Engineering Works of Robert Fulton - Report Example

Engineering Works of Robert Fulton Every object existing on the surface of the earth has an intelligent mind behind its development. Invention and innovation are the basic forces credited for the existence of any single material on the earth’s surface. Men and women with smart brains have made every effort to ensure introduction and development of unique objects mainly designed to make life easy. Robert Fulton is one such personality credited for inventing, innovating and developing unique gargets that have so far led to the improvement of human life. The most known and successful innovation work by Robert Fulton was the Clermont steam boat; he originally designed to facilitate transportation of goods and people by sea. Before innovating steam boat, Robert Fulton is also credited for numerous creations which he contemplated to ease the way things were done. In essence, Robert Fulton is truly credited for his innovative works that led to the improvement of transportation, especially the commencement of canal transportation, submarine and beginning of mine warfare. History explicates that Robert Fulton had a talent for innovation and creation of new ideas. As a young man in ancient America, Robert thought and designed for himself a lead pencil developed out of graphite, which he used to write in school (Herweck, Kopecky and Weir 13). Fulton is also remembered for his great contribution in the ammunitions industry, especially when he invented new models of guns capable of firing ammunitions by use of compressed air. Among Robert Fulton’s innovation and designs was the introduction of inclined planes to assist in loading and offloading of boats in the canal transportation. As observed by Herweck, Kopecky and Weir, the loading system developed by Fulton used two inclined planes to ease lifting of heavy loads either into or out of the boat by use of less energy (16). As noted by Herweck, Kopecky and Weir one plane worked to raise one side of the boat as the other plane lowered the other side of the boat during movement of loads (16). In addition, it is singled out that the system as developed by Fulton used water energy and pulleys that helped in lifting and lowering of the boat. Fulton also designed ways by which boats could be hoist up hills within canals. At a tender age of 32, Fulton came up with a unique idea that saw the successful development of a submarine, which was uniquely equipped with ammunitions. This thought of equipping submarines with deadly weapons was fanned by his belief that nations will respect each other upon realization of the existence of such terrific machines and would not wage wars arbitrarily. 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 energy released from the steam engine (Herweck, Kopecky and Weir 12). 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. Unlike other sea vessels, Fulton’s Clermont had the ability to withstand effects of currents and waves on the surface of water. In conclusion, though Robert Fulton was revered for historical innovation of naval and general sea vessels like the armed submarine and Clermont steam boat, he was not the original brain that resulted to the developments. It is worth noting that submarines had existed and were in use even before luminary of Robert Fulton. Steam boats were also popular in developed countries like France and Britain before the emergence of Fulton. None the less, Fulton deserves credit due to his creativity that led to the improvement of the systems outstanding those of the predecessors in the same fields. As described earlier, Fulton was the main brain behind arming of the submarines. The submarines built by Fulton had exclusive capabilities of tracking and bombing enemy’s vessels. Similar differentiation tactics were applied in the construction of the Clermont steam engine. In building Clermont steam engine, Fulton considered Newton’s laws of motion to ensure efficiency of his system. He also included paddle wheels and flywheels in his system thus the efficiency and unique speed of the system. Not forgetting, Fulton also transformed gun industry by contributing towards creation of guns that used compressed air to shut bullets. Work cited Rebman, Renee, Lange Allynne and Sandmann Lexa. Robert Fultons Steamboat. Minneapolis, MN; Compass Point Books. 2007. Print. Boyd, Thomas. Poor John Fitch, inventor of the steamboat. New York; Ayer Publishing. 1935. Print. Rada, James. How Did Fultons Steamboat Work? 2012. Web 23 Jan. 2012. . Herweck, Don, Kopecky Michael & Weir. Robert Fulton: Engineer of the Steamboat. Minneapolis, MN; Compass point Books. 2008. Print. Read More