My First Stirling:LSE-01

[Nerdz]

Hello everyone! This will be my attempt at a stirling engine. Ive been making a few wobblers here and there, and I have the confidence (along with a QCTP!) now to make one.

The engine I will be building is this one:
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/english/mk_l01.htm

Plans: http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/english/l01_k1.htm
Zip Download : http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/zip/l01gife.zip

Now, its in metric, which doesnt present much of a issue. The only key components are the cylinder and piston, which is fine, however, I couldnt locate the required 13mm test tube. I did, but the 10mm doesnt fit inside of the 13mm easily, So a change is required. I did a lot of research and found graphite inside a test tube will do. The ID is only Slightly bigger in my 13mm tubes (11.20mm).

The displacer will remain the same. I did notice that the ID of the heater closely matches the ID of the 13mm tube, so I will use a test tube as the heater (Ive seen others do this-Including Jan Ridders). The only issue I can see is that the displacer seems to "slide" against of the cylinder covers, and It has to be a tight fit. Having Glass Sliding against Aluminum doesnt seem like a good idea.

I may make the displacer out of graphite, or have a peice of graphite slide over the displacer and act as bushing.

Any way. Enough chitter chatter. I will be working on this as I can. I have a huge project at work and Then theres me trying to get healthy. But I need a hobby inbetween

I worked on one of the cylinder covers and a "jacking" cover to hold the test tube in place. I dont have mill yet so it was tricky making 4 holes. Once I had them in, I slide the test tube in with "blank" over it, and marked them out. It came out pretty accurate. The Cover needs to be cleaned up. I got the strange idea that if I put painters tape on one end it wouldnt be marked up as much from the jaws.

 

[tornitore45]

I see no dimensions on the drawings but you must have figured out something since I see you have some parts machined.

The heat source is up in the air which makes for a strange burner. What do you plan for the burner?

 

[Nerdz]

I see no dimensions on the drawings but you must have figured out something since I see you have some parts machined.

The heat source is up in the air which makes for a strange burner. What do you plan for the burner?

Opps, Sorry. You have to click through to get there. I'll update my post

http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/english/l01_k1.htm
Zip Download: http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~khirata/zip/l01gife.zip

As for a burner, I will probably use a Candle, or a Alcohol Burner.

 

[Nerdz]

I managed to do some work over the weekend, but some progress was slowed because of a plumbing issue. The joy of being a home owner!

I had to make some bushings from brass because my 10mm Test Tubes arent exact. I will be using Graphite for the piston and Part of the displacer (Just to hold it in place). I then lapped the insides of the bushings to be very smooth. They are press fit into the Holders. If I didnt lap correctly they can be pressed out and made again.

 

[Nerdz]

Did a little work and got the Cold Piston Sized Correctly. I used up half my graphite stock doing so, but luckily I ordered two 2 foot pieces. Oddly it seemed that the "working end" of the cold cylinder was a bit tight. I deburred it and all was good. Now the piston actually slides through nicely on one cylinder, and if held up to the light I cant see through (If I angle it though, I can see a glint). However, on the second cylinder, its not as smooth BUT if you try and pull it out fast while covering one end of the hole, it makes a nice *POP*, while the other makes barely a peep. I will use the one that has a tighter fit for a better chance at working (its still relatively frictionless).

Now I was going to move on to the Displacer and Holder, I was going to make it out of graphite. But Im wondering, Can I make the whole displacer out of graphite instead? I mean all it's doing is moving air. I just worry that with as thin as my test tubes are, that it will break if I make the holder and try to get it in there.