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"The accumulator may consist of a large tank in which are numerous plates over which water can flow, or may contain simply water rapidly circulated by artificial means. As the exhaust steam from the engine enters this accumulator, it spreads out over the exposed water surface, and some of it is condensed if there is an excess of pressure due to more steam being supplied by the exhaust than is being utilized by the turbine." —Derr, 1911

Interior View of Rateau Accumulator

"The accumulator may consist of a large tank in which are numerous plates over which water can flow,…

"An instrument illustrating the expansive force of steam generated in a closed vessel, and escaping through a narrow aperture, said to have been invented by Hero of Alexandria in the second century B.C. "-Whitney, 1902

Aeolipile

"An instrument illustrating the expansive force of steam generated in a closed vessel, and escaping…

"Suppose a hollow cube to be filled with some fluid (water or steam) at a given pressure, and to have an opening in one side that can readily be closed. The arrangement is such that when the outlet is opened, the internal pressure will remain the same. If the outlet is opened, the fluid will rush out, and if the jet is supposed to strike against a board free to move, the jet will exert a force upon the board tending to swing it in the direction of the jet." —Derr, 1911

Apparatus for Measuring Jet Stream of Steam

"Suppose a hollow cube to be filled with some fluid (water or steam) at a given pressure, and to have…

A Yorkshire steam wagon transverse boiler. Water is continuously enters the large cylindrical container. The water heating is provided by burning coal in the furnance.

Yorkshire Steam Wagon Transverse Boiler

A Yorkshire steam wagon transverse boiler. Water is continuously enters the large cylindrical container.…

An engine and spur-drive connections of a Stanley Steam Carriage.

Steam Carriage

An engine and spur-drive connections of a Stanley Steam Carriage.

The side view of 1802 Trevithick's Steam Carriage. This horseless carriage is operated by a steam engine in the back, rotating the wheels. The front wheels turn the vehicle, operated by the stick.

Side View of 1802 Trevithick Steam Carriage

The side view of 1802 Trevithick's Steam Carriage. This horseless carriage is operated by a steam engine…

"It is usual to put the engine on center before setting the valve. First put the engine in a position where the piston has nearly completed the outward stroke, and make a mark M on the guide opposite the corner of the crosshead or at some convenient place." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Valve Centered with Piston

"It is usual to put the engine on center before setting the valve. First put the engine in a position…

A superheated steam tractor built by Colonel Crompton. The boiler, located in the front, heats the water, then the steam enters the piston near the rear wheel. The large rear wheel is connected to the gears by a drive chain.

Colonel Crompton's Superheated Steam Tractor

A superheated steam tractor built by Colonel Crompton. The boiler, located in the front, heats the water,…

"When set full gear forward, the valve admits steam to the crank end of the cylinder, and the crank revolves as shown by the arrow. As the crank turns, both eccentrics impart motion to the link, but the "go ahead" link pin H approximately coincides with the link block." —Derr, 1911

Eccentric Motion of the Steam Engine Crank in Full Gear

"When set full gear forward, the valve admits steam to the crank end of the cylinder, and the crank…

"The upper bearing with dowel—pins and key fit into corresponding dowel holes and key—way in the bottom of the shaft, and rotate with it. When the oil is supplied to the bearing, under a high pressure, it fills the central circular space between the blocks and forces them slightly apart. The oil then escapes between the annular edges of these two blocks and is collected into a drain and returned to the original supply." —Derr, 1911

Cross Sectional View of Curtis Turbine Step Bearing

"The upper bearing with dowel—pins and key fit into corresponding dowel holes and key—way…

"Steam is admitted under pressure for a boiler into a metal cylinder behind a piston, as represented in figure 14. Its pressure drives the piston forward, doing useful work. When the piston has moved through a part of its stroke the steam supply is cut off, the stroke is completed by the expansion of the steam confined in the cylinder. By the first law of thermodynamics this expansion cools the steam, since work is done in the process; but the expansion is not adiabatic, since the cylinder and piston give up some heat to the steam within. At the end of the stroke the exhaust valve opens and the cooled steam escapes into the atmosphere or condenser through exhaust pipe A. The operation is then repeated on the other side of the piston." Louis Derr, 1911

Mechanical Drawing of a Metal Cylinder

"Steam is admitted under pressure for a boiler into a metal cylinder behind a piston, as represented…

A eight cylinder Bentley superheated steam engine fitted to a tractor. The steam is used to move the piston.

