I finally got something I can show. This the Stirling engine design I would like to do as an open source project. It is modified alpha configuration that uses a cam instead of crank to drive the shaft. The horizontal cylinders are the hot ones and the vertical are the cold. There are still some pieces missing, in particular the push rods need a guide, otherwise they bend and bind in the hole through the case cover. There is also corner gussets in the case to hold the guides and to screw the end pieces to.
This is a 4 cylinder section. These sections are designed to stack along the shaft. The heads would just be extended to cover all the cylinders for each quadrants. The cam case pieces can just be extend too.
I am still learning Google Sketchup and had trouble making all the holes go through the head. I didn't finish added the head bolts and only installed one, it isn't even tightened. The head is suppose to be counter sank the the flat head bolts. The diagonal pipes are intended to be regenerators, that is why they are so wide. I am just going to use pressure hose for now. I still have to get the 3" wide 1/4" aluminum extrusion for the head. It can also be used for the case, since it is 3" deep, if you don't stack them. The case is intended to be sealed. A fly wheel will also be needed.
I am hoping to have the prototype to run with the cylinders pressurized to around 100 psi. The pistons are 2" diameter so the force pushing down on the push rod is over 300 lbs. That is one reason to have a sealed case. It could have back pressure to reduce the forces on the cam.
Now I can finish making the clear plastic prototype. It is made using mostly 3/8" thick sheet material. I am working on a spread sheet that would calculate the sized of the component based on other thicknesses.
4 comments:
I hope to find more like you in the search for Google Sketchup sterling engine models.
Hi there, I wonder how you get the crankshaft of your engine into a revolving motion.
http://www.sternmotor.stirling-sternmotor.ch/
Hey I saw this looks like an older post. Was wondering if you ever got something like this to work. Would be a very interesting project.
the only problem i can see is how the rods will cause the piston to create friction along the cylinder wall. (if the rod and piston are one structure.)
now if the piston and rod are able to pivot then the rod will not directly hit the cam. instead it would slide to one side making it less responsive. this would bend or break the rod from not having proper structure.
only option i can see is remaking the cam so that the rods would catch.
to prevent the piston rod from going the wrong direction create a stop so that the rod can only pivot in one direction.
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