Music Trade Review
Issue: 1920 Vol. 71 N. 9 - Page 11
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
11
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AUGUST 28, 1920
Jffl^MBLBJySMl&aMIMI&^^
4WJ^J[.V»A'WJ!^IV»V4V»^
The Development of the Rotary Power Plant as an Auxiliary to the Opera-
tion of the Player-Piano Opens Up a New Field for Pneumatic Engineers to
Explore and Bids to Increase Greatly the Possibilities of the Instrument
tion, which is all we have to consider here. pressure, towards which the internal air from
Let us simply ask ourselves what are the re- the chests immediately moves. In this way,
quirements for a successful rotary power plant, so long as the fan is revolving, there goes on a
what are its principles of design and what may continual displacement of air from the chests,
whereby the air pressure is kept below normal,
it be expected to accomplish.
despite the inrushing of atmospheric air through
The Two Alternatives
Two kinds of power plants are possible. One the tracker ducts of the player when the latter
consists of some sort of bellows and the other is in use.
The Conditions of Efficiency
of some sort of fan, each with electric motor
drive. The first of course must take up much
It is plain therefore that the efficiency of
more space than the second on account of its the rotary plant depends upon the speed of the
reciprocating motion; which must be geared up fan. This being the case, it must also be plain
to the rotary motor by wheels and belts. Where it can only be operated satisfactorily at some
space is at a premium, as in a player-piano fixed speed of rotation, in spite of the fact that
which is already fitted with foot bellows, the the power requirements of the player mechan-
rotary or fan-type machine is demanded.
ism will constantly vary. Electric motors run
There are certain points about a fan device best at unvarying speed, and the machinery
which must be noted. The object in both cases for altering speed is decidedly cumbrous, be-
of course is to reduce the pressure of the air sides requiring very considerable care and even
within the chests of the player mechanism so skill in the manipulation. For every practical
that the external air at its higher pressure may reason, indeed, the rotary power plant must
be able to perform work. In the case of the run at unvarying speed. This of course is what
bellows this is done by opening v.p and closing actually happens. The plans which have come
additional empty spaces which are filled by the out on the market all are built on the basis of
inrushing of air from the chests. In the case ascertaining the maximum requirements of
of the fan, the reduction of pressure is accom- power and making these the norm or standard.
plished by the creation of a strong outgoing Changes can be made downwards by means of
current which pulls the normal pressure air a choking or throttle valve, but not upwards.
after it and so creates behind it an area of low
Needed Engineering Studies
From an engineering point of view, the re-
verse procedure would probably be more at-
tractive; but commercially speaking the makers
of these auxiliary plants are doubtless wise in
working downwards from a maximum.
At the same time, however, it is necessary
at once to ask what should be the maximum.
How is a maximum arrived at, and what is
the basis of calculation? These are not only
important questions; they are actually critical.
But in order to answer any such questions
TRADE MARK
accurately it is obvious that we must know the
(Continued on page 12)
Beg.
V. S. Patent Office
Some time since this department contained
a discussion of auxiliary power plants and went
into some detail concerning the possibility of
utilizing the methods which have been so suc-
cessfully adapted in connection with the suction
cleaner of domestic fame. Since then two
power plants have been put on the market,
rotary in type and intended for installation
within existing player-pianos as substitutes for,
or auxiliaries to, the regular foot-driven bel-
lows. Some consideration of the facts thus
developed will be both useful and interesting
to the student of pneumatics.
The Present Tendency
At one time or another, we have repeatedly
directed attention to the fact that the foot-
driven player-piano might be effectually im-
proved by the application to its equipment of
auxiliary power plants designed to relieve the
human player-pianist from all effort not
specifically devoted to the end of producing
tone. The power plants which have now come
on the market go further than this. They aim
to supply so much power that the entire work
of playing may be done automatically when-
ever desired. Such a scheme of course removes
the entire matter into another circle of ideas.
At the same time, however, there is little dif-
ference in the engineering aspect of the ques-
IEERNOTE
The Most Practical Commercial Tracker-Bar Cleaner
on the Market for Use by Player Owners
Equipped with patented Dust Screen and Valvular features, causing the dirt, when drawn
through the tracker-bar openings, to be held for removal when desired, thus insuring a
Simple, Efficient and Sanitary operation.
Kleernote makes every note respond freely and avoids many player complaints
Made of substantial high-grade metal and carefully constructed to prevent device ,from
getting out of order.
The use of Kleernote gives patrons absolute satisfaction.
Indorsed and recommended by Leading Dealers and Mechanics.
Large demand by player users. Attractive discount rate to dealers.
AMERICAN DEVICE MANUFACTURING CO.
4520 Shaw Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.
Export Department—256 Broadway, New York City.N. Y., U. S. A.
FOTOPLAYER
for the finest
Motion Picture
Theatres
AMERICAN PHOTO
PLAYER CO.
