The Electrical experimenter

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"ELEVATING" CENTRAL. The upper stories of the West Palm IJeach Telephone Company's office in Florida, which has just had two floors added to it, was the scene of a remarkable engineering feat recently. Under the new arrangement it became necessarj^ to remove the big switchboard, at which the operators sit and make the connections that enable people to communicate with each other on an infinite variety of subjects, important or affectionate or merely frivolous, from the third to the fourth story. The move was made in the following simple but effective manner. A platform composed of two pieces of 4x6 timber, on which was laid a floor of will mean that tlie one-man submarine will become all the more practicable. Coming down to tlie means whereby this novel engine of war is to be used in carrying out offensive operations, we see upon looking over the detail drawing that in front of the submarine there is a detachable icarhcad in the form of a steel cap which fits against the parabolic nose of the submarine very tightly. This war-head contains the usual quantity of gun-cotton or other high explosive. Suitable quick-acting magnetic clutches enable the operator to instantly release the entire war-head at any desired moment This submersible not only carries two distinct forms of prime mover, but also carries the necessary gas tanks to supply a set of ultra-powerful oxy-acetylene flame nozzles, suitably disposed about the forward part- of the vessel on the exterior, and by means of which the operator can burn his -i'fl.v Ihni any ordinary stihniarinc net entanglement. This feature is one of the latest scientific discoveries and involves the operation of an oxy-acet\-lene flame under 'A-alcr, which is made possible by blowing a stream of comprest air around the gas nozzle, and in this way forming a flame pocket in the water so to speak. Mr. Lyon is very enthusiastic on this particular innovation, and has dra\yn plans for a one-man submarine which utilizes an extra powerful and especially contrived set of these high power oxy-acetylene nozzles with which to burn a hole thru the bottom of a Dreadnougliit, causing it to founder sooner or later. THE ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER Ma>-, 19 1 7 2x12 planks, was built under the heavv' switchboard—wide enough to accommodate the operators' chairs around the edge of the board. Slings were then placed about the whole business, to which a tackle and three heavy differential blocks, each capable of handling a weight of four tons, attached to a sling of log chains fastened Left:—All Aboard! Central Girls, Switchboard, Wires and All Prepare to Be Elevated From One Floor to Another. Above:—Going Up! Three Husky Chain Blocks Lift the Central Switchboard Complete. Right:—At Last! Central's Elevation Completed. No interruption in Traffic and the Girls Are 10 Feet Nearer Heaven. .\mong tlie other interesting features of the idea here pictured we find a collapsible periscope which may be folded down into a suitable pocket provided in the top of the hull, and attached to which there is an air tube and also a (distress) rocket shute. When running submerged, a special air machine is used to supply the necessary oxygen to the navigator. .\ powerful electric searchlight is fitted to the front of the detachable war-head and by means of the small periscope shown the operator can see ahead at a considerable distance under the water. .\ compact but powerful battery is contained in the war-head which can supply sufficient energy to energize the electromagnets which hold the explosive chamber to the hull of the enemy war vessel once the operator has managed to approach close enough to accomplish this result. The war-head also carries a special electric time switch, which functions a few minutes after the war-head has been attached magnetically to the hull of the enemy vessel, and which causes an electric spark to detonate the gun-cotton charge. It has been argued by a number of naval experts that the One-man Submarine is doomed to failure for several different reasons. This, however, does not seem to be the case so far as we can see. and providing the submersible is nroperly designed in its details. Let us take a concrete case for example to show how the Lyon one-man ship destroyer would go about its task. ."Xssuming that these engines of destruction, of which there would be most probably several in each attack to make doubly to a heavy beam at the top of the fifth story. The switchboard, with the girls seated at it, and still carrying on their work, was hoisted thru a hole in the floor of the fourth story. The work was carried on without a hitch, and the girls remained suspended until the floor had been rebuilt under the switchboard. There was not the slightest interruption to business from first to last during the ascent. Xor did the subscribers, talking over the switchboard, suspect in their wildest utterings, that "Central" Switchboard Girls—chewing gum and all were moving skyward, angel-like, all the while. sure that tlie enemy would not escape, have been despatched either from a fort or other point on