Theoretical Performance of Stirling Cycle Engines

This paper is supplementary to an earlier presentation of a generalized theoretical analysis of the Stirling engine cycle developed by Finkelstein. The theory is complex and the final equations do not have closed solutions. Only one numerical result was given with the original presentation of the theory. Now, with the aid of a digital computer a study has been made of the effect of the four principal design parameters on the performance of an engine assumed to be operating with adiabatic processes of compression and expansion.

Typical values of heat exchanger thermal loading, net engine output, and thermal efficiency are presented for a defined reference engine configuration, showing the effect of variation in the temperature ratio, phase angle, swept volume ratio, and dead volume ratio.