Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

A special section just for steam engines and boilers, as without these you may as well fit a sail.
steamboatjack
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by steamboatjack » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:38 pm

Pic shows some more progress on the first engine, machining the new eccentric rod top ends. The original S.G. iron castings have been rejected due to poor castings and insufficient machining allowance. The eccentric rods are being made in two parts from 230M07 (free cutting mild steel).
note the fixture made for this operation.

regards jack :?
Image
87gn@tahoe

Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by 87gn@tahoe » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:38 pm

Beautiful.

I have always wanted a triple in a launch.

Some quick questions for you..

What is the:

-overall length of the connecting rods (centre to centre)

-length of just the iron rod itself

-overall height of the engine

-height of the block

-height of the colums

-length of the engine

-dimentions of the big-end (con-rod) brasses

-little-end brasses

-valve linkage brasses

I hope I am not asking too much..

I am (have been for the last 10 years) in the process of designing my own triple and rather than making all new patterns (I hate woodwork) I thought I might look into using some parts from the Elliot Bay triple (i.e. big-end brasses, connecting rods, small end brasses, etc.). That is, if Mr. Spurlock is willing to part with those pieces at a reasonable price. Also the overall dimentions of the engine will give me a ballpark figure for a manageable-size triple.

Thank you for your time.

Wesley
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by steamboatjack » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:39 pm

overall length of the connecting rods (centre to centre) 11.625
-length of just the iron rod itself 9.875
-overall height of the engine 32
-height of the block 6.0
-height of the colums 17.437
-length of the engine 32
-dimentions of the big-end (con-rod) brasses 1.5 dia x 1.75
-little-end brasses 1.125dia x .75
valve brasses .75 dia x .375
these are the dimens as made by me, althrough I have not made the engine to the original design in some aspects as I consider it to be rather poor.
regards Jack
87gn@tahoe

Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by 87gn@tahoe » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:39 pm

thanks Jack.

hmm seems the rods are shorter than my liking.

What are the oustide dimentions of the brasses (big, small, and links), and what is the finished thickness of the pistons?

Thanks,
wes
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by steamboatjack » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:40 pm

crank pin brg.
vertical height 2.312
over all width 2.85
bolt ctrs 2.125
palm width 1.25

crosshead pin brg
vertical height 1.437
over all width 2.125
bolt ctrs 1.5
palm width .75

valve brasses
vertical height 1.25
over all width 1.75
bolt ctrs 1.25
palm width .375

piston height .75 (not really enough for an engine this size but they are dished which addes strength and gives more room for the gland arrangement)
regards jack
87gn@tahoe

Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by 87gn@tahoe » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:40 pm

GREAT!

Thanks a TON

wes
mcandrew1894
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by mcandrew1894 » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:40 pm

John,


Nice looking Triple!

How are you getting around some of the valve gear issues?

Dave
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by steamboatjack » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:41 pm

Dave,

Don't get me started! the problems I have had are many and various, too much to list here, I will offer a tome to the "funnel" magazine once I have done the trials (steam trials not court trials).
I have re-designed many items and managed to juggle some of the other problems, I have all the details down on CAD now so building the second engine should be easier (yes I have a second & third set of castings)!!!
Its a pity that such a good looking engine should have so many building faults which after all could and should have been ironed out by re-visiting the drawings and patterns. Had this been done no doubt a few more would have been sold.

Suffice to say anyone hoping to build one of these would benefit by getting in touch with me.
p.s. thanks to Peter Cowie in Australia for his help also.

regards Jack
87gn@tahoe

Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by 87gn@tahoe » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:41 pm

n/m
Last edited by 87gn@tahoe on Sun Dec 06, 2009 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Maltelec
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Re: Triple Expansion Engine - Elliott Bay

Post by Maltelec » Sat Dec 05, 2009 1:42 pm

Good news today, the engine has run on steam:

Image
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I've got the vehicle, just need the boat.
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