Energy & Power
The Museum's collections on energy and power illuminate the role of fire, steam, wind, water, electricity, and the atom in the nation's history. The artifacts include wood-burning stoves, water turbines, and windmills, as well as steam, gas, and diesel engines. Oil-exploration and coal-mining equipment form part of these collections, along with a computer that controlled a power plant and even bubble chambers—a tool of physicists to study protons, electrons, and other charged particles.
A special strength of the collections lies in objects related to the history of electrical power, including generators, batteries, cables, transformers, and early photovoltaic cells. A group of Thomas Edison's earliest light bulbs are a precious treasure. Hundreds of other objects represent the innumerable uses of electricity, from streetlights and railway signals to microwave ovens and satellite equipment.
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Harrison Lubricator, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to A. L. Harrison, of Bristol, Connecticut, March 2, 1880, no. 225124.
- The model represents a steam-engine lubricator in which the oil is contained in a reservoir fitted with a balanced diaphragm upon both sides of which the steam pressure in the main acts. The unbalanced pressure required to force oil into the steam is atmospheric pressure obtained by the use of a vacuum chamber when the engine is operating condensing, or the hydrostatic pressure of a water column when the engine is operating noncondensing.
- The lubricator consists of an oval chamber divided by a flexible diaphragm. The space above the diaphragm contains the oil and is connected through a glycerine-filled sign glass to the steam chest or cylinder of the engine. The space below the diaphragm is connected to the steam pipe from the boiler, so that steam pressure acts on both sides of the diaphragm. A rod attached to the center of the diaphragm passes through suitable stuffing boxes to a piston in a cylinder below the diaphragm chamber. The space above the piston is connected to the condenser of the engine so that atmospheric pressure will exert an unbalanced force upon the under side of the piston, and through it upon the diaphragm, sufficient to force the oil out of the lubricator into the engine. When used with a noncondensing engine a water column in the steam pipe connecting to the under side of the diaphragm provides an unbalanced hydrostatic pressure on the diaphragm.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- patent date
- 1880-03-02
- inventor
- Harrison, Andrew L.
- ID Number
- MC.308704
- catalog number
- 308704
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 225,124
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Leuchsenring Rotary Water Engine, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to Robert Leuchsenring, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, March 9, 1880, no. 225226.
- This is a form of engine in which a drum-shaped rotor turns in a casing, which is eccentric to the center of the drum, so that the drum runs against one part of the casing and a crescent-shaped annular space is formed between the casing and the drum. Water is admitted tangentially to the drum to one side of and away from the point at which the drum and casing meet. The water impinges upon abutments on the drum, turns the drum, and discharges from the engine about two-thirds of the way around the casing. The abutments on the drum slide into the drum to pass the casing and are held against the casings by springs.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- patent date
- 1880-03-09
- inventor
- Leuchsenring, Robert
- ID Number
- MC.308709
- catalog number
- 308709
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 225,226
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Wheelock Valve and Valve Seat Model
- Description
- This is a nicely made model of the valve and valve seat patented by Jerome Wheelock, of Worcester, Massachusetts, September 22, 1885, no. 326820.
- The model represents a wide gridiron slide valve assembled on a skeletonized taper plug, which serves as the valve seat and supports the rock shaft connected to the slide by links or “toggles.” The whole assembly is designed to fit into a taper hole bored into the cylinder block and connected by suitable ports to the cylinder. The advantage of this arrangement over ordinary plug valves is that it does not require that a valve seat be formed within the large cylinder casting, and it permits the delicate fitting of the valve to the valve seat to be performed at a work bench or upon a machine away from the engine.
- The complete Wheelock valve gear (U.S. patent number 326819) consists of one steam valve and one exhaust valve at each end of a cylinder with the rock arms of the exhaust valves permanently connected to the eccentric, so that the valve is at rest during part of the travel of the eccentric, while the steam valves are connected through a detachable latch so that they may be detached and closed quickly at any point during the stroke of the piston.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1885
- ID Number
- MC.310251
- catalog number
- 310251
- accession number
- 108073
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hay Gravity-Feed Oiler, Patent Model
- Description
- This oiler was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to Peter D. Hay (assignor to the Michigan Lubricator Co.), of Detroit, Michigan, June 9, 1888, no. 384762.
