Beta Stirling Engine (Part 2 of 2)

Beta Stirling running at 1550 rpm with some small modifications. See Part 1 for the mod info.

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Tags:

• Beta
• Stirling
• Engine

[pizzashint]

WOW, probably one of the nicest looking engines ive seen on youtube! I'm dabling with putting my micro lathe to work on one of these and ive just found the model id like to make. Something im wondering is would it help it out if you were to make a shroud for the cold side of the engine and replace one of the flywheels with a small impeller, set up some ductwork and use the impeller to pull cool air thru the cooling fins, would it actually improve performance?

[timkowalik]

@pizzashint In theory it could but more that likely there would be to much added drag, slowing it down. It would be better to set up a water cooled jacket around the cool side and a tower that holds/cools the water back down. Setting it up is a thermal cycle. Cool water out the bottom of the tower in the bottom of the jacket and hot out the jacket and in the top of the tower. No moving parts to pull power from the engine.

[HankMobleyJazz]

Was this done with a cnc machine? I was looking into getting started doing similar types of projects, and I was wondering what types of equipment I shold look at to learn on and get started. I've seen some companies advertising a basic mini-laithe and mini-mill for around $600 each. It seems like entry-level cnc machines are around 5k each though.

[timkowalik]

@HankMobleyJazz

No, It was all done on manual equipment. The parts on an stirling engine this size would be pretty difficult on a 600.00 mini lathe. I used a LeBlond Regal 19"x78" Lathe and a Bridgeport manual Mill. Mini lathes are just that. Mini. Very low horse power and only made for small parts.

[HankMobleyJazz]

This is one of the best looking Sterling engines I've seen. How was it manufactured? Do you have your own mill/lathe?

[timkowalik]

@HankMobleyJazz

I'm a machinist so I have access to the manual equipment where I work. I just built it in my spare time (before work, lunch, ect.)

[buddyl962]

That is a pretty little piece!

[pengy44]

How much did it cost to make this (including cost of materials)? I planning to make one too but don't know how much I will be spending. Thanks

[saladdogger]

Nice to see art blended with engineering.Well done

[tetraflak]

Absolutely fantastic!

[Kanoee64]

Most excellent Tim

[UserIsAnFBIAgent]

Very Nice Beta Stirling Engine, very nice.

[buk1962]

genial............!!!!..