In this paper, the geometric modeling and virtual reconstruction of the double-acting steam engine designed by Agustín de Betancourt in 1789 are shown. For this, the software Autodesk Inventor Professional is used, which has allowed us to obtain its geometric documentation. The material for the research is available on the website of the Betancourt Project of the Canary Orotava Foundation for the History of Science. Almost all parts of the steam engine are drawn on the sheets, but due to the absence of scale and space, it is insufficient to obtain an accurate and reliable 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model. For this reason a graphic scale has been adopted so that the dimensions of the elements are coherent. Also, it has been necessary to make some dimensional and geometric hypotheses, as well as restrictions of movement (degrees of freedom). Geometric modeling has made it possible to know that the system is balanced with the geometric center of the rocker arm shaft, and presents an energetic symmetry whose axis is the support of the parallelogram where the shaft rests: calorific energy to the left and mechanical energy to the right, with the rocker arm acting as a transforming element from one to the other.

Highlights:• A digital restitution of the 3D model of the Agustín de Betancourt's dredger, Port of Kronstadt, has been made, first of its type in the world.• Elements not detailed in the original planimetry were intuited, and dimensional/geometrical hypotheses were made respecting coherence.• For the characterization of different elements of the ensemble, the materials used at the time and the absence of normalization were handled. Abstract:Agustín de Betancourt was one of the most distinguished engineers of the 18 th and 19 th centuries with numerous contributions to various fields of engineering, including civil engineering. This research shows the process followed in documenting the cultural heritage of this engineer from the Canary Islands (Spain), especially in the geometric documentation of the Kronstadt harbour-dredging machine presented in 1808. The initial information was taken from the Canary Orotava Foundation, History of Science, which has been compiling information on the Betancourt Digital Project for years. In particular, there are only 8 colour illustrations without scale, as well as a small report on the description of the parts and the operation of a dredging machine previously designed for the Port of Venice (but never put into operation). This was the basis for the construction of the dredging machine for the Port of Kronstadt (Russia) that did go into operation in 1812 for more than 10 years. From this information, 3D reconstruction was made by means of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) techniques thanks to the use of the Autodesk Inventor Professional parametric software, which made it possible to build the 3D model and complete its geometric documentation as well as different detailed plans and exploded views. The results show a reliable approach to its modelling, a process in which several dimensional and operational hypotheses have had to be assumed due to the lack of existing information.Key words: cultural heritage; geometric documentation; 3D reconstruction; Agustín de Betancourt; dredging machine; Autodesk Inventor Professional Resumen:Agustín de Betancourt fue uno de los más ilustres ingenieros de los siglos XVIII y XIX, siendo muy numerosas sus aportaciones a diferentes ámbitos de la ingeniería, en particular a la ingeniería civil. La presente investigación muestra el proceso seguido en la documentación del patrimonio cultural del citado ingeniero español, en particular, en la documentación geométrica de la máquina dragadora del puerto de Krondstadt que presentó en 1808. La información de partida se ha podido rescatar de la Fundación Canaria Orotava de Historia de la Ciencia que lleva años recopilando información sobre el Proyecto Digital Betancourt; en concreto, se ha dispuesto únicamente de 8 ilustraciones sin escala y en color, así como de una pequeña memoria sobre su funcionamiento y descripción de las partes de un ingenio de máquina dragadora que diseñó previamente para el Puerto de Venecia (pero que nunca entró en funcionamiento), y sobre el que se apoyó para la construcción de la ...

The present study shows the process followed in making the three-dimensional model and geometric documentation of a historical invention of the renowned Spanish engineer Agustin de Betancourt y Molina, which forms part of his rich legacy. Specifically, this was a wind machine for draining marshy ground, designed in 1789. The present research relies on the computer-aided design (CAD) techniques using Autodesk Inventor Professional software, based on the scant information provided by the only two drawings of the machine, making it necessary to propose a number of dimensional and geometric hypotheses as well as a series of movement restrictions (degrees of freedom), to arrive at a consistent design. The results offer a functional design for this historic invention.

This article shows the geometric modeling and virtual reconstruction of the inclined plane of Coalbrookdale (Shropshire, England) that was in operation from 1792 to 1894. This historical invention, work of the Englishman William Reynolds, allowed the transportation of boats through channels located at different levels. Autodesk Inventor Professional software has been used to obtain the 3D CAD model of this historical invention and its geometric documentation. The material for the research is available on the website of the Betancourt Project of the Canary Orotava Foundation for the History of Science. Also, because the single sheet does not have a scale, it has been necessary to adopt a graphic scale so that the dimensions of the different elements are coherent. Furthermore, it has been necessary to establish some dimensional, geometric, and movement restrictions (degrees of freedom) so that the set will work properly. One of the main conclusions is that William Reynolds designed a mechanism seeking a longitudinal symmetry so that, from a single continuous movement, the mechanism allows two vessels to ascend and descend simultaneously. This engineering solution facilitated a doubling of the working capacity of the device, as well as a reduction of the energy needs of the system.

This article analyzes the first self-propelled floating dredging machine designed and executed by Agustín de Betancourt in 1810 to dredge the port of Kronstadt (Russia). With this objective, a study of computer-aided engineering (CAE) has been carried out using the parametric software Autodesk Inventor Professional, consisting of a static analysis using the finite element method, of the 3D model which is reliable under operating conditions. The results have shown that the system of inertia drums proposed by Betancourt manages to dissipate the tensions between the different elements, locating the highest stresses in the links of the bucket rosary, specifically at the point of contact between links. Similarly, the maximum displacements and the greatest deformations (always associated with these points of greater stress), are far from reaching the limits of breakage of the material used in its construction, as well as the safety coefficient of the invention, confirming that the mechanism was oversized, as was generally the case at the time. This analysis highlights the talent of the Spanish engineer and his mastery of mechanics, in an invention, the first of its kind worldwide, which served the Russian Empire for many years.