oscillating engine

American  

noun

1. a steam engine having piston rods connected directly to the crankshaft and cylinders oscillating on trunnions.

---

Etymology

Origin of oscillating engine

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

A.--In Messrs. Penn's 50 horse power oscillating engine, the diameter of the cylinder is 3 feet 4 inches, and the length of the stroke 3 feet.

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by Bourne, John, C.E.

He usually built an oscillating engine, and rarely attached a condenser.

From A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine by Thurston, Robert H.

Q.--Is the piston of an oscillating engine made deeper than in common engines?

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by Bourne, John, C.E.

He had invented the trunk engine, and Murdoch had devised the oscillating engine and the ordinary slide-valve, and had made a model locomotive-engine, while Hornblower had introduced the compound engine.

From A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine by Thurston, Robert H.

The valve motion for an oscillating engine consists of an ordinary eccentric gear or motion, with the addition of various mechanical arrangements to accommodate the valve gear to the vibrating motion of the valve chest.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua