Stirling engine is a heat engine. In other words, it converts heat to mechanical energy. So you can see in the above that it converts heat from my coffee to rotational motion of the discs.
The principle is very simple. First, let's take a look at the components. There is a shallow cylinder directly above the cup enclosed by two black metal plates at top and bottom. There is a big opaque piston inside the cylinder, connected to the front pedal. At the back of the disc, there is a back pedal, which is connected to a diaphragm, which looks like a membrane.
The cylinder is airtight. As heat is transferred to the bottom plate, the air expands and pushes the piston up. This sudden increase in pressure also forces the diaphragm, which in turn raises the back pedal. Since the disc, back and front pedals are connected rigidly, when back pedal moves up, front pedal moves down, which in turn, push down the piston. Repeat.
The front and back pedals are 90 degrees out of phase so that the up and down movements mimic legs pedalling a bicycle.
So, how is that more interesting than, say, a steam engine, you ask?
The physics mechanism described above works as long as there is a temperature gradient. So it works using ice as well, as you can see below:
The principle is very simple. First, let's take a look at the components. There is a shallow cylinder directly above the cup enclosed by two black metal plates at top and bottom. There is a big opaque piston inside the cylinder, connected to the front pedal. At the back of the disc, there is a back pedal, which is connected to a diaphragm, which looks like a membrane.
The cylinder is airtight. As heat is transferred to the bottom plate, the air expands and pushes the piston up. This sudden increase in pressure also forces the diaphragm, which in turn raises the back pedal. Since the disc, back and front pedals are connected rigidly, when back pedal moves up, front pedal moves down, which in turn, push down the piston. Repeat.
The front and back pedals are 90 degrees out of phase so that the up and down movements mimic legs pedalling a bicycle.
So, how is that more interesting than, say, a steam engine, you ask?
The physics mechanism described above works as long as there is a temperature gradient. So it works using ice as well, as you can see below:
I'd say my spending a weekend to work on this is totally worth it.
Cool! Literally.
2 comments:
--Rext--
could be a self-moving dart board=)
Omg~ The stirling engine is so cool.
Simple yet an intelligent piece of work.
*Thumbs up!*
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