air having arrived at the point g, is divided into two portions, one of which passes through the opening h, which can be regulated by a valve, into the space below the grate n, n, to assist in the slow combustion of the fuel. The other part of the air passes through another opening, that can be regulated by the valve g1, into a chamber h, h, that surrounds the fire-place, in order to heat the air to an intense degree.

After the second portion of the air has passed into this chamber, it enters into the chamber i, i; from thence it passes through a series of blow-pipes, or through one opening o, of a little less size than the width of the fire-place, into the space p, p, below the boiler. The incombustible or carbonic acid gas, which is generated, passes through the space p, p, into a small chimney through the opening b, b, which is regulated by a valve.

This mode of applying the invention to the heating of boilers, can be modified according to the form and dimension of the boiler; and this part of the invention consists, firstly, in the application of heated air, forced in through blow-pipes, to burn the smoke and combustible gas, which is produced by the slow and direct combustion of the fuel; and secondly, in the above-described manner of heating the air by the waste heat of the fire-place.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, December, 1841.]

To THOMAS STARKEY, of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, copper cap manufacturer, for his invention of improvements in percussion caps, for discharging fire-arms.-[Sealed 16th December, 1841.]

THIS invention consists in a novel method of manufacturing percussion caps, whereby they are rendered impervious to water, and may, if necessary, be removed from the cone or nipple without any risk or danger of discharging the gun, it being impossible that any portion of the detonating powder, contained in these improved caps, can adhere to

the nipple, which has frequently been the case with the ordinary caps.

These improvements are effected by depositing the fulminating powder between two caps, the one placed within the other; the end of the inner cap being perforated with a small hole, exactly coincident with the touch-hole in the cone or nipple of the gun, in order to allow the fire, from the explosion, to pass through the breech of the gun into the charge of gunpowder within.

In Plate V., two methods are shewn of carrying the invention into effect. Fig. 1, represents an external view of the outer cap or shell, made in the ordinary manner. Fig. 2, is a section of the same, shewing the detonating powder enclosed therein, which is covered by a disc of tin-foil, (represented detached below at a); or, instead of tin-foil, a round piece of oiled silk, or other water-proof material, may be used, the object being to protect the powder from damp. Figs. 3, 4, and 5, represent an elevation, vertical section, and top or horizontal view of the cap or shell intended to be placed within the former, a small hole being made in the end of the last-described cap, for the free passage of the fire when exploded, as seen in the drawing. When the improved cap is finished, by the conjunction of the two shells, this hole may be covered with wax or varnish, to resist the wet.

The detonating powder being placed in the end of the cap or shell, fig. 2, and covered, as shewn, the cap, fig. 4, is to be placed within it, and they are then drawn together and united by the ordinary means of drawing percussion caps, thereby making the two into one entire cap, as shewn at figs. 6 and 7.

Figs. 8 and 9, represent the elevation and vertical section of an ordinary copper cap or shell, similar to figs. 1 and 2; but, in this instance, the detonating powder is not placed at the end of the outer cap or shell, but is contained within an inner case, represented in elevation and section at figs. 10 and 11. This inner cap is shewn at b, perforated with a small hole, similar to that at fig. 5; the powder is, however, prevented from falling through, by means

of a disc of tin-foil or other water-proof material, placed at bottom of the shell, which also serves to protect it from damp, as in the former instance. This inner shell is intended to receive a small plug of metal c, excavated, as shewn in the section, fig. 11. The plug c, being placed in the inner shell b, confines the detonating powder between them. The shell and the plug are then inserted within the outer shell, and when drawn together and finished, the perfect cap is produced, as represented at fig. 12, and in section at fig. 13.

In reference to the cap, shewn in the figures from 1 to 7, there is no necessity for making the inner cap or shell of so great a depth as that represented at figs. 3 and 4, for one similar to fig. 14, may be used; or, if preferred, a disc of metal, with a hole made in its centre, as at fig. 15, may be inserted into the outer cap, in place of the inner cap.

Another mode of making the cap, is with an indentation or recess at the end of the outer shell, which is done when the piece of metal is in the blank, and the detonating powder is placed therein, and properly covered and protected with tin-foil or other suitable material; then the blank of the inner shell, perforated with the small hole in its centre, is placed thereon, and the two shells formed together by drawing, and the cap finished in the ordinary way.

