model triple expansion marine steam engine
Date1900-1925
Inventory NumberDW0334
ClassificationEngine Model
Subject
Maker
English
?
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions19.5 × 19.5 × 26.5 cm (7 11/16 × 7 11/16 × 10 7/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionTriple exansion working model marine steam engine. A fine scale model "Stuart type" with a Stephenson reversing linkage.
The model is mounted on a rectangular steel platform raised along two edges. The engine has three cylidners in which different stages of compression take place. The three cylinders are housed in a steel box at the top of the model. The caps of each cylinder are attached to the top of the containing box. From the front of the model (the side with the two copper cylidners will be taken as the front), the cylidners increase in size from left to right. The containing box is attached to the base platfrom by three sets of two round metal poles.
Beneath each cylinder, on the bottom edge of the steel box, is a solid brass disc. Attached to the bottom of each brass disc is a second, smaller brass disc that is in turn attached, by a pivoting frame, to a steel pole. The steel poles are each attached, through the brass disc connectors, to one of the three pistons inside the cylinders. The back and forth motion of the pistons transfers motion to these arms.
warn steam valve, cylinder drain cocks, crosshead driven
air and feed pumps an inermediate and LP cylinders fully balanced crank
fine copper mult-tube condenser and bat well. small flywheel 2 1/4 diam
The model is mounted on a rectangular steel platform raised along two edges. The engine has three cylidners in which different stages of compression take place. The three cylinders are housed in a steel box at the top of the model. The caps of each cylinder are attached to the top of the containing box. From the front of the model (the side with the two copper cylidners will be taken as the front), the cylidners increase in size from left to right. The containing box is attached to the base platfrom by three sets of two round metal poles.
Beneath each cylinder, on the bottom edge of the steel box, is a solid brass disc. Attached to the bottom of each brass disc is a second, smaller brass disc that is in turn attached, by a pivoting frame, to a steel pole. The steel poles are each attached, through the brass disc connectors, to one of the three pistons inside the cylinders. The back and forth motion of the pistons transfers motion to these arms.
warn steam valve, cylinder drain cocks, crosshead driven
air and feed pumps an inermediate and LP cylinders fully balanced crank
fine copper mult-tube condenser and bat well. small flywheel 2 1/4 diam
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksDate conflict: one tag on instrument says c. 1900, card says c1925.
David P. Wheatland remarks on original curatorial card that this is a "Stuart Type" model. Stuart was a line of high quality steam engine models from England. It is unknown whether this model was in fact manufactured by Stuart or from England.
FunctionThis model is designed to demonstrate the principles behind marine steam engines: reciprocating engines designed to power ships and boats.
A comprehensive discussion of the history, design, and operation of marine steam engines is available here.
A comprehensive discussion of the history, design, and operation of marine steam engines is available here.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Christie's, June 5, 1968 (lot 423).
Louis Heinrici
Date: 1876-1920
Accessories: small can of Sterno canned heat cooling fuel
Object number: 1998-1-0080
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Accessories: cardboard box of spare parts; rubber tube; yellow hand pump; metal wire; torque wrench; wrenches (3); 1 CD; 1 audio cassette; 1 user's manual; 1 graph
Object number: 2004-1-0404
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Object number: 2004-1-0404.1
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Object number: 2004-1-0404.2
Percy Williams Bridgman
Date: 1924-1937
Accessories: two boxes of parts/tools for bridgman press (.1 & .2)
Object number: 2004-1-0404.3
ECO Motor Industries Ltd.
Date: circa 1976
Accessories: box; brochure of <i>Stirling Hot Air Engine</i>
Object number: DW1978
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Company
Date: c. 1880s - 1930s
Accessories: one tablet indicator diagram cards titled: INDICATOR DIAGRAM / TAKEN WITH THE CROSBY STEAM ENGINE INDICATOR. 1 x 7.6 x 17.s cm
Object number: 2013-1-0005
Davies Charlton Ltd.
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: original cardboard box
Object number: DW0337