Steam Engine Concept

From Open Source Ecology
Jump to: navigation, search

Main > Energy > Steam Engine


Steam Engine Intro

Title

The Open Source Modern Steam Engine

Keywords

  • Steam Engine
  • Power
  • Uniflow
  • Bump Valve

Description

The OSE steam engine allows steam generated from a solar concentrator [1] or boiler [2] to be converted first in linear motion (pushing on a piston) and then to rotary motion (using a crankshaft) that can be used to perform useful work (like running a hydraulic pump) or to generate electricity [3]. The first prototype [4] is a uniflow engine design [5], which means that steam is admitted on one side of the piston and allowed to vent to the atmosphere after it has expanded. Steam is controlled using a bump valve [6].

Technical Information

There is a wealth of information on the OSE steam engine gathered in the OSE Wiki. The Steam Engine/Index page shows all of them grouped by topic. Pages of specific interest include:

  • History of the idea [7]
  • Commercial Examples
  • Inputs and Outputs needed
  • How well it meets OSE Specifications, goals, and requirements.
  • Relationship to Other Concepts or Functions
  • Specifications [8] including:
    • Preliminary Drawings [9]
    • Designs [10]
    • Calculations [11] and [12] and [13]
    • Parts Lists [14]
    • Build Instructions [15]
    • other Documentation
  • Explanations of why certain designs are preferred
  • Performance and Efficiency [16] and [17]
  • Scaling to Different Sizes
  • Uncommon Items Needed