Essential Steam Power Library
Entropy and Steam
reprinted by Lindsay Publications

All engines are governed by thermodynamics. Ooooooh! Such a big word! Thermo - heat energy. Dynamics - movement. Thermodynamics is the movement of heat energy, and that's what happens in a steam engine. Heat energy from the boiler flows through the engine which extracts useful work and expels waste heat to the atmosphere. Also known as the Carnot engine cycle.

Here you learn what steam is about, steam quality, how to read steam tables, superheated steam, saturated steam, heat of vaporization, entropy, flow of steam, expansion of steam and more. Hey, this is a lesson on the stuff that comes out of the boiler and makes your engine turn. You had better know something about it!

If nothing else impress your in-laws with the new words you've learned! 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 softcover 56 pages

No. 23306 ... $5.95

Essential Steam Power Library
Steam-Engine Indicators
and Mechanics of the Steam Engine
reprinted by Lindsay Publications

In part one you learn how the ingenious device called an indicator could draw on a card or piece of paper a diagram that showed the cylinder pressure at all points in the stroke. With it you could fix knocking, increase power output, and overcome poor efficiency. If you were building a race car engine, you'd put it on a dyno to see measure its performance while you tweaked and tuned it. Well, the indicator is kind of a steam-engine dyno. And no self-respecting steam engineer would fail to have an understanding of its operation. American Machinist magazine in the 1890's is full of discussion on getting higher performance out of steam engines, and most articles are illustrated with indicator cards. It's something you need to know.

Part two cover the basic dynamics of engines: crank-effort diagrams, net forward pressure, inertia pressure from reciprocating parts, effect of the connecting rod on the inertia, crank-effort diagram of the Corliss engine, necessary weight of flywheel rim, prony brake, transmission dynamometer, and more.

More steam engine secrets that few people today know. Get a copy. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 softcover 74 pages

No. 23330 ... $7.95

Essential Steam Power Library
Valve Gears
reprinted by Lindsay Publications

The valve gearing is the brain of the steam engine. Probably more time, money and ingenuity has gone into valving than any other single component. Slide valves were the simplest, but George Corliss dramatically improved "the gas mileage" of the steam engine by designing a far better valving system.

Here you start with slide valves learning about displacement of the valve, the Bilgram valve diagram, effect of angularity of the connecting-rod, port opening, separate diagrams for each of the cylinder, slide-valve proportions, width of bridge, point of cut-off, amount of lead, and more. You get info on piston valves, double-port valves, the harmonic valve diagram, piston-displacement curve, valve-displacement curve, and more.

Part two covers variable cut-off valves such as the Meyer cut-off valve and the Rider valve, reversing gears such as the Stephenson link motion, laying out the reversing gear, equivalent eccentric, the Marshall valve gear, the Joy valve gear, and a technical introduction to the Corliss valve gear. Also discussed are poppet valves and gridiron valves.

Give your brain a valve job. Fill it with technical info that will enable you to appreciate steam power to its fullest! 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 softcover 82 pages

No. 23357 ... $8.95

Package Price
All three: Entropy, Indicators, Valve Gear. Full price: $22.85. Save $3.35.
No. 943 ... $19.50

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