Author Topic: Drop Valve Engine  (Read 9559 times)

Offline Giraldus

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Drop Valve Engine
« on: November 03, 2013, 04:42:03 PM »
Hi,

I would like to present my third beam engine.

It is again a Grashopper type, but this time following a historical exemplar. It was built by the american engineer Oliver Evans around 1801. In 1805 Evans published a book  "The Abortion of the Young Steam Engineer's Guide" (available online). In this book Evans described "a Steam Engine on new principles". Simply spoken his engine was using high pressure steam. Another outstanding feature was the linear guide for the piston rod, which later became known as Evan's linkage. There is only one drawing in the book showing the machine:



The engine was used to drive a plaster mill. You may find further details here.

Digging deeper into the history of Evan's machines I found the term "The Columbian Engine". This the first relevant drawing I found:



This was published in "The Emporium of the Arts and Sciences", Vol. II. presumably in 1812. The significant difference between the two drawings is the valve gear. In Evan's book dedicated intake and outlet valves are described, while on the drawing from 1812 no such valves can be seen. Matschoss mentions Evans using a rotary valve since 1812. I think such a rotary valve can be seen on the above drawing from "The Emporium of the Arts and Sciences".

Other sources mention that Oliver Evans destroyed his own plans in 1809, after a court case with the American Patent Office. Plans submitted to the Patent Office were lost 1836 in a fire.

So the two pictures are the only sources for the two machines, which are the first not atmospheric steam engines designed and built in the US as far as I know.

I finally decided to make a model of the very first machine described by Evans in his book. In the sources this machine usually does not have a name, only D. and G. Bathe referred to it as "Drop Valve Engine" in 1935. So this is the name I'm going to use.

I did not find any hints about currently existing models of the "Drop Valve Engine". So I really would appreciate any hints.


This is the base frame unfinished:



Now the carpenter has finished:



The valve gear:



So long for now !

Greetings

Gerd

Offline smfr

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2013, 04:51:46 PM »
This looks like it will be a fascinating build, Gerd. I look forward to more!

Simon

Offline Alan Haisley

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2013, 05:28:26 PM »
With the little amount of information you have, it's going to be a really interesting build. I'm looking forward to following along.
Alan

Offline wagnmkr

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2013, 06:04:07 PM »
Popcorn is ready and refreshments in the fridge ...

Tom
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Offline ths

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2013, 07:36:40 PM »
The carpenter has worked nicely! Looks good.

Cheers, Hugh.

Offline tvoght

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2013, 07:40:21 PM »
Welcome Gerd,
I followed your link and saw your other beam engines. Very nice indeed.

--Tim

Online Jo

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2013, 07:47:55 PM »
:hi: Gerd,

Nice beam engine make a model of  8).

Any chance of posting an introduction about yourself in the introduction section  :ThumbsUp:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2013, 08:44:50 PM »
Nice start on what should make a fine model!

Bill

Offline steamer

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2013, 10:48:47 AM »
Nicely executed Gerd!

Dave
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Damned ijjit!

Offline Tinkerer58

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2013, 11:09:56 AM »
Nice work Gerd, I will be following this closely. It may help with my Newcommen project I'm working on, I will post some detail in a new post on that.
I just wanna be in me bloody shed.

Offline gbritnell

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2013, 12:28:31 PM »
Excellent fabrication. I like the others are watching the progress. Thanks for joining in.
gbritnell
Talent unshared is talent wasted.

Offline Giraldus

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2013, 09:07:38 PM »
Hi,

thanks for all the kind comments.

The valves of the machine kept me busy for some time. The first attempt failed, simply because I wasn't machining precise enough. The second attempt seemed to be better, so I tested it together with the valve gear which I already have shown here. I was confident then and carried on with the model. An O-Ring was the sealing element:



When a real test became possible, I had to learn that these valves did not really work in motion. I think the main issue was the back pressure. I finally built a set of new valves. The valve body is now a simple piston, which is hit by the air under 90°:



This is an inlet valve in detail:



And the finished unit:



So long for now !

Greetings

Gerd

Offline Giraldus

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2013, 10:24:33 AM »
Hi,

I finally finished the model. Quite a few square nuts and bolts had to be done - but this is 1801  ;D. Due to narrow space I even had to make a square socket key. The base plate is not yet finished. Eventually I will add some things.

Here are some pictures:

A front view first:


Now an aerial view:


Rear:


Here I added a scale:


This is a narrow space:


The crank:


If somebody wants to see a video:
http://youtu.be/wwg4Mfvb5cw

So long for now !

Greetings

Gerd

Offline steamer

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2013, 10:26:44 AM »
That is first rate work Gerd!

 :ThumbsUp: :praise2:

Got any build photo's?....... 8)

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Online Jo

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2013, 10:28:27 AM »
That is rather nice  :ThumbsUp:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline vcutajar

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2013, 11:44:25 AM »
Well done Gerd.  Looks very authentic.

Vince

Offline fumopuc

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2013, 11:46:01 AM »
Hi Gerd,
as already mentioned in our german forum, an excelent job and it is really very nice to follow the movement.
Regards
Achim
Kind Regards
Achim

Offline GailinNM

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #17 on: December 09, 2013, 01:05:04 PM »
Very fine design and execution of a wonderful model Gerd.
I enjoy models of more obscure enginesl like this.
Great video also.
Gail in NM
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2013, 01:19:13 PM »
Very very nice Gerd...wonderful model and well executed too. Loved the video as well!!

Bill

Offline mklotz

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2013, 04:16:44 PM »
Ausgezeichnet ! fantastisch !
Regards, Marv
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Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #20 on: December 09, 2013, 04:42:16 PM »
Nice piece of craftsmanship :ThumbsUp:

Great job.

Dave

Offline arnoldb

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #21 on: December 09, 2013, 04:42:46 PM »
Very well done indeed !

I love the sound it makes.

Kind regards, Arnold
Building an engine takes Patience, Planning, Preparation and Machining.
Procrastination is nearly the same, but it precludes machining.
Thus, an engine will only be built once the procrastination stops and the machining begins!

Offline Kim

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #22 on: December 09, 2013, 04:43:09 PM »
Wow Gerd! This is great!  Excellent video too!
Do you have plans for this, or know where someone could get them?  This is a very fascinating engine!  So many moving parts to watch.
And the model is just beautiful!
Thanks for sharing,
Kim

Offline Giraldus

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Re: Drop Valve Engine
« Reply #23 on: December 13, 2013, 06:58:07 AM »
Hi all,

thanks for your nice comments on my Drop Valve Engine.

@Dave: I don't have build photos. The parts as such are not really difficult.

@Kim: There is only one plan - that from 1805. Pls. see my initial posting, first picture.

Greetings

Gerd

 

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