Reversing Valve for Air/Steam engines

[Brian Rupnow]

I was so impressed with the way my new reversing valve worked on my double wobbler that I have to share it. This is by no means an original design, as I was helped by a couple of forum members to figure out exactly how this kind of valve would work. About the only difference in a valve like this working on steam as opposed to air engines, is that the air inlet tubes should be threaded into the main valve block and not just Loctited as I have shown. I know for sure that this reversing valve will work on a wobbler (oscillating) engine. I'm not sure if it will work on a conventionally valved engine like the Cretors Popcorn engine or not.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Three more of the components

 

[Brian Rupnow]

And the last three components.


And the last three components.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

And, if the jpeg files shown aren't clear enough, this download link will get you the drawings as pdf files.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/tddcqq87r5ob79k/REVERSING VALVE FILES.zip

 

[JC54]

I have been showing at a local Steam Rally today (and tomorrow) at the side of a big reservoir. This year there are several small steam powered boats/launches? I spent a while talking to one owner and peering at his engine, a single cylinder oscillating engine with reversing valve that is very similar to yours Brian. Same principal, this design also appears in an early Tubal Cain (not the youtube one) book "Building Simple Model Steam Engines" with his build of "Hercules" a model crane. What really intrigued me was to see a "wobbler" powering a 12-15 foot launch with 6 people in it. Apparently thebasic little single cylinder ones are not just toys and very simple motors for me to try to make.

 

[Blogwitch]

I have ben using a different design for my steam engines for the last few years because they don't leak if you make them right.

Here is a sketch of what I am on about, plus they are very versatile, you can control all sorts of issues with them, from normal speed and reversing to use on my large turbine to feed both types of jets.

Hope this helps

John

 

[Brian Rupnow]

If anyone builds this reversing valve I have shown, I would really appreciate seeing a build log.---Brian

 

[Ghosty]

Brian,
Built one yesterday, no build log, sorry, done rear outlets, all drilled and tapped 1/4-40 for live steam, still have the lever to do, need to get material, also made up a lot of fittings for a boiler

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Andrew--that looks super!! Please let me know how it works out.---Brian

 

[Ghosty]

Andrew--that looks super!! Please let me know how it works out.---Brian

Brian,
Pressure tested yesterday at 75psi, no leaks, will only be running at 30 psi max. Normal working will be around 15psi.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Brian Rupnow]

We all know what curiosity done to the cat. Ever since I designed this reversing valve, I have wondered if it would work on a conventional steam engine or not. Today, due to absolute boredom, I got one of my more conventional steam/air engines down of the shelf and modified it a little bit so I could hook the airline to the exhaust pipe. I didn't think it would work, and I was right.---It didn't. So--it works on wobblers, but not on conventional engines.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

The deeper I get into this, the more I learn. the reversing valve will work on both "oscillating" and "piston valve" style engines. It won't work on slide valve engine es.

 

[marvin hedberg]

Brian, made a reversing valve of your design to go on a Norbert Keeley wobbler.
works perfect!!

thanks, Marv

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Glad that it worked well for you.---Brian

 

[GreenTwin]

It won't work on slide valve engines.

That is what I thought until I ran across the Soule Speedy Twin, which has slide valves, and a reversing valve similar to the one you show.
I did a lot of head scratching before I figured out how the Speedy Twin kept from lifting the D-valves off the seats when the pressure on them is reversed.

.