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A rod which connects a rotary with a reciprocating part, either for imparting motion to the latter or taking motion from it, as that which couples a crank with a saw gate, or a steam piston with its crank shaft.

Pitman

A rod which connects a rotary with a reciprocating part, either for imparting motion to the latter or…

"This coffee apparatus consists of a glass globe a, an infusing jar b, of glass or porcelain and a bent tube c of block tin or German silver fitted by a cork stopper into the neck of the globe and passing to the bottom of the jar, where it ends in a finely perforated disc. The apparatus also requires a spirit lamp d or other means of communicating a certain amount of heat to the globe. The coffee is infused with boiling water in the jar, and a small quantity of boiling water is also placed in the globe. The tube is then fitted in, and the spirit lamp is lighted under the globe. The steam generated expels the air from the globe, and it bubbles up through the jar. When the bubbles of air cease to appear almost the whole of the air will have been ejected, and on withdrawing the lamp the steam in the globe condenses, creating a vacuum, to fill up which the infused coffee rushes up through the metal tube, being at the same time filtered by the accumulated coffee grounds around the perforated disc." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Napier's Coffee Apparatus

"This coffee apparatus consists of a glass globe a, an infusing jar b, of glass or porcelain and a bent…

"A form of air-engine which was invented in 1816 by the Rev. R. Stirling is of special interest as embodying the earliest application of what is known as the "regenerative" principle, the principle namely that heat may be deposited by a substance at one stage of its action and taken up again at another stage but with little loss, and with a great resulting change in the substance's temperature at each of the two stages in the operation." —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Stirling's Air Engine

"A form of air-engine which was invented in 1816 by the Rev. R. Stirling is of special interest as embodying…

Robinson's form of Stirling's Engine.

Robinson's Form of Stirling's Engine

Robinson's form of Stirling's Engine.

"Steam Hammer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Steam Hammer

"Steam Hammer." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines. It is one of the best even in normal conditions of working, and the mode of regulation introduced is decidedly superior to that in most reaction turbines; it might almost be said to be the only mode of regulation which satisfies the conditions of efficient working, and it has been adopted in a modified form in the Leffel turbine, which is now largely used in america. The turbine has suction pipes, which permit the turbine to be placed at any height less than 30 feet above the tail-water level. The water enters the turbine by cast-iron supply pipes at A, and is discharged through two suction pipes S. The water on entering the case distributes itself through a rectangular supply chamber SC, from which it finds its way equally to the four guide-blade passages G. In these passages it acquires a velocity about equal to that due to half the fall, and is directed into the wheel at an angle of about 10 or 12 degrees with the tangent to its circumference. The wheel W receives the water in equal proportions from each guide-blade passage." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Reaction Turbine

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines.…

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines. It is one of the best even in normal conditions of working, and the mode of regulation introduced is decidedly superior to that in most reaction turbines; it might almost be said to be the only mode of regulation which satisfies the conditions of efficient working, and it has been adopted in a modified form in the Leffel turbine, which is now largely used in america. The turbine has suction pipes, which permit the turbine to be placed at any height less than 30 feet above the tail-water level. The water enters the turbine by cast-iron supply pipes at A, and is discharged through two suction pipes S. The water on entering the case distributes itself through a rectangular supply chamber SC, from which it finds its way equally to the four guide-blade passages G. In these passages it acquires a velocity about equal to that due to half the fall, and is directed into the wheel at an angle of about 10 or 12 degrees with the tangent to its circumference. The wheel W receives the water in equal proportions from each guide-blade passage." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Reaction Turbine

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines.…

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines. It is one of the best even in normal conditions of working, and the mode of regulation introduced is decidedly superior to that in most reaction turbines; it might almost be said to be the only mode of regulation which satisfies the conditions of efficient working, and it has been adopted in a modified form in the Leffel turbine, which is now largely used in america. The turbine has suction pipes, which permit the turbine to be placed at any height less than 30 feet above the tail-water level. The water enters the turbine by cast-iron supply pipes at A, and is discharged through two suction pipes S. The water on entering the case distributes itself through a rectangular supply chamber SC, from which it finds its way equally to the four guide-blade passages G. In these passages it acquires a velocity about equal to that due to half the fall, and is directed into the wheel at an angle of about 10 or 12 degrees with the tangent to its circumference. The wheel W receives the water in equal proportions from each guide-blade passage." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Reaction Turbine

