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Author Topic: Steam engine with no machined parts  (Read 1422 times)

CPomeroy

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Steam engine with no machined parts
« on: August 07, 2022, 02:36:11 pm »

Here's the first prototype of a marine double-acting oscillating steam engine with a reversing valve, designed for model boats. It's made of etched brass, and tube, and is assembled without any machining whatsoever. All that's required is the ability to torch solder, tap threads, and to cut tube at approximate right-angles.
The price for the etchings (per piece) ended up being about £10 per engine, so it might possibly be the cheapest steam engine out there!





And a video of it running:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSnGziR6Kk


Haven't designed a boiler for it yet, but I hope to continue the minimum-viable-product theme in that vein as well...what could possibly go wrong...?  %%
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Sven

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Re: Steam engine with no machined parts
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2022, 08:37:30 pm »

 :-))  :-))   Great  !!!!!!!
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boaterjim

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Re: Steam engine with no machined parts
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2022, 06:33:46 am »

Hello, WOW and no machining, I have been after such an engine for ever, the holly grail, :-)) :-)) :-)) Please please can you sell me a plan?
Well done,
 Jim
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CPomeroy

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Re: Steam engine with no machined parts
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2022, 07:44:56 pm »


I've built a second prototype - this has some slight modifications to the cylinder pivot, and the piston head/rod coupling and soldering method, which resulted in a smoother running and far fewer leaks. The next thing I want to tackle is the crankshaft assembly, which is currently doable but tricky to solder all the crank cheeks perpendicular to the shaft. I'm planning to replace the OD3mm rod for the crankshaft core with M3 threaded rod, which will allow brass and stainless nuts to be tightened against the cheeks, holding them square for the soldering operation. The brass nuts can be left soldered in place for strength, whilst the stainless nuts can be loosened and removed when the central rod is sawn out. Since it runs on roller bearings an M3 rod won't be too big a problem, and will still accept 3mm universal joints and couplers for attaching to prop shafts.


It's shown here running at 1 bar/15psi on the regulator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYXjlmL-3GM
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boaterjim

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Re: Steam engine with no machined parts
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2022, 10:30:19 pm »

Hi, great engine looks brill. 3mm rod threaded at one end available from R/C model aircraft shops in the form of control rods.
regards jim
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SteamboatPhil

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Re: Steam engine with no machined parts
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2022, 08:58:30 pm »

OK, thats brilliant, and self starting  :-))
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Steamed up all the time
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