The Stirling Engine of 1816¶
Authors: Robert Stirling
Published: 1816 (Other)
Source: Letters Patent No. 4081
Algorithm: Stirling engine
Summary¶
A historical source on Robert Stirling original hot-air engine and regenerator patent. The important idea is the closed-cycle heat engine with an economiser/regenerator, a concept that later became foundational to Stirling engine design.
Abstract¶
The principle of the Stirling Air Engine differs from that of Sir George Cayley (1807), in which the air is forced through the furnace and exhausted, whereas in Stirling engine the air works in a closed circuit. It was to it that the inventor devoted most of his attention. A two horse-power engine, built in 1818 for pumping water at an Ayrshire quarry, continued to work for some time, until a careless attendant allowed the heater to become overheated. This experiment proved to the inventor that, owing to the low working pressure obtainable, the engine could only be adapted to small powers for which there was at that time no demand.
Links¶
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Tags¶
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Stirling engine
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Regenerator
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Heat engines
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Thermodynamics
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Engineering history
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Patents