It’s Alive!! Air-Powered Locomotive Moves On Its Own!
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- Some experiments on the compressed air engine lead to an exciting test on the barn railway.
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I love the "let's see what happens" approach. I would analyse and research and basically have the whole thing worked out before I started building, but you have so much fun just building things and learning as you go and you simply don't mind if things fail or don't work out the way you hoped.
To quote the famous guy who said it: "I have not failed 1000 times, I have discovered 1000 ways that don't work"
understanding why thing do not work helps you understand why they might work in other applications and also helps you fine tune things you cant predict, i love tinkering its the best way to understand,. there isnt just one way do any task and only so much you can apply from something that you've been told or read.
being able to adapt a recipe like a skilled chef comes from experience and you can only get that through time and making and understanding the mistakes you've made in the past
Edison
This is also the Elon Musk (SpaceX) approach.
@@johndenison5245 Not exactly. SpaceX is doing "rapid iteration" only because it means they have lots and lots of tests and every test is covered by the news and the fans and that brings in money. Their actual progress is at best equal to the other companies that don't waste billions on pointless iterations. I don't want to start a Musk flamewar here, it's not the right place. All I will say is that Musk is not a rocket engineer, or a tunneler or a car designer, he's not even a programmer. The man has just bought twitter because he did not agree with their rules about what _he_ could and could not tweet. Go do a little more research into his background and skip his cult of personality.
And that is all I will say about it. Back to the backyard tinkering!
@@vinny142 One of my friends was in hydrogen research at a pretty high academic level (basically figuring out safer and more efficient hydrogen storage for use in cars). She told me that a lot of times she was doing field presentations, she'd get a lot of flak from people who invested time and research into electric vehicles. She figured out through some let's say creative facebook-detective work those people generally were musk-fans, or even employed by Tesla.
Here's an idea! Could you set the gas engine up as a stationary 'winding engine' and use a long loop of rope to a remote pulley? You could then clamp onto whichever side of the rope was going the direction you wanted, like the San Francisco cable cars. The loop of rope moves continuously but doesn't take much power when not loaded.
Let Tim know and watch his railroad series.bet you'll like it
A cool idea, though a rotating loop of rope, strung out over such a long distance as that, would be stupendously dangerous.
Just for one example, what if one of the dogs got excited, grabbed the rope and were dragged into the mechanism?
Not to mention if he fell into it.
@@Nevir202
And I suppose you don’t see anything at all dangerous about the current mechanism, the fly wheel for example. Parts thrashing back and forth, in my opinion everything about it is dangerous. Once shielded from danger it could be under some conditions and vastly improved something good to use. A very small gas engine would do the job. The electricity to run the current compressor or any compressor would come from probably burning coal. Think about it.
@@yt650 LMAO!!! You can observe the area around a running engine, you can't observe 300m of rope all at once.
You can contain an engine, a 300m long rope loop can't be contained.
Or rather it could, but only with an engineering project which would invalidate the entire point of the device.
@@yt650 I think you're missing the point of this project. Of course they could just get a second hand quad bike with a trailer or something and drive the stuff around, but that would not be an interesting project to work on and be proud of. Also of course it could be seen as dangerous, but I don't think tim is applying for it to be road legal any time soon so I wouldn't worry too much
Instead of high pressure air you can use a larger tank at your compressor psi to gain distance. We used a system like that on a ore cart for a underground mine. Have a great day.
The EIMCO air trammers used an air receiver tank on the locomotive itself for non-tethered operation and were refilled every few hundred feet. We had one in service at an underground mine in New Mexico a couple years ago.
And ofc you will be hauling children on their way from the gate to the new shiny Hairy Henry Hall. This is so cool. I tip my hat to your courage to even dare to try something like this.
Love it, no expensive test bed, just get the wife to sit there try it out and let's see if it's safe. 👍
The two of you make such a lovely couple. Your lives seem so perfect together. Very best wishes from America.
Your wife has such a great attitude for your manic mechanical endeavours 😅and she's brave for test riding 😆😆
You sir, are a superstar. I'm so into your practical engineering projects.
