Mini stirling engines

[Mat]

I just came across these beautiful looking engines from boehm-stirling.com which come as little kits and sound fantastic

They're not overly expensive either (although that's a matter of opinion!) so I may very well get one or two in the near future.

http://www.en.boehm-stirling.com/

Just thought I'd share!

 

[DiCe!]

http://www.en.boehm-stirling.com/hb7.html

Love the look of that one. Why did I bring the credit card to work today?!

 

[The_blue]

Was looking at one last week. Wanted to power a fan using heat from my wood burner.

 

[B@Th*nG]

but what do they do? or am i missing the point?

B@

 

[Cosimo]

Those look rather good.

Which reminds me that you can still get steam engines:

http://www.mamod.co.uk/

I'm sure there is one in an unopened box somewhere in the house.

 

[DiCe!]

Those look rather good.

Which reminds me that you can still get steam engines:

http://www.mamod.co.uk/

I'm sure there is one in an unopened box somewhere in the house.

I imagine your house is like Aladdin's cave!

 

[ci_newman]

Very cool, but certainly expensive for non-enthusiasts

 

[matt_fsr]

but what do they do? or am i missing the point?

B@

They look good, and they're a talking point. Very little else really

 

[The_blue]

but what do they do? or am i missing the point?

B@

It's a heat powered engine. Like steam but no steam.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine - good gif on here.

Cheaper model

http://www.ecrater.co.uk/p/9046809/walking-beam-hot-air-stirling?gps=1

 

[Dis86]

I built a 20W example as part of my dissertation at uni. Used solar power to power a light bulb. Ironic really relying on the sun to power a light bulb...

 

[4T5]

http://www.mamod.co.uk/

Doris will get this link marked XMAS PRESENT !!!

 

[PermaBanned]

Heh, i've been trying (and failing terribly) to make one of these for my practical physics coursework.

 

[The_blue]

Heh, i've been trying (and failing terribly) to make one of these for my practical physics coursework.

 

[Stryda09]

I've wanted to make one of these (The coke can versions) or buy one for ages but couldn't see anywhere with decent ones. The sound of these are awesome, I really am tempted

 

[Zenduri]

i have a sterling engine from early late 50's early 60's that belongs to a meccano set from the same era. It's a bit crude and nothing like these shining examples but it still works!

 

[Arazi]

Does anyone else think this could be usefull as a robots **** and balls, or a replacement for a human

 

[Angilion]

but what do they do? or am i missing the point?

B@

These ones are conversation pieces, but it's possible that less elaborate ones could find a large-scale use in power generation. They convert heat to movement, which can then be converted to electricity. There have been some small-scale projects with solar power and with heat generated as a waste product from other processes. Stirling engines can be quite efficient, so it's not pie in the sky.

This reminds me of the history of the steam engine - the earliest ones were conversation pieces with no practical purpose. It wasn't until ~1700 years later that steam engines were built for practical purposes.

 

[JCBeastie]

Funny I had just been reading a little into Sterling engines when this thread popped up; was looking at Los Alamos National Labs concept for a new form of nuclear generator.

Then I was reminded of an old and yet pretty interesting idea from MSI for Stirling coolers: ECOlution cooler.

I'm not sure how well that works in practice but I love the theory.

 

[Limpnoodle]

That's amazing 300 year old technology could be used for future space exploration.
Something so simple aswell also that gpu fan cooler is ingenious.

 

[oxygene]

oooOoooo I love the idea of mini sterling engines heated by computer components providing the fan movement and cooling for said components! They would get faster fan speed as the components heat up, and as an added bonus would make your computer look like an awesome piece of steam punk!