Object Details
- Description
- This is a demonstration model of an oscillating cylinder steam engine. It was designed by William Graham of Carlisle, Pennsylvania about 1889. Graham was awarded United States Patent Number 413,506 on October 22, 1889 for the design of this type engine, and the patent drawings match this model very closely.
- An oscillating steam engine differs from a standard engine in that the steam cylinder is pivoted on the engine frame and oscillates up and down about the pivot as its connecting rod operates the crankshaft of the engine. In a standard engine, the cylinder is fixed in orientation, and the piston rod is connected to a crosshead which moves fore and aft within a set of guides. The crosshead in turn is coupled via a pin to the connecting rod which allows it to pivot independently as the crankshaft revolves.
- One advantage of an oscillating cylinder design is the engine is relatively compact and occupies less space than a standard engine. Graham made such a claim as a benefit of his patent. He also claimed his design used few parts, was simple in construction and low in construction cost. His patent also included new features for reducing and compensating for wear of the engine steam valve as well as a method for assuring steam-tight attachments where the steam enters and exits through the cylinder’s pivot points. Engines based on this design were built in sizes from 5 to 10 horsepower and were popular in central Pennsylvania for small shop power.
- In the image of the model the steam cylinder is seen at the left with its cylinder rod attached directly to the crank arm of the flywheel. The steam valve is the horizontal cylinder on top of and at 90 degrees to the steam cylinder. As the steam cylinder oscillated up and down about its central pivot, the valve was operated by the lever shown extending from its front to a sliding pivot in the slotted vertical frame at the front of the engine. The timing of the valve could be adjusted by the small wheel at the top which moved the pivot point up and down in the slot. The patent drawings show the pivot point was intended to be adjusted by a fly-ball governor.
- Credit Line
- Gift of C. F. Germeyer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- ca 1880
- ID Number
- MC.310898
- catalog number
- 310898
- accession number
- 132,179
- patent number
- 413,506
- Object Name
- Engine, Steam
- engine, steam, oscillating
- Measurements
- overall: 12 1/2 in x 14 in x 19 in; 31.75 cm x 35.56 cm x 48.26 cm
- place made
- United States: Pennsylvania, Carlisle
- Related Publication
- Frank A. Taylor. Catalog of the Mechanical Collections of the Division of Engineering United States National Museum, Bulletin 173
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
- Engineering, Building, and Architecture
- Exhibition
- Power Machinery
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Model
- Steam Engines
- Record ID
- nmah_846115
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-8bed-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
