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Title: |
1896 Article-States Machine Co., Knickerbocker Compound Automatic Steam Engine |
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Source: |
Power Magazine, V16 #5, May 1896, pg 12 |
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Insert Date: |
3/30/2013 9:04:07 PM |
The Knickerbocker Engine.
This new type of horizontal engine is shown in the accompanying engravings. It is designed for use where space is limited and high speed required.
The engine has no dead centers, no fly wheel being required, and can be used either belted or direct connected.
The principle of construction consists in the use of four small cylinders with short stroke set equidistant, in place of one large cylinder and a long stroke as is common to most horizontal engines. These cylinders are set in a frame as shown in the engravings of the different parts Fig. 2. Instead of the crosshead being rigidly attached to the piston, and running on long ways from center to center, it is hung at the end of the cylinders on a centrally pivoted ball and socket connection, and swings on ways of its own diameter only, the center line of the crosshead and the crank pin describing the surface lines of a cone whose apex is at the center of the universal connection. The sectional cuts Figs. 3 and 4 show the motion of the piston and crosshead quite clearly.
With steam admitted to the cylinders in consecutive rotation, the straight thrust of each piston is converted at the crank pin, by the crosshead, to a circular motion. The admission of steam is controlled by an independent shaft actuated by a crank pin from the inner end of the universal connection, this shaft carrying the valve, eccentric, governor or reversing parts. The valve and eccentric lie in the steam chest at the end of the cylinders, and the governor in a chamber adjoining. The valve which encircles the eccentric is of the double ported balanced type, of special design as shown in Fig. 2, and takes its motion direct from the eccentric without the use of intermediate connections.
Steam entirely surrounds the valve and is admitted to the cylinders in greater or less volume according to the regulated eccentricity, by a sliding motion of the valve, or a motion without centers. The valve does not revolve, the eccentric revolving. The valve is in two parts slipping into one another with a rim to each, giving a definite area for the steam to push the two halves apart and against the faces or cheeks. The engine is enclosed as shown by Fig. 1 and is entirely lubricated by the cylinder lubricator and one drop cup; the whole inside being open to the splash.
The governor being in the chamber which takes the exhaust and being entirely surrounded with it, is dependent upon the exhaust for its lubrication. The engine is equivalent to two double acting engines of the same cylinder area, stroke and revolution.
As will be noted the wear of the parts is reduced to the very lowest point, all the connections having a polishing surface only; that is on none of the bearings do two lines ever run parallel, they constantly cross at all points and therefore cannot cut.
They are built in sizes from 2 to 50 horse power, simple, compound or reversing. Compound engines are of the same construction, with the high and low pressure cylinders in tandem and with one valve only.
Reversing engines have a simple and positive reversing mechanism directly connected to the eccentric and actuated by a rod through the head.
Notwithstanding its compact arrangement and the high speed at which it can be run, it must not be confounded with a rotary engine, being simply a novel method of converting to a rotary motion the reciprocating motion of the ordinary steam piston upon well known mechanical principles.
The engine is manufactured by The States Machine Co., Hartford, Conn. |
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1896 States Machine Co., Knickerbocker Compound Automatic Steam Engine
1896 States Machine Co., Knickerbocker Compound Automatic Steam Engine Parts
1896 States Machine Co., Knickerbocker Compound Automatic Steam Engine Section Through Cylinders
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