A LTD Stirling ENGINE FROM THE 1960's ?

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stan.hornbaker
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A LTD Stirling ENGINE FROM THE 1960's ?

Post by stan.hornbaker »

A LTD Stirling ENGINE FROM THE 1960's ?

Finkelstein & Organ, in Air Engines, describe die cast power and
displacer cylinders manufactured and sold in the 1960's by Bradley
Engineering of Coventry, Great Britain. There is also a reproduction
of an engine assembly drawing on pg. 135 by Andrew Bradley himself.
There are three dimensions on the drawing which permitted determining
the approximate dimension of the principal components. Flywheel 7.5
in, Crank throw ½ in, Power cylinder 1 1/4 in. dia. x 1 5/8 in, long,
and the inside-out displacer 2 1/4 in. dia. x 2 3/8" long.

The cylinder sets were sold to be assembled with Mechano parts,
similar to the Erector Sets familiar to American boys in the twentieth
century.

A photograph of the cylinder sets in two sizes and an assembled engine
is shown in Air Engines. Also a web page at

shows better detail of the cylinders. The bottom (heated) plate of the
displacer appears to have copper hair pins inserted through the plate
to more readily conduct heat into the gas area inside.

The Patent Number 1,243,624 is shown on the drawing. Perhaps someone
in England who has access to patents could furnish some additional
information.

Following the untimely death of A. Bradley most of the stock of parts
and engines was sold to a collector in the USA. This individual or his
heirs might also be of assistance in making more known about this
intriguing little engine.
aidan.bradley
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:28 pm
First Name: Aidan
Last Name: Bradley

Response to A LTD Stirling ENGINE FROM THE 1960's ?

Post by aidan.bradley »

Hi, I am Andrew Bradley's Son. I have maintained an interest in Stirling cycle systems, and fondly remember, as a boy, pulling the injection lever on the zinc pressure die casting machine my dad built to series produce the engines you speak of.
I have little data, but I do now posess a marine version of the engine built to push a 36" long scae hull.
I am a working Design Engineer in California, and would be happy to provide any information I can to your organization.
The book you talk about - is that by Alan Organ - I remember my dad having a friend of that name.

Cheers, Aidan Bradley
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