Trevithick's Puffing Devil

Trevithick's Dredger

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Hero's Engine

Please note that this Engine has now been discontinued

 Hero's Engine Live Steam Video 

Hero’s Engine or Aeolipile is the earliest recorded steam engine from about the first century AD. Hero of Alexandria ( c AD10—c AD70 ) was a greek mathematician, inventor and writer on Mechanical and Physical subjects. It is not known whether he invented the Aeolipile or whether he recorded a previously known invention. It is doubtful whether the engine was ever used to produce useful work — it is inherently very inefficient. It was probably used to demonstrate how steam pressure can be used to produce movement. This is a Sussex Steam design of a working model of a Hero type engine. This model works at low pressure ( less than 4 psi) and can be operated by blowing into the boiler (using a tube) or by using a compressed air source. It will also work with live steam—but due to its nature, hot water and steam can be sprayed over a wide area everywhere ( a bit like a horizontally mounted Catherine Wheel ! ). It is imperative that you take suitable precautions to guard against fire, hot water damage and scalding water by wearing suitable protective clothing and protect any furniture or other items from the spray. Kit assembly involves the use of a solder torch with a naked flame and operation by live steam also involves a naked flame and boiling water. Both can create possible fire and scalding hazards. The kit must not be assembled or operated by children. If you do choose to use the live steam method of operation, it is entirely at your own risk.    Model Basic Specifications:  Material: Brass  Method of Heating: Meths, Solid Fuel Tablets, Chafing Gel or Gas  Operating Pressure: < 4 psi. ( 2 psi typical )  Height: 180mm  Maximum Diameter: 115 mm  Weight: 320 grams  Boiler Capacity ( up to level hole ): 35 ml. The kit is designed so that only hand tools are required to build it. No machining or previous model engineering experience is necessary. Most of the assembly work involves soldering. Besides the soldering, a piece of 3.2mm tubing needs to be cut with a junior hacksaw and there are four 1.6mm holes, six 3mm holes, two 3.2mm holes and one 6mm hole to drill using a hand drill. The tools required are: small vice, small hacksaw, screwdriver, pliers, files, drill and drill bits.   A solder torch is also necessary.

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