- The model represents a sight-feed oiler in which the oil is contained in a cylindrical glass reservoir and flows by gravity through a needle valve to the bearing into which the oiler is screwed. The needle of the needle valve when closed is held against its seat by a light spring. It is opened by lifting the needle and giving it a short turn so that a pin on the shaft rises out of a slot and rests on the top edge of a brass thumb nut screwed into the central pot of the oiler. This nut may be run up or down on its threads and so determine the amount by which the needle will be raised and held from its seat and so control the rate at which oil is fed from the reservoir. The nut carries a spring-held pin that rests in shallow recesses in the top of the oiler and holds the nut in the position in which it is set and will not permit the nut to be jarred around by the vibration of the machine to which it is attached.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1888
- patent date
- 1888-06-19
- inventor
- Hay, Peter D.
- ID Number
- MC.309248
- catalog number
- 309248
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 384,762
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 95. Mechanicsville, Virginia
- Description
- Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by John Reekie, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
- A pretentious title for a collection of about a dozen ordinary Virginia houses, including blacksmith shop and store; yet what memories crowd upon the mind at the mention of its name. Memories of the grand old Army of the Potomac, in its youthful flush, digging, hewing, and battling courageously with the Confederates, and their deadly ally, the Chickahominy; of tropical rains that in a day would transform luxuriant meadows into lakes, and make surging floods where before were stagnant pools; of bridges, built through swamps by armed battalions, and of that storm of battle which ended at Malvern Hill. Early in June, 1862, as the Army of the Potomac extended its wings along both banks of the Chickahominy, Mechanicsville fell into our possession. There was a struggle at Beaver Dam Creek and on the neighboring fields, the defenders finally retreating in disorder down the pike, and over the bridge, towards Richmond, three and a half miles distant. The skirmishers sacked the store and dwellings, the blacksmith's forge was immediately put in use by the cavalry and artillery, and the surgeons took possession of the houses for hospitals.
- The pickets of each army watched the bridge with jealous eyes till the Union lines were withdrawn, on the 26th of June, and the enemy retaking the village, forced an engagement at Beaver Dam Creek, where they were repulsed by Fitz John Porter's troops. The two-story house, with a fence, seen in the photograph, is on the turnpike to Richmond. In front of this house a barricade was thrown across the road, which was defended by two howitzers, planted to sweep the pike in case a dash should be made by the enemy for the recovery of the place.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865-04
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0283.45
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0283.45
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Plate 80. Johnson's Mill, near Petersburg
- Description
- Text and photograph from Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War, Vol. II. Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, text and positive by Alexander Gardner.
- This property, recently, and for many years, better known as Furt's Mill, is situated just below Bolling's Dam, on the Appomattox River, near Campbell's Bridge. It is one of the several large establishments which the city of Petersburg boasts for the manufacture of flour. At the height of the grinding season, we are informed, it is capable of turning out about three hundred barrels daily.
- The dam constitutes the terminus of tide-water on this stream, and, with its surroundings, is the subject of one of "Shaw's Illustrations of American Scenery," published in New York, on a large scale, upwards of forty years ago.
- The Mill, we further learn, was originally built in seventeen hundred and seventy-three by Mr. Bolling.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1865-05
- maker
- Gardner, Alexander
- ID Number
- 1986.0711.0283.30
- accession number
- 1986.0711
- catalog number
- 1986.0711.0283.30
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Davies Steam Pump, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to Joseph D. Davies, of Covington, Kentucky, March 9, 1880, no. 225351.
