| Steam Ball
Turbine Group #2 |
Germany - Manufacture date:
2002
Rotor
diameters
= 40mm
Boiler Diameters: 1 1/2"
Style: Impulse Rotor and Heron's Aeolipile |
|
 |
Steam Ball Turbines |
|
Those
of us who have searched the web
for miniature turbines know they
are a difficult item to find. Karsten,
who created these turbines,
offered quite a few designs
and I grabbed several of them when
they were offered. The basic 2 styles
are the old Heron Aeolipile and
the more modern Impulse rotor. Their
modular design gives great flexiblilty
in creating new and interesting combinations.
The idea behind creating these
machines was to provide quality
teaching aids to science, physics
and engineering classrooms. The
use of very low friction ball bearings
and high precision metal components
differentiate them from toy turbines
such as The Empire, Doll or Wilesco
versions I've seen. The collector
appeal is quite obvious and once
again worked to remove money from
my greatly abused wallet. |
|
|
Heron's
Ring Turbine
|
Dimensions: 4" length x 4" width x 6" height
(includes base)
|
Heron of Alexandria is legendary
for having created the first known
functional turbine, back in ancient times.
Karsten, the gentleman who created
the turbines shown on this page,
used old historical descriptions
as a basis to create his own
vision of how that
first machine might have looked.
This is a finely made little machine with lots of character.
No corners were cut in creating
the boiler and the eye catching ring
structure. It is estimated to run
at 3000 rpm and is quite fascinating
to watch as it spins in a cloud
of steam. The design is deceptively
complex in its execution, combining
the textured rough cast frame
with the precision machined ball
bearing mounted copper and brass
boiler assembly. This one is an
interesting little piece of
history and a great addition to the
gallery. |
 |
Heron's Ring Turbine, called an Aeolipile |
|
|
Karsten's
Ring Turbine
|
Dimensions: 5" length x 4" width x 6" height
(includes base)
|
Karsten's Ring Turbine is another "antique"
flavored design, inspired by the
Heron's Ring. It incorporates the
simple elegance of design used in
the Heron's model and brings it
forward into the age of modern turbine
design. This design is serial #34
in a limited number of
machines, making it a true collectable
engine.
These turbines
were created for use as an educational
aid. for science instructors or
as a temptation for experienced
steam engine enthusiasts. The simple
wick style burner and the small
steam ball boiler is designed to
allow the machine to run for approximately
5 minutes. The copper bowl is placed
to collect the condensed steam as
the machine runs. The laminated
beech wood base is a great way to
display this eye pleasing miniature.
|
|
|
Karsten's Ring Impulse Turbine |
|
|
|
|
| The
"Gate" Turbine
|
Dimensions: 7" length x 5" width x 5" height
(includes base)
|
The "Gate" turbine is a crisp looking "futuristic"
design, inspired by the designer's love for science
fiction. The flying metal platform serves to isolate
the engine from the finished wood base, allowing
the surface to release any accumulated heat that
repeated run sessions might generate. It also just
looks pretty cool sitting there above the wood base.
The Gate was created in an HO
railroad scale and looks great with HO scale figures
placed on the platform. It would make a great addition
to a diorama, as long as it is used only for static
display. The slick precision machining of the support
structures give it a quite an appealing look.
|
|
|
The "Gate" Impulse Turbine |
|
|
Many have contacted me in an attempt to purchase
turbines from Karsten. After having lost contact
with Karsten for an extended period of time, we've been
reunited. He's doing very well and has even worked with
me to design and launch a new product for the Jensen
Steam Engine company. He's becoming better known in
the miniature steam community and is being very well
received.
|
|