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Old 07-23-2008, 04:16 PM   #14 (permalink)
jamesqf
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave View Post
BTW, the big drawback to a Stirling engine is the size and complexity of the machinery required for a given amount of power. To make the power of a chainsaw engine, a Stirling would have to be the size of a big US V-8 SUV engine.
Not so. In fact, if you do some searching, you'll find that Ford & others had them working in cars back in the '70s. The basic problem with the Stirling engine isn't size (that's only when you have a low temperature difference between hot & cold sides), it's that it takes a while to start up, and doesn't easily change speed. Those are obvious drawbacks for a car's sole powerplant.

If instead you have a Volt-like system where the primary drive is electric, and the combustion engine only comes on to add range, then the startup time doesn't matter. The Stirling engine (or gas turbines, fuel cells, etc) become much better alternatives for this sort of system.
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