The Link vibratory engine uses curved cylinders and an annular piston rod to rock a central shaft. Explore the arrangement shown in Hiscox figure 354 and compare arc travel with angular movement.
Link Vibratory Engine Illustrative Arc-Travel Calculator
Vary an illustrative annular-piston half-travel and mean radius. The output uses only the arc-length identity θ=s/R; the values are not historical dimensions and do not calculate valve timing, steam flow, torque or power.
Equation Used
- The illustrative annular path is circular at mean radius R.
- Entered s is half of the modeled annular travel.
- The drawing prescribes motion and does not solve steam pressure, porting, torque or the external link-and-crank.
The curved cylinders remain fixed while the annular piston rod and central arms rock together. The arc-length calculator illustrates how travel and radius relate to angle; it does not predict steam flow or engine output.
Hiscox figure 354: circular vibratory layout
The historical drawing places a pair of curved cylinders around a central shaft. An annular piston rod moves within that curved path, and arms connect the annular member to the shaft. Reciprocation therefore rocks the central shaft.
Hiscox explicitly says a link and crank, not shown in the plate, makes the shaft motion continuous. The animation shows the curved cylinders, annular member and rocking shaft. The external link-and-crank and steam ports are not illustrated.
Historical mechanism study
Use this page to identify the topology of one documented historical vibratory engine. It is not a construction plan or a statement that the arrangement was used in any particular vessel, factory or commercial product.
Separate illustrative arc geometry
For a circular path, arc length equals radius times angle in radians. The calculator converts that illustrative angle to degrees and doubles it for a symmetric full oscillation. This identity is not a kinematic derivation of Hiscox figure 354 and does not describe its external link-and-crank.
Geometry example
For s=75 mm and R=300 mm, the ratio is 0.25 rad, giving 14.32 degrees half oscillation and 28.65 degrees total. These are illustrative geometry values only.
Model boundary
The source does not provide cylinder radii, piston travel, port layout, pressure, speed, torque, power, efficiency, sealing details or dimensions for the omitted link-and-crank. None of those may be inferred from the drawing or this calculator.
Link vibratory engine questions
Is this an oscillating-cylinder engine?
No. Hiscox shows fixed curved cylinders and an annular piston rod around a central rocking shaft.
Does s/R size a real engine?
No. It is only an illustrative arc-length identity.
Where is the continuous-rotation linkage?
Hiscox states that the link and crank are not shown.
Historical reference
- G. D. Hiscox, Mechanical Movements, Powers, Devices and Appliances, figure 354: curved-cylinder, annular-piston-rod and central-shaft description and plate.
- The Museum of Retro Technology, Vibratory Steam Engines: historical context and distinction between vibratory and continuously rotary piston motion.
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