Rev Dr Robert Stirling (1790-1878)
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| Audience/Grade: | College Freshman - College Senior |
| Discipline(s): |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Learning Resource Type: | Reference - Article/Document |
| Media Type: | WWW |
| Author(s): |
Bob Sier
Organization: Stirling Engine and Hot Air Engine |
| Description: | Robert Stirling patented his Heat Economiser in 1816. The patent described a number of applications for use in glass and other furnaces. Also described was a motive power engine incorporating his ideas and designed to work with a reduced fuel consumption compared with the designs of steam engines then available. The drawing shown, right, is taken from his English patent. This patent is hand written, and a comparison with known examples of Stirling's own hand writing clearly shows the writing to be that of Robert Stirling and there is no reason not to believe that he also penned the drawings. In 1818 Robert Stirling erected an air engine to his design to pump water from a stone quarry. In the 1820s he teamed up with his younger brother James who suggested that greater power output might be obtained using air at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. Further patents were obtained in 1827 and 1840, for improvements in air engines. Robert Stirling's patent of 1816 contained all the elements of what is now termed the STIRLING CYCLE ENGINE. That is a power piston, a displacer to move the enclosed air between the hot and cold ends and a regenerator set between the hot and cold ends of the displacer cylinder. Closed cycle operation with external heating. |
| Rating: |
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| Related Resources | |
| Keywords: | Robert Stirling, Stirling engine, Stirling cycle, heat economiser |
| Usage Tip | |
| Use of Resource: | Written by the author of several books on air engine design. Useful historical photographs and an animation that could be used in presentations. |
| Difficulty: | Medium |
| Interactivity Level: | Low |
| Version Info | |
| Publication Date: | 2008 |
| Platform/Format: | WWW |
| Cost: | Free |
| Download URL: | http://www.stirlingengines.org.uk/pioneers/pion2.html |
| Metadata: | IEEE LOM Record |
| Collection: |
NEEDS
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