Hi Kali
On (07 Dec 96) Kali McLaughlin wrote to Alec Cameron...
 KM> ....................................................  You
 KM> should read Stationary-Engine@indiana.edu  at the moment! 
That's just one of many I'd like to read. Wish I had unlimited leisure.
 KM> That is relevant to homepower because I am looking at a comparison 
eteen
 KM> diesel, gas, stirling and steam engines of different types to use as 
solar
 KM> backup.  Yes, I even own and exmple of each!!!
You are doing well. I guess you might like to read up about the Kitson- Still
engine which [c1930] was then described as the most energy efficient 
ractical
engine. Sorry I have no refs to publications just my memories.
Kitson- Still engines were made I think in West Yorkshire [Leeds?] and used
double acting cylinders, steam admitted on the piston rod side and oil
compression [like diesel] on the piston crown.
Thus it ran like a a fast steam engine/ slow diesel engine. The only 
commercial
versions I heard of were railway locos. Part of the thermal efficiency hike
was creditted to the fact that the steam exhaust preheated the combustion 
il,
and the diesel exhaust was diverted to heat the boiler feed water.
As train locomotives the claimed high efficiencies were achieved but the
acceleration in traffic was awful because from rest until several mph, there
was nil diesel power available only steam. I think that Kitson was only
interested in the rail customers so the chance to market an attractive
stationary engine design was missed.
 KM> The rave about modems is also relevant to Homepower because of the great
 KM> problems of telephone answereing systems in RAPS
I am lost, don't know what RAPS is/ are.
 KM> diversity, and we use an analogy of the internet - a random topology of
 KM> 100 volt  +/- 30 feeders to distribute the power.  It is called 
CROGRID
Grids I understand. Sydney used to have [1880- 1900+] a three wire plus minus
120 volt DC system before AC was introduced. The outer wires [=240v] operated
lift motors, wool presses, process heating and alternate houses took +120v 
only
while their neighbors took -120v only, thus the "neutral" carried nil amps
when the loads were neatly balanced.
 KM> and it has been very robust, cost effective and socially acceptable. 
 KM> Optimising backup generator fuel is important however hence my interest 
in
 KM> an  intranet to manage the system, modulated on the feeders with some 
sort
 KM> of packet driver.
A problem dealing with careless or inconsiderate users? OK in a perfect
neighbourhood I guess.
                      
 KM> Anyway, keep in touch
 KM> Kali (wind engineer) 
Cheers.....ALEC [failed engineer]
.......Time flies you cannot they go too fast
... .....Reciprocal research,   -----> The Way to Go! <-----
--- PPoint 1.92
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