- The model represents a direct-acting steam pump, provided with two auxiliary oscillating cylinders, which offer a constantly decreasing resistance to the movement of the steam piston during the first half of its stroke and a constantly increasing assistance during the remaining half. The purpose of this is to equalize the effective force of the steam piston throughout its stroke when the steam is used expansively.
- The two auxiliary cylinders are mounted in trunnions, one on each side of the frame of the engine. The rods from the auxiliary pistons are attached to a clamp on the main piston rod, so located that the auxiliary cylinders are perpendicular to the main piston rod when the main piston is at midstroke. The auxiliary pistons, in the model, work against a spiral spring, which is compressed during the first half of the stroke and which expands during the last half. In effect the springs act as would a flywheel, storing the energy in excess of the resistance, while steam at high pressure acts upon the engine piston, and delivering the stored energy after the steam has been cut off and is expanding in the cylinder. The inventor described his device using a fluid, as steam or water under pressure within the auxiliary cylinders.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- patent date
- 1880-03-09
- inventor
- Davies, Joseph D.
- ID Number
- MC.308711
- catalog number
- 308711
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 225,351
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Farmer Wind-Electric Generator Model
- Description
- Three solid wind wheels drive the armatures of three dynamos, which are in circuit with a small storage battery, an incandescent electric lamp, and switches. This model, constructed by Moses G. Farmer, electrical pioneer, about 1880, is one of the earliest suggestions of the use of wind power through the medium of the electric generator and storage battery.
- Much of the objection to the use of the windmill as a source of power was due to the intermittent nature of its operation. It was thought that it was suited only for pumping water or similar operations where the energy or work produced by the windmill could be stored during periods of useful wind velocities to be used as needed.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1882
- maker
- Farmer, Moses G.
- ID Number
- MC.181985
- catalog number
- 181985
- accession number
- 2015.0173
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Lewis Latimer Patent Drawing
- Description
- Electricity pioneer Lewis Latimer drew this component of an arc lamp, an early type of electric light, for the U.S. Electric Lighting Company in 1880.
- The son of escaped slaves and a Civil War veteran at age sixteen, Latimer trained himself as a draftsman. His technical and artistic skills earned him jobs with Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, among others. An inventor in his own right, Latimer received numerous patents and was a renowned industry expert on incandescent lighting.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1880-07-25
- maker
- Latimer, Lewis H.
- ID Number
- 1983.0458.21
- accession number
- 1983.0458
- catalog number
- 1983.0458.21
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Jenks and Hart Injector, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to James Jenks and Thomas J. Hart, Detroit, Michigan.
- The principal feature of this injector is the method provided for varying the area of the water passage that surrounds the steam-forcing jet. A conical nut screwed onto threads on the outside of the steam tube forms one wall of the water space. The position of the nut on the tube and the area of the water space are changed by turning the nut. The nut is turned by a handwheel, worm, and worm wheel.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1886
- patent date
- 1886-05-25
- inventor
- Jenks, James
- Hart, Thomas J.
- ID Number
- MC.309182
- catalog number
- 309182
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 342,604
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Hand-Pump Pressure Lubricator
- Description
- This is a pressure lubricator designed to force lubricating oil into the steam being supplied to a steam engine for the lubrication of the piston and valves. It forces the oil into the steam main against the pressure of the steam. It consists of a large glass reservoir into which is built a small simple hand pump. By working the handle of the pump the oil is drawn into the pump cylinder and discharged through the screw fitting at the bottom of the lubricator into the steam main or valve chest to which the lubricator is attached. The efficiency of lubricators of this kind depends entirely upon the judgment of the engineer or oiler. They are generally wasteful of oil.
- The lubricator is marked “Buckeye Engine Company.”
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1885
- ID Number
- MC.311185
- catalog number
- 311185
- accession number
- 89797
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Warren Spring Motor, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to John Warren, of Detroit, Michigan, April 20, 1880, no. 226813.
- The motor represented is of the class intended to operate light machinery such as a phonograph but differs from most of the class in that it employs a spiral spring instead of the usual coil spring. It converts the rectilinear motion of the spring into rotary motion and equalizes the varying tension of the spring.
