IEEC3.1 06 Atmospheric Engine Loading and Balancing Procedures

Atmospheric Engine

Loading and Balancing Procedures

Mike Potts

An off-print from

Transactions of the 3rd International Early Engines Conference - Volume 1 pp151-156

Summary

This paper outlines how atmospheric engines were proportioned, and then tuned, to give the required performance. It uses the customary measurements of the time rather than more recent scientific units, particularly the concept of vacuum measured in pounds per square inch below atmospheric pressure, rather than absolute pressure measured from a perfect vacuum upwards. I hope it will allow the reader to walk themselves through the calculations and follow in Thomas Newcomen’s footsteps using the methods he knew and understood.