ClipArt ETC

This science ClipArt gallery offers 102 images of methods to produce power by steam, including the coal-powered steam engine often seen on early trains and steamboats.

A machine for utilizing the elastic force of steam as a motive power, and now constructed in a variety of forms. The power of heat to do work when combined with other elements in the form of steam was known to some extent to the modern.

Steam Engine

A machine for utilizing the elastic force of steam as a motive power, and now constructed in a variety…

"A modern steam engine." -Comstock 1850

Modern Steam Engine (1850)

"A modern steam engine." -Comstock 1850

"The steam engine is a powerful device for utilizing the energy involved in the elasticity and expansive force of steam as a motive power. It is a real heat engine, transforming heat into mechanical energy." -Avery 1895

Steam Engine

"The steam engine is a powerful device for utilizing the energy involved in the elasticity and expansive…

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Steam engines have a long history, going back almost two thousand years. Early devices were not practical power producers, but more advanced designs became a major source of mechanical power during the industrial revolution. Modern steam turbines generate about half of the electric power in the world.

Steam Engine

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Steam…

"An engine designed to throw a continuous stream of water through a hose upon a conflagration, for the purpose of extinguishing it." -Whitney, 1911

Steam Engine

"An engine designed to throw a continuous stream of water through a hose upon a conflagration, for the…

"The relative positions of crank, eccentric and valve when the exhaust closes on the crank end and compression begins. Between these two positions the steam is expanding in the head end and exhausting from the crank end." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Valve with Lap Steam Where Slide Valve is Closed

"The relative positions of crank, eccentric and valve when the exhaust closes on the crank end and compression…

"While the crank is moving from the position, steam is being admitted to the head end and being exhausted from the crank end. The inside lap being less than the outside lap, causes the exhaust to continue longer than the admission." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Valve with Lap Where Steam is Admitted to the Slide Valve

"While the crank is moving from the position, steam is being admitted to the head end and being exhausted…

An illustration of the valve with lap at the end of the crank end steam compression. The piston will restart the compression cycle of at the head of the piston. As the piston moves, the sliding valve in the top compartment will fill with steam and closes.

Steam Engine Valve with Lap Steam Where Slide Valve is in Open Position

An illustration of the valve with lap at the end of the crank end steam compression. The piston will…

"If the inside lap is increased, the valve must move farther before released occurs and the crank angle would be greater than illustrated. On the return of the valve to the dotted position, the port will close earlier and make an earlier compression. Decreasing inside lap will cause earlier release and later compression." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Valve with Lap Steam Where Slide Valve Moved to Open Position

"If the inside lap is increased, the valve must move farther before released occurs and the crank angle…

An illustration of the water entering and exiting the condenser through pump. The cooling water enters the circulating pump R, exiting at pipe M. The steam enters at pipe S, and is cooled, or condensed. The condensed steam enters pump B, removing the air in the system.

Steam Engine Condenser with Pumps

An illustration of the water entering and exiting the condenser through pump. The cooling water enters…

Illustration of a cross compound steam engine. The engine is designed to hold pressure until the engine's minimum pressure is achieved.

Cross Compound Steam Engine

Illustration of a cross compound steam engine. The engine is designed to hold pressure until the engine's…

A low power steam engine. The piston inside cylinder A moves the wheel, generating power at 100 horsepower or less. The steam from the system escapes the from the piston, moving the wheel.

Low Power Simple Steam Engine Diagram

A low power steam engine. The piston inside cylinder A moves the wheel, generating power at 100 horsepower…

"High volumes of steam were pumped into the hollow sphere. The steam would then escape through the many evenly spaced arms around the center of the sphere thus causing the engine to rotate." —Quackenbos 1859

Hero's Steam Engine

"High volumes of steam were pumped into the hollow sphere. The steam would then escape through the many…

A low power simple expansion steam engine. The steam engine can run at 100 horsepower, and not run continuously. The as the piston in the cylinder expands, part of steam is exhausted into the surrounding. The piston then moves the wheel to generate power.

Low Power Simple Expansion Steam Engine

A low power simple expansion steam engine. The steam engine can run at 100 horsepower, and not run continuously.…

An illustration of Newcomen atmospheric steam engine. The boiler heats the water to build up steam in the piston. While the steam lever closes, the water is let in, and the piston compresses the steam to generate energy. The compressed steam turns to liquid, and opens the steam valve.

Newcomen Atmospheric Steam Engine

An illustration of Newcomen atmospheric steam engine. The boiler heats the water to build up steam in…

A plan of direct acting hoisting machine for mining industry. The machine is operated by compound Corliss steam engines. The shaft turns the two conical drums to lower or raise the cable.

