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The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: RedRyder on October 02, 2019, 09:09:21 pm

Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: Scorpion2nz on October 06, 2019, 03:22:30 am
Making great progress
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: Nick on October 05, 2019, 08:48:40 pm
That is running great now Gil  8)
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: RedRyder on October 05, 2019, 08:43:32 pm
After a few hours run time with the new piston at the Yankee Steam Up at the New England Wireless & Steam Museum in Rhode Island, it is running much better yet.


Will now go in both directions on 9-11 psi..!!


Gil


https://youtu.be/jCFNI6YIjLc
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: txlabman on October 04, 2019, 06:26:07 am
Well done Gil. Congratulations on getting this one knocked off your “To Do” List. I know you have wanted to restore this one to its full “Triple Glory” for a while. Looking forward to seeing it running at Cabin Fever 2020!
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: RedRyder on October 04, 2019, 05:57:23 am
Gil, fine machine!

What's the phasing on the engine?

I'd be very interested in seeing the difference between air vs steam.

 
What I noticed when running my make shift Märklin compound: When 180 phase I don't think running on air  impact performance badly* even though under steam the subsequent expansion wouldn't be there. But at 90 degrees,  noticeable impact. My setup has a timing chain but your fine engine is more suitably engineered.

*My air compressor regulator isn't very accurate so it wasn't exactly the same pressure.


I believe all triples are constructed with crank arms 120 degrees apart. Compounds are 90 degrees apart. I am ready to be corrected if wrong. Receiver size (volume) is also important in delivering the correct charge to the next cylinder in line. All scale model triple expansions I have seen have the same 120 degrees offset of crank arms whether built for air or steam. Remember they also should get some power from the final expansion from a vacuum created by the condenser. You can replicate this by putting a vacuum on the exhaust of your compound.
Gil !
Thank you for your reply. Food for thought!

I haven’t thought of vacuum making a power boost except in Newcomen engines. Are the condensers with vacuum simply a can with a 1 way check valve? I suspect the effect would boast even simples?

I have an RPM gauge, pressure gauges, dynamos and generators so could record a lot of numbers to see if such a device would boost power. I think I have a metal can with a cover and I know I have metal check valves... mmm...


This engine has 3 pumps..... 2 water pumps and 1 vacuum pump.
The 2 water pumps can be used to pump cooling water through the condenser and pump the condensed water back into the boiler. The vacuum pump will help maintain the vacuum in the condenser and exhaust plumbing.


I once had an Elliot Bay Triple (weighs about 400 lbs) that would run at a tick over on 6 psi air.
With my large shop vac plugged into the exhaust, It would run the same on 5 psi.


You could replicate this with a home vac on any model steam engine set up. Just remember to do it for short runs because the vacuum cleaner depends on massive air flow volume for cooling and the motor will overheat quickly if left on too long with most of the flow blocked.











Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: Swift Fox on October 04, 2019, 04:22:39 am
A very nice engine Gil, great to see it running.

Quote from: CBWho
I haven’t thought of vacuum making a power boost except in Newcomen engines. Are the condensers with vacuum simply a can with a 1 way check valve? I suspect the effect would boast even simples?

I have an RPM gauge, pressure gauges, dynamos and generators so could record a lot of numbers to see if such a device would boost power. I think I have a metal can with a cover and I know I have metal check valves... mmm...

One thing to bear in mind is you will need a lot of cooling water, plus you will need some means of removing the trapped air and condensate for it to work properly, otherwise you'll lose vacuum after a few strokes due to it filling with water and air.
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: SeeSteam on October 03, 2019, 08:57:31 pm
Gil, fine machine!

What's the phasing on the engine?

I'd be very interested in seeing the difference between air vs steam.

 
What I noticed when running my make shift Märklin compound: When 180 phase I don't think running on air  impact performance badly* even though under steam the subsequent expansion wouldn't be there. But at 90 degrees,  noticeable impact. My setup has a timing chain but your fine engine is more suitably engineered.

*My air compressor regulator isn't very accurate so it wasn't exactly the same pressure.


I believe all triples are constructed with crank arms 120 degrees apart. Compounds are 90 degrees apart. I am ready to be corrected if wrong. Receiver size (volume) is also important in delivering the correct charge to the next cylinder in line. All scale model triple expansions I have seen have the same 120 degrees offset of crank arms whether built for air or steam. Remember they also should get some power from the final expansion from a vacuum created by the condenser. You can replicate this by putting a vacuum on the exhaust of your compound.
Gil !
Thank you for your reply. Food for thought!

I haven’t thought of vacuum making a power boost except in Newcomen engines. Are the condensers with vacuum simply a can with a 1 way check valve? I suspect the effect would boast even simples?

I have an RPM gauge, pressure gauges, dynamos and generators so could record a lot of numbers to see if such a device would boost power. I think I have a metal can with a cover and I know I have metal check valves... mmm...
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: Scorpion2nz on October 03, 2019, 11:12:45 am
I read somewhere for compounds 90 * if a receiver is used
180 * if direct with out receiver  but it would not be self starting
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: St Paul Steam on October 03, 2019, 10:04:37 am
that is a very finely crafted piece of machinery, it would be a treasure for anyone's collection.
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: RedRyder on October 03, 2019, 08:09:10 am
More time and more oil for the new piston.

Runs in both directions on 20 PSI.


https://youtu.be/Mn0JPxIoxQY
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: RedRyder on October 03, 2019, 07:19:04 am
Gil, fine machine!

What's the phasing on the engine?

I'd be very interested in seeing the difference between air vs steam.

 
What I noticed when running my make shift Märklin compound: When 180 phase I don't think running on air  impact performance badly* even though under steam the subsequent expansion wouldn't be there. But at 90 degrees,  noticeable impact. My setup has a timing chain but your fine engine is more suitably engineered.

*My air compressor regulator isn't very accurate so it wasn't exactly the same pressure.


I believe all triples are constructed with crank arms 120 degrees apart. Compounds are 90 degrees apart. I am ready to be corrected if wrong. Receiver size (volume) is also important in delivering the correct charge to the next cylinder in line. All scale model triple expansions I have seen have the same 120 degrees offset of crank arms whether built for air or steam. Remember they also should get some power from the final expansion from a vacuum created by the condenser. You can replicate this by putting a vacuum on the exhaust of your compound.
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: jkbixby on October 03, 2019, 03:46:21 am
Just a beautiful engine whether it runs on air or steam - well done.
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: SeeSteam on October 02, 2019, 11:19:40 pm
Gil, fine machine!

What's the phasing on the engine?

I'd be very interested in seeing the difference between air vs steam.

 
What I noticed when running my make shift Märklin compound: When 180 phase I don't think running on air  impact performance badly* even though under steam the subsequent expansion wouldn't be there. But at 90 degrees,  noticeable impact. My setup has a timing chain but your fine engine is more suitably engineered. ;)

*My air compressor regulator isn't very accurate so it wasn't exactly the same pressure.
Title: Re: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: Scorpion2nz on October 02, 2019, 09:17:19 pm
A substantial piece of engineering.
Has it ever been run on steam ?
Title: I Put The Low Pressure Piston Back Into The O.B. Bolton Triple Expansion Steam Engine
Post by: RedRyder on October 02, 2019, 09:09:21 pm
As per title.

Video here:
https://youtu.be/fPwlIa8V7zA (https://youtu.be/fPwlIa8V7zA)