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Equipment Used Afloat and Ashore Compressors — Suction Pumps— Gas Indicators — Photo-electric Relay — New Lubricant— Thermit Welding—Turbine Driven Pump—Turbine Geared Equipment COMPACT type of diesel or gas engine driven refrigeration compressor has recently been devel- oped by the Worthington Pump & Machinery Corp., Harrison, N. J. In this unit designated as ‘‘unibloc’”’ a compressor cylinder is mounted di- — rectly on ‘the base of a standard Worthington vertical four’ cycle, diesel or gas engine as shown in the accompanying illustration. The pis- ton of one power cylinder is replaced by a crosshead, connected by a piston rod to the compressor cylinder di- rectly above. High efficiency is claimed for this unit because of the elimination of Unibloc refrigeration compressor mechanical friction, placing of the suction valve in the top of the piston, and the adaptability of the Worth- ington feather valve to higher speeds of operation. The valve is operated automatically by the suction and dis- charge pressure of the compressor, the strips ‘“‘breathing’’ between a ground face and curved guard. It is possible to maintain normal engine speeds with this valve. Lubrication of the compressor pis- ton and stuffing box is accomplished by a mechanical force-feed lubricator, driven directly from one of the en- gine valve push rods. Compressors of this type are now available in a complete range of sizes for handling of refrigerants. Double Suction Pumps NEW line of double suction split case pumps specially de- signed for operation at high speed has been developed by Morris Ma- chine Works, Baldwinsville, N. Y. 28 This company is said to be the origi- nator of the centrifugal pump and the oldest American manufacturer of this type of pumping equipment. These pumps have been developed to provide a suitable unit for direct connection to electric motors or steam turbines operating at 3500 revolutions per minute. They may also be belt driven or operated through gears by low speed drivers, using diesel or gasoline engines. While these high speed pumping units follow the principles of stand- ard centrifugal pump design, each element has special provisions to meet high speed requirements. The impellers, shaft and couplings are first individually tested for perfect rotative balance and then the entire rotating unit is similarly tested be- fore the pump is assembled. The de- sign and finish of the impeller are also especially refined to minimize friction and eddy losses. Deep groove, heavy duty, precision ball bearings are used on each side of the pump to take care of both radial and thrust loads, and the bear- ing supports, bed plate, pump casing, and shaft are all specially propor- tioned to provide complete rigidity. These pumps are built in sizes from 114% to 5 inches and are suitable for general pumping duty and for handling water and other liquids. Electrodes for Cast Iron LECTRODES for welding cast iron by the shielded are process have been developed by the Lincoln Elee- tric Co., Cleveland. The new elee- trode not only simplifies the welding procedure for cast iron but also pro- duces a weld with greater strength and ductility than the cast iron. This electrode has a steel core surrounded by a heavy flux coating which protects the are from gases injurious to the weld which are pres- ent in the atmosphere. One of the outstanding advantages claimed is the remarkably low heat with which it can be used, thus reducing the pos- sibility of cracking. It is manufac- tured in only one size, % inch, and is used with approximately 80 amperes of current. Welding is done intermittently, not over a 3-inch bead being laid down at one time. As each bead igs welded it is peened lightly, thor- oughly cleaned and allowed to cool somewhat before the next bead is de- MARINE REviEw—February, 1934 posited. Due to the extremely low current with which it is used the hardening effect ordinarily present along the line of fusion is materiaily reduced. Thus the weld is more ma- chinable than most cast iron welds. A Photo-electric Relay NEW photo-electric relay using the visitron F 2 photo-electric cell which operates without external source of voltage and without ampli- fication has been developed by G-M Laboratories Ine., 1735 Belmont avenue, Chicago. The complete unit A new photo-electric relay incorporates one of these photo-elec- tric cells, a sensitive relay and an auxiliary electro-magnetic relay housed in a small compact cast aluminum case 64% x 5 5/16 x 4 inches. The cell can be mounted be- hind a glass window in the front of the case or externally at any point within hundreds of feet of the sensi- tive relay. The unit can be completely weather-proofed. Because the photo-electric cell re- quires no external voltage and no amplification, this unit can be used in locations not served by electric power lines and since there are no tubes to replace it will operate for long periods without attention. This device is particularly applic- able for controlling lighthduse bea- cons, night lights on vessels at anchor, obstruction lights, and signal and lighting systems, The cells, the auxiliary relays, or the two relays in combination can be supplied either assembled or individu- ally as required for various electrical or photo-electric applications.