[LB038214], Letter from Edison Machine Works, John Kruesi to Alfred Ord Tate, February 18th, 1890
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/LB038214
Transcription
Schenectady, N.Y. February 18th, 90 The Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, A.O. Tate, Esq., Private Secretary Orange, N.J. Dear Sir:- Your letter of the 12th instant calling our attention to a previous communication sent in, enclosed a blue print of a coupling box, came to July to hand. As we write you some time ago, we desired to make a full test of this arrangement of Mr. King's, but we have not been able until now to make a report on same. On December 3rd of last year we placed one of our regular 2 1/2" Butcher Caps, filled and surrounded with Compound, at a temperature of 295°F. This cap was about [illegible] thick and made of this cap from the Compound yesterday morning morning-Feb. 19th after having been enclosed for seventy-four (74) days, we found the rubber to be uninjured. This indicates to as what the [illegible] will resist the action of the compound[?] for as [illegible] time. The adoption of such a box in connection with [illegible] feeders would be of no advantage, as the present [illegible] to take care of the insulation [illegible] As to underground mines, [illegible] such as we would be able to operate [illegible] very ready [illegible] joints clean, but at the same time it looks very much as if there would be a chance for water to creep along the tube to the box, inasmuch as the rubber is not sufficiently adequate to fill up all small irregularities on the outside of the pipe, in the same manner as would compound. The split cover suggested by Mr. King for service, would, to our minds, be very apt to leak, and further if there is a considerable body of air confined, as there would be of necessity on a warm day, there would almost certainly be more or less condensation at a low temperature. This is about all we can say in relation to this matter for the experiments we have made. We return you herewith the blue print in question, as also the letter received by you from Mr. King dated November 18th 1899, and remain. Yours very truly, John Kreusi, Ass.t Gen'l Manager