INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH PROGRESS at the Armour Research Foundation 1942-43' OR the seventh consecutive year FArmour Research Foundation
the has expanded i t s nonprofit technical services to the Nation, its industries, and the general public. Industrial support of these activities has increased substantially each year, producing for the fiscal year just concluded a research expenditure considerably in excess of $1,000,000. Since Peaxl Harbor the facilities of the organization have rapidly focused upon scientific research, development, and experimental engineering problems essential to the early victorious conclusion of the war. During the past year virtually every laboratory and every staff member has* concentrated upon the critical problems of our national war agencies and industrial supplier? o f war material. T o handle successfully the urgent tasks asked of tht* foundation b y the Army, Navy, and other governmental agencies, without loss of attention to t h e equally important problems of individual war industries, has necessitated temporary suspension of certain 2
i Seventh Annual Report to Board of Trustees by Harold Vagtborg, director. « Affiliated with Illinois Institute of Technology.
ft
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projects of less critical significance or of a purely postwar character. Sponsors of projects in this category have shown a thoroughly cooperative spirit, and have in many cases realigned the objectives of their work for a more immediate technological contribution to the war effort. The Armour Plan for Industrial Research, under which each problem is subjected to the collective thinking and cooperative action of a large permanent staff of research workers in virtually every scientific field, has proved especially adaptable to emergency research demands. Accordingly the products and efforts of these laboratories have already made themselves felt in many ways o n the production, home, and battle fronts. During the year following the Sixth Annual Report (1) 92 long-term projects have been in operation, including 40 new investigations. T o date the foundation has undertaken 207 such long-term industrial research projects; 68 projects are in operation a t present, with 6 under temporary suspension. At the same time, 1,022 new short-term studies and special tests were completed during the year, bringing the total t o 4,803 t o date. I n all, 1,405 companies, associations of manufacturers, and governmental agencies, including 156 new sponsors during 1943, have made use of the services and facilities of the foundation.
New Metals and Minerals Building The new Metals and Minerals Research Building, with 500,000 cubic feet of labo-
I
left. Cheeking the frequency response of the magnetic wire sound recorder
ratory space, was dedicated and put into full operation January 11. Built and equipped at an investment of somewhat more than $250,000, this is a three-story structure of concrete brick, steel, and glass, 70 b y 170 feet, situated where it can be served by the tracks of the N e w York Central and Bock Island Railroads. Of the four buildings now occupied by the Armour Research Foundation, this is the first of the integrated set of permanent buildings planned to house all activities. The major part of the building affords unobstructed spa facilitate access toguarded parts for cheating and to eliminate potential breeding spots for organisms* harmful to the puSlic health. Quenching Oils. A comprehensive program has been initiated by the Shell Oil Co., Inc., for the study of quenching operations and the subsequent development of quenching media. In its initial stage the investigation is concerned primarily with* the chemistry, physics, and metallurgy of quenching. Using the findings o>f this fundamental work as a basis, the second phase will be devoted to developing quenching media meeting specific requirements. This investigation is part of a comprehensive program of the Shell Oil Co. which has as its objective the development, of industrial oils on. the basis of fundamental understanding o f the scientific aspects of the processes concerned. Soil Stabilization. An investigation of the possibilities of stabilizing soil against, shifting and water penetration by t h e addition of chemicals in small concentration was carried over fxom the previous year., and has now been concluded. Surgical Sutures. Work has began .one project sponsored by the Johnson Suture AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
Magnetic wire sound record is shown at left, in comparison with a human hair
Corp. In view of the extremely heavy demand for surgical sutures, the loss of even a small percentage of tne total production capacity is serious; hence this investigation has been devoted to a study of the operations involved in making sutures in order to decrease the number of rejects occasioned by the critical final inspection to which the products are subjected. As an aid in tracing possible faults, a new instrument to measure accurately and record irregularities in diameter has been developed. Wheat. The investigation of wheat and products derived from it is in its third year. Starting with laboratory studies, the work has been extended into pilotplant investigations. Through specialized demands of the war emergency, a number of additional phases have now been initiated in the laboratory stage. Metals and Minerals Research Annealing Copper. During the year Revere Copper and Brass, Inc., has launched a new investigation on tne annealing of copper. The possibility of heating thin copper strip directly by highfrequency currents is now under study* The foundation has already done considerable research on the heating of steel strip, in connection with the tinplate studies for the Inland Steel Co., and now the high-frequency technique is used extensively by major producers of electrolytic tinplate. However, heating copper by this principle is much more difficult. Copper, of course, is not ferromagnetic, and demands much higher frequencies than does steel of comparable thickness. Container Glass. The glass project sponsored by the Liberty Glass Co.. Sapulpa, Olda., continues into its second year. Work has been directed toward improvement in glass manufacture as well as in the product, through fundamental long-range scientific investigations of the basic factors which affect all glasses— namely, composition and thermal treatment. A substantial sum has been allocated for acquisition and erection of special research facilities for investigations in the field. The new furnace laboratory makes available to this program a considerably enlarged glass laboratory. Converter Steel. The Whiting Corp.,
