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 next illustration represents the portable steam-engine as built by
one of the oldest and most experienced manufacturers of such engines
in the United States.
In the boilers of these engines the heating-surface is given less
extent than in the stationary engine-boiler, but much greater than in
the locomotive, and varies from 10 to 20 square feet per horse-power.
The boilers are made very strong, to enable them to withstand the
strains due to the attached engine, which are estimated as equivalent
to from one-tenth to one-fifth that due to the steam-pressure. The
boiler is sometimes given even double the strength usual with
stationary boilers of similar capacity. The engine is mounted, in this
example, directly over the boiler, and all parts are in sight and
readily accessible to the engineer.
[Illustration: FIG. 116.--The Portable Steam-Engine, 1878.]
One of these engines, of 20 horse-power, has a steam-cylinder 10
inches in diameter and 18 inches stroke of piston, making 125
revolutions per minute, and has 9 square feet of grate-surface and 288
feet of heating-surface. It weighs about 4-1/2 tons. Steam is carried
at 125 pounds.
In the class of engines just described, the draught is obtained by the
blast of the exhaust-steam which is led into the chimney. Such engines
are now sold at from $120 to $150 per horse-power, according to size
and quality, the smaller engines costing most. The usual consumption
of fuel is from 4 to 6 pounds per hour and per horse-power, burning
from 15 to 20 pounds on each square foot of grate, and each pound
evaporating about 8 pounds of water. A usual weight is, for the larger
sizes, 500 pounds per horse-power.
[Illustration: FIG. 117.--The Thrashers' Road-Engine, 1878.]
These engines are sometimes arranged to propel themselves, as in the
Mills "Thrashers'" road-engine or locomotive, of which the
accompanying engraving is a good representation. This engine is
proportioned for hauling a tank containing 10 barrels, or more, of
water and a grain-separator over all ordinary roads, and to drive a
thrashing-machine or saw-mill, developing 20 or 25 horse-power. This
example of the road-engine has a boiler built to work at 250 pounds of
steam; the engine is designed for a maximum power of 30 horses.
This engine has a balanced valve and automatic cut-off, and is fitted
with a reversing-gear for use on the road. The driving-wheels are of
wrought-iron, 56 inches diameter and 8 inches wide, with cast-iron
driving-arms. Both wheels are drivers on curves as well as on straight
lines. The engine is guided and fired by one man, and the total weight
is so small that it will pass safely over any good country bridge. A
brake is attached, to insure safety when going down-hill. Although
designed to move at a speed of about three miles per hour, the
velocity of the piston may be increased so that four miles per hour
may be accomplished when necessary.
[Illustration: FIG. 118.--Fisher's Steam-Carriage.]
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