Gerry's Beam Engine

[jjr2001]

A work in progress. Just had to have one of these so I thought I would build one.
The frames and some of the linkages were made on my CNC machine. The rest
was made in the shop with the lathe and mill. Still making parts for it and it
has been quite a while ago that I started it. It will be done!

When I do not know......

Here are some pics of the parts so far:

[jjr2001]

Here is the latest progress on the little engine:

The rod for the steam chest and valve was the most fun.

Cheers, JR

[mklotz]

With that steam chest arrangement it looks as if there is no way to fine tune the position of the D-valve. At least I can't detect one.

In Elmer Verburg's design, the valve spindle is threaded. A slot in the D-valve restrains a nut through which the threaded spindle passes. The valve is free to float up and down on this nut so the steam pressure can hold it against the cylinder wall.

By turning the spindle through 180 degrees the position of the valve can be adjusted relative to the intake/exhaust ports by an amount equal to half the pitch on the spindle thread.

This fine tuning allows one to take out minor errors in the valve train and thus optimize the engine performance.

If you have problems getting the engine to run well, you might want to think about using an adjustable valving scheme.

[jjr2001]

It will be interesting setting it up to run. The only adjustment I see is the length of the eccentric push rod
which I believe would effect the timing a bit.
Thanks for the info.

Cheers, JR

[mklotz]

I checked Dykstra's plans and, yes, what you suggest would affect the positioning of the valve but it would be a lot more difficult than having the adjustment built into the design.

My concern is founded on the fact that beam engines are meant to be run at a slow and stately pace. This means they need accurate valve control and a flywheel with a large moment.

Hopefully, it won't be a problem and the engine will run fine the first time out.

[jjr2001]

Here are the rest of the parts all in a row! ( or is that several rows)
The small ones are the challenging part of the build.

[jjr2001]

Tested and running fine. Still need to make a base and do a little video.

Ok, jumped a head just a bit. Here is a short video of some of the break in process.
Base to follow. Probably made from walnut but I am grouping the base with some
other wood work I need to do.

Cheers, JR

[blkadder]

I have always wanted to put together one of these kits, but since I have no tooling (or talent) I will just have to live vicariously through your project. Thanks very much for posting this.

[mklotz]

I have always wanted to put together one of these kits, but since I have no tooling (or talent) I will just have to live vicariously through your project. Thanks very much for posting this.

Perhaps you would like to satisfy your urge to build with a wooden air engine. This one...

https://woodgears.ca/air_engine/old.html

has all the features of a typical horizontal factory engine including double-acting valving.

[jjr2001]

I have always wanted to put together one of these kits, but since I have no tooling (or talent) I will just have to live vicariously through your project. Thanks very much for posting this.

First of all Thank You For Your Service.

Second, I find Marv's link for the wooden air engine to be quite appealing, and the website it points to very interesting.
Added that link to my mega store of links, most of which are lost forever somewhere on my hard drive!
Even though I have the tools to build with metal I may just build the wooden one for some variety.

Thanks again and

Cheers, JR

Oh yea, I like the Ar's also. My son and grandson and myself are all in the shooting sports.