Stirlingengineforum.com

Agent86, I'm no expert either and have just two working models under my belt. From what I have read, the mesh is usually steel wool and some times Scotch Brite pads but these are being used in models not large engines (to my limited knowledge) Maybe a suitable regenerator/displacer for you engine co...

Not a bad idea at all but it will need to increase the power a fair amount to offset the extra energy required to run it. The weight and friction of plumbing fittings etc. I know your taking about a pretty large scale engine here and maybe it's less of a factor but it will add extra effort to your d...

Henrik, I'm using an "Airpel" double action air actuator from Airpot Corp. Not big enough for what your working with and I'm not sure how big they even make them but it is very smooth and well sealed. I have most of my materials but I'm too busy to work on it for a while. You might e-mail ...

Gamma123, 1. Ten to one is approximate, anything close to that will work as LTD. The difference will be in the temperature differential required for operation. If the swept volumes are closer in size, you will need more heat. A very large displacer will require a very small differential to run howev...

Welcome to the forum, Finding parts at reasonable cost and high quality is a challenge but I can point you in the right direction for what your looking for. Look here for prefab flywheels; http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/home.php?cat=34 This place has graphite/glass cylinder sets that you can't b...

Gamma123,

Yes, a hole about one quarter the size of the diameter of the power cylinder. I've seen them done with the cylinder wide open to the displacer but I've read it's better to be smaller, not sure why.

Gamma123, 1) seems a tad thick but should work as you have it. Making it thin will help keep the weight down and the energy required to move it. I think that is why most of the very low LTD engines are made that way. 2) the material for rods can be just about anything, light and stiff enough is all ...

Your project time line is a bit short to produce a working LTD like or similar to the link you posted. I think you might be better off building a “tin can” Stirling (do a search, lots of free plans out there) One of those would more likely be successful and fit the time limit you mention. However, i...

Orrin, Thanks for the links, these are the first I've seen of "real" double action Stirlings. I'm currently drawing one up and gathering materials for a model. (much smaller than the one's in your links!) I'm still going for LTD and may try to have it run a small vehicle from the heat of r...

I have seen a simular design using coffee cans inverted in liquid (one hot, one cold) and running a crank shaft. There was a tube between the two "tanks" that rise above the liquid level underneath each piston. If the connecting rods have a sort of gide there is no need to seal the piston ...

That's an interesting engine but doesn't look very useful? :grin: My design will have two displacers and one power cylinder mounted between them and each end of the power cylinder will be ported to a displacer. The displacers will run opposite hot/cold cycles from each other and that way as one is d...

I am pleased to hear I was of some help and I think your idea to build a new engine with adjustable stroke and timing was good. Both the engines I made had adjustable timing but not stroke. I made timing easier to change on the second one. I also found my second engine performed best with the displa...

I know a Stirling is basically a "one stroke" engine to start with but I've been thinking about building a Stirling with two displacer chambers connected to one power piston at each end. My thoughts would be more power but the more I think about it, I'm loosing the atmosphere stroke and me...

The sweep volume (to the best of my knowlege) is the area (volume) of air space in your displacer after the displacer is installed. This will remain constant as it is a sealed system and it is the "working" fluid of your engine. Your displacer chamber must effectively heat and cool this ai...

I have not built a walking beam but skateboard wheel bearings work? not sure if you mean the flywheel or the connecting rod but either way, a ball bearing will be the way to go. I have also found that R/C car wheel bearings are great for connecting rods and should only cost about 3.00 at the hobby s...