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Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 8:09 am
by taith
Please use metric system in this thread.

My main question is: what pipe diameter to piston volume ratio should be. (I plan to go between 0.5L - 1L)
I plan to build demonstration stirling engine with use of glass pistons cylinders.
Does anyone have any idea where to find class cylinder with rather stable diameter? In case of desperation I will cut tall bottles for the purpose, but edges are rather rough. Were also thinking of T8 tube, but removing coating might be hard if not impossible.
Also does anyone have any idea for piston sealing? in case of bottle seal ring will be crucial, initially were considering PVC pipe cut in to proper diameter, however it can melt.
Also I am looking for cheapest options possible.

Ah and just concept image, for fun.
Image

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:10 pm
by cbstirling2
They sell graphite glass cylinder sets.
Graphite can easily take all the heat.
Very low friction.
Search the forum for reference. Also saw for sale on eBay

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:10 am
by Ian S C
For the power cylinder end you could use the glass cylinders and graphite pistons as supplied by Airpot Corp of the USA, if you go to their Google site, and contact them through the questionnaire, you may even end up with the cylinders as freebies. Try and stick to stainless steel for the hot end.
Ian S C

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 6:21 am
by cbstirling2
Ian, why won't the glass and graphite succeed in the hot end?

Re: Designing 4 piston alpha engine.

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 5:06 pm
by cbstirling2
Ian, why won't the glass and graphite succeed in the hot end?