contraption

Does this contraption work?

这个奇妙的玩意儿能用吗？

I don't understand how this contraption operates.

弄不懂这怪玩意儿是怎么工作的。

With an earsplitting burst of superheated steam, the contraption lifts Ross gently into the air and, for a few noisy seconds, he is flying.

“起飞前三小时就兴奋不已，直到上床才平静下来。”