Reborn In 17th century India with Black Technology

For the next few days, the lab helpers worked overtime to build the solid stone foundation according to the updated design, with rectangular slabs to resist the weight of the engine, which weighed 6–12 tonnes.

A few hours ago, the logistics staff had received all the parts from the artisans. Small and large precision parts were custom-made and manufactured within millimetres of fault tolerance.

Meanwhile, on the foundation, a researcher installed anchor points for the vertical beams and the pivot mechanism.

Vijay looked at the anchor points carefully. "Have the points been tested?" Anchor points are crucial parts of the engine; without them, the whole mechanism could destabilize.

"Yes, Your Majesty, it can resist weight of up to 15 tonnes," the researcher said, patting his chest in confidence.

"Good!" Vijay chose to trust him. Wearing the engineer's metal hat, he inspected the structural integrity of the base to place the boiler. After he was satisfied, he nodded at Hayram and motioned, "Bring in the boiler."

The boiler was made of copper, capable of holding several hundred litres of water and producing steam at 1 to 2 psi.

Vijay stood at the end of the foundation and directed the men to place the boiler in the precisely marked location.

"Hup!" The helpers tightened their guts as they lifted the boiler with great burden.

They made their faces red as they sucked in as much air as possible. For reasons of privacy, not many helpers were called to help out directly in the research facility, but the people who were chosen were among the strongest and most loyal Vijay could contact.

The boiler was brought over by the men, and Vijay personally decided to direct where it should be placed.

"Steady, steady, slightly to the left, one inch to the right. Stop, perfect. Lower it slowly."

"Dummm!"

The boiler was empty, so it vibrated slightly.

Vijay looked at a researcher. "Secure the boiler to the base, use iron brackets and bolts. I don't want any movement."

"Yes!"

Vijay looked at the blueprint in his hand. "Hey Ram, have someone install the coal furnace beneath the boiler. Also, build a fire grate and chimney to vent the smoke and simultaneously connect the boiler to the steam pipe that will lead to the cylinder."

Hey Ram nodded. He quickly rounded up a few researchers to get the task done.

Vijay looked towards the helpers.

"Bring in the two vertical support beams."

The helpers wiped the sweat from their foreheads and nodded as they went back into the warehouse in two separate groups.

The vertical beams were made of cast iron. They were originally decided to be two large Himalayan oakwood poles, but in the end, as the rocking beam that is being used had been changed to metal by the researchers, in order to reduce the concerns of rusting due to oxidation brought from metal on wooden support, cast iron was used in the vertical support beams as well.

Due to the density of iron, the weight of the beam did not change much compared to the wooden pole, as the size had reduced drastically.

The weight of each beam was around two tonnes, but carrying it was a lot easier because its pole-like shape was not as awkward as that of the boiler, which was not designed to be carried by people.

Vijay, seeing the helpers bringing in the vertical beams, motioned at them to attach the beam firmly into the holes where soil had been dug. He actually thought of whether to use cement to completely cement the vertical beam to the ground, but in the end, he rejected the idea because although the research had an 80% chance of success, it was still, at the end of the day, only the first practical construction of the prototype, so he wanted to have the flexibility of changing things if something were to go wrong. Moreover, cement takes a day or two to dry, and he couldn't really wait that long. So, he had the helpers use the traditional method: stuff the hole with sand and large gravel and tightly pack it by repeatedly hammering it with the backside of the Gadapare.

While the helpers were burying the vertical support pole, Vijay set his sights on the next step of the build.

"Naveen, you take a few people with you and bring the cylinder."

Naveen looked around to see who was free. Noticing a few researchers who weren't doing anything important, he called them and left for the warehouse.

A few hours later the vertical beams had been installed and to increase their rigidity cross braces were added attaching them firmly to the foundation

Vijay stood up on a tall stool to get a better visual and personally directed the central fulcrum to be installed on the vertical beams. This would be the absolutely critical point of the whole steam engine; it was like the backbone if the backbone was a single point.

