This week not one video, neither two... but an handful of them! ;)
Record after record, Alex Zorko (nicjasno.com) continues to make his LEGO Pneumatic Engines (LPE) to surpass themselves.
After his 'Inline 4' [1] [2] and a few V8 versions [2], Alex continues to improve the V8 design to achieve higher and higher speeds.
While the 'Mustang V8' reached a respectable 960 rpms, a newer V8 LPE version immediately reached the 1000 rpms mark!
But it was just the beginning... It was immediately surpassed by a 1440 rpm version.
The previous pushrod setup, was replaced by a double cam (SOHC), to achieve 440 rpms more.
But more was just behind the door (@ 1540 rpms)!
1440 rpms on the left and 1540 rpms on the right
Back to the pushrod (a more promising setup according Alex) and more fine tunning to make the rpms go even further...
1600 rpms on the left and 1660 rpms on the right
And it seems it will not stop by there...
Alex is claiming to have reached already the 1780 rmps (peak). Follow the new developments here or here.
However, someone else (rickd3508) also claims his own records. And these take the rpm limits far beyond the range where Alex is working, as it seems... (despite this seems to be some sort of an easier inline LPE).
Below the engine which marked an amazing 4360 rpm (realize the tach was geared down 2:1, to get into measuring range).
Astonishingly running at 120-140 PSI!
 In case you have further interest to know about Single and Double Overhead Cams (SOHC/DOHC) or Pushrod Engines, take a look into the article "How Camshafts Work (Camshaft Configurations)" at HowStuffWorks. |
SOHC (left) and Pushrod (right) Camshaft animations.
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2 comments:
That's just feakin' cool. Awesome stuff... But I wonder how long it would take to wear down the plastic parts moving at that speed? :-) I've seen little piles of plastic dust below sets of gears that I've ran for long periods of time.
But a 1000+ RPM LPE??? Wow... Love the sound too- sounds almost like a real engine.
I came across Alex's site ages ago when I first discovered Adult LEGO fans online. I haven't visited his site in a long while, but his stuff was always quite advanced and interesting. I'm glad to see he's still building and advancing his techniques.
You are right!
It sounds like a real motor!!
LEGO music for the ears... ;D
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