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Title: |
1904 Article-Perkins & Son, Steam Road Engine & Van |
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Source: |
English and American Steam Carriages and Traction Engines 1904 pg 185 |
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Insert Date: |
8/15/2011 9:51:41 AM |
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A brief description is given of a small road steamer made by Messrs. Perkins and Son, Regent Square, London. This road engine is of very novel design, and possesses several features of interest. From the engraving, Fig. 120, it will be seen that the engine, boiler, and driving-gear are mounted on a circular frame, above the single driving-wheel; this machinery turns with the wheel in the act of steering. It is claimed for this arrangement that the machine pulls in the direction that it is steered. The engine is coupled to a carriage upon which an atmospheric condenser is placed. The condenser is composed of a number of small pipes, through which the exhaust steam is passed as it leaves the engine, the lower part of the wagon being used as a tank for catching the condensed steam. The following are some of the dimensions of the engine and boiler. Engines are of the double-cylinder compound type; two high-pressure cylinders, 1 13/16 in. diameter; two low-pressure cylinders, 3 1/8 in.; diameter; stroke of each cylinder, 4 ½ in. Diameter of the driving wheel is 25 in., and 12 in. on face. Section of India rubber tire, 10in, by 5 in. thick. The vertical boiler is constructed entirely of thick wrought-iron tubes, with welded ends, and is perfectly free from any liability to explosion. The boiler is 26 in. high, 15 5/8 in. wide, and 20 3/8 in. long. Fire-grate area ¾ of square foot. The working pressure is 450 lbs. per square inch. These engines have been run at a speed of considerably over 1,000 revolutions per minute. The engine only weighs 32 cwt.; the condenser, wagon, and passengers, 52 cwt. It runs on the road at eight miles an hour, without emitting any smoke or steam into the atmosphere, and is practically noiseless. The consumption of coal is only 2 lbs. per ton per mile. This high-pressure high speed miniature engine developed 20 horse-power when running full speed under a load. |
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1904 Perkins & Son, Steam Road Engine & Van
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