Smallest,heavy duty engine?

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blastgate
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2002 12:37 pm
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Morrissey

Smallest,heavy duty engine?

Post by blastgate »

Hi there,
I'm interested in installing an engine into a round metal sleeve,
5"wide by 6"long with a small "sqirrel cage" to ventilate a Weber
Grill. A "KettleKonvector" if you will. How would I accomplish this?
I'm unsure about how the "cold" side would be situated.
At any rate, I would be most grateful to you for any
information reguarding this subject.
Best, Mike
info74
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2001 7:41 pm
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Van Arsdell

Response to Smallest,heavy duty engine?

Post by info74 »

It's really tough to give a good response to such a general question. Certainly a Stirling engine could be built with the hot side installed in a Weber Grill and the cold side exposed to ambient air. My suggestion is that if your main point is ventilating the grill then find an electric fan to do it with.

If on the other hand your main point is to build a fun project and get it working with a minimum of fuss I'd suggest a reproduction antique fan with the hot side at the right location.

It's a much bigger project than it looks like. But if you get anything running please come back here and post pictures.
tomick
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 5:19 pm
First Name: Mick
Last Name: Viner

Response to Smallest,heavy duty engine?

Post by tomick »

Why not find out where your cooker sucks air from, and run a pipe from there to a heat exchanger at the cold side of your engine?
You’d cool the cool side and preheat the air going to the cooker in one step.
I find it hard to visualize your problem without a better description.
stan.hornbaker
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Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2002 6:01 pm
First Name: William S.
Last Name: Hornbaker

Response to Smallest,heavy duty engine?

Post by stan.hornbaker »

I assume you want to remove the smoke and fumes above the grill bars and carry it away. There is nothing currently available commercially that I am aware of. You might take a look at "The Chicken Flinger" Stirling engine built for turning a rotisserie on a BBQ grill. It is documented in "Around the World by Stirling Engine." It should move enough air with the proper blading to carry the fumes out of the vicinity of your grill.
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