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Harvey, 111., has set up an extensive project on the operation of side-blow converters. A small Whiting side-blow converter has been installed and js nearly ready to be put into operation. Some new converter linings developed by the foundation will be tested in the working unit. An attempt is being made to develop a better lining with a longer life. The Whiting Corp. has furnished the latest ''electric eye" equipment, with which it is possible to determine the end point of the blow with good accuracy. The operation of the electric eye will be carefully studied with the idea of making further refinements in the art of blowing steel in side-blow converters. An extensive study of blowing losses will be made. Cupola Operation. Another new research project sponsored by the Whiting Corp. deals with cupola operation. Work is just being organized as the fiscal year ends. Die Steet The A. Finkl & Sons Co., manufacturer of die blocks, has under way a project designed to discover the reasons for the extraordinary hardenability of Cu-Pro-Die steel. This research has resolved itself into a study of the fundamental nature of the hardenability and a determination of which of the specific aspects of hardenability are responsible for the exceptionally good behavior of these die blocks. When a definite knowledge of the mechanism is obtained, it should be possible to suggest means for still further improvement. Dolomite Refractories. Progress on the Marblehead Lime Co. project on deriving magnesia from dolomite has reached the pilot-plant stage with every indication of commercial success. The next phases are a detailed cost analysis of steps in the process and a plant layout. Forging Magnesium. A research program on the forging of magnesium alloys, sponsored by Revere Copper and Brass, Inc., has been in progress for the past two years. This work has included fundamental studies of the flow characteristics of several magnesium alloys as well as detailed studies of the physical properties of experimental and commercial forgings. Adequate information on the physical properties of magnesium alloy forgings is in demand by the leading aircraft design engineers as a result of the sudden large increase in the production of magnesium alloys. Control methods which should be exercised in forging these alloys are also being studied. The present research investigation is being directed toward both these ends, for it appears certain that the growing use of magnesium alloys will contribute both to the present war effort and to the large peacetime air program to follow. Nonferrous Melting. An extensive study of nonferrous melUngfurnaces and equipment is in progress. The American productive capacity for aluminum is now approximately ten times, and for magnesium approximately one hundred times, as much as it was before the war. This enormous increase in availability of light metals has given added importance to equipment used in melting and fabricating them. The study is being sponsored by the Whiting Corp. Open-Hearth Furnace Stags. Ehiring the past year, work on the petrographic study of basic open-hearth slags has been completed. This program, sponsored by the Inland Steel Co. and continued for three years, has involved microscopic examinations of over 200 samples of slags from various stages of typical heats of all grades of steel including both flush and nonflusb heats. In a general way, a close relationship has been observed to exist
1 »• JANUARY
10, 1 9 4 4
between the mineralogical character of a slag and its essential properties of limesilica ratio, basicity, and oxidation level At present, emphasis is being given to phosphorus retention, manganese control, and slag activity. Powder Metallurgy. The work on binders for tungsten carbide has continued through the year, under the sponsorship of the Pfanstiehl Chemical Co. In addition t o systematic studies of the behavior of certain binders, the effects of various sintering temperatures have also been investigated. Another study has been an investigation of methods for producing porous compacts. A method has been found to produce very porous compacts of copper which have reasonably good strength. Steel Castings. The extensive research on steel casting which has been in progress for the last two years for American Steel Foundries has been continued and accelerated. Many additional types of steel castings have been made successfully. Welding, During the current year another major research project on welding has been started, for the Rail Steel Bar Association. Rail steel, largely owing to its high carbon content, requires special technique in welding. In this research all welding techniques and processes which show promise are being considered and investigated. One technique using gas welding has been developed, giving welds of unusually high tensile strength. Wire Drawing. Research on wire drawing and related problems sponsored by the National-Standard Co. continues into its third year. Very accurate methods for measuring the amount and nature of wear in dies have been developed. Using these techniques, it has been possible to determine some things that must be done t o minimize the rate of deterioration of wire drawing dies. Special methods of inspecting dies have been developed and put into operation in the plant. Physics Research . Calculating Machines. During the past four years the foundation staff members associated with the program on the noise reduction of the Comptometer calculating machioesfor Felt & Tarrant Manufacturing Co. have developed special technique in adapting electronic equipment to the measurement and analysis of sound or vibrations. The availability of these skills and equipment made it possible for the foundation to embark quickly on a critical N D R C war research project without loss of time for preliminary organization. Felt & Tarrant immediately relinquished the full-time services of these specially trained researchers, and activity on the calculating machine research project during the past year has been confined to postwar planning. Color Separation. The extensive program of color reproduction for the graphic arts carried on at the foundation for several years has made possible the acquisition of knowledge! experience, and skills in handling color-reproduction techniques. The background thus provided has proved indispensable in connection with the Army and Navy Diesel Lubricant Testing Program, as in a part of this testing program it is necessary to make photographs of the pistons and bearings in full color, so that the performance of the oil can be properly evaluated by the appropriate Army or Navy approving committee. It is highly essential that the photographs differentiate between darkness due t o carbon and darkness due to the formation of lacquers. Because a considerable number of reproductions are required, the wash-off relief S3
