Stirling Cooler revisited.

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prof3ssor
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:55 pm
First Name: Joe
Last Name: Watkins

Stirling Cooler revisited.

Post by prof3ssor »

This subject has been asked upon before, I will ask of it again. My
basic question is what can anyone tell me about building a Stirling
cycle cooler out of (mostly) common components. I would like to keep
the machining down to a minimum. Has anyone done it (with plans
available for others to use) or how can this be accomplished?

My background in this subject is quite extensive. I have studiend
every white paper I could find with subjects varying from the
development and testing of sunpower and global cooling products, r12
refrigerent to liquid propane conversion, free piston design, pulse
cooling, and all the comparasins thereof. My application requirements
are not of a concern for an initial model. If I can build one with
parts costing less than $30(ignoring time, tools, failed attempts.
these alone will probably be ten times that atleast) that can lift
afew watts that is enough to fund further development. The overall
goal for this is to enter a cooling design competition at defcon this
time next year. The end product must run on internal power (or no
power) and the materials must cost less than $100. Additional credit
is given to innovative technologies. Thus my interest.

I am accustomed to pouring a great deal of resources into projects,
being a computer and hardware hacker. I belive it is possible to make
a model that is functional within the design parameters with parts
mostly consisting of copper, pvc, misc hardware, rotary heatsink, and
a linear motor or DC rotary with gear. I already have a base plan
written and am wondering what light others can shed. More specific
topics would be nice such as what is the best material for the
displacement piston? That is one of the things that I am really usnure
about. Should it be conductive or insulate? Conductive at the ends to
retain temperature, acting as a pre-regenerator but isolating both
sides with a nonconductive center. I'm sure I'll post more
developments and ponderies in the future if given a positive response.
stan.hornbaker
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2002 6:01 pm
First Name: William S.
Last Name: Hornbaker

Response to Stirling Cooler revisited.

Post by stan.hornbaker »

As you know a Stirling refrigerator is, to put it simply, a Stirling engine operated in reverse. Power is applied to the crankshaft, the cold end is enclosed in an insulated space and heat is rejected at the other end. The displacers are thermaly non-conductors.

You can learn more by searching for cryogenic machines, cryogenic Stirling coolers, and similar terms.
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