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Collects steam at the top of the boiler (well above the water level) so that it can be fed to the engine via the main steam pipe, or dry pipe, and the regulator/throttle valve. [2] [5] [6]: 211–212 [3]: 26 Air pump / Air compressor Westinghouse pump (US+) Powered by steam, it compresses air for operating the train air brake system.
Diagram of cylinder and piston valve. The valve is next opened by moving it to the right, allowing the clear space in the middle of the valve to align with the channel in the cylinder above it. Piston valves are one form of valve used to control the flow of steam within a steam engine or locomotive.
The cylinder is made pressure-tight with end covers and a piston; a valve distributes the steam to the ends of the cylinder. Cylinders were initially cast iron , but later made of steel . The cylinder casting includes other features such as (in the case of Stephenson's Rocket ) valve ports and mounting feet. [ 1 ]
The valve opens to admit steam to the cylinder just before the start of a piston stroke. The pressure of this steam provides the driving force. Soon before the space on one side of the piston starts to contract, the valve starts to release steam from that space to the atmosphere, so as not to impede the movement of the piston.
For a period of the crank cycle, steam is admitted, and the poppet inlet is then closed, allowing continued expansion of the steam during the stroke, driving the piston. Near the end of the stroke, the piston will uncover a ring of exhaust ports mounted radially around the centre of the cylinder.
The steam locomotive, as commonly employed, has its pistons directly attached to cranks on the driving wheels; thus, there is no gearing, one revolution of the driving wheels is equivalent to one revolution of the crank and thus two power strokes per piston (steam locomotives are almost universally double-acting, unlike the more familiar internal combustion engine).
This template is for railway locomotives. For trams/streetcars, multiple units, passenger cars and freight cars, use Template:Infobox train. Template parameters [Edit template data] This template prefers block formatting of parameters. Parameter Description Type Status name name The name that will appear above the top line of the infobox. If it is the name of a specific locomotive, then it ...
Steam classes. Type or class Whyte classification Manufacturer Four-coupled switcher 0-4-0: Olomana ... List of US locomotive types. Add languages ...