A detailed PPT on Beam Engine

1. Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil
College of Engineering Ahmednagar
Savitribai Phule Pune University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
A Presentation On:-
Beam Engine
Prepared By:-
Name
1) Chumbhalkar Chaitanya Dattatray
2) Dagwale Shubham Hemant
3) Desai Santosh Machhindra

2. Introduction
A beam engine is a type of steam engine where a pivoted overhead beam is used to apply the force from
a vertical piston to a vertical connecting rod. This configuration, with the engine directly driving a
pump, was first used by Thomas Newcomen around 1705 to remove water from mines in Cornwall. The
efficiency of the engines was improved by engineers including James Watt, who added a
separate condenser; Jonathan Horn blower and Arthur Woolf, who compounded the cylinders;
and William McNaught, who devised a method of compounding an existing engine. Beam engines were
first used to pump water out of mines or into canals but could be used to pump water to supplement the
flow for a waterwheel powering a mill.
The rotative beam engine is a later design of beam engine where the connecting rod drives
a flywheel by means of a crank (or, historically, by means of a sun and planet gear).These beam
engines could be used to directly power the line-shafting in a mill.They also could be used to
power steam ships.

3.  Construction
A beam engine is a type of steam engine where a pivoted overhead beam is used to apply the force from
a vertical piston to a vertical connecting rod. Beam engine works on crank and lever mechanism
Parts of Beam Engine
1) Crank:- Machines of several types of arms or levers for imparting rotary or oscillatory motion to a
rotating shaft. One end of the crank being fixed to the shaft and the other end is receiving
reciprocating motion from the hand, connecting rod, etc.
2) Connecting rod:- A connecting rod is a shaft which connects a lever to a crank or crankshaft in a
beam engine.Together with the crank, it forms a simple mechanism that converts rotary motion into
reciprocating motion. A connecting rod may also convert reciprocating motion into rotating motion.
3) Lever:- A lever is a machine member which is used to transmit the motion from the connecting
rod to a punching tool.
4) Base support:- It is fixed on the floor and it supports the lever while transmitting the motion
during punching of the metal sheets.

4.  Working Principle
The beam engine, also known as a beam steam engine or a walking beam engine, is a type of steam
engine that was widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries. It played a crucial role in the Industrial
Revolution and was used to power various machines and equipment, such as pumps, mills, and factories.
The working principle of a beam engine involves several key components and steps. Here's a simplified
explanation of how it operates:
 Steam Generation: The process starts with the generation of steam in a boiler. Water is heated using a
furnace or a heat source, producing high-pressure steam
 Steam Admission:The high-pressure steam is then admitted into a cylindrical chamber called the
cylinder.The cylinder contains a piston that can move back and forth.
 Valve Mechanism:The admission and release of steam into and out of the cylinder are controlled
by a valve mechanism, typically a slide valve or a piston valve.This mechanism is connected to the
steam inlet and outlet ports of the cylinder.
 Power Stroke:When the high-pressure steam is admitted into the cylinder, it pushes the piston,
causing it to move downward.This downward motion is known as the power stroke.The piston is
attached to one end of a beam.

5.  Beam and Rocker Mechanism: The other end of the beam is connected to a pivot point, and it rocks
back and forth as the piston moves up and down. This rocking motion of the beam is transmitted to the
machinery or equipment being powered.
 Condensation and Exhaust: After the power stroke, the valve mechanism redirects the steam from the
cylinder to the condenser or the atmosphere, depending on the design. In the case of a condenser, the
steam is condensed into water, creating a partial vacuum in the cylinder that helps in the piston's
upward movement
 Return Stroke: As the steam pressure decreases and the piston is pushed back up by the counterweight
or a separate engine mechanism, the piston moves in the opposite direction, known as the return stroke.
This action completes one cycle of the beam engine
 Repeat Cycle: The process of steam admission, power stroke, condensation, and return stroke
continues in a repetitive manner, generating continuous rotary motion that drives the machinery
connected to the beam.

7.  Applications
1) Pumping Stations:- Beam engines were extensively used in pumping stations to drain water from
mines, canals, and other low-lying areas. These engines were capable of lifting large volumes of
water to higher elevations, allowing for efficient drainage and land reclamation.
2) Textile Mills:- Beam engines played a crucial role in powering textile mills, particularly in the
cotton and wool industries. They were used to drive spinning machines, weaving looms, and other
equipment involved in the textile manufacturing process.
3) Iron and Steel Works:- Beam engines were employed in iron and steel works to power blast
furnaces, rolling mills, and other machinery involved in the production of iron and steel. They
provided the necessary mechanical power to drive the heavy equipment used in metalworking
processes.
4) Factories and Industrial Machinery:- Beam engines were used in various industrial settings to
power machinery and equipment. They were employed in factories for processes such as grinding,
milling, and sawing, as well as in the operation of hydraulic presses and other heavy machinery.
5) Waterworks and Municipal Services:- Beam engines were utilized in waterworks and municipal
services for tasks such as water supply, sewage pumping, and water treatment. They were employed
to drive pumps that supplied water to cities and towns or to move wastewater and sewage to
treatment facilities.

8. 6) Transportation:- Although not as widespread as other applications, beam engines were occasionally
used to power steamboats and early locomotives. These engines provided the necessary mechanical power
to propel vessels and locomotives, enabling steam-powered transportation.
7) Experimental and Prototype Engines:- During the development of steam technology, beam engines
were used as experimental and prototype models. Engineers and inventors utilized them to test and refine
various design concepts, leading to the advancement of steam engine technology.

9.  Advantages
1) Robustness and Reliability:- Beam engines were known for their robust construction and
reliability. They were built to withstand heavy-duty industrial applications, making them suitable for
powering machinery in factories and other industrial settings.
2) Versatility:- Beam engines could be adapted to various applications, such as pumping, milling, and
driving machinery in different industries. Their flexibility made them widely applicable in different
sectors, providing mechanical power for a range of tasks.
3) Low Operating Speed:- Beam engines operated at relatively low speeds compared to other steam
engines of the time. This lower speed allowed for smoother operation, reduced wear and tear, and
increased the overall lifespan of the engine.

10.  Disadvantages
1) Large Footprint:- Beam engines required a significant amount of space due to their size and
design.The beam, cylinder, condenser, and associated machinery took up substantial floor space,
making them less suitable for compact or space-constrained locations.
2) Inefficiency:- Beam engines were not the most efficient steam engines in terms of energy
conversion.They suffered from energy losses due to friction, condensation, and heat dissipation.
This lower efficiency meant that a significant portion of the steam's energy was wasted.
3) High Maintenance:- Beam engines required regular maintenance and upkeep due to their
complex mechanical design.The various moving parts, such as pistons, valves, and linkages, needed
frequent lubrication, adjustment, and replacement, resulting in higher maintenance costs.
4) Limited Speed and Power Output:- Beam engines were limited in terms of their speed and
power output.They were not suitable for high-speed applications or for generating large amounts of
power compared to more advanced steam engines that followed.
5) Environmental Impact:- Beam engines, like other steam engines of the time, relied on the
combustion of fossil fuels, typically coal, to generate steam.This process resulted in emissions of
pollutants and contributed to air pollution and environmental degradation.

11. THANK YOU…!