Plan of Direct Acting Hoisting Machine with Corliss Steam Engines for Mining

A plan of direct acting hoisting machine for mining industry. The machine is operated by compound Corliss…

A power pump steam engine without shaft. The engine turns the wheel with the reciprocal motion of the piston.

Power Pump Steam Engine

A power pump steam engine without shaft. The engine turns the wheel with the reciprocal motion of the…

The illustration showing Watt's final steam engine design. The engine is fitted with series of rods to guide the in a straight line. James Watt and William Murdoch invented the throttle valve, centrifugal valve, regulator, and slide valve to improve on the steam engine.

Watt's Final Steam Engine Design

The illustration showing Watt's final steam engine design. The engine is fitted with series of rods…

"The steam engine, in its many forms, is the agent by means of which part of th eenrgy stored up in the steam, as supplied by a coiler, is converted into mechanical or useful work."—Finley, 1917

Steam engines

"The steam engine, in its many forms, is the agent by means of which part of th eenrgy stored up in…

"Steam Hammer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Steam Hammer

"Steam Hammer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

"Figure 5 shows a form of the apparatus for separating a liquid from another of different boiling point, such as alcohol and water. The mixture is poured into retort B, and then heated to about 90 degrees C, which is above the boiling point of alcohol but below that of water. The vaporized alcohol escapes through A to the worm D. This is a simple helical coil of pipe surrounded by cold water, and serving to condense the vapor, which runs out as a liquid at the bottom. The cooling water is constantly changed by the supplying fresh cold water at the bottom and drawing off the heated water from the top." Louis Derr, 1911

A Still Showing the Separation of a Liquid from a Solid

"Figure 5 shows a form of the apparatus for separating a liquid from another of different boiling point,…

"The falling weights EE turned a paddle-wheel stirrer inside the cylindrical vessel G, which was filled with water and was much like the common ice-cream freezer. The friction of the stirrer heated the water; and when distance was measured through which the weights fell, it was possible to calculate the relation between the work done by the falling weights and the heat developed in the water." Louis Derr, 1911

Thermodynamics Apparatus Showing the Relationship between the First and Second Principals

"The falling weights EE turned a paddle-wheel stirrer inside the cylindrical vessel G, which was filled…

"The indicator consists of a cylinder in which a piston is fitted, a spring, multiplying lever, and parallel motion for the pencil and cylinder or drum for the paper. The piston is fitted accurately to the cylinder and has a travel about one—half inch." —Derr, 1911

Thompson Indicator for Steam Engine

"The indicator consists of a cylinder in which a piston is fitted, a spring, multiplying lever, and…

An illustration of 9000 kilowatts capacity vertical Curtis turbine. Each turbines are located between the stationary nozzles. The steam enters from the steam chest into the moving gears, then to stationary blades. Electricity is then generated at the movable blades.

9000 Kilowatts Vertical Curtis Turbine

An illustration of 9000 kilowatts capacity vertical Curtis turbine. Each turbines are located between…

"In 1629, Branca, an Italian, invented a turbine much like a miniature water wheel, which was driven by a jet of steam from a nozzle directed against the buckets of the wheel. This is the simplest form of an impulse turbine." —Derr, 1911

Branca's Impulse Steam Turbine

"In 1629, Branca, an Italian, invented a turbine much like a miniature water wheel, which was driven…

A cross sectional view of Westinghouse Parsons turbine. Steam enters at V and exits at E, turning the turbines, R. The turbines turns the shaft, B, to produce energy to produce electricity. During this process, the steam, at high pressure, is expanded to a lower pressure.

Westinghouse Parsons Turbine Viewed Cross Sectionally

A cross sectional view of Westinghouse Parsons turbine. Steam enters at V and exits at E, turning the…

A De Laval steam turbine. The turbine is operated by supplying steam into the four nozzles. The steam is then expanded and exits the valve through the vanes.

De Laval Steam Turbine

A De Laval steam turbine. The turbine is operated by supplying steam into the four nozzles. The steam…

"In 1885, Parsons took out his first turbine patent on a motor along the lines previously suggested by Wilson, and is responsible for the successful development of this type of motor. His first turbine, took steam in the center A, and exhausted at both ends through the exhaust passage E E, thus avoiding any end—thrust on the shaft B." —Derr, 1911

Early Parsons Steam Turbine

"In 1885, Parsons took out his first turbine patent on a motor along the lines previously suggested…

"In 1858, Hartman Bros. patented a turbine consisting of two revolving disks c and c' fixed to a shaft D. Between them was a segment of stationary reversing blades d d. Steam entered from a nozzle F and was exhausted at H; G is the casing." —Derr, 1911

Hartman's Compound Impulse Turbine

"In 1858, Hartman Bros. patented a turbine consisting of two revolving disks c and c' fixed to a shaft…

A simple steam turbine by Hero of Alexandra during first century AD. The turbine consists of a hollow sphere and pipes. Steam enters the hollow ball, and exits at the pipe around the equator. This then turns the sphere turbine.

