The invention of the steam engine

The steam engine is one of the promoters of the industrial revolution. Its invention and application changed human society from manual manufacturing to mechanized manufacturing, which greatly promoted the development of industry. This paper will introduce the invention process, principle and application of steam engine in detail.

The invention of the steam engine

The inventor of the steam engine was james watt of England. He began to study the steam engine in 1763, and finally invented a new type of steam engine in 1776, which was called "Watt Steam Engine". This kind of steam engine is not only efficient, but also stable in performance, and can be widely used in various industrial fields.

The basic principle of Watt steam engine is to use the pressure of steam to push the piston to move, thus driving the mechanical equipment to work. Its core component is a piston cylinder composed of a piston and a cylinder, and the cylinder is filled with steam. When steam enters the piston cylinder, it will push the piston upward. When the piston reaches the top, the steam will be exhausted and the piston will be pushed back to its original position by gravity or spring. This repetition can drive the mechanical equipment to run.

Operating steps of steam engine

The operation steps of the steam engine can be divided into the following steps:

1. Heat water to boiling point to generate steam.

2. Convey steam to the piston cylinder of the steam engine.

3. After steam enters the piston cylinder, push the piston upward.

4. After the piston reaches the top, the steam is exhausted, and the piston is pushed back to its original position by gravity or spring.

This repetition can drive the mechanical equipment to run.

Application of steam engine

Steam engines are widely used. It is widely used in various industrial fields, such as textile, paper making, mining and transportation. One of the most important applications is in railway traffic. Steam locomotive driven by steam engine has become the main force of railway traffic, which has promoted the development of railway traffic.