Among some small sterling engines I inherited, there is one I am not sure counts as a stirling. It is smartly finished in chrome and brass and mounted on a wooden plinth. It looks rather like a display piece rather than a working engine. However, it comes with a burner so maybe it is meant to work. Instead of two cylinders, the single main cylinder has a port to the atmosphere with a sliding valve operating it. The flame of the wicked burner is apparently to be positioned next to the port. The principle of operation seems to be that at a point on the stroke, the cylinder sucks in the flame and gets heat that way. Not wishing to spoil the smart appearance unnecessarily I have not tried it yet. What concerns me is that it is difficult enough to get small stirling engines to even run, but this one looks woefully ineffective. My question is does anyone have experience of running one of these devices? Any advice would be welcome. Regards Peter
Strange Stirling Engine Question
Dec 14, 2006
20 Replies
I have an example of the Scott vacuum engine (see about half way down this page:-
formatting link
which I picked up fully built for the price of the casting kit (the vendor did himself no favours by saying there was no way the b****r would ever run - though to me that is quite a beguiling sales pitch!). After much tinkering with the valve phasing, flame size and position etc I had it running briefly and, thus satisfied that I had beaten it, was consigned to the far depths of the workshop.
It sounds like a flame licker or gulper type of Stirling.
Have a look at :
formatting link
Regards
Lofty
counts as a stirling. It is smartly finished in chrome
rather than a working engine. However, it comes
atmosphere with a sliding valve operating it. The flame of
principle of operation seems to be that at a point on the
yet. What concerns me is that it is difficult enough
Any advice would be welcome.
Hi Peter, It sounds like an atmospheric engine like my 1920,s Ernst Plank. see
formatting link
is the engine that Alyne Foundry borrowed to copy) Can you post a few pictures of your engine & we can probably identify it. If you don't know where to post a picture, send it to me & I will post it for you. (My E mail address looks wrong but does work)
=== This would be a vacuum engine as first patented by The Reverend Henry Wood in 1715. Not a "Stirling", as it does not operate on the Stirling cycle. Also called Flame Gulper or Flame Licker or Caloric Engine.
Refer Lyle Cummin's Internal Fire, 3rd ed., page 13
Jack ===
Just came across this currently available example:-
formatting link
"Nick H" wrote
formatting link
Or a tad more economically from here:-
formatting link
counts as a stirling. It is smartly finished in chrome
rather than a working engine. However, it comes
atmosphere with a sliding valve operating it. The flame of
principle of operation seems to be that at a point on the
yet. What concerns me is that it is difficult enough
Any advice would be welcome.
That's actually a bit of a challenge as I don't have access to a digital camera at the moment, but give me a few days and I will see what I can do. Regards Peter
Thanks guys, now I know what I'm looking for, I found a webpage illustrating a model called 'Blazer' which while not the same, clearly has some commality component-wise at least in appearance. This suggests a shared heritage with plans by Philip Duclos in "Projects in Metal" magazine for June, 1992 apparently. However, I can't find any other details. I will try and get some pictures up in a few days time, so let's let it rest for the moment. Regards Peter
For many purposes, even a 10 quid "joke" camera from Tesco will work well enough.
BugBear
That was very mean of you Nick. I've just spent half an hour deciding that I can't really justify anything they advertise - more's the pity ;o))
Regards,
Kim Siddorn
If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
formatting link
"Dave Croft" wrote (snip) :-
And what should appear on ebay?
formatting link
At least that one carries some identification. Regards Peter
Okay, I borrowed a digital camera and I have put up a picture at:
formatting link
base of the model is about 9 inches long. So the question has changed from "what is it?" to "what make is it?". Closer inspection shows that while the components of are reasonable quality, the assembly is untidy, perhaps suggesting the model was supplied as a kit of parts just requiring final assembly on the base. The valve rod has been bent to get it to line up with the cam. There is no sign of any makers name or model type. As I previously stated it is reminiscent of "Blazer", but it has a more robust valve mechanism. It is most likely from the USA but I am not entirely certain of that. Can anyone solve the identity problem? Regards Peter
Flame gulper originaly made by Solor engines of Phoenix Arizona, now made and sold by PM Research, state of New York,
formatting link
Bob Sier
Big Snip
sold by PM Research, state of New York,
formatting link
Bob Sier
Hi Bob. If I had known you read this group I would have been more careful in my Stirling Cycle posts. Nice to see you here. By the way, do you need to be a member on the PM page as I cannot see any Stirling articles for sale. They do mention them on the page. Regards,
"Dave Croft" wrote (snip):-
Stirling articles for sale.
Click 'enter online catalogue' and navigate to here:-
formatting link
Eater is Solar-3
Well spotted Bob
BTW I've noticed on ebay that the Solar powered stirling is now available in UK from gyroscope_dot_com
formatting link
't seem too bad at 200 quid or so until one looks at the doller price and considers the exchange rate. ISTR other PM research engines are available through the wierd and wonderful Bullnet site
sold by PM Research, state of New York,
formatting link
Spot on! Also I see that the other two engines in the collection also came from the Solar range. Many Thanks Peter
Always have to consider shipping, VAT, customs duty and other overheads when deciding that stuff from US might be cheap.
BugBear
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required