Friction in a Small Alpha Type Engine

[robwallbank]

I am building an alpha type Stirling engine for a university project - powered by a tealight, so fairly small in size.
I also have to analyse the friction in the engine, and consider how it could be optimised.
One thing that I want to measure is the friction in the piston cylinder used, though I am unsure how would this could be done?
If anyone has any other suggestions or ideas about how else to measure the friction in other areas, it would be appreciated.
Thank you!

[thanh-cuibap]

Hi robwallbank ! this my stirling ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyJm3Kh ... e=youtu.be

[Aviator168]

thanh-cuibap, yours is gamma engine; the OP is talking about alpha.

robwallbank, if you use diaphragm for the pistons, the friction would be so small that you can't even measure it.

[cbstirling2]

The piston should slide freely down the cylinder by gravity when not capped on one end but it should stay still when capped due to air pressure

[PetePeterson]

A good read: "How to measure engine friction using flywheel deceleration" by Doug Conner
http://www.solarheatengines.com/2013/02 ... eleration/

covers how Doug measured the friction in his 3D printed LTD engine.

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Pete