Rethinking the fluidyne shallow well pump...

 


This relates to my post of September 30 [Fluidyne well pump (5m)]. I was
after a really simple solar-powered shallow well pump, and was fairly
pleased with that design.

But I just couldn't leave it alone - and wanted to simplify it still
more. After a lot of lost sleep, I decided that it should be possible to
eliminate about 2/3 of the plumbing /and/ about 2/3 of the fluid and
have a more efficient engine/pump combination.

What seems particularly interesting is that the new single-piston design
might open the door for a completely dry (no fluid at all) engine
capable of driving a single 'hard' piston for use with an alternator -
an exciting prospect for me since the 'classic' fluidyne doesn't seem
particularly well-suited for generation of electrical power.

If you're interested, I've posted a new web page at

    http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/Projects/Stirling/5mPump2.html

with a drawing and rationale.

Some early feedback pointed out an evolving resemblance to a thermo
acoustic engine and I'm beginning to see a convergence of design.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

 

Morris,

Aren't you 180° out of phase instead of 90°, I was under the
impression that 90° was necessary???

Curbie

 

Curbie wrote:


The bore and length of the regenerator provides the 90° phase difference
for the two heads (as well as heat recycling), just as in the U-tube design.

I'll probably start out with an all-metal full-flow ball valve at the
hot end of the regenerator tube to provide some initial tuning, then try
to figure out parameters for a plain tube from there.

I'm really hoping this this is one of those cases where less is more. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/