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines.…

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines. It is one of the best even in normal conditions of working, and the mode of regulation introduced is decidedly superior to that in most reaction turbines; it might almost be said to be the only mode of regulation which satisfies the conditions of efficient working, and it has been adopted in a modified form in the Leffel turbine, which is now largely used in america. The turbine has suction pipes, which permit the turbine to be placed at any height less than 30 feet above the tail-water level. The water enters the turbine by cast-iron supply pipes at A, and is discharged through two suction pipes S. The water on entering the case distributes itself through a rectangular supply chamber SC, from which it finds its way equally to the four guide-blade passages G. In these passages it acquires a velocity about equal to that due to half the fall, and is directed into the wheel at an angle of about 10 or 12 degrees with the tangent to its circumference. The wheel W receives the water in equal proportions from each guide-blade passage." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Reaction Turbine

"Professor James Thomson's inward flow or vortex turbine has been selected as the type of reaction turbines.…

"The general sectionl elevation of a Girard turbine, in which the flow is axial. The water, admitted above a horizontal floor, passes down through the annular wheel containing the guide-blades, G, and thence into the revolving wheel WW. The revolving wheel is fixed to a hollow shaft suspended from the pivot p. The solid internal shaft ss is merely a fixed column supporting the pivot. The advantage of this is that the pivot is accessible for lubrication and adjustment. B is the mortise bevel wheel by which the power of the turbine is given off. The sluices are worked by the hand wheel h, which raises them successively, in a way to be described presently. a is the sluice rods." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Girard Turbine

"The general sectionl elevation of a Girard turbine, in which the flow is axial. The water, admitted…

"The sectional form of the guideblade chamber and the wheel and the curves of the wheel vanes and guideblades, when drawn on a plane development of the cylindrical section of the wheel; a, a, a are the sluices for cutting off the water; b, b, are apertures by which the entrance of exit of air is facilitated as the buckets empty and fill." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Guideblade Chamber

"The sectional form of the guideblade chamber and the wheel and the curves of the wheel vanes and guideblades,…

"The sectional form of the guideblade chamber and the wheel and the curves of the wheel vanes and guideblades, when drawn on a plane development of the cylindrical section of the wheel; a, a, a are the sluices for cutting off the water; b, b, are apertures by which the entrance of exit of air is facilitated as the buckets empty and fill." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Guideblade Chamber

"The sectional form of the guideblade chamber and the wheel and the curves of the wheel vanes and guideblades,…

"A centrifugal pump differing from an ordinary centrifugal pumps in one feature only. The water rises through a suction pipe S, which divides so as to enter the pump wheel at the center on each side. The pump disk or wheel is very similar to a turbine wheel. it is keyed on a shaft driven by a belt on a fast and loose pulley arrangement at P. The water rotating in the pump disk presses outwards, and if the speed is sufficient a continuous flow is maintained through the pump and into the discharge pipe D. The special feature in this pump is that the water, discharged by the pump disk with a whirling velocity of not inconsiderable magnitude, is allowed to continue rotation in a chamber somewhat larger than the pump. The use of this whirlpool chamber was first suggested by Professor James Thomson." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Centrifugal Pump

"A centrifugal pump differing from an ordinary centrifugal pumps in one feature only. The water rises…

A machine drill used to drill through rocky surfaces. Powered by steam, water or horse.

Rock Drill

A machine drill used to drill through rocky surfaces. Powered by steam, water or horse.

"A peculiar-shaped vessel called a retort is half filled with a volatile liquid and heated; the steam, as it forms, passes through the neck of the retort into a glass receiver contained in a vessel filled with cold water, and is then condensed." —Wells, 1857

Retort

"A peculiar-shaped vessel called a retort is half filled with a volatile liquid and heated; the steam,…

"Hero's Machine. The generation of steam from water by the application of heat, and the mechanical force produced by this means, appear to have been understood at a very remote period; but their application to machinery devoted to the purposes of locomotion, is a discovery of recent date. The ingenious contrivances of early discoverers were devoted to objects of minor importance, as those of raising water and propelling smoke upwards." —Comstock, 1850

Hero's Machine

"Hero's Machine. The generation of steam from water by the application of heat, and the mechanical force…

"In 1629 Giovanni Branca, an Italian, contrived a machine which was employed for the various purposes of raising water, of sawing timber and pounding materials. His machine consisted of a wheel furnished with flat vanes around its circumference, like the boards of a paddle-wheel. Upon these vanes, steam was propelled from a close vessel, called an eolipile. A rotary motion was produced, and communicated to appropriate machinery. The results, however, of these and other discoveries made about this period, have never been rendered applicable to the purposes for which the modern steam engine is adapted." —Comstock, 1850

Brancas Engine

"In 1629 Giovanni Branca, an Italian, contrived a machine which was employed for the various purposes…

