Posted by grim (206.162.192.40) on April 21, 2003 at 19:06:42:
In Reply to: Re: ovyyus posted by MrTim on April 21, 2003 at 16:59:03:
: : Well, I don't know if you have seen my post where I put forth the idea that heat friction from the axel could have been used to supply potential to a compressed air or gas system. I suppose it is possible. If it was a gas being used then none could be allowed to escape (no problem there) but
: >>it would have to be cooled so the process could start over again, and this would have to be done fairly quickly. Could be a reason why the wheel was so large, the cooling area situated at the wheels perimeter.<<
: : David
: Then what about the first wheel at Gera? It turned at 60 rpm and was only 3 feet in diameter.
: If the wheel actually used such a system as you propose, how would the heat exchanger work? You are talking about a large amount of heat needed. Being enclosed within the wheel (remember they were covered over?) wouldn't this severely reduce the air circulation required (and lead to temperature equilibrium in the system)? I certainly don't recall any eyewitness descriptions of heat sinks or cooling fins...
: And such a little wheel turning so fast, why, I'm surprised it didn't catch fire from all the heat building up within it!
Don't forget JB's "bellows" scheme in MT. I believe he drew it out with many other ideas as a way of keeping track so he didn't
repeat ideas.