124 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



modification of cut-off gear which is made variable and controllable by the gover- 

 nor must, of necessity, be more complex and precarious than the leas refined 

 mechanism of ordinary valve movements, they believe the method of Mr. Reynolds, 

 as carried out in this engine, taken as a whole, to be quite as reliable as any system 

 of adjustable cut-ofF gear hitherto proposed or now in use. With a high degree of 

 simplicity, as regards fewness of parts and cheapness of construction, they find 

 the following results practically realized : 



Rapid closing of the valve without wire-drawing, unattended with injurious 

 shocks of ofleiisivc noise. 



Closing instantaneous in all positions, without regard to the position or rate of 

 motion of the induction vnlve. 



Time of closing adjustable to any point between the beginning and the middle of 

 the stroke of the piston. 



Ready obedience to the adjusting movements of the governor, opposing so little 

 resistance to the action of the governor that its plan of rotation, and the resulting 

 velocity of the engine, are not sensibly affected. 



The engine exhibited by the Novelty Works, in connection with Mr. Reynolds' 

 improvements, is entitled to the commendation of the judges, and the consideration 

 of the committee, on account of its extreme simplicity and economy of construc- 

 tion, judicious arrangement of beaming cjdinder, and pillow block, and general 

 excellence in essential points. 



The judges award the second place to the engine No. 333, built by Messrs. Todd 

 & Eafferty, of Paterson, N. J., and fitted with the adjustable cut-off gear of 

 Messrs. Uln-v & Lutgen. This modification of the Stephenson link motion, al- 

 though not wholly free from the disputes of wire drawing, prejudicial closing of 

 the exhaust passages, and limited range in time of closing, has, nevertheless, so 

 far removed them by the introduction of a third movement, derived from a cam, 

 that it appear.s well adapted to all classes of engines, an(^ especially adapted to 

 engines working at high velocities. As applied to locomotives, for which it was 

 originally designed, the judges, guided by the testimonials which have been placed 

 before them, believe it to possess great and peculiai' merits, and in this respect to 

 take precedence, not only of the other plans of cut-off gear now on exhibition, but 

 also of any other with which they are acquainted. 



The third place is assigned to the engine No. 600, exhibited by Mr. C. A. Shultz, 

 New York. The judges find that the system of opening and closing valves, by 

 means of a double series of cams, one fixed and the other adjustable, presents 

 certain advantages (particularly in its treatment of the exhaust passages), which 

 will no doubt be more apparent when the plans of the inventor, with his contem- 

 plated improvements, shall have been further matured and developed. 



No. 754, excentric revolving engine, exhibited by S. A. Heath & Co. The judges 

 perceive many evils, and no advantage whatever, resulting from this inversion of 

 the ordinary parts of a steam engine. 



No. IGG, rotary steam engine, exhibited by Samuel Ackerman, New York. It 

 is so long since the judges had their attention directed to an engine of this class 

 (which, although formerly indigenous to the annual exhibitions of the Institute, 

 has become almost an exotic,) that they bestowed unusual patience upon the 

 setting forth of its peculiarities. They failed, however, to discern any redeeming 

 feature which will be likely to raise it above the level to which universal expe- 

 rience and opinion have consigned all rotary engines. 



No. 468, model of a beam engine, exhibited by C. H. Raymond and E. P. Wat- 

 son — a moderately good specimen of work. 



