Langen Overrunning Clutch
- Title:
- Langen Overrunning Clutch
- Title (German):
- Klemmsperrung nach Langen
- Collection:
- Reuleaux Kinematic Mechanisms Collection
- Set:
- N. Ratchet Mechanisms
- Designer:
- Reuleaux, F. (Franz), 1829-1905
- Manufacturer:
- Gustav Voigt Werkstatt
- Date:
- 1882
- Country:
- Germany
- Voigt Catalog Model:
- N6
- File Name:
- N06.jpg
- Work Type:
- Mechanical model
- Materials/Techniques:
- cast iron and brass on wood pedestal
- Subject:
- Kinematics of Machinery
- Measurement:
- 263 x 187 (millimeters, width x depth)
263 x 187 x 272 (millimeters, width x depth x height) - Description:
- This is a model of a Langen overrunning clutch that was a key component of the 1867 internal combustion engine of Otto and Langen. The clutch was invented in 1865 as a solution to the problem of transferring linear reciprocating motion of the cylinder into rotational motion of the flywheel. The cylindrical rollers around the periphery of the mechanism lock in one direction of motion and slip for motion in the other direction. In some ways this acts as a mechanical diode. Langen was a classmate of Reuleaux at Karlsruhe. Reuleauax was also a consultant to the Otto engine project. Otto and Langen entered the engine in the Paris Exhibition in Paris in 1867. The French built Lenoir engine was expected to win the medal. However Reuleaux was on the judging panel. He proposed that the engines be tested for fuel efficiency. The Otto-Langen engine used up to one half the fuel and was awarded the gold medal by Napoleon III. As a result, the engine garnered several thousand orders. [Francis Moon 2001-00-00]
The 220 models in Cornell University’s Reuleaux Collection were built in the late 19th century to demonstrate the elements of machine motion, as theorized by the German engineer Franz Reuleaux. The University acquired the models in 1882 for use in teaching and research. The Reuleaux models are classified according to the alphanumeric schema employed in the catalog of the manufacturer, Gustav Voigt. The letter in a model's ID (e.g., B14 or S35) refers to a class of mechanism; the number is a specific instance of the class. This classification scheme is a simplified version of the taxonomy of machine elements elaborated in Reuleaux's work. - Repository:
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- Photography credit: Jon Reis (www.jonreis.com). Jon Reis Photography grants Cornell University Libraries and the Cornell College of Engineering the rights to display copyrighted images of the Reuleux collection of kinetic machines on the Cornell University and National Science Digital Library web sites and for unlimited use in Cornell University Library publications for education purposes only. Rights for all other uses, including but not limited to, editorial, commercial, advertising, web use and display by third parties not affiliated with Cornell University are reserved by the photographer. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. For questions about this item or other items please contact the Physical Sciences Librarians at pslref@cornell.edu.