Beam engine for organ blowing, 1870.

Made:: 1870 in Greenwich

maker:: John Penn and Son

Beam engine made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich 1870, for organ blowing, 2 cylinders side by side, 7 in. diam by 2 ft in stroke

This double beam engine was used to deliver the air supply to the organ installed in the Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences, London, in 1870, and working until 1920. Each cylinder has a steam cylinder at one end to provide a reciprocating motion, and at the other an air tub with piston within - the movement of the piston would force air into the system supplying ther organ. The engine was one a pair, the other being a horiztonal engine driving six large bellows. Its maker, John Penn and Sons, was a marine engineer, best known for constructing marine engines to drive steam ships - over 700 were constructed during the company's lifetime. They were known for smaller projects too, such as this beam engine and also for re-assembling and restoring William Symington's original marine engine of 1788 for the Science Museum (inventory no. 1857-52).

Details

Category:: Motive Power

Object Number:: 1921-534

Materials:: iron, brass and wood

Measurements:: (see separate parts)

type:: steam engines and beam engines

credit:: Council of the Royal Albert Hall

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Parts

Beam Engine for Organ Blowing 1870

Beam engine made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870, for organ blowing, 2 cylinders side by side, 7 in. diam by 2 ft in stroke

Measurements:: overall: 2300 x 2800 x 1500 mm

Materials:: iron , brass and wood

Object Number:: 1921-534/1

type:: steam engines and beam engines

Base frames and steam cylinders for beam engine

Components of beam engine. Two base frames and two steam cylinders. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall (3 of 3): 1660 mm x 295 mm x 360 mm,
overall (2 of 4): 1340 mm x 2710 mm x 710 mm,
overall (1 of 4): 1305 mm x 2690 mm x 720 mm,
overall (4 of 4): 80 mm x 280 mm x 180 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/1

type:: beam engine

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Flywheel for beam engine

Flywheel for beam engine. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall: 1980 mm x 1985 mm x 1220 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/2

type:: flywheel

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Air pump cylinder for beam engine

Air pump cylinder, with piston, for beam engine. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall: 980 mm 700 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/3

type:: air pump

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Air pump cylinder for beam engine

Air pump cylinder, with piston, for beam engine. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall: 980 mm 700 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/4

type:: air pump

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Components for beam engine

Components for beam engine. Two beam columns, one marked 'J Penn & Son. Engineers. Greenwich'. One piece of right angled pipe and one section of pipework with bulbous appearance. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall (4 of 4): 725 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm,
overall (1 of 4): 1130 mm x 360 mm x 290 mm,
overall (2 of 4): 1360 mm x 398 mm x 398 mm,
overall (3 of 4): 1360 mm x 398 mm x 398 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/5

type:: component

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Components for beam engine

Components for beam engine. Two eccentric straps and four top components for steam cyinders. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall (3 to 6 of 6 - each): 60 mm x 200 mm x 880 mm,
overall (1 & 2 of 6 - each): 260 mm x 460 mm x 980 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/6

type:: component

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Components for beam engine

Components for beam engine. Including two balance beams with air pump links and two connecting rods. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall (8 of 8): 210 mm x 400 mm x 560 mm,
overall (7 of 8): 130 mm x 390 mm x 800 mm,
overall (5 & 6 of 8 - each): 65 mm x 270 mm x 1160 mm,
overall (1 & 2 of 8 - each): 150 mm x 60 mm x 1450 mm,
overall (3 & 4 of 8 - each): 350 mm x 255 mm x 2160 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/7

type:: component

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Components for beam engine

Components for beam engine. Multiple components including exhaust pipe, components of pulley system and steam supply pipe. Made by John Penn and Sons, Greenwich, 1870.

Measurements:: overall (7 of 8): 135 mm x 1000 mm x 270 mm,
overall (6 of 8): 165 mm x 395 mm x 310 mm,
overall (1 of 8): 250 mm x 960 mm x 530 mm,
overall (5 of 8): 120 mm x 330 mm x 1000 mm,
overall (2 & 3 of 8 - each): 35 mm x 245 mm x 175 mm,
overall (4 of 8): 185 mm x 230 mm x 175 mm,
overall (8 of 8): 69 mm 135 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/1/8

type:: component

Part of:: 1921-534/1

Cover plate for engine

Measurements:: overall: 90 mm x 715 mm x 180 mm,

Object Number:: 1921-534/2

type:: plate

Beam engine for organ blowing, 1870.

Details

Parts