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This is a picture of a stationary steam engine demonstration unit, complete with vertical boiler, a horizontal single cylinder engine, a vertical single cylinder engine, a steam operated boiler feed pump, and a hand operated boiler feed pump. The three valves located in front of boiler near top (whistle chain is hooked to lower valve) are called "test cocks". Each valve represents a different level of water in the boiler. When a valve is opened and steam comes out, the water level is below the valve. Sight glasses are common, but due to possible clogs in fittings, can give false readings. |
| This is a typical vertical stationary steam
engine. It has two cylinders, reversing linkages, and this particular engine has a variable displacement feed pump to force water into the boiler. Each revolution of the engine pumps a small amount of water back into the boiler to maintain water level. By turning hand wheel, located in center, one can adjust the amount of water to be pumped equal to the amount being used by the engine. |
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These engines are called Stirling Cycle engines. similar to steam engines in appearance, they run on hot air. The engines all have flywheels (the fan blades act as a flywheel) to carry the engines through dead spots in their cycles. Stirling Cycle engines operate by heating one end of a tube sealed with trapped air. A displacer piston(very loose fitting) is moved back and forth in this heated tube, forcing the air to migrate from the hot end to the cool end causing the air to contract(cool) and then expand (heated). This fluctuation causes pressure changes which operate a power piston to turn a flywheel. The fan operates from a kerosene lamp so you can read and have a cool breeze at the same time. |
| This engine is commonly called a "hit and
miss", due to it's ability to fire once, then coast for several revolutions before firing again depending on load. These early engines were very fuel efficient, but HUGE for their horsepower rating. Similar to steam engines in design, a 15 HP model would weigh maybe thousands of pounds(still much less than 15 horses). This particular engine is a 1/4 scale of an OLDS engine and has a water jacket for cooling. |
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This engine is a scale of a CANFIELD. It also is a "hit and miss" with a ball weight governor similar to steam engines of the time. These single cylinder engines were also called "one lungers" and were used to pump water and oil. They were also used to generate electricity and operate other machinery. Due to enormous varieties of design and numerous manufacturers, They are quite collectable. |
| This engine is the missing link, bringing us back
to modern times, and is the final step before the age of the turbine. The modern internal combustion engine is hard to beat. It is smooth, dependable, and with new electronics very efficient. The engine pictured is a 1/4 scale CONLEY V8. But, folks, lets face it, nothing really beats the ear-splitting sound of a good JET. |
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