Magazine Article

Improving Stirling Engine Performance Through Optimized Piston and Displacer Motion

TBMG-26152

01/01/2017

Abstract
Content

Stirling engines typically achieve high efficiency, but lack power density. Low power density prevents them from being used in many applications where internal combustion engines are viable competitors, and increases system costs in applications that require Stirling engines. This limits their operating envelope in both terrestrial and space applications. Sinusoidal piston and displacer motion is one of the causes of low power density. Previous work proposed solving this problem by replacing sinusoidal waveforms with waveforms that more closely approximate those of the ideal Stirling cycle. However, when working with real engines, imposing ideal waveforms has been shown to reduce power density and efficiency due to increased pressure drop through the regenerator and heat exchangers.

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Citation
"Improving Stirling Engine Performance Through Optimized Piston and Displacer Motion," Mobility Engineering, January 1, 2017.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Jan 1, 2017
Product Code
TBMG-26152
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English