process of color reproduction is used. This method even permits the remaking of prints a t some future date immediately without recourse to negatives. Corrosion Fatigue. A comprehensive study has been conducted to determine why certain high-pressure gas cylinders fail in service shortly after having passed the standard hydrostatic test. This study has revealed that failures of this type are due to corrosion fatigue of the interior surfaces, present in old carbo-hydrogen cylinders. Most cylinders found thus affected were manufactured prior to 1920. and had been in almost continuous service since then. Diesel Combustion. The development of equipment and methods for making optical studies of Diesel combustion, which has been carried o n for the last three years, has been successfully completed. Some of the optical methods are now being adopted as standard engineering tools in the research and development laboratories of the Caterpillar Tractor Co. which sponsored this work. Much information can be obtained concerning Diesel combustion by means of spectroscopic and direct high-speed flame-trace pictures. Considerable progress has been made in correlating optical studies with pressure studies. Electromechanical Devices. During the past year the electrical staff of the Physics Section has cooperated with the electrical section of the U. S. Army Engineer Board of Fort Bel voir, Va., in a program of research and experimental model construction on electromechanical devices for rnilitary operational use. Filters. The Cuno Engineering Corp., Meriden, Conn., has under way an extremely diversified study of both aircraft lubricating oil filters and gasoline filters for naval use. Several time-saving methods for manufacturing gasoline niters were studiedjduring the year. Numerous filtering media were examined in order to develop a small and effective lubricating oil filter of the full-flow type. In this study were included all types of materials capable of serving as a filter. More recently a study of hydraulic fluid filters has been started t o develop a filter for use by the Armed Forces. Fluid Flow. The study of the cavitation effects produced by the rapid flow of water through valves and constricted orifices ha* been continued for another year. A method of applying the techniques of high-speed photography t o this study has been worked out, and is being used t o obtain more exact information a* t o the nature of the cavitation process. High-speed motion pictures have been made of the flow of water through valves fitted with transparent plastic windows, using direct illumination. Mica. Prior to the beginning of the present war, this country depended very largely upon India for its supply of strategic mica. The danger that imports from this source might be curtailed or stopped entirely made it imperative that domestic sources be developed to meet the requirements of our rapidly growing mechanized •army. Therefore the War Production Board took immediate steps to increase the production of mines in this country and, at the same time, launched an extensive research program to find methods of more rapid inspection and fabrication of the block mica obtained from these domestic sources. The Armour Research Foundation was one of three laboratories in the United States selected to cooperate in these research investigations.
24
National Defense Research Committee. Several extensive projects have been conducted for the N D R C by the foundation. As these projects are in the restricted classification it is not possible to report on them other than that the broad facilities of the foundation have made it possible t o carry several programs through all stages from developmental work to actual production of equipment for field tests, and that some developments have already been used effectively on various battle fronts. Spray Equipment. Operations in the spray equipment project have been restricted to testing work on the performance of several small compressors to be used for special purposes by the Air Corps. The facilities of the spray equipment laboratory have been kept in readiness for an extensive program of research and development work as part of the postwar research program. Watch Technology. During 1943 the watch technology project has been devoted entirely to problems arising in connection with the manufacture of timing mechanisms for military uses. Special Studies, In addition to its long-term research programs, the Physics Section has served in many other ways. During the past year the optics laboratory especially has taken part in a large number
of the investigations in other fields in t h e foundation. Special techniques in light transmission, colorimetry, microscopy, spectrophotometry, spectrography, and x-ray have been applied to the solution of problems in chemistry, metallurgy, and mechanics. Even greater has been this laboratory's contribution in these other fields through specialized photographic methods, such as photomicrography, macro-, macrostereo-, and micronash photography, and high-speed motion pictures. The electronics laboratories have made substantial contributions to the development of new amplifier units and gage circuits for use in the mechanical measurements required in engineering mechanics studies. The physics laboratories have also conducted numerous special tests of materials and devices to help manufacturers check their products against various Army, Navy, and Signal Corps specifications. These have included accurate electrical determinations of small time intervals, electronic means for measuring cylinder wear in internal combustion engines, electrical conductivity and dielectric tests of flooring, paints, and molded plastic parts, oscillographic studies of switching transients, and calibrations of specialpurpose instruments.
