The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-29
RUTLAND AT THE CENTENNIAL.
THE STEAM STONE CUTTING MACHINES.
mn @TRI 8Wg 4
wardwell's valveless Engines. " j

Rutland will present her due proportion
of Vermont's contributions TO the Ameri-
can centennial at Philadelphia. Among the
most important exhibits will be three OF
Wardwell's patent steam stone cutting ma
chimes, accompanied with block OF mar
BILE. making in all some twenty tons in
weight. Also new invention by George
]. Wardwell, denominated "The Valveless
Engine" These are important inventions,
both of which will attract wide public at
tention.
Mr.. George j. Wardwell, the inventor of
these useful labor saving implements, seems
to have natural aptitude to mechanics,
that has been constantly developing by OBJ
servation, experience and study from early
manhood. A native of Maine, in boyhood
mainly dependent upon his own resources,
he early began work in factory. The
first development of his mechanical skill
was manifested in the invention of a loom
shuttle. He was for several years engaged
with his brother in the manufacture OF
looms. He then removed to Coatticooke,
Canada East. 1t was during his residence
there that he conceived the idea of the con
struc.ion OF machine for cutting stone
from quarries by the use of steam power 1t
was long work, but after years of patient
thought, laborious study and practical ex-
pertinent, process was evolved
which has proved entirely success
full and has revolutionized the
quarry ing of marble and other stone,
saving the labor of q large number of men.
He built some twenty-five of his original
machines, which proved so useful that the
patents became valuable and an incorpor
ated company was organized under the
laws of the state of New York, and Rut-
land selected as the location for their man.
ufacture, and convenient buildings erected
for that purpose. The manufacture Of the
stone-cutter has been carried on at Rutland
since 1866 The officers of the company
are John w. Cramton, president Geo.
E. Royce, treasurer, and George j. Ward
well, superintendent. The stone cutter re-
ceived the award of gold medal at the
Paris exposition in 1867.
Mr.. Wardwell has been constantly per-
fectinr his machine by new inventions aud
improvements until 1t is the leading nipple
ment employed for quarrying marble in
this country. Although several other SINH
lar machines have been attempted, after
full legal investigation of the question,
Mr.. Wardwell has been established as the
original inventor and patentee of nearly all
the useful and material parts of the other
machines.
MIR. Wardwell has been more recently at
work upon an improvement of the steam
engine, which has proved entirely success
full and will be first presented TO the public
inspection and trial during the centennial
exposition at Philadelphia. This is the
brief history of laborlous, studious and
practical man, who by his genius, mechan-
ical skill and unaided efforts may be num-
bered IN the front rank Of American in
ventors.
THE vALvELEss ENGINE
The main purpose of this article is not to
present some of the features OF Mr.. Ward
wells latest invention-which it is claimed
| is of great value-a valveless engine. The
inventor has canvassed closely the best ex-
isting arrangements, discussed their practi-
cal operation and congruity with sound
mechanical principles and combining
cheapness and utility, produce something
better. While no effort has been made tC
construct new system that supersede thai
which at present exists, but 10 materially
improve it. In this it is claimed success
has rewarded his efforts. The engines ar
now completed and no effort has beer
made at ornamentation or show, but will b'
presented to the public just as they are ant
develops the improvements and principle
established by the invention, and we fee
confident that Mr.. Wardwell will NEE
with success. He goes not to the exhibi
ton as did the Corliss engine to the Pari
exposition in 1867, admirable in work
manshp and radiant with silver" whicl
after all proved no better than the engine
in common use-but rather to simplify ant
improvement reckoning complication as
merit, but seeks to achieve advantage il
economy without great multiplication o
parts, in valves and gears. The engine
are built both perpendicular and horizonta
one of each have been built and wer
put on trial last Saturday and Monday, an
their workings were eminently satisfactor
and witnessed by large number of gu
citizens and practical mechanics. Thes
: engines have been protected by patents l
the United States, Canada and Great Br
tain Perhaps a better idea of the engine
, can be gathered by giving briet descriI
ton of t .Lll
THE ENGINES.
The Lighthouse engine is an oscillato
and is upright or verticical, as well us /
boiler, and is what is termed IL semi-port
7 bic. 1t ia furnished with all the requisite
9 of ordinary engines, such as steam guag
e safety valve, blow off, water guage an
7 drip cocks, pump heater and governo
{ The cylinder of the engine is sir inch'
6 10 diameter, with eight inch stroke. TT
peculiarltes of the engine consists of
!. plain hollow cylinder with two opening
y on opposite sides of the same. At Il
e center of its length, for the admission al
discharge of the steam, these openings a
made in the trunions on which the cylind'
g oscillates, and serve the purposes of Il
e induction, and exhaust parts of the ord
g airy engine. The piston is longer this
. those IN other engines, and is provided wi
" two steam passages on its surface whit
delivers the steam alternately into opposi
e ends of the cylinder. These steam passag
n extend in line with the travel of the pisto
sufficient distance for admitting stea
% one half the length of the stroke, when
d is cut off by the travel of the piston at
"A | noint of its greatest speed, making a We