An old engraving of a double-acting steam engine. It is from a Victorian mechanical engineering book of the 1880s. A double acting engine is a reciprocating engine where steam is applied to both sides of the piston. Earlier steam engines applied steam in only one direction, needing momentum or gravity to return the piston to its starting place, but a double-acting engine uses steam to force the piston (here left) in both directions, increasing rotational speed and power. Almost all marine engines were of the double acting type. It was invented by Scottish engineer James Watt (1736 –1819).
An old engraving of a double-acting steam engine. It is from a Victorian mechanical engineering book of the 1880s. A double acting engine is a reciprocating engine where steam is applied to both sides of the piston. Earlier steam engines applied steam in only one direction, needing momentum or gravity to return the piston to its starting place, but a double-acting engine uses steam to force the piston (here left) in both directions, increasing rotational speed and power. Almost all marine engines were of the double acting type. It was invented by James Watt (1736 –1819), the Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer. Watt saw that driving engines using both low pressure steam and a partial vacuum raised the possibility of reciprocating engine development. The direction of the power stroke could be reversed, making it easier to obtain rotary motion. Additional benefits of the double-acting engine were increased efficiency and more regular motion.
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Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
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