Bentley Eight Cylinder Diagonal Tandem Compound Superheated Steam Engine for Tractor

A eight cylinder Bentley superheated steam engine fitted to a tractor. The steam is used to move the…

"In this engine the cam—shaft by which the steam and exhaust valves are operated is situated midway of the shaft." —Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1910

Sheppee Motor Company Compact Double Acting SUperheated Engine

"In this engine the cam—shaft by which the steam and exhaust valves are operated is situated midway…

"An eccentric on the main shaft gives an oscillating motion to a circular disc called the wrist plate, pivoted at the center of the cylinder. It transmits motion to each of the four valves through adjustable links known as steam rods or exhaust rods, according to whether they move the admission or exhaust valves." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine with Reynolds Corliss Gear

"An eccentric on the main shaft gives an oscillating motion to a circular disc called the wrist plate,…

This design with natural induction used for marine purposes was the popular “Scotch” marine boiler, a scheme for a multi-tube one-pass horizontal boiler made up of two units: a firebox surrounded by water spaces and a boiler barrel consisting of two telescopic rings inside which were mounted 25 copper tubes; the tube bundle occupied much of the water space in the barrel and vastly improved heat transfer.

Steam Boiler Engine

This design with natural induction used for marine purposes was the popular “Scotch” marine boiler,…

An illustration of a rotary steam engine. The steam turbine system was invented by Branca in 1629. Steam spins the turbine to turn a series of gears, generating power.

Steam Rotary Engine

An illustration of a rotary steam engine. The steam turbine system was invented by Branca in 1629. Steam…

Illustration showing a twin cylinder steam engine fitted to a sentinel wagon. The steam expands and compresses as the piston oscillates. This oscillation rotates both the piston shaft and cam shaft, attached to the wheel.

Twin Cylinder Steam Engine Fitted to Sentinel Wagons

Illustration showing a twin cylinder steam engine fitted to a sentinel wagon. The steam expands and…

"The marine turbine of this type (Curtis turbine) installed in the U.S. Cruiser Salem had seven pressure stages with four velocity steps in the first stage, and three in each of the others. Steam passes from the steam chest through the nozzles, each of which may be closed by a valve operated from the governor. The number open at any one time depends upon the load." —Derr, 1911

Cross Sectional View of U.S.S Salem Steam Engine Showing Curtis Turbines

"The marine turbine of this type (Curtis turbine) installed in the U.S. Cruiser Salem had seven pressure…

"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…

"George Stephenson is emphatically the engineer to whose intelligence and perseverance we owe the introduction of railroads into England, and consequently into the United States. It was at Killingworth Colliery that he constructed his first locomotive." -Lupton

George Stephenson's First Locomotive

"George Stephenson is emphatically the engineer to whose intelligence and perseverance we owe the introduction…

"Now if the plate were shaped as shown, so that the direction of the jet were completely reversed turned through 180 degrees, there would be an additional pressure on the plate, due to the reaction of the jet leaving it. This, neglecting friction, would be equal to the original impulse, thus making the total force on plate 2 F instead of F. It is quite evident that if the force is twice as great, the work must be double." —Derr, 1911

Force Measurement by Deflecting Water Jet 180 Degrees

"Now if the plate were shaped as shown, so that the direction of the jet were completely reversed turned…

A cross sectional view of a four stage vertical Riedler—Stumpf turbine. The steam enters and exit, indicated by the arrows. The steam spins a series of turbines located in the middle at a high pressure. As the turbine spins, the shaft, located in the middle, produces useable energy.

