Impulsoria
The Impulsia' was a locomotive constructed in 1850 that was powered by horses on a treadmill following a design by Clemente Masserano. The locomotive undertook trials in London in 1850 and was exhibited at The Great Exhibition in 1851.
Description
The invention of a successful mobile tread mill powered locomotive was made by Clemente Masserano who was from Pignerol in Italy. Tghe idea was not new, but previous attempts in England, France and Spain had been unsuccessful.[1] Using Messano's designs it was built in Italy and transported to England.[1] A syndicate was formed and it was trialled at the Nine Elms terminus of the South Western Railway line in London where it successfully completed a hill climb. The trials were supported by the directors of the South Western Railway and assisted by their Chief Engineer John Gooch. The device was said to be much cheaper to run that a steam locomotive. The device allowed a steam locomotive to be replaced with this vehicle which used the power of two or four horses who were obliged to walk up a treadmill. The treadmill was named a pedivella by Masserano.[1] The power was transferred to the wheels using chains[2] and a gearbox which allowed it to climb. It was said to be able to pull 30 wagons up an incline and could be used with two or four horses.[3]
The gear box allowed the horses to always walk at their best speed whilst the vehicle could then have a range of speeds and torques. Because of the gears the top speed was not limited to the top speed of the horses. The gearbox allowed both the horses to drive the vehicle in front and reverse directions and it was also possibe to disengage the drive so that the vehicle could stop whilst the horses continued to walk up the treadmill. The vehicle travelled at 7 miles an hour during the trials, but it was thought that a final version would reach 15 to 20 miles per hour and would out run a steam engine.[1]
Cost and efficiency
The efficiency of the device was compared favourably with existing steam locomotives who were thought to waste to much energy. Ther cost of operating the impulsoria was estimated at two shillings per day per horse. During that eight hour day it was estimated that the horses could propel Impulsoria eight times over a thirty mile route.[1]
Exhibition
An Italian Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Andrea Crestadoro, improved the design of this unusual device (and later took out patents in 1852).[4] Following his improvements Crestadoro exhibited it at the The Great Exhibition held in the Crystal Palace in 1851.[4]
References
- ↑ a b c d e The Engineer and machinist. 1850, S. 184 (google.co.uk).
- ↑ Can you help with information about inventor's masterpiece? In: This is Somerset, 23 February 2010. Abgerufen im 18 December 2010
- ↑ Cuthbert Ellis: The South Western Railway: its mechanical history and background, 1838-1922. Allen and Unwin, 1956, S. 256.
- ↑ a b The Impulsoria. svsfilm, abgerufen am 18. Dezember 2010.