Steam Engine Concept

Main > Energy > Steam Engine

---

Steam Engine Intro

Title

The Open Source Modern Steam Engine

Keywords

• Steam Engine
• Power
• Uniflow
• Bump Valve

Description

The OSE steam engine allows steam generated from a solar concentrator [1] or boiler [2] to be converted first in linear motion (pushing on a piston) and then to rotary motion (using a crankshaft) that can be used to perform useful work (like running a hydraulic pump) or to generate electricity [3]. The first prototype [4] is a uniflow engine design [5], which means that steam is admitted on one side of the piston and allowed to vent to the atmosphere after it has expanded. Steam is controlled using a bump valve [6].

Technical Information

There is a wealth of information on the OSE steam engine gathered in the OSE Wiki. The Steam Engine/Index page shows all of them grouped by topic. Pages of specific interest include:

• History of the idea [7]
• Commercial Examples
• Inputs and Outputs needed
• How well it meets OSE Specifications, goals, and requirements.
• Relationship to Other Concepts or Functions
• Specifications [8] including:
  • Preliminary Drawings [9]
  • Designs [10]
  • Calculations [11] and [12] and [13]
  • Parts Lists [14]
  • Build Instructions [15]
  • other Documentation
• Explanations of why certain designs are preferred
• Performance and Efficiency [16] and [17]
• Scaling to Different Sizes
• Uncommon Items Needed