a day ago
- Steam expands to 1,700 times its water volume, creating pressure that can be harnessed.
- A piston inside a cylinder converts steam pressure into force, proportional to pressure and piston area.
- Early engines used atmospheric pressure by condensing steam to create a vacuum, driving the piston.
- Thomas Newcomen built the first practical steam engine in 1712 to pump water from mines.
- James Watt's separate condenser dramatically reduced fuel consumption by keeping the cylinder hot.
- Watt's double-acting engine used steam on both sides of the piston, improving efficiency and smoothness.
- The slide valve and eccentric mechanism automated steam distribution and synchronization.
- The parallel motion linkage converted the beam's arc into straight-line motion for the piston rod.
- A flywheel and crank converted reciprocating motion into rotation, enabling mill power.
- The centrifugal governor automatically regulated engine speed by adjusting the steam throttle.