Ameer Randolph
The Stanley Motor Carriage Company manufactured steam cars from 1902 to 1924. Colloquially called Stanley Steamers, these cars were powered by steam engines and could reach speeds of over 75 mph. The steam engine provided four power impulses per crankshaft rotation, similar to an 8-cylinder internal combustion engine. Early models of the Stanley Steamer ran on gasoline, but later models incorporated a two-fuel system of gasoline for the pilot and kerosene for the main burner. Kerosene provided more heat energy per unit than gasoline and was also safer and less expensive.
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene was used to light the pilot and main burner
The Stanley Motor Carriage Company was an American manufacturer of steam cars that operated from 1902 to 1924. Colloquially, the cars were called Stanley Steamers. The company was founded by twins Francis E. Stanley and Freelan O. Stanley, after they sold their photographic dry plate business to Eastman Kodak.
The Stanley steam car utilized an external combustion (Rankine cycle) engine, where the fuel source is consumed externally to the engine. A steam boiler generates large quantities of power for later use, unlike an internal combustion engine, which must develop the required power on demand. The engine itself consists of two parts: the boiler and the engine. The boiler burns kerosene or gasoline and boils a small amount of water at a time. The steam is then directed to the pistons to push them back and forth. As the pistons move, the steam is released back into the condenser and turns back into water.
The burner, sealed beneath the boiler, automatically feeds and vaporizes the fuel using its own heat. The fuel burns in blue compact jets a few inches high within a completely enclosed chamber. The heat then passes through the boiler's tubes, where it is absorbed by the water, creating steam.
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The burner is sealed beneath the boiler
The burner in a Stanley steam car is sealed beneath the boiler. The burner is where the fuel is consumed, and it is external to the engine. The Stanley steam car uses an external combustion (Rankine cycle) engine, unlike internal combustion (Otto cycle) engines that must develop power on demand. The burner is sealed in a chamber beneath the boiler, where the fuel is automatically fed and vaporized by its own heat. This heat passes up through the tubes of the boiler, where it is absorbed by the water, creating steam. The steam is then stored in the boiler and used to power the vehicle on demand.
The Stanley steam car's burner operates on a simple principle similar to a Bunsen burner. The heat of the fire vaporizes the liquid fuel, and this vapour is then fed through an orifice, mixed with air, and burned below the boiler. The burner is controlled by a steam automatic, which turns it on and off to meet steam demand based on driving conditions. This automation of the burner and water management systems improved upon earlier models, which required manual control of the water level in the boiler.
The fuel used in the burner of a Stanley steam car is kerosene. Kerosene was used for both the pilot and the main burner of the external engine. It was chosen because it provided more heat energy per unit than gasoline and was also safer and less expensive. Kerosene vapour is less volatile and less pungent than gasoline, although it does have an objectionable odour. The use of kerosene, along with the external combustion engine, contributed to the safety of the Stanley steam car.
The Stanley steam car's boiler is unique in its design, with circular boiler walls strengthened with three layers of strong piano wire. This construction provides unparalleled sidewall strength. The boiler stores steam energy, similar to how a battery stores power, and this steam can be generated quickly. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes to steam up the car when the pilot is extinguished, and the burner is designed to burn low-grade fuel efficiently. The boiler also incorporates safety features such as low-water burner shutdowns and pressure relief valves.
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The Stanley steam engine provides four power impulses per crankshaft rotation
The Stanley steam car is a unique vehicle with an external combustion engine. This means that the fuel source is consumed outside the engine, unlike internal combustion engines, which must generate power on-demand. The Stanley steam engine provides four power impulses per crankshaft rotation, similar to an 8-cylinder internal combustion engine. This design gives the engine more torque in a smaller package than a comparable gasoline engine.
The Stanley steam engine's power comes from a steam boiler, which generates vast amounts of power that can be stored and used on demand. This is in contrast to internal combustion engines, which must generate power as needed. The boiler stores steam energy like a battery, and this power can be released instantly in an emergency. The Stanley's engine does not require a transmission, neutral gear, or clutch.
The steam in the boiler is generated by a burner sealed beneath it. The burner automatically feeds fuel, which is vaporized by its own heat and burns in blue jets a few inches high inside a sealed chamber. The heat passes through the boiler tubes, where it is absorbed by the water, creating steam. This steam is then released from the boiler through a driver-controlled throttling valve.
