Can a Hydraulic Engine with a Single Moving Part Function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of a hydraulic engine design that incorporates a single moving part, specifically a piston assembly within a cylinder, driven by internal combustion. The conversation explores the mechanics of this design, its operational principles, and potential challenges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a design involving a piston assembly that functions as both a hydraulic pump and a motor, questioning whether it could work effectively.
  • Another participant raises concerns about impedance mismatch due to the viscosity of hydraulic fluid compared to air, suggesting that the operational speed and pressure dynamics may not be feasible.
  • A participant questions the source of pressurized mixture for the hydraulic system, highlighting potential operational challenges of the proposed design.
  • One participant humorously dismisses the initial idea as silly but suggests an alternative use for the design as an air pump for a hydraulic accumulator.
  • Another participant compares the proposed design to multi-stage pistons used in air compressors, implying a potential similarity in function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of the hydraulic engine design, with some raising significant concerns about its practicality while others suggest alternative applications. No consensus is reached regarding the original concept's viability.

Contextual Notes

Participants note various assumptions about the mechanics of the proposed design, including the operational dynamics of a 2-cycle engine and the behavior of hydraulic fluids under pressure. Specific mathematical and engineering principles remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, and innovative engine designs may find this discussion relevant.

wolram
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Imagine a bar, say 3inches dia by 15inches long, the bar is turned down to
1inch dia 3inches in for 3inches, and again at 9 inches for three inches, this
forms 3, connected (pistons), this piston assembly is enclosed in a cylinder
the outer pistons are moved by internal combustion using the 2 stroke principle,
the inner piston is used as a hydrulic pump, when say the right cylinder fires, a valve opens
on the left of the centeral pump piston, and the reverse as the left cylinder fires, the hydraulic pressure is such that it will not allow the ic pistons to (bottom out), thus forming
a hydraulic motor with only one moving part, will it work.
Second draft as first was nonsence.
 
Last edited:
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Sounds like a bad impedance mismatch, the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid is many times that of the air. Since a 2-cycle engine can maybe operate at 1200 RPM, then you're asking the fluid to pump at 20 Hz and you have a gas pressure of something like 1000psi for 5msec and a mechanical ratio of 1:1.

Maybe if you reduced the volume in the hydraulic areas you could gain more mechanical advantage, but the moving mass would still be quite large and getting the balance correct for operation sounds difficult.

A 2-cycle needs the downstroke of the piston to compress the mixture in the crankcase so that when it uncovers the intake port the mixture can be introduced. You're sort of trying to use that to pressurize hydraulic fluid, so where is the pressurized mixture coming from?

And how would you start this thing? :smile:
 
OOps, silly idea any way. LOL
 
You could, however, use your design as an air pump to pressurize a bladder-type hydraulic accumulator. You'd probably need some kind of air-bleed valve in the system to prevent over-pressurization or stalling the engine.
 
Sounds like a multi-stage piston as is used in some air compressors.
 

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