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Title: |
1910 Article-Bruce-Macbeth Engine Co., 4 Cylinder Gas Engine |
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Source: |
Modern Gas Engine & the Gas Producer, 1910, pgs. 374-376 |
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Insert Date: |
9/28/2013 9:23:19 AM |
Vertical Multiple-Cylinder Engines
In Figs. 148 and 148a is illustrated a type of multiple-cylinder gas-engine which is extensively installed, in units from 30 to 400 horse-power, for lighting as well as for motive-power purposes. This engine-type is built of two, three, or four cylinders, hence, with only a few cylinder sizes, a great variance of power can be obtained; and, it being of a very compact arrangement, it is particularly suitable when the space for an installation is limited.
From the illustration, Fig. 148, which is a reproduction of an engine built by the Bruce-Macbeth Engine Co., of Cleveland, O., in units of 100 horse-power up, a fair idea may be gained of the general construction of an engine of this type. The gas-supply elbow, the governor throttling-valve, and the mixture-supply chamber communicating to the various cylinders are plainly seen in front of the cylinders, whereas, correspondingly to the supply chamber, in front, there is, back of the cylinders, an exhaust manifold, which leads directly from the exhaust-valves, through a muffler, to the atmosphere. The inlet- and exhaust valves are actuated by means of four cam-rockers, and cams on the cam-shafts located between each pair of cylinders. The transmission for motion from the main engine-shaft to the cam-shafts is plainly seen in Fig. 148a, which is a section through one cylinder and the crank-casing. The same figure shows also the governor, which controls the throttling valve by means of a long lever fulcrumed between the two middle cylinders, as well as the exhaust manifold referred to above.
At the left side of the crank-chamber, Fig. 148, there is shown a small generator driven by means of a belt from the fly-wheel hub, and it supplies the current for the high-tension spark-plugs fitted, in duplicate, to each cylinder. One set of spark-plugs may be furnished with current from another source than that of the generator shown, so as to make the proper ignition doubly insured.
One feature of the four-cylinder four-cycle engine, which recommends itself very much for large engines, is that its starting becomes very convenient. One air starting-valve is furnished for each combustion-chamber, the operation of which is effected by cams on the main cam-shaft, and so timed that the air ad
mission corresponds with periods when both main valves are closed. When compressed air is turned on to the starting-valves, they will remain closed, excepting when the cam-throws are in such position as to engage with the valve-stems and force the valves open, each one in turn. The engine is, thus, conveniently started, from any position, simply by turning on the compressed air. |
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1910 Bruce-Macbeth Engine Co., 4 Cylinder Gas Engine
1910 Bruce-Macbeth Engine Co., 4 Cylinder Gas Engine (Sectional View)
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