deLaval Turbine

thingiverse

Having trouble uploading video so I posted it to Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/steamboat_ed/49713025887/in/dateposted-public/ Unlike a traditional deLaval turbine, this one boasts a steerable inlet and aerofoil shaped blades. When steam or air power is steered just right, this design can tap into added impulse from lift on the back side of the blades. Print the turbine wheel with rounded leading edges pointing down and support it touching the buildplate. Most components can be printed without support, but consider using a brim to stabilize the nozzle and support under the housing. I'm experimenting with shapes for Lost PLA casting in steel for high-speed applications. This turbine should be driven by a jet of air or steam that hits the leading edge of the aerofoil blades at a slight angle. By varying that angle, you can optimize speed. To find rpm, use an app that displays musical tones and divide the primary frequency by 20 (the number of blades). Be careful not to push a plastic one to destruction, so don't use too much air pressure. The nozzle is threaded #10-32 for a barbed hose fitting. Housing holes can be tapped M3, while mounting holes can accept M4 bolts. Here's a link to the prototype turbine rotor I cnc machined many years ago: https://www.flickr.com/photos/steamboat_ed/albums/72157645304226559 Parts you'll need to finish the model include: A length of 3mm steel shaft for the turbine axle 8 M3 x 20mm SHCS to secure the case 2 M3 washers, one for either end of the turbine shaft inside the case 2 bearings: 3mm i.d. 8mm o.d. to support turbine shaft 2 M4 x 16mm bolts and nuts to mount the engine in its stand 2 M4 bolts and a board to secure stand, lest it tip over. Sandpaper and a power drill: I've found it's easiest to gently chuck the nozzle and spin the brim end at speed against sandpaper to get it smooth enough to put into the turbine intake. One #10-32 hose barb and hose to hook it up to an air supply. 2020_03_20: Uploaded new case and turbine intake with pockets for smaller 8mm o.d. bearings Uploaded Turbine_11v1.stl, slightly smaller to fit more freely in case 2020_03_26 Replaced Nozzle_10T.stl with Nozzle_11v1.stl. This one can be fitted with a pair of small O-rings to prevent air leaking out and increase efficiency. Replaced Throttle_Lever_02 with Throttle_Lever_03. This one has a pointer that lines up with the nozzle outlet to better see which way it's aiming the air jet inside the housing. 2020_03_30: Replaced Nozzle_11v1.stl with Nozzle11Tv1.stl, which is pre-threaded #10-32 Replaced Turbine_11v1.stl with Turbine_13v1.stl Added Turbine_Spacer_01v1.stl. This goes on the main shaft between the back bearing and the turbine rotor and ensures that the turbine will only touch the inner race.