A wonderful piece of wifely support in that modest phrase, "And see what happens?".
Methinks the famed "Light Brigade" might have been thinking just the same.
I'm sure you don't need telling, but it's usually a good idea to store diving cylinders on their side when not in use. At full pressure they become rather effective torpedoes if they fall over and smack the pillar valve on something. Plenty of videos on youtube of diving cylinders punching their way through brick walls :D
Sounds like something I should try : - )
So tie the bottle on top of the cart and do away with the whole mechanical contraption. When you are ready to go knock of the valve and voila, you are moving. (no idea how you will stop it now, maybe get a 2nd bottle that you hold very firmly so you can catch up ;-)
For savety you store them standing. In case of inside corrosion this will then concentrate on the thicker bottom walls. Especially when not using modern/high quality air delivering standard compressors. And pressured bottles have to be fixed anyhow.
Sandra is such a good sport! Thanks Sandra and Tim! Marvelous!
Yes she is. Usually. : - )
Seeing you and Sandra smile like that makes us all so happy. Make on my friends.
The Tim & Sandra Express - buy your tickets now! Congratulations on your new service. Best wishes! Cheers!
07:02 - "Will it blow up in my face" haha the same words are spoken by every tinkerer's significant other upon trying some new contraption.
There were some locomotives in the United States of used compressed air. There is one locomotive I know in particular lives in a roundhouse in Ohio called the age of steam Roundhouse. The locomotive has 3 big air tanks to power it
says they were used for mines, they had huge quantities of compressed air maybe for air Trompe fed mines czcams.com/video/uvf0lD5xzH0/video.html
Compressed air locomotives were common in mines, where sparks and fumes were absolutely to be avoided.
Ah yes the all known United States of used compressed air. 😝
@@aprikosenboy1995 The greatest damn country of compressed air in the world!....
Perhaps the final loco could have the cylinders positioned vertically. That way, in the event of unscheduled piston ejection, debris would either shoot straight up or straight into the ground, as opposed to being propelled horizontally at face-level.
What a unique and magnificent machine!
i dont think there would be enough pressure for that to happen but im not sure
Yes, it would happen.
The first time most people try to repack a cylinder it tends to get stuck so they hit it with air, I will let you work out the details for yourself.
just put a large bale of cotton on the first car(trolly) that's how we did it in the states. only the crew dies that way.
Essentially a shay style locomotive?
Congratulations!!!
The new 'See What Happens' Railroad.
☮
You are literally recreating the Industrial Revolution, and I love it.
Steam and air engines have a nice sound, not overly obnoxious and loud like a petrol or diesel, but a nice chug and a commanding presence when they grow in size and each piston stroke on a locomotive is powerful enough to be felt from a distance.
"Will it blow up in my face?" "we'll see what happens." LOL Great Job. Keep having fun and entertaining us.
It is alive. I seen videos where they used air bottles to run a car. You are on the right track!
This comment is here to boost your standing in the youtube algorithm.
Your wife is mad, you sir are bonkers! I love the pair of you and your antics, don't ever stop.
This reminds me of an old Mickey Mouse comic I read many years ago, where Goofy designs and builds an automobile that is powered by compressed air - the thing is, the wheels also drive a pair of air pumps which in turn keep up the pressure, so it is effectively perpetual motion. Of course, he forgets to put brakes on the contraption so it leads to humorously disastrous results, but still, it was always a feat of engineering that inspired me as a child. Alas, I never got the chance to test it out. ;)
Did I miss an episode? One day he has a flywheel the next day an engine? I don't think my notifications are working! So cool, like watching 100 years of history of engineering happening before my eyes.
The world needs more inventive nutters like you.
This man is having his own Industrial Revolution...
And it's glorious!
You are singel handed reinventing the industrial Revolution.
Now I need to see Sandra across Ireland on that wagon!!!
Using screwdrivers as connecting pins is very smart!
S bäcker commented that conpressing air with windmill power is easier that generating electricity, and, from experience and theory with electronics and electric engineering, can confirm that it is true.
