Thomas Savery’s Career and Inventions:
– Born in Shilstone, near Modbury, Devon
– Military engineer, rising to captain by 1702
– Patented a glass polishing machine and ship rowing machine
– Developed a steam-powered pump, patented in 1698
– Demonstrated the pump to the Royal Society in 1699
– Described in the book ‘The Miners Friend’
– Had four serious problems with the pump
– Original patent in July 1698 gave 14 years protection, extended to 21 years by the Fire Engine Act
– Savery’s pumps were operational by 1702 in London, Hampton Court, and Kensington
– Collaborated with Newcomen in England
– Savery pump had a lower capital cost compared to Newcomen’s engine
Applications and Impact of Savery’s Inventions:
– Some pumps were tested in mines with mixed success
– Proposed pump near Chesterfield in 1706
– Possible use at Wheal Vor copper mine in Cornwall
– Inspired advancements in pumping systems
– Later systems built upon Savery’s principles
– Several pumping systems trace their origins back to Savery
– Laid the foundation for future innovations in steam technology
Comparison with Newcomen’s Steam Engine:
– Savery pump cost for 2 to 4 horsepower was 150-200 pounds
– Newcomen’s engine worked purely by atmospheric pressure
– Newcomen’s engine used the piston concept invented by Denis Papin
– Savery’s patent and Act of Parliament were vested in a company after his death
Legacy and Influence of Savery’s Work:
– Twin-chamber pulsometer steam pump developed from Savery’s pump
– Savery’s work influenced advancements in pumping systems
– Several pumping systems trace their origins back to Savery
– Savery’s pump laid the foundation for future innovations in steam technology
Further Resources and Reading:
– References to works discussing Savery’s contributions
– Citations from historical texts and scholarly works
– Importance of Savery’s inventions in engineering history
– Various publications and studies mentioning Savery’s impact
– Additional resources for exploring the lives and works of prominent figures in steam technology
Thomas Savery (/ˈseɪvəri/; c. 1650 – 15 May 1715) was an English inventor and engineer. He invented the first commercially used steam-powered device, a steam pump which is often referred to as the "Savery engine". Savery's steam pump was a revolutionary method of pumping water, which improved mine drainage and made widespread public water supply practicable.
Thomas Savery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1650 |
| Died | 1715 London, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Engineer |
