American Thompson Steam Gauge
Steam Engines; Pressure Systems; Artillery
Physical Description:<br /><p dir="ltr"><span>The Thompson Improved Steam Indicator comes in a dark stained wooden box 285mm wide, 207mm deep, and 240mm tall. It opens about halfway up its height to reveal a number of objects. The box, as well as various components, are serial numbered 4994. Inside the box there are pockets as well as mounts for the various objects to go into which can be seen in the images provided.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In the center is the steam indicator, which resembles two off-center attached cylinders screwed onto a mount. The cylinders are both 90mm in height and 50mm in diameter. The top cylinder has a slot to affix a cardstock, a stylus arm and pull string. The bottom cylinder has the arm holding the stylus and a spring inside to control the stylus arm. The bottom of the bottom cylinder has threads and ties to the mount on the bottom of the box, as well as thumb bars on the bottom to attach or unattach it by hand.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The steam indicator comes with 6 springs numbered 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80, which range in length from 53-63mm long. These springs are threaded onto mounts on the upper half of the box and can replace the spring inside the bottom cylinder of the steam indicator. This allows the system to make more precise graphs depending on the pressure that the engine is putting out.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In addition to the above, there are also two globe shut-off valves with thread sizes of 20 and 25mm. The valves come with caps for one side to prevent damage to the threads that could result in inadequate attachment . There is also a torque wrench used to tighten the lower cylinder onto the engine that the indicator will be attached to. There is also a small vial of oil, for the joints of the stylus arm or the springs. There was also a specialized wrench designed to tighten the components in order to prevent gas leaks. The final component was a ruler with a screw driver end that allowed for the dismantling of the indicator as well as measuring the height of the graphs drawn by the arm allowing the user to find the pressure in the system.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Functional Description:<br /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In order to use the Thompson steam indicator, the user fastened</span><span> the stainless-steel ball valve to the steam engine being analyzed. The indicator was then be fastened to the open end of the ball valve via a threaded connection. With the ball valve opened, the steam within the engine’s piston</span><span> exerts pressure on a spring enclosed within a 100 mm tall, 30 mm diam. cylinder of the indicator. A plunger connected to the spring is </span><span> </span><span>forced upward depending upon the force received by the spring. The motion of the plunger moves the 80 mm long arm vertically, which determines the markings made by the attached pencil. The pencil marks a piece of paper, which is wrapped around the upper cylinder (90 mm tall and 51 mm dia) of the indicator. Wrapped around this upper cylinder is a string whose function is to rotate the cylinder about its center. If the string were left free to hang, the steam pressure pushes the pencil upward, making a straight vertical line on the paper. However, the string was fastened to a component of the engine to allow for the engine piston and the cylinder to move in unison. The string moves the cylinder of the steam indicator in unison with the piston throughout the entire stroke, and a continuous marking is made to illustrate the pressure at each point of the stroke as the pencil is moved upward and downward while the cylinder pivots throughout the process. Thus, the vertical motion of the pencil graphs changes in pressure, while the rotation of the cylinder indicates the phase of the piston cycle, and so in unison the pencil plots a diagram of the pressure cycle in the engine.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The indicator was designed to record the stroke of a steam engine, particularly locomotives. At the start of the stroke, the inlet valve opens completely, allowing the maximum force to be applied to the spring by the steam. The pencil marks a horizontal line at its highest point in the cycle from left to right. At cut-off, the inlet valve closes and expansion of the steam occurs, during which the force gradually decreases. This phase is indicated by a pencil mark resembling an exponential decay curve. At release</span><span>, the exhaust valve opens, releasing the steam and the force is at its minimum, resulting in a straight horizontal pencil mark at the lowest point of the curve—this time from right to left. When the exhaust valve closes, compression occurs, causing a gradual rise in pressure. When the inlet valve opens again, the gradual increase in pressure becomes a sharp increase, causing the pencil to mark a straight vertical line returning to the first point of the cycle when the steam pressure exerts its greatest force on the spring. The end product of this device is a card illustrating the change in pressure throughout the continuous cycle of the steam engine. For an engine operating at 250 RPM, the device could generate one cycle plot (or card) per minute.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The spring within the indicator can be replaced with a larger spring to record higher steam engine pressures. The set of springs are marked according to their compressive strength: the spring marked #100 converts the force from 100 psi gauge-pressure</span><span>steam into a pencil movement of one inch, a #80 spring converts 80 psig steam into a movement of one inch, and so on.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Though the steam indicator was primarily used on locomotives, it could also be applied to traction engines and artillery</span><span>. Due to the high cost of the indicator, it was seldom used on traction engines beyond the confines of the factory in which it was produced. When applied to heavy artillery, the oil in the recoil chamber would replace the steam as the working fluid and exert a pressure on the spring.</span><span> The string would be fastened to the barrel to allow for the recoil movement to pull on the string.</span></p>
Elsa Schwartz, Collin Graf, Sarah Hartman, Joel VanLanen, and Patrick Demorest.
