310 x 151 (millimeters, width x depth) 393 x 151 x 207 (millimeters, width x depth x height)
Description:
This is a model of a spherical steam engine invented by Davies in 1826. The mechanism is similar to a Hookes joint. The outer part of the model consists of glass sections of a spherical surface. The inside is devided into four rotating chambers, similar to the Wankel Engine developed in the mid 20th century. This invention is remarkable for its three dimensional design. (F.Moon, 2001) This engine received a great deal of attention after its invention in 1830; the interest and the reason for its eventual disuse are described in Reuleaux KINEMATICS of MACHINERY. "There are considerable difficulties in the way of waking a steam-tight line of contact of the disc and the cones. -- The bravado in machine construction appears to make light of all difficulties." One of these engines was used for a while prior to 1857, but with little or no success, to run the presses of the LONDON TIMES. (H. Roehl, c. 1950) [Francis Moon 2003-05-29] The 220 models in Cornell University’s Reuleaux Collection were built in the late 19th century to demonstrate the elements of machine motion, as theorized by the German engineer Franz Reuleaux. The University acquired the models in 1882 for use in teaching and research. The Reuleaux models are classified according to the alphanumeric schema employed in the catalog of the manufacturer, Gustav Voigt. The letter in a model's ID (e.g., B14 or S35) refers to a class of mechanism; the number is a specific instance of the class. This classification scheme is a simplified version of the taxonomy of machine elements elaborated in Reuleaux's work.
Photography credit: Jon Reis (www.jonreis.com). Jon Reis Photography grants Cornell University Libraries and the Cornell College of Engineering the rights to display copyrighted images of the Reuleux collection of kinetic machines on the Cornell University and National Science Digital Library web sites and for unlimited use in Cornell University Library publications for education purposes only. Rights for all other uses, including but not limited to, editorial, commercial, advertising, web use and display by third parties not affiliated with Cornell University are reserved by the photographer. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. For questions about this item or other items please contact the Physical Sciences Librarians at pslref@cornell.edu.
