Use of Springs in stirling engine

Discussion on Stirling or "hot air" engines (all types)
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jinx
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 2:15 am

Use of Springs in stirling engine

Post by jinx »

Hello,
I have been reading about stirling engines for a while and most inspiring design I've found was:

Image

Displacer, and power piston here uses springs to oscillate what I believe singnifically reduce friction. Has anyone tried that approach?

What force makes displacer not to stop? I believe, since Hot side and cold side are connected, pressure is the same on both sides. Simply changes of pressure makes power piston to move but what makes displacer keep going?
exile
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2017 1:49 pm

Re: Use of Springs in stirling engine

Post by exile »

pressure is the same on both sides.
No, it is not the pressure will have a little difference between the hot and cold sides. It has to do with the regenerator slows down the gas.
The difference is not huge, but enough to give the displacer enough energy.

By the way, I do not think this type of Stirling engine has less friction than normal Stirling engine, instead it is less moving ​​parts and simpler manufacturing as one is looking for. (That's what I think)
Ian S C
Posts: 2218
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:15 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Use of Springs in stirling engine

Post by Ian S C »

There is more than one way of springing a free piston motor, the one in your diagram uses gas, another way is to use a mechanical spring, and the method I use is to use two magnets with like poles facing each other so that they repel. On the displacer I use two mechanical springs to act as stops at each end of the stroke.
Ian S C
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