Hello Chris, Charles, Jason. Yes it will be a succesion of experiments, obeservations & note taking, contemplation on results and hopefully some sound conclusions. Jason, it will not just be for slow running. It will be a multi purpose experimental tool to be exploited in as many ways I can think of including much higher speeds. The model will be for exploring ideas, some of which I have articulated already, others broader in scope and some I dare say are yet to be formulated. The engine has to fit certain criteria. Quickly, be more or less two separate engines, ie. each capable of being run separately, each must have a simple quickly alterable crankshaft arrangemnt to facilitate changes to crank angles etc. Be easily connected together in line to make a four cylinder unit then a "double" where the two engines sit side by side and coupled through a drive (probably gearing). The slow running is principally for my aesthetic pleasure but also a test and must run effectively at this low speed. Engines of this size, say 12 mm square roughly, are typically run at speeds of hundreds of revs per minute which is far behond full size oscillator operation, eg. usually model boats driving screws. The engine should be readily deployable as a stationary, marine or rail prime mover in one of configurations.
Charles, thank you for bringing this aspect to my attention. A very good point and will explore it for future application.. At the moment a simpler arrangement is of utility for the numerous experiments, the units will not have any intrinsic interest after the experiments, so to some extent their longevity is not of major importance.
Thanks again to those who have shown interest, Regards, Paul Gough.
