Definitions Relating to Engine Diagrams
Before taking up the construction of an actual engine diagram, it is first necessary to become familiar with certain terms which are used in connection with it.
Cut-off.—The cut-off is the point in the stroke at which the admission valve closes and the expansion of steam begins.
Ratio of Expansion.—This is the reciprocal of the cut-off, that is, if the cut-off is 1⁄4, the ratio of expansion is 4. In other words, it is the ratio of the final volume of the steam at the end of the stroke to its volume at the point of cut-off. For example, a cylinder takes steam at boiler pressure until the piston has moved one-fourth the length of its stroke; the valve now closes and expansion takes place until the stroke is completed. The one-fourth cylinderful of steam has become a cylinderful, that is, it has expanded to four times its original volume, and the ratio of expansion is said to be 4.
Point of Release.—This is the point in the stroke at which the exhaust valve opens and relieves the pressure acting on the piston. This takes place just before the end of the stroke in order to reduce the shock when the piston changes its direction of travel.
Compression.—This acts in connection with the premature release in order to reduce the shock at the end of the stroke. During the forward stroke of an engine the exhaust valve in front of the piston remains open as shown in [Fig. 2]. Shortly before the end of the stroke this closes, leaving a certain amount of steam in the cylinder. The continuation of the stroke compresses this steam, and by raising its pressure forms a cushion, which, in connection with the removal of the pressure back of the piston by release, brings the piston to a stop and causes it to reverse its direction without shock. High-speed engines require a greater amount of compression than those running at low speed.
Clearance.—This is the space between the cylinder head and the piston when the latter is at the end of its stroke; it also includes that portion of the steam port between the valve and the cylinder. Clearance is usually expressed as a percentage of the piston-displacement of the cylinder, and varies in different types of engines. The following table gives approximate values for engines of different design.
| TABLE I. CLEARANCE OF STEAM ENGINES | |||
| Type of Engine | Per Cent Clearance | ||
| Corliss | 1.5 | to | 3.5 |
| Moderate-speed | 3 | to | 8 |
| High-speed | 4 | to | 10 |
A large clearance is evidently objectionable because it represents a space which must be filled with steam at boiler pressure at the beginning of each stroke, and from which but a comparatively small amount of work is obtained. As compression increases, the amount of steam required to fill the clearance space diminishes, but on the other hand, increasing the compression reduces the mean effective pressure.
Initial Pressure.—This is the pressure in the cylinder up to the point of cut-off. It is usually slightly less than boiler pressure owing to “wire-drawing” in the steam pipe and ports.
Terminal Pressure.—This is the pressure in the cylinder at the time release occurs, and depends upon the initial pressure, the ratio of expansion, and the amount of cylinder condensation.
Back Pressure.—This is the pressure in the cylinder when the exhaust port is open, and is that against which the piston is forced during the working stroke. For example, in [Fig. 2] the small space at the left of the piston is filled with steam at initial pressure, while the space at the right of the piston is exposed to the back pressure. The working pressure varies throughout the stroke, due to the expansion of the steam, while the back pressure remains constant, except for the effect of compression at the end of the stroke. The theoretical back pressure in a non-condensing engine (one exhausting into the atmosphere) is that of the atmosphere or 14.7 pounds per square inch above a vacuum, but in actual practice it is about 2 pounds above atmospheric pressure, or 17 pounds absolute, due to the resistance of exhaust ports and connecting pipes. In the case of a condensing engine (one exhausting into a condenser) the back pressure depends upon the efficiency of the condenser, averaging about 3 pounds absolute pressure in the best practice.
Effective Pressure.—This is the difference between the pressure on the steam side of the piston and that on the exhaust side, or in other words, the difference between the working pressure and the back pressure. This value varies throughout the stroke with the expansion of the steam.
Mean Effective Pressure.—It has just been stated that the effective pressure varies throughout the stroke. The mean effective pressure (M. E. P.) is the average of all the effective pressures, and this average multiplied by the length of stroke, gives the work done per stroke.
Line of Absolute Vacuum.—In the diagram shown in [Fig. 6], the line OX is the line of absolute vacuum; that is, it is assumed that there is no pressure on the exhaust side of the piston. In other words, the engine is exhausting into a perfect vacuum.
Atmospheric Line.—This is a line drawn parallel to the line of absolute vacuum at such a distance above it as to represent 14.7 pounds pressure per square inch, according to the scale used.