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Inside Bruce Crower’s Six-Stroke Engine (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/FREE/302270007/1023/THISWEEKSISSUE)

By PETE LYONS
AutoWeek | Published 02/23/06, 9:35 am et

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Bruce_Cowers_6-Stroke_Engine.jpg

Bottom-line, Bruce estimates his new operating cycle could improve a typical engine’s fuel consumption by 40 percent. He also anticipates that exhaust emissions may be greatly reduced. It’s all thanks to the steam.
Terry

Bruce and I talked about this a couple weeks ago. This man has forgotten more than most of us will over know. He was a consultant to my project in the 1980's. Remember when I told you I was An Atkinson Fanatic? Crower had a"Crower Mileage system" camshaft for use with high comression on low octane fuel in the 1980's. That would be the forerunner of the Atkinson technology you are using in your hybrids today.

You might also be interested in the Turbo Steamer they are promoting over at BMW

Bruce and I talked about this a couple weeks ago. This man has forgotten more than most of us will over know. He was a consultant to my project in the 1980's. Remember when I told you I was An Atkinson Fanatic? Crower had a"Crower Mileage system" camshaft for use with high comression on low octane fuel in the 1980's. That would be the forerunner of the Atkinson technology you are using in your hybrids today.

You might also be interested in the Turbo Steamer they are promoting over at BMW
cleverlever;
Believe it or not I thought of you when I was reading this from Auto Week. Wondered if you would find it interesting or if you had already heard of it or Crower before. I have used his Cam Shafts before many yrs. back.

Terry

Hi Cob:

___Terry’s post made me think of you first as well …

___Terry, nice addition to the news! The format should look a bit cleaner now as well.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Terry

There isn't much going on in the world pertaining to variable valve timing that I am not aware of. Thats not real hard to do today. You punch USPTO into your computer search and follow the prompts and you can read every patent issued on any subject you want to follow by just punching the subject into the search. Not many people realize that you can read everybody's patent applications 6 months after they are filed by punching the subject into the space on the right side of the screen. There are approximately 725 patents PENDING related to variable valve timing. It really irritates me to see the patent office granting patents to the companies that I submitted this info to 20 years ago. First they said it didn't work and now they say I didn't invent it.
I know there are lots of guys reading this that think I am a BS'r but I have the original prototype which is still driveable if they want to see it. How many 1965 automobiles are there in America with variable valve events, variable valve phasing AND variable compression?

Cob

Cleverlever, have you considered driving it to hybridfest in July? It might be a good place to show it off.

Hybrid fest?

Don't know much about it.

I assume you are talking about the Corvair and not the RVS-FLO Rat Rod that runs on E85 although they would both be cool. My partner and I ( on the Rat Rod) are seriously considering a hybrid modification utilizing ol skool components. We could bolt it to the back end of a Quick change rear end.Would look really cool. Whats your thoughts on this?

Now I don't know how many of you read the links about what I went through in the 1980's trying to promote fuel efficient technology. It wasn't a pretty picture.


However the Corvair is a visual trip in itself. Has a see through valve cover and a see through crankcase/oil pan. When you turn it off you can see the remaining cylinder pressure escape by the ring gaps.

The coolest feature that just blows peoples minds is I can change all the valve stuff by radio control which simulates the potential to reprogram the prom by satelites on the fly while you drive down the road. Pretty cool stuff for the 1980's

Any chance Ralph Nader will attend this event? I would dearly Love to have a picture of Ralph sitting in this car talking about the conspiracy in Detroit to suppress leading edge fuel efficient technology.

Keep me posted on hybrid fest.

I have not gotten a chance to read the article thoughly, but it does remind me of a recent story of BMW trying to do somethings somewhat similar. They are planning to use a steam engine that draws off the heat of the ICE. Similar in that wasted heat is exploited, not similar in that they will use two engines.

Hybridfest information is at http://www.hybridfest.com I believe. Either one of your vehicles would be excelent to get people talking.

Hi Cob:

___Terry’s post made me think of you first as well …

___Terry, nice addition to the news! The format should look a bit cleaner now as well.

___Good Luck

___Wayne
Wayne,
Yes I noticed the "Clean-Up" job. Thanks, I can always use the Help.;)

Terry

Check out the Wikiapedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crower_six_stroke).

Obstacles or problems (that I hope can be overcome):


A warm up period of at least several minutes would be required in all automotive applications. Power is reduced during the warm-up period.
A steam-free cool down period is required to clear water/steam from the engine.
Cold climate anti-freezing electrical resistance heating systems would be required in the mobile water supply.
Water is more dense than all motor fuels, which means an equally sized water storage tank (compared to the fuel tank) in a mobile application would add significant weight.
Oil adulteration, from the water/steam cycle, is an obstacle to be dealt with, though additional piston/cylinder sealing rings can be easily added and special oils used.
Also, data from lube oil engineering systems for steam turbines is readily available to help identify likely concerns and possible "well-researched" remedies.
The weight of an oil separator (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oil_separator&action=edit) and a water condenser are likely additions.
Endurance testing will likely identify components that may need to have upgraded materials designated, such as possibly using stainless steel for the valves, cylinders, and rings.

Daimonk mentioned this - bump

Didn't realized this was a topic before I posted it, sorry.

Didn't realized this was a topic before I posted it, sorry.

Heck... It was two years old. Nothing to be sorry for there.

Really interesting info too.

One concern I would have with this 6-stroke is the whole water thing. I wasn't able to see if the other 6-strokes I read about on wikipedia use water also.

Didn't realized this was a topic before I posted it, sorry.Search engines are your friend. :)

The engine block would have to be able to take steam pressures....steam strokes could not run until engine warmed up....driver would have to shut down steam mode 1-2 miles to purge water from engine.

Still, I can see an application for dealing with tailgaters....how about ejecting a steaming tailpipe? :p


http://www.youtube.com/v/t-tRErs5UcI&hl=en&fs=1&

I was doing some reading about Crower's engine and some commenters on articles were suggesting reusing the water. By running it through a radiator to condense, but there was the matter of the impurities from the cylinder, such as unburned hydrocarbons, or possibly even oil.