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Background
I was introduced to Stirling engines at the 5th annual Cabin Fever
Expo on 1/27/01 in Lebanon, PA. I have an interest in design
optimization and was challenged by the task of further simplifying a
conventional Stirling. At first I concluded that substantial work had
already been done to create the simplest possible design and that a
large simplification was not likely. A few weeks later the idea of
placing the flywheel inside the chamber occurred although at first I did
not see how it could work. Then the full picture fell into place,
benefits were analyzed, and finally a CAD design and construction began.
The prototype first ran on 4/8/2001. By 5/6/01 the engine ran with a
differential of approximately 17C. On 5/12/01 the differential was
reduced to 8C. (I estimate that further reduction should be relatively
easy to achieve with better precision machining and some small
alterations.) This is my first engine.
I would like to thank Larry Simms of Thailand for his technique of using
brass tubing for the cylinder and James Senft
for writing his excellent books on Stirling engines.
Following are some possible variations and ideas for future
development:
- Build an HTD version
- Optimize the design mathematically (the current prototype roughly
follows Senft's LTD measurements). For example, a thinner chamber may be
more effective and a smaller diameter piston should work better.
- Reduce gap between displacer and plates by making displacer more
precisely.
- Improve seal mechanism to reduce its friction.
- Add a method to increase chamber air turbulence.
- Add a method to achieve an advantage similar to regeneration, if
possible.
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