Hugo Lentz (1859–1944) was anAustrianmechanical engineer, born inCape Colony.[1] He was the inventor of many award-winning improvements to thesteam engine.
The correct spelling of his name isLenz but it has beenAnglicised to Lentz in English-speaking countries.
Lentz was born on 21 July 1859 inCape Colony. When he was six years old, his father died and the family returned to relatives in Germany. He became an engineer in thePrussian Navy.[2]
In 1888, Lentz founded his own machine factory inVienna. At an exposition in honour ofAlessandro Volta inComo in 1899, his first steam engine won the first prize. At theExposition Universelle (1900) in Paris, it won theGrand Prix while Lentz himself was awarded the gold medal.
From 1907,Davey, Paxman & Co,[3] and later theErie City Iron Works inPennsylvania built Lentz's steam engines.
In total, Lentz acquired some 2000 patents. He is best known for his steamvalve gear with oscillating and rotating cams to actuatepoppet valves. He also developed an eponymous form of locomotive boiler, theLentz boiler, with acorrugated tubular furnace.[4]
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Lentz died on 21 March 1944.