Stirling engine*

What is a Stirling engine ?

The Stirling is a heat engine that obtains its heat from outside the
working cylinders. Any source of heat, as long as its temperature is
high enough, will do to power a Stirling. The Stirling can directly use
concentrated solar energy or it can burn
kerosene, coal or any combustible substance imaginable. This engine
is one of the cleanest heat engine.

The Stirling engines used in the "Hall of Science" of Liège.

How does it work ?

The basic operating principle is simply that the pressure of air (or any
gas) will increase if it is heated and decrease if it is cooled.
1. Piston
2. Displacer
3. Cold space of the tube
4. Hot space

*
june 2006
The cylinder of a Stirling engine contains a certain amount of gas (air,
helium). Start cycle with the displace at the hot end of the tube. The air is in
cool portion of the tube. As the air cools a partial vacuum occurs, drawing the
piston into the tube. The displacer is then moved back to meet the piston,
displaced the cooled air, and forcing it past the displacer into the hot end. As
the air heats up its pressure increases and drives the piston back towards the
open end of tube. The displacer is then returned to the hot end, transferring
the air to cool portion of the tube, and the cycle begins again. The key of high
efficiency of the Stirling engine is the "regenerator" (of economiser). It
consists of a bundle of fine wires, or other porous material, in the
passageway between the hot space and the cold space. Its purpose is to
conserve heat, to reuse heat and thus to conserve the fuel that is supplying
the heat.

Who was Stirling ?

The engine was invented in 1816 by Rev. Robert Stirling, a

scottisch minister. At the time of his invention, Dr. Stirling
was only 36 years old and had just been ordained to his
first parish. He was a noted classical scholar as well as an esteemed minister
and scientist.
More informations on the following websites

http://www.waoline.com/science/NewEnergy/Motors/Stirling.htm
http://www.stirlinghotairengine.com/
http://techni.tachemie.uni-leipzig.de/stirling/
http://www.stirlingengine.com/
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/
http://www.stirlingengines.org.uk/pioneers/pion2.html
"Stirling cycle engine"; Andy Ross; published by solar engines; Wellsville;
1981.