1883 Manchester Electric and Gas Lighting Exhibition

'THE MANCHESTER ELECTRIC AND GAS LIGHTING EXHIBITION.
GAS ENGINES.
The Electric Lighting, Gas Lighting, and General Engineering Exhibition which was opened a week or two ago in the St. James's Hall, Oxford-street, in this city, is now getting into more thorough working order. The whole of the exhibits in the electric light department have not yet, however, been staged, and another week must elapse before all the arrangements are complete. A large space, 36ft. by 38ft., has been partitioned off for the use of the Electric Power Storage Company of London, and this has yet to be filled. It anticipated that this company will have all their various appliances on view towards the end of the ensuing week, and if this should fortunately prove to be the case, the exhibition as whole will then be one of exceptional attractiveness both to the general public and to those more particularly interested in scientific and general engineering projects. We propose on this occasion to devote our attention more particularly to the gas engines, of which there is a really splendid collection. In this department, of course, Messrs. Crossley Brothers Limited, Great Marlborough-street, Manchester, must be placed first and foremost. They have on view one of their eight-horse power nominal "Otto" silent gas engines, which works up to 15-horse power. This machine drives a 60-light dynamo, through the agency of which a range of shops on the left of the main entrance of the hall, and occupied by Messrs. Kendal, Milne, and Co., of Deansgate, in this city, is illuminated by the Edison electric light. The engine, which reversible and fitted up with all the new improvements, is a fine specimen of the engineer's handicraft, and as such cannot fail to attract good deal of attention. Another type of gas engine, that known as Bisschop's," is shown by Messrs. J. E. H. Andrew and Co., engineers, Stockport. The advantages claimed for this engine are that no water is required, it will start at a moment's notice, there are no complicated parts, it does not require to be frequently taken to pieces, there is no necessity to lubricate the cylinder, and it will work with the lowest gas pressures. Mr. W. B. Haigh, of the Globe Iron Works, Hill-street, Oldham, has contributed one of "Haigh and Nuttall's" patent gas engines, which the inventors say is a marvel of economy and efficiency. The working parts are light yet strong, and the motion by which power is transmitted to the crank allows of a powerful charge being taken into the cylinder, which is expanded down to atmosphere, thereby getting the utmost duty out of the gas consumed. "Whittaker's" patent gas engine will-be found on the stand occupied by Messrs. Pickard, Goodhead and Barker, mill and colliery furnishers, 3, St. Ann’s-place, Manchester. It is very compact and economical engine, occupying loss space, for the power which it produces, than any other yet invented. The patentee has just completed a double cylinder engine on the same principle, each cylinder being independent of the other, so that will be possible to use it either as a two or a four horsepower engine. The construction of the valve is also such that increased power is obtained, and saving of gas is effected. The "Wordsworth" gas engine, shown by Mr. John Wolstenholme, Albert Works, Radcliffe, has been designed to meet a long felt want among intending small power users, for a safe and reliable motor. It is as near as possible like a steam engine, is noiseless and regular in action, free from smoke and smell and dangerous explosions, and when started by a match it will give full power immediately. The cylinder is surrounded with water and will run day without stopping. The exhaust valve is not liable to abrade, and the engine is mounted a strong box bedplate with massive turned fly-wheel and gun-metal bearings, all of which are adjustable. The "Manchester" patent reversible noiseless gas engine is staged by Messrs. Ashbury, Sumner, and Co., of Sackville-street, in this city. It is a very beautiful piece of mechanism. The consumption of gas is automatically regulated and is in strict proportion to the amount of work done. All the moving parts are simple, and so constructed that they are readily accessible for cleaning or adjusting, while but little lubrication is required. For electric lighting special patent double engine has been designed, which is said to ensure the utmost regularity and steadiness, having an impulse at every revolution and it can, when necessary, be uncoupled one minute and run as a single engine with half the power and consumption of gas. Among the exhibits on the stand of Messrs. Frank and Co., engineers, West Gorton, Manchester, we noticed "Robinson's" hot-air engine, which is specially qualified to meet the demands for small motive power. It has no valves, few parts, no explosive shocks or ignitions, emits no smell, obtains its power by the alternate and regular heating and cooling of air, and works with a double crank action, which imparts a steady and regular motion. Messrs. Thomas Bradford and Co., Crescent Iron Works, Salford, exhibit a vast variety of laundry, dairy, cooking, and heating apparatus, which will demand considerable attention. Among other things we noticed the "Dowson" gas producer, an apparatus simple and easy to work, and which gas can be made at average rate of 3d. per 1,000 cubic feet, and the "Turner" gas engine. These engines work by the expansive force generated in the combustion of a mixture of gas and air. The propelling force is applied to the crank and shaft at every revolution, so that a light fly wheel can be used. The motion is regular, and the strain upon the rods, shaft, and bearings is considerably reduced. The cylinder is surrounded by water, and the whole of the surface contact with the slide valve is maintained at a uniform temperature. This has the effect of preventing any abrasion of the parts, secures proper lubrication, and renders springs usually applied to the back of the valves unnecessary.'

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