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Determining Piston type/size

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:18 pm
by j.lloyd.carter
is it easier to use a pistons from a car/motorcycle or manufacture
your own? Is tolerances very important or can you have some space
between the piston and wall cylinder?

Re: Determining Piston type/size

Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 3:45 pm
by burnit0017
Greetings, I am new to this forum and Stirling technology. The research I have done indicates piston seal is very important. If you use the piston rings you get a great seal but the rings increase friction and reduce engine performance, if it will work at all. I found some videos on you tube showing conversions of old compressor engines into Stirlings engine but they removed the rings and had a poor seal.
I am starting a project using a 2 cylinder V air compressor and try to convert it to Alpha Stirling. Again, I found some links were small projects created there own pistons using high temp epoxy. Using their idea, I am going to try to replace the piston rings with high temp epoxy. Hopefully this will give a good seal and reduce friction. I am hoping to get enough RPM’s and torque to drive a small permanent magnet alternator. What size project are you working on? Best regards