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Model Stirling Engines - Rudy Kouhoupt - Plan Sets from the Past, compiled by Neil Knopf, published by Village Press, Traverse City, Mich., 2006. 8½ x 11 paperback, ring-bound, 78 pages. ISBN 978-0-941653-26-8. Please note this book is new, not used. On numerous occasions, Rudy declared that his favorite engines were the quiet ones. His reference was to the nearly noiseless operation of the steam engines so prevalent years ago. The comment would often lead to a discussion regarding the difference between internal combustion and external combustion engines. The nearly silent operations of the Stirling engines made them Rudy's close second choice of power. The engines presented herein are of a freelance design that Rudy so much enjoyed. His penchant for taking an example or photo of an old engine or other device, and creating a useful and functional representation is amply illustrated. As with Rudy's other designs, the detail is sufficient for the most ardent engine builder, yet not burdened with time-consuming superfluous ornamentation so frequently encountered on Victorian-era designs. There were no written instructions as to the easiest sequence of construction or the best procedures to machine the more involved pieces. Rudy enjoyed the camaraderie of other miniature machinists and would spend as much time as necessary to assist those who embarked on the building of his designs. He would derive great satisfaction from explaining the particularities of each design as he sold the prospective builder a plan set. No longer having the luxury of being able to confer with the designer, we are left with only the drawings to guide us through the building of the various engines. As such, we are now left to our own devices. There are plans for three engines: * Stirling-cycle Hot Air Engine * Water-cooled Horizontal Stirling Engine * Water-cooled Vertical Hot Air Engine There are NO directions or instructions accompanying these plans. The plans are, however, fully dimensioned. Further note that these are engines designed by Rudy Kouhoupt, and are not scale representations of any, “realâ€, larger engines. May 19, 1931—October 15, 2004 Prolific engine designer, builder and technical writer Please note that this book is new, not used. It is a reproduction, not an original. The accompanying images were scanned from a reprint, not the original. * U.S. media (book rate) mail is $4.35. PLEASE NOTE that our experience over the 2004-5 holiday season was that an alarming number of books took over four weeks to be delivered to states west of the Mississippi River. We think—and hope—this probably has something to do with homeland security rather than any sudden deterioration of postal service, but we really do not know. All we know for certain is that we do NOT want to deal with a number of inquires and complaints about “Where’s my books?†when there is NOTHING we can do after we hand the package to the postal clerk and have the receipt in hand. If you want to use media (book rate) mail please wait at least four weeks before you contact us to inquire about the whereabouts of your book. And note that all we’ll be able to tell you is the date we mailed it from the Post Office. We will NOT be able to tell you where the book is, or when the Post Office is going to deliver it. The history of industrial, transportation, and agricultural development From Steam Engines . . . to Spacecraft (please look at our rules and privacy policy) |
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