The goal is an Stirling w/o a mechanical crank/flywheel. Instead it'll have 2 electric actuators and a linear generator.
Supposedly a linear generator, a glorified shake light, can be 95% efficient. I need an actuator that is pretty efficient as well.
The actuators need a to consume less than 100 watts and have a stroke of ~ 15 cm.
Since it is only for demonstration purposes it is OK if it is run off of software/USB.
Bret Cahill
How do you propose to keep the gas sealed within the chamber? Eventual leakage of the gas from the seals is what dooms the Stirling Engine, if I recall correctly, especially if it's Hydrogen.
Michael
An "electric crank" allows the entire thing to be hermetically sealed. No moving parts extend out of the casing, only some wires. Same for some free piston.
The biggest unsung advances in technology include servos so I'm hoping there are affordable linear actuators as well.
Bret Cahill
Dunno if your "electric crank" won't use more energy than it saves.
Stirling cryocoolers use a pair of pistons in opposition with a spring in between. You end up being held to one frequency, but they work.
-- www.wescottdesign.com
It doesn't have to be 95%.
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