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The Stirling cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that describes the general class of Stirling devices. This includes the original Stirling engine that was invented, developed and patented in 1816 by Robert Stirling with help from his brother, an engineer .
The Stirling cycle is not actually achievable; the real cycle in Stirling machines is less efficient than the theoretical Stirling cycle. The efficiency of the Stirling cycle is lower where the ambient temperatures are mild, while it would give its best results in a cool environment, such as northern countries' winters.
A Stirling engine eliminates the need for water anywhere in the cycle. This would have advantages for nuclear installations in dry regions. United States government labs have developed a modern Stirling engine design known as the Stirling radioisotope generator for use in space exploration.
A Stirling cycle is like an Otto cycle, except that the adiabats are replaced by isotherms. It is also the same as an Ericsson cycle with the isobaric processes substituted for constant volume processes. TOP and BOTTOM of the loop: a pair of quasi-parallel isothermal processes; LEFT and RIGHT sides of the loop: a pair of parallel isochoric ...
NASA patented a type of solar-powered Stirling engine on August 3, 1976. It used solar energy to pump water from a river, lake, or stream. [1] The purpose of this apparatus is to “provide a low-cost, low-technology pump having particular utility in irrigation systems employed in underdeveloped arid regions of the earth…[using] the basic principles of the Stirling heat engine“.
A Stirling radioisotope generator (SRG) is a type of radioisotope generator based on a Stirling engine powered by a large radioisotope heater unit. The hot end of the Stirling converter reaches high temperature and heated helium drives the piston, with heat being rejected at the cold end of the engine. A generator or alternator converts the ...
The pseudo Stirling cycle, also known as the adiabatic Stirling cycle, is a thermodynamic cycle with an adiabatic working volume and isothermal heater and cooler, in contrast to the ideal Stirling cycle with an isothermal working space. [1] The working fluid has no bearing on the maximum thermal efficiencies of the pseudo Stirling cycle. [2]
In 1842, James Stirling, the brother of Robert, build the famous Dundee Stirling Engine. This one at least lasted 2–3 years but then was discontinued due to improper technical contrivances. Hot air engines is a story of trials and errors, and it took another 20 years before hot air engines could be used on an industrial scale.