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Alternative Propulsion Engines: Electric Motor, Stirling Engine, Compressed-Air Engine
Alternative Propulsion Engines Electric Motor Stirling Engine CompressedAir Engine Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Electric Motor, Stirling Engine, Compressed-Air Engine, Minto Wheel. Excerpt: The Victor Tatin airplane of 1879 used a compressed-air engine for propulsion. O... more »riginal craft, at Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace . The first mechanically-powered submarine , the 1863 Plongeur , used a compressed-air engine. Musée de la Marine (Rochefort) . A compressed-air engine is a pneumatic actuator that creates useful work by expanding compressed air . They have existed in many forms over the past two centuries, ranging in size from hand held turbines up to several hundred horsepower. Some types rely on pistons and cylinders, others use turbines. Many compressed air engines improve their performance by heating the incoming air, or the engine itself. Some took this a stage further and burned fuel in the cylinder or turbine, forming a type of internal combustion engine . Tools Impact wrenches , drills, firearms , die grinders , dental drills and other pneumatic tools use a variety of air engines or motors. These include vane type pumps, turbines and pistons. Torpedoes Most successful early forms of self propelled torpedoes used high pressure compressed air , although this was superseded by internal or external combustion engines, steam engines, or electric motors. Railways Pneumatic Locomotive with attached pressure container used during the construction of the Gotthard Rail Tunnel 1872-1880. A compressed air locomotive by H. K. Porter, Inc. , in use at the Homestake Mine , South Dakota, between 1928 and 1961 Compressed air engines were used in trams and shunters, and eventually found a successful niche in mining locomotives, although eventually they were replaced by electric trains, underground. Over the years designs increased in complexity, resulting in a triple expansion engine with air-to-air r...« less