Posted 9 years ago
hotairfan
(385 items)
This is a small Stirling Engine (hot air engine) that I found at the Hershey, PA Auto Show flea market. It was missing the alcohol burner, so I made one.
It was made in 2006 by an engineering student attending M.I.T.
I believe it was a project to demonstrate the student's ability to cast the base, design & machine the parts, engrave the placard, and make it work under the heat of the alcohol flame. It works great with relatively little heat from the burner.
A unique feature that the builder fashioned into the operation is that it runs backward from most other hot air engines that I've seen. I believe that this was to add to the uniqueness of it's operation.
The engine is about 9" X 3" at the base and has a 3" flywheel
I have explained in previous postings of hot air engines as to how they function, but , I will gladly go over it again, if any interested person asks.
wow mittttttttttttt...
hotairfan, I went to Hershey, Pennsylvania this year for the first time. What an incredible place! I want to go back every year. Nice find!
Michael
Hi Mike, I live only about 60 miles from Hershey, so, I go every year, but lately I can only walk about 1/2 of the flea market. I switch halves each year to mix up the displays. I surprised myself this year and covered about 2/3 of the flea market before I got pooped. It still took me five hours to do that..... so much to see... so many friends to say hi to...
I live in Eastern Pa too. Several of the things in my collection are similar to your collection.
I looked at your posts RonM, Great stuff. I'll watch for your entrys