ROBERT FULTON Free Essay Example, 1000 words

This machine otherwise known as Fulton’s driving boat or Nautilus was practically designed in response to requests of Napoleon Emperor. This machine was substantially used by the British Navy in protecting the country’s water territories. The works of Robert Fulton did not just end at the creation of the unique submarine vessel; he went ahead to design the steam boat capable of travelling at the speed of 7.5km/hr estimated after covering 240 kilometers within 32 hours (Herweck, Kopecky and Weir 12). An interesting fact about Fulton’s steam boat was its creation based on Newton’s laws of motion. This steam boat was named Clermont and was first sailed along River Hudson upstream from New York to Albany. In order to move the boat, Fulton knew that there must be a force that could trigger movement and thus the construction of the steam engine. To make use of friction force, Fulton designed special paddle wheels that turned due to the compulsive force produced by the steam engine to move the boat. In congruence with Newton’s third law of motion, which states that for every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction, Fulton ensured that the steam boat moved at the same rate relative to the en ergy released from the steam engine (Herweck, Kopecky and Weir 12). We will write a custom essay sample on ROBERT FULTON or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The steam engine for Fulton’s steam boat was built on 24 horsepower Boulton and Watt engine. The engine also had a segregated condenser and moved due to the difference in pressure between steam and torrential vacuum. The Boulton and Watt assisted by ensuring development of a centrifugal regulator, which monitored the speed of the engine by simply regulating amount of steam ejected into the system (Rada). To compliment on the constituents of Fulton’s steam engine, Boyd adds that Fulton’s steam engine had a cylinder filled with steam that acted on each side of the piston (301). It also had an air pump. Furthermore, the system had connecting rods and cranks that ensured rotary motion and a flywheel. Rebman, Lange and Sandmann reckon that Fulton’s steam boat had a chimney through which thick black smoke oozed out into the atmosphere (5). This innovation was very instrumental as the vessel gained popularity in the American transport sector. The Clermont steam boat assisted in the transportation of raw materials and finished goods by industrial manufacturers during industrial revolution. The speed of Clermont steam boat enhanced connection between America and other continents thus opening up American continent for exploitation, settlement and exploration.