How does the Watt engine work?
The engine is ‘double-acting’. Steam enters a cylinder at each end alternately, forcing the piston up or down before being exhausted out to the condenser. This process is controlled by the engine’s valve gear. Down stroke Steam is admitted above the piston through the inlet valve of the top steam nozzle, forcing it down. Simultaneously, the exhaust valve of the bottom steam nozzle opens and the steam under the piston is sucked into the condenser. Up stroke Steam is admitted beneath the piston through the inlet valve of the bottom steam nozzle, forcing it up. Simultaneously, the exhaust valve of the top steam nozzle opens and the steam above the piston is sucked into the condenser. The engine’s separate condenser sits in a cistern filled with cold water. Hot exhaust steam is drawn into the condenser’s partial vacuum when the exhaust valves open. A cold jet of water is applied to the steam, which cools the steam condensing it back into water. This condensate is removed by the engine’s ai
