128 REPORT— 1839. 



On the Marquis of Ttoeeddales Patent Brick and Tile Macfdne. By 

 G. CoTTAM, Esq. 



The first process by this machine is to make a continuous sheet of 

 well-pressed clay, of the proper breadth and thickness. This is then 

 cut into the required lengths. It moulds at the rate of 24 bricks per 

 minute, or \,^A:0 per hour, and, in a brickmaker's day of 16 hours, 

 would produce 23,040 per day ; and, in consequence of the compres- 

 sion which the clay undergoes, the bricks do not requii'e one third of 

 the time to dry them that the hand-made bricks do. The tile machine 

 is a modification of that for bricks. In each case the clay is made to 

 pass between two rollers, from whence it is brought out in a thin flat 

 cake, and is cut to the requisite width by two wires. It is then con- 

 veyed, by an endless web, under other rollers, and, by a simple 

 contrivance, the tiles are cut to the required size, the web further con- 

 veying them on to the shelves, from whence they are taken to be burnt. 

 By a modification of the machine, the drain-tile and the pan-tile can 

 be manufactured with equal facility. 



Description of a new Railway Wheel. By G. Cottam, Esq. 



The wheels suggested are made on the following principles: — 1st. 

 They are wholly of wrought iron, so welded together, that, independent 

 of screws, rivets, or any other kind of fastening, they form one piece 

 with the spokes. 2nd. The spokes of the wheels are placed diagonally, 

 and act as trusses, thereby giving the greatest possible support to the 

 rim, or tire, and, at the same time, being in the best position for re- 

 sisting lateral pressure. 3rd. Iron in a state of tension or compression, 

 as is usually the case with the tires of wheels, is easily broken by 

 sudden shocks, or by vibratory action. The wheels in question are so 

 constructed, that the fibres of the iron employed are neither compressed 

 nor stretched, but remain in their natural condition. 4. The strength 

 of iron being as the square of its depth, then the flanged tires of these 

 wheels, which offer sections twice as deep, are, consequently, four 

 times as strong as those of any wheels at present in use. This increase 

 of strength is attributable solely to the peculiarity of their construc- 

 tion, and not to any increase in the weight of the material. 5th. The 

 spokes strike the air edgewise, and thus offer the least possible resist- 

 ance. Wheels where the spokes present a flat surface, may be said to 

 act as blowing machines, and, as such, require a greater propelling 

 power. 6th. These wheels, by simply varying the curve of their 

 spokes, become either rigid or flexible, or, in other words, they may be 

 made to any degree of elasticity. 7th. When worn by friction, the 

 rims or tires may be txxrned down, and have hoops of railway tire 

 shrunk on them. These wheels are very strong and durable, and more 

 advantageous than those of other constructions. 



