The sun-and-planet beam engine
Engineers (Advanced), mission M2 Energy Transfer, lesson 4 of 6.
Hook
James Watt used this gear trick in 1781 to dodge a patent. Engineers are sneaky!
Fair test
Count output turns per beam stroke. Compare with a simple crank.
Bonus challenge
Research: what did the beam engine power in a real factory?
The build
- 🚂 Sun-and-Planet Beam Engine: James Watt's steam-engine trick: a gear that never spins makes the flywheel turn four times per pump! (level 4 of 5, about 50 minutes, 17 steps)