The Steam Engine Explained and Illustrated (Seventh Edition): With an Account of Its Invention and Progressive Improvement, and Its Application to Navigation and Railways; Including Also a Memoir of WattLardner, Dionysius
History
The Steam Engine Explained and Illustrated (Seventh Edition): With an Account of Its Invention and Progressive Improvement, and Its Application to Navigation and Railways; Including Also a Memoir of Watt
Lardner, Dionysius
Steam-engines; Watt, James, 1736-1819
A small grooved wheel A B (_fig._ 41.) is attached to a vertical
spindle supported in pivots or sockets C and D, in which it is
capable of revolving. An endless cord works in the groove A B, and
is carried over proper pulleys to the axle of the fly-wheel, where
it likewise works in a groove. When this cord is properly
tightened the motion of the fly-wheel will give motion to the
wheel A B, so that the velocity of the one will be subject to all
the changes incidental to the velocity of the other. By this means
the speed of the grooved wheel A B may be considered as
representing the speed of the fly-wheel, and of the machinery
which the axle of the fly-wheel drives.
[Illustration: _Fig._ 41.]
It is evident that the same end might be attained by substituting
for the grooved wheel A B a toothed wheel, which might be
connected by other toothed wheels, and proper shafts, and axles
with the axle of the fly-wheel.
A ring or collar E is placed on the upright spindle, so as to be
capable of moving freely upwards and downwards. To this ring are
attached by pivots two short levers, E F, the [Pg210] pivots or
joints at E allowing these levers to play upon them. At F these
levers are joined by pivots to other levers F G, which cross each
other at H, where an axle or pin passes through them, and attaches
them to the upright spindle C D. These intersecting levers are
capable, however, of playing on this axle or pin H. To the ends G
of these levers are attached two heavy balls of metal I. The
levers F G pass through slits in a metallic arch attached to the
upright spindle, so as to be capable of revolving upon it. If the
balls I are drawn outwards from the vertical axis, it is evident
that the ends F of the levers will be drawn down, and therefore
the pivots E likewise drawn down. In fact, the angles E F H will
become more acute, and the angle F E F more obtuse. By these means
the sliding ring E will be drawn down. To this sliding ring E, and
immediately above it, is attached a grooved collar, which slides
on the vertical spindle upwards and downwards with the ring E. In
the grooved collar are inserted the prongs of a fork K, formed at
the end of the lever K L, the fulcrum or pivot of the lever being
at L. By this arrangement, when the divergence of the balls I
causes the collar E to be drawn down, the fork K, whose prongs are
inserted in the groove of that collar, is likewise drawn down;
and, on the other hand, when, by reason of the balls I falling
towards the [Pg211] vertical spindle, the collar E is raised, the
fork K is likewise raised.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account