Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1882 — A Gunpowder Engine. [ARTICLE]

A Gunpowder Engine.

A gunpowder engine has been patented in Germany by Herr Beck. In it a piston is forced to and fro in a horizontal cylinder by small quantities of powder ignited on either side alternately. Powder pans’are provided on the bottom within, on which, at the proper moment, powdet falls through passages from two holders which rest on distribution slides. Ttrtrigniting of the powder is effected by means of a spirit or gas flame from the cylinder cover, drawn in th rough an oblique aperture by the suction force of the piston. The access is regulated by slides. The gases of explosion are expelled through holes furnished with slides on the return of the pipton. The heavy residues are pushed t>v' the piston into bags, which ate emptied at intervals. It is claimed for the new motor that, with small occupied, space, it is very effective and easily set at work. The consumption of powder is conlpaiatively small, and the engine regulates itself. The danger is represented as slight. This season’s vests will furnish patches for next year’s trousers. Sweet are the uses of diversity.— Commercial