Lemniscoidal Linkage of the First Kind by Watt
- Title:
- Lemniscoidal Linkage of the First Kind by Watt
- Title (German):
- Lemniskoidenlenker I. Art von Watt
- 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:
- S24
- File Name:
- S24.jpg
- Work Type:
- Mechanical model
- Materials/Techniques:
- cast iron and brass on wood pedestal
- Subject:
- Kinematics of Machinery
- Measurement:
- 202 x 89 (millimeters, width x depth)
202 x 122 x 296 (millimeters, width x depth x height) - Description:
- This mechanism is a special form of the four-bar linkage (model C-1) used by James Watt to convert the rotary motion of a steam engine balancer arm into approximate straight-line motion of the pump piston in the late 18th century. Watt is often cited for his invention of the separate steam condenser that dramatically increased the efficiency of his engine over the Newcommen steam engine. However, he was very proud of his invention of the straight-line linkage and a painting of him in the National Gallery in London shows him contemplating a drawing of this linkage. Reuleaux’s use of the term 'lemniscate' for this mechanism refers to a special case of the four-bar linkage that will trace out one of the forms of a lemniscate curve, a double-loop curve with a flat, approximate straight-line section. In addition to Watt's linkage mechanism that created an approximate straight line motion, he also invented a planetary gear mechanism to convert linear motion of the cylinder to rotary motion of the flywheel and a rotating ball governor that controlled the speed of the engine. [Francis Moon 2004-07-01]
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.