Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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taith
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:44 am

Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Post by taith »

Please use metric system in this thread.

My main question is: what pipe diameter to piston volume ratio should be. (I plan to go between 0.5L - 1L)
I plan to build demonstration stirling engine with use of glass pistons cylinders.
Does anyone have any idea where to find class cylinder with rather stable diameter? In case of desperation I will cut tall bottles for the purpose, but edges are rather rough. Were also thinking of T8 tube, but removing coating might be hard if not impossible.
Also does anyone have any idea for piston sealing? in case of bottle seal ring will be crucial, initially were considering PVC pipe cut in to proper diameter, however it can melt.
Also I am looking for cheapest options possible.

Ah and just concept image, for fun.
Image
cbstirling2
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:35 pm

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Post by cbstirling2 »

They sell graphite glass cylinder sets.
Graphite can easily take all the heat.
Very low friction.
Search the forum for reference. Also saw for sale on eBay
CBStirling2
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Post by Ian S C »

For the power cylinder end you could use the glass cylinders and graphite pistons as supplied by Airpot Corp of the USA, if you go to their Google site, and contact them through the questionnaire, you may even end up with the cylinders as freebies. Try and stick to stainless steel for the hot end.
Ian S C
cbstirling2
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:35 pm

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Post by cbstirling2 »

Ian, why won't the glass and graphite succeed in the hot end?
CBStirling2
cbstirling2
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:35 pm

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Post by cbstirling2 »

Ian, why won't the glass and graphite succeed in the hot end?
CBStirling2
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