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Title: |
1898 Article-De La Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co., Hornsby-Akroyd Oil Engine |
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Electrical engineer, Volume 25, 26 May 1898. pg 586 |
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Insert Date: |
3/25/2012 1:06:58 PM |
The Hornsby-Akroyd Oil Engine—Exhibit of the De La Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co.
In the basement amongst the steam, gas and oil engines, the exhibit that has attracted a great deal of attention is that of the De La Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co., who show several examples of the "Hornsby-Akroyd" oil engine, of which they are the sole manufacturers in the United States.
It was to be expected that a firm of their reputation would make a creditable display, and it must be acknowledged that they have succeeded in producing a very unique and pleasing effect. They have departed entirely from the beaten track of illuminated signs and the stringing of lamps, and have endeavored rather to represent the effect of interior illumination—a matter of some little difficulty, in view of the location and surroundings, and the fact that heavy machinery lends itself very little to interior decoration.
The whole of the decorative effect is in pure Empire style. A very handsome screen forms the background on which arc painted two scenes illustrated with the use of "Hornsby-Akroyd" engines in connection with electric lighting. Each of these pictures is surrounded by the gilded frames of the conventional wreath and the typical Empire torches. The one represents a country home lighted up at night, while the other illustrates the use of the 'Hornsby-Akroyd" oil engine in connection with searchlights. The effect is enhanced by illuminating these paintings from behind, and the searchlight is very effective. A man-of-war is painted on the back of the screen, and when the lights in front of the screen are turned off and those behind the scree turned up the searchlight is suddenly projected and the man-of-war springs into view. The illumination screen is very effective and worked in as part of the decoration. A light is placed in each of a series of Empire wreaths forming a frieze along the top, and in addition to these there are four very handsome wall brackets all in correct style. The stand is raised about 6 inches above the ground and is covered by a canopy of blue cloth richly studded with the imperial bee, as are likewise the two curtains enclosing the stand. The floor is in hardwood parqueted, and the furnitures, consisting of a desk and chairs, are authentic specimens of the finest Empire work. The introduction of costly furniture and fittings produces a very rich and pleasing effect.
All the lights on the stand are produced by a Hornsby-Akroyd oil engine running a C. & C. generator by link belt. The dynamo is placed behind the engine, so that the space occupied is not much greater than the floor space required for the engine. The De La Vergne Co. prefers the use of a belt with a single engine (although the Hornsby-Akroyd oil engine has been built with two cylinders and directly coupled to dynamos with satisfactory results), for the reason that they are unwilling to sacrifice the great characteristic of the engine, viz. its simplicity, by introducing the application of several cylinders.companies each with a clear and lucid description, worded so that even the non-technical mind can grasp the principles involved. To still further simplify and clear up the various electrical phenomena, a booklet entitled "Popularized Electrical Experiments" has been prepared, in which all the experiments are arranged in graded order, each being accompanied by an excellently clear, although concise, description. The audience of this popular lecture course is always eager to get these booklets, which are distributed free of charge and certainly furnish a most excellent syllabus of electricity and its applications. The elaborate and artistic Institute catalogues are also in great demand.
It is claimed, and apparently not without reason, that this engine can be run by a coachman or gardener, and as a matter of fact hundreds of these engines are in constant operation on plantations and farms where skilled labor is entirely out of the question.
A good deal of the prevalent skepticism as to the possibility of obtaining a steady light with an internal combustion engine will be dissipated by an examination of the light produced on this exhibit. The elaborate display of the De La Vergne Co. would have been of little account if the running of their engine had not been of the highest quality, and the total absence of flickering of the light is the subject of much favorable comment.
The engine itself is so well known as to need hardly any comment. It was put on the market about five years ago, and without any blowing of trumpet or beating of drum, it has steadily worked itself into public favor until it has attained an unassailable position. The Hornsby-Akroyd engine is in use in all parts of the world, and has been adopted by most of the European Governments in the face of the fiercest competition. The United States Government has not been behind, and is using it practically to the exclusion of all others for lighthouse service, torpedo service and searchlights.
It is interesting to note that the engine now running at Madison Square Garden is identical with over thirty recently ordered for the United States torpedo stations. Among other well known Government applications, it may be mentioned that the Statue of Liberty is lighted by a Hornsby-Akroyd engine, and the largest searchlight in the world at Navesink Heights, will also be operated by this engine.In fact, over 100 of the Hornsby-Akroyd engines are, or shortly will be, in use by the United States Government.
It appears to be an engine admirably adapted for use in a country house, for lighting, pumping water, etc. The claim of absolute reliability seems to be justifiedby the fact that on every day since the opening of the Exhibition it has been started before 2 o'clock and shut down at 11 o'clock at night, and in no single instance has there been a stoppage for any reason whatsoever during those hours. Its simplicity is obvious from an inspection, there being a total absence of hot tubes, lamps, electric igniters, batteries, air compressors, etc.
In the exhibit are displayed four engines, one of 32 h. p., one of 4 h. p. and two of h. p. each. The engines are very strong, of massive proportions and well adapted for the continuous hard work to which engines of this class are subjected. The rather large proportions for a given horse power are due to the fact that a very moderate pressure is produced by the combustion of the oil which conduces to the durability of the engine. Upon the whole it may be considered a thoroughly practical engine, designed for continuous hard work in the hands of unskilled labor rather than a scientific toy for the illustration of theories. The exhibit is in the efficient charge of Mr. E. H. Cox. |
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1898 De La Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co., Hornsby-Akroyd Oil Engine
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