akitene
Just Starting Out
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject: Hi from France, Bordeaux!
Good evening to you all!
I should have introduced myself before posting on this excellent forum.
Well, I ain't got no boat and no engine too. But I'm planning to build a steam launch (stitch & glue + plywood) and an assorted engine. A matter of 2 to 3 years, I guess.
In the meanwhile, before undertaking the above serious project, I've bought a set of 3 gunmetal cylinders castings on eBay: a triple expansion engine of 1" + 1 7/8"+ 3" x 2". No blueprint nor maker mark. So I'm currently undertaking the process of modelising the engine. Loads of books to read and forums to dwell in
Yes, it's but a model engine, but large enough to deliver something like 1 to 1.5 HP?
I'm fiddling with the idea of building a really small boat (a 1 plywood sheet?) and powering it with this rather largeish model engine + an adequate boiler. This could turn into a kind of proof of concept before heading toward a larger boat+engine (a triple one, of course, unless it proves too difficult to build from but 3 cylinders castings). This lighter project could be undertaken within the coming 12 months...
As a conclusion, I'm fascinated by triple expansion engines, hence my deep respect and awe for Peter Cowie's and Maltelec's Elliott Bay engines.
Regards,
Akitene
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87gn@tahoe
Full Ahead
Joined: 23 Feb 2009
Posts: 148
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:
Welcome Akitene!
You will find that there are many VERY knowledgeable people on this forum.
We would love to see pictures of your project.
wes
_________________
Wesley Harcourt
-S.L. Wayward Belle (Mr. Grosjean was/is a genius.)
-S.L. George H. Sandin (Father's boat. Cut my teeth on that one.)
-'64 Buick Riviera
-'65 Buick Special WAGON
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akitene
Just Starting Out
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject: Pics of my triplex castings
Good evening,
Here are a few pics of my triplex castings - the caliper is 300 mm long :
Portside:
Another view from the rear:
The high pressure cylinder (no cored ports!):
The intermediate pressure cylinder showing its low pressure steam chest side:
And the low pressure cylinder:
-> I'm slowly modelising these parts and the missing ones before beginning the machining. Still loads of job to be done.
Regards.[/img]
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mcandrew1894
Full Ahead
Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 149
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:
Hello akitene!
Welcome.
I have been where you are, and it is a daunting challenge.
Just keep working at it. Before you know it you will be done!
Machining in the ports on a small engine is a good idea, as cored steam port moves too much.
Please keep us posted on your progress!
Dave
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akitene
Just Starting Out
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:43 am Post subject:
Yes, a daunting challenge! I do love that
I'm just a little bit worried about the HP piston valve ports and about the receiver between the IP and LP cylinder. It's but a matter of reading a lot and thinking about it very seriously.
Anyway, any advice is welcome!
Have a nice day!
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mcandrew1894
Full Ahead
Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 149
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject:
I have some information that might help. I will try to load it up in the engines section for everyone, but you will need to be patient.......
Dave
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akitene
Just Starting Out
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:06 am Post subject:
Good morning Dave,
I'm very interested by your documents.
By the way, I've got the complete metric blueprints of a very large French triple expansion engine with all its ancillary equipments and the secondary engines, in TIFF format. The whole set of plans weighs +/- 35 megabytes... A little bit too large for this forum capacity. If these drawings are of interest for someone, send me a MP with your email address and the capacity limit of the attachments.
Regards,
Christophe
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87gn@tahoe
Full Ahead
Joined: 23 Feb 2009
Posts: 148
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject:
PM sent!
_________________
Wesley Harcourt
-S.L. Wayward Belle (Mr. Grosjean was/is a genius.)
-S.L. George H. Sandin (Father's boat. Cut my teeth on that one.)
-'64 Buick Riviera
-'65 Buick Special WAGON
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mcandrew1894
Full Ahead
Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 149
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:
Its from C.H. Peabody's "The Thermodynamics of the Steam Engine"
I used the section on compounds to calculate the threoretical PV diagrams for my engine. But you could just use the steam tables
This method....with some computer work lets you iterate a few solutions though......rather quickly.
There is a section on triples.....I hope you like simultaneous equations
I think a simple spreadsheet could be used
Dave
Last edited by mcandrew1894 on Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:36 pm; edited 1 time in total
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P.F.Cuthbert@Classicfm.ne
Steam on Deck
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Cheshire, UK
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:54 am Post subject:
Hi Christophe
A belated welcome to the Forum, or should we say "bienvenu!"?
As you may have seen from the rest of the Forum, the folk across the Atlantic are simply amazing engine builders, so you will get some first class advice from there.
So what can we offer from Europe? Well how about a suggestion to develop your idea of a "trial" boat in which to use the triple. Cliff Blackstaff, the famous engine and boiler builder in the US used to have a small triple in his boat. The boat too was quite small but, I gather, quite quick. So my suggestion for you would be to build a steam canoe which would go together very quickly with stitch and glue. Add a monotube boiler to your triple and you have something that will go on the top of your car. The engine and boiler (separately!) in the boot and the canoe on the top.
For some inspiration have a look at Taniwha on the SBA Steamboat Register section (http://www.steamboat.org.uk/register/h ... i0866.htm). Mike Robinson has written an article about the boat in the Funnel. If you are interested in the article, send me a PM and I will get it scanned for you (I am with relatives just now).
Good luck with the project.
Amitie
Pete
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steamboatjack
Urchin
Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 39
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:51 am Post subject:
Cliffe Blackstaffe lived in British Columbia so I asume he would be Canadian?
regards jack
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P.F.Cuthbert@Classicfm.ne
Steam on Deck
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Cheshire, UK
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:51 am Post subject:
Oops! Sorry for that error. I should have remembered that...
Senior moment perhaps?
Regards
Pete
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akitene
Just Starting Out
Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:10 am Post subject:
Thanks to you all for you warm welcome and your advices.
I'm going to PM Pete.
Have a nice day!