The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31

tainly the most important to the Bir- mingham district. relate to improve ments in the rescue apparatus worn by miners followins disasters. This ap- raratus which supplies oxygen to the rescuer permits him to enter poisonous gases and carry on his work for a period of two hours Think of the value of such an apparatus in coal mine horror such as has been expe- rienced in the Birmingham district.
 In the bureau of mines experience with this oxygen breathing device. three rescuers have lost their lives and In each instance it is believed their deaths were due to certain defects in the apparatus. This led to a desperate attempt upon the part of the engi- neers to construct an apparatus that would be reasonably safe The engi- neers found considerable difficulty in the. absorption of the poisonous mat ter>of i he breath in the apparatus and also in the reduction of the high pres sure oxygen carried oR the tanks on the backs of the rescuers. Both prob lens were submitted to William E. Gitbs, consulting engineer of the hc reau and after research covering sew eral months, the solution of both prob lens is announced in application made for the patents.
 The caustic soda which is used in the apparatus in taking up the poisonous exhaltations of the breath has been so adjusted as to permit a continuous Aow of the expired air. series of successful experiments have already been made upon this device.
 
 Reduction of Pressure
 The second problem-the reduction of the oxygen pressure of 2000 pounds to the square inch to the proper amount needed by the rescuer-has been &C., ccmplished by the invention of a new type of valve The apparatus at pres ent reduces the oxygen pressure but supplies the oxygen at a constant rate 10 matter how much the wearer needs With the new valve, the supply of oxygen Is regulated by the demands of the wearer of the apparatus, and no oxygen goes to waste through relief valve as in the devices now in use. In making these Improvements for safety, MT. Gibbs has succeeded in re- ducing the weight of the breathing apparatus fully 40 per cent. The ap- paratus at present weighs 40 pounds which proves serious handicap to the rescuer at his work.
 .Collapsable Mine Cage
 A third invention is that of a col lapsible mine cage for use in rescue work following a mine disaster. Often the mine cage is so badly shattered by the effect of explosions that it can not be operated. In such instances, 1t Is claimed, the collapsible cage would save hours of delay in rescue work and perhaps be the means of saving many lives. The designer of this cage is George s. Rice, the chief mining en- gineer of the bureau of mines.
 J. w. Paul. engineer in charge of the mines rescue work of the bureau of mines. is the inventor of an elec- trical signalling device for use in shafts, especially following disasters. With this device, a person descending a shaft will be able to signal the cage is overcome and the apparatus falls from his hands, a circuit is i'm mediately closed and a gong in the engine house gives a sudden warning. Such device, it is claimed by MT. Paul, would have been useful in the Cherry mine fire In Illinois several years ago, where so many men lost their lives. The rescue crews there had to subject themselves to unneces- sary dangers in descending the wrecked shaft because of the lack of means for signalling. The device Is so ar ranged that in the absence of hu- l man intelligence to direct the giving 1 of prearranged code of signals. the | gong on the surface and in the en- 1 zine house would ring continuously, | which, in every case would be the sig l nal to hoist immediately.
 All these devices go with the elabo- | rate scheme of rescue work in minc | disasters so carefully worked out by | the bureau of mines, and which expe- | rience has proven to be of vast benefit | and help in the saving of both life and | property.