Cross Sectional View of Four Stage Vertical Riedler Stumpf Turbine

A cross sectional view of a four stage vertical Riedler—Stumpf turbine. The steam enters and exit,…

"A massive square framework of wood, mounted on six sarp disc wheels, each about two feet in diameter, which cut deep into the ground, and on the lightest land they can hold as effectually to resist the pull of the rope which is passed around the sheave beneath." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Anchor

"A massive square framework of wood, mounted on six sarp disc wheels, each about two feet in diameter,…

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Inventions

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." — Chambers, 1881

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached four plough-bodies and coulters, so that four furrows are cut at one 'bout,' and the headland on which the anchor is stationed being reached, the end of the beam that was out of the ground is depressed, and the four plough-bodies that were out of the ground, and which point in the opposite direction, are inserted in the soil, and turn up the furrows on the way back to the engine." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Plough

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached…

"In 1854, Mr. Fowler exhibited his patent steam-draining apparatus at the Lincoln meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England; and from this time may be dated the practical history of cultivation of the land byy steam; for the idea that such an apparatus could be wrought advantageously in other field-operations entered the mind of a practical farmer, Mr. Smith of Woolston, near Bletchley; and under the direction of Mr. Fowler, he got construced an apparatus with modifications." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Steam-engine

"In 1854, Mr. Fowler exhibited his patent steam-draining apparatus at the Lincoln meeting of the Royal…

"The governor cam rod operates a plate cam having a curved slot so shaped that it takes place of both the knock—off and the safety cam. The steam arm is keyed to the valve spindle and carries at its lower end a steel die which is free to slip up and down a small amount." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Brown Releasing Gear

"The governor cam rod operates a plate cam having a curved slot so shaped that it takes place of both…

A Joy valve gear for steam engine rotating the wheel in the direction of the arrow. The lever F changes the direction the wheel would turn when turned to point B.

Joy Steam Engine Valve Gear Rotating Wheel

A Joy valve gear for steam engine rotating the wheel in the direction of the arrow. The lever F changes…

An outline of the Marshall gear from a steam engine. The piston rotates the crank shaft at point H around axis S. The rod F is connected to the bottom rod E. Rod F rotates at axis P to rotate the engine backwards and forward.

Outline of a Steam Engine Marshall Gear Reducing Friction and Wear

An outline of the Marshall gear from a steam engine. The piston rotates the crank shaft at point H around…

"The steam arm is keyed to the valve spindle which passes loosely through a bracket on which the bell—crank lever turns, and the spindle is packed to make a steam—tight joint where it enters the cylinder. Motion of the steam rod toward the right will turn the bell—crank lever and raise the hook stud." —Derr, 1911

Close up of Reynolds Corliss Gear from Steam Engine

"The steam arm is keyed to the valve spindle which passes loosely through a bracket on which the bell—crank…

An illustration of the steam engine with Walschaert gear system on rail tracks. The piston moves the long shaft connected to the wheel. The lever adjusts the rods on top up and the lower ones down to rotate the wheels opposite from the arrows.

Steam Engine with Walschaert Gear on Railroad

An illustration of the steam engine with Walschaert gear system on rail tracks. The piston moves the…

"The main valve controls admission, release, and compression; the other (valve) regulates the cut—off only, which may be changed without in any way affecting the other events of the stroke. This cut—off valve may be placed in a separate valve chest, or it may be placed in the back of the main valve." —Derr, 1911

Close up View of Double Sliding Valve Gears from Steam Engine

"The main valve controls admission, release, and compression; the other (valve) regulates the cut—off…

An illustration of a Corliss steam engine to generate 5000 kW of electricity. The turbines to create electricity is located on the right hand side and the large circular casing in the left. The steam enters the system at a high pressure to turn the turbines.

5000 kW Corliss and Curtis Steam Engine for Electric Generation

An illustration of a Corliss steam engine to generate 5000 kW of electricity. The turbines to create…

"By placing the condensers underneath the turbine, as is frequently done at the present time, not only may a considerable amount of floor space be saved, but the turbine can more readily exhaust into the condenser. As we have already seen, at high vacuum the volume of steam is very large, and the exhaust pipe from the turbine will be proportionally large." —Derr, 1911

Corliss Steam Engine Generator Plan

"By placing the condensers underneath the turbine, as is frequently done at the present time, not only…

A cross sectional view of Rateau electric generator turbine by Western Electric Company. Steam is used to turn the turbine to generate electricity. The turbine rotates at 1500 revolutions per minute and operates at 1500 horsepower.

