RHOMBIC DRIVE STIRLING ENGINE, PART FIVE

Testing the efficiency of the generator in order to calculate the mechanical output of the engine.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• STIRLING CYCLE
• HOT AIR ENGINE
• RHOMBIC DRIVE
• REFRIGERATOR
• generator
• efficiency+power+alternative
• energy
• Power (physics)
• Electric Power

[moffett8]

Does the size or displacement make the engine more or less efficient?

[barumman]

@moffett8 Hi , I'm not sure, small engines have a higher mechanical friction loss while the larger ones have a problem of getting the heat into the centre of the engine. I hope that makes sense, Cyril

[talon0863]

Barumman, I'd be very interested to see what percent power increase you get by pressurizing with helium or hydrogen. Thanks for letting see your fine work. I'm very impressed by the level of skill needed to make the engine. How did you connect the tubes on the head? Beautiful work!

[barumman]

@talon0863 Hi, Thanks for the kind comments,The tubes are high temperature silver soldered, as for using helium I don't think it would stay in the engine very long I expect it would leak through all the joints.

Best wishes, Cyril

[rrfields65]

Barumman , Hi I take it your answer to be yes! But not on a small model as that

What say a eng. 10x bigger - built out of the best SS,Titanium,etc., w/ a flywheel

heavy enough to retain torque - coupled to a gearbox to increase output RPM to

a direct driveshaft turning a power plant generator. And harnessing earths Geo

Thermo heat for power (Superheated Steam) ?

[barumman]

@rrfields65  Pass :)

[MilanKarakas]

Nice video. Only one part I don't like is measuring of the output power. Lamps has no fixed resistance - as it heats up, resistance increases. So, it will be better to use voltage AND current measurements instead to get exact measurement of the output power.

I bet you will find your generator is more efficient than your math show. What has poor efficiency is this drill (waste heat, cooler fan, bearings...).

[4G3NTanon]

Excellent measurement techniques! Would twin cylinders (or multiple cylinders for that matter) help with efficiency?

[bluephantm]

Very nice build. I particularly like the heater tubes and burner housing. The housing looks hydroformed. One of the key features of the rhombic drive is the theoretical perfect balance. Meijer used to put a nickel coin on the machines during demontrations. He would set the coin on edge and show that it didn't fall over while the engine was running. A friend once commented that the balance was amazing, he had seen a demo where the engine seized a bearing and the nickel didn't fall.

[barumman]

@rrfields65  Hi, I expect it would fly apart ! Best wishes, Cyril