IMPROVED AIR ENGINE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2105, 22 November 1880, Page 3

IMPROVED AIR ENGINE.

The ‘‘Times” of October 7th saysA practical experiment was yesterday made with an air engine at Woolwich,which so far affords hope that before long humanity and economy may be promoted by the abolition of tramway horses, and that the sufferings of travellers by the underground railways may be mitigated by the substitution of atmospherical power for sulphurous locomotives propelled by steam. The engine, which has been designed by Major Beaumont, Royal Engineers, has been for some time running on the short lines of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and although weighing but 10 tons, it has proved capable of hauling a burden of 16 tons up a fair incline. Yesterday arrangements were made to try its powers in a more extended run, such as engines of the kind would have to encounter on London tramways and rails. The air reservoir, which contains only 100 cubic feet of air, was charged at the torpedo pumping-house in the Boyal Arsenal, Woolwich, up to a pressure of 10001 b to the square inch, and with this store of energy it was proposed to run to and from Hartford, abont sixteen miles. Major Beaumont was accompanied on the engine by Mr C. S. Sears, assistant superintendent, South-Eastern Railway, and several other gentlemen, and explained the methods which he had adopted in his invention, the chief feature of which was the introduction of an almost imperceptible supply of steam by which the air as it is admitted to the cylinder from the reservoir is largely heated, and, as a matter of course, greatly increased in force. The engine is driven by six cylinders and a double set of machinery at one end, and, having no smoke stack, resembles in appearance a locomotive tender rather than a locomotive. It rung on four wheels, and in size is less than an ordinary omnibus. It left the Royal Arsenal Station at 12.22 p.m., with a full charge of 10601 b to the inch, passed Abbey Wood Station at 12.27 p.m. with 9401 b on the gauge; Belvedere at 12.33, with 8601 b ; and Erith at 12.36, with 7601 b, arriving at Hartford at 12.50, with a remaining energy of 6401 b on the square inch. Shunting at the station reduced this pressure somewhat, and at 1.35 the return journey commenced with a store of 5101 b. Although the minimum for effective working is considered to be a pressure of 2001 b., Flumstead Station was reached again at 2.10, but the engine was nearly pumped out, having a pressure of barely 801 b. remaining. The strange-looking engine, running without steam or any other apparent motive power, was regarded with amusing wonder by the country people as it passed at full speed, and was naturally an object of unusual interest at the various railway stations. It was stated that another engine is under construction much more powerful, capable, in fact, of travelling double the distance with a single charge. The operation of pumping the compressed air occupies about fifteen minutes, and it is calculated that an air engine on this principle as large as the usual steam locomotive of fifty tons weight would be considerably more powerful than any locomotive yet made. The objection to steam that it frightens horses cannot apply to this system, as there is no escape of steam visible or audible, and the only noise to be distinguished is a rumbling sound something similar to the rattle of street traffic. The general belief of those who witnessed yesterday’s experiment was that the application of atmospheric power to the science of travelling was a thing of the near future.