Stirling Engines
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:52 am
Stirling Engines
Stirling Engines are external combustion heat engines, industrial prime movers originally developed as an alternative to steam. Advantages include external combustion (they run on any fuel), their high efficiency and relative simplicity. Disadvantages include their low power to weight ratio (takes a relatively large engine to put out a given amount of power, limiting their usefulness for vehicular propulsion).
In terms of post collapse power, they can be DIYed from salvaged materials on a scale that can do useful work. The latter links, below, demonstrate just how little is involved for basic function. Free-piston Stirling Engines are being used by NASA and others for direct generation of electricity.
Dave Z
Stirling Engines are external combustion heat engines, industrial prime movers originally developed as an alternative to steam. Advantages include external combustion (they run on any fuel), their high efficiency and relative simplicity. Disadvantages include their low power to weight ratio (takes a relatively large engine to put out a given amount of power, limiting their usefulness for vehicular propulsion).
In terms of post collapse power, they can be DIYed from salvaged materials on a scale that can do useful work. The latter links, below, demonstrate just how little is involved for basic function. Free-piston Stirling Engines are being used by NASA and others for direct generation of electricity.
- Wikipedia entry for Stirling Engines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
- This video demonstrates the three main types of Stirling Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQb2sN6UWkA
- This video builds a simple toy Stirling Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d53jgDf3Kg
- This video builds an ultra-simple, free-piston Stirling Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiDs0R7E1g0
Dave Z