Where can I get alpha type Stirling engines.

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vaibhavkbarnwal
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu May 21, 2009 10:55 pm
First Name: Vaibhav
Last Name: Barnwal

Where can I get alpha type Stirling engines.

Post by vaibhavkbarnwal »

I want to buy an alpha type Stirling engine. I searched on internet
but can only find Beta-type Stirling engines. Is it available in
market? Please help. Thanks in advance.
bptdude___2569
Posts: 177
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:31 am
First Name: Joe
Last Name: McLean

Response to Where can I get alpha type Stirling engines.

Post by bptdude___2569 »

Well, just last night I was reading about a new NASA design alpha Stirling that produces 50 kilowatts, and will run continous for decades. They are very interested in dynamic engines, instead of the old thermocouple types, because the dynamic ones get three times as much output. There are no cuurent plans to launch one, but they have test units running fine.

I do not think you could buy one though, unless you have a license to own PU-238, which is the fuel. This is NOT the thermoacoustic we know about already, and the plutonium is NOT being used in fusion.

A very cool application of Stirling, and an alpha engine.

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