Looking to identify this engine

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Hi,

Hoping someone out there may be able to identify this engine. Found in my partner's grandfather's shed. No makers marks etc on it. Stands about 2ft tall. Steel construction with a brass hot cap. open pipe at top of water jacket and bung in bottom water jacket pipe. Spent the weekend cleaning it up and it all seems to be there. Will try firing it up tonight.
Any help much appreciated.
Image[/URL]
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Got it up and running tonight. Goes pretty sweetly with just some noise from the main drive piston crank. Just using a little gas burner for heat.

Image[/URL]
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Junkie
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:32 am
Location: England
Contact:

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Junkie »

Looks like a Heinrici hot air engine ? But I'm not sure.
http://www.scraptopower.co.uk My web site, Stirling engines and AE stuff.
vamoose
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:16 am
Location: Australia

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by vamoose »

I agree it looks like an Heinrici to me too also. Don't know why there would be no makers mark, weird. Was it ground off?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3uiJYCLjQc[/youtube]

They came in many different sizes.

Image

If you pump water through the cold end it will really get a boogy on..
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Brilliant! Thanks for this info just what I needed. No sign of any grinding etc but will continue to research
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Ian S C »

Tyco, I think it may be a Bradley Little Wonder pumping plant, they were made in Christchurch, many years ago their address was 782 Colombo St, now long gone. Ian S C

you have a PM
vamoose
Posts: 267
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:16 am
Location: Australia

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by vamoose »

As always Ian your on the money.
Reading your post reminded me of a page from Peter Lynn.
http://peterlynnhimself.com/Heinrici_2.5.php

Where he states:-
Most Heinricis in New Zealand were imported by a firm of Christchurch glaziers (Bradley Bro's Ltd) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They re-badged them to the Bradley name.

His website is always a great read.
(even for those of us who live across the ditch!)
vamoose
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Ah yes I stumbled across Peter Lynn's page. Have also now found reference to Bradley Bros Little Wonder pumping station in the 1906 International Exhibition manifest:

http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/He ... tionXI.pdf

Looks like this little machine has spent its 100+ year working life in Christchurch.

Thanks again everyone for the valuable input.
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Just found a picture of the whole setup, note the name plaque is on the base which explains why mine does not have any marks.

http://natlib.govt.nz/records/2746581?s ... %5D=photos

Now to find the pump :)
Tycho
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:28 pm

Re: Looking to identify this engine

Post by Tycho »

Interesting full article explaining the use of this pump set up as attached to the exterior of a house.

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bi ... --1----0--
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