Stirling Forum Home Page

i am an engineering student n would like to know from where should i
start d designing of Stirling engine n how should i fabricate it

You start by knowing what has been done already, and then pick a fatal flaw of the design, and take on the task of improving that.

The following arrived in my email this AM.

"Subject: Seeking your advice

Hi there. I understand that you are a Stirling engine expert.

I'm trying to create a Stirling engine powered generator to be manufactured using recycled material in developing nations as part of a microenterprise development program I am working on. If you don't mind, I have a few questions I need your help with:

1. How do you size the engine?
2. How do you determine its power output?
3. How do you determine the number of RPMs it makes from its design parameters?
4. How do you determine its power input requirements?

I hope I'm not imposing on you. If I am, I want to apologize for it in advance and hope you can help me with my problem.

Thanks & best regards."

My Reply follows:

"I offer you a one word piece of advice. D O N ' T . Not flippant but serious advice.

Designing a power producing Stirling engine from the starting line is a long and arduous task frought with a steep learning curve and much time devoted to preparation and knowledge acquisition.

Even the experts (very few and far between) have to build a prototype and then modify it to reach a really good engine. This requires more R&D financing than is likely to be available.

To find more information go the and look at some of bottom of list topics on the Power Producing, Waste Heat, & Model Engine Forums.

A CD with items of interest is available for the cost of mailing & a blank CD.

Also many links are to be found at

Engineering Thermodynamics Is required understanding of the subject of Stirling engines. Dr. Izzy published this jr-sr level web site for his engineering students to make it available to anyone interested. It is a quite complete treatment of the subject as well as providing the necessary background for any attempt at construction of a real Stirling engine. Note that is is quite long and has many more pages linked to one another.

There are may sources on the web with plans and instructions to build Model Stirling engines.

This has been presented to provide the best advice and information that I can think of at present. While not a designer but having followed the progress or lack thereof of the topic of Stirling engines the last 15 or so years and being a retired mechanical engineer I have a well rounded knowledge of what is involved in the design and production of Stirling engines. Anyone with even modest skills can build a low temperature (LTD) engine from plans and/or design one from observing what others have done. When you want real power output you have a different "Kettle of Fish."