1904
English
Physical object
Serial no. 4994
United States of America
Wang Laboratories Model 370 Programming Calculator
Mathematics; Science; Engineering; Financial Services.
A rectangular shaped (304.4 Length X 165.1Width X 355.6 Height mm) device. This frame is made of metal that is painted everywhere except the stainless steel bottom. The front of the calculator contains a panel and display board. The panel holds 56 plastic keys of different shapes (Key Shape 1: 17.5 X 9.5 X 17.5 mm & Key Shape 2: 38.1 X 9.5 X 17.5 mm) and colors (black, gray, white, and blue) and 12 small white switches. The display board is a clear plastic sheet with a 14-digit display of nixie tubes behind it. On top there are multiple openings, likely for ventilation. On the back near the bottom is a black plastic knob, a switch for power, 2 slots for inputting cords, and 2 cords that go out.
Functional Description:
The Wang Model 370 Programmer is a primitive calculator that was capable of being programmed for adding loops, logical tests, jumps, and subroutine calls. This turned the calculator into a small computer.
On the keyboard are many different commands for programming and many basic calculator operations (such as add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc.). The 370 Programmer calculates operations and displays them on through the clear plastic screen via lighting up different nixie tubes shaped into numbers.
The 370 was capable of programming and reading code. It could use the programming keys on the keyboard to create a code. It could attach to a card reader that would read punch out sheets and translate the card into code for the 370 to use. Both methods could then store the code on the 370 to be used later.
Gideon Hoekstra, Donovan Doran, Erik Madson, Nick Renke
1967-1968
English
Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log Speed Rule
Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Mathematics
Physical Description:
The Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log slide rule is constructed using three yellow painted aluminum bars. The “ES” in the model name means “Eye-Saver” and refers to the yellow painted construction. The two outer bars are called the stators and are attached by a brace on both ends. The braces create a gap between the two stators where the third aluminum bar, called the slide, fits into the grooves between the two stators. A clear plastic cursor slides along the outside of the stators. The cursor has a vertical hairline marker on both sides of the slide rule for lining up the scales between the slide and stators. The upper stator has LL1 and A scales on the front side and LL2 and DF scales on the backside. The lower stator has D, DI, and K scales on the front side and D and LL3 scales on the backside. The slide has B, ST, T, S, and C scales on the front side and CF, Ln, L, CI, and C scales on the backside. The scales are usually logarithmic with a few exceptions such as the L and Ln scale which are log operations with a linear scale. The index of a scale is the furthest left number for the left index or the furthest right number for the right index. The scale ranges and operations are described under inscriptions.
Functional Description:
The Pickett Model N600-ES Log Log slide rule is a duplex slide rule. A duplex slide rule has scales on both sides of the slide rule and a dual-faced cursor. The dual-faced cursor allows for relating one side of the scale to the other side for a greater number of calculations. Logarithmic scales have a multiplication and division property discovered by William Oughtred in 1630 that allow for the operations of multiplication and division instead of addition and subtraction of linear scales. Multiplication is the simplest operation on a slide rule using the two fundamental scales, C and D. To multiply two numbers, x and y, the left index of C is positioned over x on the D scale. Then the cursor is position over y on the C scale. The value of the cursor on the D scale is the solution to x multiplied by y. The decimal place may need to be adjusted to get the correct order of magnitude since the C and D scale has values ranging from 1 to 10. The other scales are used to perform different operations such as squares, reciprocals, exponentials, and sines, cosines, and tangents.
