Steam Engine Specifications: Difference between revisions

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{{Category=Steam Engine}}
{{Category=Steam Engine}}


'''Summary:'''
=Summary=


*Deliverable: a one cylinder prototype module with scalability, to constitute a single stage of a stageable system (compound or 3 stage) which uses the same module that is scaled to make other stages
*Deliverable: a one cylinder prototype module with scalability, to constitute a single stage of a stageable system (compound or 3 stage) which uses the same module that is scaled to make other stages
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*Applications to stationary, mobile, and solar power
*Applications to stationary, mobile, and solar power


'''Cost-Related Features:'''
=Cost-Related Features=


*Lowest materials cost for a given performance
*Lowest materials cost for a given performance
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*''Materials'' cost of $50/hp  
*''Materials'' cost of $50/hp  


'''Materials calculations:'''
=Materials Calculations=


*20 pounds of weigh per horsepower
*20 pounds of weigh per horsepower


'''Flexibility and Performance:'''
=Flexibility and Performance=


*Scalable in power output from 1 - 100 hp by scaling or adding modules
*Scalable in power output from 1 - 100 hp by scaling or adding modules
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**Multiple cylinder, in-line configuration is possible by bolting several cylinders together
**Multiple cylinder, in-line configuration is possible by bolting several cylinders together


'''Lifecycle'''
[[File:Performance-Chart.png]]
 
=Lifecycle=


*Long lifetime under continuous use (50 years)
*Long lifetime under continuous use (50 years)


'''Ecology:'''
=Ecology=


*Compatible with stationary, solar, and mobile power applications
*Compatible with stationary, solar, and mobile power applications
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**CHP with space heating
**CHP with space heating


'''Fabrication:'''
=Fabrication=
 
[[File:Fab-Chart.png]]
 
'''Prototype 1 Fabrication Elements:
 
* Cylinder
** Cylinder support assembly
** Cylinder sleeve
* Piston
* Piston Rod
* Bump Valve
** Ball
** Spring
** Bump Rod
** Case
** Steam Connection ??
* Oil sprayer
* Crankshaft
** Shaft pieces (2)
** Offset plates (2)
** Crank piece (1)
** Couplers (2)
** Screws
** Crankshaft support assembly
 
'''Crankshaft:'''
 
* no welding in this design.
* does require tapping holes for machine screws.
* needs counterbalance to not vibrate.
 
[[Image:Crankshaft.png|thumb]]
 
'''Valves:'''
 
* Bump Valve - forgiving but springs may be a problem.
* Piston Valve - requires precision but solves spring problem.
 
[[Image:Bump-Valve.png|thumb]]
[[Image:Piston-Valve.png|thumb]]
 
'''Techniques and Stock:'''


*Casting used for body
*Casting used for body

Revision as of 18:58, 5 May 2011

Main > Energy > Steam Engine


Summary

  • Deliverable: a one cylinder prototype module with scalability, to constitute a single stage of a stageable system (compound or 3 stage) which uses the same module that is scaled to make other stages
  • System consists of cyliner, crank arm, mechanical valve, automatically adjusted cutoff ratio, and constitutes a Steam Engine Construction Set
    • Cutoff ratio controlled by closed loop electronic feedback with some type of linear actuator
  • Applications to stationary, mobile, and solar power

Cost-Related Features

  • Lowest materials cost for a given performance
  • Simplest to fabricate, therefore lowest fabrication cost
  • Advanced techniques of fabrication utilized only when necessary to achieve cost
  • Fabrication tooling preferably simple, but secondary to fabrication cost
  • Uses commonly available parts
  • Replicable
  • Materials cost of $50/hp

Materials Calculations

  • 20 pounds of weigh per horsepower

Flexibility and Performance

  • Scalable in power output from 1 - 100 hp by scaling or adding modules
  • Power density of 1 hp/10 lb
  • Pressure up to 500 psi
  • Scalable cylinder dimensions, uncoupled staging, and tandem operation allows scaling of power and eficiency from 1-100 hp and up to 25% efficiency
    • Multiple cylinder, in-line configuration is possible by bolting several cylinders together

Performance-Chart.png

Lifecycle

  • Long lifetime under continuous use (50 years)

Ecology

Fabrication

Fab-Chart.png

Prototype 1 Fabrication Elements:

  • Cylinder
    • Cylinder support assembly
    • Cylinder sleeve
  • Piston
  • Piston Rod
  • Bump Valve
    • Ball
    • Spring
    • Bump Rod
    • Case
    • Steam Connection ??
  • Oil sprayer
  • Crankshaft
    • Shaft pieces (2)
    • Offset plates (2)
    • Crank piece (1)
    • Couplers (2)
    • Screws
    • Crankshaft support assembly

Crankshaft:

  • no welding in this design.
  • does require tapping holes for machine screws.
  • needs counterbalance to not vibrate.
Crankshaft.png

Valves:

  • Bump Valve - forgiving but springs may be a problem.
  • Piston Valve - requires precision but solves spring problem.
Bump-Valve.png
Piston-Valve.png

Techniques and Stock:

  • Casting used for body
  • Stock parts wherever feasible
  • Lathing for bore

Other:

  • Safe in case of failure