[SEL] New Topic: Hills Diesel

[Jerry Evans]

At 07:00 PM 14/12/2009, you wrote:
>Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:40:40 +1100
>From: "Domeney Brothers" <dombros2 at clearmail.com.au>
>Subject: [SEL] New Topic: Hills Diesel
>To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>Message-ID: <09E69D0E1B414C57A9E64E24A9833E5D at shed>
>Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Hi there, engine lovers
>I was reading through the February 1936 edition of "The RUDDER-The 
>Magazine for Yachtsmen" ( mail is fairly slow here from USA) when I came 
>on a story about the new Hill Diesel Engine. A single cylinder marine 
>engine developing from 10-15 hp, and designed by Mr R E Olds (I assume of 
>Oldsmobile fame).
>
>The interesting feature of the engine is the design, no cylinder head, two 
>pistons in the cylinder come together to create the compression, and power 
>is transmitted by rocker shafts to the crankshaft.
>
>It is identical (but only 1/3 the size) of the Tilling Stevens engine used 
>by the Rootes Group in England for the Commer truck. Napier engines also 
>used a similar system with large engines and 3 banks of cylinders.
>
>However, this Hill engine predates the Tilling Stevens unit by 12 years.
>
>An interesting claim made in the story is that the engine could be 
>dismantled, new piston rings fitted, the engine reassembled and be running 
>again in 5 minutes.
>
>Were the Hill engines sold in any numbers? Do any still exist today? Can 
>anyone out there add to the story, please?
>
>With thanks
>
>Teddy

Hi Teddy,
         And to think - I thought our post was slow!!

         Google finds a lot of info on the engine as well as a copy of the 
1937 patent with clear drawings here:
<http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2099371.html>

According to this his name was Ransom E Olds and it looks like the first 
patent was filed in 1934.



Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>