So, I've done some component testing of an idea of mine. Long story short if my calculations are right I should be able to get a repeating 1/4" stroke of power (~3.5lbs force) as OU.
I'm looking into ways to increase both the stroke length and force still....
That being said, what would be the best and simplest way to convert such a small stroke into a more usable motion? Would just a really small gearing system be the best or is there other ideas?
Ultimately a rotating system would be best....
Just looking for thoughts.
Thanks!
An ordinary (but very small) crankshaft and con-rod system will probably be your best bet. The rotation of the crank can then turn a conventional generator or alternator. The losses will be small, since modern generators can be very efficient. So if you have, say, 150 percent OU at the power stroke itself, you will still be plenty OU by the time you get electricity out from the genny.
I used to fly model airplanes powered by tiny little Diesel engines. I remember one called the Cox Tee Dee, it had 0.010 cubic inch displacement and ran at 29000 rpm or something crazy like that. The con rod was about the size of a quarter of a toothpick and the stroke couldn't have been much more than 1/4 inch.
Thanks TinselKoala! The plane motor idea makes a lot of sense! I'm going to look into it. Hopefully I can just find premade parts that will work for me!
You're welcome! I already checked the Cox "remnants" website to see if they had any 0.010 engines left, and apparently they don't. I do see some spare parts for the .010 and .020 engines but not the ones you need, like the conrod and crankshaft. The "049" size availability is good, but it's probably too large for your application.
Heck. If I had my Sherline lathe and mill here I'd make you up a set... but I don't, so I can't help you in that way, sorry.
Another source for tiny pistons, conrods and crankshafts is aquarium air pumps. The smallest ones just use some kind of vibrating flappy valve thing but the midsized ones often have motor-driven crankshafts that drive a piston to pump the air. You might even be able to use the motor as a genny.