUFFALO, Sept. PA revolution In the
fields of industry. commerce and transporta-
ton seems booked to come, as result OF
the invention of a rotary engine in Buff
falo. William NJ. Hoffman Of this city Is
the inventor. II his expectations are real
lied railroad trains will make 100 miles
an hour with less friction than at present,
steamships will greatly increase speed and
single cars will be run at lightning pace on
steam or tram railway tracks, independent
of trolley connections, all with much more
economy than under existing conditions.
On top Of all that the power in all kinds
of factories will be produced at much
less cost in q much smaller amount OF space
than at present.
A 30 horsepower rotary engine, in
vented by Mr. Hoffman, is now in opera
ton in the basement Of Ellcott Square.
The.fnishing touches are now being put on
q 500 horsepower engine OF the same type
in the Noye Manufacturing Company's
plant on Lake View avenue. 1t VIII be
used to supply the power in the $500. 600
plant which Mr.. Hoffman is planning to
build here for the manufacture OF his en-
gines. -...
The invention has been pronounced to
be all right by prominent engineers, includ-
ing p. I. Berg Of Stockholm, Sweden, at
one time chief engineer of the Carnegie
steel plant and now representative IN Eu-
rope for American steel interests; George
r. Hamfeldt. superintendent OF the Carrie
furnaces of the old Carnegie Steel Com.
pany, and by j. B. Carper, chief mechanical
engineer for the Rand-Extcin gold mines
OF South Africa.
Many rotary engines have been invented
in the last few years. but Mr.. Hoffman
says there have been no practical results.
They have all depended TO- their source
the boiler. The feature Of Mr. Hoffman's
rotary engine is that it makes use OF the
expansion of steam, the en- CINE being cut
of from connection with the boiler supply
of stee1t for twO-third1 OF every revolu-
ton r.adr That mems great economy
In fuel and steam.
But Nh. HCifn an says that steam is
not tire only means OF propulsion that
can be used in his engine, He says he in
tends to make gas engines OF the same
which steam is used. So it is hardly pos
sibe to realize the revolution which this
engine will create, if 1t comes up to it's
inventors expectations. - .-'
MIR. Hoffman was asked to mention some
OF the uses to which his new engine can be
put.
1T can be utilized in every instance
where a steam OF a gas engine is used now,
he replied. The absolute absence of
- vibration makes it especially desirable
space occupied by present engines in boats
rs per cent. 1t will reduce the coal carrying
space in boats rs per cent 1t will lessen
the cost OF construction of new ships, by
doing away with the strengthening now
put in to meet the "ibration of the present
type of engines
1T ran be utilized for locomotives. 1t
will do away with the rack and tear Of
piston rods going In opposite directions
and locomotives with four foot driving
wheels can be driven ct a speed OF from
100 to 10 miles. ....
Then the engine will be used In the pro-
pulsion OF single cars. A salamanderine
or flash boiler, heated by petroleum, and a
fifty horss-p power engine con be put on the
front platform OF car and leave room for
the motorman. The engine will be specially
valuable in connection with the production
of electricity. Tho demand for an engine
OF high speed by the electrical companies
was what startnd the boom for turbine
engines.
"rhe engine will work a great change in
the factories of the world, In every place
where n stationary engine is used. Then
there are automobiles, launches and a
thousand and one other things which will
be affected