MR R. VAILE’S PATENT ROTARY STEAM-ENGINE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 582, 1 May 1876, Page 4

MR R. VAILE’S PATENT ROTARY STEAM-ENGINE.

The Auckland Herald gives the following account of a new steam-engine invented by Mr Vaile, of Auckland, and of which a preliminary test was made a few days ago: “ The object sought was a test of the principle upon which the engine is constructed, and not a trial of the practical results to be obtained by the invention. Before this, practical test of working power is made, iti will be necessary for the engine to be taken to pieces and case hardened. When this has been done, the engine will be connected with the heavy machinery used in Mr Masefield |s works, and it will then give its own undeniable verdict of its worth. We sincerely trust that it will be completely successful. So far as the test went yesterday, everything was satisfactory. The engine worked with great velocity, and its rotations were smooth and regular, in fact, so far as the theory of the invention is concerned, everything appeared perfect, and acted just as was expected. Much credit is due to the men who constructed the engine. The w-rk was of a difficult character, but was turned out as perfectly as it could have been from any engineer’s shop in the old country. The engine is very ingeniously contrived, and in theory appears to be without fault. Its appearance is peculiar, and very unlike the ordinary steam-engine. It may be fitly described as a turbine under steam. This, definition describes exactly the principle upon which it acts ; though, of course, the mechanical contrivances of the turbine and the rotary steam engine are very different. In the turbine, the water is simply held in suspension, and thus imparts the motion ; whereas, in the engine, steam pressure is used instead of water weight. The engine is fitted with six revolving pistons, three of which are constantly and equally under pressure, and three exhausting. The pistons are self-acting, and the slide valve is entirely dispensed with. The rotation of the cylinder imparts the proper action of the pistons by means of an eccentric motion produced by the ends of the cylinder being cameratcd. Provision is made to allay the friction of the piston rods by means of steel friction rollers, both top and bottom. The engine is estimated to work at a velocity of one thousand revolutions per minute, or about ten times greater than the velocity of theordinary class of engines under high pressure. Indeed, as there is no reaction of the machinery, there is scarcely any limit tothe rate of speed it will be possible to obtain from it. The great advantage sought by the rotary motion is that the pressure is continuous and uniform ; there is no loss in power at any given point, no flywheel is required, and there will be no upper gear or crank motions to lessen the power by friction. If the invention should prove practically successful, its advantages would be enormous, and it would rapidly supersede the present steam engines for very many purposes. It is certainly far more compact than any steam engine now in use. for it is only a revolving cylinder, and would occupy or ly a very sanlt space. Then again, its revolutions greatly exceed the speed of other engines, and for marine purposes, velocity is power, bhould this invention prove successful aa a rotary engine, by its use for steam vessels, considerable space would be saved for cargo, an increased rate of travelling would Le obtained, and saving effected in the consumption of coal. It is quite possible to put engine power into a steamer which would drive it at the rate of twentyfive knots per hour, but the vibrations would tear the hull of the ship to pieces. Ihe inventor of the rotary engine claims that there shall be no perceptible vibration, and where there is no reaction of molion, there cannot be any vibration. No crank motion would be required, so that the screw might be driven by direct action, the screw shaft seiving as,the axis of the engine, and the motion of the engine would be as uniform as that now obtained by three cylinders and a treble crank. If the invention should be a succ -ss, there will be scarcely any limit to its advantages, and the i ventor will obtain a world-wide reputation, such as few men ne d hope for In relation to new theories and inventions, the dubious side is the one to which critics naturally incline, until driven from it by actual results. No doubt many will at once decide that no good thing can come out of Auckland. We trust Bach a view is quite erroneous, and that the invention may prove a success. Should it fail, we aie of opinion that the skill and in genuity disployed by the inventor is creditable, if it be not remunerative to him. The crucial test of practice will be watched with general crnce r n, as the interests involved are of the highest importance.”