Salutations everybody,
I could have titled it
MORE UPDATE but after i gave it a 2nd thought this post felt worth a more formal intro.
It seems i've forgot to show some recent picture of "the core" which i consider essential so why not just begin from the start... Here's what i propose to readers today: lets align a few illustrations describing the overall picture in retrospective! IMO it's about time anyway!
It shall be brief, m'well...
At the base of my VG Classic Mapple sphere there's a metal funnel which mates with the metal bowl on the wooden stem, as sold it provides a view on the internal side of a Ceramic Filter disc measuring about 7.5 mm thick, as i recall... This dark spongy "puck" allows air to pass quite freely and it also blocks light beyond a thickness of 4mm or so. It's made of refractory material that has nearly ideal characteristics for the present application but i wasn't at ease with the original design so i decided to adapt it in hope that would meet my needs better.
My late tubing experiments were shown already so this is where we start:
The entry aperture doesn't provide much space, as a result thickness should range around 1.5 ~ 2 mm only. In addition, i noticed erosion will cause this part to slip out eventually so that's why there needs to be a screen, to hold the puck... This sample below was taken before i put such screen:
This component fell off after a few days, hence the idea to add a double-function screen which also helps to keep things clean.
Now the core elements behind:
I guess the most evident feature would be my tripod-shaped glass deflector, maintained in position by an aluminium support underneath. Beyond we see parts of the core Ceramic Filter:
That puck measures 3 mm thick and there's another metal support to create some heat-sink bracing cage capable of diverting some heat away from the central axis. Here's a more suitable image where we clearly perceive the various degrees of obstruction around that central axis:
(3 mm core puck between 2 aluminium supports)
Once hot this assembly emits heat of its own, after removal of the flame.
Also, keep in mind this view doesn't show the glass deflector in place and hence it would be a mistake to conclude there's no direct obstruction to the central axis path. In fact i figure the inlet air changes direction at a 90 degrees angle when it reaches the metal support holding this glass bit...
Next what we have here is the missing link, e.g. what caused me to publish this today:
That's a complete view of the core without its sphere. On top the bowl-side, while the botton puck corresponds to the one visible on this final snapshot below:
Except i switched to the black ball again...
Anyway, that last Ceramic Filter should be a minimum of 4 mm thick ideally. I've made mine thinner but now i regret that i did, perhaps i shouldn't have tried any less than 3.5 mm for the front puck.
Although i've been made aware of possible 3rd-party suppliers my problem is i still don't have more of this:
So please, VaporGenie if you read that!... Give it all some thought as it might be fun to have new related options, whichever suits both VG and their customers simultaneously!!
Last but not least:
Yes Fred, finally i'm convinced we can have it without the need for electricity or even fire: just think of magnetic induction heating... All it takes is a finger like that of E.T. - or a proper magnetic driver!
Hummm... What about a dynamo type of concept powered by human muscles?!... No need for an A.C. power outlet or batteries. Good stuff hey?!
Well, personally i find Bi-Energy would be quite stimulating for an alternative as it is... Especially for those who like to wander in the vast wildness of mother nature!