Thursday, October 23, 2008

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.




1441. A Crosby Steam Engine Indicator:
An indicator is a small, originally mechanically-operated instrument that gives an insight into the operation of a range of pressure-operated machines — steam engines, gas and oil engines, compressors, condensers, even guns — by comparing the rise and fall of pressure during the operating cycle. The use of an oscillating drum allows variations in pressure to be recorded on both the outward stroke and the return journey. Excepting some of the continuously-recording instruments and virtually all maximum-pressure recorders, indicators usually give a trace in the form of a closed loop.


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Patent number 538,515:
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Another version of this device:

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1442. Photographed at the Henry Ford Museum, this was marked "Simple Thresher" and was used to separate grain from the stalk:

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This machine looks similar but I'm not 100% sure that it was used for the same purpose, it was mounted up in the rafters of a barn so I couldn't take a close look at it.

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1443. A CMI Terex SF 2204 HVW concrete road paving machine, through the use of horizontally telescoping mainframes, it can change paving widths between 8 and 20 feet. It can also be fitted with retractable side-mounted molds for off-set paving of curb/gutter, median barrier, and shoulders.

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1444. Text on this tool reads "Calcutt's Tire Lifter", patent number 875,093:

















1445. A cigar punch, it automatically clears tobacco from the punch when closed.


Twisting this device brings out the 1/4" diameter cylinder:

















1446. This tool looks to be some type carrier or lifter, but I haven't yet found exactly how it was used.








































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Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the entire post:






Black Ops Pro Tips
Black Ops Pro Tips
More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.