San Francisco
New York
Chicago
IEERNOTE
iiHiMiiiiiiiiuiMiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiinniuiai
STANDARD PLAYER'ACTIONS
STANDARD PNEUMATIC A C T 7 O N C O .
e38 - 652 WEST 52^? STREET
IIUIi l/ll>JI lltlflll
!l llllfln
T' '
Miiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiuiiiiiiiiia
"
'""» '
^
-
NEW YORK CITY
11
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AUGUST 28, 1920
Jffl^MBLBJySMl&aMIMI&^^
4WJ^J[.V»A'WJ!^IV»V4V»^
The Development of the Rotary Power Plant as an Auxiliary to the Opera-
tion of the Player-Piano Opens Up a New Field for Pneumatic Engineers to
Explore and Bids to Increase Greatly the Possibilities of the Instrument
tion, which is all we have to consider here. pressure, towards which the internal air from
Let us simply ask ourselves what are the re- the chests immediately moves. In this way,
quirements for a successful rotary power plant, so long as the fan is revolving, there goes on a
what are its principles of design and what may continual displacement of air from the chests,
whereby the air pressure is kept below normal,
it be expected to accomplish.
despite the inrushing of atmospheric air through
The Two Alternatives
Two kinds of power plants are possible. One the tracker ducts of the player when the latter
consists of some sort of bellows and the other is in use.
The Conditions of Efficiency
of some sort of fan, each with electric motor
drive. The first of course must take up much
It is plain therefore that the efficiency of
more space than the second on account of its the rotary plant depends upon the speed of the
reciprocating motion; which must be geared up fan. This being the case, it must also be plain
to the rotary motor by wheels and belts. Where it can only be operated satisfactorily at some
space is at a premium, as in a player-piano fixed speed of rotation, in spite of the fact that
which is already fitted with foot bellows, the the power requirements of the player mechan-
rotary or fan-type machine is demanded.
ism will constantly vary. Electric motors run
There are certain points about a fan device best at unvarying speed, and the machinery
which must be noted. The object in both cases for altering speed is decidedly cumbrous, be-
of course is to reduce the pressure of the air sides requiring very considerable care and even
within the chests of the player mechanism so skill in the manipulation. For every practical
that the external air at its higher pressure may reason, indeed, the rotary power plant must
be able to perform work. In the case of the run at unvarying speed. This of course is what
bellows this is done by opening v.p and closing actually happens. The plans which have come
additional empty spaces which are filled by the out on the market all are built on the basis of
inrushing of air from the chests. In the case ascertaining the maximum requirements of
of the fan, the reduction of pressure is accom- power and making these the norm or standard.
plished by the creation of a strong outgoing Changes can be made downwards by means of
current which pulls the normal pressure air a choking or throttle valve, but not upwards.
after it and so creates behind it an area of low
Needed Engineering Studies
From an engineering point of view, the re-
verse procedure would probably be more at-
tractive; but commercially speaking the makers
of these auxiliary plants are doubtless wise in
working downwards from a maximum.
At the same time, however, it is necessary
at once to ask what should be the maximum.
How is a maximum arrived at, and what is
the basis of calculation? These are not only
important questions; they are actually critical.
But in order to answer any such questions
TRADE MARK
accurately it is obvious that we must know the
(Continued on page 12)
Beg.
V. S. Patent Office
Some time since this department contained
a discussion of auxiliary power plants and went
into some detail concerning the possibility of
utilizing the methods which have been so suc-
cessfully adapted in connection with the suction
cleaner of domestic fame. Since then two
power plants have been put on the market,
rotary in type and intended for installation
within existing player-pianos as substitutes for,
or auxiliaries to, the regular foot-driven bel-
lows. Some consideration of the facts thus
developed will be both useful and interesting
to the student of pneumatics.
The Present Tendency
At one time or another, we have repeatedly
directed attention to the fact that the foot-
driven player-piano might be effectually im-
proved by the application to its equipment of
auxiliary power plants designed to relieve the
human player-pianist from all effort not
specifically devoted to the end of producing
tone. The power plants which have now come
on the market go further than this. They aim
to supply so much power that the entire work
of playing may be done automatically when-
ever desired. Such a scheme of course removes
the entire matter into another circle of ideas.
At the same time, however, there is little dif-
ference in the engineering aspect of the ques-
IEERNOTE
The Most Practical Commercial Tracker-Bar Cleaner
on the Market for Use by Player Owners
Equipped with patented Dust Screen and Valvular features, causing the dirt, when drawn
through the tracker-bar openings, to be held for removal when desired, thus insuring a
Simple, Efficient and Sanitary operation.
Kleernote makes every note respond freely and avoids many player complaints
Made of substantial high-grade metal and carefully constructed to prevent device ,from
getting out of order.
The use of Kleernote gives patrons absolute satisfaction.
Indorsed and recommended by Leading Dealers and Mechanics.
Large demand by player users. Attractive discount rate to dealers.
AMERICAN DEVICE MANUFACTURING CO.
4520 Shaw Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.
Export Department—256 Broadway, New York City.N. Y., U. S. A.
FOTOPLAYER
for the finest
Motion Picture
Theatres
AMERICAN PHOTO
PLAYER CO.
San Francisco
New York
Chicago
IEERNOTE
iiHiMiiiiiiiiuiMiiiiiiNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiinniuiai
STANDARD PLAYER'ACTIONS
STANDARD PNEUMATIC A C T 7 O N C O .
e38 - 652 WEST 52^? STREET
IIUIi l/ll>JI lltlflll
!l llllfln
T' '
Miiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiuiiiiiiiiia
"
'""» '
^
-
NEW YORK CITY
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).