Abstract
IN A.E.G. Progress for the first quarter of 1936, which is published by the foreign department of the Allgemeine Elektricitats Gesellschaft of Berlin, the company gives its annual general review of novel electrical devices which are being increasingly used in Germany. One of these is an automatic sequence indicator and timer. In ceramic, chemical and foodstuffs industries, many machines are employed to stir or knead the various ingredients. It is often necessary that these materials be added to the mixture in a definite sequence of time. The new indicator consists of a case containing a number of transparent plates, suitably engraved for each process and lighted up from behind in a predetermined sequence. The attendant is thus warned at the right moment without being obliged to watch the clock. A warning bell is sometimes added to the plate lights. For all kinds of mixing operations this indicator gives useful results. Another device is a ‘fan heater’ used in conjunction with an electric fire. A silent running fan mounted behind the heating elements circulates the hot air without producing any noticeable draught. The room is quickly and evenly warmed and the hot air can be directed to any point where rapid heating is desired. It is stated that the occupants of a room with a fan heater feel a comfortable warmth on all sides. A switch worked by the foot operates as follows. In position 1 the fan runs cold, operating as a ventilator and using as much power as a small lamp (20 watts); in position 2, warm air is emitted, the heater now taking 1,500 watts; and in position 3, it is switched off.
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New Electrical Devices. Nature 137, 980 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/137980a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/137980a0