User:REisemann3937/ENES-100/Project 1

=Stirling Engine=

Some information about Stirling Engines can be found here.

Week 1
General research regarding sterling engines. Here is a video about Soda Can Sterling Engines.

Expected BOM

 * 1) Soda cans
 * 2) Rigid wire
 * 3) Compact Disc
 * 4) Double sided tape
 * 5) Thermal resistant EPOXY
 * 6) Balloon
 * 7) Sterno

Details can be found on the Design page of the CDIO.

Researched design concepts for Soda Can Stirling Engine and began constructing basic components. First was the driveshaft, which was made form a Kabab skewer. The skewer was cut between the two ends, then bent to the proper shape using pliers. After being cut and bent the driveshaft had to be straightened to true up the angles. This was done by placing it between two Barbell Plates, which were then hit with a mallet. To ensure the driveshaft will not move relative to the body of the Stirling Engine, small corks were used. By pressing the corks over the ends of the driveshaft on either side of the body they will act as a sort of bushing. Now, to affix the drive shaft to the plunger piston and to the Balloon Diaphragm two more pieces of the Kabab Skewer were used. Similar to the way to driveshaft was bent and shaped, these rods are formed with small loops at either end. The Flywheel itself is attached to the end of the driveshaft opposite of the bends for the Balloon Diaphragm.

Week 2
Focus has been shifted from the Soda Can design to one that was developed by a former ENES-100 team. With this new direction and a basic idea of what is needed I jumped back into the Design stage and began working on the second revision of Stirling engine design. Two different designs have been explored and can be found in detail here. I spent time building the drive shaft, and fly wheel assembly and testing them.

Week 3
I have been working on the main body of the Rev. 2 stirling engine, as well as the displacer, piston, and piston chamber. Time was spent working on the piston rod and connecting hardware with Akshay and Jesal during class time. We were forced to make our own eyelet screw because one could not be found. Details can be found in the Rev. 2 section of the CDIO's Design page. Worked on "rod linkage" to connect displacer to the drive shaft. Made "circle clamp" to hold displacer rod to linkage rod. Will upload more pictures and display this in the Rev. 2 section of the CDIO's Design page. Brain storming ideas for new displacer with Akshay and Jesal. Working on video tutorial for Stirling Engine build.

Week 4
Working on Microsoft Viseo to create a "cut out" displacer. Assembling displacer Having a lot of issues with displacers. Foam displacer melted. Paper displacer was over filled with "Great Stuff". "Great Stuff" displacer burned. Steel wool displacer was too floppy. Beer can Displacer seems to be a good fit, but the rod itself is binding now. Working to fix this issue.