Stirling engine feasibility study of an 80 to 100 hp engine and of improvement potential for emissions and fuel economy. Final report
A study was made to evaluate the potential of a Stirling engine for significant improvement in emissions and fuel economy over the present-day internal combustion engine and to initiate, on the basis of the experience gained in the Ford/Philips 170 hp Stirling engine development program, the design of an engine in the 80 to 100 hp range suitable for use in a passenger car in the 2,500 to 3,000 lb weight class. The final report given covers two major tasks. Task I was the Contractor-financed testing of a 170 hp Stirling engine powered Torino passenger vehicle. The fuel economy of the 170 hp Stirling engine-powered Torino approximates that of similar 1977 model year production passenger vehicles in a comparable weight class, with comparable performance. Emissions meet the objective of 0.41/3.4/0.4 grams per mile (HC/CO/NO/sub x/). Task II was a design study of an 80 to 100 hp engine in a passenger car in the 2,500 to 3000 lb weight class based on the 170 hp Torino installation. The baseline vehicle selected for comparison purposes is a 1976 Pinto with a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine. The engine is rated 84 hp, with 4 double-acting cylinders, each of 98 cc displacement (4 to 98), and utilizes a swashplate drive. The swashplate Stirling engines did not package well in the compact car. Despite optimization of the engine to achieve minimum length, the Stirling powered compact car was 89 mm (3.5 inches) longer than its Pinto baseline. Fuel economy of the swashplate engine was adversely affected by attempts to fit it within the Pinto engine compartment. The 4 cylinder-dual crankshaft Stirling engine resulted in a very attractive vehicle. The engine packaged within the confines of the Pinto engine compartment. However, the packageable engine did not incorporate the rotary preheater as used on the swashplate engine. Emissions and noise level objectives could be met.
- Research Organization:
- Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-02-2631
- OSTI ID:
- 5258716
- Report Number(s):
- COO-2631-22
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
80-100 HP Stirling engine feasibility study. Progress report No. 15, July--September 1976
80-100 HP Stirling engine feasbility study. Progress report No. 18, for the quarter October--December 1976
Related Subjects
AUTOMOBILES
STIRLING ENGINES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
CARBON MONOXIDE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DESIGN
EXHAUST GASES
FUEL ECONOMY
HYDROCARBONS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NOISE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
US DOE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ENGINES
GASEOUS WASTES
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TESTING
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES
WASTES
330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle
330603 - Vehicle Design Factors- Engine System
330701 - Emission Control- Nitrogen Oxides
330702 - Emission Control- Carbon Monoxide
330704 - Emission Control- Hydrocarbons