Roger Cherrington's "Vickie"

Roger in his shop in 2020, age 96!

Dave King's engine collection

Got this e-mail from Dave King today. His engines look and run great. Thanks for sharing!
-------------------------------------------------
Hi Allen
Just a quick note to say I have finished my third engine 'Vickie' and what a stunning looking engine she is.
I had all my engines running together today and have included a picture and a link to a Video. What fun!

https://youtu.be/COjWPn4bqRk

My next project is the Ringbom - Stirling Pump Engine to keep me busy for another year.
Many Thanks
Dave King.

Vickie plan alternatives/improvements

Here's an e-mail I received from George Waterman on July 17, 2014.

Please note: Dad sold these plans for 15+ years before he passed away, and dozens (hundreds?) of Vickie engines were built.  Being a perfectionist, I'm sure he would have fixed any errors reported.   This e-mail is posted to offer a different perspective and solutions to the author's understanding of the plans:

----------------------------------------------------------------

My modifications are either to fix simple errors, or to suggest ways to make the design work better – I will list here the ones I should be able to send in a form that can be understood.

1.       The little lubricator that fits under the slide rail of the crosshead is too big in diameter and height – my little layout that shows the problem and my modified design. See the attached sketch in both JPG and DRW formats “Small Lubricator for Displacer rod end”.  The other rod ends could be made to the original design but I made them like this (except 0.150 high) so they would look similar.  You can decide for yourself.

2.       The rear cap for the displacer has serious problems with staying aligned with the rod.  With Jerry’s design the displacer tilts at an angle and scrapes the bore when the thread is tightened.  I designed three improved versions. The Mod 1 seemed logical but still allowed too much flex.  Mod 2 with the threads also tilted too much when the threads were tightened so I reamed out the threads and made it a press fit with the rod – this is the version in my Vickie now.  I designed the Mod 3 as what I would do if I were making it again – it’s the one I recommend but I haven’t make it yet.   In all cases the rod need to be extended as appropriate to fit the modified rear cap selected. Note also JPG and DRW’s attached for each.

3.       When Installing the rod into the crosshead, it seemed risky to try to machine them as an assembly so I drilled the crosshead for a #2-56 setscrew which allows final fine tuning of the length if necessary.  Jerry’s method would also work if you can do the drilling as an assembly – I didn’t think I could.

4.       When I made the hot cap, I machined it from a single piece of stainless steel – to avoid the brazing operation – I used 304 stainless but it is a bit “gummy” to machine so I would use 303 stainless next time – free machining type.

5.        Also important – on sheet #18 the instructions for the crosshead say machine to 0.5 “ dia – this is too small, causes the sides to be too short.  The diameter should be at least 0.576” diameter to allow full sides.  See attached study sketch “Crosshead 0.5 vs 0.576 study” in JPG and DRW formats.

Good Luck with your model

George Waterman

Andrew Larson's "Vickie"

Got this e-mail from Andrew on July 19, 2012:

----------------------------------------------

Hi Allen,
       Sometime ago I wrote to tell you that my “Vickie” would not run. Well, it now runs. I tried making a new power piston but that did not help. Tried improving a number of other things but nothing worked. I thought that all the flat surfaces were good, but there had to be a leak somewhere. I finally put thin paper gaskets between all the flat surfaces and it ran. It really runs good!  You ask me to send you a picture when I got it running. I will now try to send you a picture.   Andy Larson

----------------------------------------------

Andrew,

The engine looks good, and thanks for the tip!

Allen

Alan Whiter's "Vickie"

Here's an e-mail I received from Alan Whiter on March 25, 2011:

-----------------------------------------------

HI
Have just finished the Vickie Engine but with a small burner flame it would not drive the fan so I added a flue which added the extra heat required, it now runs extremely well and is much admired by all.

I have also ordered the super stirling fan for my next project and hope to eventially construct the Farm boy and Howell V twin engines.

The drawings are exceptional and construction notes excellent.

Regards

Alan Whiter

"Vickie" Stirling Engine built by Melvin Hofer of Freeman, SD

"Vickie" Stirling Cycle Engine built by Dana Hall of Summerfield, Florida

"Vickie Stirling Engine" built by Olaf Vonstritzky of Trenton, MI

"Vickie Stirling Engine" built by Don Hermann of Genesee, ID

"Vickie" Stirling Cycle Engine built by Tony Adams of Guthrie, Angus - Scotland

"Vickie" Stirling Cycle Engine built by John Saunders of Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex England

"Vickie" Stirling Cycle Engine built by Lyn Spies of Waseca, MN

Jerry's Original "Vickie" Victorian Stirling Cycle Engine

"Stirling engines have no valves, carburetor, ignition system or boilers and they run almost ghostly silent. Properly made, they will run flawlessly every time a source of heat is applied!

'Vickie' is a stirling cycle engine of modified Heinrici type with elegant victorian styling designed for pleasing looks as was applied to 18th and 19th century engines and machines. Three fluted columnar legs and two stylish crossheads of differing style blend perfectly with the curved and angular lines of the engine frames." - Jerry

First "Vickie" pencil drawings

I believe "Vickie" was one of the first engines Dad designed and built. I found these sketches in his files.