Topic: Steam Springer (Read 16940 times)

SteamboatPhil · « **on:** March 23, 2008, 03:57:25 pm »

Thought you might like a look at the progress of my steam springer. The engine is a flat twin single acting with disk valve. The boiler (not shown but will sit almost ontop of the engine) is a of the semi scott type (semi flash) and will be fired by varorising petrol. More pics when I have added a few more parts.

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:44:17 pm »

Nopw that's an interesting engineering concept but vapourising petrol sounds a bit hazardous. Is this by natural evaporation or do you need to apply heat? Will the vapours then go through a ceramic type burner? Obviously it won't be under the same pressure as a gas installation so what arrangement do you put the vapours though to make it combustable?

Sounds very intiguing though and I'm looking forward to seeing the boiler in place. Whats the advantage of petrol over gas?

Youngat65 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:59:06 pm »

A sort of petrol blow lamp then Phil ::)

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2008, 07:56:48 pm »

Here is the springer with boiler, just laid in to make sure it all fits, along with the small blowlamp. I have also attached a pic with one of my other blowlamps to give an idea of the normal size I make (sorry bit of surface rust-oopps)
along with a view of the flame that these lamps can produce.
(It is a petrol blowlamp, just laid flat. The advantage over petrol is a much greater heat, and unlike gas which when discharging fast freezes up, the petrol will not. The tank is pressurised by use of a cycle pump to about 15psi.)
And just to give you an idea of the performance you can get if you get it all right, the boat is 4ft long and weighs 15lbs in running trim and has a 3/4 bore x 3/4 stroke double acting steam engine.

andrewh · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2008, 12:41:44 pm »

Thanks for sharing this with us - it all sounds perfectly reasonable when you tell it.

Nice little twin engine - I have a intention to make a similar type (with drum valve) which was in Model Boats at about the time of the black death.

Steam springer with flash boiler - just what the world needs!
andrew

Capricorn · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2008, 04:02:44 am »

Phil, that's a really nice looking boat and engine. I'd be interested in hearing more about the semi-flash boiler, I could look it up on google (or here), but it's always nice to hear directly from someone familiar with it, etc. Cap

kno3 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2008, 09:34:37 am »

Hello Phil, that's going to be a very interesting boat! Did you make the engine, burner and boiler yourself?

I'd also be interested inseeing the innards of your boiler. I know how flash boilers are supposed to work, but what exactly is meant by semi-flash??

About your petrol burner: What is the coil used for? I see it heats the petrol that goes to the burner part, does it also produce pressure in the tank to keep it working?

portside II · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2008, 10:05:57 am »

Wonder if it would work with parafin ::)
I have a couple of tilly lamps in the shed

but i have to say what a loverly piece of kit

daz

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2008, 11:35:04 am »

Quote from: portside II on July 31, 2008, 10:05:57 am

Wonder if it would work with parafin ::)
I have a couple of tilly lamps in the shed
but i have to say what a loverly piece of kit
daz

Daz, sound like you're attempting the worlds first steam powered Viking Funeral Springer!

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2008, 02:24:06 pm »

Valhallaspring!!

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2008, 07:47:05 pm »

Phil,
She is looking superb.

Bob

portside II · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2008, 12:28:59 am »

Now theres an idea but does that mean everyone can throw burning torches at it on the final voyage ??? .
The last time i saw a viking ship was last year on the Derwent heading up to Stamford bridge ,a little late about 950 years , but better late that never.
Oh and the HSE made them wear life jackets

.

daz

mogogear · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2008, 06:26:23 am »

Phil- that is a great design!! - Did you build the boiler and curved flue yourself? I can't wait to see the stack on this "Dragon Springer"

So it is going to use Meths? Or actual petrol? After you do the initial pressure priming for the fuel tank- the ambient heat from the boiler and flame will keep the pressure up - correct?

More questions from a live steamer - sorry- Whats your plan for the prominent lube tube for your shaft ? and also your layout for exhaust? A condenser somewhere?