Gideon Hoekstra, Nick Renke, Donovan Doran, Erik Madson
1962
English
Monroe High Speed Adding Calculator (<span>LA5-160x)</span>
Mathematics; Business; Physics; Engineering
<h3>Physical Description</h3>
<p>The calculator generally comprises three main parts: the main housing, the keypad, and the output carriage.<br /><br />The main housing for the calculator is rectangular as seen from the top, with one pale green slanted face on the front where the keypad is located, similar to a typewriter or cash register. The main housing is a shiny dark green in color with the appearance of a scale-like texture. On the bottom of the main housing are four feet which are steel with a rubber boot. On the front of the main housing, just below the slanted face, a "T" shaped knob protrudes. The knob has a small polished aluminum shaft (15mm long, 6mm diameter) with small black enamel handles (12mm long). Then, on the face to the right of the slanted face (when viewed straight on as if operating) is a knurled aluminum knob about 25mm in diameter. On the back of the calculator (opposite the slanted face) is an electrical connector that is on the right side of the calculator. Lastly, there are "MONROE" logos with yellow letters outlined in red on the front face below the slanted face and centered on the back, under both of which there are the words "HIGH SPEED ADDING CALCULATOR" in yellow. The logo on the back is much larger, while the logo on the front is about half the size and positioned towards the right. Additionally, on the bottom of the calculator in the center is a yellow tag that has the same logo in black letters with additional product information writtten below it.<br /><br />Housed on the slanted face is the keypad. This pale green panel contains a 10x8 array of white buttons (6mm diam.) with black numerals, 0 through 9. Each column starts with a zeroing key at the bottom and increases to nine at the topmost row. To the right of the number pad is another column of various buttons. Starting at the top is the subtraction button (with an inscribed - symbol) which is long, rectangular (35mm long, 13mm wide), and black in color. Directly below that is the addition button (with an inscribed + symbol) with the same shape, orientation, and color. Under that is a 6mm diameter red button that has no symbol. Then under that is another 6mm diameter red button with a darker red "R" on it. Last below that button is a larger red button (14mm diameter) with a pale green zero. The final component on the front panel is a small aluminum lever directly to the left of the left-most "1" button that stands 10mm tall.<br /><br />At the top rear is the output carriage. The carriage is primarily the same dark shiny green as the main body. The carriage is a triangular prism in shape with one of the long flat faces facing the operator, which is at the same angle as the input panel. On this primary face are two rows of small windows (5mm tall and 4mm wide). The bottom row closest to the number pad consists of 16 windows, while the top row consists of 8 windows that are directly above the eight rightmost widows of the bottom rows. Inside each of the windows are black numbers (on the top row, there is also a set of red numbers for subtraction) on a white roller much like a slot machine. Directly above the lower set of windows is a rail with yellow numbers above each window, starting with one on the left and ending with 16 on the right. Along this rail is a set of 5 brass sliders with very small knobs (3mm diameter) that are attached to red arrows that point down towards the lower set of windows. Directly above this rail and below the upper set of windows is another shorter rail that matches the shorter number of windows. This rail has eight numbers and one slider that points upwards. A large steel knob (15mm in diameter) is to the right of these rails. Lastly, on the right face of the carriage is a crank with a dark wooden knob about 10mm in diameter with a polished aluminum arm (20mm long).</p>
<h3>Functional Description<strong><strong><br /></strong></strong></h3>
<p>The purpose of this calculator is complete simple arithmetic such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.</p>
<p>Before doing any calculations, users will need to reset the registers (number windows on the carriage). Operators can do this by rotating the crank attached to the carriage until the register reads zero.</p>
<p>For adding, users type in the first number into the keypad by depressing the corresponding buttons, where the number furthest to the right is the smallest digit (which could represent a decimal). Then, the user shall click the plus button causing an electric motor to spin and load the number into the lower register (the longest set of windows). After that, users type the next number to which they would like to add in the same manner. Then, after selecting the add button, the value in the lower register will be the sum that the user is looking for.</p>
<p>For subtracting, the user should perform a similar process where they type in the larger of the two numbers and then press the add button to add the larger value to the register. After that, operators should input the subtracting value into the keypad. Then the user shall select the subtraction key, causing the motor to spin in the opposite direction. This will yield the desired difference in the lower register.</p>
