Stelzer engine
The Stelzer engine is a two-stroke opposing-piston free-piston engine design proposed by Frank Stelzer. It uses conjoined pistons in a push-pull arrangement which allows for fewer moving parts and simplified manufacturing. An engine of the same design appeared on the cover of the February 1969 issue of Mechanix Illustrated magazine.
![](../I/m/St-ani1-mittel.gif)
Operation
There are two combustion chambers and a central precompression chamber. Control of the air flow between the precompression chamber and the combustion chambers is made by stepped piston rods.
Applications
Applications envisaged for the engine include driving:
- An air compressor
- A hydraulic pump
- A linear generator
Prototypes
A prototype engine was demonstrated in Frankfurt in 1983 and Opel was reported to be interested in it. In 1982, the Government of Ireland agreed to pay half the cost of a factory at Shannon Airport to manufacture the engines. [1] A prototype car with a Stelzer engine and electric transmission was shown at a German motor show in 1983.[2]
See also
References
- Taglilabue, John (1983-06-27). "Free-Piston Engine Debated". The New York Times.
- Popular Mechanics, March 1984
External links
- U.S. Patent 4,385,597 -- Two-Stroke Internal Combustion Engine 1983
- Diagrams of Stelzer engine and linear alternator