Oddball engines and prototypes

[Flettner]

https://youtu.be/BPr694nlUKE
https://youtu.be/uiXsPkP9jvw


Niels, I understand you are interested in Uniflow engines, see the youtube links. This is a crankcase feed uniflow twostroke.
Although this one's cranks were joined by gears.

[gjm]

I think this is a new one - the Duray U16. Entered in the 1931 Indy 500 this was/is a supercharged 16-cylinder 2-stroke. No idea what the power output was, but it was, sadly, a failure despite being very fast and making (a very important) wonderful noise.

The 16 cylinders formed 8 side-by-side pairs, each pair sharing a combustion chamber and crankshaft journal. Yup, 16 cylinders with 8 chambers and 8 crank throws.
It was first patented in 1912 and called the Zoller (after engineer Arnold Zoller) two-stroke. More recently this layout has been called a split-single or “twingle” and used European motorbikes made by DKW, Puch and more, well into the 1960s. (See - even a motorbiking relevance!)

http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2...the-duray-u16/

[tjbw]

I think this is a new one - the Duray U16. Entered in the 1931 Indy 500 this was/is a supercharged 16-cylinder 2-stroke. No idea what the power output was, but it was, sadly, a failure despite being very fast and making (a very important) wonderful noise.

The 16 cylinders formed 8 side-by-side pairs, each pair sharing a combustion chamber and crankshaft journal. Yup, 16 cylinders with 8 chambers and 8 crank throws.
It was first patented in 1912 and called the Zoller (after engineer Arnold Zoller) two-stroke. More recently this layout has been called a split-single or “twingle” and used European motorbikes made by DKW, Puch and more, well into the 1960s. (See - even a motorbiking relevance!)

http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2...the-duray-u16/

That was some engine, too bad they didn't continue development.

I had thought the split twins emerged in 1930s with Puch and DKW, then recently I saw a much earlier engine on www. Looking for it just now I found that Garelli is widely credited with the first split single design in 1912, didn't see any Garelli photos or patent, though I did find an 1910 patent by Lucas!

The Lucas engine was used in the "Valveless" car, Will's probably had a spin in one

In the Lucas patent it states "This invention relates to improvements in the details of engines of the well known type having two cylinders placed side by side and opening into combustion and crank chambers common to both, the pistons in the cylinders operatin cranks on two parallel crank shafts which are geared together" So it seems the first split-single was prior to 1909!

Lucas engine: http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publi...&&locale=en_EP

DKW employed Zoller in 1930s, one of his innovations was the articulated conrod.

[Niels Abildgaard]

https://youtu.be/BPr694nlUKE
https://youtu.be/uiXsPkP9jvw


Niels, I understand you are interested in Uniflow engines, see the youtube links. This is a crankcase feed uniflow twostroke.
Although this one's cranks were joined by gears.

Hello Neil

Thank You for the videos.
I found another version with different pictures of my journey to gearless junkers

http://archive.is/zHnXJ

The one shown before is here

http://archive.is/s7gTY

I do not know how to unite it here.

My next phantasy is still uniflow and gearless but not Junkers

http://i.imgur.com/SOqAT4f.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/n36caso.jpg

[WilDun]

That was some engine, too bad they didn't continue development.
I did find an 1910 patent by Lucas!
The Lucas engine was used in the "Valveless" car, Will's probably had a spin in one

Ha Ha, no - that was my grandfather!
I've really got to change people's perception of my age!

[F5 Dave]

Indeed, you're quit spritly for a 47yr old.

[WilDun]

Indeed, you're quit spritly for a 47yr old.

That's more like it! and I can still get a leg over, unfortunately not over the seat of a racing bike!

[ken seeber]

That's more like it! and I can still get a leg over

You willy have to be careful of your willy, Willy.

Split singles. Don't forget the Trojan car engine of the 1920s. This was a 4 cyl or double split single. Conceived around 1912 or so. Sounds like the split single was the flavour of the decade. This might have been the Lucas Valveless engine. Gotta give the poms a mention every now and then.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=t...w=1440&bih=803

[gjm]

I have a new hero.

John Walter Christie.

In 1907 he finished the build of a front wheel drive car powered by a 20-litre V4 engine. It was a 'square' engine with 7.25" bore and stroke, and had 8 atmospherically-operated inlet valves per cylinder and one mechanically operated exhaust valve.

The crankshaft used spur gears and UJs to drive the front wheels directly, via an exposed gear transmission.

