Author Topic: large vacuum engine  (Read 8471 times)

Offline crueby

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #60 on: December 22, 2023, 07:28:29 PM »
The   ball bearing conversion  went great,  I'm sure you will  get the rest sorted out too.   :popcorn:

Offline Kim

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #61 on: December 22, 2023, 10:50:16 PM »
That sounds frustrating, Michael.   But as Chris said, I'm sure you'll get it sorted out shortly!

Kim

Offline dudeface

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #62 on: December 23, 2023, 01:22:04 AM »
That is indeed a big vacuum engine! Looks nice.
Miles

It's almost like the faster I spin it, the more times it goes around.....

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #63 on: December 26, 2023, 03:39:12 PM »
Hello everyone,

Unfortunately I can't report any success with the engine.
The thing doesn't want to run.
I think I've tried everything. All parameters changed and tried. It's not working. Not even a little.
I'll put the engine on the shelf for now and maybe try again later. Maybe new ideas will come later 💡.

I will now continue working on my last steam engine project.

Greetings Michael
« Last Edit: December 26, 2023, 03:48:00 PM by Michael S. »

Offline RReid

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #64 on: December 26, 2023, 03:52:43 PM »
That's a shame, Michael. It sure is pretty though.

During each build, I always try to prepare myself for the possibility that I'm building a static model with moving parts. That way, when it actually runs it feels more like a bonus, and less like a loss if it doesn't.
Regards,
Ron

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #65 on: December 26, 2023, 04:22:22 PM »
It's not a big catastrophe that it doesn't run.
I was aware from the start that there could be difficulties.
Unfortunately, you only notice this at the end, when the last part is attached.
But I'll let some time pass and at some point the engine will go back on the workbench.

Michael

Offline Zephyrin

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #66 on: December 26, 2023, 04:33:20 PM »
such a beautiful model on a shelf won't look out of place, but surely in time you'll look at it with fresh eyes and ideas to test...

for me, only 2 parameters matter : a very, very free movement (the expected power is miserable) and the best possible sealing (the power relies on the atmospheric pressure only),  so you have to really feel the compression bouncing around very freely, Once you've got that, the cam settings flow naturally with testing.

Offline bent

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #67 on: January 02, 2024, 09:45:25 PM »
Nice work, Michael!  :popcorn:

"Vacuum engines can be bitchy divas."  LOL!  Too true.   I've only built one, but it took a lot of fussing to get it to run.

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #68 on: January 05, 2025, 05:30:14 PM »
I put the flame eater back on the workbench.
He didn't want to walk.
So I built a new alcohol burner. The tank is made of brass sheet. First I bent the brass sheet and then connected it with copper rivets and soldered it. Then the lower and upper sheet metal was riveted with two rods and then everything was soldered with silver solder. Because it was riveted beforehand, it held together well during the soldering process.
The rest was also soldered together with silver solder. I had to mill two small star wheels to drive the wick. I ground the cutter myself from these engraving pens. I was amazed that it worked so well.
Now put everything together and test run.

Michael

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #69 on: January 05, 2025, 05:38:31 PM »
And it's alive! :pinkelephant:


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8xtIw9NKcg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8xtIw9NKcg</a>

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #70 on: January 05, 2025, 05:47:19 PM »
When it reaches a certain temperature, it rotates at around 160 revolutions per minute.
I'm glad it still worked. The alcohol burner has the right power and the setting on the outlet valve had to be optimized. Lubricate the piston with petroleum and when hot then with graphite oil. When the cooling water boils, it is very fast.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMUdd5Kmv4E" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMUdd5Kmv4E</a>

Greetings Michael

Online Dave Otto

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #71 on: January 05, 2025, 05:57:11 PM »
Success! It runs very nice, and I like the speed.

Dave

Offline RReid

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #72 on: January 05, 2025, 06:05:15 PM »
Very very nice, Michael. Sounds just right, too. Congratulations! :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
Regards,
Ron

Offline Michael S.

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #73 on: January 05, 2025, 06:19:33 PM »
Thanks Dave and Ron,
I'm very relieved that the engine runs so well.

Michael   :cheers:

Online redhouseluv

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Re: large vacuum engine
« Reply #74 on: January 05, 2025, 06:23:12 PM »
Nice work Michael, another one looking and sounding great!
Best regards

Sanjay

 

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