Temperature measurement in a ceramic research project
CHEMICAL
AND ENGINEERING
NEWS
Engineering Mechanics Research Airport Paving. Studies on airport paving are being made for the Civil Aeronautics Administration. This work involves determinations of static and dynamic loads imposed by military aircraft on run^r.y surfaces. Brake Press. During the year both photoelastic analysis and electrical strain gage analysis were made on a Verson Allsteel Press Co. brake press. The photoelastic analysis was used to indicate points of stress concentration by the use of Bakelite models, and actual measurements were carried out dynamically on the prototype. Core Boxing. The Civil Aeronautics Administration is sponsoring a project for obtaining undisturbed test cores from soilstabilised materials. Electric Motors. Studies have been made to develop a fractional horsepower single-phase motor with a high starting torque. The new motor was required to offer better starting characteristics than are now normally available. The investigation included the possibility of production at lower cost. Gear Wear. Progress continues on the Whiting Corp. project to determine the factors which contribute to gear wear, in
order to obtain a practical formula for the design of gears; The equipment at present consists of a power source driving a generator through the gear box, the energy generated being dissipated in resistance ids. Loading is controlled by varying e field excitation of the generator. Impact Studies. The fundamental impact studies sponsored by the Whiting Corp. are continuing, with the over-all object of obtaining design criteria for material subject to dynamic loading. Of special interest is the intensity of load or tne magnitude of the stress that can be carried safely over extremely short periods of time. An x-ray diffraction technique has been developed for the quantitative measurement of plastic deformation in structural steel, and has been employed in determining both the magnitude and depth of penetration of plastic flow in the neighborhood of the points of collision of pairs of pendulum bars. A fairly wide range of impact velocities has been used and the coefficient of restitution obtained for each impact is being correlated with the x-ray diffraction data. . Pressure Vessels. Large-scale fatigue tests are in progress, dealing with the fatiguing of an industrial pressure vessel re-
S
quiring raising and lowering the interna pressure from 200 to 1.200 lbs. per sq. inch through 100,000 cycles. The vessel is large and requires heavy pumping faculties. A second major fatigue investig^r tion is concerned with large members m MiijiMrml stress condition. Volute Springs. Under the auspices of American Steel Foundries, an investigation on the characteristics of volute springs has been carried out. The results of this work appear in the first Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Stress AiuOym. Welded Tanks. The investigation initiated by Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. in the spring of 1942, on the effect of the hammer test on welded pressure vessels, has been carried to a conclusion. The results were presented to the American Welding Society and approved for presentation at its 1943 annual meeting. Wire Rope. A large fatigue testing machine has been built to determine the eoect • of various factors on the life of wire rope. Tests are now being conducted on 0.50inch extra-flexible crane ropes using several different sLcave diameters. Concurrently an extensive bibliography on wire rope is being compiled to facilitate full use of the experience and results obtained by other investigators. The project is sponsored by the Whiting Corp. Wood Technology. During the past year a laboratory ior investigation and testing of wood products has been added. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., one of the Weyerhaeuser companies, is sponsoring a project for the development of laininated structural members from lumber. Tnw study includes the investigation of wood, adhesive preparations, jointing methods, and plant control. Additional Engineering Investigations Electrical Equipment. A study has been conducted to determine the t operating characteristics of a manually driven direct current dynamo under a variety of surrounding conditions, including variations in temperature and humidity. Heat Transfer. The foundation s neattransfer laboratory has continued to serve in the determination of thermal cpefficaents for industrial products. Throughout 1943 this work has involved materials used in war plant construction, housing, military clothing, military vehicles, railway cars, naval vessels, aircraft, and similar applications. . Hydraulics. Numerous studies of nydraulic equipment have been completed during the year: determination of the characteristics of a lightweight hignressure oil pump for aircraft control, a ydraulic variable-speed motor, and a variety of hydraulic clutches, brakes, and speed reducers. Continuing into the new year is a broad study of pumps for automatic home water supply, mcluding deep well installations. . Work has begun toward unification of this type of activity into a complete Fluid Mechanics Laboratory prepared to meet industrial needs in both hydrauhes and air flow. Among the units already built is special equipment developing torques up to 300 foot-pounds, with variable speed from 200 to 2,400 r.p.m. Concurrently, a fundamental program of research on turbulence effects has been instituted. Materials Testing. A ^reat many unusual tests and investigations have been pursued in the Materials TesUng laboratory during the past year, chiefly at the request of government war agencies or companies satisfying government contracts. These have involved a large variety of specialised setups to meet war needs.
