The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-02-17
WHOLE NUMBER 90.

euge, VINO has planned and constructed
hundreds of steam engines, are entitled
certainly to peculiar consideration.
From what | have already said, it
will be readily inferred that the prin-
ciple forming the basis of the colorio
engine is that Of returning the heat, at
each stroke Of the piston, and using it
over and over again. This is obviously
limpracticable if steam is employed as
the acting medium. Ericsson, there
fore, uses the permanent gases, and, in
preference to all others, atmospheric
air The object which he seeks to ac-
complsh is simply this-that the heat
contained in the air which escapes from
the working cylinder, should be effect
ually taken up by the air which enters
it, at each stroke Of the engine This
result Capt. Ericsson has accomplished
by means of an apparatus which he
styles q Regeneration and so perfectly
does it operate, that the heat employed
in first setting the engine in motion con-
tinucs to sustain it in full working force,
with no other renewal or addition than
may be requisite to supply the inconsid-
cradle loss by radiation This remark
able inventi.n was brought before the
scientific world in London in 1888,
though it had been favorite subject Of
speculation and reflection with Capt.
Ericsson for many years. With the
prominent exception of the celebrated
DR.. Andrew Urc, and Prof. Faraday,
now the most distinguished chemists in
England, nearly all the leading scientific
men ofAthe day united in condemning
the priAiple on which it was based as
unsound and untrnable. f-.rr....'
The interest which this subject excited
did not escape the British government.
But short time was permitted to elapse
before the Secretary of the Home De-
partment, Lord Althorp, now Earl
spencer, made his appearance in the
enginc-room where the new motive
power was in operation. His lordship
was accompanied by Mr.. Brunei, the
constructor of the Thames Tunnel, and
a gentleman at one p,r.od distinguished
for his skill and enterprise as an engin-
eer. At this time he was somewhat
advanced in years, and therefore, per-
haps, not most judiciously selected by
his lordsLip to judge Of this invention.
At the very outset he conceived an alto
gcther erroneous notion Of the new
power, Which he would not suffer to be
corrected by explanations. An earnest
discussion arose between Mr.. Brunei
and the iavcntor on the spot, which was
followed by u protracted correspondence.
The result was an unfayorable impress
sion of the new power was communicated
to the British government.
The invention Jared but little better
at the hands Of Prot. Faraday, from
whose efficient advocacy and influence
the most favorable results might have
been anticipated. This gentleman had
announced that he would deliver lee
ture on the subject in London, in the
spacious theatre of the Royal Institution.
The novelty and interest of the inven-
ton, combined with the distinguished
reputation of the lecturer, had attracted
4 very large audience, including many
individuals of eminent scientific attain
ments Just half an hour, however,
before he was expected to enlighten this
distinguished assembly, the celebrated
lecturer discovered that he had mistaken
the expansive principle, which is the
very life of the machine. Although he
had spent many hours in studying the
coloric engine in actual operation, and
in testing its absolute force by repeated
experiments, Prof. Faraday was COM
pelled to inform his hearers, at the very
outset that he did not know why tho
engine worked at all. He was obliged
to confue himself, therefore to the ex-
PLANTATION of the regenerator, and the
process by which the beat is continually
returned to the cylinder, aud re-employ-
cd in the production of force. To this
part of the invention he rendered amp,e
Justice, and explained it in that felicit-
Gus STYLE to which he is indebted for tho
reputation he deservedly enjoys, as the
most agreeable and successful lecturer
In England. i
Other causes than the misconceptions
Of Brunei and Faraday operated to re-
tard the. practical success Of this beauti-
ful invention. The high temperature
ut which it was necessary to keep up the
circulating medium Of the engine, and
the consequent oxidation, soon destroyed
the pistons, valves, aud other working
parts. These difficulties the inventor
to remedy in an engine
which he subsequently constructed OF