Another commenter said that propane bottles can hold much more pressure and are cheaper, so you could get those too.
Unless you like to generate work with your charcoal, that is, to generate steam power.
This man Clearly knows how to make a Air Powered Engine now he made a locomotive, Good on you Tim!
The safety valve on propane tanks opens at 250psi. And they come in larger sizes and might be cheaper to acquire.
He still has the compressor problem then though.
@@timseguine2
How does stating that propane tanks that are bigger and thus hold more air are safe at higher pressure than he operates at indicate a problem?
@@calvingreene90 I didn't quite get that you were recommending them primarily for their volume. He said in the video that he couldn't afford a compressor that outputs a higher pressure, so I found recommending tanks that operate at a higher pressure seemed a little pointless. Fair enough though, he doesn't have to use them to their full rating of course.
@@timseguine2
If the price is lower for the volume of tank additional capability is just added safety factor.
This is not to say that if you have the additional capability you shouldn't keep your eye out for a deal on a compressor like an AC compressor off a car or while a bit Heath Robinson use a power stearing pump to pump hydraulic fluid between two tanks using the liquid to compress the air. My uncle used an old hand deep-well pump like that to fill his tires with air. All it cost him was an afternoon in the family -scrap- spare parts pile.
That is amazing. Wonderful. All you need is two sprockets and a chain and you will have a proper locomotive. Put an air tank on the tender and away you go.
Everything held together with two vice grips , genius .
those hydraulic cylinders will easily handle wet steam if you keep them oiled. Perhaps a simple open loop boiler, easy, cheap, low pressure, safe and fun
Vegetable oil in the boiler.
In the 1920 Homestake Mining Company in South Dakota U.S.A. used compressed air locomotives in the their underground mines. Think about it, energy source and fresh air for the mine. Also, compressed air was piped down into the mine to operate air powered drilling equipment.
Very good indeed . Especially with our Sandra on board. Cant wait , looks and sounds the business . Well done old boy. Well done.
Thank you kindly.
Yep this is my new favourite channel. Thank you so much. Great job and like your thinking. Cheers J
Aw! Thanks : - )
So cool to finally see the engine used to move a load - it's already doing quite useful work at low power and before refinement, can't wait to see what the final design is capable of :)
I must say congrats on getting a moving loco! it really looks like it has the potential to be quite the work horse. i cant wait to see how it progresses, to see it puff along the track will truly be a wonderful sight to see!
Gears or belt final drive or even chain? Looks like it will work just needs some refinement! Brilliant Tim. A rich benefactor with a spare compressor and cylinders is required or a scrap man with them lying around....Fingers crossed. Trevithick is applauding you!
IT LOOKS FRICKIN NICE. Seriously tho, good work! I would suggest to get a big BIG air tank and make another cart to put it on. That way, you don’t have to refusal as often if you were to use a smaller one. Also, if you were to use steam again, I would suggest using like a 7 gallon air tank as the boiler. It wouldn’t be a flash boiler, but it would be another idea to try, just make sure to get one with a safety valve!
Beautiful done !!! Love watching that thing moving on compressed air . Awesome thx for sharing
And now to make a flash boiler from the stainless pipe coil out of an old beer "temp rite" cooler from a pub. I have a couple of double acting 4"× 10" pnuematic rams I scrounged from the scrapyard- much lighter weight than your hydraulic ones- and you've given me ideas!
Damn that’s a pretty cool engine. It would be a good alternative to steam engines, especially for backyard and miniature railways
I admire your ingenuity. Cleverness is a quality with high value. Nice use of the vice grip pliers holding things together on the engine.
Glad you liked it!
You've invented the self mobile cable railway. Though I have never seen a string drive, there are some model railway engines that use rubber bands as crude belts to transfer power to the driving wheel axle - same as your log chomper.
A buddy of mine is working on 9ne of these right now. Athearn used this drive for it's model RDC's
Actually a air powered loco is not a super new concept. There were plenty in the United states. Usually they are 3 tank design which allows for about 2-3 hours of running but a good engineer who masters there loco can get a whole day’s worth of movement on a single charge
They were used in great numbers in mines where explosive dust or gas is an issue.
