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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0776.PDF
DECEMBER 4, 1909. AN INGENIOUS IGNITION-PLUG. BY an ingenious combination of parts, several advantages have been aimed at in the " Maurice " plug that is sold by Messrs. Eyquem's Patents. First and foremost it is sought to render it " self-cleaning " by forming a clear passage-way right through the centre of the plug and by constructing the insulated electrode in the form of a relief-cock that enables this passage way to be opened or closed at will while the engine is running. The idea-in this respect is that any carbon deposits can be blown or washed out, thus enabling the plug to be used for paraffin engines or under any similar conditions where incomplete combustion is apt to interfere with the ignition. If the cock is opened when the engine is running, the rapid rush of gases tends to clear away any obstructing particles there may be, while further than this, the cock permits paraffin or petrol to be injected for the purpose of cleaning the insulating material inside the plug. The accompanying illustra- tion shows the manner in which the cock is arranged, while the lower view also indicates the substantial nature of the spark-points and the effective character of the insulation em- ployed. Therein it will further be observed that a contact-wire is fix^d to the handle of the cock in such a way that this wire short-circuits the ignition-plug when the cock is open, but does not interfere with its electrical action when the cock is closed. The wire, therefore, forms a convenient switch for testing the ignition at any time—especially as the length of external spark can be ascertained by it. Needless to say, too, the cock serves for introducing paraffin into the cylinders in the event of this being required by the piston-rings as well as for cleaning the plug itself. Brass is used for the body of the plug, and either porcelain or mica is employed for the insulation. The "Maurice" self-cleaning spark plug. THE VAKATA KITE. As an outcome of the Kite-Flying Association's recent competitions, and our full reports of the same in these pages, we have been requested to give further information relating to the " Vakata " Indian kite. For this purpose we have obtained a set of these kites from Messrs. A. W. Gamage, who stock them, and we herewith give a sketch which shows their shape and construction. The Vakata kite is approximately rectangular in shape having sides measuring about a foot in length. The frame consists of two light pieces of cane, one of which forms a backbone, while the other is bent across it like a bow. The surface of the kite is made of tissue paper, and at the tail corner two extra thicknesses of paper are pasted on, as shown in the sketch, and these are stiffened by a pair of very light cane ribs. The whole construction is characterised by its lightness, not to say apparent flimsiness, although they seem to be wonderfully strong in the air. Added interest is given to this form of kite, inasmuch as Major Fink has devised a game to be played with them, in which teams of different coloured kites oppose one another in accordance with certain rules. The object of the game is to sever the kite-line of an opponent and to capture the severed kite in mid-air before it floats away. Instructions and rules for playing the game are given in detail with the set of kites with which it is played. A small monoplane, one of his latest models, constructed by Mr. Howard T. Wright, of 110, High Street, Marylebone.It has a total width of 27 ft., length 28 ft., area of plane 160 sq. ft., weight without motor 350 lbs., in running order 500 lbs. It is fitted with 30-h.p. air-cooled motor and single propeller running at 1,200 r.p,m. Two of these machineshave already been made for customers, and a third is now in course of construction, and will be ready in about 14 days. 778
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