Steam Engine Specifications

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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

Lifecycle

• Long lifetime under continuous use (50 years)

Ecology

• Compatible with stationary, solar, and mobile power applications
  • LifeTrac power source
  • Solar Power Generator heat engine
  • CHP with space heating

Fabrication

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.

Valves:

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

Techniques and Stock:

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

Other:

• Safe in case of failure