Inversion of the Lemniscate Straight-Line Linkage
- Title:
- Inversion of the Lemniscate Straight-Line Linkage
- Title (German):
- Umgekehrter Lemniskoidenlenker I. 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:
- S26
- File Name:
- S26.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 124 x 300 (millimeters, width x depth x height) - Description:
- This straight-line mechanism is a variation of the linkage of James Watt that he used in his steam engine designs circa 1780. (See abstract for model S-24.) This special case of the four-bar linkage has been shown to trace a curve similar to the mathematical lemniscate. The flat section of the coupler curve traced by this linkage is only approximately a straight-line. An exact straight-line linkage was discovered by the French engineer Peaucellier and the Russian mathematician Lipkin around 1870. (See abstract for model S-35 as well as the tutorial on the Peaucellier mechanism. "How to Draw a Straight Line') [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.