KS90 Solar Low Temperature Stirling Engine

Solar operation

This particular engine has been specifically designed by our technicians for solar operation. In today's energy conscious world solar devices are in great demand, and this little engine clearly and easily demonstrates how easy it is to harness the power of the sun and convert it in to motion.

An interesting fact about solar power is that there is enough energy hitting the earth in the form of sunlight to allow us to completely convert to 100% solar energy, if only there was a way of capturing it. Many multi-national energy providers are seriously investigating using Stirling engines to harness sun power, in an effort to mave away from fossil and nuclear fuels.

Efficiency

Because Stirling engines have a theoretical 40% greater efficiency than photo-voltaic (PV) panels worldwide energy companies are investigating using them as a way to provide energy in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Such companies use our KS90 to demonstrate the principles behind generating electricity using Stirling engines.

Solid graphite piston a solid graphite piston is lighter than a hollow aluminium one Precision borosilicate glass cylinder Glass and graphite are the ultimate combination for this application Parts are NOT messily glued to top plate Aluminium spoke disk machined from a solid plate Brass rim finished by machine Flywheel has integral balancing Positively held connecting rod Precision stainless steel displacer rod Properly engineered mechanical joint Once set, the length will never alter Joint will not stretch, crack, split or slip No squeaking Almost ZERO friction Positively held connecting rod High quality conrod bush will last for many, many years of constant running No sharp edges Minimum friction No squeaking Connecting rod made from quality Stainless Steel wire Super-flat optimised chamber All dimensions calculated for optimum performance No screws prutruding on base, allows best contact with heat source or heatsink Hollow brass chamber pillars, thermally insulating the top and bottom plates Solid graphite-cored gland Once set, the length will never alter Joint will not stretch, crack, split or slip No squeaking Almost ZERO friction

KS90-solar running on winter sunshine   KS90-solar running on various heat sources

Technical details: 82mm (3.5") diameter brass flywheel rim with aluminium spokes. 90mm (3.5") diameter high gloss transparent lucite plates. 127mm (5") overall height. 9.5mm (3/8") diameter piston. Airtight seals made with high strength precision screw threads and nitrile O rings. Stainless steel screws throughout. Both connecting rods are positively located using low friction PET and stainless screws. Micron precision Borosilicate glass cylinder and Graphite power piston, the best combination for this application. Ultra low friction demagnetised and degreased bearings, NO lubrication required. Fully CNC machined, giving crisp, clean tidy edges all over. Engine parts ultrasonically cleaned before hand assembly.