Sterling engines

[phunguss]

I don't see how any of the postings in this category relate to its description.

The only thing that should be under this category is Sterling engines.  Convert head differential to mechanical energy.

http://www.stirlingengine.com/

hundred year old technology.  Google it, you will get tons.

[jbh]

It is funny to see stirling motors classified under "2nd law violations"
I think that stirling motors/engines are the closest you can get to "energy for nothing", without breaking any scientific law. Just imagine you can "pump" heat from 100 or 200 meters down in the earth and use it to move a stirling motor that can work under low temperature differences...

[_GonZo_]

The little drinking bird that you can buy at manny shops is another example of that type of motors.

A standar steam engine as well fits in thes category.

Manny others will fit here I think.

[ewitte]

You know I was looking at some inline water heaters and noticed some interesting facts.  The electric ones generally run up to about 12-15KW while the gas ones easily run to 90KW or around 175000BTU.  So in essense it really would not take that much natural gas to keep a sterling enging producing say 5KW/hr.  Ideal situation:

Have a solar concentrator on it during the day.  If it stops long enough for the batteries to drop to 85-90% charge then kick on the natural gas to bring the sterling generator back on.  There will need to be some kind of sensor to turn the gas off when the soloar can kick back in.

[FredLondon]

Does anyone know where I can buy a cheap model of a Sterling engine in the UK?

I've seen lots of plans to build your own but would quite like a cheap but purpose built model or kit.