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Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 1:12 pm
by robwallbank
I am building an alpha type Stirling engine for a university project - powered by a tealight, so fairly small in size.
I also have to analyse the friction in the engine, and consider how it could be optimised.
One thing that I want to measure is the friction in the piston cylinder used, though I am unsure how would this could be done?
If anyone has any other suggestions or ideas about how else to measure the friction in other areas, it would be appreciated.
Thank you!

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 6:04 pm
by thanh-cuibap
Hi robwallbank ! this my stirling ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJm3Kh ... e=youtu.be

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 6:51 pm
by Aviator168
thanh-cuibap, yours is gamma engine; the OP is talking about alpha.

robwallbank, if you use diaphragm for the pistons, the friction would be so small that you can't even measure it.

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:33 am
by cbstirling2
The piston should slide freely down the cylinder by gravity when not capped on one end but it should stay still when capped due to air pressure

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:36 pm
by PetePeterson
A good read: "How to measure engine friction using flywheel deceleration" by Doug Conner
http://www.solarheatengines.com/2013/02 ... eleration/

covers how Doug measured the friction in his 3D printed LTD engine.

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Pete