Unique atmospheric intake valve arrangement

a41capt · Dec 26, 2024

I just saw this “tube” video about a Kemp aircraft engine from around 1914 and it’s different atmospheric intake valves arrangement with the intake valve captured within the exhaust valve. They pull the head and demonstrate the valve operation about halfway through the video:

I don’t know about anyone else, but this was a real eye-opener for me, what a unique bit of engineering! I wonder what effect this had on cooling the exhaust valves, and/or the vaporization of the incoming fuel/air charge? An additional reduction in moving parts, no second cam surface or rocker arm assemblies would’ve simplified maintenance, and probably added a bit more horsepower to a low tech engine as well. I love the work around engineers found in the earliest stages of internal combustion development!

I hope you enjoy the video,
John W

Rdean33422 · Dec 26, 2024

I wish they had shown more of the inside of the housing. I wonder how they stopped the exhaust gases going back into the intake system when the exhaust valve open?

Ray

a41capt · Dec 26, 2024

Rdean33422 said:
I wish they had shown more of the inside of the housing. I wonder how they stopped the exhaust gases going back into the intake system when the exhaust valve open?

Ray

Yeah, that casting looks interesting, huh? The intake valve guide must be a pretty tight fit within the stem of the exhaust valve!

John W

Richard Hed · Dec 27, 2024

It lookt to me like the base was aluminum. Would not thimpfk they had aluminum developed enough to use. Am I mistaken?

a41capt · Dec 27, 2024

Richard Hed said:
It lookt to me like the base was aluminum. Would not thimpfk they had aluminum developed enough to use. Am I mistaken?

The Wright Brothers Flyer crankcase was an aluminum casting (I believe), so the aircraft and probably motorcycle usage was well known by 1914.

John W

a41capt · Dec 27, 2024

Oh, BTW, the owner of that channel has replied to me that he is willing to provide any info our group may be interested in regarding this engine. So, if anyone wants to tackle a scale model of something like this?

John W

Rdean33422 · Dec 27, 2024

I would like to see more of the engine.
Pictures, drawings, etc.

Ray

pileskis · Dec 27, 2024

Curtiss was for sure using aluminum for his motorcycle engines cases well before ‘14. And seeing how he quickly supported fight efforts, I’m not surprised that other engine developers used it for aviation.

a41capt · Dec 27, 2024

Rdean33422 said:
I would like to see more of the engine.
Pictures, drawings, etc.

Ray

I’ll see if they’ve got other pictures of the heads Ray. I’d like to see the insides of those as well, as the separation of intake and exhaust systems appears to be a bit mysterious, especially the way the intake seals during the exhaust cycle!

John W

a41capt · Dec 30, 2024

Joel from the video site got back with me and he’s going to get some additional pictures, as well as any measurements we might like. He’s also checking to see if there are any drawings available as he’d love to see a model built of this unique engine.

In the meantime, he’s provided another video that shows the valve details better and I’ll provide that link here:

As I get any further info, I’ll pass it along!

John W

Unique atmospheric intake valve arrangement

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