They were highly popular until battery electric locomotives became realistic.
@@mfbfreak trolley wire run motors were also very popular in mines. Although some of the last steam was fireless locos
They have been used all over the world, often for railway yard work.
That's great, the first passenger train on your railroad!
The pioneers of locomotion would be proud of that giant flywheel!
What is it about that sound that is so magical? Steam engines, some hit and miss engines, even a lathe with a leather flat belt that the Staples click rhythmically, it is so gentle and pleasant. Modern machines might be more impressive in some regards, but I don't think I would mind hearing a steam engine all day even though my neighbor drives me crazy mowing his lawn everyday.
I'm amazed by how smooth it rolls along. Great job!
Gosh Tim, that made my morning! Your ingenuity knows no bounds - thanks for a great video
This contraption just keeps getting better bro. Safe travels.
Sandra looked rather bemused as she was trundled into the workshop - she also looked as though she was rapidly formulating a plan to ride round the coast of Ireland with Flora and Trudy again... just to get away from the 'lets see what happens school of mechanical engineering. Superb folks. Really good. Thanks.
It works so well! I would love to see you build a wind turbine that "charges" a gas tank with pressurised air. From my experience I can tell you that pumping air with a wind turbine is much easier than for example generating electricity. To get electricity the wheel needs to spin at a certain speed to get the necessary voltage (or you need fancy electronics) but with a piston pump the rpm of the turbine doesn't matter. When the wind is strong it pumps faster and when it's not so windy it takes it's time.
Wonderful observation!
thanks - yes, I was thinking the same thing - compressors don't mind about fluctuating rpm
@@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299 Pumping is way harder than generating electricity, it's the problem that water windpumps have: turbine power scales with the cube (third power) of the wind speed while the load scales linearly with rpm so they waste a lot of power.
If you optimize for low wind speed you need to make it big and with a small pump, you loose too much at high speeds and even risk self destruction from overspeed. If you optimize for high wind speed you don't pump absolutely anything when at low speeds.
Here you have the added problem that load increases linearly with increasing pressure (that doesn't happen with a water windpump) and that air is springy, the rotor might oscillate back and forth trying to compress the air inside the cylinder without pumping anything.
It's a bad idea if you want to compress any significant amount of air.
@@nirodper If I got you right you say the main problem is a very low energy efficiency. I think you are right that the efficiency would be low but I don't think it would be a problem as you can easily compensate it by just building a big turbine, the wind is free anyway. Yes you have to design it to manage the highest pressure required but that also means it runs easier (already at lower windspeed) when the pressure is low. The main question is how often do you need what amount of pressurised air? For example my windpump costet around 50€ to make, has a diameter of 3m and pumps water at low windspeed (2-3m/s) equal to a power of 0.25W. Yes that's very very low (I calculated an efficiency of 0.5%). With that power you would theoretically need around 7min for every liter and bar of air pumped. So in one day you could for example get 40l of air to a pressure of 5 bar. If you needed the air only every couple of days, that might be enough.
Looks great and it's fascinating that it works without much effort, but I think in the long run, it's much easier to get a battery and a simple DC motor.
You have inspired me to build an air powered tram now. I am moving to the country in a few weeks so its time to plan it out. Being a Journeyman Machinist I think I can make something very cool and functional too. Thanks.
Best of luck!
I must have missed an episode, those lovely linkages are new to me. I'm sure you're already aware, but if you're using the valve to meter out pressurized air, using two in a line will be much more cooperative. You can use the first one to choke it down to say one of three positions, this makes it a lot easier to dial in the second valve as it's not fighting as much pressure. Just a quick and dirty trick when you don't have a decent regulator handy
Large diameter pipe between the two valves give a chamber of higher pressure air and less pressure drop
Oh my gosh wow! Good job on not giving up Tim!
Absolutely brilliant! So glad you guys have made the first big step in powering your railway
Us too!