the coast, or from a mother-ship several miles i-stant from the enemy, the intrepid navigator of the 50-mile-an-hour submarine starts forth on his perilous journe}-. With only his periscope exposed and at a distance of several miles, it is well known that a periscope projecting a foot or so above the water presents an almost impossible target for ordinary gun-fire, and moreover, as the vessel darts forth on its way and as the range decreases between himself and the enemy, the buoyancy and submerging tank motor-pumps are manipulated so that only occasional sightings are made with the periscope. It thus becomes very problematical whether the enemy could hit the submarine. .Mso at a distance of say one mile, and in accordance with standard submarine maneuvering the submarine officer then proceeds to take accurate sightings of the enemy both with regard to the range and the direction geographically, after which he submerges and may proceed at high speed at a depth of fifteen to twenty feet below the surface of the water (the same as modern torpedoes') and in a little over a minute or so, and providing he has gaged the enemy's position accurately, he will find himself in the vicinity of the bottom of the hull. Owing to the high speed possible with this miniature submarine, built like a torpedo, it should be possible for the navigator (in the event that he does not strike his mark, when he has gone the range calculated up- (Continued on ftape 47'^
May, 1917 ELECTRICITY is being rapidly introduced in tile new art of Aeronautics as the illustrations herewitli tend to testify. The greatest development in the art of flying is the aerial limousine or so-called .lulophmtillustrated in I'ig. 1, which was exhibited at the recent aeroplane show held in New ^ork City. This aeroplane is built in the form of an automobile limousine and equipt with three planes for the sustaining surface. Aside from its perfect mechanical features its electrical e(|uipment is exceedingly interesting, as the engine is automatically started by means of an electric motor installed exactly the same as the modern ntitnmoliilo engine electric starter. The engine develops 1(X) horsepower and drives a foiir-bladed propeller place at the rear. The interior lighting is accomplisbt entirely by electric lamps and its ignition is of the very latest electrical design. .Mtho it may seem that the machine was not made for speed, yet it has a speed range of sixtyr five miles per hour and can si tain a weight of "10 pounds. Tt can carry two passengers and a pilot. The slntlcmomclcr illustrated in Fig. 2 is an electric instrument devised to warn the aviator when his machine is approaching a stalling condition by indicating that THE ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER Electrifying the Aeroplane the minimum air speed has been reached. It is mounted in any convenient position where the air flow is unobstructed. The stallemometcr is adjustable for any desired air speed, depending on the aeroplane on which it is installed. When the predetermine! speed is reached, an electric contact is closed in the stallemometer, closing the circuit thru an indicating lamp miniiited on the instrument hoard stationed ill front of the pilot. .'\n incidence indicator increases the efficiency of an aeroplane by warning the aviator before he stalls and by enabling him to get the best. climbing and gliding angles out of his machine. The transmitter of the Incidence Indicator in Fig. ,1. is mounted on a forward strut so as not to interfere with anv part of the plane. The lamp bank or indicator is on the instrument cowl, always visible to the nilot observing other essential instruments. The red light warns the aviator before he stalls as well as when he begins climbing at a dangerous angle. The white lamp signals whenever the pilot dives at too steep an angle. The green light indicates the best climbing angle. I5eing of low voltage as well as low current consumption, the lights can be operated on a dry battery, encased in metal and installed wherever most convenient. The signals are regulated by a vane operated by the air stream. The lamp bank container is .seen in the background. Each lamp is equipt with the proper colored screen and each connected to the required contacts enclosed in the incidence indicator chamber. The lead wires are led thru one of the supporting tubes. .\viators wishing to know at anv lime tlie currect lore and all position of the machine, with reference to the horizontal, can read it on the scale of the dead-beat clinomeler illustrated at Fig. 4 The operation of this instrument is simple. Whenever the clinometer is tipt forward or backward by the motion of the plane, this movement is re.gistered on a scale mounted on a wheel which is damped by floating in a liquid. If the aeronlane tips forward, the scale moves upward, indicating in degrees below the zero line the exact angle. If the machine tips backward, the scale moves down- (Continued »i f'a
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MURDOCK No. 55 SENSIBLY PRICED SENS
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The Electrical experimenter

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