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 Posted - May 11 2015 : 9:24:50 PM
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come about? From my reading it appears that after the atmospheric steam
engine, that relied on vacuum, and was used for pumping out coal mines,
the next generation was a single action of injecting steam into one side
of the piston, giving one push per cycle of steam. Later, somebody figured
out that injecting steam onto either side of the piston greatly increased
power and efficiency, which became the standard for all railroad locomotives
hence.
Does anyone know when this engineering improvement come about and
by whom? Was it James Watt? Was it used on the earliest self propelled
steam locomotives the Trevithick or the Rocket?? I am coming up empty
on this subject.
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Posted - May 13 2015 : 12:19:14 AM
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| According to the book Classic American Locomotives by Charles McShane (considered to be bible for early steam enthusiasts) the invention of the the "plain slide valve" was spearheaded by Matthew Murray of Leeds England. The "long D slide valve" is attributed to Mr. Murdock who was an assistant of James Watt. Work was also done by Oliver Eames of Philadelphia in applying the slide valve principle to good use. The slide valve is what allows steam to be introduced to both sides of the piston in each direction of travel. According to McShane this was put to use by Eames in his designs that actually predate the use in locomotives and looks to be dated around the end of the eighteenth century.
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Posted - May 13 2015 : 02:33:59 AM
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Wow, so it went back to Watt, by way of Mr. Murdock. Thank you
very much for this remarkable insight and research. I have asked,
and I have received. I'll be at
the library tomorrow looking up McShane.
Edited by - Chops124 on May 13 2015 02:34:25 AM
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Posted - May 14 2015 : 12:27:28 PM
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| I found my copy at Borders of all places. Borders is no more but if the library cant help there is always Amazon. It is a truly enlightening book with detailed information on not only the function and history of steam technology but also with instruction on the maintenance and repair of steam systems. A must have for steam fans!
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Posted - May 14 2015 : 4:27:32 PM
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| Thank you for that, I will follow up.
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