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[sunworksco]

 I am searching for a Stanley Steamer Rocket engine in machined parts.
Anything close to this?
I was thinking about using the PM twin stationary model and casting a one-piece bronze twin cylinder case and using the rest of the kit.
Here is a photo of the SR engine. The Stanley brothers used 3 or more different engines in the Rocket.
Isn't that the coolest ride!
Thanks,
Giovanni

[gondolier88]

Hi Giovanni,

Are you building a model of the Rocket?

I don't know what scale you are looking for, but a closer engine looks-wise would be the ST Twin Launch.

I don't know of any model engines with inside valve chests- the only one I know that got close to manufacture was a future engine that Nick at Monahan Steam was going to put into production, unfortunately he closed down before he got the chance. Perhaps one day he still might. Not that that helps you in any way!

If you are willing to cast new cylinders, surely it would be no bother to man such as yourself to design and make the associated con-rods and valve gear?

Surprising that the Stanley bro's used Stephenson's link on such a light weight and high speed engine.

Greg

[logoman]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Handbuilt-twin-cylinder-stationary-steam-engine-vintage-/130471057890

[gondolier88]

A nice engine design there Logoman, but completely inpractical for any long term running- the eccentrics should be connected to a rocking bar that then actuates the valve rods in a completely level plane, as it is the angularity acting on the brass glands and the no-doubt brass valves will wear them unevenly in no time at all. The engine wouldn't be difficult to modify however.

Certainly got the compactness and long con-rod lengths of the stanley engine.

Greg

[sunworksco]

I am talking to a gentleman that built a scale model of the Stanley Rocket engine.
I'm hoping to get the plans soon.
I am planning to cast the cylinders and frame out of silicon brass.
The Stanley steamers had an axle-driven water/gas pump which will be easily adapted.
Everything will be chain-driven.
Thanks All,
Giovanni

[sunworksco]

I found a photo of the wreck and it shows that the Rocket was gear driven.
Regards,
Giovanni

http://www.steamcar.net/stanley/fastest.pdf

[gondolier88]

Hi Giovanni,

Not sure if your'e aware of this replica? www.mrhaweb.com/news.htm

I've seen some online footage of it running somewhere.

Greg

[sunworksco]

Hi Greg,
Here is the 2/3 scale replica.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqzLAR3Byc8

[sunworksco]

I just talked with the owner of a Stanley race car engine that is offering me an opportunity to completely disassemble the engine for laser scanning of the engine parts and creating 3-D CAD drawings. I can now have 3-D acrylic models made for the silicon bronze casting process. These engine parts models will be used to build RTV rubber molds for the wax injection molding.
I will have access to all of the chassis and wheel parts, too.
What is advantageous about supplying a cad file of the parts drawings is that each race car owner can recreate his own parts should they need replacements.
We talked about the valve chest and valve machining inside and decided to use EDM method for a very exact valve surface.
Regards,
Giovanni
Here is a video of the NextEngine laser scanning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvzcGdZsTc

[gondolier88]

Hi Giovanni,

This will be a fantastic model when it's finished. I take it that the processes you are using the idea is to make a few and sell them? What scale are you going for? Are you using petrol or gas in the boiler?

Greg

[sunworksco]

There will be a dozen or so made in each series of The Flying Tea Kettle, WoggleBug and The Turtle race cars.
They are 1/4 scale and the boilers will use propane/butane mixture.
The steam pressure will be 100-150psi.
I'm designing an electronic boiler water level switch and controller with a mechanical gas burner regulator.
There will also be an optional radio control telemetry sensor system.
The water pump can be operated by hand or linear servo with a PC programmable motor controller.
Regards,
Giovanni

POLOLU CONTROLLER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ADbjugrMaI

[gamma]

  hi Giovanni!

[flashtwo]

Hi,

Just a slight digression from the record holders of the past - does anyone know why the British steam powered vehicle, which broke the record last year, used a steam turbine rather than a steam piston engine?

I would have thought that a steam piston engine would have given the vehicle much better acceleration and could have been well designed and balanced for the higher revs involved and used less steam.

Ian.

[sunworksco]

Ciao!
Sergio,
Good to see you here!
The turbines are more HP per pound of boiler.
Very,very high RPMs.
Kind Regards,
Giovanni

[gondolier88]

Hi,

Just a slight digression from the record holders of the past - does anyone know why the British steam powered vehicle, which broke the record last year, used a steam turbine rather than a steam piston engine?

I would have thought that a steam piston engine would have given the vehicle much better acceleration and could have been well designed and balanced for the higher revs involved and used less steam.

Ian.

Good question, they do get more RPM as Giovanni says, but to use the stupid RPM of a turbine you need a gearbox, and to manage the HP it produces it has to be a big heavy gearbox, completely taking any advantage of weight loss on the higher steam consumption of an engine.

My personal preference would be for a single acting V8, double beat poppet valves on twin camshafts giving very little cut-off, alloy crankcase, alloy cylinders with CI liners using 400-500psi superheated steam, and as it's not roadworthy; direct drive.

I imagine they thought that if they could produce a relative power to a jet engine (the propulsion of choice for all record attempts) then a steam turbine would do the job best- but unlike jet power which has had billions put into research and where you can buy off the peg machinery to suit, with steam they have had to go back to basics, ten make it all automatically controlled.

I couldn't believe when I saw it for the first time that it had the safetys blowing off madly- surely the auto boiler feed and fuel inlet management system should have kept it simmeriung, not completely overdoing it?!

At the end of the day it came down to Colin Chapman's favourite, the Power : Weight ratio, and on that score it just didn't cut it.

So come on Ian- I want to see come with a fully auto' controlled model record breaker with a piston engine that'll do a scale speed of 200mph+....

Greg

[sunworksco]

So True!
Regards,
Giovanni