How does a steam engine work?

If you are interested in technology, you will certainly have asked yourself how a steam engine works. Such motors are available with very high outputs. Although it is a somewhat older technology, this is still in operation nowadays.

This is how a steam engine is built

• A steam engine consists of several components. The centerpiece is a cylinder with a piston.
• The cylinder is sealed on one side with a slide. The piston rod protrudes on the other side and sets a crankshaft in rotation via a connecting rod.
• Another important component is the steam boiler. This contains water that is heated.
• The boiler and the cylinder are connected by a pipeline.


Modern inventions - this is how a steam engine works

Modern inventions - that's how you explain a steam engine to children. Children are very ...

It works almost like an internal combustion engine

• In order for the steam engine to work at all, the water in the boiler must first be heated. The heat turns the water into steam. This can reach a very high pressure.
• The steam is then fed to the cylinder via the pipeline. As soon as the disc opens, the water vapor gets into the cylinder and thereby moves the piston.
• The piston is then returned by a flywheel. Shortly before it has reached its top dead center, the window opens again to let water vapor into the cylinder again. Top dead center is the point at which the piston changes direction.
• Depending on the diameter of the cylinder and the level of pressure, high forces can be generated in this way.

Now you know how easily a steam engine works. However, due to their size, such motors are usually only used stationary.