Search found 2219 matches

by Ian S C
Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:12 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Square pistons/cylinders
Replies: 9
Views: 14980

Re: Square pistons/cylinders

The main problem that I see is getting a good seal specially at the corners, even if left with a radius, round holes are always easiest( no corners). I think it sounds like an interesting design, a lot bigger than my biggest. Bore 2 1/4", power stroke 1 3/8". Ian S C Test 070 (640x480).jpg
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 28, 2019 2:36 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30511

Re: My stirling engine school project

That looks ok, but you may find it easier to heat the hot end if you lay it down so that the displace is horizontal, or even a bit further so that the displacer is hanging down, and you can put the heat source under the end. The last way does make the crankshaft rather high, but if you look for pict...
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 28, 2019 2:27 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Square pistons/cylinders
Replies: 9
Views: 14980

Re: Square pistons/cylinders

The cylinder of a Stirling Engine not having piston rings must be more accurate than an IC motor or steam engine, while it is possible to make square power units(you can't call a square a cylinder), there have been steam engines made that way. You don't really want steel on steel in rubbing contact....
by Ian S C
Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:20 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30511

Re: My stirling engine school project

Roughly, the displacer is 1.5 times the power cylinder ie a ratio that you will come across if you read much on Stirling Engines ( 1.5 : 1), In this form it is as simple as it gets, and the power piston can be replaced with a diaphragm. With tin can motors the displacer is usually a bit bigger than ...
by Ian S C
Tue Mar 26, 2019 3:05 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30511

Re: My stirling engine school project

If you can't machine, or other wise form two cylinders and fitting pistons I would suggest forgetting the ALPHA type motor, and build a GAMMA motor in which the power piston can be replaced with a diaphragm. The ALPHA motor does need a bit of extra work.

Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:52 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Beta Rhombic Drive Motor
Replies: 1
Views: 7055

Re: Beta Rhombic Drive Motor

Vjdeep, what is the piston made of? It is best if no rings are used, but a close fit in the bore. Piston rings cause high friction on the cylinder wall, and only really work properly with the high pressure if an IC engine, or the steam of a steam engine, even there the spring pressure against the cy...
by Ian S C
Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:46 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30511

Re: My stirling engine school project

A good demo motor would be one third of the motor in the video, it's hard to know what is possible in another country, most of my work is done with found materials, a few bits are bought in, quite often I make my own bolts and nuts if I don't have the right size. Obviously if you can't make a fittin...
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:57 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Stirling engine won't run
Replies: 10
Views: 14511

Re: Stirling engine won't run

I suspect that it may be to do with the diaphragm, I'v not had much to do with these, I recommend that you go to the top of the index page of this forum, and read through the thread on making a simple Stirling Engine, this has a bit in there that tells you how to make an epoxy piston that could repl...
by Ian S C
Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:18 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My stirling engine school project
Replies: 28
Views: 30511

Re: My stirling engine school project

The cylinders must be round, parallel, and well honed, then the pistons made to fit the clearance will be between .01 mm and .03 mm, the best way of testing this fit is to insert the piston in the cylinder dry, and it should just slide through under it's own weight and if you place the palm of your ...
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 14, 2019 12:53 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: How can I calculate engine dimentions for example, cylinder volume, diameter and the overall size of the engine>
Replies: 6
Views: 10970

Re: How can I calculate engine dimentions for example, cylinder volume, diameter and the overall size of the engine>

go to the top of the index page and you'll find Web links and magazine articles, and work your way through that, there are probably more on Google.
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:30 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: How can I calculate engine dimentions for example, cylinder volume, diameter and the overall size of the engine>
Replies: 6
Views: 10970

Re: How can I calculate engine dimentions for example, cylinder volume, diameter and the overall size of the engine>

There have been Stirling engines use for car engines ranging from 100 hp to 175 hp, there are Stirling engines used in Swedish submarines of abut 100 hp. I can't find the reference point for it, but there are stationary power supplies built in shipping containers in Europe somewhere, advantage, sile...
by Ian S C
Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:12 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My First Rhombic Drive Engine
Replies: 8
Views: 12932

Re: My First Rhombic Drive Engine

The nylon gears that I used in my motor came from a cake mixer. make sure that the gears do not mesh too tightly.
Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:55 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My First Rhombic Drive Engine
Replies: 8
Views: 12932

Re: My First Rhombic Drive Engine

Friction is probably the most important thing to get rid of. Some people even take the shields off the ball races, and wash out the grease, replacing it with a very small amount of very light grade oil. It might be worth using a lubricant on the gears that is Teflon/PTFE based, use absolute minimum....
by Ian S C
Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:45 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Hayward Tyler snifting valve
Replies: 2
Views: 8484

Re: Hayward Tyler snifting valve

Ian, Under the message box there is a box Full Editor & Preview, click that and then just follow the words. Don't know the Hayward Tyler motor, I'll be interested in seeing it.

Ian S C
by Ian S C
Sat Mar 09, 2019 2:39 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: My First Rhombic Drive Engine
Replies: 8
Views: 12932

Re: My First Rhombic Drive Engine

Vjdeep, If you can get old car shock absorbers(the telescopic ones) and pull them to bits (it can be messy), the tube inside is highly polished, and makes a good cylinder liner, they range from about 25 mm to over 40 mm. You also get a bar of best quality steel with chrome plated out side. I have no...