"Query 2nd.--The passage in the cock is equal to the passage we
make in our large engines, which is only one-fortieth part of the
piston; and as we shall work with high steam, we do not mind the
pressing through the steam-passage; and as the steam will be very
much expanded, it will not be felt in the passage to the condenser. I
know where we have removed cylinders and put larger ones on the same
nozzles and condensing work, and the engines did good duty.
"Query 3rd.--I find by experience that if you give double the quantity
of injection to an engine one stroke, and none the other, that the
quicksilver in the gauge will stand nearly the same; the cold sides of
the condenser are sufficient to work an engine a great many strokes
without any injection.
"Query 4th.--You may put a hanging to the air-pump bucket, and
foot-valve; either that or a rising one will do very well, but I think
the rising cover and wood face on the top, best.
"Query 5th.--The air-pump bucket is large enough. At Wheal Alfred they
have a 64-inch cylinder; the air-pump is 20 inches, and the stroke
is half that of the engine. They were afraid that it was too small;
they then put another of 14 inches by the side of the first, the same
stroke. The quicksilver tube stands as high with the one 20-inch
bucket as with the two buckets; the engine works best with the one
bucket. I have found by experience that size to be sufficient, and
(especially in an engine that works quickly) make the cistern high
enough to cover the condensing work well with water.
"Query 6th.--My reason for making the forcing pump with duck-valves
is, because they do not bum like the others, and we find them seldom
out of repair; but make it whichever way you think best, and work it
in any way you like.
"Query 7th.--I mean by 3/4 expansive, that the steam is to be shut off
from the cylinder when the piston has moved up from the bottom one
quarter of its stroke. Make the cam to your own mind.
"Query 8th.--I do not think the engine will require a heavier
fly-wheel, as the stones will act as a fly, and the power, though so
very irregular, will be so sudden in its changes, that the speed of
the machinery will not let it be felt. If you make a crank, you may
make the fly-wheel 3 or 4 feet more in diameter. But if with a pin in
the fly-wheel, the beam would come down on the top of it; therefore, I
think it will be better to put a crank, and put the fly-wheel in the
middle of the shaft.
"Query 9th.--The steam will be raised to 25 lbs. to the inch above the
atmosphere, or 40 lbs. to the inch on a vacuum; but I think you need
not calculate for much more strength on that account. It is not the
power that breaks the machinery, but bangs, and not the uniform weight
that this will give.
"Query 10th.--Twenty strokes per minute I propose, which I think a
fair speed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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