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Initial results of sensitivity tests performed on the RE-1000 free-piston stirling engine

Conference · · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5918749
A 1 kW (1.33hp) single cylinder free-piston Stirling engine has been tested in the test facilities at the Lewis laboratory. Tests have been performed over the past several years on an engine designed to investigate the dynamics of a free-piston Stirling engine for the purpose of computer code validation. A description of the engine and its instrumentation is given in a prior NASA report TM-82999. Some initial test results are given in NASA Report TM-83407. Tests to investigate the sensitivity of the engine performance to variations in working space pressure, heater and cooler temperatures, regenerator porosity, power piston mass and displacer dynamics have been initiated at Lewis. Maps of engine performance have been recorded with the use of an 81.2% porosity regenerator; both a high efficiency displacer and a high power displacer were tested; efficiencies up to 33% were recorded and power output of approximately 1500 watts was recorded. This report presents preliminary results from the Lewis sensitivity tests being performed on the RE-1000 free-piston Stirling engine. Descriptions of future tests are also given.
Research Organization:
NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio
OSTI ID:
5918749
Report Number(s):
CONF-840804-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English