Downsizing assessment of automotive Stirling engines

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5486417

Knoll, R H; Tew, Jr, R C; Klann, J L

A 67 kW (90 hp) Stirling engine design, sized for use in a 1984 1440 kg (3170 lb) automobile has been serving as the focal point for developing automotive Stirling engine technology under a current DOE/NASA R and D program. Since recent trends are towards lighter vehicles, an assessment was made of the appicability of the Stirling technology being developed for smaller, lower power engines. Using both the Philips scaling laws and a Lewis Research Center (Lewis) Stirling engine performance code, dimensional and performance characteristics were determined for a 26 kW (35 hp) and a 37 kW (50 hp) engine for use in a nominal 907 kg (2000 lb) vehicle. Key engine elements were sized and stressed and mechanical layouts were made to ensure mechanical fit and integrity of the engines. Fuel economy estimates indicated that the Stirling engine would maintain a 30 to 45 percent fuel economy advantage over comparable spark ignition and diesel powered vehicles in the 1984 time period. In order to maintain the performance advantage, particular attention must be paid to the Stirling engine mechanical losses and, although evaluated in this report, the cold start penalties.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-77CS51040
• OSTI ID: 5486417
• Report Number(s): DOE/NASA/51040-49; NASA-TM-83468; ON: DE84005060
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330201* -- External Combustion Engines-- Stirling Cycle
AUTOMOBILES
ENGINES
FUEL ECONOMY
HEAT ENGINES
PERFORMANCE
SCALING LAWS
SIZE
STIRLING ENGINES
VEHICLES