By Museo Storico dei Motori e dei Meccanismi
Museo Storico dei Motori e dei Meccanismi - Sistema Museale dell'Università degli Studi di Palermo
The stationary steam engine
Steam engines were among the first combustion machines used to produce mechanical power for industry and transportation. They played a key role in the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century. Since that period dependence on energy-transforming machines has spread everywhere, leading to irreversible effects on industrial production, transportation systems, and the general quality of life. In the 19th century, stationary steam engines were commonly used in the power plants as well as in the factories to mechanically drive all the production machinery. This type of engines were produced by many manufacturers such as the E. G. Neville & Co., a renowned foundry in Venice (Italy).
Marking steam machine NevilleOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The engine has been manufactured in ca. 1880 by the foundry E. G. Neville & Co. in Venice, as reported in the engine body.
Technical features
The Neville engine is a single-cylinder, double acting steam engine, with a typical crosshead mechanisms. Its maximum power output was about 10 hp at 120 rpm, under a steam pressure of ca. 8 bar (116 psi). As usual in the early engines, the proper lubrication is ensured by means of various oilers.
Cylinder Neville MachineOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
A close view of the crosshead mechanisms with the piston rod.
Meccanismo lubrificazione NevilleOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
A typical gravity oiler on the connecting rod.
Steam machine Neville fly-wheelOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The flywheel of the engine has a diameter of 2 metres (6.56 ft).
The variable valve timing system
The engine features a fine construction scheme with a Rider-type variable valve timing system which is composed by two sliding shutters.
The governor
The electric machine of a power plant as well as the production machinery of a factory usually need a constant driving speed, indipendently from the applied load. To this purpose the variable valve timing system of the engine is controlled by a mechanical Buss-type governor.
Buss RegulatorOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The Buss-type governor is an automatic regulator mechanisms with two centrifugal masses.
Plate Buss RegulatorOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The speed regulator was manufactured by the renowned Schaeffer & Budenberg company.
Steam machine Neville detailOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The speed regulator is driven by the cranckshaft of the engine through a leather belt and pulleys.
The restoration
After many yers of neglect, due to the vary bad conditions, in 2009 the engine undergone a full restoration.
Neville - restauroOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
A close view of the components of the Buss-type speed governor during the restoration works.
Neville during restorationOriginal Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
The main framework of the engine during the restoration works.
Neville - restauro (1)Original Source: http://www.museomotori.unipa.it
Some parts of the Rider-type variable valve timing system, during the restoration works, with the two sliding shutters (on the bottom right).
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© Property of the Museo Storico dei Motori e dei Meccanismi - Sistema Museale di Ateneo - University of Palermo (Italy).
Curators: Giuseppe Genchi and Giuseppe Bellomo
Revisor: Giuseppe Genchi
Main collaborators: Maria A. Algeri, Claudia Lo Re, Valerio Spena, Maria C. Esposito.
