The Stirling engine is a bizarre device. It is basically formed by an airtight cylinder and a fixed quantity of air within. This engine works when it is heated in a particular area. This way, the air inside expands by moving the pistons to occupy more space. Having this engine also a cold area, the air inside can also be compressed at certain times, getting this to work on a cyclical basis. In addition, both pistons are connected to the same crankshaft, so that the movement of one leads to the other's movement. Among the processes of expansion and compression of the gas and the inertia that requires the system, a cyclical movement is achieved without applying any external force (aside from the initial inertia) only heat energy.
Scotsman Robert Stirling invented, in 1816, an engine that was formed by two pistons: a power piston and a displacer piston. The cylinder of the displacer piston had at one side a heat source and at the other side a cold source. The difference in temperature conditioned the engine performance.
Nowadays there are many versions of this engine invented by Robert Stirling, which can have even a performance equal or superior to the internal combustion engine, with the advantage that it is much quieter and less contaminant.
The main types of Stirling engines are explained on this page. They are alpha type, beta type and gamma type.
The Stirling engine, as it is operated with heat, is completely different to internal combustion engines. This engine invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 could be much more efficient than gasoline or diesel, but nowadays is only used in some very specialized areas, such as submarines or ships generators, because they operate quietly.
The Stirling engine has not been successful at being used as a conventional engine, but fortunately it is still under research.
Scotsman Robert Stirling invented, in 1816, an engine that was formed by two pistons: a power piston and a displacer piston. The cylinder of the displacer piston had at one side a heat source and at the other side a cold source. The difference in temperature conditioned the engine performance.
Nowadays there are many versions of this engine invented by Robert Stirling, which can have even a performance equal or superior to the internal combustion engine, with the advantage that it is much quieter and less contaminant.
The main types of Stirling engines are explained on this page. They are alpha type, beta type and gamma type.
The Stirling engine, as it is operated with heat, is completely different to internal combustion engines. This engine invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 could be much more efficient than gasoline or diesel, but nowadays is only used in some very specialized areas, such as submarines or ships generators, because they operate quietly.
The Stirling engine has not been successful at being used as a conventional engine, but fortunately it is still under research.