paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2007 20:16:42 GMT
Does anyone have any experience of building or running a 'clapper valve' engine (where a projecting rod on the piston opposite the con rod pushes a ball or somesuch to admit steam)?
I'm looking at building a very very simple one with a bore of about 1/2".
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lancelot
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 471
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Post by lancelot on Nov 10, 2007 13:22:02 GMT
Hello Paul,
never heard of ''Clapper' 'valve engine as such... but as far as I know, the Clapper valve is a form of ''Check Valve'' associated with ''Firefighting'' equiptment...may also be a fixture on steam locos...possible Check valve...must do some further ''Hokeing'' on this one.
All the best for now,
John.
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Nov 10, 2007 15:13:45 GMT
Hi John, the one I'm considering is in the book Making Simple Model Steam Engines by Stan Bray. It's so simple I guess I'll just go ahead and make it anyway!
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Post by circlip on Nov 10, 2007 16:24:30 GMT
Don't the model aircraft CO2 engines work on this principle?
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Post by peterhill on Nov 10, 2007 19:54:07 GMT
My father built one years ago, it was single acting, the steam came out of a port at bottom of the cylinder it just had a ball on the cylinder head and a pin on the cylinder, when the piston rose it pushed up the ball to let steam in, i remember that it did run but not very well, i think it just had a too light flywheel.
Yes there are co2 engines for model aircraft that use the same design.
peter hill
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Nov 11, 2007 10:08:30 GMT
Yep thats it Peter, I'll give it a go.
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Post by AndrewP on Nov 11, 2007 10:58:41 GMT
Paul
I've seen a site with that sort of arrangement but using a car tyre (Schrader) valve, not really here so don't have my bookmarks, something College based in the US with lots of VERY simple arrangements - ring any bells?
Cheers, Andy
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Nov 11, 2007 13:47:48 GMT
Thanks Andy, I'm guessing you mean Niall McCabe's site? I exchanged e-mails with him last year, thoroughly nice professor!
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tcase
Involved Member
Posts: 52
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Post by tcase on Jun 6, 2008 22:30:13 GMT
I remember seeing this arrangement on a hydroplane flash steamer. It may be detailed in the Westbury or the Rayman (sp?) flash steam book.
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DaveD.
Involved Member
Posts: 68
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Post by DaveD. on Jun 7, 2008 10:03:12 GMT
Hi Folks
Thought this was a dead thread; the book is:
'Experimental Flash Steam' Authors - Benson & Rayman.
Also one in 'Steam & Stirling Engines you can Build' - Vol 2
I built one 30 yrs ago, own 'design', not very inspiring, uncontrollably bi-directional, I guess they were OK for racing hydroplanes, but nbg for R/C Models.
Dave.
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DaveD.
Involved Member
Posts: 68
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Post by DaveD. on Jun 7, 2008 10:18:59 GMT
P.S.
Camden have both books.
Dave.
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