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Stirling Engine Configuration Selection

Author

Listed:
  • Jose Egas

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • Don M. Clucas

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Civil Mechanical E521, 20 Kirkwood Ave, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

Abstract

Unlike internal combustion engines, Stirling engines can be designed to work with many drive mechanisms based on the three primary configurations, alpha, beta and gamma. Hundreds of different combinations of configuration and mechanical drives have been proposed. Few succeed beyond prototypes. A reason for poor success is the use of inappropriate configuration and drive mechanisms, which leads to low power to weight ratio and reduced economic viability. The large number of options, the lack of an objective comparison method, and the absence of a selection criteria force designers to make random choices. In this article, the pressure—volume diagrams and compression ratios of machines of equal dimensions, using the main (alpha, beta and gamma) crank based configurations as well as rhombic drive and Ross yoke mechanisms, are obtained. The existence of a direct relation between the optimum compression ratio and the temperature ratio is derived from the ideal Stirling cycle, and the usability of an empirical low temperature difference compression ratio equation for high temperature difference applications is tested using experimental data. It is shown that each machine has a different compression ratio, making it more or less suitable for a specific application, depending on the temperature difference reachable.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose Egas & Don M. Clucas, 2018. "Stirling Engine Configuration Selection," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:3:p:584-:d:135205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Qi Liu & Baojun Luo & Jiayao Yang & Qun Gao & Jingping Liu & Yuexin Huang & Chengqin Ren, 2021. "Theoretical Analysis of Vuilleumier’s Hypothetical Engine and Cooler," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Chin-Hsiang Cheng & Yi-Han Tan, 2020. "Numerical Optimization of a Four-Cylinder Double-Acting Stirling Engine Based on Non-Ideal Adiabatic Thermodynamic Model and SCGM Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Takeuchi, Makoto & Suzuki, Shinji & Abe, Yutaka, 2021. "Development of a low-temperature-difference indirect-heating kinematic Stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    5. Salvatore Ranieri & Gilberto A. O. Prado & Brendan D. MacDonald, 2018. "Efficiency Reduction in Stirling Engines Resulting from Sinusoidal Motion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Jan Sauer & Hans-Detlev Kühl, 2019. "Experimental Investigation of Displacer Seal Geometry Effects in Stirling Cycle Machines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Hua-Ju Shih, 2019. "An Analysis Model Combining Gamma-Type Stirling Engine and Power Converter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    8. Rahmati, A. & Varedi-Koulaei, S.M. & Ahmadi, M.H. & Ahmadi, H., 2022. "Dynamic synthesis of the alpha-type stirling engine based on reducing the output velocity fluctuations using Metaheuristic algorithms," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).

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