Approximate Four-bar Straight-Line Linkage of the Second Kind After Evans
- Title:
- Approximate Four-bar Straight-Line Linkage of the Second Kind After Evans
- Title (German):
- Angenäherter Ellipsenlenker II. Art
- Collection:
- Reuleaux Kinematic Mechanisms Collection
- Set:
- S. Straight-line Mechanisms
- Designer:
- Reuleaux, F. (Franz), 1829-1905
- Manufacturer:
- Gustav Voigt Werkstatt
- Date:
- 1882
- Country:
- Germany
- Voigt Catalog Model:
- S6
- File Name:
- S06.jpg
- Work Type:
- Mechanical model
- Materials/Techniques:
- cast iron and brass on wood pedestal
- Subject:
- Kinematics of Machinery
- Measurement:
- 202 x 91 (millimeters, width x depth)
202 x 126 x 302 (millimeters, width x depth x height) - Description:
- This mechanism uses three moving links and one grounded link to create an approximate straight-line linkage. The crank and connecting link are not essential to this device nor is the vertical guide to the right of center. The use of the four-bar linkage to produce an approximate straight-line coupler curve was pioneered by James Watt around 1780 as one of his four major improvements of the steam engine. (See models S-24 and S-25). At the time there were no large machine tools precise enough to create accurate guides for linear sliding motion of the pistons. Interest in the mathematics of straight-line mechanisms grew into the 19th century as the need for them declined. However, the subject of kinematic synthesis of linkages to produce special mathematical curves for application to machines continued to evolve into the 20th century. [Francis Moon 2004-07-00]
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.