2008-7-24 04:29:00
by Ted Dewey
Henry fried the steaks and baked a pan full of sourdough biscuits. For desert he opened a can of peaches.
Thomas was quite impressed. Not only was this man an inventor, but a very good cook as well.
After they had finished eating, Henry gathered up the dishes and put then in a pan. Then he turned to Thomas.
"Let's go in the living room and spread these drawings out on the table. That way, I can explain exactly how the darn thing works."
Henry was anxious to keep the ball rolling. That fifty grand in the brown envelope would soon be his, at least he hoped so. Thomas spread the papers put on the table. From them, he selected one. "Here," he said, "is a drawing of the complete unit. Now let's start at the propeller and work back."
"Sounds like a good idea." Henry pointed with his pencil. "Each of those steel blades is welded to a steel shaft that fits into the side of the hub and into a bearing that lets the blade change its pitch. Also on each shaft is an arm. From this, another rod goes back to the fly-ball governor which is mounted on the main shaft.
Thomas nodded. "I understand."
Once more Henry was pointing with the pencil. "Here, the hub is fastened to the main shaft. Both are tapered. Much like the hub and axle on a car." Henry grinned. "In fact, I used the axle and housings from old, wrecked cars -- bearings and all."
"I can see where that would save you a lot of machine work."
Once more Henry was pointing with the pencil. "Now that spinning fly ball governor; I got the idea from an old threshing machine engine. As the blades pick up speed, the thrust of the balls changes the pitch of the propeller. At about two thousand rpm it goes into action. At three thousand, the thin part of the blades is turned right into the wind."
Thomas nodded. "So in case of a high gale, or a hurricane, this holds down the speed. Keeps it from being torn to pieces. Correct?"
"Right!"
"Those old fly ball governors have been in use for a long time. I like the way you use them. So much for the governors; now, let's talk about the next thing in line -- the fluid coupling and transmission, then the compressors."
"Without a fluid coupling," Henry explained, "the thing would never get going. Those heavy steel blades would just stay put, and let the wind go around them."
"How fast is it spinning before it begins turning the compressor?"
"About one thousand rpm. Then like an automatic transmission on an automobile, it takes hold."
Thomas grinned. "It looks to me like you sort of borrowed a lot of these ideas from the automobile."
Henry blushed. "That is sure no secret. Not only did I get the idea from the car transmission, but I used a lot of their parts. The fluid drive to let it get going, and the transmission to gear it down. Besides it saved me a lot of money and work."
"You have a point there. And there is one thing for sure, this method is well proven, and has been in use for many years. Now let us get back to the compressors. Is there anything new about the ones that you are using?"
"No, and all three of them are different makes. Each one is pumping air into that big pipe that is capped on both ends. Now, where do we go from here?"
Thomas got up and stretched. "Mister Bower," he said, "I think that this about takes care of the first phase of our contract." He picked up the briefcase, opened it and drew out the brown envelop accompanied by an official looking paper and handed it to Henry.
"Just sign this," he said, "and the money is yours."
Henry's trembling hand signed the paper. "Partner," he grinned, "it has sure been a pleasure doing business with you." He stuck out a brown right hand.
Thomas took it and smiled. "The same here, Henry. And I see many interesting days ahead of us. And I am sure that we will build quite a number of those machines this next year. And some of them will be much larger, possibly some twenty footers. Are you ready?"
"As soon as I put this money in the bank and lock up the place." Suddenly a frown crossed his weather-beaten face.
"There are a few things that I must take care of. There is another item that I have been working on."
"Another way to generate power?"
"No, something different. But it won't take me long to get ready. How long before the company will decide where they are going to build this place?"
"Honestly I don't know. But it should be any time now. They have a couple of men looking over several locations. I expect them to make a decision in the next few days."
"I hope it is here somewhere in Arizona."
"Me too. I love the country here." Thomas tucked the briefcase under his arm. "Let's head for town, Henry. I must get me a motel room and make a few phone calls. Then in the morning, we will get together again. Okay?"
Both men were all smiles as they walked out the door.
-- End Of Chapter Six --
"Television enables you to be entertained in your home by people you wouldn't have in your home."
-- David Frost
Word of the Day
Quixote, quixotic: Foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action; capricious, unpredictable Any of various musical compositions based on the novel Don Quixote, hero of the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605, 1615) by Cervantes.
Example use: Dennis Kucinich continued his seemingly quixotic crusade to impeach President Bush.
Copyright © 2008 by JJ Dewey, All Rights Reserved