Measuring Reversing Flow Pressure Drop in Stirling Engine Heat Exchangers 

Sunpower, Inc. 

Athens, OH 
 

A unique flexible rig for measuring pressure drop in oscillating flows

• Developed an oscillating flow test rig to measure pressure variations in complex engine flows
• Provided insights into flow effects in Stirling engine heat exchanger
• Provided much improved understanding of one of the primary   losses in Stirling cycle machines

• Improved performance of both Stirling-cycle engines and   Stirling-cycle coolers; hence this SBIR has resulted in the continued support from private industry
• Resulted in another SBIR and  a University grant that allowed rig  modification to also measure oscillating flow heat transfer in   regenerators
• Information derived from measurements was incorporated into Stirling computer codes that are being used to design Stirling engines and coolers by private companies
 

• Stirling engines are a leading candidate for dynamic space power systems - Stirling has been chosen as a backup for the Advanced Radioisotope Power System (ARPS) being developed for deep-space missions
• Stirling engines are applicable for use in terrestrial dynamic power, including remote power generation and cogeneration

 

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Curator: SBIR Support