Torque and power characteristics of a helium charged Stirling engine with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism

This study presents test results of a Stirling engine with a lever controlled displacer driving mechanism. Tests were conducted with helium and the working fluid was charged into the engine block. The engine was loaded by means of a prony type micro dynamometer. The heat was supplied by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) burner. The engine started to run at 118 °C hot end temperature and the systematic tests of the engine were conducted at 180 °C, 220 °C and 260 °C hot end external surface temperatures. During the test, cold end temperature was kept at 27 °C by means of water circulation. Variation of the shaft torque and power with respect to the charge pressure and hot end temperature were examined. The maximum torque and power were measured as 3.99 Nm and 183 W at 4 bars charge pressure and 260 °C hot end temperature. Maximum power corresponded to 600 rpm speed.