Stirling Engine

Stirling engines are devices for converting small temperature differences into motion, As long as one plate is warmer than the other (by about 15 degrees Celsius) then the engine will run. It doesn't matter which plate is warmer, as long as the other is cooler. If you reverse the temperature differential, and cool the plate that was warm, and warm the plate that was cool then the engine will run in reverse. The Stirling engine is named after its inventor, Rev. Robert Stirling, who patented his idea in 1816.

How they Work
Stirling engines work by cyclically heating and cooling the air inside the main chamber. As the air heats up it expands, and as it cools down it contracts. This expansion and contraction drives a small piston which in turn drives the flywheel. The clever thing about Stirling engines is that the mechanism for cycling the heating and cooling of the air is built into the engine in the form of the displacer, which is driven by the flywheel and moves the air from the warm side to the cool side and back again over and over.
A motion diagram showing how they work can be seen at:
http://www.animatedengines.com/ltdstirling.shtml

Efficiency
Stirling engines have a theoretical 40% greater efficiency than electrical solar panels, worldwide energy companies are investigating using them as a way to provide energy in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

Specifications:
Base Diameter: 120mm
Wheel Diameter: 117mm
Plates are made of aluminium for rapid heat conduction

See my other listings for other versions of this engine