Manufacturing and testing of a gamma type Stirling engine

In this study, a gamma type Stirling engine with 276 cc swept volume was designed and manufactured. The engine was tested with air and helium by using an electrical furnace as heat source. Working characteristics of the engine were obtained within the range of heat source temperature 700-1000 °C and range of charge pressure 1-4.5 bar. Maximum power output was obtained with helium at 1000 °C heat source temperature and 4 bar charge pressure as 128.3 W. The maximum torque was obtained as 2 N m at 1000 °C heat source temperature and 4 bar helium charge pressure. Results were found to be encouraging to initiate a Stirling engine project for 1 kW power output.