Maudsley Engine Detail
This close-up looks at some of the fittings and pipework on the front of the Maudsley Engine.
The engine was the first beam engine built for the Kew Bridge water works and began pumping in 1838. It was extensively rebuilt at various points during its working life and little of the original remains.
The engine was built originally by Maudslay, Sons and Field of Lambeth, who were better known as marine engineers. The engine was later converted to work on the Cornish cycle in 1848 by Samuel Homersham.
In 1888, the beam cracked and half of it was replaced with a substantially-thicker substitute which is clearly visible today.
'Cornish engines' is a reference to the operating cycle of single-cylinder steam-powered beam engines. The main characteristic is that pumping is done by a falling weight which is lifted by the engine. The weight is above the pump, which is linked to a beam, with the piston attached at the opposite end of the beam. The weight is lifted by a combination of steam pressure above, and vacuum below, the piston.
During the pumping stroke, as the weight falls, the piston returns to the top of the cylinder because an equilibrium valve opens to allow steam to pass from above to below the piston. All of this means that the speed of the engine's movement varies during the cycle.
The Maudsley engine has a cylinder diameter of 1.65m and a stroke of 2.4m The beam weighs 20.2 tonnes. Water output is 590 litres per stroke, or eight million litres in 24 hours.
The engine last worked in 1943 but was returned to steam operation for demonstration purposes in 1985.
Maudsley Engine Detail
This close-up looks at some of the fittings and pipework on the front of the Maudsley Engine.
The engine was the first beam engine built for the Kew Bridge water works and began pumping in 1838. It was extensively rebuilt at various points during its working life and little of the original remains.
The engine was built originally by Maudslay, Sons and Field of Lambeth, who were better known as marine engineers. The engine was later converted to work on the Cornish cycle in 1848 by Samuel Homersham.
In 1888, the beam cracked and half of it was replaced with a substantially-thicker substitute which is clearly visible today.
'Cornish engines' is a reference to the operating cycle of single-cylinder steam-powered beam engines. The main characteristic is that pumping is done by a falling weight which is lifted by the engine. The weight is above the pump, which is linked to a beam, with the piston attached at the opposite end of the beam. The weight is lifted by a combination of steam pressure above, and vacuum below, the piston.
During the pumping stroke, as the weight falls, the piston returns to the top of the cylinder because an equilibrium valve opens to allow steam to pass from above to below the piston. All of this means that the speed of the engine's movement varies during the cycle.
The Maudsley engine has a cylinder diameter of 1.65m and a stroke of 2.4m The beam weighs 20.2 tonnes. Water output is 590 litres per stroke, or eight million litres in 24 hours.
The engine last worked in 1943 but was returned to steam operation for demonstration purposes in 1985.