474 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



through which the gaseous mixture enters the cylinder. 

 This is of more closely woven material than that used in the 

 safety-lamp, and several thicknesses are employed, in order 

 that it may act as an effectual preventive against the com- 

 munication of ignition to the mass of gas inclosed in the res- 

 ervoir. A similar diaphragm, but of much smaller area, 

 allows a very small quantity of gas to stream continuously 

 into the cylinder, and as this current is not interrupted by 

 tlie closing of the induction-valve, its little jet burns con- 

 stantly, and is always ready to ignite an entering charge. A 

 safety-valve of large area is provided as a precaution against 

 the possible accident of the flames reaching the reservoir. 



The burning-gas employed and the air are taken in proper 

 proportions into the compressing-pump, and from this are 

 carried forward, intimately mixed, to the point at which the 

 mixture is to do its work; by this m^eans complete combus- 

 tion is insured. In the machines of this type in operation at 

 the time of this writing crude petroleum is employed in 

 place of gaseous fuel, and the reservoir is filled simply with 

 air which is carburetted at the point of combustion. It thus 

 becomes possible to operate with but a very minute quan- 

 tity of liquid in the apparatus at any one time, and an explo- 

 sion is practically impossible from the fact that the explosive 

 mixture is not formed until it arrives at the combustion 

 chamber. 



The induction-valve is protected from the action of the hot 

 gases by the safety diaphragm which is interposed between 

 it and the cylinder. Upon the opening of the induction- 

 valve the mixed gases enter, and are promptly ignited by 

 the constantly burning jet before described. The inventor 

 of this ingenious mechanism claims that the operation of his 

 engine is precisely similar in the action of the engine proper 

 and in the distribution of pressure in its cylinder to that of 

 the steam-engine ; that the entering mixed gases burn stead- 

 ily not explosively as they flow into the cylinder; and 

 that the pressure from the commencement of the stroke to 

 the point of cut-off", as proved by indicator diagramSj is as 

 uniform as that observed in any steam-cylindei*. 



