Since the introduction of the process of gas-singeing in finishing textiles, many improvements have been made in the construction of the machines for this purpose as well as in that of the burners, for the object of the latter must be to effect the singeing not only evenly and thoroughly, but at the same time with a complete combustion of the gas and avoidance of sooty deposits upon the cloth. The latter object is attained by what are called atmospheric or Bunsen burners, and in which the coal gas before burning is mixed with the necessary amount of atmospheric air. The arrangement under consideration, patented abroad, has this object specially in view. The main gas pipe of the machine is shown at A, being a copper pipe closed at one end and having a tap at the other. On this pipe the vertical pipes, C, are screwed at stated intervals, each being in its turn provided with a tap near its base. On the top of each vertical table the burner, IJ, is placed, whose upper end spreads in the shape of a fan, and allows the gas to escape through a slit or a number of minute holes. Over the tube, C, a mantle, E, is slipped, which contains two holes, HG, on opposite sides, and made nearly at the height of the outlet of the gas. When the gas passes out of this and upward into the burner, it induces a current of air up through the holes, HG, and carries it along with it. By covering these holes with a loose adjustable collar, the amount of admissible air can be regulated so that the flame is perfectly non-luminous, and therefore containing no free particles of carbon or soot. The distance of the vertical tubes, C; and of the fan-shaped burners is calculated so that the latter touch each other, and thus a continuous flame is formed, which is found to be the most effective for singeing cloth. Should it be deemed advisable to singe only part of the cloth, or a narrow piece, the arrangement admits of the taps, D, being turned off as desired.--Textile Manufacturer.
SILAS' CHRONOPHORE.
In many industries there are operations that have to be repeated at regular intervals, and, for this reason, the construction of an apparatus for giving a signal, not only at the hour fixed, but also at equal intervals, is a matter of interest. The question of doing this has been solved in a very elegant way by Mr. Silas in the invention of the apparatus which we represent in Fig. 1. It consists of a clock whose dial is provided with a series of small pins. The hands are insulated from the case and communicate with one of the poles of a pile contained in the box. The case is connected with the other pole. A small vibrating bell is interposed in the circuit. If it be desired to obtain a signal at a certain hour, the corresponding pin is inserted, and the hand upon touching this closes the circuit, and the bell rings. The bell is likewise inclosed within the box. There are two rows of pins--one of them for hours, and the other for minutes. They are spaced according to requirements. In the model exhibited by the house Breguet, at the Vienna Exhibition, there were 24 pins for minutes and 12 for hours. Fig. 2 gives a section of the dial. It will be seen that the hands are provided at the extremity with a small spring, r, which is itself provided with a small platinum contact, p. The pins also carry a small platinum or silver point, a. In front of the box there will be observed a small commutator, M, (Fig. 1). The use of this is indicated in the diagram (Fig. 3). It will be seen that, according as the plug, B, is introduced into the aperture to the left or right, the bell. S, will operate as an ordinary vibrator, or give but a single stroke.
FIG. 1.--SILAS' CHRONOPHORE.
P is the pile; C is the dial; and A is the commutator.
It is evident that this apparatus will likewise be able to render services in scientific researches and laboratory operations, by sparing the operator the trouble of continually consulting his watch.--La Lumiere Electrique.