Scotch yoke solenoid engine

[black85vette]

Built another simple engine. Had a couple of surplus 12v solenoids and had been wanting to make some sort of engine with them. Also wanted to do something with a scotch yoke. It took some time to sketch out my ideas but the real hold up was the timing device. I wanted something really simple and yet not have it be the focus of the engine. Finally worked out a design that hid the timing inside the body and covered it with the flywheel. Worked out fairly well. Anyway here is my latest attempt at cutting metal:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN76T-7_4hI[/ame]

 

[black85vette]

Thought I would include the timing set up. Used a couple of switches from the local Radio Shack. Not shown is the cam which I made out of Delrin. It is just held on by a tight fit. Timing is done by moving the crank and using a set screw. I liked the Delrin cam because it was a trial and error approach. I would try it, pull it out and shape it on a sanding disc and then put it back for another check until I got the switches clicking about where I wanted them.

 

[Kermit]

Really nice work, and the switch idea is very neat and tidy.

I'm hoping some of the talent will transfer to me if I'm around here long enough, 8)
Kermit

 

[cobra428]

Very Nice Black85Vette.
Tony

 

[rleete]

Well, it's technically a motor, not an engine right? Still, very cool; very clean design. I've always liked that scotch yoke - so much so that I've started one of my own (air powered).

Now, you hook a generator up to the flywheel, and use that to power the solenoids. Voila! Perpetual motion!

 

[black85vette]

Yes, in modern usage technically a motor. Although in its original use an engine was anything that converted force into motion.

I have a couple of larger round solenoids and am now thinking that a walking beam might look nice with two solenoids. Have not seen a design quite like that.

 

[Deanofid]

I've always like that kind of yoke too. Good use of it, 'Vette.
Is there any way to throttle it? Perhaps a rheostat or something like that. (Maybe a dumb question, but all I know about circuitry is, if you push the light switch up, the light is supposed to go on..)

 

[black85vette]

I have not tried to throttle it. Just using a wall wart for the power. While it couldn't be done while running, adjusting the cam and/or switches for less dwell time would slow it down. Actually I was a little surprised at how fast it ran. For small solenoids I was thinking about half that fast.