E
Light alloy forging with a 1,000-ton press V O L U M E
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NO.
1 •
. J A N U A R Y
10,
1944
25
South interior view of the new Metals and Minerals Research Building
Projectiles. A gyroscopic type of projectile has been investigated to determine the extent of improvement on its stability during flight. Shock Testing. The foundation, in cooperation with the United States Navy and a group of manufacturers, has built and operates a Navy shock testing machine for light-weight electrical equipment of 400 pounds or less. Each manufacturer has contributed to the cost of construction of this machine and its electrical supply panel which makes available the necessary voltages and currents needed for testing their developed products in accordance with Navy specifications. Companies which have contributed to the cost of construction of the machine and panel are: American Electrio Motor & Repair Co. American 8teriliier Co. Automatic Electrio Co. M. B. Austin Co. Benjamin Electrio Manufacturing Co. Chicago Pump Co. Edison General Electrio Appliance Co., I no. Federal Electrio Co., Ino. Furnas Electric Co. Ila Electric Ventilating Co. Micro 3witch Corp. Ohio Electrio Manufacturing Co. Ohmite Manufacturing Co. Peon Clectrie Switch Co. 8ola Electric Co. ^ Thordarson Electric Manufacturing Co. Vapor Car Heating Co. Viking Pump Co. Wagner Electric Corp. Western Electrio Co., Ino. r
Vibrations. Contributing to a more basic understanding of sound phenomena, an investigation of certain aspects of sound quality has been completed. Studies made upon violin strings indicate the phase relation of the overtones in a vibrating string as a measure of tone quality. Engine and Lubricants Research Lubricants. The foundation's research and experimental engineering program on A heavy-duty lubricating oils - 5internal - 26
combustion engines has entered its fourth year. Restrictions placed on the use of chemicals for lube oil compounding agents and restrictions on the use of certain petroleum base stocks have resulted in increased activity in research, testing, and development of these heavy-duty oils. The critical supply problem on phenols, phenol compounds, and higher alcohols has resulted in interest in the additive agents which require.the smallest amounts of these materials either in their manufacture or as one of the constituents. A shortage in the petroleum sulfonate supply also has contributed to the necessity for new endeavors at substitution and conservation. In many cases it has been possible to reduce the concentration of additive agent employed in a lubricating oil by conducting extensive test work and by using test procedures which can more accurately evaluate the oil and allow for an intelligentprediction of its performance in service. The freezing by government agencies of certain petroleum stocks for use in military aircraft oils has made it necessary to substitute other stocks for the critical ones. The Pennsylvania bright stocks have received the most attention in this respect. The mass of engine test information on lubricating oils has served as a very valuable background in determining the tests required when a substitution is made in the base stock or in the additive or its concentration. Base oils having identical physical and chemical specifications may vary widely in their performance characteristics when operated in actual engines. For this reason the Ordnance Department, in exercising control of the oils which it feels qualify for service in the Armed Forces, insists on the use of engine tests to demonstrate the value of an oil, regardless of the similarity of the physical and chemical specification of the original oil and the proposed substitute. CHEMICAL
Experience with the lubricating oil engine test procedures obtained by petroleum refiners, chemical manufacturers, and research laboratories has resulted in a reduction of the number and type of tests required. This has aided materially in making the necessary quantities of these high quality oils available to the procurement departments of the Armed Forces. The chemical industries have been particularly helpful in the development of foam inhibitors and metal deactivators which could be used with lubricating oils. In certain Army and Navy equipment, serious foaming of the lubricating oil may result in the necessity of shut-downs. Effective antif6am addition agents were developed and laboratory and field tests confirmed their value. In applying these foam inhibitors to the many types of oils meeting the requirements for qualification under U. 8. Army Specification 2-104B, it was necessary to conduct extensive engine test work to evaluate any harmful effects which the addition of the inhibitor may have had on the oiL Inspection for reduction of oxidation resistance or detergency, for any evidence of corrosion on copperlead bearings, and for any evidence of the inhibitor causing a reduction in filmstrength or oiliness had to be carefully made. Laboratory tests to demonstrate antif cam characteristics were devised. The development of metal-deactivators to aid in the protection of alloy bearings used in the many internal-combustion engines in the Armed Forces also necessitated extensive engine tests to establish then* value and any possible harmful effects. Oxidation resistance, detergency. corrosivity, film strength, and oiliness of the compounded oil again had to be studied. The use of metal deactivators assisted-particu*. larly where bearing corrosion was experienced when highly leaded fuels were used." Elimination of the catalytic effect of the lead and of the iron and copper surfaces of AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
on problems of general public benefit and on .development of devices and principles of significant scientific application. Xn common with the other phases of the work, during the past year this part of tbe foundation's program has been concentrated upon subjects of immediate or potential value to the war effort both at borne and abroad.
