KONTAX KS90R COPPER STIRLING ENGINE |
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200TH YEAR SPECIAL EDITION
Reverend Dr Robert Stirling patented his now famous Stirling engine on 27th September 1816. To celebrate the bicentenary anniversary of the Stirling engine we have decided to make a number of special edition engines. With this engine we used copper plating to give our KS90 Ross yoke engine some 1800s semblance while retaining the performance. The combination of copper and brass really blend well together to provide an attractive display of contrasting metals. It should be noted that although the copper has a wonderful appearance it will oxidise over time. We HIGHLY recommend you purchase a glass dome or case for these engines to protect them and naturally they can be polished. Each kit comes with a pair of cotton gloves so you can handle and assemble the engine without leaving marks. If you ever need to clean or polish the copper plates we strongly suggest using brasso or Peek polish. Use a micro-fibre cloth to apply polish and use a clean part of the micro-fibre cloth to polish and remove excess. |
THE ROSS YOKE MECHANISM
This version of our hugely popular KS90 engine has a unique and fascinating new linkage arrangement. This new linkage is known as a Ross Yoke, named after Andy Ross, its inventor. It allows both the piston and displacer to be connected on the same side end of the axle while at the same time maintaining the 90 degree offset between the piston and displacer. For larger engines it makes dramatically reduces the crank area. Ross yoke mechanism also often has stroke-multiplication meaning the crank-throw diameter can be shorter than the actual piston stroke. The yoke itself is attached to the crank and pivots on two precision flanged ball bearings. The oval section at the bottom of the yoke pivots on one precision ball bearing. All other specifications on this engine are identical to our KS90 model. |
LOW FRICTION | BALANCED | MICRON PRECISION |
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THERMODYNAMICS | DESIGN | PERFORMANCE |
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THE SIMPLE STIRLING ENGINE CONCEPT
What is a Stirling Engine?Stirling engines convert a small temperature difference into motion. As long as one plate is warmer (about 5°c) than the other then the engine will run. It doesn't matter which plate is warmer, as long as the other is cooler. If you reverse the temperature differential, and cool the plate that was warm, and warm the plate that was cool then the engine will run in reverse. The Stirling engine is named after its inventor, Rev. Robert Stirling, who patented his idea in 1816. |
How do they work?Stirling engines work by cyclically heating and cooling the air inside the main chamber. As the air heats up it expands, and as it cools down it contracts. This expansion and contraction drives a small piston which in turn drives the flywheel. The clever thing about Stirling engines is that the mechanism for cycling the heating and cooling of the air is built into the engine in the form of the displacer, which is driven by the flywheel and moves the air from the warm side to the cool side and back again over and over. |
Eco-friendlyThe Kontax KS90 Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engine is the ultimate eco-friendly device, showing with one spin of the flywheel a clean and simple way of converting waste heat into motion. Because these engines rely on a temperature difference for operation, they will run on almost any source of warmth. Typical heat sources include hot coffee or tea, warm sunlight, CRT monitor, TV digibox and the human hand. |
EfficiencyBecause Stirling engines have a theoretical 40% greater efficiency than photo-voltaic (PV) panels worldwide energy companies are investigating using them as a way to provide energy in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Such companies use our full range of low temperature engines to demonstrate the principles behind generating electricity using Stirling engines. |
Our kits are supplied in a custom foam insert which we have designed and made ourselves. This ensures that all the parts are safe and secure while in transit. It also doubles as an assembly aid, holding the engine still during assembly.
Instructions (Our engines are also available assembled) |
(KS90 solar kit shown) |
POWER IT BY....
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SunlightPower your engine by strong direct sunlight. Just flick the flywheel to get it started. The top surface will be the hot side and the bottom the cool side. All our 'solar' engines are optimised for solar power. |
Body HeatOur engines run on 10°C degree temperature difference. Your hands are 37°C, so in most climates (27°C or less) the engine will run from the heat of your hand. |
Warm DrinksPlacing the engine on top of a freshly made tea, coffee or boiled water will provide enough energy for it to run fast. Usually run for over 30 minutes on one cup. |
Ice CubesPutting an ice under the engine will make it run in reverse (hot side on the top). You can also place the ice cube on top. |
ENGINE FEATURES
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MATERIALS
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MAIN DIMENSIONS
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