Author Topic: Turn Down the Pressure!  (Read 3951 times)

Offline Nerdz

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 119
  • CT, USA
Turn Down the Pressure!
« on: July 15, 2014, 01:16:43 AM »
Not so much for Air Engines..But For leak testing Stirling Engines..Please Do!

Back Story: Was going to try and find leaks in my version of the LSE-01 Stirling. I applied Air (not even checking the pressure) to an open port. My Glass Hot cylinder shot clear across the room and shattered! I looked down and saw I had my compressor set for 50 PSI.  Needless to say, I ended the night with a few curse words and a hurt ego  :-[
-Chris

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12697
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: Turn Down the Pressure!
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2014, 01:23:09 AM »
Words to live by Chris....though I can think of many nights I walked out of the shop full of blue air...... 8)


It happens......

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

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Turn Down the Pressure!
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2014, 02:06:49 PM »
Time for John Stevenson's favorite quote, methinks.
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline Ian S C

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1080
  • Stirling Engine Maker Darfield Canterbury N Z
Re: Turn Down the Pressure!
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2014, 03:35:16 PM »
For checking the likes of hollow displacers for hot air engines, put it in a pot of hot water, if it has a leak it will blow bubbles.  I'v never tried testing the whole motor, there might be a little leak at the displacer rod gland, and the power piston(even less).  For air pressure, all you need if you go that way is a bit of tube, and blow, lung power should be ample.
If you find that you have a bit much air leak at the piston, try fitting a light leather cup seal on top of the piston (like the leather cup seal in a bike pump)
                                Ian S C
« Last Edit: July 15, 2014, 03:38:45 PM by Ian S C »

Offline MMan

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 98
  • Hampshire, UK.
Re: Turn Down the Pressure!
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2014, 05:22:36 PM »
Something I found helpful from jan Ridder's notes for his engines is to disconnect displacer and piston from linkages and flywheel, heat the hot end and then move the displacer. The piston should move in response to the displacer moving.

It gives a good, quick confidence check that it is all basically functional.

Mman.

Offline Nerdz

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 119
  • CT, USA
Re: Turn Down the Pressure!
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2014, 05:27:58 PM »
Yea I dont know why I didnt do lung power. I just got excited!

The Displacer and cold piston do move on their own without being connected to the flywheel
-Chris

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal