Air Motor

[tom slick]

I made this oscillating air motor in a CNC machining class last quarter. Most of it was made on a CNC Mill (VMC), the piston and spring retainer was made on a manual lathe. I made a few of them and ran out of plate so my working model has a Ipe base.


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueHxFyyq0ls

It's double-acting like an old steam engine; pressure acts on both sides of the piston.

Valving is done by holes in the plate.

 

[rshunter]

Nice job! Having an appreciation for what an air motor can do, you should love this...

MDI Enterprises S.A.

 

[moribundman]

Not bad! Look into miniature steam engine designs that you can find online. Most of them can also be operated with air. The smallest ones are tiny!

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: rshunter
Nice job! Having an appreciation for what an air motor can do, you should love this...

MDI Enterprises S.A.


Yeah, but Tom isn't trying to scam investors with his.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: rshunter
Nice job! Having an appreciation for what an air motor can do, you should love this...

MDI Enterprises S.A.


Yeah, but Tom isn't trying to scam investors with his.

To be honest, it's the series hybrid hydraulic and hydraulic launch assist technologies that have me interested.

 

[oilyriser]

I can see a way to reduce friction in that cylinder/valve part.

 

[tom slick]

Animation of it running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6j9D17FrLw

Animation of it assembling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_0OGSlezhE&feature=channel

It was designed using SolidWorks. CNC code was written with MasterCam.

oily, what's your suggestion?

The aluminum on aluminum bearing surfaces are terrible but they work okay for display purposes.

 

[moribundman]

Some small steam engines use a waxed string as a seal on the piston.

 

[oilyriser]

There's contact area between the cylinder and valve plate that doesn't need to be there, and this causes extra viscous drag. It only needs arcs of material, concentric with the pivot, for a bearing surface around the valve holes.

 

[tom slick]

Good point. If I ever make more I'll try that out.