THE STEAM VELOCIPEDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 945, 28 May 1880, Page 3

THE STEAM VELOCIPEDE.

At the recent Industrial Exhibition at the Champs Elysees, Paris, M. Perreanx, exhibited a steam velocipede. The generator, the fireplace, and the motor are arranged behind the saddle of velocipede, after the manner of the portmanteau of a horseman. Chains of belts transmit motion from the em.ine to the wheels. All the parts are small, well put together, and very compact. The small tubular boiler is cylindrical, and has a capacity of about three quarts ; and at the sides there are two receptacles containing a sufficient supply of water to last during aquurney of two to three hours. The pistmi of the engine is about one inch in diameter and has a 3-inch stroke. The whole engine is a mere plaything, and yet, with a pressure of three and a half'‘‘atmospheres, it has sufficient power to drive the velocipede at a speed of from fifteen miles per hour. The fireplace which heats the boiler is an ingenious novelty, and consists of a small gasometer fed by wood spirit. The vapour of the alcohol issues through holes, and gives a flame endowed with great calorific power. The fire is lighted at will and in a few minutes steam is up. A method is provided for regulating the escape of the alcohol vapour, and consequently the intensity of the heat. Externally the boiler is furnished with two tubes rolled in the

t°rin of a spiral, so that the steam which is produced circulates through these continuously, and is exposed directly to the tire before entering the motor. The steam being superheated, no water is carried over with it. \\ ith a speed of eighteen miles an hour, the cost of alcohol consumed is from forty to sixty cents (this calculation, of course, for France). This is certainly not very economical, hut it is very pleasant to have a horse under control which eats only when he works,—Scientific American.