"Savery's Steam Engine. The adjoining figure illustrates the apparatus employed by Savory. It consists of a furnace and a boiler B; from the latter, two pipes, furnished with stop-cocks C, proceed to two steam vessels S, only one of which is shown in the figure, the other being immediately behind it. Into the bottom of each of these steam vessels is inserted a branching pipe, connected with a descending main pipe D, and an ascending main pipe A; each branching pipe is furnished with valves a, b, which open upwards, and prevent, by their action, the return of any water which may have been forced up through them." —Comstock, 1850

Savery Engine

"Savery's Steam Engine. The adjoining figure illustrates the apparatus employed by Savory. It consists…

"The simple outline of the atmospheric engine. Its mode of operation is as follows. Steam is admitted from the boiler into the cylinder, through the tube l, by means of a regulating cock, e, which is worked by a handle outside the boiler; the pressure of the atmosphere above the piston being thus balanced by the force of the steam beneath it, the extremity of the lever beam to whch the piston is attached is elevated by proportionate weights, w, attached to the pump-rod, and the piston is drawn to the top of the cylinder, the other extremity of the beam being depressed." —Comstock, 1850

Newcomens Engine

"The simple outline of the atmospheric engine. Its mode of operation is as follows. Steam is admitted…

"The first alteration to be noticed in the double-acting engine is that of the cylinder. To insure its double action, it is necessary to provide, at each end of the cylinder, a means of admission of steam from the boiler, and of escape for the steam to the condenser. Hence the double action, which means that the piston is both raised and depressed by the force of steam. For this purpose, a steam box is fixed to each end of the cylinder, communicating, in the one case with the upper, in the other with the lower, surface of the piston. B is the upper, and and B' the lower, steam box. Each of these boxes is furnished with two valves." —Comstock, 1850

Double-acting Cylinder

"The first alteration to be noticed in the double-acting engine is that of the cylinder. To insure its…

"The first alteration to be noticed in the double-acting engine is that of the cylinder. To insure its double action, it is necessary to provide, at each end of the cylinder, a means of admission of steam from the boiler, and of escape for the steam to the condenser. Hence the double action, which means that the piston is both raised and depressed by the force of steam. For this purpose, a steam box is fixed to each end of the cylinder, communicating, in the one case with the upper, in the other with the lower, surface of the piston. B is the upper, and and B' the lower, steam box. Each of these boxes is furnished with two valves." —Comstock, 1850

Double-acting Cylinder

"The first alteration to be noticed in the double-acting engine is that of the cylinder. To insure its…

"The simplest idea of a crank is that of a handle to a wheel; its action is familiarly illustrated in the process of drawing water from a well: the bent handle attached to the wheel is first pushed out, then pulled in the opposite direction, and thus a continued rotatory motion is produced upon an axle. The application of this principle to the steam engine, and the variations of pressure on the crank of a steam enginre, may be conveniently illustrated by curves." —Comstock, 1850

Crank

"The simplest idea of a crank is that of a handle to a wheel; its action is familiarly illustrated in…

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.

Fulton's first steamboat

Steamboat

Fulton's first steamboat

This painting by J. William Turner is a prime example of the style and technique that he often used. The piece was exhibited in 1839 and can now be found in the National Gallery in Washington D.C.

Fighting Temeraire

This painting by J. William Turner is a prime example of the style and technique that he often used.…

A steamboat constructed by Robert Fulton, which made the passage from New York to Albany in thirty six hours.

Steamboat

A steamboat constructed by Robert Fulton, which made the passage from New York to Albany in thirty six…

A kettle on the stove.

Kettle

A kettle on the stove.

A town with old-fashioned boats.

Town

A town with old-fashioned boats.

A town with mills and factories.

Town

A town with mills and factories.

This illustrates how to determine the force required to turn a connecting rod of a steam engine.

Connecting Rod of a Steam Engine

This illustrates how to determine the force required to turn a connecting rod of a steam engine.

Griffith's Propeller, a common form of screw-propeller.

Griffith's Propeller

Griffith's Propeller, a common form of screw-propeller.

Thornycroft's propeller, a common form of screw propeller.

Thornycroft's propeller

Thornycroft's propeller, a common form of screw propeller.

"The valve gear for operating the steam hammer is shown separately, the cylinder and valve chest being in section."—Finley, 1917

Valve gear of a steam hammer

"The valve gear for operating the steam hammer is shown separately, the cylinder and valve chest being…

"A vertical section through the valve casing of a double-column hammer, used for heavy forge work."—Finley, 1917

Vertical Section of a Double-Hammer Column

"A vertical section through the valve casing of a double-column hammer, used for heavy forge work."—Finley,…

"A transverse section through the valve casing of a double-column hammer, used for heavy forge work."—Finley, 1917

Transverse Section of a Double-Column Hammer

"A transverse section through the valve casing of a double-column hammer, used for heavy forge work."—Finley,…

