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  • SciTech

    Steam Under the Hood

    By Posted on 5.13.2008 10 Comments

    The Cyclone Cost to Develop: $2 million Time: 8 yearsPrototype | | | | | Product As long as the internal combustion engine has been around, garage tinkerers have been trying—in vain—to best it. But Florida boat engineer Harry Schoell, a lifelong inventor with a portfolio of patents, thinks hes got the answer, in the form of a reinvented steam engine.

    Article Rating:
    5
    5.28.2008 at 04:27pm - Comment by powaz

    A steam engine is an absolutely legitimate power plant, and much more efficient than an ICE. If one were to pay attention to the video, one would learn that this engine runs at a much LOWER temperature than an ICE. Remember, water boils at only 212 degrees F. Modern bearing materials make it possible for the superheated water to act as the lubricant. And because superheated steam generates nearly 100% torque, the engine does not have to rely on high speed rotation, the cause of much of the heat in an ICE. Because of the lower running temperature this motor is able to do without oil lubrication, radiator and coolant, and really much of exhaust system, not to mention, because of the tremendous torque steam generates, it needs no transmission. Really this motor is just an update of Doble's steam engine from the 20s, see: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=213453 I had the great honor of getting to meet Harry a couple years ago at his shop down in Fla. At the time he was building the prototype you see in the video. As he said in the video, it is able to run on anything that can burn. At the time he was using citrus oil pressed straight out of orange peel. It will burn any other type of sustainable oil as well, soy, corn, flax, potato, and yes, hemp, not to mention gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and even hydrogen. it would be a great replacement for todays ICE. It uses far fewer resources than the current transportation standard, and is infinitely more flexible than an ICE no matter what GM tells you. I'm glad to see Harry is finally getting the recognition he deserves out of this project. Spread the word.

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