shifting mas flywheel

[fullofhotair]

The mass is contained close to the central axis, as the flywheel starts to revolve. At a preset rpm a set of servos release the mass to fly out to the outer limits of the flywheel. The mass =rods are housed in cylinder spokes around the flywheel.I think this would permit the central mass to move under lower horse power(probably the wrong term).As this mass spins up and moves out it would give torque.All my simple stirlings lack torque, but I can get reasonable rpms.

[theropod2]

How about shifting a liquid using the spin as a self governor? Surround the spokes with rubber tubing that will squeeze the liquid toward the center at lower rpm and then "grow" at the rim as the speed picked up.

I'm not sure this is a good means by which to extract more torque. If you can get high rpm then gear down that to gain torque.

Interesting idea anyway.

R

[Ian S C]

If anything, you want the greater weight at the rim at the lower/starting speed, and reducing as the speed increases. A more effective way is to gear the flywheel up, not sure of the maths, so the figures will be a bit out, but double the speed, halve the flywheel weight. Perhaps a continuously variable drive could be used to give high speed to the FW on start up, slowing as the motor speeds up, then as the load comes on, the FW speeds up to keep the torque up, that might work as a govenor. Ian S C

[vamoose]

Hey fullofhotair,
Due to angular conservation of energy, as the weight moves outwards the RPM will correspondingly slow down.
To maintain the same energy of the spinning mass, the number of spins per unit time will automatically decrease if the mass is moved further from the centre.

vamoose

I should add: After the weight moves outward the engine would progressivly bring the RPM back up to the engines operational speed.

[Ian S C]

vamoose, you'v got it in one. Ian S C

[fullofhotair]

What if you had a slit on the flywheel like opposite of a spoke. The rod connecting the flywheel to the power piston could be shortened or lengthened by a hydraulic ram,and slide closer or father away fronm the axis.You could control speed this way.

[Ian S C]

By that I presume you mean a constantly variable stroke? Ian S C

[fullofhotair]

Ian S C;
Exactly,a stirling engine has a sweet spot it likes to run at. By varrying the stroke the engine could be fined tuned for different demands.Like powering a mobile unit. Also I thought maybe using a pneumatic ram , getting the pressure from the top of the stirling.These would be small shot bursts I dont think would effect the engines performance much.