Compressed Air (Steam) Engine

[Pacman99uk]

what would happen if the air valve was kept open all the time instead of being opened periodically by the small wheel?

[245sillybilly]

What pressures were you running this at?

[cffellows]

Don't remember for sure, but based on the performance of other, similarly built engines, probably around 40 - 50 PSI.

[pagani8]

Any idea one the rpm? I've gotten my small cylinder lego engine to go up to 3400 rpm.

[cffellows]

I built the engine to be more of a slow runner, but it'll go up to 3,000 easy enough.

[djones8826]

Another great project! I noticed a spare flywheel in the background. Do you have a source for flywheel castings? So much time is ate up machining the spokes on them.

[salemcripple]

what would be the benifits of a 4 stroke "steam" engine, over a two stroke engine. I'm a performance tech (hotrod builder) by trade. So I know that there are advantages and draw backs to two, and four stroke internal combustion engines. But a four stroke air engine, i can only see drawbacks, because the engine is just frewheeling for an entire rev. instead of a power impulse ever 360 deg.

[cffellows]

No advantage from a performance perspective. I was merely trying to emulate the sound and behaviour of a 4 cycle internal combustion engine for model aesthetic reasons.

Chuck

[salemcripple]

That's cool, How much does one of these cost? Do you have to machine them youreself?

[cffellows]

In actual materials, the cost isn't much. However, everything is machined using a milling machine and metal lathe. So it does require a fair investment in tools and and lot of time to do the work.

Chuck

[salemcripple]

It's cool, I have the macines, and the know how. Plus my dad's a machinest.

[richardljackson]

That seems to be running very smoothly - your design and manufacture must have really been quite thorough and precise. Studying Mechanical Engineering has helped me to realise how challenging it can be to get an end-result like that!

[cffellows]

Thanks. I've built over a dozen small engines, compressed air, internal combustion, and a solenoid engine. They do require a lot of precision.

[Skoda130]

May I ask how I can aquire a solenoid?

[cffellows]

Do a search on eBay...

[n33d4killz]

cant you here it fire

[4Mengineering]

hello, how is this a four stroke?

[cffellows]

The valve is actuated by a cam that runs at 1/2 the speed of the crankshaft, causing a power stroke every other revolution like a 4 stroke internal combustion engine.

[4Mengineering]

LOvely! thank you so much for the answer

[nohandsma]

actually thats an external combustion engine. because the power is air and the compressor is not inside the cylinder. by the way nice job.

[paradoxb3]

i was wondering when the "technically police" would show up and try and explain to the inventor how HIS machine worked... and get it all wrong on top of that. he never said *his* engine was internal combustion. read again... he said it had a power stroke every other revolution LIKE a 4 stroke internal combustion engine. and if its running on compressed air, when exactly do you believe an external combustion of fuel is taking place anyway? you're right on one thing tho. nice job.