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Steam Regulator

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Peter Cobban 120/08/2010 20:11:29
4 forum posts
2 photos
I would like to make a small steam regulator, so that I can control the speed of my little oscillator, whilst running on compressed air, 20 psi.
Has anyone any ideas?
 
Cheers
 
Stub Mandrel20/08/2010 21:29:25
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4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
Hi Peter,
 
For running off compressed air, it's better to use a bleed valve (i.e. you let excess air escape) rather than simply cutting off the supply like you would with a steam engine. You get a smoother supply of pressure and it doesn't run the risk of causing the pump to stall if you have a diaphragm pump like mine. My bleed valve is essentially a big fat safety valve with a very loose spring in it. I also have a small fire extinguisher tank as an air reservoir. I use it to give pressures from about 2psi up to about 20.
 
Neil
Ian S C21/08/2010 09:38:45
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7468 forum posts
230 photos
On a wee V twin oscillator, I put a plug cock in the exhaust But the cylinders lift of the port faces. I seem to remember I copied the system used on my old Mamod SE 2. IAN S C
John Olsen21/08/2010 13:54:48
1294 forum posts
108 photos
1 articles
A simple screw down valve like the blower valve for a locomotive will do all that is needed, unless you want a very quick response to the control.
 
When running small engines from air, I have used a scheme where a piece of plastic or rubber hose is squashed by a couple of small plates and some screws. You just tighten the  screws until the engine is running at the speed you want.
 
regards
John
Ian S C22/08/2010 01:11:21
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7468 forum posts
230 photos
When running on air, the ramp type control used on medical IV fluid lines works well, all you need is some one who works at a hospital, or a veterinary surgery, take all the tubing you can get too.Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 22/08/2010 01:12:35

Peter Cobban 128/08/2010 19:12:28
4 forum posts
2 photos

Thanks for the ideas, but does anyone have any drawings or sketches of something suitable, so that I cab design and build something??
 
KWIL28/08/2010 19:31:20
3681 forum posts
70 photos
You need three plates say 12mm wide by as long as you think necessary, all three are drilled with two holes, one at each end to clear a threaded spacer, fixed top and bottom by two nuts.  The top plate has a screw thread in the center, through which you fit a screw  to apply pressure to the sliding middle plate. Place tube between the bottom plate and the sliding one and squeeze.
 
How about that for a start for use on air?


 
 

Edited By KWIL on 28/08/2010 19:33:46

Martin W29/08/2010 00:35:53
940 forum posts
30 photos
Hi
 
If its only air that you want to control then why not visit your aquarist/pet store and have a look at the air control valves on sale there. I have found nice brass ones with O ring seals that are used to control air from pumps to aerator stones for aquariums etc. They provide smooth control for air operated devices. These won't stop an unregulated pump from stalling but an extra one could be used as bleed valve to overcome this.
 
Cheers
 
Martin

Edited By Martin W on 29/08/2010 00:38:21

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