1. Historical overview

C. Ader succeeded in getting an aeroplane off the ground on October 9, 1890, powered solely by his steam engine driving a four-bladed propeller. The Eole lifted off a few centimetres and managed to fly some twenty metres. In 1897, C. Ader's second airplane, on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, flew 300 m at 0.50 m altitude. It was towed by two four-bladed propellers driven by two steam engines, each rated at around 15 kW and powered by a common steam generator.

This major achievement was the work of a scientist who was both an engine and aircraft manufacturer. The engine features double steam expansion, and the tubular generator ensures efficient vaporization thanks to a furnace with alcohol-fired burners. The engine operates on the Carnot principle, exploiting the expansion properties of water when it boils under the action of an external heat source....

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Historical overview

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Bibliography

(1) - SERRUYS (M.) - À propos des cycles d'Ericsson et de Stirling. - Revue générale de thermique, n° 143 (1973).
(2) - MEIJER (R.J.) - Le développement des moteurs Stirling en Suède. - Rapport interne Kockums (1996).

Patents

Prévond, L. et al. International patent WO 02057612 published on 25.07.2002.

François, P., Prévond, L., Descombes, G., 2002, International extension No. PCT-FR02-00173 of 17.01.02 of the initial French patent IFB 00 CNA LIN of 14.11.2000, published under No. WO 02057612 on 25.07.2002 with priority date recorded on 17.01.2001, Reciprocating linear motion generator based on a Stirling engine and method of...