The patentee claims the construction of percussion caps, in the manner above shewn and described, whereby they are effectually protected from becoming injured by damp; also the detonating powder is prevented from escaping accidentally, when the cap is removed from the cone or nipple, which sometimes happens with ordinary caps; and a more concentrated body of fire is driven through the cone or nipple, by means of these caps, into the breech of the gun, in consequence of a considerable portion of the flame being compelled to pass through the small perforation in the end of the inner cap or metal disc, as above described. -[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, June, 1842.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

TO NATHAN DEFRIES, of Paddington-street, in the county of Middlesex, engineer, for his invention of improvements in gas-meters.-[Sealed 7th June, 1838.]

IN Plate V., fig. 1, represents the front view, partly in section, of a gas-meter, constructed according to the first part of this invention; and fig. 2, is a section, taken further back in the meter. a, a, is the external cylinder, supported by the foot or framing b. The cylinder a, is divided into two parts, the upper and lower, by the gas-measuring vessels. The lower half of the cylinder a, is divided into two quadrants c, and d, which are so arranged, in the external cylinder a, as to leave only a narrow space all around, in order to receive water or other fluid, to make a suitable joint around the measuring vessels, hereafter explained.

The narrow spaces e, e, between the vessel a, and the sides of the quadrants or quarter-chambers c, d, are filled with water or other suitable fluid, at the bent tube ƒ, which is kept closed when the meter is in use, as shewn at fig. 1. g, g, are tubes, for drawing off the water or other fluid employed; and h, is a screw-cap, which closes the end of the tube g1, into which both tubes g, terminate; i, is a dividing-plate, which separates the lower part of the meter into two compartments c, and d, there being a channel j, at the upper part of the plate i, which receives water or other fluid from the narrow spaces e, and thus makes a fluid joint to the centre, between the two gas-measuring vessels, hereafter described, and prevents the gas in one passing therefrom into the other.

The measuring vessels are shewn at k, l, and are each quadrants of a circle; they are carried by the same axis m, being affixed thereto by a projection n, which enters into the channel j, (filled with water,) at the top of the quadrants c, d. The measuring vessels k, l, vibrate on their axes, similar to a scale-beam. The sides of these vessels work in the fluid in the space e, and the projection n, works in the fluid in the channel j, consequently, any gas in the measuring vessel l, cannot pass into the vessel k, nor can

that in k, pass into the vessel 7; hence, each time either of these vessels rise, they will measure a quantity of gas, equal to their capacity of that above the filling parts c, d, and the water or other fluid in the space e.

The pipe o, leads through the top of the meter, and joins the cross-pipe o', from which it passes alternately through the pipe o2, o3, by the movement of slides o1, as is clearly shewn in fig. 1. The slides o1, are affixed on the rod o", which is guided in its work by means of the two uprights of, having holes, through which the rod o3, slides freely. The rod o5, is moved to and fro, by means of the axis of the vessels k, l, there being the slotted arm m1, affixed on the axis m; and also a weighted arm m2, affixed on the axis m, to equalize the working of the vessels k, l. The arm m1, actuates the pendulous rod or lever m3, which moves on an axis m1, as is shewn in the drawing. m3, is a set screw, which works in the slot of the arm m1, and the distance at which the screw m5, is set from the centre of the rod or lever m3, will regulate the distance through which the vessels k, l, shall move, and consequently regulate the quantity of gas they shall measure at each move

ment.

The upper end of the lever m3, is formed into a crosshead, the ends of which are bent up at right angles, in order to cause the upper end of the lever m3, to actuate the weighted tumbler, hereafter explained; and further, there is a projecting stud on the upper end of the lever m3, which, working in the forked end of the lever m2, communicates motion to a train of wheel-work, which indicates the number of movements of the vessels k, l; and such wheel-work being properly arranged, in respect to the capacity of the vessels k, l, will indicate the number of cubic feet of gas which has passed through the meter.

The forked lever m2, works in a suitable stuffing-box, as is shewn in the drawing, to prevent the flow of gas in that direction. m3, is the weighted tumbler, above-mentioned, which moves freely on the axis of the lever m3. In the weighted tumbler m3, a slot or opening is formed, through which a projecting bent wire, affixed to the rod of the

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