Making photomicrographic motion pictures of metallic fusion
the engine parts was the ultimate aim in the use of these deactivators. Serious rusting, experienced when internal combustion engines were placed in storage subjected to the corrosive atmosphere of sea travel, resulted in the development of suitable rust inhibitors which could he added to the lubricating oil. This combination must afford protection to iron surfaces when subjected to the action of moisture-laden sea air and of hydrobromic acid which may be present when leaded fuels are used. The chemical industry has produced numerous materials which nave given adequate protection. Ordnance Department Specification AXS$34 requires engine tests and laboratory bench tests to evaluate these "engine preservative91 oils. ...... The chemical industry is finding of value the mass-evidence now available from the many engine tests conducted on the wide variety of oils in production. Source of crude, type of refining, type of filtration, type and concentration of additive, and many other considerations apply to the oil The type of test and the operating conditions of the test engines increase the variables involved. The correlation of the various engine tests between themselves and between field experience is improving as scientific statistical information is becoming more available through work done at the foundation. Fuels. Research on the value of fuel VOLUME
2 2, N O .
additives in the reduction of engine wear is continuing in the Engine Research Laboratory. The development of a test engine which serves as a valuable research tool has contributed to this study. This engine may be operated so that separate fuels may oe supplied to pairs of cylinders in a manner that allows three different fuels to be supplied to the engine at once. Operating variables of speed, differences in engines, load, temperature, etc., may be eliminated and a direct comparison of the fuel additive characteristics may be made in a single engine test. The development of an electrical cylinder measurement gage has materially assisted in the evaluation of the additives. Engines. The Engine Research Laboratory is conducting an experimental engineering study of the application of special piston rings to worn cylinders. a The effect on engine performance of cylinder wear, ring gap, groove clearance, and type and positioning of rings is being investigated. Important considerations are power, specific fuel consumption, blow-by, and wear. Foundation-Sponsored Research In addition to the services rendered through the medium of industries, associations, and governmental agencies, and in other ways, the foundation regularly carries on research under its own sponsorship
1 • .JANUARY
10,
1944
Electrical Weighing. Work is in progress for the application of electrical gages to the problems of static and dynamic weighing. Preliminary work has included the development of electronic equipment for use with electrical resistance gages. Electron Microscope. During the year a program of theoretical studies in electron optics has been under way. Through a mathematical application of a function known in, hydrodynamics as the "stream function ^ an explicit formula of a very general character has been developed for the refractive index in electrostatic and magnetic fields. The formula takes into account the relativistic change of electron mass which is of practical importance in the case of high-speed electrons. Electronics Research. Purely as a foundation contribution to war needs, a general electronics development program has been in progress. Supplementing tbe regular war agency projects, it is also expected that much of this work will be of substantial postwar value. Equipment utilizing multiple differential timing circuits promises to be of particular significance in meteorological and seismic applications. Other investigations pertaining to the use of modulated infrared radiation have led to the development of equipment that will find application in many fields such as in protective alarm systems, traffic control, railway signaling, etc. Elevator Controls. During the past year the new automatic leveling system for elevators, which was developed and patented by the Armour Research Foundation as a result of foundation-sponsored research, was first applied with satisfactory performance in a hospital passenger elevator. The new system gives a constant slowdown speed independent of the weight of the car load, together with better leveling and accuracy of stop, and permits the use of standard A.C. elevator equipment without conversion to D.C. Ozone. Studies of the use of ozone in industrial operations have been continued throughout the year. With the public interest in motor fuels being accentuated through a general shortage, a number of devices and procedures have been proposed to obtain greater combustion efficiencies. Among them the use of ozone has been considered; however, reports from various sources are widely contradictory with respect to results obtained. Hence, to ascertain the value of using ozone in internal combustion engines, a series of experiments was conducted under rigidly controlled conditions. In Table I are given the test conditions and average results obtained from runs made with a one-cylinder experimental Diesel engine, while Table II shows jthe same for a one-cylinder gasoline engine. Although ozone concentrations used in these tests are far greater than could be obtained by any devices described in patents, ozone has little if any effect on the power output and efficiency of the engines, when introduced into the intake manifold. Inasmuch as other methods of introducing ozone may possibly produce different results, this investigation is being continued. Sound Recorder. In addition to the continuous research program on the foun27
SSSSa9BBeSBSS=9SS9SS999=SKSSSS9KaSSSS9S99SS9
Tabic 1. Ozone in Diesel Engine Intake TBST
i 1.0 T o t a l hours run 900.0 A v . r.p.m. B r a k e horsepower 1 4 . 6 T e m p e r a t u r e of outlet water. 176.0 •F. T e m p e r a t u r e of inlet water, • F . 6 2 . 0 Exhaust gas 800.0 temp. ° F. Lube oil pressure 3 0 . 0 Crank case oil temperature. 140.0 °F. Air t e m p e r a t u r e of i n t a k e . ° F . 85 7.0 Fuel oil pressure Ot in e x h a u s t , % 10.5 CO» in e x h a u s t , % 7.8 29.2 Air-fuel ratio to 1.0 C.F.M. osone 0.0 input Osoniser setting. 0.0 ma. Osone input, mg. 0.0 per hr.
