MR. BIRAM'S IMPROVEMENTS IN OSCILLATING ENGINES. Mechanics' Magazine, MUSEUM, REGISTER, JOURNAL, AND GAZETTE. No. 1143.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1845. [Price 3d. Fig. 1. VOL, XLIII, B MR. BIRAM'S IMPROVEMENTS IN OSCILLATING ENGINES. The accompanying figures show the system as applied according to the first arrangement, to the propelling of a railway locomotive carriage. Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the engines; fig. 2, an end elevation; and fig. 3, a plan. The engines are proposed to be placed fore and aft, and worked in connection by means of double cranks. Mr. Biram illustrates the advantages of his system by several other exemplifi 3 cations. In one it is applied to the water supply pump of a locomotive engine, worked by an eccentric on the shaft of the driving-wheels. In another it is adapted to a fire-engine, whereby "the same work would be performed with one cylinder, which is now done by two of the same diameter, the friction would be reduced one-half, and a rotary mode of working be substituted for the reciprocating." Another arrangement for adoptFig. 2. le ing the system to a fire-engine is shown, in which an upright lever is introduced and the piston worked by a rowing action, which is allowed on all hands to be the best of any. Mr. Biram observes farther of this last arrangement, "It is also well-adapted for a ship's pumps, in which case the pipe above the valve-box should be conveyed through the ship's side, as near as conveniently may be above the load water line; it will be also evident that, by attaching a horizontal rod to the end of the upright lever, and passing handles through it at convenient distances (say about a yard asunder), a great number of men might be conveniently employed at the same pump; and further, that by attaching an air vessel, it would at once become a powerful fire-engine, by which the water could be sent to any part of the vessel." Mr. Biram's last exemplification is an air-pump, "by turning the handle of which in one direction, it is a condensing pump; and by reversing the motion, it becomes an exhausting_one.” Mr. Biram's claim is-1st, to "the con |