- The free end of the spring carries a nut that engages in a spiral-grooved motor shaft, which revolves at the axis of the spring. A hand crank, worm, and worm wheel are used to compress the spring by turning the shaft in the reverse direction. The power is taken from a bevel gear on the shaft. A ball nut, which employs a ball to follow in the groove of the shaft, is used because an ordinary nut would not work in the groove of varying pitch. The varying pitch is used to compensate for the varying tension of the spring.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- patent date
- 1880-04-20
- inventor
- Warren, John
- ID Number
- MC.308835
- catalog number
- 308835
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 226,813
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Brooks Water Wheel, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to Edgar B. Brooks, of La Porte, Indiana, February 10, 1880; no. 224270.
- This is a nicely made brass model of an inward-flow reaction turbine having the register type of adjustable feed chutes or guide vanes and a cylinder water gate. The combination relieves the guide vanes of the function of cutting off the water when the wheel is to be stopped and makes it unnecessary that the guide vanes close perfectly, so that any looseness developed in them by wear is immaterial.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1880
- patent date
- 1880-02-10
- inventor
- Brooks, Edgar B.
- ID Number
- MC.309689
- catalog number
- 309689
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 224,270
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Bachelder Steam Engine Indicator
- Description
- Thomas and Bushnell manufactured this steam engine indicator, serial number 482, based on a design by Joseph Bachelder, who received patent number 360644 on April 5, 1887. It consists of a brass piston, a brass cylinder, and a large drum with a coil spring and a single record. The cantilever spring is enclosed in the tube; an adjustable fulcrum renders one spring usable over a range of values. Two springs are included: one low pressure 10-25 (20-50 pounds) and one high pressure 30-90 (60-175 pounds).
- An engine indicator is an instrument for graphically recording the pressure versus piston displacement through an engine stroke cycle. Engineers use the resulting diagram to check the design and performance of the engine.
- A mechanical indicator consists of a piston, spring, stylus, and recording system. The gas pressure of the cylinder deflects the piston and pushes against the spring, creating a linear relationship between the gas pressure and the deflection of the piston against the spring. The deflection is recorded by the stylus on a rotating drum that is connected to the piston. Most indicators incorporate a mechanical linkage to amplify the movement of the piston to increase the scale of the record.
- When the ratio of the frequency of the pressure variation to the natural frequency of the system is small, then the dynamic deflection is equal to the static deflection. To design a system with a high natural frequency, the mass of the piston, spring, stylus, and mechanical linkage must be small, but the stiffness of the spring must be high. The indicator is subjected to high temperatures and pressures and rapid oscillations, imposing a limitation on the reduction in mass. Too stiff a spring will result in a small displacement of the indicator piston and a record too small to measure with accuracy. Multiplication of the displacement will introduce mechanical ad dynamic errors.
- The parameters of the problem for designing an accurate and trouble free recorder are such that there is no easy or simple solution. Studying the variety of indicators in the collection shows how different inventors made different compromises in their designs.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1887
- ID Number
- MC.316789
- catalog number
- 316789
- accession number
- 228496
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Thompson Steam Engine Indicator Patent Model
- Description
- This indicator was made by the American Steam Gauge Co., of Boston. It is marked “J. W. Thompson Pat. August 31, ’75 Pat. June 26, 1883, N. 4302.”
- In this indicator the piston rod is hollow and serves only as a guide for the piston. The pencil mechanism is connected to the piston by a very light rod that passes through the piston rod and is attached to the piston with a swivel joint. This permits the use of a very simple and light parallel motion.
- The piston is a light cylindrical shell provided with three grooves that collect moisture and steam to lubricate and seal the piston. The inner wall of the cylinder is a liner separate from and secured to the inclosing cylinder only at one end so that it is free to expand and contract with temperature changes, thus avoiding distortion.*
- An engine indicator is an instrument for graphically recording the pressure versus piston displacement through an engine stroke cycle. Engineers use the resulting diagram to check the design and performance of the engine.
