[Capitalist]

Thought I'd start this thread before this subforum descends into "Qaztel's Opaque Ponderations of Automobiles".

In the past I've expressed my belief regarding largescale use of electric vehicles, stating that even if battery technology were to improve to allow for higher storage capacity there would need to be significant upgrades to the electric grid. It is for this reason that I've been interested in steam engines not only because they have a high starting torque, which eliminates the need for a gearbox except for forward and reverse gears, but also emit nearly no pollutants and can run on any combustible fuel. One engine I've been interested in is the Cyclone Steam Engine, which has a number of contracts to manufacture their engine including with Raytheon:

http://www.cyclonepower.com/
[youtube]1MifFKgWC0g[/youtube]

I've also been interested in new IC engine designs which have features such as high torque at low rpm's, high Power to Weight Ratio and higher efficiencies. Out of these my favorite is the Shepherd Engine, an air cooled engine from New Zealand which has two main moving parts and eliminates the crankshaft:

http://www.shepherdengine.com/

Other engines which I've come across:

Pattakon OPRE: http://www.pattakon.com/pattakonOPRE.htm

Revetec: http://www.revetec.com/

Vengeance Power: http://www.vengeancepower.com/

Duke Engine: http://www.dukeengines.com/

[Thunderhawk]

It is for this reason that I've been interested in steam engines not only because they have a high starting torque, which eliminates the need for a gearbox except for forward and reverse gears, but also emit nearly no pollutants and can run on any combustible fuel.

Power-weight ratio? Common weight and power output numbers?

[Capitalist]

Statistics of the Mark V Cyclone Engine:

 6 cyl radial pistons with spider bearing
 2.00” Bore – 2.00” Stroke – Piston Area 3.14” – 37.7 cu in
 Operating RPM - 3,600
 Operating Pressure = 3200 PSI
 Max HP 100 @ 3,600 RPM
 Dimensions 27” X 27” X 24” H
 Approx weight 336 lbs
 Tube size ¼” and 3/16” SS x 600’ 12 rows
 Condenser 55 sqft dynamic cyclone aluminium
 Water lubrication / deionized water closed loop system
 Heat exchanger with centrifugal combustion chamber
 Exhaust air heat exchanger
 Piston exhaust heat exchanger 6 ft² (3/16” SS tube)
 Operating Temperature = 1,200˚
 Automatic hydraulic piston valve for variable clearance volume
 Infinite valve timing 34˚ - 3˚
 Approx fuel rate 6 gal/hr gasoline (83,5000 BTU/HR)
 Self starting with high torque – 850 ft/lb

Performance wise it's not going to be winning any contests (except for the steam powered land speed record and maybe a 1/4 mile drag race) but when you consider that the engine doesn't need a transmission, starter motor, radiator, muffler or oil pump you're eliminating upwards of 100 KG of weight, which would provide additional fuel savings. On the other hand the weight of the engine given is probably the dry weight so when you factor in the amount of water it needs it's probably the same as standard IC system. Compared to electric vehicles I think that a steam powered vehicle would be better.

[Tachyon]

Are there any reliability statistics? Those temperature and pressure values create an extraordinarily corrosive environment for most materials.

[Capitalist]

I don't know how reliable the Cyclone Steam Engine is but historically steam engines have been known to last for decades if they are constructed and maintained well. If you look on Youtube you can find clips of steam trains that have been in continuous service for over 100 years.

[Thunderhawk]

^ I didn't know conventional steam engines operated in those pressure ranges.

[U184]

cyclone powered car in action.... from 2007.

[youtube]BHa-lJ7aKUI[/youtube]

[Capitalist]

^ I didn't know conventional steam engines operated in those pressure ranges.

You're right, conventional steam engines don't operate at those pressures so that would be a factor in its longevity.

[TropicalK]

I thought the main problem with steam engines was carrying 1000 pounds of water in your car.

[Capitalist]

^ The Stanley Steam Car had a water tank that was designed to hold 45 gallons or about 180 litres, which would be around 400 pounds.