Engineering Projects/Engines/Howard Community College/Fall2011/550 qjb-eng Weekly Reports

Link to qjb-eng's Team page

Week 0
We researched the different approaches to the design of the Sterling engine. With that, was a assessment of the materials needed for each design. The feasibility of each design was limited to the availability of the resources. This would ultimately be a major decision factor of our approach.

Week 1
Started three separate Sterling engines with the notion that different approaches would be taken. All are vertical designs but with different materials and approaches.

This would provide a way to gain the perspective of the different methods of construction. At the same time this approach would provide an opportunity of encountering different setbacks associated with each design thus providing more sources to problem solve as a collective.

One approach is with the use of two paint cans. This version will use a vacuum valve as the main drive cylinder.It ill provide a example of the intricacies with using materials with more mass.

The second is that of a soda can version. This version will use a piston and piston sleeve

The third is is a low temperature version using a soup can.

Week 2
Made progress on "paint can" model. Developed linkage system and constructed and fitted the crankshaft, crankshaft mount, Drive Cylinder, and developed an linkage system. The crankshaft frame needs to mounted, and the fly wheel needs to be constructed and fitted. First run may be possible by next weekend.

All the materials for the other two Sterling engines was acquired and construction has began. So issues with friction developed but most of the problem was mitigated.

Week 3
Construction continued this week too and we happened to exchange some good idea in class. Concerning the way to minimize friction at the crankshaft, Lloyd suggested using a small pvc tube around the crankshaft itself instead of attaching the power pistons directly to it. This pvc was not too tight around the wire thus making turning easy. This was quite fun to do since there is quite a big difference in our designs. Two of us use power pistons while one person is using instead some rubber-like material. Thus we are exploiting more than one avenue for the same engine.