That image brings up another question: How does a stopped steam locomotive get started going the right direction? Do the wheels operate valves in similar fashion to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine?
That image brings up another question: How does a stopped steam locomotive get started going the right direction? Do the wheels operate valves in similar fashion to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine?
-Phil
The cranks on each side of a steam locomotive are offset so that at least one piston can always move the axle.
As far as reversing each piston, there is a reversing bar ("quadrant") that controls the timing of the piston valve. This piston valve is the smaller cylinder on top of the main steam cylinder, and it controls the admittance of steam onto each side of the main piston. The quadrant can be seen in the image below as the stretched "0" shape on the left hand side. Neutral is right in the middle, and forward would be at one end and reverse at the other.
Hey guys! I was just hunting down bad links to my site and saw this one
yes I put the pin on the wrong side LOL DOH! - still works though - probably because there's really not a lot of "mass" involved in this - it's just lightweight plastic really
Martin_H
Posts: 4,051
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Too bad he put the crank pin on the wrong side...
+1
I'm hoping that there's no such thing as a stupid question. But the engine is working and looks like other wobblers I've seen. How should it change?
Like this;
-Phil
The cranks on each side of a steam locomotive are offset so that at least one piston can always move the axle.
As far as reversing each piston, there is a reversing bar ("quadrant") that controls the timing of the piston valve. This piston valve is the smaller cylinder on top of the main steam cylinder, and it controls the admittance of steam onto each side of the main piston. The quadrant can be seen in the image below as the stretched "0" shape on the left hand side. Neutral is right in the middle, and forward would be at one end and reverse at the other.
A very nice model oscillating steam engine is sold by PM Research, another great made in America company: http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/product.php?productid=3085&cat=4&page=1
You're right, according to this article, too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotive#Steam_circuit
Thanks, guys, for the additional info!
-Phil
yes I put the pin on the wrong side LOL DOH! - still works though - probably because there's really not a lot of "mass" involved in this - it's just lightweight plastic really
anyway here's a good link - the old site went bye bye
and if you like that one check out this one
Jamie