Compressed air engines came in two styles, a smaller single tank with a chain drive multi cylinder engine ( look up whistling pig?) & one built like a locomotive.
The locomotive type ran around 800 psi. The smaller ones were simple, the large ones were compound with a “radiator “ of sorts that used the exhaust to draw air through to warm the air between the cylinders (like an exhaust reheater on a steam engine).
I know of two that were converted to steam locomotives.
To be effective & self starting you really need two double acting cylinders set @ 90 degrees.
Cheers.
Nice work young Tim :)
Thank you kindly : - )
Gotta love those screwdriver coupling pins!
This is a channel I can support! Creative and adorable!
You’re a magical old man now.
having the air engine with a small battery and motor as a backup would give you a good little locomotive. if you gear it for torque then im sure that thing would haul those bigger basket carts you have (or at least make them easier to move)
Put on some bike pedals!!
This pneumo-engine is lovely! LOVELY
Absolutely brilliant Tim!
So much fun to watch! I was wondering how you were going to refill the scuba tanks, but it's fun to see it moving on the tracks, and pulling cargo! Can't wait to see the trip across the fields!
Brilliant. You restore faith in humanity!
Thanks!
This is the genius of steel wheel on steel rail!
It even sounds like Ivor the Engine. It's fantastic.
Sheer class. This just gets better and better, well done Tim! 👍
reading through some of the other comments, liking the creativity.....I know some of the older air compressors were pully driven by an electric motor.....maybe you could have an onboard compressor that ran off the flywheel's shaft....would be creating its own fuel that way....my grandpa had one of the previously mentioned style air compressors, and a 50 gallon tank that it could pump into, and then we usually used the 50 for pumping up tires and whatnot....couple of those along with an onboard would add weight for traction, and far less likely to run out if you have over 100 gallons onboard
Won’t be long now until you master compressed air space travel !! 🚀
Home engineering at its finest. I love the simple logic and solutions that you try and how successful they are.
You did it, madlad, you absolutely did it!
Love your vids. You have an amazing voice and inflection when you speak. You would be great narrating Children's education cartoons or doing voice overs for characters. Very keen to see how your projects come along. I can see you ending up with a small steam locomotive time you are finished or a steam car.
Wiow!! You did i!! Congratulations on this hard-won milestone!
That is so very very cool. I bet you could look around and find a surplus high pressure tank and a place that could/would fill it for you cheaply. I can see some sort of a belt drive system with a tensioner to engage /dis-engage it
You both make me smile so much. Thank you. ❤ x
This is the video I've been keeping my fingers crossed for since I saw first tracks being laid. Love it :)
this is what freedom looks like
The Way Out West railway line is now taking bookings! :D
This is about the neatest thing I've seen in quite a while!
Fantastic, I gave a great cheer when it started moving with ease.
I love this, and I love your happiness!! It sound like a loco too 😄😄. Warm hugs from Sweden.
It's all getting very exciting now!
That is a very simple and very clever locomotive!
Wow tbh didn't expect it would be able to move much. But clearly I was wrong. Impressived.
Very reminiscent of the earliest locos like the Coalbrookdale locomotive with the giant flywheel :)
Very satisfying seeing it move along the rails the first time! :D
This may just be the best thing I have ever seen.
I love it! Completely bonkers but brilliant and so much fun to watch.
In Germany they made locos that were powered by compressed Air driving an engine.
The problem is steam is expanding the whole time its in the cylinder so more power, also you cut back when running so saving steam.
How about a small tank for compressed air, that runs the locomotive. The stationary fire stove drives a compressor (steam engine or stirling engine). And alongside the rails runs a supply pipe/hose/line that provides compressed air for refilling the tank at access points at start/middle/end of the railway?
Marvelous simply marvelous it’s like something that came out of the 1900s
Woah! Tim! Please do not use compressed Oxygen! Please use an inert gas like Co2 or Nitrogen to power your locomotive, Even the smallest amounts of oil left in the cylinders and one spark and BOOM it will be a terrible end. We need you and Sandra here in one piece. Thank you.
Sandra,Maybe you should have used that contraption to get you across Ireland…