The steam is directed to the engine, where it passes through the burner fire once more to absorb additional superheat energy of around 150 degrees. The steam is then routed through D slide valves to one of the dual cylinders. The engine is mounted to the rear drive axle with a 1.5:1 gear ratio between the crankshaft and the differential gear. This setup allows the Stanley steam car to achieve speeds in excess of 75 mph for short periods, especially on dirt roads.
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The boiler was reinforced by several layers of piano wire
The boiler in a Stanley steam car was a key component of its operation. The boiler generated steam, which was then routed to the engine after passing through the burner fire, providing additional superheat energy. The steam engine provided four power impulses per crankshaft rotation, similar to an 8-cylinder internal combustion engine. This design gave the Stanley steam car more torque in a smaller package compared to a gasoline engine of equivalent rating.
The boiler in the Stanley steam car was a vertical fire-tube boiler, mounted beneath the seat. It was made of copper in early models and later transitioned to welded steel fire-tubes due to oil-fouling issues caused by the installation of a condenser. The boiler's circular walls were reinforced by several layers of exceptionally strong piano wire, providing unparalleled sidewall strength in boiler designs. This unique construction method gave the boiler a strong yet relatively lightweight shell.
The safety of the boiler was a key consideration in its design. The boilers were fitted with safety valves to prevent overpressure. Even if these valves failed, the design ensured that any dangerous overpressure would rupture one of the joints before the boiler shell itself could burst. This safety feature was an important innovation, as it significantly reduced the risk of harm to passengers in the event of a boiler malfunction.
The boiler's ability to store steam energy for later use on-demand contributed to the overall efficiency of the Stanley steam car. The exhaust steam from the engine was used to preheat the water supply to the boiler, further enhancing its operating efficiency. This design allowed the Stanley steam car to achieve fuel efficiency of roughly 10-12 miles per gallon, comparable to that of internal combustion engines of the time.
In summary, the boiler of the Stanley steam car was a well-engineered and safe component that played a crucial role in the vehicle's operation and efficiency. The reinforcement of the boiler with several layers of piano wire was a key aspect of its design, providing the necessary strength while maintaining a lightweight construction.
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The burner is automatically throttled on and off to meet steam demand
The Stanley Steamer is a steam car that utilizes an external combustion (Rankine cycle) engine, where the fuel source is consumed outside the engine. This is in contrast to internal combustion engines, which must develop the required power on-demand. The Stanley steam engine provides four power impulses per crankshaft rotation, similar to an 8-cylinder internal combustion engine. This design offers the advantage of more torque in a smaller package compared to a gasoline engine of equivalent rating.
Early models of the Stanley Steamer used gasoline as fuel. However, later versions incorporated a two-fuel system, with gasoline for the pilot and kerosene for the main burner. Kerosene provided several benefits, including more heat energy per unit than gasoline, enhanced safety, and lower cost. The use of kerosene also resulted in less volatile and pungent fuel vapors, contributing to a more pleasant driving experience.
The burner in the Stanley Steamer is automatically throttled on and off to meet the steam demand based on driving conditions. This automation eliminates the need for manual control of the water level in the boiler, a task that required the driver to be a part-time engineer. The burner is sealed beneath the boiler, where the fuel is automatically fed and vaporized by its own heat. This vaporized fuel burns in blue compact jets a few inches high within a completely enclosed chamber. The heat generated passes through the boiler tubes, where it is absorbed by the water, producing steam.
The steam generated in the boiler is then released through a driver-controlled throttling valve. This valve allows the driver to admit just enough steam to the engine to perform the required work, providing a smooth and efficient driving experience. The steam is routed to the engine after making a final pass through the burner fire, where it absorbs additional superheat energy. This superheated steam contributes to the overall performance and efficiency of the Stanley Steamer.
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Frequently asked questions
Kerosene is used to light the pilot and main burner of the external engine in a Stanley Steam Car. Early models used gasoline, but kerosene provides more heat energy per unit than gasoline, as well as being safer and less expensive.
It takes between 10 and 20 minutes to heat up a Stanley Steam Car.
The burner is sealed beneath the boiler. The fuel is automatically fed and vaporized by its own heat, burning in blue compact jets a few inches high. The heat then passes up through the tubes of the boiler, where it is absorbed by the water, turning it into steam.
The Stanley Steam Car engine has two chambers in every cylinder. The piston gets pushed in alternating directions as the engine rotates. This means that even though the engine makes only 10-30 horsepower, it makes up to 800 pound-feet of torque.
