NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
CO2 laser-driven Stirling engineA 100-W Beale free-piston Stirling engine was powered remotely by a CO2 laser for long periods of time. The engine ran on both continuous-wave and pulse laser input. The working fluid was helium doped with small quantities of sulfur hexafluoride, SF6. The CO2 radiation was absorbed by the vibrational modes of the sulfur hexafluoride, which in turn transferred the energy to the helium to drive the engine. Electrical energy was obtained from a linear alternator attached to the piston of the engine. Engine pressures, volumes, and temperatures were measured to determine engine performance. It was found that the pulse radiation mode was more efficient than the continuous-wave mode. An analysis of the engine heat consumption indicated that heat losses around the cylinder and the window used to transmit the beam into the engine accounted for nearly half the energy input. The overall efficiency, that is, electrical output to laser input, was approximately 0.75%. However, this experiment was not designed for high efficiency but only to demonstrate the concept of a laser-driven engine. Based on this experiment, the engine could be modified to achieve efficiencies of perhaps 25-30%.
Document ID
19780065895
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lee, G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Perry, R. L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field; University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif., United States)
Carney, B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Energy
Volume: 2
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
78A49804
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available