Comments on: Gorgeous machined Stirling engine kits http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 06:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Ingulf http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1196901 Ingulf Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1196901 Those a very noisy for stirling engines. (Since they don't involve a controlled  explosions like an internal combusion engine, stirling engines can be very quiet).  Those a very noisy for stirling engines. (Since they don’t involve a controlled  explosions like an internal combusion engine, stirling engines can be very quiet). 

]]> By: Jeremiah Blatz http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1196221 Jeremiah Blatz Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1196221 Or, hook up the stirling engine (via a complicated set of reduction gears) to the toothpaste squeezer!  Or, hook up the stirling engine (via a complicated set of reduction gears) to the toothpaste squeezer! 

]]> By: David French http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1196133 David French Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1196133 These are beautifully engineered Stirling engines, but I'd have thought he'd have wanted to cant the engine so the cold sinks aren't in the convection path. UK viewers keen to get their hands on a (more simple but nonetheless wonderfully engineered) Stirling engine could do worse than to visit Kontax at www.stirlingengine.co.uk.  I have the basic KS80 on my classroom desk at work and it sits there all day every day converting the excess heat from my laptop power supply into motion.  It's fascinating. These are beautifully engineered Stirling engines, but I’d have thought he’d have wanted to cant the engine so the cold sinks aren’t in the convection path.

UK viewers keen to get their hands on a (more simple but nonetheless wonderfully engineered) Stirling engine could do worse than to visit Kontax at http://www.stirlingengine.co.uk.  I have the basic KS80 on my classroom desk at work and it sits there all day every day converting the excess heat from my laptop power supply into motion.  It’s fascinating.

]]> By: AllyPally http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1196117 AllyPally Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1196117 Böhm's video at the top of this page http://www.en.boehm-stirling.com/about-us.html is gorgeous. Metalworking glamour. Böhm’s video at the top of this page http://www.en.boehm-stirling.com/about-us.html is gorgeous. Metalworking glamour.

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195992 Art Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195992 Yes.  Way too noisy.  Ruins the aesthetic for me. Yes.  Way too noisy.  Ruins the aesthetic for me.

]]> By: Telegram Sam http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195953 Telegram Sam Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195953 The obvious application is to make a steampunk vibrating toothbrush out of one.  Anything else is going to look mundane alongside your $300 toothpaste squeezer. The obvious application is to make a steampunk vibrating toothbrush out of one. 
Anything else is going to look mundane alongside your $300 toothpaste squeezer.

]]> By: Cogent Cogency http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195946 Cogent Cogency Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195946 Part of me suspects this is the future.  With the Makerspaces accelerating the refinement of tooling capabilities, I can't wait for the day 10, 20 years on where every bike shop could fabricate a replacement component for your little engine you use to drive your bike up hills.  Plus considering the core of this engine relies on you being able to "Apply heat here", the variability of it is resounding.  Sunny day?  Fold out the panels and focus sunlight on a heat sink.  Cloudy?  Lite up the candles...  I want one of these so bad, lol. Part of me suspects this is the future.  With the Makerspaces accelerating the refinement of tooling capabilities, I can’t wait for the day 10, 20 years on where every bike shop could fabricate a replacement component for your little engine you use to drive your bike up hills.  Plus considering the core of this engine relies on you being able to “Apply heat here”, the variability of it is resounding.  Sunny day?  Fold out the panels and focus sunlight on a heat sink.  Cloudy?  Lite up the candles…  I want one of these so bad, lol.

]]> By: silkox http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195926 silkox Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195926 <a href="http://www.infiniacorp.com/powerdish.html" rel="nofollow">Infinia</a> has put a lot of effort into commercializing Stirling for solar electric generation, but it still doesn't seem to be taking off. Infinia has put a lot of effort into commercializing Stirling for solar electric generation, but it still doesn’t seem to be taking off.

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195876 irksome Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195876 If there's a V-Twin, does it come with straight pipes and a pirate costume? If there’s a V-Twin, does it come with straight pipes and a pirate costume?

]]> By: Neural Kernel http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195773 Neural Kernel Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195773 I've been fascinated by Stirling engines since I first read about them years ago, especially since if you crank them with an external force they work as a chiller. I just wish they weren't such "fringe" devices and had even a fraction of the R&D and manufacturing capacity that has been devoted to the various internal combustion engines... the power density may suck but you can't beat a stirling for multifuel capability... solar, open flame, compost pile waste heat, sweaty mammals, ocean thermal differential, nuclear decay... you name it and odds are you can rig a stirling to run off it! I’ve been fascinated by Stirling engines since I first read about them years ago, especially since if you crank them with an external force they work as a chiller. I just wish they weren’t such “fringe” devices and had even a fraction of the R&D and manufacturing capacity that has been devoted to the various internal combustion engines… the power density may suck but you can’t beat a stirling for multifuel capability… solar, open flame, compost pile waste heat, sweaty mammals, ocean thermal differential, nuclear decay… you name it and odds are you can rig a stirling to run off it!

