Introducing... the Stirling engine model that almost could!

Imagine a tiny engine powered by nothing more than the heat from a cup of hot water - sounds amazing, right? That was exactly what I set out to create - a sleek, fully functional Stirling engine to showcase its incredible mechanics. My goal was to wow you all with its smooth, silent motion and efficient power.

However, things didn’t quite go as planned. While this little engine looks great and has all the right components in place, it didn’t spring to life as I'd hoped. A few challenges got in the way - namely, too much friction between moving parts, some sneaky air leaks, and a flywheel that turned out to be too light to keep the engine running smoothly.

Despite these setbacks, I still believe the model is worth sharing, especially as an educational tool. I even incorporated a cut-out section to expose the inner mechanics, so you can see exactly how a Stirling engine is supposed to work. You can clearly observe the displacer piston, power piston, and flywheel assembly - all designed to replicate the key elements of a traditional Stirling engine. Even though it didn't achieve functionality, the model illustrates the basic principles - how heated air expands, moves the pistons, and generates mechanical motion.

So, while this engine may not be purring with power, it remains a great visual aid for understanding the delicate balance needed to make a Stirling engine work. This experience has taught me a lot about reducing friction, ensuring proper sealing, and using the right flywheel weight for momentum.

I’m excited to share this non-functional (but still very cool!) model, and I hope it sparks some creativity and curiosity about the fascinating world of Stirling engines!

Assembly

Some Glue needed! One piston rod is slightly shorter, its supposed to be for the displacer. Some sanding might/will bee needed on the piston and displacer rod.The rest you can figure out :) I'm done with this one. GLHF

TL;DR It's a model that don't work