> So did you make the engine and notice it's efficiency, or did you find it using first principles where no one else did?
I found it from first principles, I still don't know why no one else thought about it, but it requires sort of splitting and reversing a normal stirling engine inside-out. Since then I've found several attempts at going in that directions which I took, but no one connected all those pieces yet as far as I know. This doesn't require any advanced materials, just a new configuration of existing inventions. For 15 years I've thought why it should not work, but I can't find a flaw in my reasoning, so now I need to verify it with actual working machine, because I know I still might be wrong. If I'm right - this will change energy generation and storage (no more steam turbines and will replace PV panels). If I'm wrong - someone will potentially lose about $10k.
I suggest designing it in CAD and possibly sending it to be metal 3d-printed, which would be cheaper than a whole garage(I feel your pain on not having space... my carport is currently saturated with my business's equipment and I'd really like to build a proper workshop). In addition to less metal shavings around, you'll have access to different geometry which may help your design.
This prototype won't require any 3d-printed metal for now, mostly 3d-printed plastic and some easily made at home metal parts. I already have some cad designs, I have a garage AND dedicated workshop and enough equipment and parts to finish this, but only thing lacking currently is time (I need two jobs until at least end of this year, then it will be better). But thanks for suggestions.
I don't want to whine or excuse myself, I only give an example of why some inventions take a long time to mature into working design. I will make this, just not in a month of real time.
Right now that money would just mean that I can drop second job and do it in a month. Because I can't drop it currently, prototype will just take probably until the end of year, maybe a little later. But I already have everything needed gathered (electronic equipment and "ECU" parts, most of the required materials and some of 3d printed parts cad designs already done), now I only need time to manufacture what needs to be done pretty much manually. I don't need any more money for actual finishing, but thanks for suggestions.
I found it from first principles, I still don't know why no one else thought about it, but it requires sort of splitting and reversing a normal stirling engine inside-out. Since then I've found several attempts at going in that directions which I took, but no one connected all those pieces yet as far as I know. This doesn't require any advanced materials, just a new configuration of existing inventions. For 15 years I've thought why it should not work, but I can't find a flaw in my reasoning, so now I need to verify it with actual working machine, because I know I still might be wrong. If I'm right - this will change energy generation and storage (no more steam turbines and will replace PV panels). If I'm wrong - someone will potentially lose about $10k.