Plate XXXV.ENGINES OF LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL STEAMERS.Larger image
Plate XXXV.
ENGINES OF LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL STEAMERS.
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BOILERS FOR LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL STEAMERS.Larger image
BOILERS FOR LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL STEAMERS.
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We illustrate onPlate XXXVI., facing page 86, a typical set of triple-expansion engines. The practice in respect of the design of engines and boilers is necessarily very varied. From the designs for a small steam launch to those for a first-class cruiser or battleship there is a wide range, and all classes of work, with not a few of special interest, come between those extremes. In connection with the three-crank triple-expansion engine, now generally adopted for merchant work, an arrangement well favoured for sizes up to about 1000 indicated horse-power is that in which the high-pressure cylinder is in the centre with a piston valve, the intermediate-pressure cylinder being forward, and the low-pressure cylinder aft, each with a slide valve at the extreme ends. This has been found to give a handy arrangement of gear, and to be easily accessible. With twin-screw engines of this power it is customary, and has been found very convenient, to lead all the hand-gear for both engines to a pedestal placed midway between the engines and ahead of the forward cylinders.
A description of the types of engines built by the Scotts for the China Navigation Company during the past thirty years would be practically a history of the progress of marine engineering during that period. The customary sequence of cylinders has in the main been adhered to in the design of these engines—viz., high-pressure cylinder forward and low-pressure cylinder aft in the case of compound engines: the intermediate-pressure cylinder, in the case of triple-expansion machinery, is placed between the high- and low-pressure cylinders. Indeed, this latter is the arrangement invariably adopted by the firm in the design of all large-size ordinary cargo steamer engines. The valve gear is forward of its cylinder in each case. This has also been the design adopted in the case of recent high-class passenger and mail steamers withthree cylinders, and in the case also of steamers for special trades. Twin-screw engines present little deviation from the above, and such as there is mainly affects pipe connections.
All engines of whatever type up to about 1000 indicated horse-power are usually arranged with forged columns in front. The condenser is ordinarily designed to form part of the engine structure, having the columns cast on, and supporting the cylinders; but not infrequently it is entirely separate from the main engines, and is carried either on the back of the columns, or fitted in the wing of the ship.
Of engines for the Navy nothing need be said beyond stating that they form quite a class by themselves, and all present the special features of design so characteristic of Admiralty work referred to in an earlier Chapter. The latest types of large-size engines for the Admiralty are being fitted with a system of forced lubrication to main bearings and crank-pins.
The Scotts' practice with respect to paddle engines has been no less varied than that in the case of screw machinery, ranging as it does from the ponderous side-lever engine of past years to the stern-wheel engine of the shallow-draught steamers of the present day. Oscillating and diagonal engines, both compound and triple-expansion, are also within the experience of the Company, the three-stage expansion being the type now usually adopted.
With respect to auxiliary machinery, the Scotts invariably fit a separate centrifugal pump for circulating the water through the condenser for all classes of engines, excepting only those for the ordinary tramp steamer. The air, bilge, and sanitary pumps are usually worked from the main engine by levers. The feed pumps are generally independent. Frequently, especially in yachts, all the pumps are entirely independent of the main engines. TheScotts in some cases make all auxiliary machinery for their own engines: such as centrifugal pumps, fans, feed-heaters, auxiliary condensers, duplex feed and ballast pumps, etc.