Modern Engines and Power Generators, Vol. 2: A Practical Work on Prime Movers, and the Transmission of Power, Steam, Electric, Water, and Hot Air (Classic Reprint)

Volume the Heat Engine, in which the workingfluid is a true gas or air, is described in all its forms. The simple hot air engine is described in its only useful types for small powers. It has still a field of usefulness, especially for water raising. The constant pressure gradual combustion type of internal combustion engine has, in theD iesel Engine, come again to the front; whether it is to be the permanent standard type or not, it has considerable scientific interest. We have also to note the new water piston engine of Vogt sinvention. This is a remarkable departure from common practice. The gas or internal combustion turbine is of vast interest, and is briefly referred to ;many advanced engineers are engaged on the problem, but little is known of results obtained. Internal combustion Marine Engines for small powers are common, but no serious attempts have been made to introduce it for mercantile or naval shipping on any scale its uses at present being mostly for pleasure or sporting purposes in launches. But the time is ripe for greater things. Gas can now be made with certainty, safety, and cheapness in gas producers. And these producers present no difficulties in the way of their application to marine propulsion by gas engines. The significant fact to engineers is that less than i I b. of common bituminous slack coal can do the work of 2I bs. of the best Welsh steam coal, and a horse-power obtained for one-twentieth of a penny per hour. This opens up a new field for the gas engine of enormous magnitude. Large gas engines are now common enough on land working with producer gas and furnace gases with satisfactory results. The mode of action and general design of gas and oil engines of different makes are all very similar, the difference is only in details ;out of all the classes in use it should be possible at this date to eliminate a number of them and
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)