Specification of Thomas Tippett : steam and air engines : and method of applying the same to the propulsion of vessels.

  • Tippett, Thomas.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Thomas Tippett : steam and air engines : and method of applying the same to the propulsion of vessels. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Tippett's Improvements in the Construction and Working of Engines, Qc, steam acting expansively in passing from the upper part of the smaller cylinder to the lower part of the larger open cylinder beneath its piston, an effect well known to experienced engineers, and long since calculated and used by Mr. James Watt in other modes of application, by which he proved that in 5 some instances a given quantity of dense steam would perform double the work in the same time that it would if employed with an uniform pressure. I use an air pump with my condenser of the common construction; but prefer that its rod should be connected with that part of the engine beam which lies at the opposite side of its centre of motion from that to which the piston rods of the 10 two before described working cylinders are united, and I work, or open and close the valves of my engine as required, and perform all other operations necessary for the engine, by any of the approved means commonly used for such purposes. The connecting rod by which the engine is to be made to operate on a fly wheel or momentum wheel for turning machinery, or on pumps 15 for raising water from mines and other depths, I fasten in the usual manner to the head of the beam that is most remote from the working cylinders, and I continue the working of my engine as long as is necessary, by reiterating the operations already mentioned in the following description. My improvements on the boiler or generator of steam are effected by 20 placing a semy-cylindrical vessel above and parrallel to a cylindrical boiler, with its flat side downwards, and connecting the two by several vertical tubes, which I prefer arranging in three rows between the top of the cylindrical boiler and the bottom of the semi-cylindrical addition, one of which rows of tubes is to range along the summit of the cylindrical boiler, and the other two rows to be 25 disposed at equal distances from it at its opposite sides. I prefer having the fire-place for my boiler made within my cylindrical boiler in the manner usual for those of this kind, and having an additional smaller preparatory boiler of the same depth as the cylinder and the same breadth, but of very little length, placed upright near the farther end of my cylindrical boiler from its 30 fire-place, and connecting the upper parts of the two together by a horizontal tube. I cause the heated vapours and flame to pass from the aforesaid fire¬ place through my cylindrical boiler, to impinge or strike against the adjacent end of my preparatory boiler, and then to ascend to the bottom of my semi- cylindrical addition; and after passing along its whole length in a direction 35 contrary to their first progress, I cause them to descend by external flues along the sides of my cylindrical boiler near its front, and then to pass beneath its bottom in their first direction to the lower part of my preparatory boiler, behind which they are again to ascend as far as the top of the semi-cylindrical addi¬ tion, along whose whole extent they are then to pass to the chimney, which is