Studies on Stirling Engine with a Lapel Type Cylinder

Prevention of Working Gas Leakage and the Reduction of Mechanical Friction Losses

Abstract

The fundamental technical problems in the development of a Stirling engine are how to prevent the working gas leakage and to reduce the mechanical friction loss. The second prototype Stirling engine with a lapel type cylinder developed in this laboratory was tested to solute the problems. The seal performances and the characteristics of the mechanical friction loss of the lapel type cylinder were experimented under normal and heating conditions. The testing results showed that the gas leakage was prevented and the mechanical friction loss was reduced by using the lapel type cylinder seal. The cycle work of 19 J/Cycle at the gas temperature of 400°C was obtained by operating experiment. The output power performances were improved in comparison with the first Stirling engine reported in the previous paper.