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Riverman
04-16-2011, 06:11 PM
In one of the classes I teach, my students each build a model Stirling engine. They machine each part then anodize the aluminum parts and assemble and tune the engines for best performance. The engine will run off any source of heat and if tuned properly will run off the heat of your hand!

Once the term is finished we get together and run the engines to determine which is the fastest.

Some pics:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/river_57/Stirling/Stirling4.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/river_57/Stirling/Stirling3.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/river_57/Stirling/Stirling2.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/river_57/Stirling/Stirling1.jpg

A short video:

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/53EOW9lVwI0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ted Stryker
04-16-2011, 09:14 PM
Glad to see strong thinkers still being cultivated here on this continent... I've wanted to build these, but have only looked at what others have made... I guess you can play with different metals and alloys to conduct the heat better and make more power, aside from the great benefit of proper geometry and precision machine work..?

Riverman
04-17-2011, 10:50 AM
Yes, to a certain extent. The plastic screws were an idea that worked as transfer of heat is lessened between the top and bottom plate, improving performance. A few years ago one of the students made a leakdown tester which made a huge difference.


Glad to see strong thinkers still being cultivated here on this continent.

Yes, it's very inspirational. They continually amaze me with their patience and tenacity.

Riverman
04-17-2011, 12:30 PM
Here is a video of a well tuned one running off the builder's hand.

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Hydrophobic guy
04-17-2011, 12:40 PM
Very cool now how do you make them practical for day to day use?
Could the suns heat be used to power them in a larger application?

Riverman
04-17-2011, 12:49 PM
Very cool now how do you make them practical for day to day use?

They have to be made REAL BIG to make any kind of useable power. The pressures involved are very low. The design itself is archaic, it was to be a safer alternative to the steam engine but was not well accepted. They were once used in remote locations to pump water as any combustible material can be used.

We've made some hi-temp experimental models but concentrate on the low-temp examples for the student projects. Much safer LOL.

Ted Stryker
04-17-2011, 06:31 PM
Imagine how fast one would spin from the heat of Mr. Miyagi's hands..?

Li'l Toy
04-17-2011, 11:11 PM
Jeff--

Kudos to you for teaching a college class where the students actually build something rather than just study from books or computer model. Love to see it!

4JawChuck
04-21-2011, 10:19 AM
Nice work Riverman, was that held in the machine shop lab...sure looks familiar!

Riverman
04-21-2011, 10:54 AM
Yes, that's correct. We have taken over part of the shop for our model factory.

4JawChuck
04-22-2011, 01:24 AM
Wow, I remember when there was nothing but manual equipment in the machine shop lab and the only CNC stuff was in the Mechanical Engineering lab (I took both courses).

Nice to see you doing such good work with the up and coming young people in Manitoba, congrats!

Riverman
04-22-2011, 09:55 AM
I'm an MET grad too, '84! And thanks for the kudos.

A lot has changed since then. We made a deal with Haas some years ago and now have two VF1s, two Super Mini Mills, two TL1 Toolroom lathes and two SL20 lathes, one with an auto bar feeder and one with a robotic parts loader. We use all in our model factory making the Stirling engine, along with the anodizing plant and a punch press. MET and Manufacturing share the machines.

All of the parts made in the mill are held on fixtures which are duplicated and are located on the machine with quick-change ball locks.