Off topic, BUT, this technology was used in the US on some farms and in cities. I was reading on one of the other sites that I regularly go to, about someone wanting a cheap, nonpolluting engine to generate back up electricity. Well, that got me to remembering the Stirling engine that I had done some research on a few years ago when I was contemplating making our house non-dependant on the power company lines. I think the reason I gave up on it at that time, was the state regulations about home based power generation stations and other legal bull hockey that lawyers for the power companies had written into the state laws and regulations. Anywho,, did any of you older members ever see one of these on any of the farms in your area back in the day? Or have any of you ever run across them at the tractor shows you regularly attend? Just curious. (history of the Stirling engine)
In 1816, when Scottish minister Robert Stirling patented the Stirling cycle engine, he could hardly have foreseen its potential. In his day (before the advent of the internal combustion engine), the Stirling engine powered water pumps and household fans. It was reliable, safe, durable, and easy to use. Today, the Stirling engine is making a comeback as a clean alternative to internal combustion engines. Used in artificial hearts as well as automobiles and NASA space stations, the Stirling engine is emerging as a darling of 21st century power design.
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