Lister 5/1 Diesel

Engine Indicator Instruments 1

Crosbie Steam Gage & Valve Co

The engine Indicator is not used much at all these days, but it used to be a major tool for use by steam and diesel engine manufacturers to enable them to work out horsepower ratings for the products. They are also a useful diagnostic tool to show problems with injection, valves, leaking piston rings etc.

They work on the principle of showing cylinder pressure plotted against piston movement, and the resulting trace is marked onto a piece of treated paper to give a permanent record. The pressure is taken from the cylinder on test into the indicator. The indicator has a small cylinder with a piston which operates against a spring which sets the operating range.

The Crosbie Steam Gage & Valve Co. Indicator

The following picture shows a typical instrument of the early 1900's, based on the Crosby Steam
Gage & Valve Co type. The height is about 8" overall. A more detailed sectional view follows this picture.

Key:

C = Cord that attaches to the engine crosshead or connecting rod
G = tensioning spring for the cord and drum
N = Tensioning spring adjustment nut
U = Connecting union with taper faced seating
D = Drum that carries the chart to be marked
P = Marking stylus or pen
S = Pressure spring against which the piston moves
P = Indicator piston

Index:-

1 - Plate, 2 - Plate Stop Screw, 3 - Plate Pin, 4 - Ring, 5 - Post, 6 - Post Nut, 7 - Cross Head, 8 - Cross Head Bushing, 9 - Center Swivel,
10 - Center Swivel Handle, 11 - Center Swivel Handle Shank, 12 - Center Swivel Handle Check Nut, 13 - Center Swivel Nut, 14 - Center Guide,
15 - Center Guide Screw, 16 - Cylinder, 17 - Cylinder Cap, 18 - Cylinder Jacket, 19 - Union Nut, 20 - Union Tailpipe, 21 - Piston, 22 - Piston Rod,
23 - Piston Rod Link, 24 - Piston Rod Link Pin, 26 - Piston Screw, 27 - Top Swivel, 28 - Top Swivel Screw, 29 - Spring, 30 - Spring Head,
31 - Spring Ball, 32 - Spring Set Screw, 33 - Spring Ball Screw, 34 - Spring Check Nut, 35 - Spring Adjusting Nut, 36 - Movement Rod,
37 - Movement Rod End, 38 - Movement Rod Ball, 39 - Drum, 40 - Drum Disc, 41 - Drum Base, 42 - Drum Bell, 43 - Drum Stop Screw,
44 - Drum Spindle, 45 - Drum Spindle Collar, 46 - Drum Spindle Collar Screw, 47 - Drum Key, 48 - Drum Key Nut, 49 - Drum Spring,
50 - Drum Spring Top, 51 - Drum Spring Base, 52 - Drum Spring Base Screw, 53 - Cord, 54 - Cord Hook, 55 - Cord Pulley, 56 - Cord Pulley Screw,
57 - Cord Pulley Swivel, 58 - Cord Pulley Swivel Nut, 59 - Cord Pulley Bracket, 60 - Cord Pulley Bracket washer, 61 - Cord Pulley Bracket Nut,
62 - Vibrating Arm, 63 - Vibrating Arm Lower Pin, 64 - Vibrating Arm Upper Pin, 65 - Vibrating Arm Pin Screw, 66 - Steadying Link,
67 - Steadying Link Pin, 68 - Paper Clip, 69 - Paper Clip Screw, 70 - Pencil Lever, 71 - Pencil Lever Bushing (End) 72 - Pencil Lever Bushing (Center)
73 - Pencil Lever Bushing (Marking End) 74 - Metallic Point

Photograph of a Crosby outside spring type Indicator with steam tap.

Photograph of a Crosby inside spring open type Indicator.

A Crosby Steam Gage Co Indicator Card.

An actual steam engine indicator diagram. Engine details on the right.
Area inside plotted line is calculated with a planimeter

A Crosbie Steam Gage & Valve Indicator, with spare springs and cord/hook.

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