MOSI. Vacuum Engine.

[Stilldrillin]

I had a trip to the Museum Of Science & Industry, Manchester, the other week. What a wonderful place for engine lovers! 

This vacuum engine intrigued me. It stands some 6' tall, to the crankshaft.

A wooden replica of the piston, looking like a swordfishes head, stands to the right of the pic.

The young man oiled it's important little places, and lit the gas pilot light......




He then spun the flywheel......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Mn97po_Tc


The piston is fired upwards..... Leaving a vacuum in the cylinder, which sucks it back down, turning the ratchet wheel.

Power output...... 1bhp!

David D

[Dean W]

What a neat and interesting engine.  Very animated motion, too.

1 BHP...  Yeah, but that was when a horsepower was a HORSE power!  Not the wee ponies they use today.  ; )

Dean

[cidrontmg]

Not to mention Chinese watts. They seem to be quite minuscule. That machine should (theoretically) put out 750 European watts. Chinese watts - maybe 1500-2000...