The Great Piston Engine Thread

[Azimech]

The Great Piston Engine Thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This thread is for anyone who wants to post his/her (future) piston engines and vehicles powered by them, discuss piston engine building techniques, talk about ideas for races or challenges (tractor pulling, drag racing, air races). Also for talking about piston engine technology in general.

 

 

 

 

The idea is to rapidly evolve this technology because it's fun and it's got great educational value, and will continue to do so. This tech won't disappear in 40 years time, some futurists tell us. Some people even want to use the atmosphere of Mars (CO2) to convert into methane and oxygen, and fuel Mars rovers with piston engines with it.

 

 

 

 

At this moment in time KSP could be compared with the technology of 1865, just before the first working internal combustion engines got it's useful ignition system. This can and will change.

Here's my stock example. It's huge, too many parts and too heavy. But it is the first stock, non welded, non supported engine.

 

 

When using mods, please tell which ones. Personally, I don't like welding. That technology is far from mature, IMHO.

I do like Procedural Parts and Procedural Fairings! They make life a whole lot easier!

 

Who'll build the next? I want to race!

 

Edited April 15, 2016 by Azimech

[Majorjim!]

LOL, wankel.

Sorry, I could'nt resist. I look forward to seeing some more of your contraptions. I'm starting to come around.

[BlueCanary]

Anyone else seeing a dancing starfish?

So am I understanding it wrong, or is the barrier to stock ICEs the lack of a system that can start and stop/interrupt blower engines at points in the cycle?

Edited September 15, 2015 by BlueCanary

[Azimech]

Yep, a dancing hammerstarfish.

[ostrich]

How does that work?

[Chiboko]

That O5 gif is just pure 3D render p0rn

[KHTRE]

This is my version.

U70k_I8fH&index=2

Edited September 15, 2015 by KHTRE

[BlueCanary]

This is my version.

They say if you stare into the gearbox too long you go insane

That car is incredible, does it drive yet? Does it steer?

[Azimech]

That gearbox looks pretty but it has a huge mass.

Here's a different approach I made almost a year ago: A planetary.

And here's a stock automotive clutch

Edited September 15, 2015 by Azimech

[Kerbart]

This is my version.

Whackjob called. He wants his babyrover back.

That, my friend, is pretty radical.

[BlueCanary]

Could a clutch be done quite simply using 2 plates a la real clutch with landing gear (brakes on) on one so when they are extended the two plates are connected? By extending some landing gear before others gradual application of torque could be done too.

Unless that is what's already happening in that GIF, in which case, I am dumb.

[KHTRE]

They say if you stare into the gearbox too long you go insane

That car is incredible, does it drive yet? Does it steer?

Nope;.; The engine is not powerful enough. I've tried to use 2 engines, but KSP crashed all the time.

[Redshift OTF]

Wow how did you make that clutch Azimech? I'm still working on my ICE but there's a lot of issues atm.

[Azimech]

I used landing gears in a constant contact, and just applied brakes.

You'll find that this method is being used in automatic transmissions as well, therefore I want to build such a transmission soon. Yes, there will be slip because the max brake torque is too low at the moment.

- - - Updated - - -

I really just need an ignition system. If there's a programmer in the room, please raise your hand. I can't compile stuff but I have a source that needs only a few words changed. Then I just have to build the virtual electronic circuit and we're off!

[Majorjim!]

I used landing gears in a constant contact, and just applied brakes.

You'll find that this method is being used in automatic transmissions as well, therefore I want to build such a transmission soon. Yes, there will be slip because the max brake torque is too low at the moment.

- - - Updated - - -

I really just need an ignition system. If there's a programmer in the room, please raise your hand. I can't compile stuff but I have a source that needs only a few words changed. Then I just have to build the virtual electronic circuit and we're off!

http://i.imgur.com/dXn12Sl.gif

http://i.imgur.com/Tf0s7zE.gif

If you can make it work like an actual engine works I will be impressed. Powered by exploding stack separators maybe. As of right now it has more in common with a water wheel. I know I know, I'm a pedant.

[Azimech]

I tried something similar with exploding stack separators ... unfortunately the explosions in KSP are not suitable at all.

But using the thrust from a modified rocket or jet engine, works. And it will be the only way available until fluid dynamics, advanced thermodynamics and combustibles arrive (5 years?)

