beam engine

British  

noun

1. an early type of steam engine, in which a pivoted beam is vibrated by a vertical steam cylinder at one end, so that it transmits motion to the workload, such as a pump, at the other end

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Example Sentences

In fifth place, with 10% of the votes, was the Crossness Engine House, and the James Watt rotative beam engine.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2014

The contrast between the two steamers was most noticeable, the Rothesay with high walking beam engine and broad skimming dish appearance, with the sea-going ability, and double red funnels of the Chicora.

From A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River by Cumberland, Barlow

Under these circumstances the best form, in the vast majority of cases where machinery must be driven, is undoubtedly the horizontal engine, and the worst the beam engine.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 360, November 25, 1882 by Various

H. H. A., of N. Y.—The lining up of a beam engine, in a vessel, is a process for which no definite mode of procedure is exclusively applicable.

From Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

Previously every engine for pumping, the only practical purpose to which steam was yet put, was worked by a beam engine and pair of cylinders.

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 2 by Whymper, Frederick