They do exist

[Bogstandard]

How is this for a ball buster of a flame licker.

[ame]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MSEuJ4EVwHs[/ame]

It looks to be rather popular

Bogs

 

[Lew Hartswick]

No PIX.
...lew...

 

[chuck foster]

these engines are Bessemer diesel engines or oil engines. they are in Texas at a cottom mill.
the flame you are seeing is used to preheat the cylinders (like a modern day glow plug) once the engine is up to temperature you can turn off the flame and the engine will run like any other diesel.
here's a link to their website http://www.cottonginmuseum.org/bessemer.htm

chuck

 

[Bogstandard]

I got it wrong big style. Ah! well, nobody is perfect.

But a very interesting engine anyway.

Now you mention the operation, vertical versions of these engines were used to power canal barges on our inland waterways. It must be because I had never seen a horizontal one.

Bogs

 

[rake60]

They truly did exist John but they were all unsuccessful
as industrial power engines.

One I know of was built in the 1800's to power a textile mill.
It had a 3 foot diameter bore and a 6 foot stroke.
It's heat source was an enclosed coal burner at the fore end
of the cylinder.

It did run but never powered the mill it was intended for.
It's power output was barely enough to keep the flywheels
in motion.

I'm looking for the original patent listing for it.
When I find it, I'll post it here.

Rick

 

[Brass_Machine]

I got it wrong big style. Ah! well, nobody is perfect.

But a very interesting engine anyway.

Now you mention the operation, vertical versions of these engines were used to power canal barges on our inland waterways. It must be because I had never seen a horizontal one.

Bogs

No worries Bog... I would have thought the same thing.

Eric

 

[shred]

Cool, that place is a couple hours from here. I never knew it existed and I've driven past that town 20 times or more.

 

[CrewCab]

Practical or not, they make great sound

CC