I've named this Stirling engine with 8 tumblers 'Spider' because it looks like a giant spider when you're looking at it. This engine is an own design, based on earlier models I've made. I've translated the corresponding principles of operation into an own 4-cilinder Stirling engine. Some of the parts are made on the basis of Jan Ridder's drawings. The challenge for me was to design and build a Stirling engine myself which should be working with 4 heat- and working cylinders. These 8 cylinders in total would be balanced by means of a large camshaft which would translate the rotation to a flywheel through a belt. The whole machine is built using a conventional milling machine and a conventional lathe.
The heat cylinders and displacers are made of so-called Pirex glass so the operation of the cylinder can be seen easily. This Pirex glass also takes care for the preservation of the heat when the flame is extinguished. To use the heat of the flame as efficient as possible I've also made wind glasses, which centralizes the heat below the Pirex glass. These wind glasses make it possible to use the Stirling engine outside too. For a correct height adjustment of the focal point of the flame I've made the burners adjustable. This also makes it easy to position the wind glasses after the wicks are lit.
By placing the tumblers at such a height I have managed to limit the friction between the rods and camshaft to a minimum because the rotation between rod and tumbler remained small. In addition, these rods have sufficient length so an optimal alignment could be generated. To let the engine run as smooth as possible, I put ball bearings in the most important pivot points, including the tumblers.
The air movement from heat- to working cylinder flows through a pipe outside the mounting plate for the purpose of manufacturability. Additionally, this gives the product an extra technical look. By means of a valve between the heat- and working cylinder, the pressure can be regulated so the RPM of the flywheel is adjustable. It's also possible to drive something with this Stirling engine by means of a pulley I've made on the axis of the flywheel.
If there are interested people for the (approx. 35) drawings of this Stirling engine, do not hesitate to send me an email. The drawings are available for a fee. My email address is: tinyvdboom@gmail.com
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKVUSy29X5A
Some more specs:
Amount of production hours: 250 hrs
Amount of o-rings: 32
Total amount of parts: 508
Max RPM: 700
Bore x stroke working cylinder: 10 x 20 mm
Dimensions: 215 x 275 x 270 mm
Used materials: Aluminum, brass, bronze, Pirex-glass, copper, Corian and stainless steel.