Getting down from the stool and wiping the sweat that had accumulated on his brow, he ordered, "Bring in the pivot beam."

Soon, the rocking beam (pivot beam), which would act as a seesaw-like mechanism, was brought over. It weighed around 2.5 tonnes.

Vijay motioned for the researchers to have the beam installed on top of the structure.

Taking a short break, he went around to inspect the cylinder, which Naveen had already installed. Tapping it a few times and making sure it was installed in the correct position, he was very satisfied.

"Naveen, go ahead and install the piston into the cylinder. Make sure it moves up and down freely."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Naveen's task was complex, so he called for Hey Ram to help him for a little while.

A researcher came running towards Vijay. "Your Majesty, the pivot beam is successfully installed."

"The calibration?" he asked

"It is completed, Sire."

Looking up and observing the 2.5-tonne beam balancing itself on the fulcrum, he nodded in satisfaction; however, he noticed something missing.

"Add a lot of grease to the pivot; I don't want to hear it creak!", Vijay ordered. The man sitting on the top nodded in understanding as he applied a few kilograms of grease to the pivot mechanism.

Moments later, Vijay ordered the helpers to bring in the pump rod, as he was going to personally handle its installation. Traditionally, the pump rod had to be installed in a mine, as the primary purpose of the Newcomen steam engine was to pump out water from mines. However, since there was no mine near the research facility, a water well was used instead.

Interestingly, the technology of the pump rod outlasted the steam engine itself, as it became popularly used in mining oil and gas. Even in the modern era, the pump rod oil extraction method proved to be quite effective and efficient.

The pivot beam was brought down in order to attach the pump rod.

Vijay personally made sure that the pump rod was attached with a flexible joint along with ample lubrication. A lot of friction was going to be generated in the working of the machine.

There wasn't much trouble installing the pump rod because the casting and tubing for its insertion had already been constructed in the pre-preparation stage of the build, saving Vijay a lot of time and effort.

"Alright, now bring it up!"

There were no counterweights yet to the rocking beam, so people had to pull the other end by hand in order to lift up the pump rod.

When the pump rod was lifted up, the water pump cylinder and plunger were installed.

In the meantime...

Naveen Bhatt and Hey Ram working together were successful in installing the piston within the cylinder.

"It's done!" Naveen Bhatt exclaimed happily.

Hey Ram nodded in satisfaction.

Vijay came over to inspect the installation. He had a few people move the piston up and down within the cylinder. If he could, he would have moved it himself, but the piston was too heavy, weighing over 500 kilograms. Seeing that the piston did not get stuck anywhere in the cylinder, Vijay nodded in satisfaction.

"Bring the piston rod!" Vijay ordered.

Soon, the piston rod was attached to the piston, and the other end was attached to the rocking beam using a chain.

Half a day passed.

Coming back after lunch, the work resumed.

Vijay looked at the blueprint and ordered, "Connect the steam pipe from the boiler to the cylinder. Also, install the steam inlet valve."

A few researchers started to work on it simultaneously.

Vijay continued to direct as he motioned for Hey Ram and Naveen Bhatt to come over.

"Naveen, install the exhaust valve."

"Hey Ram, lead a group to fit the cold water spray pipe inside the cylinder."

Naveen and Hey Ram took their tasks and left. Vijay had his own task. He gathered a few people and started to add drain pipes to remove condensed water from the cylinder.

Additionally, he directed the helpers to attach a counterweight, around one tonne, made up of stone blocks. It was used to balance out the weight of the pump rod.

If the counterweight was not used, the pressure of the steam would not be enough to move the mechanisms weighing several tonnes. By attaching the counter mechanism, the weights cancelled out, and due to the proper lubrication of the fulcrum, even a push from a normal human could now move the rocking beam.

Finally, Vijay had the researchers construct a reservoir near the engine to supply cold water for the condensation process.

To be continued...

P.S. Thank you yashwant_reddy, for the Pizza

P.S. Thank you Tervantas, for the Inspiration capsule

P.S. Thank you its_a_joke, for the Pizza

P.S. You guys Rock