The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-02-10
THE CALoRIC ENGINE.

We have already published one or two des-
criptions of this wonderful invention, but the
following lucid explanation, given by Capt
Ericsson to his guests in the late trial trip, is
much more satislactor that we are tempted to
copy it. II toccurs in the account given by the
N. Y. Times:
Capt. ERICSSON in explaining the power of his
engine, commenced with the furnaces at the
base ofthe lower pairs Of cylinders, showing
,ha, very small quantity of fuel is required,
and that the attendance OF many hands is need
less. To produce the power, he remarked, we
first pump into the receivers, by hand, volume
of cold air. This air, injected by force pumps,
j. made to pass downa tube leading from the
supply -cylinder 10 the working cylinder below, !,
and enters the lower chamber by forcing up the
piston. The pistons in the cylinders having a
corresponding action, this upward motion press
es more air from the upper cylinder into the
lower, and the action continues until the requir-
ed elevation OF the pistons is obtained. The air
passing through the regenerator OF the engine.
rendered capable ofthat degree OF expansion
which is necessary 10 the operation OF the ma
chlnery, and Of which we shall come to speak
hereafter. The cylinder, are peculiar in their
construction. They consist of two pairs, and
are placed, not side BY side, as IN the ordinary
mar ne engine, bur longitudinally in the vessel
Into each cylinder is fitted piston correspond
ING CAuclIy 10 lts UN II uut 81 dIrdIptu
as always TO operate simultaneously with the
larger piston ofthe working cylinder. The di-
menslons otthese cylinders, il should be men.
toned, are as follows; The working cylinders,
l6S inches each in diameter; supply cylinders,
81 inches diameter; length Of stroke, 6 feet
The air passing through the cylinder to produce
the desired effect upon the plsons, is compelled
to receive its caloric in advance by the action OF
the rcgeneraior.
A series of wire-nettngs, placed side BY side
to the thickness OF i2iuches, presents metallic
surface OF $4,000 square feet. in which are con-
tanned upward o 0O,00O, ,000of meshe minute
cells through which tine air Is forced, and III
which it imbibes parts with caloric 10 the
amount OF 45O degs. The maximum ,empera-
tn,e which is requisite for doubling the volume
of atmospheric air is 480 degs. OF which 30 degs
are afforded by the furnace, and the residue by
the regenerator. 1t was ascertained by careful
experiment that air i'll acquire or evolve heat
very rapidly when placed in contact with me-
talIic surface. This action is instantaneous
The minute subdivision of the cells attained by
the construction OF the regencrator of the Gallo
ric engine, produces the full effect OF this SIM
pie law OF Nature. As the volume of air taken
in BY the action OF the cylinders passes through
this contrivance, it takes up continual additions
OF heat, increasing in temperature as asltapproach-
es the furnace, and when II is admitted to act
upon the cylinder ii Is with such expansive
force that the piston is driven up with great
power, carrying with It the corresponding pis-
ION of the upper cyinder-while the air, having
performed its duty, now returns into the regen
erutor, is deprived of its heat save about 30 degs.
and is elected into the air nearly as cold as
when il entered; the loss of heat being but 30
degs. out of 480 degs. previously absorbed. 1t
will thus be observed that the loss of power is
very small, compared with that Of the steam
engine, where the escape and waste Of the ma
terla is very great. The cylinders being CON
nected by walking-beam, the center-shatt ot
the steam-engine is done away with, and the
action of the engine is reciprocatlng. As one
pair of pistons ascends, the other in consequence
descend., and the reverse; SO that continual
recprocating motion is given to the machinery
operated BY the cylinders, producing steady
revolution of the paddle-shait.
The explanations of Capt. Ericsson were ire-
quenily interrupted by queries respecting I'M
por,ant principles adopted in the construction OF
the engine, few OF which we note:
Q-What are the relative degrees of heat II
the upper and lower surfaces OF the regenera'
tor!
A.--The first layer of wire is very ho, but
the temperature decreases as the distance from
the furnace is increased
Q.-What is the superficial area OF the regen
erators
Ask feet by four, or twenty-four square
feet.
| Q.-What is the amount Of resistance to th,
air as il passes through the regeneratos!
A.-Only one-half OF the space occupied b,
the Regeneration is pierced for the meshes. Th'
resistance will be about one-half of an ounce +,
the square inch.
Q.--What is the diameter of the wire!
About onc-sixteenth OF an inch.
Q-What is the number OF meshes to tn
square inch!
About five or slx
Q.-What quantity OF air Is taken IN by TN
cylinders when in full operation!
A.-When the ship is under full headway
the engine makes l3 strokes per minute, tn
Ieylinders take in rs tuns of air per hour.
Capt ERrssoN-resuming. As TO the obJec
tons which have been raised to the appIcatlo
of this principle OF Heated Air, must max
some explanation. II has been objected, first
that our packing will burn out. Now, the pls
ton is hollow chamber, six feet deep, nile
with plaster Of Paris and charcoal, nou-cot
Iducting medium, which prevents ii from hecom