Search found 2219 matches

by Ian S C
Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:38 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Plans for this one? V-cylinder type from GreenPowerScience
Replies: 7
Views: 7447

Re: Plans for this one? V-cylinder type from GreenPowerScie

Its definately an ALPHA motor, Andy Ross specialises in Alpha type motors,either in a v form or with a "Ross Yoke", I have built a small version of his Ross Yoke design, and it works well. This type was featured in Model Engineer July 1981. Ian S C
by Ian S C
Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:30 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Design/Build One HP Alpha Stirling Engine
Replies: 33
Views: 23189

Re: Design/Build One HP Alpha Stirling Engine

To solve the problrm of crankshaft seals; don't use them. Build the motor with a generator built in with no shaft coming out of the motor, all you need is the wires sealed, the flywheel is inside as well. Ian S C
by Ian S C
Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:17 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Jam jar Stirling
Replies: 2
Views: 3692

Re: Jam jar Stirling

Cut the bottom off the jar(theres instructions how on the web if you need them), then glue an aluminium disc on in its place. The metal on top and bottom make it easier to get the heat in and out of the motor, some wide mouth preserving jars look as if they would be ideal. The glass/ plastic, what e...
by Ian S C
Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:33 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Displacer Pushrod Gland Question
Replies: 3
Views: 3790

Re: Displacer Pushrod Gland Question

I'v Used Carbon Impregnated Teflon for bushings, the swafe leftover from turning a bar of Teflon is put in a steel moldand heated until the steel turns blue, there was an artical about this in Model Engineer a good number of years ago in a series about Hot Air Engines, you may use plain Teflon. Don'...
by Ian S C
Fri Mar 04, 2011 4:07 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Regenerative displacer-copper
Replies: 13
Views: 9217

Re: Regenerative displacer-copper

Copper seems to be the traditional material for building model boilers, not being into steam I'm not sure about some of the does and do'nts about these things, but after the boiler has been silver soldered it must be in an annealed state, I suppose that it rehardens after pressurising and depressuri...
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:58 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Mug cup for displacer
Replies: 4
Views: 4787

Re: Mug cup for displacer

I'm not sure, is your mug enamalled steel? it's not unusual to use stainless mugs, and similar containers. A large test tube, or Pyrex beaker would be ok, but a porcilane mug thinned down may not stand the shock of heating and cooling, and moving back and forth at great speed. Ian S C
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:46 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Regenerative displacer-copper
Replies: 13
Views: 9217

Re: Regenerative displacer-copper

My motors with stainless hot ends run on LPG at a dull red colour, and will go like that all day if needed, the latest of the higher powered ones is fitted with a water jacket, but this is not used as the bottom end of the hot cylinder is cool enough to put your finger on, its a Ross Yoke type Alpha...
by Ian S C
Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:33 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Tubing for cylinders and pistons
Replies: 10
Views: 7229

Re: Tubing for cylinders and pistons

Heres some of my ideas, I'll use rounded figures. Un pressurised 15psi, with luck you may nearly double that so 30psi, now pressurise to 150psi, and working on the same idea you then have a maximum pressure of 300psi. If you double the Kelven temperature of a gas you double either the volume, or the...
by Ian S C
Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:58 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Regenerative displacer-copper
Replies: 13
Views: 9217

Re: Regenerative displacer-copper

Hi Jim, I'm only going on practical experiance, and that of people like James G. Rizzo, and others such as Andy Ross. Ian S C
by Ian S C
Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:50 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Regenerative displacer-copper
Replies: 13
Views: 9217

Re: Regenerative displacer-copper

Jon, no, copper is too conductive, and is very soon the same temperature over all its length, where as it should be cold at the cold end, and hot at the hot end. stainless steel is the best of the readily available materials, and mild steel is a usable second best. Its also hard to make a copper art...
by Ian S C
Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:18 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: new idea for a ltd engine piston
Replies: 10
Views: 7833

Re: new idea for a ltd engine piston

Sound worth trying. Ian S C
by Ian S C
Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:15 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: New Members PLEASE read! - OR, having problems registering, being deactivated
Replies: 511
Views: 493365

Re: "Hi" We are new here!

Hi, heres a wee bit about me. I have a 1326BH lathe(Taiwanese)and a vertical milling machine, a H/V bandsaw, a stick welder and LPG for brazing etc. The motors I build tend to be high temp, ranging from 5/8" bore, to 2", I am at the moment building number 15, its tobe fitted in a model boa...
by Ian S C
Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:53 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Tubing for cylinders and pistons
Replies: 10
Views: 7229

Re: Tubing for cylinders and pistons

aviator 168, poor conductivity of stainless steel is more an advantage than a disadvantage. With the displacer cylinder the metal should be .020" or less So the heat does not have far to go, but the resistance slows the transfer of heat in a lengthwise direction toward the cold end which is inc...
by Ian S C
Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:19 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: new idea for a ltd engine piston
Replies: 10
Views: 7833

Re: new idea for a ltd engine piston

asiminations, I feel that paper on plastic woul have a fairly high coefficient of friction, when syringes are talked of in hot air circles, they mean glass, and graphite is the best for the piston. A bit of brass tube (new), and if you have no machinery (lathe) you can make quite a good piston with ...
by Ian S C
Sun Feb 27, 2011 3:51 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Tubing for cylinders and pistons
Replies: 10
Views: 7229

Re: Tubing for cylinders and pistons

Aviator 168, 4130should make quite a good power cylinder, as supplied for aircraft use its seamless, the bore would need polishing, but it should be fairly round. As bought it is in the annealed state, but that should be OK. The annealed ultimate tensile strength is 78,000lb/ sq inch, rising to a ma...