Tsar 2 1.0 901.0 14 7
3 1.0 900.0 14.7
TB8T 4 1.0 900 0 14.5
178.0
177.0
178.0
62.0
62.0
62.0
800.0 30.0
800.0 30.0
800.0 30.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
85 7.0 10.6 7.7 29.2 to 1.0
85 7.0 10.4 7.6 29.2 to 1.0
85 7.0 10.5 7.8 29.2 to 1.0
TBST
0.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
7.0
15.0
0.0
506.0
1020.0
Table II. Ozone in Gasoline Engine Ait Intake TEST TB8T TBST Tuar 4 3 2 1 0.25 0.5 0.25 0.5 T o t a l hours run 1734.0 1716.0 1734.0 1716.0 A v . r.p.m. Power outlet, k w . 0 . 8 4 0 0 . 7 8 2 0 . 7 2 6 0 . 7 2 6 T e m p e r a t u r e of outlet water. 180.0 178.0 180.0 179.0 °F. T e m p e r a t u r e of inlet water, ° F . 62.0 62.0 62.0 62.0 Air t e m p e r a t u r e t o engine, ° F . 78.0 78.0 78.0 78.0 Ot i n e x h a u s t , % 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.5 C O in exhaust, % 9.6 9.5 10.2 9.9 CO* in e x h a u s t . % 6.2 6.8 6.5 5.9 C . F . M . osone i n 0.75 0.75 0.0 0.0 put Osoniser setting. 16.0 7.0 0.0 0.0 ma. O s o n e input, m g . 0 . 0 502.0 1012.0 0.0 per hr.
scene of battle, for later rebroadcastinp, as it is obviously impractical to permit direct radio broadcasting from an actual battlefield. The recorder also provides an interesting- means of'forwarding special messages in the classification of sealed orders. Since the magnetic wire sound recorder is basically a recorder of electrical imnilses, it is finding use as an instrument fcor recording many scientific measurements as well as of speech. It is only necessary to translate t h e physical quantity being measured into suitable electrical impulses. These impulses can then be recorded on the wire and reproduced at a later time for analysis. It is expected that this use of the recorder will prove increasingly valuable in the immediate future. Vegetable Oils. A study of oil-bearing seeds growing within the continental United States has been initiated, the primary objective of which is to alleviate the shortage of certain oils heretofore imported from sources no longer available. Preliminary surveys made over a period of months indicate that certain oil-bearing seeds not now utilized may assume a position of major importance not only in making the United States independent of foreign supplies, but also as a pay crop for acreages unable to support conventional farm products. N e w Internal Services Industrial Products and Materials. Many of the research projects at the foundation have been found to require examination of the suitability or adaptability of a variety of available industrial materials for specific new applications.
This is especially true in the case of byproducts, wastes, proprietary substances in certain categories, and new industrially synthesized -chemicals whose possible uses have not yet been thoroughly explored. To coordinate these efforts for the various projects with a minimum of duplication and to speed this work generally, a new laboratory has been created with the following functions: 1. To obtain and file for instant use of the staff as much as possible of the available information regarding properties of industrial chemicals and materials which may have some application in the research program. 2. To add to this file for permanent record all data observed in the experimental application of these products. 3. To keep available for immediate use samples of such products where future new applications seem probable. 4. To make laboratory modifications of raw materials to meet specific requirements. 5. To synthesize laboratory quantities of unavailable chemicals for the particular research needs of the other foundation laboratories. During the three months of operation of this laboratory by the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Section, pertinent information covering more than a thousand industrial products has been filed, and to this have been added the laboratory observations of the research staff covering over 100 applications of these products. '
— dation'8 newly developed magnetic wire sound recorder, the organization has found it necessary to undertake the actual production of a considerable number of these instruments. This production, by hand methods, was requested as an emergency measure in order to meet urgent military needs during the period in which the General Electric Co. was tooling up for licensed commercial-scale production of the units. There are three outstanding characteristics of the Armour magnetic wire sound recorder which have made it especially suited to a wide range of military applications: 1. Recording is entirely independent of vibration or motion. The unit can bo installed in a region of high vibration or it can actually be tossed about through space without any evidence appearing in the recording. 2. Recordings of any length up to as much as 7 hours are possible on small spools measuring approximately 3.75 inches in diameter with a ) .25-inch face. 3. All or any portion of a record can be erased and a new recording made, and this process can be repeated indefinitely. Many of the uses for the magnetic wire sound recorder are highly confidential. It is valuable for studying and improving instructions given to students in planes, boats, tanks, or other mobile military equipment. The aircraft model, which weigns only 7 pounds, is ideal for recording test flights. An outstanding use of the portable knapsack model is that of news-reporting of battles b y a commentator at the actual 28
Field investigation of strains caused by hammer impact CHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEW!
