Description
Before James Atkinson developed his unorthodox “cycle” engine, he developed this totally unconventional “differential” engine in an attempt to circumvent Nicolaus Otto’s patents on the four-stroke engine, and to allow Atkinson to compete with Otto head on in the new gas engine market. Here, you get detailed plans based on Atkinson’s original patent that will allow you to create a working version of this most unusual engine.
Numerous prototypes were built in the process of developing this book. The secrets learned will allow you to sidestep potential bottlenecks, and learn the hidden details Atkinson chose not to reveal in his patent. Even if you are not likely to build this engine anytime soon, by studying the construction secrets revealed here, you can journey back in time and taste the state of the IC engine art as it was in the 1880’s. Discover how this amazing engine was able to complete all four strokes in a single revolution of the crank without the aid of timing gears or separate cam shaft.
If you have built, or at the very least, have studied our earlier book on the Atkinson “Cycle” engine, then you already know what an amazing engineer (in the truest sense of the word) Atkinson was. Here, you’ll find the linkage action and peculiar differential motion of the two pistons working together in the same cylinder to be hypnotic. If you thought the “Cycle” engine was unique, “then you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” You get step-by-step instructions from Vince and Dave Gingery showing how the Atkinson “Differential” engine is built from original patent drawings.
A lathe, a milling machine or milling attachment, and other commons tools are required. Castings are suggested for the main frame, oscillating arms and flywheel, but none of these parts are so complex that they could not be made from stock material. Other parts such as piston rings are readily available from the suppliers listed. But if you want to make your own piston rings, we’ll show you how to do that, too.
An Atkinson “Differential” engine is a machine you’ll be proud to have built. And we think you’ll find as we have, that this engine is an essential component in understanding the genius that was James Atkinson.
112 pages, illustrated, softcover.
