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Has anyone ever figured out an easy way to control the speed of a
Stirling engine with any type of accelerator?
I was watching my low temp model running this morning. I have figured
out at way to actually make it so it will do this. If it actually
works (I am going to modify it tonight to see if it works). It's so
simple someone must have figured it out but I can't find any mention
of it in anything I have ever read.
Les

The speed of a Stirling Engine is essentially constant depending on the hot and cold sink temperatures.

Maybe not 'easy' but....

Jim symanski added a governor to his power engine. Actually two engines with the displacers connected by a valve controlled by the governor. You can see the engine at http://starspin.com and clicking on "The Stirling Cycle Engine?"

Thank you for the link. I just did a quick mock up of my idea. On my LTD Stirling. There is only a simple modification to the engine itself. It actually works. I have my engine sitting on a can containing a 7.5 watt light bulb. At top speed it runs at about 300 RPM. With the simple mock up it decelerates to 30 rpm and accelerates back up to top speed in 5 seconds. This evening I'll do a better system on it and I'll see if it works as an actual variable speed control. Can't be positive yet but I'm confident that it will.
Les

What did you do to change speed? Turn off the light?
A variable voltage control on the light would do that. However with lower speed you get lower power output.

I have an LTD, runs on heat of hand. Sets on tubular lamp with a 220v 6w light bulb at bottom at half voltage 115/120 it's an orangish glow. The LTD runs at lower speed that with a full voltage 6w bulb.