Submarine Power Systems Using the V4-275R Stirling Engine

Abstract

The Stirling power module V4-275R, integrated with a liquid oxygen system, is currently built for submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy and for the offshore company Comex in France.

Since mid 1985 the Stirling engine system for the Swedish Navy has been successfully tested in a full-scale submarine test section. The next step in this programme will be an integration of the Stirling system into an operational Swedish submarine. A contract has been signed having Kockums as the main contractor.

The French programme means a 500 ton manned diver lock-out submarine, the SAGA I, which is under final construction at Comex in Marseille.

The energy system for the SAGA submarine consists of two V4–275R Stirling engines of maximum 100 kW power each. The oxygen storage, manufactured by AGA Cryo in Gothenburg, consists of two liquid oxygen tanks providing a total capacity of 10000 kWh, allowing the submarine to perform missions of up to 14 days submerged.

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References

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(Sub Power AB) The V4–275R Stirling engine in underwater application. Third International Stirling Engine Conference, Rome 25–27 June 1986.