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Author Topic: steam engine homemade - air operation  (Read 887 times)

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steam engine homemade - air operation
« on: April 09, 2022, 02:31:20 pm »
This is one of the latest steam engine models I have recently completed, although it is built to run on compressed air only. I have mounted the flywheel on the motor of an old computer hard drive, that way when it rotates it produces a small electric current that illuminates the leds.
The power piston is made from a glass syringe lubricated with graphite and runs with almost no friction, and the valve is a single-acting slider.
The air source is an old refrigerator motor-compressor, although it can work just as well with a bicycle manual pump or similar.


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Re: steam engine homemade - air operation
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2022, 07:54:35 pm »
Alberto,

That is very nice and runs very well.

Jim in Minnesota


A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked just fine.
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Re: steam engine homemade - air operation
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2022, 08:00:08 pm »
Very clever Alberto , runs seamlessly and true, you are a very resourceful & skilled builder .
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: steam engine homemade - air operation
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2022, 09:25:40 pm »
You did it again Alberto. Recycled enough parts now to make a steam engine.
I have no doubt it will run on steam. Nice job.
Tommy

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Re: steam engine homemade - air operation
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2022, 11:59:01 pm »
You did it again Alberto. Recycled enough parts now to make a steam engine.
I have no doubt it will run on steam. Nice job.
Thanks for your comment. Regarding making it work with steam, I already tried it but it does not give good results. The friction of glass on glass when wet wears it down rapidly. However, working with dry air and lubricating with graphite powder, these pistons are eternal.