- A mechanical indicator consists of a piston, spring, stylus, and recording system. The gas pressure of the cylinder deflects the piston and pushes against the spring, creating a linear relationship between the gas pressure and the deflection of the piston against the spring. The deflection is recorded by the stylus on a rotating drum that is connected to the piston. Most indicators incorporate a mechanical linkage to amplify the movement of the piston to increase the scale of the record.
- When the ratio of the frequency of the pressure variation to the natural frequency of the system is small, then the dynamic deflection is equal to the static deflection. To design a system with a high natural frequency, the mass of the piston, spring, stylus, and mechanical linkage must be small, but the stiffness of the spring must be high. The indicator is subjected to high temperatures and pressures and rapid oscillations, imposing a limitation on the reduction in mass. Too stiff a spring will result in a small displacement of the indicator piston and a record too small to measure with accuracy. Multiplication of the displacement will introduce mechanical ad dynamic errors.
- The parameters of the problem for designing an accurate and trouble free recorder are such that there is no easy or simple solution. Studying the variety of indicators in the collection shows how different inventors made different compromises in their designs.
- *Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1883
- ID Number
- MC.309644
- catalog number
- 309644
- accession number
- 106567
- patent number
- 4,302
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Lithograph of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company
- Description
- This lithograph is a bird's-eye view of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, circa 1880. The company maufactured sewing machines in Watertown, N. Y., from 1851 to 1856. In 1856, they relocated to Bridgeport, Conn., where they continued operations until 1905. In the 1850s and 1860s, their sewing machines outsold all others, including Singer and Howe. Two separate factory buildings are illustrated. The caption under the building on the left notes: "Front 368 ft., Width 307 feet," and the dimensions for the building on the right are noted as "Front 526 ft., Width 219 feet." The lithographers were Worley and Bracher of 320 Chesnut Street in Philadelphia, Penn.
- S.I. Photo Negative No.: 92-4215 for both B&W and color slide.
- Date made
- ca 1880
- lithographer
- Worley & Bracher
- ID Number
- 1991.0134.01
- catalog number
- 1991.0134.01
- accession number
- 1991.0134
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Thompson-American Steam Gauge Steam Engine Indicator
- Description
- The American Steam Gauge Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, manufactured this steam engine indicator, serial number 662. It consists of a brass piston; a vented brass cylinder; an internal, single wound spring, which can be changed; a large drum with a coil spring and single record; and brass stylus.
- An engine indicator is an instrument for graphically recording the pressure versus piston displacement through an engine stroke cycle. Engineers use the resulting diagram to check the design and performance of the engine.
- A mechanical indicator consists of a piston, spring, stylus, and recording system. The gas pressure of the cylinder deflects the piston and pushes against the spring, creating a linear relationship between the gas pressure and the deflection of the piston against the spring. The deflection is recorded by the stylus on a rotating drum that is connected to the piston. Most indicators incorporate a mechanical linkage to amplify the movement of the piston to increase the scale of the record.
- When the ratio of the frequency of the pressure variation to the natural frequency of the system is small, then the dynamic deflection is equal to the static deflection. To design a system with a high natural frequency, the mass of the piston, spring, stylus, and mechanical linkage must be small, but the stiffness of the spring must be high. The indicator is subjected to high temperatures and pressures and rapid oscillations, imposing a limitation on the reduction in mass. Too stiff a spring will result in a small displacement of the indicator piston and a record too small to measure with accuracy. Multiplication of the displacement will introduce mechanical ad dynamic errors.
- The parameters of the problem for designing an accurate and trouble free recorder are such that there is no easy or simple solution. Studying the variety of indicators in the collection shows how different inventors made different compromises in their designs.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1883
- ID Number
- MC.319490
- catalog number
- 319490
- accession number
- 237917
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Rexford Fire Grate, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Model with the application for the patent issued to Philander Rexford, of Syracuse, New York, August 14, 1883, no. 283144.
