In the following engraving is exhibited a sketch of the arrangement of the machinery of the ; the body of the carriage for the passengers being, however, fashioned more like an omnibus, as has been subsequently adopted by the patentee.
The description of this machine is thus given by Mr. Alexander Gordon, who has made many experimental trips in it : a is the fire-place, the filel being laid upon the bars which are seen between the fire-place and the ash-pit b ; the ash-pit is made air-tight, or nearly so, in order that the blast from the revolving fanners in g may be urged upward; through the fire. The fire-place is also necessarily kept it is provided with eye-holes, through which the fireman (who sits on a small seat behind the boiler) can view the state of the fire. Fresh supplies of coke are dropped through the feeding hopper g. On this appendage are placed double doors, one of them being always shut, to prevent the blast escaping up the feeding hopper, when the coke is added to the fire. Steam is supplied to the engines d, of which there are two, through r, and the quantity is regulated by a valve at a, placed under the control of the guide, by means of a lever rod. The alternating vertical motion of the pis tons in the engine cylinders is changed from the parallel motion t to the con tinuous circular motion of the cranks upon e, by the connecting-rod v. Only one cylinder and its connexions can be shown in this "section.' Two skives, or sproket-wheels, are placed upon the crank shaft e, and two also upon the axle f. An endless pitch chain passes round each pair of skives, and conveys the motion from e to f, and from thence to the hinder wheels. It is necessary to keep the centre of e and the centre of f always parallel to, and equi-distant from, each other, in order that the pitch chains may be in an equal state of tension: this is managed by means of two rods, one on each side of the carriage ; the rods vibrate upon f as a centre, and cause the crank axis e when the carriage is jolte to describe a larger or smaller segment, with the same radius, as the body in which the engines are placed, plays up or down upon the springs. By this means concussions which affect the wheels, do not distress the machinery. The radius rods are constantly vibrating, but the steam engine is securely and perfectly suspended upon flexible steel springs. Passengers are seated above the water tanks h h : k is a connecting rod, by which the guide (at I) can open or shut the throttle-valve a, and supply himself with what steam he requires, or shut it altogether ofl when stopping.
The whole engines, crank-shaft, and two throws, together with the pumps, are supported by flexible springs, which provide for any concussion on rough roads. The wheels turn loose on the axle, and one or other, or both, are fixed by a clutch when required. This clutch is on the outside of the wheel, and can be screwed out or in, as the case demands, with great facility. The turning of the carriage round to the off side is prepared for, by throwing out the off-side clutch, and keeping in the near one ; and the turn round to the near side is prepared for, by throwing out the near clutch, and throwing in the off-side clutch. A little play is left between the catches in each clutch, so that a wind
ing road may not oblige either wheel to be disengaged; and it is only in a short turn, or a turn round, that the clutch must be shifted, and this can be done in a very small space of time.
The fire is urged by the blower g, which is driven by a connexion with the engines. The waste steam is blown from the engines into the chimney, and so destroyed. The passengers are carried on the same machine, Mr. Hancock preferring that disposal of the weight to the dragging of it in a carriage behind. The wheels of this carriage are a beautiffil exhibition of strength and lightness combined. The spokes are all wedge-shaped, and where they are fastened into the nave, abut against each other. Their escape laterally is prevented by a large iron disc, at each end of the nave ; and these being bolted through, confine the spokes very securely in their place. Every eight miles he takes in water and coke ; about seven cwt. of water, and sometimes eight ; it depending upon the state of the roads, consuming most steam when the roads run heavy. The average time is about twenty minutes in getting up the steam, and be does not consume more than a bushel of coke for this purpose at first starting. The fore part of the vehicle is for passengers, so that all the machinery is quite behind the carriage ; and the fora part of the carriage is entirely for the con venience of passengers, being made of greater or lees length according to the number of persons. The guide sits in front, at 1, and steers by means of a wheel, o, placed horizontally, as in Mr. Gurney's carriage ; with this difference, that instead of the vertical spindle having a pinion at p, it is made with a horizontal drum or shire, upon which the middle of a chain is fastened ; the ends of the chain are attached to the different ends of the fore-exletree in such manner that one or other of the fore-wheels may be hauled forward to turn the carriage. One important improvement in the guide-motion has been made by Mr. Hancock, which is by means of a friction-strap or band at p, passed round a small friction drum; the guide can, by pressing a pedal with his foot, tighten this band on the drum when the carriage does not require to be turned out of the straight course. When the carriage is thus held in its line of direction, the guide's hands may be released from the tiller-wheel, o; for the jolting of the wheels over rough pavement or other inequalities of a road, are not sufficient to slip the friction-band. In case of requiring to turn, the guide's foot is either relaxed or taken off the pedal, and the tiller, o, worked by his hands. This band is of great importance in many cases, and by it a guide with feeble arms may steer as well as a Hercules. This carriage is capable of carrying sixteen passengers, besides the engineer and guide. The weight of it, inclusive of engines, boilers, coke, and water, but exclusive of attendants and passengers, is about three and a half tons.