]]> By: glurpo http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195770 glurpo Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195770 "Do they produce enough torque to actually drive something? Can they be converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source?" According to <a href="http://www.stirlingenergy.com/" rel="nofollow">these folks</a>, yes. “Do they produce enough torque to actually drive something? Can they be
converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source?”

According to these folks, yes.

]]> By: Bookburn http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195751 Bookburn Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195751 Haha - great.  I thought I would comment these awesome makers about the feasibility of a rotary Stirling engine.  Clicking on their "Contact Us" link produces a 404 error with the helpful tip - "The link you used to get here is faulty. (It's an excellent idea to let the link owner know.)" Umm... but the link to contact... uh...  Aw hell I'll just patent it myself. Haha – great.  I thought I would comment these awesome makers about the feasibility of a rotary Stirling engine.  Clicking on their “Contact Us” link produces a 404 error with the helpful tip – “The link you used to get here is faulty. (It’s an excellent idea to let the link owner know.)”

Umm… but the link to contact… uh…  Aw hell I’ll just patent it myself.

]]> By: Kevin Halse http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195746 Kevin Halse Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195746 Why not just use a pre-existing electric motor instead? Then you wouldn't need to expend the energy  to manufacture the sterling engine. mybrainisfulloffuck_jackiechan.jpeg Why not just use a pre-existing electric motor instead? Then you wouldn’t need to expend the energy  to manufacture the sterling engine.

mybrainisfulloffuck_jackiechan.jpeg

]]> By: Bookburn http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195737 Bookburn Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195737 My gawd those are beautiful.  Building my own Stirling engine has been on my "science project to-do" list for years now, but after watching these babies hum I realize that building my own Lexus might be more practical. As to alternative designs - I've always wanted to see a rotary Stirling engine, and (especially) a solar rotary Stirling engine. This is going on next years orders for my science classroom.  Thank you Cory - this is the best thing you've ever posted. My gawd those are beautiful.  Building my own Stirling engine has been on my “science project to-do” list for years now, but after watching these babies hum I realize that building my own Lexus might be more practical.

As to alternative designs – I’ve always wanted to see a rotary Stirling engine, and (especially) a solar rotary Stirling engine.

This is going on next years orders for my science classroom.  Thank you Cory – this is the best thing you’ve ever posted.

]]> By: Dicrel Seijin http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195684 Dicrel Seijin Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195684 I have to agree, these machines are beautiful to look at, but are not pleasant to listen to. I have to agree, these machines are beautiful to look at, but are not pleasant to listen to.

]]> By: Terry Border http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195638 Terry Border Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195638 Do you oil these machines? That's a bit of friction happening there, right? Do you oil these machines? That’s a bit of friction happening there, right?

]]> By: futnuh http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195619 futnuh Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195619 I close my eyes and hear … leaf-blowers. I close my eyes and hear … leaf-blowers.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195592 Brainspore Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195592 My brother got a badass facial scar building one of these things for an engineering class once. (Not from the power of the Stirling engine, but from a projectile flying off one of the machines in the shop he was using to fabricate the parts.) My brother got a badass facial scar building one of these things for an engineering class once. (Not from the power of the Stirling engine, but from a projectile flying off one of the machines in the shop he was using to fabricate the parts.)

]]> By: Trevcaru http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195588 Trevcaru Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195588 Yes, you can do this using a fresnel lens... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4VRb4vllB4&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SP4CCA265CC49C37B0 Yes, you can do this using a fresnel lens…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4VRb4vllB4&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SP4CCA265CC49C37B0

]]> By: RadioSilence http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195561 RadioSilence Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195561 "Can they be converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source?" According to the Wikipedia page, yes! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine “Can they be converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source?”

According to the Wikipedia page, yes!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine

]]> By: shutz http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195563 shutz Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195563 Instead of converting solar energy to electricity, then heat, then torque, why not just use mirrors and lenses (and fiber optics?) to redirect sunlight to the terminals.  That should be much more efficient. Instead of converting solar energy to electricity, then heat, then torque, why not just use mirrors and lenses (and fiber optics?) to redirect sunlight to the terminals.  That should be much more efficient.

]]> By: Matthew Strohmeyer http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195557 Matthew Strohmeyer Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195557 they have a triple on the website... they have a triple on the website…

]]> By: Utenzil http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195548 Utenzil Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195548 Do they produce enough torque to actually drive something? Can they be converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source? Do they produce enough torque to actually drive something? Can they be converted to solar, with maybe electrical coils for heat source?

]]> By: bwcbwc http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195543 bwcbwc Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195543 Unless they mean the engines are made of sterling silver...but yes. The maker has the spelling right in the video. Unless they mean the engines are made of sterling silver…but yes. The maker has the spelling right in the video.

]]> By: Dick Pilz http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195525 Dick Pilz Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195525 (sp) Stirling is easier to Google (sp) Stirling is easier to Google

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/08/22/gorgeous-machined-sterling-engine-kits.html#comment-1195526 irksome Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=114792#comment-1195526 As a Triumph rider, I'd like to see an inline three. As a Triumph rider, I’d like to see an inline three.

]]>