Low Torque Generator

[Rob Liechty]

I have been working with a Stirling Engine (beta-type) that is solar powered. The flywheel spins very fast, but with very little torque. I would like to convert this rotating energy to electrical energy (120V 60Hz is the ultimate goal). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Rob

[Rob Beckers]

Rob, I have no idea what the actual torque value is that your Stirling engine produces, however, a permanent magnet alternator could possibly do the job. The advantage of high-RPM is that you can get away with very little in terms of magnets (the expensive part). It is much harder (expensive) to make a low-RPM permanent magnet alternator for the same power level, that takes large magnets.

I'm no expert on PM alternators, so please take this for what it's worth. A closer look at those alternators might be warranted though.

-RoB-

[Jerry Smith]

I think they are the most efficient developed conversion mechanism for solar electricity, but in current designs the entire engine must be mounted with the collection dish and moved with it to track the sun - an expensive setup with lots of moving parts under load.