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Stirling, Robert

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Scottish inventor of the first practicable hot-air engine in 1816. The Stirling engine has a high thermal efficiency and a large number of inherent advantages, such as flexibility in the choice of fuel, that could make it as important as the internal-combustion engine. Early life Stirling was born in Cloag, Perthshire, and attended Glasgow and Edinburgh universities. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1816, responsible for the parish of Galston, Ayrshire 1824–76. He also designed and made scientific instruments. First engine The patent on the first air engine (and related patents until 1840) was taken out jointly with his younger brother James, a mechanical engineer. Their first engine appeared in 1818. It had a vertical cylinder about 60 cm/2 ft in diameter, produced about 1.5 kW/2 hp pumping water from a quarry, and ran for two years before the hot sections of the cylinder burned out. The Stirling engine In 1824, the brothers started work on improved engines and in 1843…
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Full text Article Stirling, Robert (1790-1878)

From The Hutchinson Dictionary of Scientific Biography
Place: United Kingdom, Scotland Subject : biography, technology and manufacturing Scottish inventor who is credited with the invention of the first practicable hot-air engine. The principle has a large number of inherent advantages that could make it as important as the internal-combustion engine, …
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Full text Article Stirling engine

From The Chambers Dictionary
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Full text Article Stirling engine

From Collins English Dictionary
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Full text Article Stirling engine

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
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Full text Article Stirling, Robert

From Chambers Biographical Dictionary
1790-1878 Scottish clergyman and inventor Born in Cloag, Perthshire, and educated for the ministry at the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, he was ordained in the Church of Scotland in 1816, and was minister of Galston, Ayrshire (1837-78). In the same year he patented a hot-air engine operating…
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Full text Article Quotations by Author

From Chambers Dictionary of Great Quotations
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Full text Article Thematic Index

From The New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women
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By wisdom and courage
PATRICK FRANCIS MAITLAND 17th Earl, and 13th Baronet; b 17 March 1911; s 1968; ed Lancing, and Brasenose Coll, Oxford (BA); Hereditary Bearer of National Flag of Scotland by decrees of Lord Lyon King of Arms 1790 and 1952; recognised by Lord Lyon as Chief of Clan Maitland 1968; Editor of The Fleet…
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James Madison
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