Hello! ,
so I've been trying to make my first working stirling engine using a tuna can , everything seemed to be in order except this air leak around the hole that i made for the dispalcer rod. There's so much air leak that I barely get the pressure to move the diaphragm even though the hole practically fits the rod perfectly and I made sure that nothing else leaks . any ideas how to fix the leak ? it's the third time i try to make a working engine so i got to make this one work
Thanks in advance.
Ive just gotten my first "running" Stirling myself lwess. This after four or five different builds. Had to address the same issue. The ones thats working is where I used a 3/32 OD brass tube with a 1/16 brass rod as lift rod. A picture of it at thread: http://stirlingengineforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1642
Ive also used a fishing line inside a tube which came off of a paper clip(the plastic coating type) While that engine never worked I think that part was ok. Lots more experience here than me to help you out with ideas.
What we need is a More Heat or More cold, and Less Friction or Better Air Seals ...and an Aspirin!
Sripto Vu-Lighter Historian http://www.thehawkeco.com
Hi Hawke ,
thank you for the answer , I think i might just go wih your idea . However , isn't there a way to cover up the leaking spot or something to fix this leak or should I start all over again?
[tab=20]Thats a hard place to patch up without taking "something" apart. Part of the joy is working thru the problems thinking and pondering and visualizing ....and sleeping, ....and thinking and pondering and visualizing, Hahaha. I always hit some roadblock or frustration point and started over. I would be so distraught over it I'd even find a whole new design to try. Look at timing and ratios too. I cant speak on this from personal experience of any kind as I have trouble with the ratio's of cylinder sizes. Sticking to proven plans as close as possible would be advisable out of the gate.
[tab=20]It seems the gang here loves to visualize new ideas. Stirling Engines to me, seem to be patience teachers. More mechanics and fine tuned precision that anything in the first few builds. One must speed a lot of time on something before reaping any rewards, if any.
[tab=20]But Iwess, dont give up!
What we need is a More Heat or More cold, and Less Friction or Better Air Seals ...and an Aspirin!
Sripto Vu-Lighter Historian http://www.thehawkeco.com
Iwess, is the hole in the displacer just a hole? the way Hawke has done it will over come most of the leaks, a short length of tube, say 1/2" or so long would do, a close sliding fit, held in place with epoxy, or JB weld, or solder. Ian S C
You can put a thin film of vasoline on the con rod going through the hole. Dont get any on the the area around the hole. JB weld the hole. When it set up the con rod should release due to the vasoline.Wipe the little vasoline on the con rod off. Any kind of petrolum lubricant is bad in a stirling engine. It vaporize and ignite, blowing up your can. This method has worked for me ,with no ill results.It can make too tight of a seal so dont over due it . Use just a thin dab.
