[D8828ABS], Letter from Westinghouse Machine Co to Ezra Torrance Gilliland, May 1888
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Title
[D8828ABS], Letter from Westinghouse Machine Co to Ezra Torrance Gilliland, May 1888
Editor's Notes
"As you are a Member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, we assume that you will be interested in any improvement (or claimed improvement) made in Steam Engineering. We, therefore, take the liberty of sending you by this mail some blue prints (in advance of any printed matter on the subject) of ournew Automatic Compound Single-acting Steam Engines, both Condensing and Non-Condensing. ### The results thus far obtained are almost as surprising to ourselves as to others who are conversant with the facts. The tests are still in progress, principally to obtain statistics at a higher range of steam-pressures than has heretofore been available in our own works. ### In our ordinary Automatic Engines (of which3000 are now in use) the principal points that seem to have won public favor may be briefly stated, as follows: ### 1st. The complete avoidance of the effects of lost motion on all reciprocating parts, by the self-compensation of the single-acting principle. ### 2d. A high enough initial speed to admit of the engine transmitting its ENTIRE POWER, through direct connection, to the work to be done, rather than to waste a large percentage of it (and the fuel consumed) in propelling devices whose sole object is the production of requisite speeds. ### 3d. A complete automatic lubrication of every part, so as to provide against the frailties and weaknesses of human nature. ### 4th. An automatic governor, so lubricated constantly that the standarte RATE of speed is maintained on EACH and EVERY STROKE of the engine, instead of maintainging an AVERAGE rate of speed. ### 5th. Through our high speeds (forbidden in Double-acting Engines) less weight per horse-power; less loss through internal condensation; less space occupied, and less cost to the buyer. ### 6th. The ability to procure repairs immediately, at any time from a complete stock, always carried at Pittsburgh, instead of having to await their manufacture, after a break has occurred. ### 7th. A minimum cost for repairs, these parts beign madein large quantities and sold at cost. (Including such items as fly wheels, pulleys, separators, automatic lubricators, &c.--which are not, properly seaking, repair parts - the total cost of repairs on all outstanding Westinghouse Engines, during the year 1887, was less than One and six-tenths (1, 6-10%) per centum of the cost of such Engines to the owners.) ### Some other points of superiority in our Automatic Engines have been commended, from time to time, but need not be referred to specially. ### IN designing the new Engines, our aim has been to cover all the features now so popular in our Automatic Engines, and to add the following points, which we consider desirable: ### 1st. To obtain the recognized economies in fuel; to be had through Compounding, without any complication or excessive cost, so that these Engines can be placed on the market, in the strictly commercial sense, from the smallest size to the largest. ### 2d. Practically no more complication or mechanism than exists in the simplest engine. ### 3d. A greater economy of fuel than heretofore obtained by anyone in engines of equal horse-power. ### 4th. A complete and perfect control of the steam supply to both high and low pressure cylinders, through the medium of a single balanced valve. ### 5th. The ability to maintain an absolutely constant speed, under varying steam pressures and loads. ### 6th. The best results throughout, combined with the greatest simplicity and the least cost. ### The blue prints sent you have been made from time to time, as the tests progressed, and do not represent the finished Engine in the condition in which it will be placed upon the market. They are only intended to convey to your mind the general principles of design, and to give you some idea of the results obtained." Respectfully, The Westinghouse Machine Company. Per Ralph Bagaley, Treas. [Marginalia: "T.A.E.--Thinking Westinghouse forgot you I send you my copy. E.T.G." "File"] [Illustrations and charts included]
Author
Recipient
Date
1888-05-00
Type
Subject
Folder/Volume ID
D8828-F
Microfilm ID
122:851
Document ID
D8828ABS
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University