Author Topic: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine  (Read 42909 times)

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #30 on: March 09, 2016, 12:19:44 AM »
Cletus, AMEX is going to be disappointed with the PayPal comment... :lolb:

Bill

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #31 on: March 09, 2016, 01:03:57 AM »
They are directly linked  :lolb: :lolb:

Cletus

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #32 on: March 09, 2016, 01:23:31 AM »
Just got off the phone with Max,

The column/cylinder was dropped off at the automotive machine shop today to be honed on a Sunnen machine. New Y axis power feed scheduled to be delivered tomorrow PM; so it will most likely be next week before we have more pictures to look at.  :(

Jim, unless someone beats me to it I will try to put something together on the operation of this engine; it is really pretty amazing.

Dave

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #33 on: March 09, 2016, 01:46:04 AM »
Now I don't know about this subbing out work :stir: :thinking:. What,  does he think he's like 80 or something?  :lolb:. My power drawbar showed up today, so, I know how he feels about shop improvements.  He will love the Y powerfeed  :ThumbsUp:.

Cletus

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #34 on: March 09, 2016, 02:37:23 AM »
Maybe for another thread Eric; but I swore that I would never put a power draw bar on my mill. But, I have been running some parts with multiple operations on my CNC converted Knee mill, and all this tool changing has got my old tennis elbow injury,m flared up. :lolb:

Now I'm starting to think that maybe a PDB might no be such a bad idea. Did you do some research to find the best unit?

Dave

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #35 on: March 09, 2016, 02:54:29 AM »


Jim, unless someone beats me to it I will try to put something together on the operation of this engine; it is really pretty amazing.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

I'll keep researching as well. I know it's out there someplace.

Also, I'd love to know what Max is using for a lathe and a mill.

Jim

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Offline Jo

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #36 on: March 09, 2016, 07:09:09 AM »
How it works:

The engine settles with the piston at the bottom of the cylinder, so if you turn the flywheel a little the rack will lift the piston drawing in some gas and air. You now have a charged "cannon" ready for the ignition.  The combustion of the gasses forces the piston with its rack up the cylinder, which in turn pushes the pinion round but to confuse matters the pinion is on a clutch and it free wheels in this direction  ;)

As the gasses in the cylinder cool it forms a partial vacuum and it is this vacuum and the weight of the piston and its rod (rack) dropping which gives the engine its power as it now turns the pinion. As the piston reaches the bottom of its motion a rocker arm is pushed down by a pin on the rack which locks the ratchet mechanism allowing the eccentrics to turn. One of these eccentrics lifts the piston again and the other which is offset by 90 degrees moves the slide valve to open the gas and air. And so the cycle repeats  :whoohoo:

Jo

P.S. The speed is regulated by the exhaust  :naughty:
« Last Edit: March 09, 2016, 07:28:11 AM by Jo »
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Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #37 on: March 09, 2016, 09:36:22 AM »
Only just found this!

Is this what you're describing, Jo?


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Mn97po_Tc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Mn97po_Tc</a>

David.
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Offline Bluechip

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #38 on: March 09, 2016, 10:43:16 AM »
Either that or a Panther engine ...  :headscratch:

Dave

Offline Jo

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #39 on: March 09, 2016, 10:49:22 AM »
 ;)
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline 10KPete

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #40 on: March 09, 2016, 11:10:41 AM »
How it works:

The engine settles with the piston at the bottom of the cylinder, so if you turn the flywheel a little the rack will lift the piston drawing in some gas and air. You now have a charged "cannon" ready for the ignition.  The combustion of the gasses forces the piston with its rack up the cylinder, which in turn pushes the pinion round but to confuse matters the pinion is on a clutch and it free wheels in this direction  ;)

As the gasses in the cylinder cool it forms a partial vacuum and it is this vacuum and the weight of the piston and its rod (rack) dropping which gives the engine its power as it now turns the pinion. As the piston reaches the bottom of its motion a rocker arm is pushed down by a pin on the rack which locks the ratchet mechanism allowing the eccentrics to turn. One of these eccentrics lifts the piston again and the other which is offset by 90 degrees moves the slide valve to open the gas and air. And so the cycle repeats  :whoohoo:

Jo

P.S. The speed is regulated by the exhaust  :naughty:

Thank you for the excellent and very clear explanation Jo!  That has to be the strangest engine cycle I've heard about. :insane:

Pete
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Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #41 on: March 09, 2016, 01:37:18 PM »
Thanks Jo,

I just didn't have time to sit down and type it up.

Dave

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #42 on: March 09, 2016, 02:08:51 PM »
Thank you Jo, that was a great explanation. I thought it had something to do with using gravity to develop the power. The vacuum part didn't occur to me. Also, I had no idea what all went on at the lower end.

i can see why this engine was quite limited in power. Which begs the question: Were any of these engines actually used to power anything or were they just a step on the way to engineering something that would?

Jim
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Sherline 5400 Mill
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Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #43 on: March 09, 2016, 02:37:06 PM »
For your entertainment.

3 HP Otto Crossley patent ( 1870's ) driving a winch/crane.

Being demonstrated by Geoff Challinor the museum curator.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGpd2RJ3m4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGpd2RJ3m4</a>

Here is engine number 1 Otto Langen atmospheric engine.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09cqOUHbmBI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09cqOUHbmBI</a>

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #44 on: March 09, 2016, 09:41:36 PM »
What a cool thread!
Fascinating!

Great explanations and videos. Thanks!!  :ThumbsUp:
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