A History of the Growth of the Steam-EngineThurston, Robert Henry
History
A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine
Thurston, Robert Henry
Steam-engines -- History
The example here shown differs in its design from those usually seen
in the market. The engine is not fastened to or upon the boiler, and
is therefore not affected by expansion, nor are the bearings
overheated by conduction or by ascending heat from the boiler. The
fly-wheel is at the base, which arrangement secures steadiness at the
high speed which is a requisite for economy of fuel. The boilers are
of the upright tubular style, with internal fire-box, and are
intended to be worked at 150 pounds pressure per inch. They are fitted
with a baffle-plate and circulating-pipe, to prevent priming, and also
with a fusible plug, which will melt and prevent the crown-sheet of
the boiler burning, if the water gets low.
[Illustration: FIG. 115.--Semi-Portable Engine, 1878.]
Another illustration of this form of engine, as built in small sizes,
is seen below. The peculiarity of this engine is, that the cylinder is
placed in the top of the boiler, which is upright. By this arrangement
the engine is constantly drawing from the boiler the hottest and
driest steam, and there is thus no liability of serious loss by
condensation, which is rapid, even in a short pipe, when the engine is
separate from the boiler.
The engine illustrated is rated at 10 horse-power, and makers are
always expected to guarantee their machines to work up to the rated
power. The cylinder is 7 by 7 inches, and the main shaft is directly
over it. On this shaft are three eccentrics, one working the pump, one
moving the valves, and the third one operating the cut-off. The
driving-pulley is 20 inches in diameter, and the balance-wheel 30
inches. The boiler has 15 1-1/4-inch flues. It is furnished with a
heater in its lower portion. The boiler of this engine is tested up to
200 pounds, and is calculated to carry 100 pounds working pressure,
though that is not necessary to develop the full power of the engine.
The compactness of the whole machine is exceptional. It can be set up
in a space 5 feet square and 8 feet high. The weight of the 10
horse-power engine is 1,540 pounds, and of the whole machine 4,890
pounds, boxed for shipment. Every part of the mechanism usually fits
and works with the exactness of a gun-lock, as each piece is carefully
made to gauge.
Portable engines are those which are especially intended to be moved
conveniently from place to place. The engine is usually attached to
the boiler, and the feed-pump is generally attached to the engine. The
whole machine is carried on wheels, and is moved from one place to
another, usually by horses, but sometimes by its own engine, which is
coupled by an engaging and disengaging apparatus to the rear-wheels.
English builders have usually excelled in the construction of this
class of steam-engine, although it is probable that the best American
engines are fully equal to them in design, material, and construction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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