<p>For multiplication, the user must input the larger value into the number pad. The operators shall select the red key with an R. This locks the number so that after the addition key is selected, the number pad will not reset. If the small number of the multiplication is less than ten, the user shall select the addition key as many times as the smaller number. The upper register will count the number of times the user has selected the addition key, and the lower register will display the product.</p>
<p>If the smaller number happens to be larger than ten, the user can select the add key for the smallest digit of the smaller number, and then they can shift the entire carriage with the T-shaped knob so that they add to the power of ten more. Operators should repeat this process until the upper register shows the smaller number of the multiplication, and the resultant in the lower register will be the product.</p>
<p>Operators can perform division in the same manner as a multiplication; however, they shall input the larger number into the lower register. Then, they can use the subtraction key instead of the addition key until the lower register reads as close to zero as possible (remainders may exist). The operator can then read the result of the division in the upper register in red numbers.</p>
<p>In addition, the calculator has some extra useful functions. One is at the bottom of each column is a zeroing button which can be used to clear a column if the incorrect value is selected. Similarly, there is a larger read zeroing buttons that clear the whole number pad. Another feature is a small lever that users can move to hold down the leftmost one on the number pad. This will cause the leftmost digit in the register to count the number of additions or subtractions performed. Another functional feature is the set of sliders on the registers. Ultimately, these sliders are used for the reference of the user and are often used for dealing with decimal numbers where the digits furthest to the right are the smallest decimal value or unit of precision. Lastly, there is a knob on the right side of the calculator that can be used to spin the motor and perform calculations without electricity. In this case, the knob shall be rotated clockwise to add and counterclockwise to subtract.<strong><br /></strong></p>
Isaac Couling
1940-1950
English
Physical Object
no accession number
United States of America
Picket Model 1000 Slide Rule
Mathematics
<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><br /><span>Physical Description:</span></span> The Pickett 1000 slide rule is made of three rectangular bars of aluminum alloy coated in plastic with grooved slides. Two bars are connected at the end with braces that are mounted to the flat side of the bars and the third bar is free to slide between them, held in place by slide tension springs. The two outer bars are called stators and the inner bar is referred to as the slide. The slide rule also has a courser made of two flat lenses held together by aluminum above and below the upper and lower stators. Each bar of the Pickett 1000 slide rule has at least one scale on it. The front side of the slide rule has the DF scale on the upper stator CF, CIF, CI and C scales on the slide and D and L scales on the lower stator. The back side of the slide rule has an A scale in the top stator B, T, ST, and S scales on the slide and K and D scales on the lower stator.<br /><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><br />Functional Description:</span> <span>Slide rules work on a system of logarithms. In order to do multiplication the slide rule adds two logarithms and takes the antilog to determine the answer. Because the slide rule uses logarithmic scales, the operation is simplified. If the user wanted to multiply two numbers together they would move one of the indices on the C scale to the first number that they wish to multiply on the D scale .They would then move the cursor to the second number in the multiplication on the C scale and look at the corresponding number on the D scale. So, if you wanted to multiply 2 and 4 you would move the left index of the C scale to the 2 on the D scale, move the cursor to the 4 on the C scale and see that the answer Is 8. To do division the inverse is done. To find the square and square root the A or B scale and the D scale are used. Locate the number of the square root you want to find using the cursor, when found the corresponding number on the D scale is the answer. To find the square the inverse is found. cube and cube root K scale and the D scale are used. To find the cube root take the number and find it on the K scale read the corresponding number on the D scale. To find the cube the inverse is performed. Scales available on the slide C and D used for multiplication and Division, CF and DF used for multiplication and division when the C and D scales run out. The CI and CIF scales are the inverse of the C scale and CF scale respectively. The S T slides are used for sine and tangent of greater than 5.7 degrees while the ST slide is used for degrees less than 5.7 degrees. The A and B scales are used in the calculation of squares and square roots. The L scale is used for the Log base 10 of a number.</span>.<br /><span><span><br /></span></span>
Trevor Cretney, Adam Kausch, Matthew Luebke, and Adam Miller
International Slide Rule Museum. ISRM is the world's largest free digital repository of all things concerning slide rules and other math artifacts. There are over 7000 Images or PDF's in the ISRM Galleries">. Web. 22 Mar. 2017. <http://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Scales.htm>.
Konshak, Mike. Pickett Chronology. JPG.
Hartung, Maurice L. How to use the Ortho-phase duplex slide rule. Pickett & Eckel, 1948. PDF.
1957
English
physical object
United States