New ~leam Gauge. 23

of over four pounds, with just double the quantity of steam, instead o[ quadruple as above, and of course at one-half the expense of tue]. The pressures here assumed for illustrating the two modes of appli- cation are not those, of course, which would be adopted in practice, but the result would be the same in effect if the maximum pressure were sixty-five pound~ above vacuum, and the minimum one-half ~hat amount, working with a constant expansion of eight or teu times its original volume.

Now that competition is so strong in rates of speed, every degree of pressure is employed and steam generated in all kinds of boilers, suitable or unsuitable ; the lemptafion is so great to run dangerous risks for the sake of victory, that some power of control is become absolutely necessary--a matter, however, of no very difficult accom- plishment, though it might be opposed by the proprietors, possibly, as exposing the secret of the doings in the engine-room, with regard to the real working pressure; but that is a matter of no weight, nor can it be honestly objected to or denied. We would suggest, then, that a competent person should have the power to inspect all steam. boats, periodically, as to the fitness and condition of the boilers in re- lation to their working pressure, and to see the following precaution- ary checks adopted~viz . : One safety-valve, at least, on each boiler, placed beyond the control of the engineer, except as to having the power of lifting it occasionally, to insure its duly operating : or by a slight easement effected at regular intervals by the engine itself, but no power of adding weight. Next, that two graduated gauges be fixed in one case above deck; one showing the pressure of steam in the boilers, and the other the level of the water and the excess or de- ficiency in either case fi'om the fixed working points on the s c a l e . - These gauges to be open at all times for inspection to every persori on board, and minutes made in the log at regular intervals.in sea- going s(eamers, pal ticulariy during the t]ight, s~ating the height of the water and pressure of steam. The sound working condition of these gauges to be maintained at all times, and cases of neglect, or tamper- ing with them in any manqer, to be visited by a severe fine--perhaps fine and imprisonment, where so many lives are endangered, which would at once put an end to the reckless tampering with the pres- sure, and insure careful attention to the supply of water, and conse- quently safety to all on board. C.

f~ondon, October 7, 1847. Cir. Eng. & Arch.Journ.

.New Steam Gauge.

The following letter has been addressed to a morning paper:--Sir, A most importaut invention has been submitted to me fi*r my ap- proval, patented by a Mr. Smith, of Nottingham, and is intended to indicate the strength of steam in steam engine boilers; it is particularly" adapted for steamboats, and can be placed in the cabin, on deck, or on any other part of the vessel, where it may be seen by every pas- senger on board. It may also be fixed in the office of every maria-

24 .~merican Patents.

factory where a steam engine is used, at a considerable distance from the b~iler. I am so much pleased with it, that 1 have put one up at one of my own collieries; it is some distance from the boiler, and in another house, and works most beautifully, showing the rise and fall. of the steam in the most delicate manner. The indicator is like the face of a clock, with a pointer, making one revolution in measuring Item 1 lb. to 100 lbs. upon the square inch of the pressure of steam ; it is quite from under the control of the engineer, or any other person, so that its indications may be relied upon, and the construction is so simple that it is scarcely possible for it to get out of order. I might give a full explanation of the machine, but I think it bestto leave that to the inventor himself. The numerous and appalling accidents which have occurred from the bursting of steamboat boilers have induced me to give you these observations, which I think desirable t ab e laid before the public. I may state that I have no pecuniary interest in the scheme ; but being the first person to whom it has been shown, and the first to make use of it, I feel it a duty that I owe to the in- ventor, as well as the public, to make it as universally known as pos- sible. The indicator is put up at Tapton Colliery, near Chesterfield ; and may be seen any day by any respectable person by inquiring either for Mr. Hindmarsh or Mr. Langlands.

GEORGE STEPHENSONo Ta~lor~.ho~se, Cheslera~eld. London Athenaeum.

t

A M E R I C A N P A T E N T S .

List o f dmeriean Patents which isstted in the month of September, 1846,--with Bxemplifieations, bg CHARLES M. K~LLER, .#gent for procuring Patents, and late Chief Eacaminer o f Patents in the U. S. Patent Oafiee.

1. For Improvements in the Jldjustable Clevis for Plo~tghs; Samuel Wilt, Hagerstown, Maryland, September 3. The patentee says,-- ' , Many modifieati~ms of the clevis have been

made, by which tile plough was to be properly set, but heretofor6 generally without success, and in many instances the expense of con- struction was so great that they were not brought into general use By my newly-invented clevis, I am enabled to set the draught up, or down, or sideways, with the utmost exactness, which has not been attained by any clevis now in use."

Claim.--" Having thus fully described my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim adjusting the height of the draught by a screw, nor do I claim regulating the clevis by a slit and set sere~,, as these have before been done; but what I do claim as my improve- ment, and desire to secure by letters patent, is the combination of the horizontal and vertical adjusting apparatus, constructed as herein de- scribed; by which the adjustment can be made either way with the minutest exactness."