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So you wanna play Guess huh???
- Thread starter 4R8
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Comes with its own supply of grease, I believe. 
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2011
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No, it has only seven moving parts.
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- Jan 22, 2011
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It is said that they are difficult to build, and not for a budding engine builder. I can see why. Pretty cool design though,
Ok, after reading the article for a second time and thinking for a while, I finally believe i understand the process in which these work.
I'd only heard about these in a riddle years ago like yours for the same reason, less moving parts then there is pistons.
What i can come up with is air/steam enters the ports on the drum and crank at a set point. Probably at a point where the piston pair receiving the pressure is at or just past the base of it's stroke (the article mentions 90 degrees of rotation, could't each one give nearly 180 deg?) . Once the piston pair reaches it's longest point (top of the crank and furthest from crank on the drum) the pressure is released.
Another thought was in the design you could have the pistons either hollow or solid. It would probably work either way with no measurable difference.
Although a hollow piston may not be quite as efficient due to the larger volume which would need to be compressed and released?
I want to see one run. Unfortunately, using works remote area satellite communication system means youtube is out (along with most pics on the forum too) I'll have to wait.
Jason
I'd only heard about these in a riddle years ago like yours for the same reason, less moving parts then there is pistons.
What i can come up with is air/steam enters the ports on the drum and crank at a set point. Probably at a point where the piston pair receiving the pressure is at or just past the base of it's stroke (the article mentions 90 degrees of rotation, could't each one give nearly 180 deg?) . Once the piston pair reaches it's longest point (top of the crank and furthest from crank on the drum) the pressure is released.
Another thought was in the design you could have the pistons either hollow or solid. It would probably work either way with no measurable difference.
Although a hollow piston may not be quite as efficient due to the larger volume which would need to be compressed and released?
I want to see one run. Unfortunately, using works remote area satellite communication system means youtube is out (along with most pics on the forum too
) I'll have to wait.Jason
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- Jan 22, 2011
- Messages
- 8,031
Bill, I didn't mean to sound discouraging to anyone. I don't thing they are super difficult, but I have seen some drawings, and it would be challenging for the less experienced. In order to get the engine to run, things have to be very perpendicular, and closely held to size. Not impossible, but not much room for error.
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Bill,
Thanks for saying where you got the plans. I looked it up on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=P-...page&q=popular mechanics elbow engine&f=false (starts on page 166)
Looks like a neat little engine, good article too. While I was reading through it I also found an interesting article on "Lathe Inlaying". (page 170) Both articles are worth reading.
-Ron
Thanks for saying where you got the plans. I looked it up on Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=P-...page&q=popular mechanics elbow engine&f=false (starts on page 166)
Looks like a neat little engine, good article too. While I was reading through it I also found an interesting article on "Lathe Inlaying". (page 170) Both articles are worth reading.
-Ron
The air is fed from the base and the crank drum, giving the 10 pistons from 5 pieces.
I still believe a hollow piston set would work. Then you would only need the one inlet and exhaust port instead of the two entries.