POE
ENERGY PROJECT: Stirling Engine
Introduction: Welcome back and Happy New Year! If you remember,
we reviewed a Youtube video (Click here to view) of a Stirling engine design
that we will be making this week and next week (January 6-January 17). A
stirling engine is a heat displacement engine and not an internal combustion
engine like the one that powers a gas driven automobile. The stirling engine
cycle begins by using pressure and heat to move a piston (displacer) upward
within an enclosed chamber. The second part of this cycle occurs when the
heated gas cools as it moves away from the source (the candle) and a flywheel
creates a counter weight which pushes the piston back down. This up and down
motion is called Reciprocating motion and is the first step in the conversion
of heat energy to mechanical energy. A simple machine called a crank attached
to the piston arm redirects the up and down reciprocating motion into the
circular (rotary) motion. If you remember; once we have rotary motion we can do
all sorts of good things like move objects, generate electricity, pump fluids
or gasses, and do other types of work (sawing and drilling are two examples).
How we will make this project:
Monday January 6, 2014
Step 1: Please
click here to view the website that will
assist you in creating an accurate parts list. Return to this blog when you are
done reviewing the site
Step 2: Use an excel spreadsheet to create a parts list.Save the file in your Z drive with the file name SE parts list You
will review the website procedures as well as the YouTube video to create your
list. For each part, you will indicate the material, size and quantity of each
part. See the table below:
PART NAME
|
MATERIAL
|
SIZE
|
QUANTITY
|
FRAME VERTICAL PIECE
|
WOOD
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday January 7, 2014
Step 3: Construct the Frame:
What tools will you need in order to measure, mark out, cut,
drill, and assemble your project?
Make a list of tools and then gather those tools to begin.
Make sure that you return all tools when completed as well as clean up your
work space
Wednesday January 8, 2014
Step 3 Completion: You have until the end of class to
complete your frame assembly. If you do not complete it, you should strongly
consider staying after school from 2:26 -3:00 to complete.
Thursday January 9, 2014
Step 4: Can piston construction: Use the material provided
to cut and glue your piston together. What tools will you need for this step?
Review the video and the construction website and make a list of tools. Gather
the tools and get to work! You have only today to complete this step!!
Friday January 10, 2014
Step 5: Cut and shape the crank shaft: Review the video (
click here) and
make a list of tools that you will use. Use scrap pieces of hanger wire to
practice making the shaft bends before you make your actual crank shaft. Take
your time on this part. It has to be correct!!!
Monday January 13, 2014
Step 6: Construct the balloon diaphragm and connecting rod
assembly: Review the video and make tool list. Gather your tools and get to
work. Make sure that you replace all tools and clean up your work space at the
end of class
Tuesday January 14, 2014
Step 7: Flywheel construction: Review the video, gather
tools and mark out and cut your flywheel. This step should only take 15 minutes
so use the remainder of the time to complete any unfinished past steps.
Wednesday January 15, 2014
Step 8: Project Assembly: Review the video carefully so that
you do not waste time assembling the stirling engine out of sequence
Thursday January 16, 2014
Step 9: Test your project: Insure that all safety equipment
is in place before you test your project. Make any necessary adjustments. Record
your results. What happens as the can gets hotter? How many revolutions per
minute does the Stirling engine generate?
Friday January 17, 2014
Project write up: Your project write up should be completed
using Microsoft word and include the following:
- Parts list inserted from your excel spread sheet
- Steps taken to complete the project: You can copy/paste this
from the blog but make sure to edit and format the list so that it looks
attractive and is in either bulleted or number list format
- A paragraph titled Project Report which should include: Why
you made the stirling Engine ( to learn about energy conversion) ,the process
of making the Stirling Engine including and problems that you faced and how you
solved them, and your test results on
the performance of your Stirling engine.
- An image of your project
- A sketched diagram of the project ( draw this on a separate sheet
of paper and then scan or photograph it and insert the image into your report)
The project is worth 700 project points. The write up is
worth 300 Quiz/test points. The write up is due on Wednesday January 22, 2014.
There will only be one day of class time in order to get this done so you will
most likely have to schedule some after school time to get this done.