- The model represents a furnace grate made up of long grate bars, which are pivoted midway of their depth and have projecting from the upper part of one side of each bar a series of teeth or ribs. When in their normal positions the bars stand obliquely and the smooth solid back of one bar and the ribbed face of the next form the two sides of a trough across the grate. The solid portion is designed to support very fine coal, while the ribbed portion permits the passage of air for combustion.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1883
- patent date
- 1883-08-14
- inventor
- Rexford, Philander
- ID Number
- MC.309218
- catalog number
- 309218
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 283,144
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Otto and Bell Balanced Slide Valve, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was submitted to the U.S. Patent Office with the application for the patent issued to Henry Otto and Patrick F. Bell, of Bloomington, Illinois, December 18, 1883, no. 290650.
- The model represents a D-slide valve of ordinary shape, with most of the back cut away and formed in the shape of a short hollow cylinder. This cylinder is filled with a closed piston suspended on rollers on a flat bar, which, in turn, is suspended from the top of the valve chest. The bar passes through a tunnel in the piston and is of sufficient length to accommodate the valve travel. The effect of this construction is that the steam pressure ordinarily exerted on the back of a flat valve is in this case exerted on a piston that is not a part of the valve but is suspended independently.
- Reference:
- This description comes from the 1939 Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States Museum Bulletin 173 by Frank A. Taylor.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1883
- patent date
- 1883-12-18
- inventor
- Otto, Henry
- Bell, Patrick F.
- ID Number
- MC.308719
- catalog number
- 308719
- accession number
- 89797
- patent number
- 290,650
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
-
Ericsson Hot-Air Engine, Patent Model
- Description
- This model was filed with the application to the U.S. Patent Office for Patent Number 226,052 issued to John Ericsson of New York, New York on March 30, 1880. The patent was for an improvement in air engines.
- In this type of engine a charge of air is repeatedly heated and cooled as it is transferred from one end to the other of a single cylinder. One end of the cylinder is surrounded by a furnace, the other end of is water jacketed. The air expands and contracts beneath a work piston that travels through a short stroke near the upper end of the cylinder. The air is displaced from end to end of the cylinder at the proper time by a large loosely fitting transfer piston independently connected to the crankshaft.
- Mr. Ericsson claimed his design improved the method of connecting the short stroke of the work piston so as to magnify the length of its stroke at the crankshaft. This also produced a longer stroke for the exchange piston in order to properly time its movement. He also made provisions for a water pump that was operated by the engine. It circulated water into the jacket surrounding the engine’s cylinder in order to more rapidly cool the hot air in the upper part of the cylinder.
- Mr. Ericsson was a prolific inventor; his inventions included many types of steam engines and associated apparatus as well as hot air engines. He was the designer of the USS Monitor for the North during the Civil War, and that vessel included one of his then new marine steam engine designs.
- The patent model is shown in the image. It is made of brass, steel and wood. All of the key elements of the patent are illustrated by the model including the crank mechanism and the water pump. The upper cylinder is cut away to illustrate the motion of the two pistons. Diagrams showing the complete design can be found in the patent document online (www.USPTO.gov).
- Location
- Currently not on view
- patent date
- 1880-03-30
- inventor
- Ericsson, John
- ID Number
- MC.251286
- catalog number
- 251286
- accession number
- 48865
- patent number
- 226,052
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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set name
- Engineering, Building, and Architecture 24
- Industry & Manufacturing 24
- Work 22
- Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering 20
- Bulletin 173 16
- Indicators 4
- Art 2
- Gardner's Sketchbook 2
- Patent Models 2
- Photography 2
- Work and Industry: Photographic History 2
- Advertising 1
- Cultures & Communities 1
- Energy & Power 1
- Government, Politics, and Reform 1
- Home and Community Life: Textiles 1
- National Treasures exhibit 1
- Textiles 1
- Work and Industry: Electricity 1