Cross Section View of Rateau Turbine Electric Generator by Western Electric Company

A cross sectional view of Rateau electric generator turbine by Western Electric Company. Steam is used…

A De Laval steam turbine connected to a generator. The turbine generates electricity by turning the shaft. The turbine is operates by providing steam into the vanes.

De Laval Steam Turbine Connected to Generator

A De Laval steam turbine connected to a generator. The turbine generates electricity by turning the…

"The bearings are of the plain ring—oiling type, usually provided with water jackets. The shaft not being unduly long, there is little danger of whipping, and the speeds of rotation not being very high, special precautions are not necessary. Sometimes the turbines are supported by three bearings, the high and intermediate states being separated from the low by a third bearing." —Derr, 1911

DeLaval Steam Electric Generator

"The bearings are of the plain ring—oiling type, usually provided with water jackets. The shaft…

A cross sectional view of the Pearsons turbine for generating electricity. The turbines, located in P are turned by steam, generating electricity.

Pearsons Turbine for Electricity Generator

A cross sectional view of the Pearsons turbine for generating electricity. The turbines, located in…

"Turbines require very much smaller foundations than reciprocating engines reciprocating engines of the same power, and these foundations will therefore cost very much less. It is hard to get a direct comparison between turbines and reciprocating engines as a class, because the foundations for high—speed reciprocating engines will not be as massive as for the heavier, low—speed engines." —Derr, 1911

Westinghouse Turbo Steam Engine Generator Plan

"Turbines require very much smaller foundations than reciprocating engines reciprocating engines of…

"The Zoelly turbine has been developed rather extensively abroad, and is being manufactured largely through a syndicate of builders including some American firms. It is a turbine essentially of the Rateau type, a multi—pressure—stage turbine, but it has fewer stages, usually not over ten for condensing and five for non—condensing." —Derr, 1911

Zoelly Condensing Turbine Electric Generator

"The Zoelly turbine has been developed rather extensively abroad, and is being manufactured largely…

Governor, used for regulating output of steam engines.

Governor

Governor, used for regulating output of steam engines.

"In the Curtis turbine, steam is admitted through a series of valves, the number of which depends upon the capacity of the machine. The valves are arranged to open successively, two—thirds of them being open at full load. The action of the valves is so regulated that they are either fully open or fully closed. Any increasing load is taken care of by the opening of an additional valve, this valve closing when the load falls off." —Derr, 1911

Sectional View of Governor for Varying Number of Nozzles Opened

"In the Curtis turbine, steam is admitted through a series of valves, the number of which depends upon…

A spindle governor where both balls are connected to the base. The governor is used to regulate the amount of fuel of the steam engine. As the governor spins, the diameter of the circle increases.

Governor with the Balls Connected to the Base for Steam Engine

A spindle governor where both balls are connected to the base. The governor is used to regulate the…

"A wheel which contains and supports the various parts of the governor is keyed to the shaft. Two arms, having weights A A at the ends, are pivoted to the arms of the wheel at b b. The ends having the weights are connected to the collar on the loose eccentric C by means of rods B B." —Derr, 1911

Buckeye Engine Governor

"A wheel which contains and supports the various parts of the governor is keyed to the shaft. Two arms,…

"Governor of a Steam-engine. GOVERNOR. In machinery, a self-acting regulator which controls a supply of steam, gas, or water; especially, any device for automatically regulating the amount of power developed in a machine, as in a steam-engine." -Whitney, 1911

Electric Governor

"Governor of a Steam-engine. GOVERNOR. In machinery, a self-acting regulator which controls a supply…

"All fly—wheel governors operate by shifting the eccentric either to change the angular advance, the travel of the valve, or both. The principle of a governor arranged to give decreasing lead under the head of governors." —Derr, 1911

Top View of the Fly Wheel Governor Turning Clockwise

"All fly—wheel governors operate by shifting the eccentric either to change the angular advance,…

"This type of governor is used frequently on throttling engines; it consists of a pendulum governor with springs added to counteract the centrifugal force of the balls. Thus the height and sensitiveness are increased." —Derr, 1911

Spring Governor for Steam Engines

"This type of governor is used frequently on throttling engines; it consists of a pendulum governor…

A straight line engine governor illustrating the direction of the ball (B) is going. The single ball is rotated around by spring S, spinning the wheel. The valve closes as the wheel spins.

