Gamma Type Stirling Engines

Gamma type engines have a displacer and power piston, similar to Beta machines, however in different cylinders. This allows a convenient complete separation between the heat exchangers associated with the displacer cylinder and the compression and expansion work space associated with the piston. Thus they tend to have somewhat larger dead (or unswept) volumes than either the Alpha or Beta engines.

Furthermore during the expansion process some of the expansion must take place in the compression space leading to a reduction of specific power. Gamma engines are therefor used when the advantages of having separate cylinders outweigh the specific power disadvantage.

Because of the convenience of two cylinders in which only the piston has to be sealed, the gamma configuration is a favorite among modellers and hobbyists.

One example is the "Fizgig" by master modeller Mick Collins. This delightful engine comes with a complete set of drawings and instructions which can be downloaded from Mick Collins' website, together with performance characteristics, feedback from modellers who have built the engine, and other interesting information.

Another approach is that of Boyette White, who recently converted a Briggs and Stratton engine into a Gamma type Stirling engine by adding the displacer and heat exchanger sections.

All Hot Air - an aptly named British company makes a very nice Gamma type Stirling engine model called the "Super-Vee". Their web pages include an illustrated explanation of how the Stirling engine operates.

The Little Engine Pages by Roy Rice and Richard Egge include some delightful Stirling engines by these two very innovative modellers. The engine shown is a water cooled Ringbom Stirling engine "Aquatap" made by Roy Rice. The Ringbom engine is a Gamma type engine in which the displacer piston is moved by pressure forces, and have no mechanical connection to the crankshaft.

Gamma Type Stirling Engines

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One example is the "Fizgig" by master modeller Mick Collins. This delightful engine comes with a complete set of drawings and instructions which can be downloaded from Mick Collins' website, together with performance characteristics, feedback from modellers who have built the engine, and other interesting information.
	Another approach is that of Boyette White, who recently converted a Briggs and Stratton engine into a Gamma type Stirling engine by adding the displacer and heat exchanger sections.

All Hot Air - an aptly named British company makes a very nice Gamma type Stirling engine model called the "Super-Vee". Their web pages include an illustrated explanation of how the Stirling engine operates.
	The Little Engine Pages by Roy Rice and Richard Egge include some delightful Stirling engines by these two very innovative modellers. The engine shown is a water cooled Ringbom Stirling engine "Aquatap" made by Roy Rice. The Ringbom engine is a Gamma type engine in which the displacer piston is moved by pressure forces, and have no mechanical connection to the crankshaft.