Study of the Mechanical Behavior of a Single-Cylinder Horizontal Steam Engine with a Crosshead Trunk Guide through the Finite-Element Method

This article analyzes the mechanical behavior of a single-cylinder horizontal steam engine with a crosshead trunk guide designed by Henry Muncaster. This double-acting steam engine was incorporated as an engine in various means of locomotion, and its drawings were published in Model Engineer magazine in 1957. This historical invention, for which there is no detailed information about its operation, presents great complexity because of the large number of components (44) of which it consists, transforming the reciprocating movement into rotary movement. The research carried out consisted of carrying out a linear static analysis in two critical positions (lower dead center and upper dead center) and determining the optimal range of working pressures in order to achieve a safety factor located in the optimal design range with values between 2 and 4. This linear static analysis was carried out using the Stress Analysis module of the Autodesk Inventor Professional 2024 software, applying the finite-element method (FEM). The results obtained regarding the von Mises stresses, displacements, and safety factors confirm that the optimal range of working pressures (maximum admissible steam pressure during admission) is between the values of 0.165 and 0.320 MPa.