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Hero's
Engine
Live Steam Video
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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.
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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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Kit
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