Recent content by Inventus
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Can a Gear-Pump Be Used as a Motor for a Simple Steam Engine?
Sounds good so far Fred, thanks for your input. I'm sure there are gear-pumps available, capable of handling far more corrosive fluids than steam, so I don't think this will be a major issue. Also, since the engine will be recirculating the water (and hopefully with a minimal loss), it should...- Inventus
- Post #6
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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Can a Gear-Pump Be Used as a Motor for a Simple Steam Engine?
Comments & Clarifications Hi Danger, Thanks for the welcome and your comments about my gear-pump idea. Very nice forum this one, and I'm glad to hear that my posts were of interest. I too had a small steam-engine when I was a boy, and with the same kind of sliding valve you describe...- Inventus
- Post #3
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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A simple but efficient Diesel burner?
Hi, I'm looking into making a simple steam-engine. For that purpose I need a Diesel burner which should be as efficient as possible, both with regard to oil-consumption and pollution, which I guess is to say that it should provide as complete and stoichiometric a combustion of the oil as...- Inventus
- Thread
- Diesel
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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Non Carbon Renewable energy sources
Regarding the original post: Instead of making a gigantic "wind sock" in a mountain pass, have you considered this: Make a gigantic wind-turbine, then lift it into the jet-stream in the stratosphere (or wherever it is the jet-stream occurs?) where the wind always blows in the same...- Inventus
- Post #27
- Forum: General Engineering
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Can a Gear-Pump Be Used as a Motor for a Simple Steam Engine?
Hi, I'm looking into the possibility of making a small steam-engine, with focus on simplicity and low water-loss. Since I need high torque at low rpm, I don't think a turbine would be ideal, but would instead prefer something operating on the principle of "positive displacement", only the...- Inventus
- Thread
- Motor
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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Choosing the Right Radiator for Your Vehicle
You should check the thermostatic valve, which is typically placed somewhere in the coolant-loop (either near the radiator or near the engine block - See your workshop manual for the specific location). These are typically mechanical units, and thus may vary in calibration. Thus, if you have a...- Inventus
- Post #6
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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Solving a Robotic Transport Challenge: Stumped on Spherical Tyres
Hi, I've seen a working prototype of a "spherical electric motor" (on some university website I think, but I forget the URL), so it can be done. However, it wasn't the simplest of constructions. As far as I remember, the concept was to use permanent magnets for the rotor, mounted on the...- Inventus
- Post #8
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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Car radiator as a heat exchanger
Hi, Without being an expert, I just want to mention this: As mentioned previously, the reason for all those fins on a car radiator is the low thermal conductivity of air, which then requires a much greater surface area to transfer the same amount of heat as the water does inside the pipes...- Inventus
- Post #13
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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What is the most efficient method of lifting water using heat?
Hi (again), Just a few clarifications to my previous post: In 1. I am obviously talking about the idea of evaporating the water, without the use of a pump. However, In 3. I am of course assuming a system where you use a steam engine to drive a pump, which I kind of forgot to mention. Likewise...- Inventus
- Post #12
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering
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What is the most efficient method of lifting water using heat?
Some comments & suggestions Hi Bernie, I don't know if this thread is still active, but just in case here's my 5 cents worth: 1. The idea of evaporating the water seems like a good way to overcome the huge head (as much as 900 feet I gather). As mentioned condensation might be a problem...- Inventus
- Post #11
- Forum: Mechanical Engineering