MatthewMachinist
Plastic
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2012
- Location
- New Zealand
Hi Guys,
Some time ago I got to see a hit and miss engine running at a show. I really like how those engines could run on just about anything.
I began thinking about ways that you could use them today, because of their economy I would love to have one powering a DC motor... used as an emergency generator.
The problem of course is that the variable speed would make it a bad candidate for the job.
Anyway while I was thinking about this I did a job on my small Raglan Lathe which has a variable speed mechanism where you can shift one side of the pulley to change the speed... a form of variable transmission.
So I began wondering about the idea of putting a governor onto the flywheel of the engine, which would drive a V belt, my initial thought is to use a cam operated governor which during high speed would push the pulley outwards providing a small driving diameter to counteract the high rpm, and then when the rpm starts to drop the spring would overpower the cams and the pulley would pull together which would result in a large driving diameter which would counteract the low rpm. I was initially thinking about putting this governor on the driven side... but that would mean the pulley would need to come together during peak acceleration... my instinct is that it would be better for the pulley to split apart during peak acceleration.
Now I have no illusions about this providing perfect speed, it wouldn't, but it should be possible to overcome the highs and lows to a large degree if I am not mistaken?
The second half of the equation is that the bench with the generator motor would be mounted on a pivot pin... so the generator would lean backwards and provide tension on the belt. In use the generator bench would move back and fourth during each firing cycle. This would be based on the assumption that when the hit and miss is firing frequently when you start up... you would make sure the belt was loose and not loading the engine. This idea would also be based on the idea that I would use a larger say 5hp engine, they fire less often than the smaller 2hp versions.
Now I should mention I am a Machinist with decades of experience now... but I have NEVER worked on a governor. So I was just wondering if anyone has experience with machinery design or old machinery, and perhaps you can comment if this idea seems feasible? If I did pursue it this idea would be for personal use, I do not expect this to be economical for commercial gain.
Thanks for any ideas.
Matt.
Some time ago I got to see a hit and miss engine running at a show. I really like how those engines could run on just about anything.
I began thinking about ways that you could use them today, because of their economy I would love to have one powering a DC motor... used as an emergency generator.
The problem of course is that the variable speed would make it a bad candidate for the job.
Anyway while I was thinking about this I did a job on my small Raglan Lathe which has a variable speed mechanism where you can shift one side of the pulley to change the speed... a form of variable transmission.
So I began wondering about the idea of putting a governor onto the flywheel of the engine, which would drive a V belt, my initial thought is to use a cam operated governor which during high speed would push the pulley outwards providing a small driving diameter to counteract the high rpm, and then when the rpm starts to drop the spring would overpower the cams and the pulley would pull together which would result in a large driving diameter which would counteract the low rpm. I was initially thinking about putting this governor on the driven side... but that would mean the pulley would need to come together during peak acceleration... my instinct is that it would be better for the pulley to split apart during peak acceleration.
Now I have no illusions about this providing perfect speed, it wouldn't, but it should be possible to overcome the highs and lows to a large degree if I am not mistaken?
The second half of the equation is that the bench with the generator motor would be mounted on a pivot pin... so the generator would lean backwards and provide tension on the belt. In use the generator bench would move back and fourth during each firing cycle. This would be based on the assumption that when the hit and miss is firing frequently when you start up... you would make sure the belt was loose and not loading the engine. This idea would also be based on the idea that I would use a larger say 5hp engine, they fire less often than the smaller 2hp versions.
Now I should mention I am a Machinist with decades of experience now... but I have NEVER worked on a governor. So I was just wondering if anyone has experience with machinery design or old machinery, and perhaps you can comment if this idea seems feasible? If I did pursue it this idea would be for personal use, I do not expect this to be economical for commercial gain.
Thanks for any ideas.
Matt.