THE DESIGN OF AN OIL ENGINE. 41 
all cases. This is the method which should be followed if the oil engine be a me- 
chanical device which is not capable of being developed along scientific lines. It 
is hoped that this paper and the preceding paper have made it clear that the oil en- 
gine has a theory behind it which is even more complex than the theory behind the 
steam engine, and that to get the best there is in the oil engine particular attention 
must be paid to the service for which the engine is designed. 
If this paper has not failed, it should be possible for the designer to take the 
data and suggestions contained in this and in the preceding paper and develop a de- 
sign to fit the needs. Experience and experiments are needed for this work. 
Experience can be obtained by making a start. Experiments should be as 
few and as far between as possible, and should be along logical lines and 
not be made blindly with the hopes of stumbling upon something. Experi- 
ments are being carried on in Europe. Why is no development work being done 
in this country? The only answer can be that this condition results from a lack of 
a broad conception of the principle of the engine. We have the greatest wealth of 
natural fuel for this engine. Does it seem wise to wait for several years for an 
engine to be built for us? This would be the wise course if there were any reason 
why we could not develop our own engine. Europe is but just beginning to under- 
stand this engine. Why not study the engine from a thermodynamic standpoint 
and see what the conditions are which must be overcome in this work? Two-thirds 
of the fuel energy can be saved by using the fuel oil in this type of engine in place of 
using it under a boiler. Is this not an incentive for a better understanding of 
this type of engine? The ideas which have been suggested may be false. They are, 
however, better than no ideas and should serve, in the absence of other and better 
ones, as a starting point. It is confidently thought that the ideas which have been 
presented will be found to be entirely practical and to offer great advantages over 
the European practice. This, however, can only be settled after the final devel- 
opment of the oil engine. If these ideas have defects, the proper place for these de- 
fects to be discovered is in such a body as this. If they can be successfully defended 
here, they become, at least, worthy of consideration by the engineering fraternity 
at large. 
The author desires to make acknowledgment of the aid rendered him, while 
preparing this paper, by his friend, Dr. Geo. H. Ryder. 
DISCUSSION. 
THE PRESIDENT :—Gentlemen, you have heard the paper entitled, “The Design of an Oil 
Engine,” and it is now before you for discussion. Is there any discussion? 
There being no discussion, I will extend the thanks of the Society to Mr. Wentworth, 
and we will proceed to the next paper, No. 4, which is entitled, “Aeronautics in Relation to 
Naval Architecture,’ by Naval Constructor H. C. Richardson, U. S. Navy, Member. In the 
absence of the author the paper will be presented by Naval Constructor Linnard. 
Naval Constructor Linnard presented the paper. 
