Engine Energy Conservation
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2003 12:12 am
I'm having trouble concerning the energy conservation in the
Stirling cycle:
It appears that some quantity of energy is added to the 'hot side'
of the engine, and some quantity is removed from the 'cold side'.
Because the volume changes in a displacement type engine are
essentially equal, I would expect that these two quantities are
equivalent. Where does the net energy come from to accelerate the
disk?
Is the fact that the power piston is on one side of the displacement
piston? In the coffee cup engine's case, the power piston is on the
cold side, does this mean the engine is most efficient when energy
is being added to the hot side (i.e. coffee cup) rather than removed
from the cold side? (ice on top)
Am I missing something? I'll admit I've really only glanced at
principles and diagrams of the principle, perhaps I should do so.
Comments?
Stirling cycle:
It appears that some quantity of energy is added to the 'hot side'
of the engine, and some quantity is removed from the 'cold side'.
Because the volume changes in a displacement type engine are
essentially equal, I would expect that these two quantities are
equivalent. Where does the net energy come from to accelerate the
disk?
Is the fact that the power piston is on one side of the displacement
piston? In the coffee cup engine's case, the power piston is on the
cold side, does this mean the engine is most efficient when energy
is being added to the hot side (i.e. coffee cup) rather than removed
from the cold side? (ice on top)
Am I missing something? I'll admit I've really only glanced at
principles and diagrams of the principle, perhaps I should do so.
Comments?