Hero's Simple Steam Turbine

A simple steam turbine by Hero of Alexandra during first century AD. The turbine consists of a hollow…

"The shaft, where it passes through the diaphragm, is fitted to a bronze bushing with a few thousandths of an inch clearance. This bushing seats on the metal surface of the diaphragm with latitude for slight side motion. It is kept to its seat by the steam pressure, but can move sideways to accommodate any whipping motion of the shaft." —Derr, 1911

Sectional View of Kerr Turbine

"The shaft, where it passes through the diaphragm, is fitted to a bronze bushing with a few thousandths…

"A compound turbine was patented by Real and Pichon, the idea being to reduce the velocity of rotating passing the seam through successive wheels G, separated by disks B B containing outlets C to permit the passage of the steam from one chamber to another. H is one of the blades, F the shaft, and M the steam exhaust." —Derr, 1911

Real and Pichon Compound Steam Turbine

"A compound turbine was patented by Real and Pichon, the idea being to reduce the velocity of rotating…

A two stage condensing Terry turbine from a steam engine. The steam, entering from the top, rotates the two turbines in the casing to generate electricity.

Cross Sectional View of Two Stage Condensing Terry Steam Engine Turbine

A two stage condensing Terry turbine from a steam engine. The steam, entering from the top, rotates…

"A view of Wilson's invention is shown; a, b, and c, are vance which are attached to and rotate with the drum D, while d, e, and f are stationary guide vanes. Steam enters at the left, passes through the turbine longitudinally, and exhausts at the right." —Derr, 1911

Wilson's Compound Steam Turbine

"A view of Wilson's invention is shown; a, b, and c, are vance which are attached to and rotate with…

"The maximum displacement of the valve is attained when the eccentric is horizontal. In this position both the steam and exhaust ports are wide open, and any further motion motion of the piston will cause the valve to move toward its mid position." —Derr, 1911

Valve with Lap of Steam Engine Where Steam Enters the Slide Valve Compartment

"The maximum displacement of the valve is attained when the eccentric is horizontal. In this position…

A valve used to keep the backwards pressure in a steam piston engine.

Back Pressure Valve

A valve used to keep the backwards pressure in a steam piston engine.

A valve used to keep the backwards pressure in a steam piston engine.

Back Pressure Valve

A valve used to keep the backwards pressure in a steam piston engine.

"If only one indicator is to be used for both ends of the cylinder, it may be connected by side pipes and a three way (pipe valve). By this method both diagrams are taken on the same card and with the loss but one revolution." —Derr, 1911

Three Way Pipe Valve for Attaching One Steam Engine Indicator

"If only one indicator is to be used for both ends of the cylinder, it may be connected by side pipes…

"This valve consists of two pistons connected by a sleeve through which the valve rod passes. This valve rod is prolonged to a small balancing piston, placed directly over the main valve." —Derr, 1911

Cross Sectional View of the High Pressure Cylinder of Piston Valve from USS Massachusetts

"This valve consists of two pistons connected by a sleeve through which the valve rod passes. This valve…

"If the velocity of impact of the jet is V feet per second, its velocity in the same direction after striking the plate will be zero, a definite force will be exerted on that plate, equal to the force necessary to impart a velocity of V feet in one second to the mass of water in the jet." —Derr, 1911

Water Jet Deflected 90 Degrees Measuring Force

"If the velocity of impact of the jet is V feet per second, its velocity in the same direction after…

A diagram illustrating cooling steam exhaust of steam engine using a water tower. The water is pumped out of the water tower using a motor into the condenser. The steam enters the condenser to be cooled by the water flowing by the adjacent pipe.

Water Tower Condenser Steam Cooling System in Engine Room

A diagram illustrating cooling steam exhaust of steam engine using a water tower. The water is pumped…

A Watt's work diagram, or indicator diagram, for steam pressure in cylinder. The graph (top) illustrates how the piston will do work on the steam. The curved top portion is the steam expansion.

Watt's Work Indicator Diagram

A Watt's work diagram, or indicator diagram, for steam pressure in cylinder. The graph (top) illustrates…