[Transcriber's Note: Italics denoted by underscores. Bold text denoted by plus signs.] [Illustration: Scientific American Supplement. No. 404] Scientific American Supplement, Vol. XVI., No. 404. } Scientific American, established 1845. } NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 29, 1883. { Scientific American Supplement, $5 a year. { Scientific American and Supplement, $7 a year. * * * * * BIETRIX'S VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL COMPOUND ENGINE. Compound engines are tending to come more and more into use, inasmuch as they present many advantages over other kinds, especially as regards the saving they effect in fuel, and their great regularity, due to the adjusting of the cranks at right angles. It is not surprising, then, to see our large manufacturers, who desire to maintain a reputation, seeking to create new types based upon this principle. But, in multiplying the parts, as is done in these motors, the engine is rendered more complicated, and the cost of installation is increased. Hence the difficulty of placing these motors, notwithstanding the saving in fuel that is gained by employing them. Messrs. Bietrix & Co., of St. Etienne, however, have devised a type in which these two inconveniences seem to have been in a great measure overcome, and which we illustrate in the annexed engraving. [Illustration: COMBINED VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL COMPOUND STEAM ENGINE.] _Description of the Engine._--The engine as a whole is represented in longitudinal elevation in Fig. 1, in plan in Fig. 2, and in side view in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the condenser in transverse section. The motor consists of a small vertical cylinder, A, and of a large horizontal one, C, both projecting over a strong hollow frame, B, which connects them and carries the guides, _g g'_, and the pillow block, P, of the driving shaft, _p_. The condenser, D, is in a line with the large cylinder, and the piston, D², of its pump is mounted upon the prolongation, _d'_, of the piston rod, _a_, of the cylinder, C. The expansion gear is controlled by the regulator, and the admission may vary from 1/19 to 1/85. Steam is admitted into the small cylinder through the pipe, _s_, and its entrance may be regulated at will by acting upon the hand wheel, _s'_, which controls the maneuvering rod, _s²_. After expanding, the steam, in escaping from the smaller cylinder, passes through the pipe, _r_, into the feed-water heater, R, and then acts in the larger cylinder, _c_, in order to pass afterward to the condenser, D, through the pipe, _d_. The frame, B, is in two parts, the vertical part being adjusted by keys upon the horizontal one, and strong bolts concurring with such a coupling to make the whole strong and solid. This frame carries plane slide bars, _g g'_, with beveled counter guides.