Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: Popsonhops on October 29, 2007, 10:52:24 AM

Title: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Popsonhops on October 29, 2007, 10:52:24 AM
Hello everyone who reads this.. My name is Dwight, I am an inventor, and I am going to attempt the LSR for steam powered car. I have been working on  high revving 3 cylinder that works on pressures from 110 to 2100 psi.  I am hoping to join the 200 mph club but need to know a few things first... 
 Car prep
 Weight
  Fuel
 I have not found very useful information on the on track fuel requirments for storage.
 Can someone help me out? Is a trike different than a 4 wheeled machine?
 Fastest speed record for steam powered trike?
 Thanks in Advance..
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on October 29, 2007, 07:45:56 PM
Dwight, as much as I am intrigued by your question I must admit that it is worded oddly and am not sure what you want to know.

Firstly you need to get a SCTA rulebook and see what is required for all classes and cars. There is too much info that it could not be realistically covered on this here, but this forum is where you will need to come with all the little grey questions.

The closest thing to a trike is a sidecar motorcycle....even the "unlimited by design" streamliners must have 4 wheels (or 2 if they are streamlined motorcycles). 

The fastest steam powered car was the "steamn' demon" doing 145.6 mph

BTW:
I have a broken lazer.....JK

-JH
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: tortoise on October 29, 2007, 09:41:28 PM
Firstly you need to get a SCTA rulebook and see what is required for all classes and cars.
If you're seriously thinking of a 3-wheeler, check the BUB trials website which will refer you to the FIM rules. Good luck, more power too ya for exploring alternative technologies.
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: bak189 on October 29, 2007, 11:24:28 PM
Remember people.....a sidecar is NOT a TRIKE....
read both the SCTA and AMA/FIM rules.
(sidecar, leaving two separate and distinct tracks
with the front wheel track covered by the rear wheel track).................................................................
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: sockjohn on October 29, 2007, 11:37:59 PM
Hello everyone who reads this.. My name is Dwight, I am an inventor, and I am going to attempt the LSR for steam powered car. I have been working on  high revving 3 cylinder that works on pressures from 110 to 2100 psi.  I am hoping to join the 200 mph club but need to know a few things first... 
 Car prep
 Weight
  Fuel
 I have not found very useful information on the on track fuel requirments for storage.
 Can someone help me out? Is a trike different than a 4 wheeled machine?
 Fastest speed record for steam powered trike?
 Thanks in Advance..

I assume by "other" record you mean not a turbine like the British attempt.  http://www.steamcar.co.uk/

" Car prep" 

Get an SCTA rulebook, and start studying.  There are some unique safety aspects of your efforts, and I would get in communication with the appropriate person in tech prior to building to clarify what may be required.

 "Fuel
 I have not found very useful information on the on track fuel requirments for storage. "

There are some restrictions regarding gaseous fuels FYI.
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: power58 on October 30, 2007, 01:13:35 PM
Best of luck with your project. I think the biggest problem you might have is the boiler certification for 2100 PSI. Most Antique Engine shows won't allow much over 100 Psi boiler pressure. It's all about insurance. Will The SCTA/BNI Insurance allow you to run a pressure vessel of  that high of pressure ? The whooosh of steam would be very cool on the salt. Are you using a Condenser ?         
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Stainless1 on October 31, 2007, 12:11:50 AM
Best of luck with your project. I think the biggest problem you might have is the boiler certification for 2100 PSI. Most Antique Engine shows won't allow much over 100 Psi boiler pressure. It's all about insurance. Will The SCTA/BNI Insurance allow you to run a pressure vessel of  that high of pressure ? The whooosh of steam would be very cool on the salt. Are you using a Condenser ?         

Barber-Nichols Steamn' Demon was a high pressure steam turbine, I suspect that they had at least 2100 PSI but if John Ferrero is lurking out there, he can tell us more about it....
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: dwarner on October 31, 2007, 08:52:07 AM
The Steamin' Demon was a leaker. As pressure built excess liquids dropped to the ground. You will not be allowed to do this in the starting area used by the 499 participants.

DW
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Malcolm UK on October 31, 2007, 04:31:14 PM
The steam powered reciprocating 'record' will differ from the Turbine held steamin' demon in speed, but there appears to have been no distinction by the SCTA as to the power unit type and therfore classification.  Build a car and the weight will put it in any one of three classes.  Has there ever been a steam powered two wheeler anywhere in the world?   

Of course the readers of this forum would expect me to say that the FIA acknowledged two way (and one time outright world record) speed of the stanley steamer should be a four wheel target - which is the one the British Steam Car project will be hoping to exceed by a handsome marging when aiming for 200mph with a turbine arrangement in '08.

The British Steam car people have had to reorganise after the death of Frank Swanson and they will use Don Wales (grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell and a former driver of the So Al Camaro) as test driver and they stated this week that they will be at Bonneville in 2008.  Are the SCTA ready for this car at Speedweek?  I would bet it exhausts some water at all speeds.

Malcolm

 
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on October 31, 2007, 05:16:22 PM
Quote
Has there ever been a steam powered two wheeler anywhere in the world?   




(http://www.makezine.com/blog/01.jpg)


All you would need is a sidecar and you would have a trike.

(JK 198)

Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on October 31, 2007, 09:02:26 PM
(http://home.ama-cycle.org/membersonly/museum/images/b3/classic_400.jpg)


Found this also...
Neat history:

http://motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=3
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: revolutionary on October 31, 2007, 10:11:02 PM
Johnny that's all you need, a boiler between your legs.  THen you really would be Hotnuts!
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: dwarner on November 01, 2007, 09:49:48 AM
Tom G and Romero,

Take note of the previous two posts!! Looks like an opportunity for the White Goose Bar Team.

DW
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on November 01, 2007, 12:41:57 PM
Quote
Johnny that's all you need, a boiler between your legs.  THen you really would be Hotnuts

My hotnuts could be used to SUPER heat the boiler.....On that bike I could put Andy G. to shame.
Title: Re: The "other" record Steam powered reciprecating engine
Post by: John Burk on November 02, 2007, 01:29:14 AM
This 1884 two wheel steamer is my favorite because I have a bicycle like the guy started with .

http://www.stanleysteamers.com/photoalbum/gagan/1884-Copeland.jpg

John  Burk