Top speed was around 120mph - 195km/h.

https://crankhandleblog.files.wordpr...m-23-18-57.jpg

The steering column runs through the radiator.

He also designed suspension systems for WW2 tanks.

[tjbw]

I have a new hero.

John Walter Christie.

In 1907 he finished the build of a front wheel drive car powered by a 20-litre V4 engine. It was a 'square' engine with 7.25" bore and stroke, and had 8 atmospherically-operated inlet valves per cylinder and one mechanically operated exhaust valve.

The crankshaft used spur gears and UJs to drive the front wheels directly, via an exposed gear transmission.

Top speed was around 120mph - 195km/h.

https://crankhandleblog.files.wordpr...m-23-18-57.jpg

The steering column runs through the radiator.

He also designed suspension systems for WW2 tanks.

What a machine!

But not sure if I'd want to be driving it at 120mph

[tjbw]

You willy have to be careful of your willy, Willy.

Split singles. Don't forget the Trojan car engine of the 1920s. This was a 4 cyl or double split single. Conceived around 1912 or so. Sounds like the split single was the flavour of the decade. This might have been the Lucas Valveless engine. Gotta give the poms a mention every now and then.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=t...w=1440&bih=803

The 1920s Trojan split single featured one V shaped conrod for each pair of pistons, whereas the Lucas engine featured separate conrod and big end for each piston. Link to drawing of Lucas engine is in message #768, just up the page, and more info on the Trojan engines here:

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...trojan-115778/

[WilDun]

The 1920s Trojan split single featured one V shaped conrod for each pair of pistons, whereas the Lucas engine featured separate conrod and big end for each piston.

I can actually remember seeing a Puch split single motorcycle engine and I think that the main conrod had a lug attached for a link rod (similar idea to the radial aircraft engines except that in their case, the master rod carries multiple link rods).

[WilDun]

You willy have to be careful of your willy, Willy.

Split singles. Don't forget the Trojan car engine of the 1920s. This was a 4 cyl or double split single.

Don't worry Ken, I didn't actually mention how often! - bit like the 30k and 70 bhp rpm of the Ryger really!

Think the Trojan was an offshoot of the Ricardo Dolphin engine, and did some sterling work for a very long time.

[Frits Overmars]

I can actually remember seeing a Puch split single motorcycle

I can actually remember riding a Puch split single. Or, to be completely honest, I can remember sitting on the tank while my father rode it. Must have been about 1955.
Even then it already had two filler caps on the tank: one for petrol; one for oil.


Which reminds me of one of the many modifications my dad performed on the bike. You'll notice that on the standard bike in the above picture the gap between the front tire and the underside of the mudguard is bigger than the gap at the top. My dad reversed that situation after he caught a hare between the tire and the mudguard .

[WilDun]

I can actually remember riding a Puch split single. Or, to be completely honest, I can remember sitting on the tank while my father rode it.
My dad reversed that situation after he caught a hare between the tire and the mudguard .

In New Zealand it would probably be a Possum!
That is one great looking bike - the one I saw was in a dismantled condition in the early sixties and didn't look quite as good.


Meanwhile I have decided to go on to 3 wheels .....Voila:
-


Talk about the Enigma Machine! or a Heath Robinson (for real)! - something appealing about it though ........Je ne sais quois.
.................................................. ..............................
EDIT This is the message that is associated with the photos:-

Awesome trike, a totally practical vehicle with many uses.
Pick the kids up from school, go get the groceries, drag race boy racers in souped up jap four bangers and do it all in style!

A few facts about this trike.*
1. It holds the top lap time for the Isle of Man circuit, however it was disqualified for having too many wheels and the title was given to John McGuiness.
2. It is made from parts of the original Ford interceptor from the first mad max film
3. It was supposed to feature as the Delorian in the back to the future films, but during filming Michael J Fox fell off twice, got scared and refused to ride it anymore.

DISCLAIMER
All the above facts are made up, this thing is as dodgy as Kim.Com. Its structural integrity is as questionable as Tom cruise's sexuality. (Pieces occasionally fall off, but so far it still goes!)
It gets speed wobbles if you go faster than a brisk walking pace, the brakes will stop it after a while, as long as you are facing uphill.
It is totally illegal to ride on the road, but let's face it, the cops will be too busy laughing to give you a ticket!
Buy it, and you probably won't regret it or get any stick from the missus... But no promises.