Instructable of the day: build your own Stirling engine
It is possible to turn heat (or cold) into usable energy by using a Stirling engine. Invented by Reverend Dr. Robert Stirling and patented by him in 1816, the Stirling engine is rarely used these days for the generation of power or to do any real work, but it is often used as a model or even as a toy. However, that does not mean that the Stirling engine is not still useful, as we constantly see new ideas of how to use the Stirling to generate power from waste heat. Our Instructable of the day today focuses on this unique engine, and shows you how to make one for yourself using materials which are easily found and not too expensive. If you make one of these and figure out a way to take over the world, we want some credit.
[Source: Instructables]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter Graham 7:38PM (1/23/2008)
Sorry guys but stirling-engined power generators are alive and well already, manufactured under the Whispergen name and sold in the UK and Canada. The unit is marketed as a combined heat and power unit.
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1985 Gripen 12:27AM (1/24/2008)
Stirling engines are used in solar thermal power generation systems in the Mojave Desert, for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_energy#Dish_designs
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