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Heron's Aeolipile

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Darren:
Ralph,

Unless you have the "gonads" ie tons of cash to back a fight, then a patent ain't worth the paper it's written on.....

bogstandard:
Half asleep after a powernap, here is the method used by model engineeers for thousands of years. Well before everyone started to make their own tube benders.

C-o-C's explain it all.

Get thin piece of wood.
Around one corner, shape the curvature of the bend you require.
Down the centre (widthwise) file a half round groove to the diameter of your tube, to the depth of half the diameter (use your Dremel, or the caveman equivalent). It should shallow off and blend into the straight sides at the end of each curve. This supports the pipe at the point of max bend in the middle.
Light your fire or blowtorch and heat the area you want to bend on your pipe. Hold it long enough while heating, and your body's natural reflexes will tell you when it is time to let go, so it is better you hold the pipe with pliers or something similar. When the pipe is up to bright red, drop said pipe into puddle or bucket of water to cool off a bit.
Forget the tube for the moment, and go back to your piece of wood. Calculate how much of a straight you want on your pipe before it starts to bend, and position a nail or pin that distance away from the start of the groove in your wooden bending fixture.
Pick up your now very soft tube, place the end against the nail and hold the pipe in that position with the fingers of one hand. With the fingers on the other hand, push the tube gently but firmly around the bend using a smoothing action to push the tube to the botom of the groove. This should all be done in one very smooth action, in one hit. Because if it work hardens half way thru the operation, you have got to go thru the burnt fingers routine again.
As shown on the C-o-C, this super fixture can be used for up to four different curvatures.

Patents Pending Bogs

SPiN Racing:
Hey hey!

I have a couple possible ideas for ya.

There are a type of bearing that.. I actually dont know the term for. BUT... its a needle bearing that has a bearing surface in the vertical component, like a conventional bearing race. However it also has a shoulder, and a thrust bearing surface on the bottom, with needle bearings.
I would think you could utilise one of those bearings in the upper surface to support the weight, as well as handle the rotational motions to keep stability.

Now another idea.. this one is kinda interesting.. and I have no idea how well it would work...
The center shaft, where it is up in the support, with what Im assuming would be brass bearing surfaces. How do you keep it lubricated properly?  Well... I was thinking of that.. and how about drilling a very very very small hole up the center of the shaft, and a hole out each side of it inside the bearing surface. Similar to the method for lubricating the eccentric shaft on Mazdas... not sure what other engines use the same method for lubricating bearings.
And you could also have a small port that aims at the load surface that it rides on.. assuming it has a surface the bearing rides on.

I dont know how the steam would act agains teh brass bearing surface.. but I would think a single drop of oil in with the water might be an idea.

:)

Divided he ad:
Darren,

I'm not holding out too many hopes.... I've been reading up on the whole process of patents for 2 years or so and it all seems like a con to me.... Problem is, how do I get stuff made by a company and not get ripped off in the process otherwise?!

John,

So simple it should be taught in schools! :)  I will attempt it the next time I hit the 'shop  :dremel:


Scott,

Well now, there's a lot to get my head around!!

The bearings sound kind of interesting... Possibly expensive? I have some ball races that would suffice. They have a shoulder to hold them in easier and will not be subjected to much heat and a very small amount of residual steam/moisture. They would also probably be run with an extreamly light oil, possibly diesel?

The centre shaft idea is just a thought... I'm not sure it will work until I get the pipes installed? I don't want to make it too complex! This is an understatement when you consider what I am going through trying to make it!!  The over top bearing may yet still be employed... The good bit is a quick heat up and the bits I'm trying will fall out and new ideas can be soldered in  :)

I know what you mean about a lubrication delivery system but I'm as I said trying to keep it simple! I don't think it would need one? It will only require a lube' every few runs if I have my figurings correct?!

There will also be no need for any oil in the water as no moving parts will get bathed in either water or steam.

I'm not knocking your ideas...such ideas are what this forum is all about, sharing  :thumbup:  Just stating what I'm trying for... Cheep and easy.... There's a joke in there somewhere!?!



I'll give the Boggie bender a go (erm!!) and then see where it gets me! ... We will go from there with a new direction if it sucks!


Right going to leave it there before too many other innuendos pop up!





Ralph.

SPiN Racing:
Here they are!

The place I have the link from they are expensive with EVERYTHING...
The type of bearing is called a Nadella bearing.
Pegasus Auto Racing is the place I saw them on a quick glance.


I know it may be overkill :)

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