Recording Pyrometry - Discussion

R. W. NEWCOMB,* New York, N. Y. (written discussiont).-On page 1638 mention is made of a new -instrument with an exceptionally high resistance that has been developed by Charles Engelhard. All friction and wear of moving parts of the moving system has been elimi-nated by replacing the hardened steel pivots and jeweled bearings, commonly used on other instruments, by a double metallic filament, one at the top and One at the bottom, under slight tension. Any pos-sible distortion of the moving coil, because of tension, has been eliminated by introducing a solid spindle as the axis of the coil between the points on the coil where the metallic filament is attached. The filaments serve not only as a support for the moving coil; but also to lead in the current from the binding posts to the moving coil, and as a source of counter-torque; instruments so constructed, do not require leveling, and are mechanically very robust. The clock of the recorder serves only to drive the chart at its specified rate and -to operate a small contact-making device; i.e., there is no other mechanical load on the clockworks. The contact-making de-vice is so constructed that there is a quick-make, a quick-break, and a wiping effect while the contact is being made. Contact surfaces on this switch are of platinum platinum-iridium. The operation of this contact, which occurs once each minute, sends a current, from a 6-volt supply; through a solenoid magnet, which operates the depressor bar mechanism in the case of the single-record instrument; in the case of the multiple-record instrument, it operates the automatic switch and color-changing features, as well as the depressor bar.