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View Full Version : Sterling Engine To be used to power spacecraft

Andrew Rudolph
21-09-2004, 22:50
I know Deano didnt invent the Sterling Engine but there is much talk about his use of it in his water purifier. Seems that nasa is using one to power a spacecraft check out the article here

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996419
Greg Needel
21-09-2004, 23:12
when i worked at the JHU applied physics lab i was on this project for a while.and it was very interesting stuff...specifically what we were working on was changing the range of temp differential to find best efficiency within the conditions of space, for the application that they would be members through the wall of the space station. 1 side would be inside utilizing the inside temperature of the station while the other is outboard using the cold of space...i wasn't on the project very long but i have always had the suspicion that they would pop up in this application in the future.
suneel112
22-09-2004, 11:19
Is the stirling engine really better than the current power systems? For deep space, it may have an application, but close to earth, there is a great amount of solar energy for ready use.
Greg Needel
22-09-2004, 11:43
it all depends on the effeceny of the system. the best solar pannels are at most 30-40 percent effecent, so if you can get a system that works at a greater effency then it would be worth it, even though there is quite alot of solar energy...


personally if it was me i would just make a really long extention cord and drop it to the earth so someone could plug in..... :D
Alan Anderson
22-09-2004, 12:57
it all depends on the effeceny of the system. the best solar pannels are at most 30-40 percent effecent, so if you can get a system that works at a greater effency then it would be worth it, even though there is quite alot of solar energy...
This acoustic Stirling engine seems intended as an alternative to RTGs (Radioisotope Thermal Generators) rather than as a replacement for solar cells. Such power sources are typically used in "deep space" missions where solar power is quite a bit less intense than in our vicinity.
personally if it was me i would just make a really long extention cord and drop it to the earth so someone could plug in..... :D
If your cord is sufficiently long, you don't even need to plug it in. You can just tap energy from Earth's magnetic field as you drag the cord through it.