More More MORE!!

barryfoote · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2008, 08:22:07 am »

I have been missing this thread for some reason. Brilliant work Phil.

Barry

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2008, 10:28:42 am »

Hi Mo
Yes the boiler is all home built and silver soldered, insulated and with an aluminium casing. The blowlamp is just a small laid flat version of the old parafin blowlamps, but I use petrol. Pressure is put into the tank with a bike pump (to about 20psi) The heat will expand the air but I do find it need a little extra "pump" after about 10 mins running. There is no condensor, it will just exhuststraight out, with the exhuat pipe going up the flue to help draw the flame under the boiler. there will be a hand pump fitted, and again a few pumps every 10 mins or so will keep the boiler topped up. The oil tube will get a good filling before each run with Hypoy 90 gear oil, which is quite thick so runs slowly into the prop shaft. Although I mainly do straight running, I will be fitting a servo to the rudder on this little beast. I will post some more pics of the progress later.
Phil

mogogear · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2008, 03:20:44 pm »

outstanding Phil.... thanks for the details... Will you engine need a displacement oiler - I have not seen many ( 1 or 2) engines like the one you are using!!

I see a springer in my shop projects for the winter!!

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2008, 08:50:22 pm »

Hi Mo
Yes I will be fitting a displacement lubricator along with an oil trapment box on the exhust.
Phil

kno3 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2008, 09:37:36 pm »

Phil, as I said before, I'd be interested inseeing the inside of your boiler.
What exactly is meant by semi-flash??

Proteus · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2008, 09:40:23 pm »

Quote from: kno3 on August 10, 2008, 09:37:36 pm

.
What exactly is meant by semi-flash??

Is when you only half unbutton your coat ??

Proteus

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2008, 12:35:36 pm »

Hi kno3
Sorry for the delay, new laptop, working and all such things getting in the way. Semi flash boiler, first thing, a flash boiler is really just a coil (often called a monotube boiler) which you throw a lot of heat at, as the water is pumped into the coil, it litraly flashes into steam, than as it passes along the coil it is superheated, this steam has a greater expansion than normal steam, and improves the performance of the engine. As the engine runs, its driving a water and fuel pump, faster the engine, the more it pumps, and so on. A semi flash boiler has coils under a plain boiler tube. This coils a really 1 1/2 turn loops (around 6 on a 7 in boiler). One side is short (water flows in) the other side ends just below the top of the boiler (steam is flashed out) Now unlike a pure flash boiler you are not using this steam, its being held for use in the boiler, which acts more like a steam resevoir. However as you use the steam any water pumped in is flashed into steam. Bit like bag-pipes vs trumpet, you use the direct air on a trumpet to make a sound, where as bag pipes you are filling a bag with air and indirectly using it to the create sound
And if all goes well, you should get a 4ft 6in boat doing 20mph +
Let me know if you need more info
Phil

kno3 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2008, 03:59:01 pm »

Thanks for the pictures. It's all clear now.

mogogear · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2008, 07:34:04 am »

Great shot of the boiler tubing.. any progress on the ST-inger..... as of late ??

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2008, 09:14:46 am »

Hi Mo
Sorry the steam springer had to be on hold for a while as I was working on my V4 flash steam plant, and getting prepped for the Mayhem weekend in Llanberis. I will do a bit today though as post some more pics tonight
Phil

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #23 on:** October 12, 2008, 08:46:07 pm »

Well here we are, finaly--some pictures of the progress on my steam springer. I still a few bits to do, exhust pipe, water pick-up, oil trap box from the breather pipe on the crankcase.The hull is still in primmer and I still have the lid to build, but getting there.

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2008, 08:48:05 pm »

Another view, the tank to the left just above the engine is the displacment lubricator

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Author Topic: Steam Springer (Read 16940 times)

Bunkerbarge

Capricorn

kno3

Bunkerbarge

mogogear

barryfoote

mogogear

kno3

Proteus

kno3

mogogear