"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…

"Watt's method of regulation, which consists in varying the pressure of the steam supplied to the engine by opening or closing more or less a valve in the supply pipe."—Finley, 1917

Watt's governor

"Watt's method of regulation, which consists in varying the pressure of the steam supplied to the engine…

"Porter's governor, a modification of Watt's original model."—Finley, 1917

Porter's governor

"Porter's governor, a modification of Watt's original model."—Finley, 1917

"When heated, hydrogen will combine with the oxygen of many oxides, forming water (steam) and the metal, thus: Copper oxide + hydrogen yields copper + water. The process of taking oxygen away from a substance is called reduction..." -Brownlee 1907

Reduction of Copper Oxide

"When heated, hydrogen will combine with the oxygen of many oxides, forming water (steam) and the metal,…

"If dry hydrogen is passed over a weighed quantity of copper oxide which is heated, steam and copper result. The water can be collected and weighed in a tube containing a drying agent. The weight lost by copper oxide is the weight of the oxygen. the difference between the weight of the oxygen and the weight of the water formed is the weight of the hydrogen." -Brownlee 1907

Composition of Water

"If dry hydrogen is passed over a weighed quantity of copper oxide which is heated, steam and copper…

In order to rid water of impurities, it is required to boil water, then condense the steam to make it fit for chemical use.

Distilling Apparatus

In order to rid water of impurities, it is required to boil water, then condense the steam to make it…

"The chief use of carbon monoxide is in water gas. This is produced by the reduction of steam by heated coal." -Brownlee 1907

Water Gas Production

"The chief use of carbon monoxide is in water gas. This is produced by the reduction of steam by heated…

"Tyndall's experiment illustrating the production of heat by friction. The wheel is rotated and heat is produced [by friction] that heats the water in the end of the brass tube, which causes the water to boil, producing steam which pops off the cork." -Hawkins, 1917

Tyndall's Experiment

"Tyndall's experiment illustrating the production of heat by friction. The wheel is rotated and heat…

"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…

"Tesla's oscillator is a combined prime motor and electric generator, and produces alternating currents without rotary motion of the generting coils. the motive force may be that of steam or of compressed air." -Avery 1895

Tesla's Oscillator

"Tesla's oscillator is a combined prime motor and electric generator, and produces alternating currents…

Apparatus used to boil water into steam.

Steam Boiler

Apparatus used to boil water into steam.

"Steam pumps are force pumps operated by steam acting on the piston of a steam engine directly connected to the pump, and in many cases cast with the pump. A section of a double-acting steam pump, showing the steam and water cylinders, with other details, is illustrated [here]." —Hallock 1905

Steam Pump

"Steam pumps are force pumps operated by steam acting on the piston of a steam engine directly connected…

"For many purposes compressed air is preferable to steam or other gas for use as a motive power. In such cases air compressors are used to compress air. These are made in many forms, but the most common one is to place a cylinder, called the air cylinder, in front of the crosshead of a steam engine, so that the piston of the air cylinder can be driven by attaching its piston rod to the crosshead in a manner similar to a steam pump." —Hallock 1905

Air Compressor

"For many purposes compressed air is preferable to steam or other gas for use as a motive power. In…

"Water enters through J and K following into G and H compartments. Afterwards the water is forced into the outside compartments thus turning the wheel." —Quackenbos 1859

Water Turbine

"Water enters through J and K following into G and H compartments. Afterwards the water is forced into…

"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…

"Handle A opens and closes valves B and G. Steam is injected through pipe S which flushes any air/water out of C. G is closed and cold water enters through I causing a vacuum drawing water up through F." —Quackenbos 1859

Savery's Engine

"Handle A opens and closes valves B and G. Steam is injected through pipe S which flushes any air/water…

"Used a boiler to produce steam, chambers to condense it, and drive the pistons of the engine." —Quackenbos 1859

Watt's Double-Acting Condensing Steam-Engine

"Used a boiler to produce steam, chambers to condense it, and drive the pistons of the engine." —Quackenbos…

Steam pipe illustration of 30-60-90 triangle.

Triangle Steam Pipe

Steam pipe illustration of 30-60-90 triangle.

The Savannah was the first steam vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1819.

The Savannah

The Savannah was the first steam vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1819.

Mississippi River Steamer

Steamer

Mississippi River Steamer

A machine used to excavate land.

Steam Shovel

A machine used to excavate land.

A machine that blasts hot air to produce temperatures from 600 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

Blast Furnace

A machine that blasts hot air to produce temperatures from 600 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sir Henry Bessemer invented this furnace that creates "Bessemer steel" by burning carbon out of cast iron.

Bessemer Converter

Sir Henry Bessemer invented this furnace that creates "Bessemer steel" by burning carbon out of cast…