Evaluation of Potential Military Applications of Stirling Engines

Abstract

This paper reports on the potential military applications of the Stirling engine. In the applications considered here, the major advantages cited for the Stirling engine are multifuel capability, efficiency, and low noise levels. These potential advantages are small compared to current diesels. Diesels are already able to burn broadcut fuels, have high efficiency, and can be adequately muffled. Their major disadvantages are size, weight, and cost. These disadvantages are only severe in vehicular and mobile power applications where the competition is open-cycle internal combustion engines (diesel, spark-ignition, or turbine). In underwater and space power applications where closed-cycle engines are a necessity, the use of Stirling engines shows more promise.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA201000

Entities

People

  • Frederick R. Riddell
  • Ivan C. Oelrich

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Auxiliary Power Units
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Electric Power
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Gas Turbines
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Transfer
  • Internal Combustion Engines
  • Materials Processing
  • Otto Cycles
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Turbines

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites