History of the steam engine, from the second century before the Christian era to the time of the Great Exhibition

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John Cassell, 1852 - 140 pages
 

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Page 61 - ... it in a case of wood, or any other materials that transmit heat slowly ; secondly, by surrounding it with s.team or other heated bodies ; and, thirdly, by suffering neither water, nor any other substance colder than the steam, to enter or touch it during that time.
Page 22 - An admirable and most forcible way to drive up water by fire, not by drawing or sucking it upwards, for that must be as the philosopher calleth it, infra spheeram activitatis, which is but at such a distance. But this way hath no bounder, if the vessels be strong enough ; for I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it...
Page 22 - I have seen the water run like a constant fountain-stream forty feet high; one vessel of water, rarified by fire, driveth up forty of cold water ; and a man that tends the work, is but to turn two cocks, that one vessel of water being consumed, another begins to force and refill with cold water, and...
Page 61 - I call the steam vessel, must, during the whole time the engine is at work, be kept as hot as the steam that enters it ; first by enclosing it in a case of wood, or any other materials that transmit heat slowly; secondly, by surrounding it with steam or other heated bodies ; and, thirdly, by suffering neither water nor any other substance colder than the steam to enter or touch it during that time.
Page 22 - One vessel of water rarefied by fire driveth up forty of cold water ; and a man that tends the work is but to turn two cocks, that, one vessel of water being consumed, another begins to force and refill with cold water, and so successively, the fire being tended and kept constant, which the self same person may likewise abundantly perform in the interim, between the necessity of turning the said cocks.
Page 62 - ... vessel moves round, it is supplied with steam from the boiler, and that which has performed its office may either be discharged by means of condensers, or into the open air.
Page 75 - ... to be continued in its ascent by the momentum of the wheel, which acts as a fly, and being unwilling to load my engine with a fly heavy enough to continue the motion during the ascent of the piston...
Page 73 - June, 1785, he took out a patent " for certain newly improved methods of constructing " furnaces or fire-places for heating, boiling, or evaporating " of water and other liquids which are applicable to " steam-engines and other purposes, and also for heating, " melting, and smelting of metals and their ores, whereby " greater effects are produced from the fuel, and the smoke is " in a great measure prevented or consumed...
Page 75 - I proposed to employ two engines, acting upon two cranks fixed on the same axis, at an angle of 120° to...
Page 76 - It consisted of two engines, each of fifty horaes power, and twentj pairs of millstones, of which twelve or more pairs, with the requisite machinery for dressing the flour and for other purposes, were generally kept at work. In place of wooden wheels...

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