Why do steam engines have so much torque? As you know, high pressure steam is admitted to the engine cylinder and it is this pressure working against the piston that causes it to move. Therefore, a steam engine can produce great torque, at low efficiency or much less torque at higher efficiency.
Full Answer
Can an engine produce huge torque with a single spark?
When a cylinder fires, the instantaneous torque is actually very high- much higher than the mean torque, so you could argue that an engine does indeed produce huge torque with a single spark. The problem is that the torque is delivered as a series of pulses as the cylinders spark.
How does a steam boat engine work?
The fire heats the water, the water turns to steam and expands into the piston that cranks the wheels and off you go. The engineer pushes a huge lever called the Johnson Bar to control how much steam goes into the piston and thence how fast you go.
How is the RPM of a steam engine determined?
Lower or higher output RPM is produced using gears. A simple steam engine has no compression or ignition, and its RPM is determined by how fast steam is introduced into the cylinder. With a large bore cylinder and slow steam intake, RPM can be as low as you like.
What is the source of power in steam engine?
In a steam engine, the source of the power is external- you can build up a huge head of steam and feed it at maximum pressure into the cylinder when the the engine is stationary.
How much torque do steam tractors have?
Torque – 3000 ft-lbs at 240 RPM. Top speed of 2.37 Mph.
How much torque does steam engine have?
The torque is 70 lbs. A single cylinder steam engine would reach its peak torque when it is running at full capacity.
Are steam engines more powerful?
“Steam locomotives are some of the most powerful engines ever made,” said Jamie Ryan, who has worked in many capacities for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango, Colo. “It's really incredible the amount they can pull.”
Is steam power more powerful than diesel?
Firstly the diesel engine has an impressively high thermal efficiency - with modern diesel engines achieving 45% efficiency compared to a steam engines 10% giving them to achieve greater distances between refuelling stops.
Why is steam so powerful?
This form of water is also called water vapor, and it's very powerful stuff. This is because steam has a lot of energy. When you took the liquid form of water and heated it on the stove, you increased the energy in those water molecules. When you get energized, you move around a lot more than when you're tired, right?
What RPM do steam engines run?
The engine speed is about 240 rpm. The steam pressure is maximized at 10 and 14 bar respectively and the maximum steam temperature is 350°C. There are also a number of manufacturers of very small steam engines with power outputs of about 10 kilowatts or less.
Are steam trains faster than diesel?
Whenever you are talking about the power of steam locos you must specify the speed, otherwise the statement is meaningless. Diesel Electric locomotives (DEs) develop their rated HP at any speed whereas steam develops it at only one speed.
Why don't we use steam trains anymore?
Largely, commercial manufacturers haven't touched steam power, instead focusing on refining existing combustion engine technology and making new developments with electric and hybrid vehicles.
Why are steam engines no longer used?
Steam road vehicles were used for many applications. In the 20th century, the rapid development of internal combustion engine technology led to the demise of the steam engine as a source of propulsion of vehicles on a commercial basis, with relatively few remaining in use beyond the Second World War.
Why does Big Boy 4014 have a diesel engine?
A: The diesel serves many purposes. Its dynamic braking saves brake shoes. Its power provides a boost that saves on No. 4014 fuel stops.
How much HP did a steam locomotive have?
A Big Boy locomotive along with its tender weighed about 604 tons and measured more than 132 feet (40 metres) in length. It had a maximum power capacity of more than 6,000 horsepower and could haul a 3,600-ton train unassisted up the Wasatch Mountain grade.
Could steam locomotives make a comeback?
Steam has made an impressive comeback under the guise of heritage, to become an enormous national asset. There are an awful lot of those day-trippers. Steam trains (and some rescued diesel locomotives) are now pulling 13 million passengers back in time each year.
Where can I find steam engines in Durango?
There’s more explanation about steam engines in the railroad’s museum, located adjacent to the Durango roundhouse. You still have about two more months to get to Durango and have a look for yourself. Right now a lot of the tourists are gone and the leaves are starting to change colors.
How does fire work in a piston?
The fire heats the water, the water turns to steam and expands into the piston that cranks the wheels and off you go. The engineer pushes a huge lever called the Johnson Bar to control how much steam goes into the piston and thence how fast you go.
When does Engine 480 steam?
Engine 480 steams through the fall foilage. Every year, from the beginning of May to the end of October, you can step back in history and get a sense of both life in the early West and of the immense power of expanding steam.
What happens when a train goes around a bend?
When the train goes around a bend to the right, the engineer can see everything. When it goes to the left, the fireman has to look out. “Basically, you shovel a lot of coal,” said fireman Mark Shelgren. There’s something of an art to shoveling, though.
