Stirlingengineforum.com

I see vent tubes from fire chamber on some engines. Im guessing to release buildup off heat. But why is this needed. Why not use less heat?

You need the vents, you have to draw in fresh air/oxygen to get the burner to burn, so a bit of air/heat out draws more in the bottom. Ian S C

Ahh, ok. Ive just used tea lamps so far really. The higher flame alcohol or propane would need the draft. Thx

Hawke wrote:Ahh, ok. Ive just used tea lamps so far really. The higher flame alcohol or propane would need the draft. Thx

If the engine has a hot "box" end the vent opening can be a little lower so the most intensely heated air stays in the upper part of the heat chamber/fire box. With this redirection of the excess heat up and away, via a chimney, the cool end isn't warmed by convection as this otherwise is the case as the heat just naturally pelts the cool end on a vertical engine. A damper can be installed to adjust the flow rate to match the heat input. I think these heat bleeders are a good idea.

Stirling fans would sure benefit, as the waste heat/fumes cold be directed away from the area to cool, and might get the rpm up a little.

One could drive a little LTD off the top of the waste heat tube. That would be cool.

R

theropod2,
I really like that idea of using the vent pipe tube to run a small fan. That could cool a thermosyphon radiator to the cool side.