Pilot-scale rotary kiln in minerals laboratory
Experience with this service to date has shown that a material rejected in one application may simultaneously disclose itself as exactly what is needed for another use. High-Speed Photography. In conjunction with the optics laboratory, facilities for high-speed photography have increased considerably during the past year. The two primary purposes in this development are to broadeo the utility of this research tool for both applied and fundamental investigations at the foundationv and to provide for industry an additional service in itself. In the former, these facilities have already yielded basic data on air and liquid movement) impact phenomena, transient vibration analysis, and other types of motion connected with confidential studies. There are seven commonly known means of photographically studying rapid motion exclusive of oscillographs, photoelectric devices, and recording meters of various kinds. The foundation now has the cameras and auxiliary equipment for six of these. The seventh, a noncommercial camera with a single specialized application, has not yet been needed in the program. The six which are available include: (1) 35-mm. flash motion picture camera (Edgerton) capable of making up to 1,000 pictures a second; (2) 16-mm. stroboscope motion-picture equipment operated in conjunction with a standard type 16-mm. camera; (3) 16-mm. compensating lens VOLUME
2 2, NO.
motion picture camera with photographing rates up to 2,000 pictures a second; (4) single-exposure micro-flash still camera employing a Kodatron flash lamp; (5) multiple-exposure still camera using a series of micro-flashes at short intervals to stop a given movement at many instants in its course; and (6) shadow, or tchlieren photography. Each has its particular applications. The development of further types of equipment is a part of the foundation's high-speed photography program. Staff Additions Within the fiscal period to Sept. 1,1943, the following new members were added to the staff: Arthur V. Appel, Herman Barnett, Daniel E. Clark, John R. Clopton, William C. Cress, Robert F. Dalton, Thaddeus N. DeWolf, Frank Dickson, Dale D. Doerr, Daniel C. Drucker. Helen Siegel Dunham, Clarence A. Fiscal, Joseph Fruchtniss, William H. Graft, Sadelle Greenblatt, Charles W. Hamilton, E. Newton Harris, Dorothy Homan, Raymond Eldon Hudson, Eugene C. Huguenard, Charles H. Junge, Jay Sterling Kemp, Thomas Krulewich, Morris Lesser, Elaine Lovely. Eileen Mary Marcin, Charlotte Aird Matthews, Raymond Mesirow. Paul Moore, Joseph W. Mote, C. W. Niedringhaus, W. F. O'Neil, Ralph G. Owens, William H. Penn, James Prestini, Wumer Rinehart, Aldona Sakalas, Glen H. Schafer, Justus H. Schlichting. Raymond H. Sholtz, Lewis Sipperly, Melvin Sola, Samuel Sola. V. R. Stenger, Everett E. Stone, Iris H. Svitenky, J. B. Ssymanski,
1 » .JANUARY
10,
1944
Franklin G. Tyzzer, Willard Vincent, Warren E. Wilson, and William Wilson, Jr. Additions to administrative, clerical, and maintenance departments include: Dorothy W. Albritton, Helen Bailey, Harry Booker, Edward Buczvnski, Dorothy Carrig, L. A. Cutshall, Adele Dennig, Ferdnand Dietrich, Mildred M. Fauser, David Franklin, Elizabeth Griffin, Arthur Hawkinson, Dorothy Hogan, Shirley Hogan, Oma Holland, Milhcent Kacun, Ruth Kent, Irene Malone, Dorothy McCarthy, Marion L. Meyer, Dorothy M. Reid. Evelyn L. Rush, William Russell, Frank Sladek, Grace Thurman, Vera Topper, and Lenora Whitman. Publications The Frontier, a quarterly condensed report of new research developments in various fields of interest to industry, is now in its sixth year of publication. The magazine is distributed without charge to research and production officials of industrial companies, staff members of educational institutions, and governmental agencies. Now in preparation is a complete listing of publications of all types by members of the Armour Research Foundation staff. Literature Cited (1) CHEM. ENO. NEWS. 21. 17 (1943).
(2) Ibid., 21, 1300 (1943). (3) Informe sobre la Industria del Curtido Presentada por la Mision Cientifica de la Armour Research Foundation. El Cuero y sus Manufactures, Dec. 1942 (Buenoe Aires). 89
