PLATINUM PLUG POINTS
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1—k A SCHEME for tipping the electrodes
of sparking plugs with platinum is shown in patent No. 877,093 by Robert Bosch A.G., 4 Breitscheidestrasse, Stuttgart-W., Germany. It is the method used that is novel, the platinum being attached by cold extrusion.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
A CCORDING to patent No. 874,003, 1—k self-levelling springs should also have a variable rate of damping to suit the degree of load, and the patent proceeds to describe such a scheme. (C. Granet and others, 17 rue d'Essling, Courhevoie, Seine, France.)
In the layout shown in the drawing, pairs of air-spring units (1) are located between the axle beam (2) and the frame. A compressed-air reservoir (3) feeds the springs, the height of which is maintained constant for all loads. This is controlled by a valve (4) responsive to axle distance.
A damping unit (5) works between axle and frame. This is of novel construction, having hydraulic dashpots, the rate of which is controlled by a spring-loaded restriction. The essential point of the patent is that the load on this spring is increased or reduced by the air pressure in the springs, and the degree of clamping var:ed according to the load on the vehicle. The air is led via a pipe (6) to the damper.
HYDRAULIC AUXILIARY DRIVES
THEprovision of hydraulic power for operating steering gear opens up possibilities of using it for other purposes. This is the subject of patent No. .874,359 which deals with a method of driving both the fan and the dynamo. (H. Thoma, Rotfluhstrasse 10, Zollikon, Switzerland.)
The drawing shows the layout in which a piston-pump (1) creates the pressure. The liquid flows around a circuit comprising the steering-control valve (2), the fan drive motor (3), the dynamo drive motor (4) and returns to the reservoir (5). A by-pass valve (6) serves to regulate the power supply to the fan.
The essence of the scheme is that if the steering system should demand a momentary surge of power that is beyond the capacity of the pump, the flywheel effect of the fan and the dynamo will transiently provide extra pressure for this purpose.
UNIFORM BRAKE LINING WE
1—k A BRAKE assembly claimed to (
come uneven wear of the li material forms the subject of p: No. 874,260. (Fijn-Mechanische lndr " Becker's Sons" N.V., No. 54 Hogenhoucklaan, The Hague, Ne lands.) Referring to the drawing, a pal opposed shoes are mounted on studs (1), which allow only r movement. Retraction is performe flat springs (2) hooked in the shoes anchored on the guides.
The shoes are moved to the t drum by pairs of toggle levers (3) bet their respective ends. The levers rollers (4) which are forced outv when the cam (5) is rotated.
The rollers are guided in slots ( T-shaped plates. These are located tionally on pins (7) and able to slightly to ensure that there is pressure between each shoe and the
Adjustment of the brake shoes rel to the drum is carried out by alterin position of the cam-actuating pin (E AUTOMATIC TAILBOARD Li
PATENT No. 876,349 refers to ti bodies and discloses a schem raising the tailboard automatically body tips. The patent comes G. Neville, " Cresta Lodge," Robin I Lane, Mansfield, Notts,