Conceptual study of the potential for automotive-derived and free-piston Stirling engines in 30- to 400-kilowatt stationary power applications. Final Report

Technical Report · Sat May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6529206

Vatsky, A; Chen, H S; Dineen, J

The technical feasibility of applying automotive-derived kinematic and free-piston Stirling engine concepts for stationary applications was explored. Automotive-derived engines offer cost advantages by providing a mature and developed engine technology base with downrating and parts commonality options for specific applications. Two engine sizes (30 and 400 kW), two Stirling engine configurations (kinematic and free-piston), and two output systems (crankshaft and hydraulic pump) were studied. The study includes the influences of using either hydrogen or helium as the working gas. The first kinematic configuration selects an existing Stirling engine design from an automotive application and adapts it to stationary requirements. A 50,000-hour life requirement was established by downrating the engine to 40 kW and reducing auxiliary loads. Efficiency improvements were gained by selective material and geometric variations and peak brake efficiency of 36.8 percent using helium gas was achieved. The second design was a four-cylinder, 400 kW engine, utilizing a new output drive system known as the z-crank, which provides lower friction losses and variable stroke power control. Three different material and working gas combinations were considered. Brake efficiency levels varied from 40.5 percent to 45.6 percent. A 37.5 kW single-cycle, free-piston hydraulic output design was generated by scaling one cylinder of the original automotive engine and mating it to a counterbalanced reciprocal hydraulic pump. Metallic diaphragms were utilized to transmit power.

• Research Organization: Mechanical Technology, Inc., Latham, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6529206
• Report Number(s): N-8310568; NASA-CR-16527
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
STIRLING ENGINES
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
CARNOT CYCLE
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HELIUM
HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN
MOTORS
STIRLING CYCLE
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
HEAT ENGINES
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle