It was in 1816 that the Revd. Robert Stirling propounded the idea of a heat engine which he termed an ‘Economiser’ now universally known as a ‘Stirling Engine’. The operational concept is that it acted as a heat exchanger, retaining heat from the hot portion of the engine as air passed to the cold side, and released heat to the cooled air as it returned to the hot side and in the process converting energy to mechanical work, with near perfect efficiency.
Stirling engines were widely developed in the 19C until the advent of the electric motor superseded it. Modern versions of the engine are in existence, having been used for specialist civil and military applications. But the need for the development of alternative power sources and the availability of modern technology and materials have resulted in renewed interest and exciting developments in this area.
Stirling engines were widely developed in the 19C until the advent of the electric motor superseded it. Modern versions of the engine are in existence, having been used for specialist civil and military applications. But the need for the development of alternative power sources and the availability of modern technology and materials have resulted in renewed interest and exciting developments in this area.