. American engineer and railroad journal . no compoimd air compressors in use in thiscountry, and it is said that the only one of that type running inEurope was an experimental one. Even the earliest patterns ofthe Norwalk company were what was known as wet com-pressors from the fact that water was used indirect contactwith the air in the air cylinder to cool it during when their efforts were concentrated upon the production ofcompressors that were correct both in theory and in practicalresults, their designs were characterized by improvements on thecurrent practice of the day,
. American engineer and railroad journal . no compoimd air compressors in use in thiscountry, and it is said that the only one of that type running inEurope was an experimental one. Even the earliest patterns ofthe Norwalk company were what was known as wet com-pressors from the fact that water was used indirect contactwith the air in the air cylinder to cool it during when their efforts were concentrated upon the production ofcompressors that were correct both in theory and in practicalresults, their designs were characterized by improvements on thecurrent practice of the day, which contributed much to the highreputation they now hold. We have not the space to describethese in detail, but it is interesting to note that the concern wasthe first in this country to use compound or two-stage air com-pression and also the first to employ mechanically-actuatedvalves on the intake cylinders. They were also the leaders inthe movement toward higher pressures, the first to make a com- 178 AMERICAN ENGINEER, CAR BUILDER. Figi 1.—Norwalk Standard Steam Actuated Air Compressori mercial machine for liquifying carbonic acid gas, and to installa large plant for compressing natural gas. Such an enviablerecord of progress in the adoption of advanced principlesand details of construction has naturally brought to the com-pany much special work, until at the present day it is hardto say whether they are better known through their standardtypes of compressors or the special ones designed and built by themfor unusual lines of work. Among the latter might be mentionedthe air compressors for furnishing compressed air to operate thepneumatic dynamite guns of the U. S. Cruiser Vesuvius, whichwere designed to furnish air at 5,000 pounds pressure. They havealso supplied the government with the compressors for the new
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectrailroadengineering
