The Engineer's and Mechanic's Encyclopaedia; Comprehending Practical Illustrations of the Machinery and Processes Employed in Every Description of Manufacuture of the British Empire (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ...he has lately been informed by Mr. Samuel Moyle, that at a subsequent date, he had used a large drum of this kind with great advantage, for the transport of heavy goods over a swamp, in South America. "Having a quantity of plate iron, which was too heavy to carry over otherwise, he rivetteo the plates together into the shape of a large cylinder, and carried over heavy goods in the inside of it. As the party advanced, this huge machine rolled with them. Having arrived at their destination, the rivets were cut off, and the plates applied to their intended use. Now it will be obvious that a roller of this kind, so far from deteriorating a road, must materially improve it, and it may not inappropriately be termed a movable rail-road." On the 3d of February, 1824, a patent was granted to Mr.';T. Burstall and John Hill, of Leith, for a locomotive steam carriage; an account of which was first given in the Edinburgh Journal of Science, whence we derive the following description. "A represents the boiler, which is formed of a stout cast-iron or other suitable metal flue, inclosed in a wrought-iron or copper case, as seen in section, where A is the place for fuel, and aaa are parts of the flue, as seen in section, the top being formed into a number of shallow trays or receptacles for containing a small quantity of water in a state of being converted into steam, which is admitted from the reservoir by a small pipe. B is the chimney, arising from the centre flue; at D are the two cylinders, one behind the other, which are fitted up with pistons and valves or cocks, in the usual way, for the alternate action of steam above and below the pistons. The boiler being suspended on springs, the steam is conveyed from it to the engines, through...