The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-09-30

Dauy luOuSauOS OF DOALaES III Up"
keep Automatic Safety Devices.
For the first time in the history
of man the air is being harnessed
by a railway to provide means Of
protection and safety in an expert
ment that bids to save the Great
Northern railway a half million
dollars annually, should it be sue
CcssfuI.
On a windmill at Culbertson, in
Roosevelt county, much resembling
the old fashioned water pumping
mill in common use years ago, sets a
small electric generator, attached to
a large wind propelled wheel by
means of a pulley. AS the wheel is
driven around by the wind the pulley
drives the generator at high velocity,
furnishing from 200 to 800 volts of
electricity.
The electricity produced is trans
formed from direct current to alter
mating current which is carried out
in wires from CulberstOn along 26
miles of main line automatic block
signal lights east to Bainville and
west to BrOckton on the main line.
Here it is stored in batteries specially
adapted and ready for instant use
upon the approach of either east or
westbOund trains.
Eastern Railways Watching.
The experiment, which will last
during the winter, is watched eager
ly by many large eastern railroads
and is said to be the greatest labor
saving device conceived since the ad-
wont rf fhn nTonfwfo h1nnIr uf0nn1U
At present great expense is in
Cured by the company and a perplex-
ing problem presented to officials in
the maintenance Of the automatic
block system.
Storage batteries are now in use
by the company and must be re-
charged at regular intervals. A chem
ical compound of great value is used
and large quantities bring the cost of
maintenance to a very high figure.
1t was with this in mind that G.
A. Durham, superintendent of sig
nails on the Great Northern railway
sought for cheaper means Of carry
ing on.
Got idea from the Farmers.
Through Minnesota and North Da-
kOta a large number Of farmers have
constructed windmilIs for the pur-
pose Of generating electricity for the
farm use. Many of the mills furnish
power for milking COWS by machinery
and washing clothes, lighting houses
and many of the various farm and
household labor saving devices.
Visits to these farms proved the
efficiency of the generator. 1t was
not long after Mr.. Dunham's sug.
gestiOn that arrangements were made
to erect the windmill and with the IN.
stallatiOn Of the automatic blocks
from Wolf Point to Williston it was
decided to experiment with this ad.
agitation. It was then necessary to ar
range for changes from direct to al
ternating and back to direct current
The somewhat windy atmosphere
of Montana was selected for the ex
pertinent and George ManihOwske
to Montana to install the mill anC
generator.
The entire wheel of the mill and al
parts attached turn with the chang
ing of the wind. A specially prepared
belt, weatherproofed under patent
runs about the exterior of the wheel
furnishing ear Of turning tn
motor.
Harris Directs Experiment.
The entire process is simple an
depends entirely upon the winds. tn
maximum number of revolutions pc
minute of the wheel is 81, at whic.
speed the force and velocity Of tn
winds opens the blades and allow
the excess pressure to slip through
The principle of airplane construC
ton is involved in the placing of tn
blades not on mechanical center bu
upon the actual center Of centrifuge
force.
AS the experiment will be mad
solely at CUlbertsOn, so that it ma
be under careful surveillance Of /
T. Harris, general foreman Of COZ
structiOn of signals on the Montan
division of the railway, many GU
ious people inquire daily in regard
the large windmill.
Should the mill prove a success fC
~railroading purposes in this section
it is predicted by many in this Il
cality that Montana will have mar
such mills in rural communities f
the purpose of furnishing light, he;
and power.
Many farmers in Northern MOI
tana have announced the intention
purchasing a windmill for CONVEX
fence.
The initial cost is small compare
to many electric systems now in vi
and the strong winds that ride raI
pant over the north state plains ma
eventually be brought to practic
use.