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the sterling engine is recognized by the
department of energy as a promising
alternative to the internal combustion
engine
an external combustion engine the
sterling burns any fuel creating heat
for the cylinder
the heat itself powers the engine
any fuel can be used liquid solid or gas
the sterling even operates on heat from
nuclear and solar energy
combustion is continuous and complete
quiet and clean
ongoing research in aeronautical and
automotive engines at the nasa lewis
research center in cleveland ohio
indicates the sterling may be the engine
of the future
feasibility studies by manufacturers
indicate the technology to produce
sterling engines commercially exists
today
value engineering studies have shown the
sterling can be manufactured in low
production volumes at a competitive cost
the engine can be built to provide power
for both propulsion and stationary
applications
a sterling engine developed by
mechanical technology incorporated for
nasa lewis research center and the
department of energy has been evaluated
by a nasa technology utilization program
under actual driving conditions
the sterling engine was installed in an
air force van
the van's original 150 horsepower diesel
engine was replaced by a 75 horsepower
sterling and assigned actual duty
service at langley air force base in
virginia
air force operators drove the van
throughout the test serving 10 to 15
aircraft on a flight line driving from
base to aircraft moving about the field
in and around aircraft
stop and go
hauling personnel and equipment
performance was monitored by special
equipment mounted in the van
engine speed vehicle speed and miles
accumulated were recorded daily
during this air force mission three
different fuels were used
unleaded gasoline
jp4 aircraft fuel
and diesel fuel
the van functioned normally during the
one-year evaluation period on whatever
fuel was available
the sterling's high torque capability at
low speeds enabled towing of all heavy
support equipment
after fourteen hundred hours and seven
thousand miles results showed improved
fuel economy
a second vehicle a standard air force
truck was also evaluated
the truck's original 95 horsepower
internal combustion engine was replaced
by a 75 horsepower sterling engine
tests were conducted over a one-year
period for one thousand hours and
nineteen thousand miles of open highway
and city streets on rough and rural
roads and in normal traffic in a variety
of environments
in moderate climate the norfolk virginia
area an expediter mission at langley air
force base
hot moist sea air environment a general
transportation assignment at eglin air
force base florida
hot dry environment base taxi service at
randolph air force base texas
in the north a base supply mission at
offutt air force base nebraska
in addition the truck was driven from
texas to washington dc
a distance of 1600 miles the entire trip
averaged over 50 miles per hour
the sterling consistently delivered more
miles per gallon
current engines are a major contributor
to the severe atmospheric pollution in
our cities today
exhaust emissions were evaluated and the
sterling engine met federal emissions
standards
no catalytic converter or particulate
trap was needed
the exhaust is cool and clean
the sterling engine can help reduce
these pollutants to meet even the most
stringent california standards
also several maintenance requirements
were eliminated with only one spark plug
to start combustion
no carburetor
no catalytic converter and no muffler
because the engine oil is not exposed to
combustion products it stayed clean and
uncontaminated throughout the test
eliminating the oil changes
the sterling engine offers increased
fuel economy
multi-fuel flexibility and reduced life
cycle costs
its economy and efficiency of operation
are being demonstrated
the sterling engine appears ready for
market
nasa's technical utilization division
continues to work with u.s industry
providing data to manufacturers and end
users answering the questions on
sterling technology
and the technology is available now
to build the power plant of the future
today
power for america on the land
and in space
the sterling engine
an alternative power plant of the future
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now