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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0718.PDF
(/JJCHT] JULY 5, 1913. SOME AVIATION ACCESSORIES. IN addition to producing the world-famous Avro biplanes and hydro aeroplanes, Messrs. A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd., of Manchester, also supply propellers and numerous accessories for aerial work. Among the latter is a very efficient safety-belt for aviators, and, as can be seen from our sketch of one of the latest and improved pattern, it bears the stamp of having been designed by praciical people. One special feature is that the central portion, which is made of strong leather, is very deep, so that, in the case of a sudden shock, the belt is less likely to cause injury than would a narrow belt. Attached to this central part of the belt are two adjustable straps, which are connected to two elastic members by being looped through a ring and secured by a cotter-pin as shown. The other end of the elastic AVRO strands are attached to some convenient part of the aeroplane. The little cotter-pins are attached by small straps to the belt, and all that it is necessary for the aviator to do when he requires to release him self is to pull either one or the other of the straps, and so withdraw the respective pin, thus disconnecting the belt from the elastic cables. As previously mentioned, the loop-straps are adjustable, so that the belt can be made to suit varying requirements. A rather good point about this device consists of the fact that, as the aviator has to get into the belt by the use of the release arrangement, he always knows that it is in order. Furthermore, the belt can be released on either the left-hand or right-hand side. 1' PERHAPS the predominating factor in the design of most parts and fittings for aeroplanes is lightness, but there are certain parts in which strength and rigidity are most important and the problem of combining these three qualities is a problem that taxes the ingenuity of many. One example of this SPimtTWE, is afforded by the radiators which are used in conjunction with water-cooled engines. Neces sarily of delicate construction, they have at the same time to be immune from any ill effects caused by vibration—of which there is no small amount in most aircraft. One of the earliest aero-radiators that met with success from the start (1909) is that designed by the Spiral Tube and Components Co., of 61, Northdown Street, London, N. The constructional features of this radiator are that it is built up of a series of solid-drawn tubes fitted top and bottom into headers, and that each tube has a corrugated ribbon wound edgewise around it in the form of a spiral. One of these radiators is shown in the accompanying illustration. SINCE ball bearings first came into practical use, vast improvements have been effected both in their design and manufacture, and varied are the types of machinery in which they have been successfully employed. The aviation motor, running, as it does, at great speeds and under varying loads, is one of the types which have benefited by the use of ball bearings, and in perhaps no other branch of motor engineering is the question of reliability more important. Prominent among ball bearings, and enjoying a reputation for durability and high-class workmanship, are the F. and S., for which the sole con cessionaires for Great Britain and the Colonies are the Tormo Manufacturing Co., of 67-68, Bunhill Row, London, E.C. The latest type F. and S. radial ball bearings are illustrated by the accompanying sketches, which show the general design. A very interesting detail is the ball cage or guide ring, which prevents the balls from touching one another. This cage is made in one piece, stamped out of a single ring, and it has taken the firm years of experimenting to find the best form of ball cage. A special chrome steel is the material used in these ball bearings ; the rings are hardened and oil treated by a special process, each ring being tested in two different ways. An idea of the care with which they are made can be gained from the fact that the balls are made exact to size within TTCotn °f a millimetre. Moreover, in these bearings larger balls are fitted size for size, thus giving the bearings a great load capacity. The balls are inserted in the races through a channel slightly smaller than the diameter of the balls and led spirally to the race in order to obtain a better closure. Each bearing is tested before leaving the factory, and if the oscillations, which cannot entirely be avoided, exceed a certain per cent., the bearing is sent back, either to be re-ground or scrapped as useless, according to the amount of oscillation. It will easily be understood that alter such care in the manufacture why these ball bearings give such satisfaction, and they are now fitted as standard in several well-known makes of engines, such as the Gnome, Austro-Daimler, and others. A SOMEWHAT novel form of rubber shock absorber is shown in the sketch given herewith. It is the invention of Mr. F. W. Lanchester —a name well known to our readers in connection with aviation—and is peculiar in that the rubber members, three in number, are subjected to com pression and shearing stresses instead of a direct tension. It is claimed that with the latter systems—in tension— the extension for increments of load increases more rapidly than the load causing the extension, but with the device in question the reverse is the case, which is generally desirable in practice. Our illustration gives a clear idea of the general arrangement, but we might add that the rubber members are connected by means of aluminium links. By varying the length and number of the rubber rods, any desired strength and extension may be obtained. These absorbers are supplied by Messrs. White and Thompson, Ltd., of Middle- ton, Bognor. IT would seem that there is not a purpose to which " Pegamoid " cannot be applied, and, anyway, it is hardly necessary for us to remind our readers that Messrs. New Pegamoid Ltd., of 134, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., are makers of fabrics for aeroplanes, for wherever one or two machines are gathered together, there .is almost certain to be seen this important accessory, bearing the magic word. The fabric can be had in a variety of strengths and qualities, and can also be supplied coloured if desired. It may be WHITE ^.THOMPSON. 744
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