Friday, March 19, 2010

Stirling Engines

Here's something Jack's been having fun researching...the Stirling engine concept has been around for a long time.

This is a book he purchased recently entitled How I Built a 5 HP Stirling Engine.  He's been enjoying poring over it, so it's worth a mention (we don't get any $$...just including the link if anyone's interested, it's a little pricey).



 Here's a link to a youtube vid showing an animation of the Stirling engine configuration. If I understand it correctly, it operates from the expansion and contraction of gases (heated and cooled) to create a vacuum that operates a piston (maybe I didn't get that right, but I'm new to this) :)

Here are a couple more just for fun...Jack's intent on exploring different options for energy. 


4 comments:

Mo said...

Thanks for posting!

Omelay said...

oh now we must meet someday! i love sterling engines. i have spent countless hours reading about them. the heat source can be anything you want including, wood fire, solar and even nuclear(their most prevalent use). i think that those little wood stove fans are very cool and beautiful. they sell them at lehmans.com. i love books like that. i'll have to put that on my wish list. maybe a birthday present from tabitha...

Omelay said...

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Stoves___Hearth_Accessories___Heat_Powered_Fans___Wood_Stove___88510?Args=

a little toy sterling engine. way too pricey for a toy. interesting though

Robbyn said...

From Jack this time....

Mo, welcome!

Karl, yes for sure we'll have to get together and try not to blow up the garage. That fan's pretty neat...thanks for the link :)