Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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robwallbank
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2016 4:26 pm

Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Post by robwallbank »

I am building an alpha type Stirling engine for a university project - powered by a tealight, so fairly small in size.
I also have to analyse the friction in the engine, and consider how it could be optimised.
One thing that I want to measure is the friction in the piston cylinder used, though I am unsure how would this could be done?
If anyone has any other suggestions or ideas about how else to measure the friction in other areas, it would be appreciated.
Thank you!
thanh-cuibap
Posts: 174
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:09 am
Location: Việt Nam

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Post by thanh-cuibap »

Hi robwallbank ! this my stirling ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJm3Kh ... e=youtu.be
Aviator168
Posts: 308
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:29 pm
Location: Brokeville, NY. USA

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Post by Aviator168 »

thanh-cuibap, yours is gamma engine; the OP is talking about alpha.

robwallbank, if you use diaphragm for the pistons, the friction would be so small that you can't even measure it.
cbstirling2
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:35 pm

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Post by cbstirling2 »

The piston should slide freely down the cylinder by gravity when not capped on one end but it should stay still when capped due to air pressure
CBStirling2
PetePeterson
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

Post by PetePeterson »

A good read: "How to measure engine friction using flywheel deceleration" by Doug Conner
http://www.solarheatengines.com/2013/02 ... eleration/

covers how Doug measured the friction in his 3D printed LTD engine.

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Pete
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