U.S. LSR team attempting steam record

[Schruiber]

I came across this in my daily Gizmag newsletter and thought it may be of interest to members.

http://www.gizmag.com/us-team-attempts-steam-land-speed-record/17755/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ec26a28975-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

[Stainless1]

Looks like a good start on a steamliner   

[HotRodV8]

In science class way back when, I was taught that steam power was "all mighty powerful."

I think the steam record is a soft one.

I always like to see something new, different and off the beaten path. Have fun. Best of luck guys.

[DocBeech]

I am interested in learning some other things about this engine. Life? Mileage? Downsides of the engine? Are they going to build a gas version? I know they talked about a gas version but will they develope the gas engine version. An engine that small would be fun to play with placement wise. Although its a very wide engine. I would love to get my hands on one and see how it performs. They don't speak of the torque?

[4-barrel Mike]

Ya missed it: "The engine used in the LSR Streamliner will be a stock 6-cylinder Cyclone Mark V automotive engine, intended for use in regular cars. It is said to be capable of producing 100 HP with a maximum starting torque of 850 ft/lbs..."

Tons of info via Bing or Google.

Mike

[sockjohn]

Schruiber,
What exactly is that in your profile pic?

Funny how competitive the human spirit is, nobody runs on a somewhat obscure record, and now there are two potentially shooting it out!

This certainly looks more modern streamlined designed than the British attempt, wonder how the two compare?

[Dan Stokes]

This makes these folks our " 'Steamed Colleagues".  I've often heard of these (usually in meetings) but now we got us some!

Dan

[Stainless1]

The scta record holder used a steam turbine... fairly small as I remember it, in a fairly large vehicle.  I remember when they went fast enough to lose the glass.... car from Denver.

[Dr Goggles]

This makes these folks our " 'Steamed Colleagues".  I've often heard of these (usually in meetings) but now we got us some!
Dan

Very good Dan,

bit disappointed you didn't get in first Jerry?

[Rex Schimmer]

I agree that the steam record, both the SCTA's and the one that the Brits set a while back are soft, but I think it will take more than 100 hps. I always thought the Brit's car was a little to "spacey" and not very aero.

Rex

[Schruiber]

sockjohn,  the "thing" in my picture is a 1:10 scale model of our Shell Eco-marathon Urban Concept car, modified as it will run at World of Speed this September.  I believe we are the first ever High School bringing their own car design to Bonneville and running on B20 bio diesel alternative fuel.  Attached document details it a bit more. I or the team will soon make an official post about it - needless to say we are very excited about this  

Michael

[Dean Los Angeles]

If you were a snake oil salesman you would want to go after a soft record too. Nothing like a world record to make your imaginary engine seem like something you should invest in.

But wait! There's more!

Check out how this thing works.
http://www.cyclonepower.com/works.html
"Patented centrifugal combustion chamber" heats the water to 1200º F in 5 seconds! Where does the air come from to support this combustion? I'm pretty sure if I put my teapot in the shuttle's exhaust I might get 1200º F in 5 seconds. They are trying to downplay the excessive amount of time it must take to produce usable steam pressures.

"Steam enters the six radial-configured cylinders under pressures up to 3200 psi to push the pistons down in sequence.  Note, no motor oil is used – water is both the working fluid and engine lubricant." The Bulls**t alarm went up to max scale upon reading this. Anybody here try water as a lubricant? 3200 psi? That better be one hell-for-stout motor. That's over 40,000 pounds of force on a 4" piston.

"The rotating action of the pistons connected through a patent-pending spider bearing (not pictured) turns the crank shaft." I love vaporware. Ohhhhh! Spider bearing!!!!

"Note, because the greatest amount of torque occurs at the first rotation, the shaft can be directly connected to a drive train without a transmission."

It doesn't need a catalytic converter or muffler.

"Tetra Ether Lead" "encapsulated in the earth for milliana" Among other misspelled words.

Ain't this baby the greatest! I'm going to dash right out and buy some stock in this marvelous company!!!!!!!!

[Rex Schimmer]

Dean,
You hit the nail on the head!! Using water as a lubricant is one of the panaceas of mechanical design. I worked in the high pressure hydraulic field (7500 psi) for years and there were a number of reputable companies that tried to design a pump for water at high pressure that would use the water as its lubricant, and these were companies that knew what they were doing! and there are no viable high pressure water pumps available today. (I am disregarding the tried and true triplex piston pumps that are used in the oil patch as they will pump water at 15,000 psi+ but they use oil for lubrication.)

Water has no lubricating properties, it has very low viscosity and if you have ever seen high pressure water flow thru a small leak you can see where the idea of the water jet cutter came from. It will cut the hardest steel like butter.

Rex

[floydjer]

This makes these folks our " 'Steamed Colleagues".  I've often heard of these (usually in meetings) but now we got us some!
Dan

Very good Dan,

bit disappointed you didn't get in first Jerry?

No pressure, Doc...I didn`t want to compound things

[RansomT]

more on the story at http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/#clip301179  it's the first story in the video.

He states his goal is 230 mph.