NEW CAR $12,700. New Motor. I want one for my boat!

I think the problem is the scuba tank. Its tiny to wear one or two on your back. An air tank for an air compressor isn't overly large unless you wear it on your back. But they don't hold much pressure.
I'm trying to find air motors that don't use a lot of air. Still looking!

There is a lot of information comparing air tools to electric tools. Seems the air tools win hands down. Following is typical:

I LOVE my Craftsman reversable air drill. It has gobs of power (when run at higher air pressures), stays cool (can sometimes even be cold to the touch), drills metal in no time flat (2000 RPM IIRC using a high speed bit). Cost about $80 at Sears. I also have a 14.4V cordless which is nice, but it's heavy, large and not as powerful (ie takes a while to drill through metal). It's a Craftsman as well.

 

Referring again to tank size, a 12 inch diameter tank 28 inches long has 2.75 times the capacity of a 7.25 inch dia scuba tank 28 inches long.
Carbon fiber isn't recommended yet. Because they are relatively new, require frequent hydro testing. Actually steel is recommended even over aluminum for longevity, despite corrosion vulnerability.

 

I encountered this link. Fellow made an air/steam engine from a weed eater motor. What I think is interesting, is his steam/air inlet valve. It's a brass check valve screwed into the sparkplug hole! He has a nail sitting on piston that opens the check valve momentarily to let in pressure. Simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-c6ySGYkWY&feature=related
I'm not thinking using a weedeater motor, but a small 2 stoke outboard motor could be fitted with this valve and you're all set!

Something like this maybe. A 1950s era 1.5 hp Evinrude!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Evi..._Accessories_Gear&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a6f580a23

 

here is a steam/air motor made from wood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngb4SYR74m4

 

Turning up interesting tidbits, but nothing definitive.

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Generator_from_Ambient_Air_by_Kim_Zorzi#The_Power_of_Air

History of Air Engines
The use of air engines in the late 18th century and into the early 19th century was a new budding technology. Most of these systems were big and bulky, but they worked and got the job done.

One of the most promising researchers and inventers of air technology - and his death was a great loss to our society - was Terry Miller of Joplin, Missouri. Terry designed a multicylinder air engine that created multiple torque loads from one shot of air. Our colleges teach that air is inefficient and is not practical. But Terry proved them all wrong.



Terry’s engine design is shown here.

The picture shows the engine assembly before it was mounted into an automobile over 20 years ago. This engine ran Terry’s car for several hours at speeds of 45 mph. The car somehow managed to find its way to the crusher by the action of some unscrupulous individual. This auto should have found its way into a museum instead to show how technology can be changed.

After reviewing the calculation of Terry’s design, a new plan was formed to create a home electrical generator system from this technology.

Terry’s dream was to create a ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) and this dream could have been realized had he lived longer.

Researching the patent base for air engine technology to run electrical generators has turned up no results. That is because most technology advances was used toward transportation purposes.

Coal Mines used air locomotives to haul coal out of the mines.

Germany used Air Locomotives to criss cross their country when the petroleum resources ran low. Alternative avenues were developed and again this technology was scrubbed from history.

Companies like H.K. Porter that produced a large number of coal air locomotives somehow misplaced the drawings concerning the air locomotives, but still retain the original drawings of the steam locomotives. One has to ask questions why this is.

 

Who says air won't work?
Air is powerfull.
Here is a link of air powered locomotives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireless_locomotive

Don't know if it would be feasible to install on a dinghy, Pressure is system wide. If you had a couple of tanks in the bilge hooked to a 3rd tank in the sun, as the air in 3rd tank was heated by sun, wouldn't pressure in entire system increase? I think so, unless there was check valves. Fresnel lense maybe?

 

Ran across steam_british_seagull_ http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19224

 

Thanks! The old salt has the boiler and everything mounted on the seagull. I think it makes a lot of sense to mount the boiler apart, in a secure fireproofed location with a tall stack.
I'm thinking in the stern of aft open cockpit in my 30 ft IntrepiDos is where I'd put boiler. Set up boiler as a cook stove/oven as well. The stack would be an aluminum mast extrusion. Appearance would be a yawl. Maybe that mast/stack would be convenient to set a riding sail at anchor! It could also double as a king post for a cargo boom for swinging stuff aboard..

I like the idea of running a high pressure steam/air hose to Seagull motors mounted thru hull like rudders are.
Twin screw 360 degree azimuthing would make handling a dream.
The water pump impeller in Seagulls foot could be removed or the water pressure could be used for cooling something somewhere.
I'd maybe install a steam powered generator/hi pressure compressor. Air tanks gives option of temporary use or immediate emergency use, even when boiler is cold.
I could also have a steam/air anchor windlass. High torque at low speed is perfect at this task. Solar cells to charge batteries. Led lights.
Possibilities are varied.

 

on second thought, the impeller water from seagull foot is needed in the condenser, so the steam as water again and can be pumped back to boiler. Hmmm.
Now how can I get steam down in the foot and the impeller pumps the condensate back to boiler?
:?:

 

another steam outboard
http://www.steamboat.com.au/Steam Outboard.htm

 

An article on a Di Pietro EngineAir prototype http://pesn.com/2006/05/11/9500269_Engineair_Compressed-Air_Motor/ says the Mining Industry has used compresed air powered vehicles underground "for the past century".

 

This is a youtube of a disassembled piston type automobile air conditioner compressor. Saw several threads where these were used as steam engines or air motors. Somebody said the core charge was only $10. So I guess you could buy a rebuilt one from a car parts store without an exchange. This one in the video is a mitsubishi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt8wiIplRqM

 

Another video, a cut away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp5fDJ6cjkg&NR=1&feature=endscreen

 

http://www.automotix.net/usedautoparts/2000-mitsubishi-diamante-ac_compressor-inventory.html

Here are these compressors for sale $131. I'm going to buy one. There is fortunately 7 cylinders. I'm going to see if I can direct exhaust from one cylinder into two at TDC or just past, and their exhaust into remaining 4. A triple expansion steam engine about 10 hp for 131$ and plus what ever conversion costs. I'll mount it on a shortened Seagull foot I already have. I have a rough idea how to use the impeller in foot as a boiler feed pump. The foot being imersed is a good possible hot well/condenser.