An Electrically Driven Washing Plant
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IN most up-to-date passenger-vehicle garages high-pressure washing plant is essential if efficiency and economy are to be secured. As the vehicles are in service, in many cases, from before daybreak until midnight, there only remain a few hours during the night for cleaning work. Obviously, the concern which makes use of a noisy washing plant is in danger of having an injunction issued against it.
Bearing this fact in mind, Messrs. Simpkins's Engineering Works, Oedling, Nottingham, have adopted an enclosed-worm drive between the motor and pump of the Southwell high-pressure car washer. This drive operates in an oilbath, eliminating any need for the lubrication of individual bearings. All working parts are fed with oil on the splash system ; a level-checking device and a drain-cock are provided.
Another advantage of this form of transmission lies in the fact that a single reduction of speed, from the motor to the pump, is employed ; this, of course, gives a higher efficiency than Is possible if a double reduction be utilized.
D30 The driving medium is a 2 h.p. electric motor of British make, with a ballbearing armature. The three-start worm is integral with the forged shaft ; this mates with a phosphor-bronze wheeL
A triple-ram horizontal pump is used ; this has a capacity of 300 gallons per hour, the pressure being 300 lb. to 350 lb. per sq. in. Marine-type connecting rods on the three-throw crankshaft are coupled to crossheads running in bored guides. The rams are of bronee, working through gunmetal guides ; the bore is 14 in. and the stroke 3 ins. The valves and seats are of glut. metal and all can
be reached easily for maintenance work.
The fittings on the pump comprise a pressure gauge, an air vessel of ample size and a by-pass valve; the function of the last-named is to allow water to return to the suction pipe when both
guns are turned off. Two guns are provided and there are two 20-ft. lengths of high-pressure hose. The floor space occupied by this installation is 3 ft. 9 ins. by 1 ft. 2 ins.