The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-24
Ericsson's Caloric Engine.

We would direct attention to the article in
another column Of this mornings impression,
from HuNr's Merchants Magazine, upon the
Caloric Engine of Captain ER1cssoN. 1t can
not fail to be read with deep interest. For
nearly twenty years the distinguished inventor
has been occupied with this great work. 1t is
only within the last twelvemohth that, after
numerous and expensive experiments, he has
brought his engine to that perfection which
would justify the embarkation of capital in its
reduction to practice on a very large scale
Two engines-one of five and the other of sixty
horse power-have been for the last year in
operation in the city Of New York; and the
complete success of the principle in these en-
gines has encouraged Mr.. KlrcHINs and his
associates to invest the large amount of money
which has been necessary to test it in man.
ner most satisfactory in the really splendid en-
terprise described in the article to which we
refer our readers.
There can be no question but that this in
vention. if successfully brought into practical
operation, will prove the most important ever
conceived by the human mind, and one that
will confer greater benefits on civilized life
than any which has preceded it. Its object is
the production of mechanical power by the
agency of heat, at an expenditure of fuel SO ex-
ceedingly small that man will have an almost
unlimited mechanical force at his command in
regions where fuel may now be said hardly to
exist. 1t was said not many years ago, by the
late Professor HARvEFELDT, of Sweden, that
there is nothing in the theory of heat which
proves that common spirit lamp may not be
sufficient to drive an engine of an hundred
horse power. This idea was no novelty to
ERIcssoN, who had been in the habit, from the
earliest period of his mechanical labors, of re-
garding heat as an agent which, schilst It ererts
mechanical force, undergoes no change. 1t is
this idea which he has practically developed in
the construction Of his Caloric Engine; the
popularity of which consists in the use over
and over again Of the same heat, which in the
low pressure steam-engine, after performing its
Office, is annihilated in the condensing appa-
ratus; and in the high-pressure engine is thrown
away in the atmosphere.
The principle, then, which forms the basis
of the Caloric Engine, is that of returning the
heat at each stroke Of the piston, and using it
over and over again. This is obviously i'm
possible if steam is employed as the acting
medium. Captain ERIcssoN therefore en-
ploys the atmospheric air. The object which
he has accomplished is simply this-that
the heat contained in the air which escapes
from the working cylinder is effectually taken
up by the air which enters it at each stroke of
the engine. This result Captain Ericsson has
accomplished by means of an apparatus which
he styles regeneration; and SO perfectly does
it operate, that the heat employed in first set
ting the engine in motion continues to sustain it
in full working force. with no other renewal or
addition than may be requisite to supply the
inconsiderable loss by radiation. This remark
able invention was first brought before the SCI
entiic world in London in the year 1888,
though it had then been a favorite subject Of
speculation and reflection with its inventor for
many years. During the nineteen years that
have since elapsed, it has been with him the
continual subject Of study and experiment, I'M
til in his deliberate judgment it is in state Of
perfection that will authorize the enterprise
that is now in progress. i,
We have seen during the last twelvemonth,
at different periods, the larger engine In ope-
ration at the works of Messrs. Hoee and DE
LAMArER, in the city Of New York. We have
repeatedly examined the machinery intended
for the ship now constructing as the first of the
Caloric Line. Repeatedly we have listened
to the explanations by Captain Ericsson of the
practical plan, with the theory of which we
have been familiar for some ten years or there
abouts; and we have often conversed with the
skilful and experienced mechanics engaged In
putting up the work, of the entire success Of
which they entertain no doubt. The result Of
the whole has been a. conviction in our own
mind that the CALoRIo ENGINE of Captain
EsIossoN is destined to achieve the triumphs