Why are stirling engines not used in automobiles?

The specific power to weight ratio is the biggest hurdle in doing so, conventionally very efficient heat exchangers were not available and hence the pressure drop or rise corresponding to the temperature change was not that convincing to push the crank sufficiently enough to propel an automobile. read more

A Stirling engine uses the Stirling cycle,­ which is unlike the cycles used in internal-combustion engines. •The gasses used inside a Stirling engine never leave the engine. There are no exhaust valves that vent high-pressure gasses, as in a gasoline or diesel engine, and there are no explosions taking place. read more

Prev NEXT There are a couple of key characteristics that make Stirling engines impractical for use in many applications, including in most cars and trucks. read more

Stirling engines do have as high if not higher theoretical efficiency than steam turbines, note the word theoretical. if a Stirling engine uses helium, or for the more insane, hydrogen, it can reach those levels. Helium is expensive and rare. read more