[Majorjim!]

I tried something similar with exploding stack separators ... unfortunately the explosions in KSP are not suitable at all.

But using the thrust from a modified rocket or jet engine, works. And it will be the only way available until fluid dynamics, advanced thermodynamics and combustibles arrive (5 years?)

Yeah I suspected as much.. What are those silvery piston parts?

[Pax Kerbana]

Piston engines are excellent if not for anything except reliability. Mars (& Duna) rovers should have them absolutely. The problem with KSP is that the existing wheels are too powerful and there is a whole slew of parts require before we could make good use of them. I am a big believer of piston engines belonging in KSP. Batteries in this game are waaayy too light. Electricity should not be so easy to store. That's what the dinosaurs made hydrocarbons for!

[BlueCanary]

Nope;.; The engine is not powerful enough. I've tried to use 2 engines, but KSP crashed all the time.

Have you tried using some SRB's or something on the back of the car to start it moving then seeing if the engine has enough power to keep it moving, just to overcome that initial inertia? Also maybe smaller/lighter wheels would be easier to turn? At the moment it must be hard for the engine to just get the wheels turning with all that weight so far from the center of each wheel. I'm assuming it needs infinite fuel anyway, so what about changing the engines for aerospikes for a lot more power?

- - - Updated - - -

Piston engines are excellent if not for anything except reliability. Mars (& Duna) rovers should have them absolutely. The problem with KSP is that the existing wheels are too powerful and there is a whole slew of parts require before we could make good use of them. I am a big believer of piston engines belonging in KSP. Batteries in this game are waaayy too light. Electricity should not be so easy to store. That's what the dinosaurs made hydrocarbons for!

There could be a generator part too, and they'd be good as early career plane engines. Plus nothing is cooler than a big V8 or an aircooled VW boxer.

Edited September 16, 2015 by BlueCanary

[Azimech]

Or a 6 six opposed (like Porsche).

But ... what about this, the Screamin' Detroit Diesels! Yep, two stroke diesels with valves & roots blower.

He starts driving at around 1:55.

How does it sound? If it ain't enough to scare roadside animals, what else would?

I love it!

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah I suspected as much.. What are those silvery piston parts?

Oh that's just Procedural Parts. Lovely stuff, really.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Azimech

[Pax Kerbana]

Ahh a generator, what a good idea. Maybe limited to use on planets only (for a variety of reasons) that would keep the fuel cell relevant. Then we could have methane-electric hybrid rovers!

As for make, I'm a Pontiac guy myself, but alas I must admit that carburetors have no place in a space program (mostly due to an assumed methane fuel analog).

Maybe the Kerbal engine company founder can be Poncho Kerman? What a great name for a Kerbal!

[KHTRE]

Have you tried using some SRB's or something on the back of the car to start it moving then seeing if the engine has enough power to keep it moving, just to overcome that initial inertia? Also maybe smaller/lighter wheels would be easier to turn? At the moment it must be hard for the engine to just get the wheels turning with all that weight so far from the center of each wheel. I'm assuming it needs infinite fuel anyway, so what about changing the engines for aerospikes for a lot more power?

No, but it's too late anyway. This craft was made on KSP 0.23.5. So, I'll have to rebuild it.

[Azimech]

I have an inertia starter to start the engine.

If you're wondering what that is ... here's a beautiful example:

[BlueCanary]

I have an inertia starter to start the engine.

If you're wondering what that is ... here's a beautiful example:

Would a rover wheel have enough power to turn over the engine as a starter motor? Or do they not work with that?

I don't have a very powerful PC so I'm mostly unable to test any of the ideas I'm having, so that's why I'm putting them here.

EDIT: Also do you have a subassembly for a small, low part bearing somewhere?

EDIT 2: Sorry to keep bombarding you with ideas that may or may not work, but what about Mk2 Cargo bays as cylinders? The wide cross section could provide space for the crankshaft, maybe some i-beams to keep the piston in line, part count would be low and it'd be a lot lighter than using structural panels.

Edited September 16, 2015 by BlueCanary

[Azimech]

MK2 cargo bays as cylinders wouldn't work because the door colliders are not fully functional.

But I use them for simple bearings. I'll upload one soon. 13 parts.