Kane Rotary Valve Engine

Cylinder dimensions: 3” x 4”

An engine we did not get around to restoring….

This engine awaits a patient machinist/fitter. Its valve is missing, but all other parts are here. The valve is, presumably, a tapered hollow plug with openings like a D-slide that opens and closes ports in the ported body, shown, which has gland at one end for its “valve rod.” Unusual and interesting engine made in 1880s, when rotary valves (Corliss, Greene, etc.) enabled greater efficiency by quickening valve actions—whether or not effective in engines so small as this….

I have seen only one other engine like this operating at a steam fair—silent and interesting (but with no efficiency data). It had been painted many coats, so we sand blasted it. A worthy project.

Images of Kane’s engine are from THE STEAM LAUNCH by Mitchell; the catalog cover is illustrated in, THE STEAM LAUNCH, p 32, by Richard Mitchell.

Additional images available.