A Stirling engine is a heat engine that is operated by the cyclic expansion and contraction of air or other gas (the working fluid) by exposing it to different temperatures, resulting in a net conversion of heat energy to mechanical work.
source.image: Tom Stanton
In this video youtube engineer Tom Stanton is building an engine to power a bicycle, his target power output for his bike engine is 150 watts (which is enough power to cycle at about about 24 km/h. Tom uses a 3D print machine to pring the various parts for his bike engine. He uses myriad materials including aluminum and Teflon.
The Stirling engine is a closed-cycle regenerative heat engine, with a permanent gaseous working fluid. Closed-cycle, in this context, means a thermodynamic system in which the working fluid is permanently contained within the system.
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Tom designed the engine with water cooling. Another stage is mounting the motor, cranks, crankshafts, and piston rods to a bicycle frame, not including transferring that power into the rear wheel. The cranks are connected with a belt and to an output shaft, which is in turn used to drive the rear wheel. e. It’s not the most efficient powertrain, but it’s still amazing how it works.
