The Scott-Morton Revolving Engine

Gallery opened: 4 Aug 2012

Updated 14 Aug 2022

Meccano model added
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Left: The Scott-Morton Revolving Engine: 1873

It is not obvious from the illustration, but the crankshaft and the shaft carrying the cylinder are offset from each other. Therefore as the flywheel and the cylinder rotate the piston in the cylinder moves in and out. The only real advantage seems to be the compactness of the engine.

Once again it is not clear in the picture, but the cylinder is only supported on the side nearest the viewer. There must have been large sideways loads on the bearing.

Many thanks to my correspondent Clive for bringing this to my attention.

Source: Practical Magazine p432 of Vol 2, issue 12, 1873. The original publication seems to have been in the Scientific American for April 5th 1873. The picture and text is the same.

Left: The Scott-Morton Revolving Engine: 1873

Despite the enthusiastic reports here, nothing else has been found on the Scott-Morton engine, and it appears to have made no progress in the market. No US patent has been found.

The image company iStock call it Scott and Morton's revolting steam-engine. Maybe they are right.

Source: Practical Magazine p432 of Vol 2, issue 12, 1873.

Left: The Scott-Morton Revolving Engine in Meccano:

A very neat and accurate model of the Scott-Morton Revolving Engine in Meccano of the red-and-green era. This clarifies the drawing above.

The image comes from here. Donald Morton appears to have been the builder, but so far I have not been able to contact him.

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