Steam Engine Design: Difference between revisions

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** [[Steam Engine Design/Boiler]]
** [[Steam Engine Design/Boiler]]


See [[Steam Engine Reviews]] for design criticism and [[Steam Engine Design/Suggestions]].


[[File:Design-Chart.png]]
[[File:Design-Chart.png]]
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* 5/11/11 - Rev. 5:  Added mount brackets, pillow block, extended piston stem.
* 5/11/11 - Rev. 5:  Added mount brackets, pillow block, extended piston stem.
* 5/25/11 - Rev. 6:  Widened cylinder flanges, dropped water vent, added sensor vent, cylinder liner to scale.
* 5/25/11 - Rev. 6:  Widened cylinder flanges, dropped water vent, added sensor vent, cylinder liner to scale.
* 7/20/11 - Rev. 7:  Merged valve cover and mounting bracket.  Added oiler.


==1.  Steam Fires==
==1.  Steam Fires==


[[File:Design-6-A.png]]
[[File:Design-7-A.png]]


==2.  Steam Expands==
==2.  Steam Expands==


[[File:Design-6-B.png]]
[[File:Design-7-B.png]]


==3.  Steam Vents==
==3.  Steam Vents==


[[File:Design-6-C.png]]
[[File:Design-7-C.png]]


==Description==
==Description==
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* [[Steam Engine Design/Piston Valve]]
* [[Steam Engine Design/Piston Valve]]


=CAD View=


=Review Notes=
[[Image:Steam_Engine_CAD_Render.png]]
 
==Tom Kimmel of SACA==
 
Some observations and recommendations from Tom:
 
# Do more research.
# Come to my shop and look at real steam engines.
# Add teeth to the flywheel to allow an electric starter motor.
# Cylinder liners (sleeve) should be cast iron.  Look into motor rebuild kits.
# Valves are not "chinese hat".  Talk to Jay Carr about his design.
# Open or closed crank is a choice.  Not critical.
# Lubrication is important, but had no specific recommendations.
# Start with conservative materials (like iron) and consider advanced materials later (like nitride coatings).
# Consider designing an exhaust manifold from the start.
# Visit Bill Ryan north of Chicago who has experience with making bash valves.
# Don't use stainless steel as a cylinder line.
# Consider 12v electric system for fans, solenoids, relays, water level sensors, and starter motor.
 
==Ken Helmick of SACA==
 
Some observations and recommendations from Ken:
 
# Initial decisions having huge influence on final design.
# Higher operating pressures and temperatures lead to potentially higher efficiency.
# A uniflow engine has the potential of higher efficiency.
# A counterflow engine has the relative advantage of being more easily operated.
# Wrapping a sleeve and welding is not likely to yield a satisfactory engine
# To make a sleeve, consider:
## Cast it using a sand mold.
## Use off-the-shelf sleeves.
## Purchase already honed hydraulic cylinder tubes.
## Convert an existing IC engine or extensively utilize IC engine components.
# If welding is employed, stress-relieve the assembly and then re-hone lightly in case of any slight thermal induced distortion to the bore.
# Valve springs must be wound from superalloys and heat treated.  Conventional springs will fail from the heat of the steam.
# Bump valve engines probably are more efficient at some moderate rpm.
# An alternative to bump valves is a smaller piston valve mounted coaxially with, and upon, the engine piston.
# Always enclose the crankcase of any higher rpm engine.
# There is an incredible variety of piston rings available in almost any size, configuration and material imaginable and this is about the last reason I would select a given engine diameter.
# Electric starter motors are simple.  Older General Motors alternators are widely available and they have an integral voltage regulator.
# A uniflow exhaust manifold could be very, very simple, depending on the cylinder.
# The crankshaft is the heart of the engine.
# The average home machinist is typically not equipped for (nor capable of) building a multiple throw, one piece crankshaft.
# One route to consider is the built-up crank.
# If a one piece crank is desired, the best route to go would be to either cast a rough out of a high grade of iron.
# The home machinist can balance a crank with a single throw but multiple pin cranks can only be balanced in a shop with a dynamic balancing machine.

Latest revision as of 02:20, 21 July 2011


Steam Engine
   Home  |  Research & Development  |  Bill of Materials  |  Manufacturing Instructions  |  User's Manual  |  User Reviews    Steam Engine.png

Main > Energy > Steam Engine

This page will be used to describe the OSE Open Source Steam Engine design, design issues, and completed drawings.

See bump valve prior art - http://www.rossen.ch/solar/wcengine.html

See also:

See Steam Engine Reviews for design criticism and Steam Engine Design/Suggestions.

Design-Chart.png


Bump Valve Engine Design

Three points in the steam cycle are shown.

Design Updates:

  • 5/2/11 - Rev. 2: Initial bump valve design.
  • 5/6/11 - Rev. 3: Added flange on crankshaft end of cylinder and exhaust plenum.
  • 5/10/11 - Rev. 4: Improved bump valve added, cylinder liner is now thick.
  • 5/11/11 - Rev. 5: Added mount brackets, pillow block, extended piston stem.
  • 5/25/11 - Rev. 6: Widened cylinder flanges, dropped water vent, added sensor vent, cylinder liner to scale.
  • 7/20/11 - Rev. 7: Merged valve cover and mounting bracket. Added oiler.

1. Steam Fires

Design-7-A.png

2. Steam Expands

Design-7-B.png

3. Steam Vents

Design-7-C.png

Description

This is a single-action uniflow steam engine that uses a bump valve to admit steam and an exhaust vent to emit cooled steam.

Design Features:

  • Simple design with a mix of fabricated and off-the-shelf parts.
  • Modular and stackable - cylinders can be ganged together to increase power.
  • Easy assembly - minimal welding
  • Repairable - comes apart for cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
  • Easy fabrication - lathing, milling, cutting, and drilling.
  • Self-lubricating - oil sprays.
  • Crank shaft can be configured for multiple cylinders.

Sub-assembly Designs:

  • Steam Engine Design/Bump Valve
  • Steam Engine Design/Cylinder
  • Steam Engine Design/Crank Shaft
  • Steam Engine Design/Piston
  • Steam Engine Design/Lubrication
  • Steam Engine Design/Exhaust

Alternative Designs:

CAD View

Steam Engine CAD Render.png

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