Author Topic: Home Stirling converter  (Read 174 times)

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Offline CG

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Home Stirling converter
« on: July 20, 2022, 10:43:29 am »
Too bad everybody couldn't have a NASA Stirling Converter powered by nuclear waste in their homes to generate electricity.
Solves many problems.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2022, 05:23:25 pm by CG »

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Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2022, 05:50:26 pm »
According to this paper they can produce 5kW power using 2 - 12.5kW convertors with the two hot ends together. To eliminate vibration the convertors are opposing ,but they don't say how they synchronize them . At least I couldn't see it in there..

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« Last Edit: July 20, 2022, 07:59:22 pm by CG »

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2022, 06:04:56 pm »
Here's a method.

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Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2022, 07:57:29 pm »
Here is an easier method using the magnet of the alternator as an opposing counter weight to dampen the vibrations.

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Offline Caleb

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2022, 06:08:21 am »
The paper says that they would be testing in the summer of 2008.  I wonder if they ever did.  A 1kW generator would be nice to have for a home generating system since it is about all you need to feed a battery and the waste heat could heat your water and home.

My guess is that you would still have vibration with that alternator configuration.

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2022, 08:01:23 am »
I think you're right. But I think the closer you get them to the same axis the lesser the vibrations would be.

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2022, 09:03:06 am »
Two solutions to the vibration problem.


No rotation vibration.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4tusai8we8w15xl/img_20220722_090106_989.jpg?dl=0

True opposed displacers with common hot region, should syncronize itself.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nei19ikijxza136/img_20220722_090042_541.jpg?dl=0
« Last Edit: July 21, 2022, 09:06:23 am by CG »

Offline Caleb

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2022, 12:29:33 pm »
I like the opposed piston approach.

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2022, 02:57:15 pm »
Maybe I could make a twin to the first one I made and join them together.

Except I think I should shorten the Coke can, since it sounds like it's hitting the bottom of the other can.
The alcohol flame is almost invisible.

« Last Edit: July 21, 2022, 03:03:20 pm by CG »

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2022, 07:41:17 am »
How to make it.


Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2022, 10:40:59 am »
How to turn into something other than a toy?

Offline Caleb

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2022, 05:17:48 pm »
Would you keep the rubber diaphragms or go with precision pistons?

You could use these for a power piston, but I'm not sure how that would work with the opposed piston goal.
https://www.airpot.com/product-category/applications/actuate-with-air-or-vacuum/

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2022, 07:26:53 am »
I've encountered those in my work, but can't remember the application.
I ask but never get any answers on how long the rubber diaphragms last.

Offline Caleb

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2022, 07:29:22 am »
They are supposed to dampen vibration, but I don't think I ever used one for that.  If I recall, we had to apply gentle pressure to something once and used one because there is almost no friction.

Offline CG

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Re: Home Stirling converter
« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2022, 09:19:47 am »
I think they're graphite. I think you can make one from powdered graphite and  plaster of paris or clay.