Blower

(blōr.) (Mining.) See FIRE-DAMP. [s. 99] Blowing - machine. (Metall.) The earlies Blowing - machine. (Metall.) The earliest and still a very usual form of B.-M. is some modification of the ordinary bellows. When a constant blast is required, a receiver for the air, independent of the mere bellows, properly so called, is required; as in the smith's bellows. A very powerful kind of B. M. consists of a cast iron cylinder, like that of a steam-engine, a piston, valves, . It acts as a large air-pump, the air being drawn from the atmosphere, and forced to where it is wanted by the arrangement of tubes and valves. Another and very convenient form of B. M. is the FAN, 7. v. [s. 99]