Honda 500cc V-twin engine converted to run on compressed air
This engine was originally purchased new and retrofitted by engineer Paul Trentham. He had been hired to take over by Terry Miller's partner when Terry gave up the air car project due to health problems. When the project was finally abandoned, Paul gave the engine to the University of Washington and they used it successfully in their nitrogen car. This project was undertaken by Abe Hertzberg and members of the U of W aerospace engineering faculty. Several scientific papers were published as a result of the university's experiments and the car was used quite a bit around campus. Finally I was given the engine and had time to clean it and take pictures before I had to pass it on to someone else since I was leaving the country indefinitely. For more information on the engine and how it was designed and built, see the introduction to my book Air Engines.
#1: As-is from the university, before cleaning.
Shown from the back (exhaust end).
#2: As-is from the front (intake/throttle end).
Power output splined shaft w/ bearing, lower right/front.
#3: As-is from the university.
Right valve-head (in front).
On left:
Throttle.
Intake/front end.
Output shaft on left.
On right:
Chain & sprocket valve-op.
Exhaust/back end.
#4: After cleaning.
Front/shaft/intake/throttle end.
Shaft lower right.
Throttle handle upper right.
5: Throttle assembly from front.
Intake hose remnants stuffed with rags to keep dirt out.
6: Right side of engine.
Exhaust hoses removed & hose barbs stuffed with clean rags.
7: Valve gear assemble from right.
8: Throttle assembly from right.
9: From back.
10: Valve gear assembly from above back.
11: From left side.
12: Throttle assembly from left.
13: Valve gear assembly from left.
14: Valve gear assembly from left.
15: Left cylinder with valve head removed.
Gasket is intact.
Piston is at top of cylinder.