Straight Line Engine Governor

A straight line engine governor illustrating the direction of the ball (B) is going. The single ball…

"An admission of steam occurs about once in every thirty revolutions at approximately full load. The pilot valve is continually oscillating, thus preventing any liability of sticking, but its period of oscillation is varied directly by the governor. Steam, therefore, enters the turbine in puffs, the duration of which depends upon the load; at slight overloads the valve would be constantly open." —Derr, 1911

Turbine Governor for Varying Time of Admission

"An admission of steam occurs about once in every thirty revolutions at approximately full load. The…

"In this goveror the weights are always in the same plane, the variation in height being due to the action o the bell crank levels connecting the balls and spindle. When the balls move outward the spindle moves downward and tends to close the valve." —Derr, 1911

Waters Spring Governor with Safety Stop

"In this goveror the weights are always in the same plane, the variation in height being due to the…

An exterior view of a waters spring governor. The governor is used to regulate fuel by closing and opening the valves. The valve is opened or closed by rotating the two heavy balls.

Exterior View of Waters Spring Governor

An exterior view of a waters spring governor. The governor is used to regulate fuel by closing and opening…

"Grasshopper-beam. a, rocking pillar; b, radius-bar of the parallel motion which secures verticality to the piston-rod. GRASSHOPPER-BEAM. A form of working-beam used in some steam-engines." -Whitney, 1911

Grasshopper-Beam

"Grasshopper-beam. a, rocking pillar; b, radius-bar of the parallel motion which secures verticality…

"If a jet with the velocity V strikes the bucket at an angle a, its velocity A B could be resolved into two components —one C B at right angles to the shaft, and one C A parallel to the shaft. The one at right angles to the shaft, commonly known as the velocity of whirl, would produce a rotative impulse equal to Vcosa, and V1, the velocity of the vane necessary for maximum efficiency." —Derr, 1911

Jet Steam Stream Hitting Curved Vane

"If a jet with the velocity V strikes the bucket at an angle a, its velocity A B could be resolved into…

"As the speed increases, and the link is 'notched up', the lead is increased as the cut—off is shortened, and at high speed we have a large lead. With the Gooch link, the lead can be set for average running speed, and although a little too great for good work at slow speed." —Derr, 1911

Steam Engine Gooch Link and Valve Gear Arrangement

"As the speed increases, and the link is 'notched up', the lead is increased as the cut—off is…

Locomotive steam engine, with parts named.

Locomotive

Locomotive steam engine, with parts named.

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug. 8, 1829, at Honesdale, Pa. The first railway constructed to be worked by locomotives was the South Carolina railroad (1826–1830), though trials of an experimental locomotive had been made before on the Baltimaore and Ohio railroad, which continued to be worked by horsepower till 1832. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

American Locomotive

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug.…

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug. 8, 1829, at Honesdale, Pa. The first railway constructed to be worked by locomotives was the South Carolina railroad (1826–1830), though trials of an experimental locomotive had been made before on the Baltimaore and Ohio railroad, which continued to be worked by horsepower till 1832. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Early Locomotive

"Three locomotives were imported from England in 1829, and the first trial in America took place Aug.…

"Log is an apparatus for ascertaining the rate of a ship's motion. In a steam engine, a tabulated summary of the performance of the engines and boilers, and of the consumption of coals, tallow, oil, and other engineers' stores on board a steam vessel."—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Log and Reel

"Log is an apparatus for ascertaining the rate of a ship's motion. In a steam engine, a tabulated summary…

An apparatus used to oil the crank pin of the belt drive system. The oil cup is filled with lubricant and travels through the small pipe, making the belt drive system to run smoothly.

Belt Drive Oiling Apparatus

An apparatus used to oil the crank pin of the belt drive system. The oil cup is filled with lubricant…

"Steam enters at E and gradually expands in volume until it exhausts at G. The rotor is usually built in three different diameters to facilitate mechanical construction and to avoid excessively small and excessively large vanes. It is thus possible to use a large number of vanes of the same size." —Derr, 1911

Cross Sectional View of Parsons Turbine

"Steam enters at E and gradually expands in volume until it exhausts at G. The rotor is usually built…