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Originally conceived in
1816, a Stirling engine is a heat engine operating by cyclic compression and
expansion of air or other gas, the working fluid, at different temperature
levels such that there is a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical
work.
Image: A Stirling engine powered by the thermal energy in a hand.
Video source: Heat of your hand Stirling Engine
Animation:
Air in the engine is cyclically heated (by an alcohol burner) and expands to push the power piston (shown in blue) to the right. As the power piston moves to the right, the yellow linkage forces the loose-fitting, red "piston" (on the left half of the machine) to displace air to the cooler side of the engine. The air on the cool side loses heat to the outside world and contracts, pulling the blue piston to the left. The air is again displaced, sending it back to the hotter region of the engine, and the cycle repeats.
The Stirling engine cycle can also be used "in reverse", to convert rotating motion into a temperature differential (and thus provide refrigeration).
Animation credit: MIT
Image: A Stirling engine powered by the thermal energy in a hand.
Video source: Heat of your hand Stirling Engine
Animation:
Air in the engine is cyclically heated (by an alcohol burner) and expands to push the power piston (shown in blue) to the right. As the power piston moves to the right, the yellow linkage forces the loose-fitting, red "piston" (on the left half of the machine) to displace air to the cooler side of the engine. The air on the cool side loses heat to the outside world and contracts, pulling the blue piston to the left. The air is again displaced, sending it back to the hotter region of the engine, and the cycle repeats.
The Stirling engine cycle can also be used "in reverse", to convert rotating motion into a temperature differential (and thus provide refrigeration).
Animation credit: MIT
CORINA MARINESCU
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