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After a lot of experimentation I found the solution to turning this into a motor was simply a matter of applying
heat to the end of the regenerator stack nearest the piston.
This is a very simple engine to make since it has, effectively, only one moving part--the piston. The piston
sends a pressure wave down the heated tube. The engine bears some resemblance to the thermoacoustic
engine but differs in not using resonate tubes. Also unlike the Tailer "thermal lag" engine its operation requires
a regenerator stack.
The drawing should be self explanatory, the main parts of the engine are :
Heater tube I use Pyrex glass tube to demonstrate the absence of moving parts in the heater tube, although
stainless steel could also be used.
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Regenerator The regenerator stack is made from a stainless steel pot scourer, some adjustment of the
location of the regenerator along the tube may be required for optimum output. Part of the regenerator also
acts as the hot heat exchanger.
Piston & cylinder. The piston is of graphite with a honed and polished brass cylinder, removing the need for
lubrication. A lapped iron piston and steel cylinder could be used, however the heater tube would need to be
angled upwards to prevent lubricating oil contaminating the regenerator.
I made the stroke of the piston variable. It will be found that the power of the engine increases with the
stroke, this is because larger volumes of air are pulsed through the heat exchanger.
The burner A small spirit burner is all that is required, too much heat will stop the engine. The flame should
be placed at the end of the regenerator stack nearest the piston.
The flywheel This needs to be reasonably heavy but this is dependant on the level of compression the engine
operates at.
With the engine running it will be found that the closed end of the displacer remains cold whilst the cylinder
end warms up. For lengthy running the power cylinder would need be fitted with cooling fins.
Robert Sier. 2002
http://www.stirlingengines.org.uk/thermo/lamina.html
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