Disk Engine

One in which a number of pistons and cylinders are used, their axes being parallel to the revolving shaft, and arranged around it symmetrically. The pistons are single acting and bear against an inclined circular plate, which is constrained to oscillate around a spherical joint at its center. A pin perpendicular to the face of this plate or disk at its center can thus be made to move in the surface of a cone, as the disk rocks by the pre ures on its back coming succe ively from the pistons, and the end of the pin fits into the eye of a crank which thus rotates the shaft. The engine reverses by such a shifting of the eccentric disk, which admits and exhausts steam from the pistons, as to cause the succe ion of admi ion of steam to the cylinders to reverse. It is convenient for launches and cranes.